Chapter 75

Chapter 75

In the following days, the Yang family remained under intense scrutiny, with public attention remaining high.

Meanwhile, some quietly noticed that within a short period, the Yang family had undergone mergers with two similar companies. Although the Yang family appeared to be in a precarious position, they still maintained a dominant role compared to the merged companies, thus gaining actual control and increasing their competitive edge.

UA had no choice but to return to the negotiating table, entering a lengthy phase of back-and-forth negotiations.

"Have you been very busy lately?" Gou Yiyang, who had finally taken off his white coat, invited Chen Mo for dinner.

In a bustling seafood buffet restaurant, Lao Gou, while manually dismantling a crab, frowned at him. "Look at your face; it’s clear you haven’t been getting enough rest. You look worse than someone who has to work night shifts."

Chen Mo, who had indeed been extremely busy over the past two weeks, picked up a piece of corn from the soup base and said through the rising steam, "It’s okay. Things have mostly settled down, so I can get some rest now."

"I knew you must have been involved in the Yang family’s affairs recently," Lao Gou said with certainty. "And from what I’ve seen on some professional forums, the capital behind the Yang family’s merger seems to be CM, right?"

Chen Mo glanced at Lao Gou and laughed. "When did you start paying attention to financial news?"

"Financial news? I’m not interested in financial news; I’m interested in you!" Lao Gou, who had gained some weight since high school, was developing into the familiar figure Chen Mo remembered from his previous life, appearing more mature but occasionally still a bit quirky. "I pay attention to you, so naturally, I pay attention to these developments."

As he spoke, he nudged Chen Mo under the table.

"Hey, what’s going on between you two?"

"Nothing much," Chen Mo replied calmly. "He’s been abroad recently."

"Damn." Lao Gou muttered silently, "I thought he came back specifically for you. How long has he been gone this time? Another few years?"

Chen Mo was slightly speechless. "Stop those silly thoughts. He went abroad for work this time and will be back next week."

"You know exactly when he’s coming back," Lao Gou said suspiciously. "Yet you say there’s nothing going on?"

Chen Mo responded, "We have collaborations, so knowing his return date is normal."

Lao Gou tried to pry for information but got nowhere, so he gave up and shook his head. "I find you increasingly hard to deal with. Can your subordinates handle you?"

"That’s none of your concern."

Chen Mo and Lao Gou’s interactions were still as they used to be.

Even though they hadn’t seen each other for a long time due to their busy schedules, there was no awkwardness when they met.

Chen Mo also knew why Lao Gou had invited him.

The old man was hospitalized in the hospital where Lao Gou worked, and Chen Mo had received a notification the day before that the elderly man’s condition had worsened, with less than a ten percent chance of waking up.

Lao Gou didn’t mention this all evening, and neither did Chen Mo. They chatted about trivial matters instead.

Later, they reached out to people in the group chat they had set up during high school.

They asked who was available to meet up for dinner this weekend.

Chen Mo was also in that group, and people occasionally posted updates about their lives. However, Chen Mo rarely spoke, except when Lao Gou always included him in conversations, keeping his presence noticeable.

Just like when Jiang Xu asked Lao Gou, "I happen to be returning this week. Who else besides you?"

Lao Gou took a photo of Chen Mo with his phone and immediately posted it in the group.

Many people were surprised by this.

"Brother Mo, the busy one, is here too?"

"President Chen, let’s gather this weekend?"

"Lao Gou, look at the photos you post of President Mo. Even blurry ones show how handsome he is. Look at yourself; you’re getting wider every year. How do you live with yourself?"

Gathering the old classmates from high school wasn’t easy.

The group chat gradually became lively.

At this moment, a familiar account suddenly appeared, tagging Lao Gou: "Seafood is cooling; tell him to eat less."

The group fell silent for a few seconds.

"Old Xi?"

"Damn, Class President, you’re back from the dead."

"You haven’t spoken in the group for years, right? President Mo also rarely speaks; I thought you changed your number."

Xi Siyan replied, "No change. I’ve been reading the messages."

There were now more people in the group than just Jiang Xu and Qi Lin. Over the years, many old classmates who had become closer after high school had been added, and they brought in more old classmates.

Their relationship with Xi Siyan was not as close as it used to be with the dorm mates.

So when Xi Siyan appeared, various topics started revolving around him.

"Understandable. Everyone saw the news about CM entering the domestic market. As a coder, I’m swamped too."

"President Xi, is it true that CM is interested in the He Lin project?"

"Class President Xi, are you coming to the gathering?"

...

There were too many questions.

Conversely, those who initially spoke, like Jiang Xu, stopped responding.

After all, the world of adults is filled with reality.

Lao Gou ate while frowning at his phone and said, "What's up with that guy Bai Cheng brought in last year? He starts asking about projects right away. Why do I find him so annoying?"

"Normal," Chen Mo replied, picking up a crab. "Resource exchange is usually a good thing, but because Xi Siyan holds such a high position in some people's eyes, it makes this situation seem incompatible."

This was also the main reason why Chen Mo rarely spoke up later on.

Human relationships were the most difficult to handle, and he truly found them troublesome.

Just as Chen Mo placed his crab in his bowl, Lao Gou scooped it away, saying, "Old Xi just said in the group chat not to let you eat."

Chen Mo was exasperated, "If you're not letting me eat, why did you choose this place?"

"Bringing you here wasn't just for seafood; this restaurant offers more than that, and there's a discount for two. Besides, was it me who didn't let you eat? Listen carefully to what I just said." Lao Gou skillfully disassembled another crab while continuing, "In my opinion, some people in the group lack tact. Xi Siyan mentioned you, yet they all rushed to act familiar without feeling any embarrassment."

Chen Mo ignored him.

He didn't even bother to check the group messages on his phone.

Lao Gou thought more about it and felt that one of the main characters was sitting right across from him, and it was unfair for others to jump in. Putting down his crab, he typed a message in the group on behalf of Xi Siyan: "President Mo said that the class monitor is abroad and can't make it to the gathering."

Sure enough, this message drew many expressions of regret.

Lao Gou looked at his phone for a moment before putting it down and saying to Chen Mo, "Old Xi hasn't spoken up, which clearly means he agrees with me."

The next second, Chen Mo's phone rang.

It was an overseas number, and Chen Mo immediately guessed who it was.

"Hello."

"Why are you eating seafood?"

The background noise in the restaurant was loud, making the other end of the line seem particularly quiet. Chen Mo put down his chopsticks and leaned back in his chair, saying, "Lao Gou wanted to take advantage of the discount and begged me to come."

Lao Gou immediately looked up and glared at him, whispering, "Are you a tattletale?"

A light laugh came from the other end of the phone.

"How is everything going over there?" Chen Mo asked.

Xi Siyan responded, "Smoothly."

In a high-end apartment abroad, Han Qian watched as someone, having just finished getting their arm bandaged by a doctor, hung up the phone and leaned against the bed. He sneered sarcastically, "I never thought you'd play the long game. At a time like this, I thought you'd tell him you got slashed thirteen times on your arm, just to make Chen Mo feel sorry for you."

Xi Siyan ignored Han Qian's sarcasm.

"Have they caught the person?" he asked.

Han Qian's eyes turned cold, "You should know that even if we catch them, it won't be useful. You deliberately gave them an opportunity, and Lunaer knows you ruined his plans. Do you think he would leave any evidence behind?"

"I know," Xi Siyan said, getting out of bed bare-chested, walking steadily as usual, buttoning his shirt. "I don't need evidence; it's a matter of mutual understanding. We have to return the favor."

Han Qian seemed to recall something and laughed darkly, nodding, "Understood."

Once Xi Siyan had finished buttoning his shirt, Han Qian continued teasingly, "You really aren't going to tell him? What a great opportunity to play the sympathy card; maybe he'll soften and agree to get back together with you."

Xi Siyan walked straight to the water dispenser and poured himself a glass of water.

Taking a sip, he said, "I'm not as despicable as you."

Han Qian, suddenly attacked, pointed at himself, incredulous, "Say that again? Who's despicable??"

Xi Siyan had already turned and left.

Leaving Han Qian standing there, unable to understand how someone who had planned this meticulously and sacrificed a knife wound to paralyze UA headquarters for two days, causing near-bankruptcy, could dare call anyone else despicable!

Although Chen Mo occasionally received updates about Xi Siyan, they were mostly work-related, and nothing about Xi Siyan's injury was mentioned.

Three days later, Lao Gou dragged him to a hastily organized alumni gathering.

It was supposed to be an alumni gathering, but it included bringing along friends and family.

Upon arriving, they saw few familiar faces but encountered many alumni from their high school.

"Isn't this supposed to be a welcome party for Jiang Xu?" Chen Mo observed the large round table in the private room that could seat dozens. "Where did all these people come from?"

Lao Gou scratched his head awkwardly, "We originally planned to invite just a few people, but Jiang Xu's girlfriend is quite wealthy and a bit arrogant. Jiang Xu's family isn't bad, but not great either. Many people mocked them when they first got together. This time, she invited a lot of people we barely know, insisting they see how excellent her boyfriend is. As brothers, how could we refuse?"

At that moment, Jiang Xu spotted them.

He waved from the other side of the room, "Lao Gou, Chen Mo, over here!"

Everyone at the table turned to look.

Lao Gou's scalp tingled as he complained to Chen Mo, "Damn, why did Jiang Xu shout so loudly?!"

"Stop complaining," Chen Mo pushed him forward, gesturing for him to move.

They circled the round table towards Jiang Xu.

Halfway there, Chen Mo heard a voice from his left, "Brother, now that we've met, you won't even say hello?"

Chen Mo stopped and turned to look.

Lao Gou instantly flared up, "What are you doing here?! Who invited you?!"

Chen Mo stopped Lao Gou and looked at Yang Shule, who was dressed in head-to-toe designer brands, just like the rich young master he used to be. Thinking about what Lao Gou had said about Jiang Xu's girlfriend coming from a distinguished family, it wasn't surprising that he would show up here.

What surprised Chen Mo was that despite their ongoing internal conflict within the Yang family, Yang Shule still took the initiative to talk to him.

Most of the people present were classmates from No. 1 High School.

Even if some had gotten married or put on weight, anyone who wanted to could easily find out about the relationship between Chen Mo and Yang Shule.

Someone who knew a bit more about the situation tried to smooth things over.

"Mr. Chen, come over and sit down. I wanted to contact you about a project last time."

"Back then, Brother Mo was the school bully at No. 1 High School. Who would have thought he'd turn out to be the most successful among us now."

"That's right. Jiang Xu, grab a chair."

Chen Mo didn't move.

He knew that Yang Shule's arrival had an ulterior motive.

Sure enough, Yang Shule stood up and smiled, "I just came here hoping to run into you. Didn't expect you'd actually show up. Chen Mo, do you know about the attack he faced abroad?"

Chen Mo's hand clenched subtly as he frowned, "What did you say?"

"Looks like you don't know." Yang Shule's lips twitched, his tone softening, as if in contempt or self-satisfaction, "I thought he told you everything, but apparently not. All I can tell you is that Lunaer made a move, aiming for his life. You remember he faced something similar three years ago, right?"

No one in the room heard what Yang Shule said next.

They only saw Chen Mo take out his phone and walk out.

Chen Mo leaned against the wall outside, repeatedly dialing without giving up.

The constant busy signal made Chen Mo's frown deepen.

"I didn't think you were so unimportant. Guess I overestimated you." Yang Shule followed him out, a mocking expression on his face.

Chen Mo grabbed Yang Shule by the collar and pushed him against the wall, "Remember to tell Lunaer this is the second time. I'm keeping track."

Yang Shule's face turned red, "You..."

"And you," Chen Mo stared at him, "whether Xi Siyan lives or dies is none of your business. I don't pretend to be generous, so stop thinking about him. I really don't like it."