Chapter 167

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

But what could she do about feeling stifled? It sounded as if Zhou Min Hui had never felt stifled since marrying into the Gu Family.

Zhou Min Hui was a proper wife who had endured for years to become a matriarch; now that the official mother-in-law Li Shuli had returned, she herself had retreated to the days of being a junior daughter-in-law.

Not to mention being sniped at daily by Qin Kelan in the next room, Li Shuli also didn't give Zhou Min Hui much face on ordinary days, even though Zhou Min Hui had borne four sons for the Gu Family.

Her conversation with Gu Mengyan ended unhappily, leaving this couple married for decades both very unhappy.

Of course, such situations didn't only happen to Gu Mengyan and Zhou Min Hui; among the younger generation, Gu Jingxing and Jiang Peiyi, Gu Jingzhi and Su Yingying, each had their own points of conflict.

Gu Jingxing felt Jiang Peiyi didn't understand him; he had suffered so much, and to marry Jiang Peiyi into the family he had paid a painful price, yet when he returned home at night Jiang Peiyi still quarreled with him, completely failing to understand his difficulties.

Jiang Peiyi had something to say about this too; she had borne Gu Jingxing a son and a daughter, and had even directly backstabbed her former company's colleagues and friends for Gu Jingxing's sake. The effort she had put in was no less than Gu Jingxing's, so why did she have to face Gu Jingxing's cold face every day, and still force herself to endure heartache and disappointment to curry favor with him?

Each had their own reasons, and laid out they both looked clear of conscience. Under such a distorted and oppressive atmosphere, the growth of the two children Gu Xuan An and Gu Xuan Ning was greatly affected, even distorting their own personalities, making them even less likable.

Unfortunately, the two adults completely failed to notice the children's changes, which also led to the occurrence of the irreparable events that would happen later.

Compared to Gu Jingxing and Jiang Peiyi's conflicts, Gu Jingzhi and Su Yingying's were simpler and more direct.

A couple united by interests, then inevitably quarreling over the distribution of interests, plus Gu Jingzhi's unchanged licentious behavior after marriage caused Su Yingying to suffer greatly.

Su Yingying wasn't unaware that Gu Jingzhi indulged in both meat and vegetables, and she hadn't thought to stop him at first, but things were different now; she had already become Gu Jingzhi's official wife, yet her husband was exposed in entertainment news outside every day with three-hundred-and-sixty-degree no-dead-angle exposure. Considering her three children, Su Yingying could no longer endure it.

Then both sides erupted in a fierce quarrel, likewise leaving irreparable psychological trauma on the three children.

"Hmph, these are just daily routines exclusive to financial consortiums; just get used to them."

Shen Yao spread both hands; after sleeping a full sleep, her whole body felt comfortable.

Regarding the various gossip dug up by the system, Shen Yao said these were all routine operations, with nothing worth making a fuss about.

System:...

The system was shocked, thinking to itself that could it really be lacking in experience? Other financial consortium families wouldn't constantly stage palace intrigues like this.

"That's because the accumulated conflicts aren't big enough yet; the Gu Family has accumulated three generations of grudges and grievances."

"With a bang, like a volcanic eruption, it will explode from inside out."

This wasn't Shen Yao being alarmist; she had been seriously paying attention to the Gu Family's situation.

Whether it was the power division among the older generation or the corporate inheritance among the younger generation, fundamentally it was the bombs buried early on that hadn't been cleared.

The solution was also simple: reorganize the Gu Family inside and out, seize what should be seized and let go what should be let go, then let the new head of the family take over and start from scratch.

The plan was laid out, but it was just hard to achieve.

Everyone wanted to be the final winner, no one was willing to be kicked out of the game.

"Wait for the breaking point first, otherwise it will remain deadlocked until it can no longer be suppressed."

Shen Yao tidied her somewhat messy hair, raised her hand to yawn, then continued closing her eyes to sleep.

Finally having a day of leisure, Shen Yao just wanted to blank out.

But Shen Yao wanted to blank out, while others weren't willing; in the end Shen Yao was called up from someone's bed.

Shen Yao:...

Hearing Zhou Min Hui and Qin Kelan exchanging yin and yang barbs in her ears, Shen Yao rolled her eyes in her heart, standing in the corner with neither standing nor sitting posture.

"Third Young Mistress, Mistress?"

Shen Yao turned her head, meeting Su Yingying's eyes, "Second Sister-in-law, what's wrong?"

Su Yingying pouted, "Look at Mother and Second Aunt."

Shen Yao remained calm, only glancing once before withdrawing her gaze, "Second Sister-in-law needn't worry; Mother won't suffer a loss."

Zhou Min Hui was no little white rabbit; she just didn't dare go too far out of consideration for the eldest branch's feelings, otherwise how could a fallen financial consortium young lady like Qin Kelan jump around so happily?

"Second Aunt has been increasingly active lately; apparently Second Uncle is doing well at the company."

Otherwise who gave Qin Kelan the confidence to make the house smoky and chaotic?

Shen Yao and Su Yingying stood close, the two lowering their heads to exchange whispers.

Not far away was Jiang Peiyi; seeing the two talking, she wanted to interject, but helplessly couldn't squeeze in, so she gave up.

Su Yingying wanted to befriend Shen Yao, selectively choosing what to say.

Including but not limited to the business Shen Yao's company had recently done, a series of jokes kicked up by the Wei Family, and newly launched products becoming popular among financial consortium noble ladies.

Shen Yao's smile deepened, intentionally probing Su Yingying's attitude.

Was she trying to show off and cause trouble herself, or trying to take advantage of her, or perhaps cooperation for mutual benefit? She had to come up with a reason.

A reason? What reason was there? She just wanted to compliment Shen Yao and leave a good impression.

Shen Yao had misunderstood Su Yingying; this person really wasn't as complex as Shen Yao thought.

"Mother"

Li Shuli came out of the room; Zhou Min Hui and Qin Kelan gave up their verbal battle and hurriedly went to welcome her, one on each side.

"Grandmother"

Shen Yao and the others, arriving a step late, called out, each standing behind their own mother-in-law.

"You're here; just right, I have something to say," Li Shuli moved her eyes and simply led them back to her own resting room.

As a result, they heard a more explosive piece of news: Gu Bingcheng, who was recuperating at home, had met with trouble.

He had already fallen into a coma, and the family doctor inside was performing emergency treatment.

Shen Yao:...?!?!

Wait, the person had already fallen into a coma; how could Li Shuli still stand here unhurriedly speaking slowly? Shouldn't Gu Bingcheng be sent to the hospital first, and Gu Mengyan and the others notified immediately?

Not only Shen Yao thought this way; other normal people all had this kind of thinking.

But Li Shuli also had something to say: Gu Bingcheng's health was poor to begin with, and his persisting until today's incident was merely due to medical measures providing adequate protection.

But medical measures can save in an emergency but cannot save a life; Gu Bingcheng's matter cannot be blamed on them.

As for why they didn't rush to the hospital to notify Gu Mengyan and the others, Li Shuli considered Gu Group's situation and wanted to avoid causing internal turmoil as much as possible.

After all, if someone took advantage to fish in troubled waters, the one suffering losses would still be Gu Group.

Shen Yao:... The words were spoken very reasonably; if the one lying inside weren't the husband who had accompanied Li Shuli for decades, it would be perfect.

Facts prove: you can offend anyone, but you cannot offend your pillow-side person.

Look: a gentleman's revenge, ten years is not late.

Gu Bingcheng gave Li Shuli quite a lot of trouble in his youth, but in his later years he did not outlive Li Shuli, and was instead forced by Li Shuli to get back her due.

At this time point, it was fundamentally whatever Li Shuli said goes; others want to oppose? They also have to see if they have that ability.

Shen Yao seemed able to understand Li Shuli's thinking: whether it was back then outside, or now returning to the old house, this person never wanted Gu Bingcheng to live comfortably.

Glancing sideways at the busy room, Shen Yao lowered her head and did not express an opinion.

As for Zhou Min Hui and Qin Kelan, who looked at each other and reached tacit understanding after listening to Li Shuli's words, both felt Mother's words made sense, and they had no objection.

Jiang Peiyi was like a block of wood, standing in the original place, not understanding the words and not knowing what to do.

Still, Shen Yao used her hand to point at her, and only then did this person dazedly return to her senses.

Shen Yao:...

"Eldest Sister-in-law, we should go to the hospital."

After Shen Yao finished speaking, her footsteps did not stop as she caught up to Zhou Min Hui who was supporting Li Shuli.

The Gu family's inner chambers, even including several children, were all pulled by car to the hospital, and arriving simultaneously with them were Gu Mengyan and the others.

Every person's face more or less carried sadness, regardless of whether this was feigned or true feeling.

"How is it?"

Gu Jingrun's gaze paid attention to Gu Xuan Yu and them, afraid the hospital's many people and mixed eyes would bump into the children.

Shen Yao blinked her eyes, silently signaling Gu Jingrun to calm down first.

"Grandmother is still here, holding the overall situation; we can first think about who we should cooperate with?"

Previously mentioned regarding Gu Bingcheng's legacy allocation, Gu Jingrun and Shen Yao and them would get to divide not much; best to strike first, and in advance take the portion they want into their hands.

Gu Jingrun patted Shen Yao's shoulder, "Rest assured, already settled with Cousin."

Gu Bingcheng valued Gu Mengbai, Li Shuli valued Gu Mengqing, Gu Mengyan held the Gu family head of household position in his hands, Gu Xichan had Han Family helping.

The Gu family split into four branches, each with their own reliance; one can imagine, when Gu Bingcheng's legacy is publicly allocated, the troubles that will arise.

Gu Jingrun and Shen Yao were not greedy; so many assets even including Gu Group shares, they could take less or even not take.

But the others, or rather what they valued, could not be not taken.

This was a result the two had discussed early on, but because Gu Bingcheng's condition was stable, it was temporarily not used; now the timing is suitable.

The two tacitly looked at each other, and following each smiled, waiting for the hospital to announce the result.

Did not delay too long; it was also Li Shuli who exerted effort from the middle; Gu Bingcheng sent into the hospital merely two days, and the person then died of illness.

Perhaps it was waiting for this moment for too long; when hearing the doctor announce the news, everyone had a moment of trance.

Especially Li Shuli sitting in the highest seat, her body swayed left and right, nearly toppling over.

"Mother"

"Grandmother"

A group of people surrounded Li Shuli with all kinds of concern, afraid Li Shuli would also have something happen.

"Okay, I'm fine, let me catch my breath first," Li Shuli waved her hand, and also left Gu Mengyan and Gu Mengbai responsible for Gu Bingcheng's follow-up arrangements at the hospital.

She herself then called up Gu Mengqing and Gu Xichan to go out and privately explain matters.

Zhou Min Hui's face was stiff; compared to Qin Kelan's complacency, it appeared even more unsightly.

Shen Yao seeing the situation, hurriedly walked to Zhou Min Hui's side and led the person away to soothe.

Throwing a face in public is very unsightly; moreover there are other people outside; Zhou Min Hui's every move entangles much.

Away from the crowd, Zhou Min Hui's emotions stabilized; satisfied, she patted Shen Yao's arm; she straightened her chest and lifted her head, bringing out the Eldest Branch daughter-in-law's qixian, letting people see no abnormality again.