Chapter Sixty-Six: A Wake-Up Call for You

Fan Yirou was stunned by Gu Mengyan’s sudden slap. She instinctively touched her cheek where Gu Mengyan had struck, staring straight at her, as if she’d even forgotten the pain. She could hardly believe what had just happened. What was that? Had Gu Mengyan really just slapped her?

“Mengyan, why did you hit me?” Fan Yirou asked, her face a picture of bewilderment rather than anger.

“Hmph!” Gu Mengyan snorted coldly. “That slap wasn’t to punish you, but to wake you up. What on earth were you saying just now? Not wanting to burden Chen Hao and Uncle Chen, not wanting to implicate me either! Are those words that should come out of your mouth? What are you taking us for? Is this how you see our relationship? As if we’re outsiders?”

“All these years of friendship and you talk about dragging us down or not—does that even matter? You’ve lived in our home since you were a child. To me, there’s no real difference between you, Chen Hao, and Uncle Chen. We’re a family, just without blood ties.”

“In fact, compared to those relatives of yours who see you once a year and only ever mock or belittle you, our bond is far closer. What does blood relation matter if there’s no mutual care, only scheming and backstabbing for their own gain? Compared to the relationship between the two of us, those so-called relatives are nothing.”

“And now you tell me you’re afraid of dragging me down? So, in your heart, is that all I am to you? Someone to share good times with, but not hardships?”

“Um…” The roles between the two seemed to have reversed. Gu Mengyan lectured her with the authority of a big sister scolding a younger sibling, while Fan Yirou stood meek and silent, not daring to argue. If Chen Hao were to witness this scene, he would be utterly shocked, for this would never have happened before.

Previously, even when Fan Yirou was at fault, she would never let Gu Mengyan scold her without fighting back, always countering and defending herself. But today, perhaps because Fan Yirou truly realized her mistake, or perhaps because she was intimidated by Gu Mengyan’s imposing presence, she didn’t say a word.

But similarly, if Chen Hao had heard Fan Yirou’s earlier words, he would have given her a stern talking-to as well. Of course, Chen Hao would never slap her, perhaps a gentle reprimand at most. Ahem…

“Out of arguments? At a loss for words?” Gu Mengyan’s expression remained icy. “Do you realize you were wrong?”

“I…” Fan Yirou shook her head. “I understand what you mean, but you still don’t know how complicated things are in my family, nor how serious things could get if I really did what you’re suggesting. Our family business is vast. If I were to be with Chen Hao now, given his character and Uncle Chen’s protective nature, they would never stand idly by—they’d definitely try to intervene in our family’s affairs.”

“Even if the Chen family got involved, it might not be enough to save the dire situation our business is in. After all, our family’s company is huge; reviving a behemoth like that isn’t something that can be solved with a few tens of millions. Besides pouring in huge sums of money, every industry requires a powerful network of connections. That’s where debts of gratitude come in. Of all debts in this world, those of gratitude are the hardest to repay.”

“For my sake, Chen Hao would owe countless favors, and I would owe the Chen family a massive debt. Could I ever repay that in this lifetime?”

“And that’s the optimistic scenario. If things didn’t go smoothly, not only would our company not be saved, but the Chen family might get dragged down as well. In the end, it would all be for nothing—a complete loss.”

“I can’t be so selfish. That’s why I never told Chen Hao about my family’s situation.”

Fan Yirou’s explanation did nothing to soften Gu Mengyan’s stern expression. She remained grim. “Do you want another slap to wake you up?”

“What do you take Uncle Chen for? Is there anything he can’t do if he sets his mind to it? And if even Uncle Chen can’t manage, there’s still Grandpa Chen! As long as Grandpa Chen is willing to speak, who would dare refuse him?”

The “Grandpa Chen” Gu Mengyan spoke of was, of course, Chen Hao’s grandfather—a legendary figure. The Chen family’s current glory was inseparable from the old man’s efforts. There were countless stories about him; if his life were compiled into a book, it would surely surpass any movie in its splendor.

Grandpa Chen no longer lived with Chen Ding’an and the others. When Chen Ding’an was capable of managing the company, Grandpa Chen and his wife moved away to a place no one else could find.

According to Grandpa Chen, when he returned home for holidays, the place they lived was a pristine natural environment—no lights, no electricity, no skyscrapers or roaring cars. They spent their days farming and hiking, living a carefree life.

Don’t think Grandpa Chen was exaggerating—he and his wife remained in excellent health, even better than some forty-year-olds. Can you imagine a man in his seventies carrying two buckets of pure water up two flights of stairs without breaking a sweat?

Chen Hao never worried about his grandparents’ health; he only regretted seeing them so rarely. As work got busier, he missed them less and less.

Back when Gu Mengyan and Fan Yirou lived in the Chen family mansion as children, they would see the old couple during every holiday. The two were kind and amiable, much like any other elderly couple. The girls’ understanding of them came mostly from what Chen Hao and Uncle Chen had told them.

In their youth, Grandpa Chen’s brilliance and status in the business world were unrivaled. So when Gu Mengyan mentioned him, Fan Yirou fell silent.

“Grandpa Chen…” Fan Yirou muttered. “Is it really right to trouble him with my family’s issues? And we’ve only ever heard about him from Chen Hao and Uncle Chen—we don’t truly know the situation, do we?”

“Even if Grandpa Chen is as remarkable as they say, it’s been years since he appeared in the business world. Would people still give him the same respect? And if everything did go as planned, I’d owe him a huge debt of gratitude. For a girl like me to ask him to use his connections… this…”

“Pfft!” Gu Mengyan scoffed. “So what? If you owe a debt, you owe a debt! If we’re talking about owing the Chen family, I owe far more than you do. If it weren’t for them, who knows where I’d be—probably scavenging for food in the streets!”

Gu Mengyan’s words made Fan Yirou feel much better; she had a point. Regaining her mischievous spirit, Fan Yirou teased, “So, to repay the Chen family, you’ve decided to devote yourself to them?”

“Pah! Who—who said anything about that! But you, on the other hand, could consider it. I’m sure Chen Hao and Uncle Chen would be delighted!”

“Heh… maybe,” Fan Yirou replied, neither confirming nor denying, but her gloom had clearly lifted.

“Oh, right!” Gu Mengyan suddenly remembered something and nudged her. “Tell me, since you think your family’s situation is such a burden and you don’t want to drag Chen Hao down, why have you been getting close to him lately? Why do you want to be with him?”

“With Chen Hao’s intelligence, if you two really got together, he wouldn’t fail to notice your family’s problems. He might already know! And even if he doesn’t, do you think Uncle Chen wouldn’t?”

Fan Yirou considered this. “Actually, I’ve decided to give up on the family business. I’m just too tired—after all these years of working so hard for our family’s sake, only to have all my efforts destroyed by those good-for-nothing relatives, I’d rather just let go. I might as well do as my brother suggested and live a carefree life.”

“Without family obligations, being with Chen Hao wouldn’t be an issue. But until the company is completely taken over, I can’t get too close to him or make things official so soon.”

“As for Uncle Chen… I think he already knows about my family. Sometimes I receive help from anonymous benefactors—not financially, but in other ways that have helped my family a lot. I think those were all arranged by Uncle Chen.”

“He knows my temperament. If he offered help openly, I’d never accept it. That’s why, to spare my pride, he’s been helping behind the scenes.”

“I knew it!” Gu Mengyan exclaimed, as if all was as she’d expected. “So, what now? Are you really planning to give up on your family’s business?”

Fan Yirou sighed. “Let’s just take things one step at a time. I’m really exhausted. For now, I just want to spend some happy days with you all. My brother is off traveling with his girlfriend, and it’s boring being home alone, so I might as well come out and have some fun.”

“You’re really quite carefree!” Gu Mengyan laughed. “But that’s good. It means we’ll have more time together. Honestly, after all these years apart, I’ve really missed you, Yirou! Remember, the Chen family will always have a place for you, and I’ll always be your best friend.”

Fan Yirou was touched, though she kept up a tough facade, teasing Gu Mengyan in return. “Oh my, are you speaking to me as the lady of the Chen household? Tsk, tsk—so you’re the main wife, and I’m just the concubine? You know, concubines often get more attention!”

“Concubine, my foot! If you’ve got the nerve, try stealing Chen Hao away and see who wins in the end!” Gu Mengyan shot back, not to be outdone. “From today on, the battle for Chen Hao officially begins!”

With that, Gu Mengyan dove back into the swimming pool with a splash…