Chen Yuwei exclaimed, "Ah!" and quickly waved her hands, saying, "Mr. Tan, this isn't appropriate. If it weren't for you, I might not have been so lucky today. I should be the one thanking you."
Tan Bafang glanced at Gu Chen's reaction and continued, "Ms. Chen, it was my mismanagement that allowed pests like Feng Yelin to remain unchecked, leading to this series of events."
"Furthermore, the financial strength of my Bafang Group is considerable. A few materials mean nothing to me. If you refuse again, it's a matter of not giving me face, you know."
Chen Yuwei looked embarrassed, neither accepting nor refusing.
On the side, Wu Anqi, watching Gu Chen and Tan Bafang, pondered.
She had noticed more than once that Tan Bafang seemed to always consider Gu Chen's opinion.
"If this is true, isn't Gu Chen even more powerful than Mr. Tan?"
"If that's the case, could the one who saved me last night be him? But why won't he admit it?"
In her mind, the figure of Gu Chen overlapped repeatedly with her hero.
Wu Anqi furrowed her brows, determined to get to the bottom of this. Otherwise, she felt uneasy.
In the end, Chen Yuwei reluctantly accepted Tan Bafang's generous gift.
As they left, Tan Bafang looked at Gu Chen with a deep apology in his eyes, seemingly seeking forgiveness.
"Yuwei, everything is settled now. Let's go, so we don't worry Aunt Jiang." Gu Chen hinted at something as he spoke.
Chen Yuwei didn't catch the hidden meaning, but Tan Bafang did. The words were meant for him.
It meant that it ended here, and he wouldn't be blamed for Feng Yelin's actions.
And this scene was once again captured by Wu Anqi, further confirming her suspicions.
---
On their way back,
Chen Yuwei bought new clothes from the mall and reminded Gu Chen not to speak casually.
She didn't want her parents to worry, and it was also her nightmare that she never wanted to mention again.
Back home, Chen Yuwei skipped over the part about Feng Yelin and recounted the entire incident.
Jiang Rou felt fortunate, saying, "I didn't expect Mr. Tan to be so kind. Shouldn't we prepare some gifts to thank him properly?"
"You're shortsighted."
Chen Wantai glared, "Mr. Tan is being courteous to Yuwei because of Mr. Li. If we're going to thank anyone, it should be Mr. Li."
After speaking, he turned to Li Junjie and said, "Junjie, I heard your father likes Master Qi's paintings. Luckily, I have a genuine painting from him in my collection. Remember to take it with you when you go back later."
Li Junjie was stunned. Genuine paintings from Master Qi were priceless and highly collectible.
Chen Wantai's generous gesture was a bit overwhelming for him.
"Uncle Chen, this has nothing to do with the Li family. You might be mistaken." Gu Chen kindly reminded him.
"What do you know?" Chen Wantai retorted impatiently.
"Uncle Chen, did you misunderstand something? Junjie was slapped by Mr. Tan." Wu Anqi chimed in to help.
Only then did Chen Wantai notice that half of Li Junjie's face was still swollen.
Li Junjie felt embarrassed and lowered his head, feeling ashamed to face anyone, especially annoyed that Wu Anqi had brought it up.
"Anqi, it's not Uncle blaming you, but how come you can't see it clearly either?"
Chen Wantai spoke with the tone of someone who had been through a lot, emphasizing, "Mr. Tan helped you guys because of Mr. Li's face. Otherwise, which one of you has such a big face?"
"As for slapping Junjie, it was to discipline him on behalf of Mr. Li and to warn him not to follow in Feng Yelin's footsteps. What does that mean? It means that Mr. Tan holds the Li family in high regard."
"You guys are just too young, you don't understand anything about human relationships. Learn a bit from it."
Li Junjie was stunned by his words, nodding along and saying, "Uncle Chen, you're really insightful. If you hadn't said it, I wouldn't have realized the deeper meaning behind it."
Chen Wantai smirked proudly and said, "If Mr. Tan values you so much, it means he intends to use you in the future. When the Li family rises, it will also be beneficial for Yuwei's career. Remember to support our Yuwei when that happens."
"Uncle Chen, even if you hadn't said it, I would have done the same. You should know where my heart lies."
Li Junjie looked at Chen Yuwei affectionately, expressing everything without words.
Chen Yuwei smiled awkwardly, feeling that something was off but unable to pinpoint it.
The only one who remained clear-headed was Wu Anqi.
She noticed the disdain hidden in Gu Chen's eyes towards Li Junjie and the entire Li family.
She could almost conclude that Gu Chen was the one influencing Tan Bafang, and with that, many inconsistencies were resolved.
"Yuwei, since your family doesn't recognize gold when they see it, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Wu Anqi licked her lips, silently thinking to herself.
Jiang Rou leaned close to Chen Wantai and whispered, "Old Chen, Gu Chen and Yuwei grew up together. They're more compatible."
Chen Wantai looked displeased, saying, "Look at Gu Chen's character. What's so great about him? Besides, the Li family being valued by Mr. Tan means they're about to soar, which will also help Yuwei's career. Don't mess things up."
Chen Wantai looked at Li Junjie, becoming more satisfied the more he looked, thinking that at best, Gu Chen wouldn't dislike him.
Jiang Rou sighed softly. She had always wanted to matchmake the two, but her husband and daughter both looked down on Gu Chen.
"Yuwei, go to the study and bring my 'Autumn Rain in the Yan Mountains' painting. I want to admire it one last time." Chen Wantai said reluctantly.
It took a lot of effort to obtain this genuine work by Master Qi, and it was obtained through many favors.
To give it away now felt like heartache, but it was worth it to align with the Li family!
Chen Yuwei brought the painting back and laid it out on the table for everyone to admire.
"What a beautiful painting!"
"The brushstrokes and ink usage clearly show it's Master Qi's work."
Li Junjie praised in order to please Chen Wantai, admiringly.
Hearing this, Chen Wantai was extremely pleased, laughing and saying, "Junjie, Mr. Li is knowledgeable, and you have truly inherited his wisdom. Your eye for art is commendable, and this is one of Master Qi's rare masterpieces."
Li Junjie reciprocated, "Uncle Chen, you're too kind. It's thanks to you that I have the opportunity to appreciate such a masterpiece."
The two praised each other, one daring to boast, the other believing.
Gu Chen looked at the painting and couldn't help but pause. Wasn't this his doodle from a few years ago?
Looking at the signature "Master Qi," wasn't that the old man who wanted to be his master but was rejected?
It turned out that the masterpiece they were praising was his bored doodle, probably picked up from the trash by someone.
Thinking of this, Gu Chen couldn't help but laugh.
His laughter immediately drew two hostile glares.
Li Junjie's face darkened. "You useless waste, if you don't understand art, don't speak. Don't ruin our mood while appreciating the painting."
Chen Wantai's expression also turned sour. "Gu Chen, go back to your room. You're not fit to be here and you're ruining my good painting."
"I'm laughing because this painting is fake." Gu Chen shook his head helplessly, not wanting to see Chen Wantai delude himself.
Chen Wantai was immediately furious. "You... You better explain yourself. How is my painting fake?"
Saying his painting was fake was even more painful than killing him.
Li Junjie jumped in to support, "Yeah, if you don't explain yourself, just get out of the Chen house."
He had been holding a grudge against Gu Chen for staying at the Chen house and spending time with Chen Yuwei, and now he found a chance to challenge him.
NEXTTTT