Chapter 61 What a coincidence
It was already dark when Chu Yan returned, carrying the warm porridge he had packed, and pushed open the door to Gu's apartment. Inside, warm yellow lights and a constant, comfortable temperature from the central air conditioning instantly dispelled the heat.
In the living room, Gu Xu was sitting on the large sofa, talking on the phone. He was wearing a comfortable dark gray home suit and the gold-rimmed glasses he only wore for work. His eyes behind the lenses were focused and sharp, completely different from the lazy expression he usually showed in front of Chu Yan. A low and steady voice echoed in the quiet living room:
"Yes, I've reviewed the preliminary assessment report, and the data support is sound. The policy window there is critical. Have the team hurry and refine the plan, especially regarding personnel placement and technical data transfer. A thorough contingency plan should be developed, and this should be carried out simultaneously with the site survey. Priority laboratories and core R&D departments must be located securely, and all preliminary preparations should be completed within two months."
He spoke slowly but clearly, and it was obvious that he was the man at the helm of Ruichuang Technology, who was a master strategist and decisive figure in the business world.
Chu Yan didn't bother him. He quietly changed into slippers, placed the takeout bag on the island in the open kitchen, and opened the lid. The rich aroma of seafood porridge immediately filled the air. He took out two exquisite porcelain bowls and slowly poured the porridge into them.
Gu Xu caught a glimpse of Chu Yan coming back out of the corner of his eye, and quickly said a few more words to the person on the other end of the phone: "...Okay, that's it for now. Send the plan to my email before ten o'clock tomorrow morning. Okay, hanging up." He ended the call neatly, took off his glasses, rubbed his sore eyebrows, and the cold and hard lines between his eyebrows that belonged to "Mr. Gu" instantly softened a lot.
"Are you done fighting?" Chu Yan came over with two bowls of steaming porridge, sat down next to Gu Xu, pushed one of the bowls in front of him, and asked casually.
"Hmm." Gu Xu nodded, picking up a spoon and stirring the thick porridge in his bowl. The delicious aroma filled his nostrils, causing his empty stomach to protest slightly. He scooped up a spoonful, blew on it, and asked casually, "Have you filled out your application? Paleontology at University A?"
Chu Yan also picked up the spoon, took a sip, and nodded with satisfaction. The porridge here was indeed cooked well. He hummed, his tone calm and even, as if he was saying something very ordinary. "I've filled it in. This major is quite interesting. Studying the evolution of life on Earth over billions of years is much more interesting than studying the ever-changing financial markets."
Gu Yu was completely baffled by paleontology. He had studied the most orthodox financial management in college, and his subsequent life trajectory had nothing to do with words like fossils and strata. But he didn't care what Chu Yan chose to study in college. Like Chu Yu, he knew that with Chu Yan's abilities and background, no matter which path he chose, he would be able to make a difference. Moreover, he could provide Chu Yan with a safety net. He said "Oh" to indicate that he understood, and then, while lowering his head to drink his porridge, he dropped a bombshell in a very natural tone:
"I plan to move Ruichuang Technology to City A."
Chu Yan's hand gripping the spoon paused imperceptibly. The scalding porridge lingered for a moment on his tongue. He looked up at Gu Xu. Gu Xu had his eyes downcast, intently blowing on the porridge in the spoon. His long eyelashes cast a faint shadow beneath his eyelids. The lines of his face softened in the warm light, but the calm demeanor of a decision-maker remained.
Chu Yan didn't ask "why" or show any surprise. He just narrowed his deep eyes slightly, and with a kind of understanding, he clearly uttered three words:
"For me?"
Question, but affirmative.
Gu Xu raised his head and met Chu Yan's penetrating gaze. His face showed no sign of embarrassment at being exposed. Instead, he nodded as if it was natural: "Yes."
This answer was so direct that Chu Yan was slightly stunned.
As if noticing Chu Yan's momentary shock, Gu Xu put down the spoon and leaned back into the soft sofa. The lighting was a little dim, so he simply picked up the glasses that were placed beside him and put them on again. The eyes behind the lenses regained their usual rationality, and the tone became professional and calm: "Of course, this is not the only reason. As the national science and technology innovation center, City A's policy support and resource allocation for high-tech enterprises are currently unmatched by City S. Tax incentives, government subsidies, talent introduction subsidies... These are all tangible benefits." He paused, tapping his fingertips lightly on the armrest of the sofa, and said logically, "What's more important is the business environment. The government-business relationship in City A is relatively more transparent and standardized, the market is more mature, and the channels for connecting with capital and seeking in-depth technical cooperation are also smoother. Ruichuang Technology is entering the next period of rapid development and achieving a real breakthrough in technological barriers and large-scale application. City A will undoubtedly be a more ideal platform."
Every word he spoke was based on detailed data and market analysis, with rigorous logic and irrefutable results. This was truly Gu Xu's style—he always used the most rational business logic to support his decisions, even those tainted with personal feelings. He didn't want Chu Yan to feel burdened, didn't want this move "for you" to carry any smack of emotional bondage, even though he knew Chu Yan didn't care.
Chu Yan listened quietly, watching Gu Shi's eyes gleam with the light of a hunter and pioneer as he discussed his business plans. This Gu Shi possessed a unique, captivating charm.
After Gu Xu finished speaking, Chu Yan slowly opened his mouth and asked a more core question: "What about the Gu family?"
He knew Gu Xu. Gu Xu had poured countless efforts into the Gu Group, fighting his way up from the bottom of the branch and subsidiary companies to the core management of the group, at an unimaginable cost and effort. For Gu Xu, the Gu Group was more than just a job; it was a battlefield where he proved his worth and wrestled with a corrupt family. It marked the first half of his life. Could he really abandon it all so easily?
Gu Xu's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this, though his eyes darkened slightly, a subtle hint of coldness and relief flashing across them. He took a sip from the cup on the coffee table, his voice calm and composed.
"When Old Master Gu was still at the helm, the Gu family would have been truly worthy of my devotion, and I certainly wouldn't want to part with them." He was referring to the stern but far-sighted and skilled patriarch, under whom Gu Xu had learned a great deal. "But since Old Master's illness and Gu Hongyuan's takeover..."
Gu Xu's lips curled up in an extremely sarcastic arc, with undisguised contempt. "The current Gu family may appear glamorous on the outside, but its interior has long been gnawed away by those parasites who only care about vying for power and enriching themselves. Gu Hongyuan is self-willed and nepotistic, with no strategic vision, only focused on the petty profits at hand. The entire group's management is in disarray, inefficient, and stagnant in innovation, relying entirely on profiteering from the bottom up. It's only a matter of time before such a giant ship sinks."
His tone was devoid of emotion: "When this broken ship sinks, everyone on board will be sucked into the whirlpool. And I," Gu Xu looked at Chu Yan with sharp eyes, "don't want to be the one dragged down. So, I can only retreat early and build a new ship."
These words were so calm as to border on cruel. He clearly analyzed the Gu family's hopeless situation and made no secret of his determination to cut his losses and start anew. This decisiveness, this ability to maintain a clear mind amidst emotional and personal choices, was precisely what Chu Yan admired most about him.
He liked this kind of Gu Xu—always clear-headed, always self-interested, always knowing how to make the best choice in a complex situation, even if that choice seemed cold-blooded to outsiders. He reached out and gently ruffled Gu Xu's meticulously combed hair with a touch of intimacy and approval, even though the gesture made Gu Xu reluctantly adjust his crooked glasses.
"Yeah." Chu Yan responded with a smile and approval in his voice, "It's a wise choice. Ruichuang Technology is your true 'son'. Now is the time for it to break away from the mess of the Gu family and soar into the sky." He paused, as if remembering something else, and added casually, "Oh, by the way, Brother Yu is also planning to move Cloud Intelligent Control back to City A. After all, it's good to lean on a big tree for shade, and it's also convenient to be closer to the Chu headquarters."
The air froze instantly.
Gu Xu, who had been immersed in rational decision-making just a moment ago, stiffened imperceptibly at the words "Brother Yu" and "Cloud Intelligent Control moving back to City A." He had just thought City A's business environment was incredibly advantageous, but now it felt like he'd been fed a mouthful of flies.
Chu Yu, it’s Chu Yu again.
Gu Xu felt a surge of resentment build up in his chest, and the veins in his forehead throbbed faintly. He had just been congratulating himself on his decisive move away from City S, the "Chu Yu radiation zone," believing that going to City A with Chu Yan would be safe, at least away from Chu Yu's harassment. And now, Chu Yu, this lingering figure, was actually moving to City A with him, even under the pretext of "leaning on a powerful tree"? This was clearly Sima Zhao's intentions.
Gu Xu took a deep breath, forcing down his irritability and the lingering feeling of bad luck. He adjusted his glasses, which had been rubbed askew by Chu Yan, his eyes gleaming with calculation and fighting spirit.
Chu Yu, do you think that by returning to City A and being close to the Chu headquarters you can get the upper hand?
He would let Chu Yu know who the final winner was. No one could snatch away the person that Gu Yu had set his sights on.
"Heh," Gu Xu snorted softly, yet with a hint of disdain and disdain, as if he were merely commenting on an insignificant business rival. "That's quite a coincidence." He added sarcastically, "I remember Mr. Chu first came to City S wanting to break away from the Chu family and prove himself, right?"
Chu Yan looked at Gu Xu's darkened face and the way he pretended to be calm even though he was clearly furious, and finally couldn't help but laugh softly. The laughter was joyful and low, echoing in the quiet living room.
He knew what Gu Xu was thinking. Seeing these two men, so powerful in the business world yet so emotionally at odds with each other, fighting for him, was a pretty good feeling.
He picked up the bowl and sipped the porridge slowly, the smile in his eyes like tiny starlight. Life in City A seemed to be more "exciting" than he had expected.
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