When I first met Gao Ziyan, she had a round face, a high nose bridge inherited from her ancestors, and wore a pair of round-rimmed glasses. I heard that this Gao Ziyan detested aristocratic life since childhood. Unlike her elder brothers, she didn't go to the Wharton School of Business in America for college.
It was said that Wharton School was full of the elite, and attending it was the quickest shortcut to meeting influential people. Of course, there were no serious students in this so-called business school; most people went there purely for social networking.
Gao Ziyan refused to attend Wharton. She graduated from a local school with a degree in early childhood education and then became a kindergarten teacher in a kindergarten, living under an assumed name. Gao Ziyan's demands for material possessions were not high. She lived on her salary and rented a place near the kindergarten.
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I guessed that Gao Ziyan detested this wealthy family. If it weren't for Gao Ji's misfortune, she wouldn't have appeared at the Gao family's residence.
With Gao Ziyan having broken the unspoken rule, everyone felt a bit awkward. Gao Ziyan's sharp gaze swept across everyone's faces, and then she walked silently to the hospital room. It was a high-end VIP ward, and Gao Ji was in a sterile room, where we could see him surviving with the help of a ventilator from outside.
Looking at Gao Ji's condition, Gao Ziyan's eyes welled up with tears. She asked the director, "How is Grandpa?"
"He's still in critical condition, but we will do our best to save Mr. Gao."
"Thank you. And please, ask these people to leave the ward."
Gao Xiaozhi's eyes widened. "Ziyan, what are you saying?"
"If I remember correctly, this hospital belongs to me. Grandpa is not in a condition to receive visitors. Furthermore, I don't want him to hear any filial piety when he's critically injured, nor do I want his ears to be polluted by your foul language."
"Ziyan, I am your uncle. You need to watch your words."
"Mr. Gao Xiaozhi, please leave the ward as per the hospital's instructions. Everyone, leave. Don't make me say it a second time."
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I thought Gao Ziyan was a gentle girl, but I didn't expect her to be so formidable. Gao Xiaozhi frowned and was the first to leave, followed by Old Ghost. I saw Gao Xiaozhi approach Old Ghost as soon as he went out, whispering to him. It seemed Gao Xiaozhi was eyeing Old Ghost's 7% stake. Gao Zihui left with my Senior Sister. Gao Ziming looked at Gao Ziyan and said sadly, "I'm sorry, Second Sister, I..."
"Ziming, it's not your fault. You're still a child."
"Then I'll leave. Take good care of Grandpa."
"Mm!"
The Second Madam walked over, intending to speak with Gao Ziyan. To her surprise, Gao Ziyan said coldly, "Mom, you should go back too."
"Ah, ah, alright!"
After everyone had left, Gao Ziyan's gaze fell on me. She asked with a hint of confusion, "Who are you? Are you a hospital staff member? Why are you here?"
"I was at the scene when Old Gao was assassinated. I..."
"Stay away from this family. This doesn't concern you."
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"Alright, second young lady."
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I turned and left, leaving the ward to Gao Ziyan. I understood that this was a scheme. Old Gao used those photos to keep me here, intending to get my help. But he was in a sterile room, wearing a respirator. I had no idea what I was supposed to do in this scheme.
After Gao Ziyan returned and drove everyone out, would she recognize Old Gao's deception?
Even after leaving the ward, I couldn't help but ponder this question. As I reached the hospital entrance, I was about to call Old Ghost when my phone rang. Seeing the unfamiliar number, I was about to hang up when I noticed my Senior Sister in the distance, waving at me with her phone.
Today, my Senior Sister was dressed elegantly, simple and graceful. She walked over and said, "There's a cafe nearby. Let's talk there."
"What is there for us to talk about?"
"You must know what Old Gao wants you to do."
As expected, my Senior Sister said yesterday that she guessed I wouldn't be able to leave Hong Kong. It turned out she was just a pawn in Old Gao's scheme. With that in mind, I followed my Senior Sister to the cafe. We ordered two cups of premium lattes, and my Senior Sister and I moved to a secluded spot. Adjusting her skirt, my Senior Sister sat down and looked at me with a smile, "Tang Nan, who do you think will win?"
I thought for a moment and said seriously, "The eldest son's side seems quite weak. The eldest grandson, Gao Zihui, doesn't seem to have much of a brain."
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My Senior Sister nodded. "That's right. My father-in-law, Gao Xiaozhi, is not good at business, and his son, Gao Zihui, is also uneducated. However, they might not be the ones who lose."
I looked at my Senior Sister and said seriously, "I don't think Old Ghost would sell Kowloon Auctions to Gao Xiaozhi."
"Correct. Moreover, Gao Xiaozhi is aware of Master's abilities. If he can't negotiate, he wouldn't dare make any other moves. However, the person you don't understand is Gao Zihui. This person hasn't inherited much wisdom, but he's ruthless without a doubt. Do you know why he's not with me? I advised him that the Gao family's industries are interconnected. Gao Xiaoqing holds 22% of the overseas assets, but the financial holding company for these assets is in Hong Kong. To put it simply, if Gao Xiaoqing meets with an accident, his 22% will be divided into two parts: 14% of the overseas shares will be inherited by the Second Madam. The remaining 8% is held by shareholders of the holding company and is considered scattered shares. If Gao Xiaoqing dies, the Second Madam and Gao Ziyan, who have never been involved in business, will be incapable of managing those scattered shares. Gao Xiaozhi will be able to purchase them reasonably."
My eyes widened. "Gao Zihui dares to kill people?"
"There's nothing he wouldn't dare to do."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Old Gao's intention is for the three most formidable schemers to serve the Gao family. Since I helped the eldest son, and Master and Ziming are like father and son, you must step in and help the second son's side."
I was stunned. So this was Old Gao's plan.
"Who does Old Gao want to win?"
"He wants to draw you into the scheme. Old Gao made it a condition for me to become the eldest grandson's wife. I'm only responsible for this. From now on, we'll rely on our own abilities to see which side gets the inheritance."
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I was silent for a while before asking, "When did you become the eldest grandson's wife? Did Old Gao plan to draw me into the scheme back then?"
My Senior Sister looked into my eyes and said, "If the pinnacle of schemers is 'demons,' then Old Gao is the 'Demon King' in this world. He was pushed onto the throne of a hero by Master and Li Jiu. Old Gao knew that due to his momentary carelessness, he would never be able to fulfill his dream of dominating the region in his lifetime. But he wanted his descendants to be capable of doing so. Therefore, after the economic crisis, Old Gao went to the mainland to deal with Li Jiu."
"Does Old Ghost know?"
"No. Master is still a notch below Old Gao. Originally, Old Gao's plan was to eliminate Li Jiu and then deal with Master, who would be left alone. The 'Demon Forest' led by Zhu Guang was all to disappear into dust. However, your appearance changed Old Gao's original intention."
"What does this have to do with me?"
"Although Old Gao misjudged Master, he doesn't believe his decision was wrong. For the Gao family to dominate the region, they need a chief advisor who is a schemer. Thus, he paid attention to you and me, slowly orchestrating this eight-year inheritance dispute."
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I thought my Senior Sister and Old Ghost were already at the peak of schemers. Unexpectedly, at the summit, Old Gao descended from the sky like a Five Elements Mountain. This pressure covered the entire world. I finally understood why the Monkey King, who could wreak havoc in heaven, couldn't escape the palm of the Buddha in Journey to the West.
"Then what should I do now?"
My Senior Sister slowly finished her coffee and said with a smile, "As I said, you are on Gao Xiaoqing's side."
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This was truly a difficult problem. I didn't know Gao Xiaoqing at all, let alone where he was now. Just now, the Second Madam had also left the hospital. The only thing I could do now was to go back and talk to Gao Ziyan, who remained at the hospital.
I returned to the ward and saw Gao Ziyan, her face streaked with tears. She was crying sadly. She was the only one who was genuinely saddened by Old Gao's injury. However, a Ziyan like this might not be favored by Old Gao. Old Gao needed someone ruthless and decisive to control the Gao family.
Wiping away her tears, Gao Ziyan looked at me with displeasure. "Why are you back?"
"Teacher Ziyan, please allow me to introduce myself. I am a schemer invited by Old Gao to help your father."
"What does that have to do with me?"
"I received news that Gao Zihui intends to kill your father. And because of the suddenness of the event, I haven't had a chance to meet your father yet."
"Big Brother wants to kill my dad? Grandpa, did you see this? This family has gone mad for money. They're no longer a family."
Looking at Gao Ziyan's grief-stricken face, I didn't know how to comfort this innocent girl. However, I still had to remind her, "Can you tell me Mr. Gao Xiaoqing's itinerary?"
"I don't know. After I left the family and became a kindergarten teacher, I stopped asking about my father's business matters. I tried calling my father just now, but the call didn't go through. I'll give you my mother's contact information, you can contact her."
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I contacted the Second Madam. As I was leaving, I couldn't help but ask Gao Ziyan, "With such a vast fortune, why don't you fight for it?"
Gao Ziyan sneered. "Fight to become beasts?"