We had reached an agreement with Gao Ziyan, but there was no news from Old Ghost. I called him, and he sighed, "Something has happened with Elder Gao's side."
"What happened?"
"Someone made a move on Elder Gao."
"How is that possible? Where were his bodyguards?"
"The other party didn't sneak in; they walked in boldly."
"Who? Wait, I haven't seen Gao Zihui all day. Logically, Gao Xiaoqing is dead, and Gao Zihui wouldn't stay out of sight. Was it him? Is that right?"
"Yes, he entered Elder Gao's ward. No one thought he would be carrying medication. If Old Ghost and Zhiming hadn't discovered it early, Elder Gao would have died."
I was stunned. Gao Zihui truly surprised me. I thought he was just a disposable pawn. I never expected him to be so ruthless. Not only did he try to kill Gao Xiaoqing, but he even targeted Elder Gao.
But how did Gao Zihui know Elder Gao was faking his illness? Thinking of this, I gave a wry smile. I wasn't the only one who knew Elder Gao was faking it; my senior sister knew too. I had no idea who had involved her in this. I knew clearly that my senior sister was like a virus, attacking everywhere.
"Was it Cao Qian?" I asked Old Ghost.
"It should be her."
"This woman is really..."
I didn't know what to say. From my perspective, it wasn't that Old Ghost and the others discovered it early. My senior sister was using Elder Gao's semi-conscious state. As long as the people she supported hadn't reached a point where they could control the Gao family's shares, she wouldn't let Elder Gao die.
The biggest possibility now was that the 8% of scattered shares would completely fall into Gao Xiaozhi's hands. With his own 19%, Gao Zihui's 11%, and the doctor's wife's 8%, if their family's shares were successfully consolidated, the Gao family would be controlled by one of these three.
However, my senior sister didn't want this to happen. She told me everything, and I went to persuade the second young lady, Gao Ziyan. With Gao Ziyan's involvement, the situation would slowly revert to a three-way balance.
Ultimately, who would win was uncertain. So, who was she actually supporting?
...
Three days passed, and it was time for Gao Xiaoqing's funeral. We all attended in black. Throughout the entire funeral, Gao Ziyan cried the most heartbrokenly. Old Ghost told me these past two days that Gao Ziyan was the most doted-upon person in the Gao family.
Back then, Gao Ji forced his daughter to death, claiming he felt no regret. That was abnormal. Perhaps because of this, Gao Ji poured all his love onto his granddaughter, Gao Ziyan. Gao Ziyan grew up according to her own will, which was highly unusual.
In a family like the Gao family, marriage wasn't free, studies weren't free, and personal freedom was even less so. Yet, Gao Ziyan had complete freedom: freedom to study, freedom to choose a career, and freedom to find a partner. Her ability to hide her identity and become an ordinary kindergarten teacher was inseparable from her grandfather Gao Ji's support and her father Gao Xiaoqing's indulgence.
...
Gao Ziyan is an ice-smart girl. She transformed from someone who couldn't negotiate into a negotiation expert in just one day. I witnessed her rapid growth firsthand, and it was unbelievable.
The matter of the scattered shares was incredibly complex, enough to give me a terrible headache. Yet, Gao Ziyan handled it all meticulously. I had mentioned a 5% acquisition volume as merely an intention, and I didn't actually think it would be easy to achieve. But Gao Ziyan actually did it. She quickly formed a team from her father's supporters and successfully acquired 5% of the scattered shares, increasing her stake in the Gao family to 16%.
...
I had seen too many such scenarios on television, with Empress Wu Zetian being the most memorable. Empress Wu Zetian was once a weak, beautiful maiden, but her transformation and her commanding presence over her ministers left a deep impression on me. I thought Gao Ziyan would also turn into a cold, powerful woman after encountering such a colossal financial war. But I never expected her to still be crying inconsolably at the funeral, as genuine as a child.
After the funeral and returning home, Gao Ziyan met me alone. She carried an air of melancholy, sorrowful over the moon, the wind, and the rain, speaking hesitantly. Such a woman always evokes a desire to protect her.
"Can I ask you for a favor?" Gao Ziyan looked into my eyes and said.
"Tell me."
"I'm tired. I want to borrow your shoulder."
I frowned. Gao Ziyan said tragically, "I know this is an excessive request, but right now, I truly don't know who to rely on, just this once."
"I can only lend you my shoulder for a little while. The lady of the house at home is a tiger," I said with a smile.
"Thank you."
As Gao Ziyan spoke, she slowly walked towards me, maintaining a short distance. She lowered her head and buried it in my shoulder, her hair falling onto me. At this moment, I should have generously embraced her, but I remained still, standing like a wooden post, smelling her faint, elegant perfume. I couldn't help but ask, "Why are you doing this?"
"I'm scared."
"Scared of what?"
"I've never done things like this since I was little, and I'm afraid I won't do well. Also, I know Father and Grandfather never wanted me to participate in the family inheritance dispute. I'm afraid Grandfather will scold me when he wakes up, and Father's spirit in heaven will not rest in peace."
I knew that what Gao Ziyan said was sincere. I didn't know how to comfort her, and I considered whether I should truly embrace her. I even raised my hand, only to lower it again. I couldn't do such things; it would be unfair to Lin Han.
Gao Ziyan seemed to sense my movement and pulled away from my shoulder. Her tragic expression brightened slightly, "Thank you, I feel much better."
I smiled, clenched my fist, and put my hands in my pockets.
"What do we do next?" Gao Ziyan asked with a smile.
"Nothing?"
"Why not?"
"Right now, the undercurrent is surging. Whoever shows themselves is in greater danger. Everyone knows this principle, so it appears that the entire Gao family is relatively peaceful."
Gao Ziyan nodded. "I have no experience in strategizing. I'll listen to you. By the way, I've done what you asked me to do. I've re-signed an agreement with the foreign security company that Father and I used to cooperate with. They will be responsible for my safety."
"Well done."
"Can they really protect me?"
After I came over, I smelled the filling and added some oyster sauce and chopped scallions. Old Ghost could eat but wasn't good at cooking. During this special period, he couldn't go out for meals either, so he had to cook at home.
Old Ghost looked at me cooking with relief, "If you hadn't come, my stomach would have suffered for a few more days."
"Just get married, wouldn't that solve it? I heard you're very wealthy. If you were willing, beautiful women would flock to you."
"I can't get married."
I returned with the filling and stared at Old Ghost with wide eyes, "Why don't you take off your pants and let me see."
"Take off my pants?"
"Let me see if you've had a vasectomy."
"Get lost!"
I laughed heartily, kneaded the dough, and rolled the skins. Old Ghost, while making dumplings, said, "I investigated Elder Gao's situation. He originally asked a trustworthy doctor to administer medication to make everyone believe he was in a coma, but that doctor..."
"Where did he go?" I asked in surprise.
"I don't know. Elder Gao truly hoisted himself by his own petard this time. He thought he could control Cao Qian. Cao Qian is a girl who is both crazy and intelligent; even I can't guess her thoughts."
Elder Gao had dug his own grave. My senior sister must have a next step in her plan. It suddenly occurred to me to ask, "Old Ghost, I've never asked you, what's your IQ?"
"I've had it tested. The highest is 108!"
I was shocked. I knew my senior sister's IQ was in the exceptional range of 160, but I never expected Old Ghost's IQ to be even lower than mine.
"You're lying to me."
Old Ghost looked at me in surprise. "Why would I lie to you about something like this?"