Chapter 25: The Petty Reward

  Old Hu held a cup of steaming tea in his hand, leaning back in a wide and comfortable leather swivel chair, with his eyes slightly closed, secretly thinking about his troubles.

  "Ding ding ding......" The phone rang suddenly.

  Old Hu opened his eyes, slowly sat up, put down the teacup, stretched out his hand to pick up the receiver: "Hello?"

  "Hu Lao, it's me, Da Wei." The thick voice of Ding Da Wei came from the receiver.

  "Ah, I was just looking for you." Hu Lao said with a start, and then continued.

  "What's wrong, Old Hu?" Ding Da asked with some confusion.

  "Did you send someone to attack Gu Changfeng's daughter?" Hu Lao asked directly.

  "Uh...... Mr. Hu, why are you asking me this......" Ding Dawei paused for a moment and asked back.

  "Dawei, tell me the truth, was it you who did it?" Hu Lao's voice was somewhat stern.

  Ding Dawei fell silent for a moment before slowly saying: "Has Gu Changfeng looked for you?"

  Hu nodded without denying it: "That's right, Gu Changfeng did come looking for me."

  "Hu Lao, it's best if you don't interfere with this matter." Ding Dawei let out a light breath.

  Old Hu's eyebrows furrowed: "Was it really you who sent someone to attack Gu Changfeng's daughter?" Originally, Old Hu still had a glimmer of hope, thinking that Ding Dawei wouldn't do something so irrational. But hearing Ding Dawei's tone, Old Hu's heart sank suddenly - it seemed Gu Changfeng was right, and it was indeed Ding Dawei who sent someone to assassinate Gu Jialan.

  "It was Gu Changfeng who provoked me first." Ding Dawei snorted, "I had originally found an auction house and was about to conduct the auction when Gu Changfeng suddenly appeared and ruined everything. How could I not counterattack after he cut off my financial path and humiliated me?"

  "What's wrong with you? Even if you have a grudge against Gu Changfeng, you can't go and harm his daughter! What you're doing is a serious taboo." Hu Lao sighed. In the business world, there are rules to follow. Doing business inevitably involves competition, and with competition comes offending people. However, there's an unspoken rule in the business world: no matter how deep the hatred between businessmen, they must not harm each other's family members. Ding Dawei's blatant scheme against Gu Changfeng's daughter has already broken this rule, and if things get out of hand, it could provoke public outrage. Moreover, as an outsider from another province, going up against a local tycoon like Gu Changfeng is extremely unwise."

  "I'm a rough man, I only know how to use rough methods." Ding Dawei was a stubborn person, once he made up his mind about something, he wouldn't easily change it.

  "You're really muddled," said Hu Lao, "I'm telling you, Gu Changfeng is not someone to be trifled with..."

  "Am I, Ding Dawei, just a good person to bully? Gu Changfeng has money and power, but I, Ding Dawei, am not afraid of him. I want to let Gu Changfeng know that provoking me, Ding Dawei, will lead to a terrible outcome!" Ding Dawei said gritting his teeth. For over 20 years, Ding Dawei's business had been smooth sailing, and almost no one dared to oppose him. However, after arriving in Lanzhou City, he was unexpectedly squeezed by Gu Changfeng multiple times, which made Ding Dawei extremely resentful.

  "Dai Wei, listen to me and take a piece of advice, stop now..." Old Hu said with a bitter tone.

  "Hu Lao, don't try to persuade me anymore, I've made up my mind. This time, no matter what, I'm going to give Gu Changfeng a show of strength and let him know that there's a world beyond his own, and people beyond himself." Ding Dawei said resolutely.

  "But..." Old Hu wanted to say something more.

  "Hu Lao, you have always been the elder I respect the most. Before my father passed away, he told me to learn from you well. I also regard you as a second father. Hu Lao, I don't expect you to help me deal with Gu Changfeng, but it's best if you don't stop me either. A man lives for his breath, and Buddha incense is lit for his sake. If I don't take care of Gu Changfeng properly, I won't be able to live a happy life." Ding Dawei's tone was very resolute.

  Old Hu fell silent, it can be said that he was speechless. He never expected that Ding Dawei's hatred for Gu Changfeng would be so deep. Originally, Old Hu had planned to act as a mediator and resolve the conflict between Gu Changfeng and Ding Dawei, but now it seems impossible.

  "Old Hu......" For a long time, there was no response from Old Hu, and Ding Dajun couldn't help but shout out loud.

  "Your conflict with Gu Changfeng, I won't intervene again. But let me advise you: be more cautious in your actions, especially don't underestimate Gu Changfeng's abilities. That's all I have to say, you're on your own." With that, Old Hu hung up the phone.

  He picked up his teacup and took a sip, then hesitated for a moment before pressing the red button on the table.

  Before long, a man in his 30s walked in: "Old Hu, what are your orders?"

  "Go and arrange it, I'll be back in the afternoon to recuperate at home for a while." Old Hu said calmly.

  The man nodded and turned around to leave the room.

  "Hmm..." Old Hu let out a soft sigh, leaning back in his chair, muttering to himself: "Out of sight, out of mind. You can do whatever you want, it's none of my business anymore."

  Lin San's recent days have been very comfortable. Since saving Gu Jialan twice, Gu Jialan's attitude towards Lin San has become much more polite. Every time Gu Jialan sees Lin San, she will take the initiative to greet him and occasionally chat with him for a few sentences. However, there is one thing that makes Lin San not very satisfied, because he has to protect Gu Jialan 24 hours a day, which leaves Lin San no time to study magic.

  Lin San asked himself if his face was still thick, but for some reason, every time he spoke to Gu Jialan, Lin San's face would turn red, his heart would beat faster, and occasionally, he would stutter. Sometimes, Lin San really wanted to slap himself hard, thinking that he was too useless.

  That day, Lin San was sitting in the hall as usual, chatting with his colleagues. Among men, topics often revolve around women. At this point, Lin San began to introduce some gossip about female celebrities to his colleagues.

  "I'm telling you, I used to watch TV and found a very strange phenomenon. Whenever a female star wore less clothing on a show, the ratings would skyrocket. But if she wore more conservative clothes, the ratings would be just average." Lin San said, gesturing with his hands as he sat on the sofa.

  "What you said is very right, the movie 'Desire World' that was released a few days ago, the female lead wore very little, and there were even some revealing shots, this movie's box office sales went crazy, it's said to be one of the most popular movies of the year." Li Cong excitedly said.

  "Can't you guys say something serious for once?" Zhou Tian rolled his eyes: "This is in the company, be careful what you say, don't discuss those messy things, if the leaders upstairs hear it, they'll definitely make you pay."

  "Director Zhou, you're fine in every way, but you're too bound by conventional rules and aren't open-minded at all." Li Cong said with a smile.

  "You stinky kid, what are you talking about? This is called responsibility. We're working for others, so we have to follow their company rules. Otherwise, just wait to be fired." Zhou Tian's face sank.

  "Alright, alright, we won't discuss those female celebrities anymore. Even if we do, it'll be behind your back and you definitely won't hear about it." Lin San said with a chuckle. After spending these days together, Lin San's relationship with Zhou Tian and the others had made tremendous progress, and they had become good friends, speaking much more casually now.

  "Director Zhou, is Miss Gu going out today?" Li Cong asked.

  "Didn't receive any notice, shouldn't go out then. Actually, Miss Gu was attacked twice, probably won't dare to casually go out and stroll around anymore." In Zhou Tian's mind, Gu Jialan was attacked by someone twice, must have been scared silly, generally wouldn't dare show her face again, a rich family's daughter is the most precious about her own life.

  "You say, who exactly wants to hurt Miss Gu?" Li Cong looked around at his colleagues and asked in puzzlement.

  "Who knows, Miss Gu is a real rich young lady, and there must be many people who want to win her over." Zhou Tian waved his hand.

  "It's actually good that Gu Miss doesn't go out, we don't have to go out with our hearts in our mouths either, staying in the company air-conditioned room, getting double pay, how great is that." Li Cong this person, everything else is fine, it's just that he's a bit lazy.

  Because a group of security guards became temporary bodyguards for Gu Jia-lan, they no longer needed to stand guard, patrol or be on duty at the company every day. Instead, they only stayed in the rest room or hall waiting for Gu Jia-lan's dispatch. It can be said that the work of this group of security guards was very free.

  "Huh? Xia Hei Lian is here!" Li Cong suddenly pointed towards the elevator and said.

  "Huh?" Lin San and the others turned their heads, saw Xia Hou walk out of the elevator, looked around, and walked directly towards them. Because Xia Hou often had a stern face and would scold people at any moment, Li Cong gave him a nickname behind his back: "Xia Hei Lian" (Summer Black Face).

  "Director Xia."

  Xiahou nodded slightly: "Where's Lin San?"

  Lin San was taken aback, he didn't expect Xia Hou to ask him: "I'm here, Director Xia, what's the matter?"

  Xia Hou glanced at Lin San and said expressionlessly: "Since you saved Miss Gu twice, Chairman Gu is very grateful and has decided to reward you."

  "Ah?" Lin San was stunned and said in surprise: "Give me a reward?"

  "Lin San, from now on, you will be promoted as the deputy leader of the first group." Xia Hou said calmly.

  "What? Deputy group leader?" Lin San was stunned.

  "Right, from now on you'll be the deputy leader of this group." Xiahou nodded.

  "There are only about 10 people in the group, and Director Zhou can manage them all by himself. There's no need for a deputy director at all." Li Cong muttered quietly to himself.

  Xiahou furrowed his brow and turned to Li Cong: "If you have something to say, speak up loudly, don't gossip behind my back!"

  Li Cong twisted his mouth and turned his head to one side. As for Xia Hou, Li Cong really didn't have any good feelings towards him at all.

  Xiahou looked at Lin San: "What? You think the company's reward for you is a bit light?"

  "What? No... I didn't..." Lin San came back to his senses and hastily said.

  "Lin San, the company promoted you to deputy team leader, it's a kind of trust and cultivation. People need to take things one step at a time, and eat their food one mouthful at a time. Don't think that just because you saved Miss Gu twice, you're above your station. Don't forget, you're a security guard, protecting Miss Gu's safety is your duty. The company promoting you to deputy team leader is already showing great favor to you." Xia Hou said in a deep voice.

  "Yes, yes, I know, I understand." Lin nodded three times: "But I want to say one thing, I've never thought that I'm anything special, protecting Miss Gu is my duty, actually whether the company rewards me or not, I really don't care."

  "It's best if you think that way." Xiahou nodded slightly: "I still have something to do, I'll leave first." After finishing speaking, Xiahou turned around and left.

  When Xia Hou walked far away, Li Cong couldn't help but curse: "Damn it! What the hell is this? It's just a **long one**, do you have to be so arrogant?! Shit!"

  "Can't you just keep quiet for once!" Zhou Tian glared at Li Cong.

  As for Zhou Tian, Li Cong was still relatively respectful. Seeing Zhou Tian get angry, Li Cong pursed his lips and stopped speaking.

  Zheng Guang said on the side, "I think the company is unfair to Lin San. Lin San risked his life to save Miss Gu, but in the end, he only got a nominal deputy head title." Even an idiot knows that being a deputy head is just a title and doesn't come with much real power.

  Lin San smiled and said: "Zheng Guang, don't say that, I really don't care about the company's rewards."

  "But you almost lost your life to save Miss Gu, the company should at least give you a big reward, even if it's not a promotion, they should give you a bonus." Zheng Guang furrowed his brow.

  "It's just that the company is too petty," Li Cong said with a huff.

  "Alright, let's stop talking, it's time for dinner. Everyone, gather your things and go to the cafeteria to eat." Zhou Tian waved his hand.

  "Alright, let's go eat! I heard the cafeteria has chicken legs today. If we're late, they'll be gone!" Lin San suddenly slapped his forehead and exclaimed.

  "Chicken legs!" As soon as they heard there were chicken legs, Li Cong and Zheng Guang rushed to the cafeteria like a swarm of bees.

  Lin San stood quietly on the spot, unmoving.

  Zhou Tian turned his head and glanced at Lin San: "Lin San, the company's reward for you this time is a bit unreasonable..."

  "Director Zhou, don't say that. I'm saying the same thing as before. Protecting Miss Gu is my duty. I really don't expect any rewards from the company." Lin San interrupted Zhou Tian's words.

  "Do you really think so?" Zhou Tian looked at Lin San.

  Lin San smiled and said: "Of course, I, Lin San, have never spoken against my heart. I rescued Miss Gu voluntarily, not seeking any reward."

  Zhou Tian nodded: "I'm glad you think so, let's go eat, it's late, but we won't be able to get chicken legs."

  "Hehe... even if you're the first one to run to the cafeteria, you still won't be able to grab a drumstick." Lin San burst out laughing.

  Zhou Tian was taken aback: "I don't quite understand what you mean?"

  Lin San glanced at Zhou Tian and chuckled: "I was just kidding, the cafeteria didn't even serve chicken legs today."

  "What?! Zhou Tian was directly stunned."