The air seemed to have stagnated at this moment, and Yang Fan's mind turned over several thoughts in an instant: Is this person from the underground bank? What is his purpose? Is it money or people?

  However, her hand holding the phone didn't dare move at all.

  Immediately, Gu Qingcheng's voice came from the receiver: "Dawn?"

  Yang Fuxiao's hand tightened around the phone, her fingernails digging into her palm. The blade at her neck jerked forward slightly, and Yang Fuxiao knew this was a warning, a threat that if she dared to say anything out of line, the spring-loaded knife would slash across her throat.

  "What's wrong?"

  She took a deep breath and smiled: "Gu DaDa, can't call you if nothing's wrong? Missing you..."

  "Oh?"

  Yang Mu Xiao replied evasively: "Of course, don't forget you promised to take me to the Maldives."

  Gu Qingcheng suddenly understood and softened his voice, asking: "Where are you now?"

  "Oh, Mengxi's call has come through on my end. I'll hang up first, byebye."

  She finished speaking and hung up her phone, putting it into her bag while pressing the mute button.

  One of the spring knives had moved down from the position of her carotid artery, she didn't dare to turn her head, and heard a male voice beside her ear: "Miss Yang, this way please."

  Yang Mu Xiao was pushed forward by a hand from behind as soon as she got off the car, and after steadying herself, she asked: "Where are we going?"

  "Come in, Third Master has invited you."

  Third Grandfather?

  Yang Furong rolled her eyes. Among the people she knew, there shouldn't be anyone ranked third, right?

  No, there is also Shen Jia-yu.

  However, the impression Shen Jia-yu gave her would never be this kind of midnight kidnapping and blackmail. Yang Fu-xiao didn't know why she was so sure about it, but from the first time she met Shen Jia-yu, she felt that he should be a very easy-going person, just stubbornly refusing to give in on the engagement issue.

  After entering the nightclub, Yang Xi's afterglow fell back a little, wanting to take advantage of the people behind him not reacting and running away. Anyway, there were many people in the nightclub, startling others was a good way to slip away.

  "The kidnapper" said: "Most of them inside are our people."

  Yang Mianxiao: "......" Hong Xiu discusses blood.

  After just this one sentence, Yang Bufang fell silent and walked forward along a corridor.

  ………………

  This time, the snake valley in the south of the city really invited Gu Qingcheng, but the real purpose was actually...

  Gu Qingcheng entered the nightclub alone, and the decorations inside were still quite good, but there was a sense of fish and dragons mixed together. Even if he followed the waiter into the VIP area, he could see some people with bare shoulders, revealing black tattoos on their shoulders.

  He recalled Yu Jinghang's words earlier. If he could take over a nightclub like this, the construction of the cinema could be pushed back a bit.

  There are many people with tattoos on their shoulders around him, but Gu Qingcheng's gaze is also full of disdain. Having been through a turf war with another gang before, he has seen it all, and these people pose no threat to him at all.

  "Please come this way, Mr. Gu."

  The door of the front compartment opened, and a man led Gu Qingcheng over. Gao Zhen was sitting on the sofa, with his left arm around a woman. Hearing the noise here, he immediately retracted the lewd smile on his face and stood up from the sofa, bowing to Gu Qingcheng.

  "Master Gu has arrived."

  Gu Qingcheng walked over and said, "Third Master, your words are truly an honor to me."

  This sentence was originally said during a phone call in the daytime, but now saying it again has some inexplicable comedic meaning.

  But for Gao Zhen, it was a head-on blow.

  Just then, Gu Qingcheng's phone suddenly rang. As soon as Yang Fuxiao spoke, Gu Qingcheng felt that something was not quite right and immediately got up and rushed out of the door, but was blocked by Gao Zhen's men at the entrance.

  Gu Qingcheng turned around and sneered: "Are you sure that just these few people can stop me?"

  "Can't stop it! However, Big Brother, you don't have to panic, Miss Yang won't be in trouble. I'm just going to ask someone to invite Miss Yang over. Big Brother, please sit down and smoke a cigarette."

  Gu Qingcheng narrowed his eyes slightly and dialed Yang Fuxiao's phone again, but no one answered.

  Gu Zhen received a fierce and ruthless gaze from Gu Qingcheng's eyes, his heart skipped three beats. "Boss Gu, I dare to swear to heaven that I really only invited Miss Yang over. I had intended to apologize to Miss Yang for yesterday's events. Let me go make a phone call."

  He actually found the stupidest person to do this simplest thing.

  "Guo called San Pang's phone: "Damn it, are you dead or something? Everyone is waiting for you!"

  Yang Xiao was pointed at by the person with a spring knife in his hand and walked in. As soon as she entered, she felt countless gazes shooting towards her, of course, including Gu Qingcheng.

  What's going on?

  A man behind him put away the spring knife in his hand and said, "Third Master, I've invited someone over."

  Gu Yun took a step forward, directly stretching out his hand to slap him down, "Bastard! I said it was an invitation, not a hijacking, what kind of spring knife are you using?! Why don't you cut off your own head and kick it around like a ball?!"

  Yang stepped back one step to avoid implicating the innocent, because such a sudden change was not adapted at all, it's really too overturned.

  She shouldn't be the one being kidnapped, so why are these people killing each other instead?

  Excuse me?

  She thought she was being kidnapped, who knew that this was actually the rumored way of inviting people in the underworld?

  The big guy was beaten by the boss and got a bit dizzy. He didn't dare to beg for mercy, so he just covered his head and squatted on the ground.

  Kokoro's own arm was a bit sore, he raised his hand to rub his arm and called out to the people behind him, "You few come over and continue fighting."

  Yang Mu Xiao: "......"

  Gu Yan rushed over with his hands clasped together, "Miss Yang, I'm really sorry, I was the one who asked him to invite you over, but he... is such a turtle egg!"

  As he spoke, Gu Zhen raised his foot and kicked the "bandit" who was being beaten by the crowd on the ground, Yang Fuxiao's eyelid jumped violently, and he smiled two times with a stiff smile.

  Yang Mu Xiao noticed the same tattoo on his arm as the muscular man who went to Meng Xi's rental house last night, this must be the Dong Zhe mentioned in the snake valley.

  Really looks like... short and neat.

  She could only say that the bald head made her brain seem like a ladle, with sturdy and powerful limbs, but short and small in stature, about the same height as Yang Xiaodong. Among men, it's considered a third-rate disability, but the strength is quite sufficient.

  Behind him was the sound of fierce beating, and it really was a bit... stunning, that his fellow practitioner would actually use such ruthless tactics.

  Yang Duoxiao roughly sized up the person in front of him, while Gu Qingcheng on the side called out "Duoxiao".

  She turned around, and beside Gu Qingcheng was still sitting a woman, wearing only a transparent-like outfit, rubbing her chest against Gu Qingcheng's arm with turbulent waves, her eyes never leaving his since the beginning, presumably having eaten toad meat wanting to eat swan meat now, unfortunately, the famous flower has an owner!

  Yang Mu Xiao walked over and squeezed in between Gu Qing Cheng and this enchanting woman.

  She now has an innate hostility towards all professional women, including those in the sex industry, and this showy and flashy approach is a manifestation of her strong possessiveness.

  Kouma walked over and pushed the woman aside, completely disregarding chivalry. "What's with all the noise? Get out."

  The woman let out a loud cry and fell directly from the sofa, instantly baring her teeth, and her face completely lost its beauty.

  Gu Zhen poured wine for Gu Qingcheng, "Sir, yesterday's matter was not my intention. I just admired you and wanted to ask a few of my men to invite you over. Who knew... we even fought with you! San Bao, get over here!"

  That guy called San Pang really rolled out directly from the corner, rolling out smoothly with his robust shoulders and majestic chest muscles and powerful thick thighs, once, twice, three times.

  Yang brushed off her legs and retreated a bit, avoiding being rolled over by this person who was rolling towards her.

  After San Pang rolled over, he directly knelt on the ground and said in a loud voice like a giant lizard: "Master Gu, I was wrong, I really dare not, you hit me two punches, yesterday I really didn't want to fight you, but I had no choice, I was wrong..."

  Yang Mo Xiao didn't quite understand, turned around, and looked at Gu Qing Cheng with a tilted head. He poked his shoulder blade with his elbow: "Gu Da Da, did you understand?"

  Gu Qingcheng had a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, slightly bent down, picked up a bottle of wine on the table, looked at the English instructions on it, and put it back down again. "I don't understand either."

  San Bao: *silence*

  Behind the tea table in front, the "bandit" who had just made a sound like crying and shouting.

  One of them, Tanaka, kicked him and said, "Not sincere enough, show more sincerity!"

  San Bao clenched his fist and punched himself in the face, then another punch. Yang Fuxiao was terrified and turned away.

  Just as he was about to punch his own face for the third time, Gu Qingcheng suddenly shouted "Stop."

  San's fist stopped in mid-air, and the group of people who were beating him up also stopped their movements.

  Is sincerity enough?

  Gu Qingcheng picked up an inverted clean high-footed wine glass from the table with one hand, placed it on the table, and poured wine into it with the other hand holding a red wine bottle. Just then, Yu Zhen hurried forward: "Here, let me do it."

  Yang Mu Xiao had been watching Gu Qing Cheng all along, she knew that he must have something to say, would he spare these few people?

  Gu Qing Cheng held a cup of wine and said to San Bao who was kneeling on the ground: "Switch sides."

  Yang Mu Xiao: "......"

  Normally, when you hit yourself, it's not that effective, but now it seems that this San Bao can actually make his own face swollen and puffy just by hitting himself.

  Among the sounds of fighting, Gu Qingcheng raised his eyes and looked at Gou Zhen on one side: "What about those cooperation orders with MSC before?"

  Gu Zhen said: "It was all said by the military strategist under me, as long as it can attract your attention, it's already half the effort, and it's just a waste of words, isn't it?"

  "Oh, so you've gone to great lengths to get me here just to... surrender to me?"

  Yang Mu Xiao heard this word from Gu Qing Cheng's mouth and suddenly understood a bit more.

  I understand. So, it turns out that this valley is like this three times and four times, and even calculates the things between himself and Meng Xi into it, just to want to return to Gu Qingcheng's command?

  What is the extent of Gu Qingcheng's charm on Tao?

  "This is work-related, come to MSC tomorrow and we'll discuss the acquisition in detail."

  Tang Chen rubbed his hands together, a pair of eyes twinkling with amusement, "Alright, alright!"

  He directly pulled out a cigarette from under the coffee table, "Director Gu, you smoke."

  He's actually about to sell his own business, and he's still smiling like that... with a sly and cunning look in his eyes. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I definitely wouldn't have believed it - the mastermind behind the underground loan sharks who are always harassing people for debt repayment is actually this kind of person.

  It's really inhumane.

  Yang Mu Xiao listened to the sound of beating that didn't stop, and couldn't bear to look even when he turned his face away.

  "Halt."

  Gu Qingcheng's voice was not loud, but it had a deterrent power. As soon as the voice came out, without Gu Zhen's order, these people automatically stopped their movements.

  "Gu Yan, I don't understand your rules, but you should understand mine. If you want to follow me, then show some sincerity."

  Gu Qingcheng brought the red wine in his hand to his lips and sniffed it lightly, the wine glass turned over, and the red wine inside gurgled down onto the floor.

  At that moment, Kōji understood.

  Gu Qingcheng put his arm around Yang Moxiao's waist and stood up, smiling lightly: "I hope to see you in the office tomorrow morning, we can discuss the acquisition further then."

  "Whatever you say."

  Gu Yin's face was full of smiles as he stood up and saw off Gu Qingcheng at the door.

  Yang Mu Xiao was confused for a moment about what the two were talking about, and had already been pulled by Gu Qing Cheng to leave the large, unbelievable private room.

  "Wait, General Gu!" Valley True shouted from behind.

  Gu Qingcheng's footsteps paused slightly, and someone had already rushed over from behind him, holding a check in his hand. Yang Fuxiao tiptoed to take a look, the check was made out for "necklace", and the amount below was... several zeros? 30 million?!

  Wait, in Yang Wu's world, there is only one necklace worth 30 million.

  Gu Zhen said: "That necklace was redeemed by the Huas and now I'll give you all 30 million."

  Gu Qingcheng pushed the check away. "If Gu San has good intentions, it's fine as long as he shows up. We don't need to say much about the money."

  Yang Furong watched as a check for 3 million yuan was handed over and a large piece of meat that had been about to be eaten flew away.

  Following Gu Qingcheng walking in the corridor, Yang Fuxiao was still thinking about the necklace thing, and asked Gu Qingcheng: "That necklace, is it the one you originally entrusted me to give to my sister, but later lost?"

  The sound of high heels clicking on the floor came from afar, and under the ambiguous lights in the nightclub corridor, Gu Qingcheng's gaze seemed even more profound and unfathomable.

  "Yes."

  That's not right, later she was seen on Bao Yuxin's neck!

  Thin...

  Yang Fuxiao had just opened his mouth to say a word when he suddenly heard a miserable cry from behind. He quickly turned his head to look, and a warm palm covered Yang Fuxiao's eyes. A breath brushed against his ear: "Remember, don't turn back."

  Yang Fuxiao's footsteps paused, and her eyes couldn't see clearly in front of her. She simply followed Gu Qingcheng's footsteps and continued walking forward until they reached the exit of the nightclub. Gu Qingcheng let go of his hand, and Yang Fuxiao adapted for a moment before seeing a sea of neon lights and luxury cars in front of her.

  Gu Qingcheng took a step forward and walked down the stairs. Yang Fuxiao turned his head and asked, "What if the person behind is you?"

  Gu Qingcheng didn't respond immediately, until he sat in the car and started the engine before saying: "Even if it's me, I don't want to look back."

  ………………

  This time, although it was a not-so-big-not-so-small misunderstanding, for Yang Fu Xiao, apart from being slightly frightened and having seen a bit of the "alternative underworld", it was a close call without any losses.

  To be honest, she would rather believe that Gu Qingcheng is a triad member, he alone can act out an entire police and bandit movie.

  However, for Dong Zhe, it was a big mistake.

  Arriving at the Zi Jing Garden, Dong Zhe stood in front of Gu Qing Cheng, clearly taller and more robust than him, but now he looked like a prisoner bowing his head in admission of guilt.

  Gu Qingcheng leaned against the car, one hand holding a cigarette, and gazed at Dong Zhe with a slanted eye: "How did I instruct you before?"

  Dong Zhe said: "You told me to send Miss Yang back."

  Gu Qingcheng sneered and casually flicked off the ash from his cigarette, "And then what did you do?"

  "I... left Miss Yang alone in the car and went into the nightclub," Dong Zhe said with his head down, "Boss, this time it's my fault."

  Yang Mu Xiao sat in the car, and because she rolled down the window, she could hear a little sound from outside, but her heart was also trembling with fear.

  She was really afraid that Gu Qingcheng would cut off one of Dong Zhe's arms.

  Dong Zhe has already pulled out a dagger from his boot and handed it over to Gu Qingcheng with both hands.

  Gu Qingcheng pinched the cigarette butt in his hand, holding a dagger with a sharp blade that gleamed coldly, and in an instant, it reflected the figure of someone.

  Yang brushed off the dawn, opened the car door and rushed out from inside, "This has nothing to do with Dong Zhe, it was me who wanted him to come back, and he also cared about you before entering. You shouldn't be so ruthless!"

  Gu Qingcheng raised an eyebrow and looked at Yang Fuxiao, who was standing in front of Dong Zhe with a posture like a mother hen protecting her chicks, which was really quite cowardly.

  "Dawn, you come over first."

  Yang Furong hesitated for a moment, but still listened to Gu Qingcheng's words and walked over. Standing beside Gu Qingcheng at the same time, he had already grabbed his arm. If Gu Qingcheng really wanted to raise his hand, it was good that he could hold him back.

  Gu Qingcheng's eyes fell on Yang Fuxiao, who was clutching his sleeve tightly, and he couldn't help but smile inwardly. This little thought still couldn't escape his notice.

  The dagger in his hand weighed the weight, Gu Qingcheng said: "Dong Zhe, last time you owed Miss Yang an arm, this time, you owe me an arm."

  "Yes."

  Yang Wenshuo let out a sigh of relief, looked up at Gu Qingcheng and smiled like a flower: "That's right, be lenient with others but strict with yourself, you're the real Gu Dada."

  Then, Gu Qingcheng really didn't make a move on Dong Zhe.

  Afterwards, Dong Zhe mentioned this matter to Xiao Jie, Kosent and several trusted subordinates of Gu Qingcheng who had received his kindness, all of whom unanimously said that Dong Zhe was lucky.

  Because in the past, no matter how close or distant, as long as it was a crime, at least one finger would be cut off, and the reputation of being ruthless and merciless could be spread outside, able to control MSC, a group with strong black forces behind it, must have very hard wrists, if everything is merciful, it is impossible to stand in today's position.

  But this time, for Dong Zhe, it was truly a release of his hand.

  "Was it because of that woman?"

  Dong Zhe nodded.

  Kosen shook his head: "The previous Qin Shang was already annoying enough, relying on the boss's fondness for her, and whenever something happened, she would call over. Now there's another woman, women are really troublesome, playing around is fine, but once you get involved in real emotions, it's no good."

  Dong Zhe didn't make a sound.

  He always felt that this time Gu Lao Da was not just playing around.

  But if I'm being honest... it's probably still Miss Qin. As for Yang Wenyu, it's hard to say which level she's at.

  ………………

  Late at night, Gu Qingcheng drove Yang Fuxiao to the hospital.

  Because Grandma Meng needs surgery, the cost of the operation and hospitalization is covered by the money in the savings account, but it's still short 8,000 yuan.

  Meng Xi was really at his wit's end before he would ask Yang Moxiao for a loan.

  Yang Fuxiao's card had all the money transferred to Meng Xi's boyfriend last time, not to mention 8,000 yuan, even if it was 80, there is none, still have to rely on Gu Qingcheng.

  Gu Qingcheng said while helping Yang Fu Xiao pay the hospital bill, "Yang Fu Xiao, have you ever heard that if someone doesn't want to be friends with another person anymore, they should borrow money from them?"

  "Huh?"

  Yang Fuxiao had just signed his name on the receipt, when he suddenly turned around: "It's not that serious, is it, Gu? Don't worry, I'll definitely pay you back!"

  Gu Qingcheng lowered his eyes, took a glance at Yang Fuxiao, and turned around: "You take the hospitalization form to her, I'll wait for you at the hospital entrance."

  He walked back to the car and leaned against the door to dial a number.

  "Get me a thorough investigation of Gu Zhen, all his whereabouts for the past three months."

  "Yes."

  He hung up the phone, and Gu Qingcheng narrowed his eyes to gaze at the distant hospital building where the lights flickered vaguely. He leaned forward by the window, pulled out a pack of cigarettes from the car seat, shook one out, and lit it with a snap of the lighter.

  Although Gu Zhen has always been physically strong but mentally simple, if he really wants to get his own hands dirty, he still needs a clean family background.

  ………………

  Yang Fuxiao took the elevator up to the floor and handed Meng Xi the hotel receipt, then went in to take a look at Grandma Meng again.

  An old man lay on the hospital bed, with a bandage wrapped around his head and an oxygen mask on, his hair completely white, making people feel their eyes sting.

  Yang Furong walked over and grasped Old Lady Meng's hands with both of hers. The old lady's hands were already thin and bony, only a deep hollowed-out skeleton, skin wrapped around bones.

  "Grandma Meng, I've come to see you."

  Meng Xi walked over and stood quietly behind her, wiping away tears. "At dawn, she couldn't hear it."

  Yang Fu Xiao patted Meng Xi's shoulder: "Good people will be rewarded, believe me, your grandmother will definitely get better! The surgery and medication for your grandmother, I'll help you pay for it first..."

  "How did you get so much money?"

  Yang Fu Xiao was thinking in her heart, whether to tell Meng Xi that the money was all borrowed from Gu Qing Cheng or not. If she told him, it would inevitably put pressure on Meng Xi to pay back the money.

  The old lady Meng behind suddenly called out: "Xiao Xi."

  Across the oxygen mask, as soon as he opened his mouth, a layer of misty fog appeared on the oxygen mask.

  Meng Xi suddenly rushed in front of the bed, "Grandma..."

  Yang Fu Xiao also bowed his head and stood behind, Old Lady Meng's voice was particularly soft, even with the oxygen mask on, it was hard to hear, very weak.

  Old Lady Meng said: "Dawn has also come, you are all good children, this time I am definitely not going to make it, don't waste any more money on me, this money is better spent making the lives of those who are still alive a little better..."

  "Grandma, what are you talking about?!" Meng Xi suddenly interrupted Grandma Meng's words. "You're already in the hospital and safe now, I'll think of a way to deal with the money issue. I've been saving for so long, can't I even afford your surgery fee? Don't worry, grandma, I have money, if you don't believe me, ask Fu Xiao."

  Meng Xi said, and then pulled at Yang Fu Xiao's hem from behind.

  "Yes," Yang Fuxiao immediately nodded and smiled: "Aunt Meng, you must be able to live to be a hundred years old!"

  Grandma Meng didn't make any distinction, perhaps she said a few words and got tired again, so she closed her eyes once more. Looking at the medical equipment on the bedside table, the fluctuating lines rose and fell high and low, only then did Meng Xi let out a sigh of relief.

  It's really too late today, Yang Xiao only stayed with Meng Xi in the ward for a while before getting up to bid farewell. He said: "I'll come to the hospital again tomorrow to see you, and I've asked Manager Zhou for leave on behalf of Ya Huan, so just stay in the hospital and accompany your grandmother."

  "Thank you."

  Meng Xi sent Yang Fu Xiao to the door of the ward, stretched out his arm and hugged her shoulder: "Really thank you Fu Xiao, I don't know what to do if I didn't have your help now..."

  "What's the matter, we're friends."

  After Yang Mochen left, Meng Xi sat beside the bed, staring at Grandma on the bed with unblinking eyes.

  She has been living in such an environment since she was a child. Her mother ran away with another man when she was six years old, leaving behind this broken home. If it weren't for her grandmother, she might not have survived until today.

  Meng Xi held her grandmother's hands with both of hers and leaned against the bedside.

  That day, Meng Xi was exhausted from Grandma's hospitalization and fell asleep on the bed headboard in no time.

  The night is deep and people are quiet.

  When the distant church bell tolled twelve times, Grandma Meng suddenly woke up in the midst of this lingering sound. Her cloudy eyes rolled twice, and she slightly turned her face to see her granddaughter lying beside her bed.

  Now, all the responsibilities have fallen on her granddaughter's shoulders, which is undoubtedly a disaster for a young girl who has just turned twenty.

  Grandma Meng knew her physical condition, even if the surgery was successful, what could she do? At most, she would live for another three to five months and need someone to take care of her day and night without leaving, which would only drag down her granddaughter.

  She lifted her other hand and covered the oxygen mask that was pressed against her mouth and nose, taking it off bit by bit.

  This is the best result for everyone.

  She has finished writing her will and can finally rest in peace and reunite with her deceased husband.

  It's late at night, some people sleep and others get drunk.

  Gu Qingcheng's Bentley Continental drove out of the hospital and stopped directly in front of a pub on a bustling street.

  Inside, the sound is deafening, filled with the smell of cheap liquor and cigarette smoke. The people on the dance floor have all become demons, and if they wear masks, they become a bunch of monsters.