424: Chapter 424 Completely Devoured

Gu Mingming did not expect his guess to be exposed.

But he didn't think his guess was unreasonable.

After all, ever since he took charge, those old fogeys had changed their tune, either nitpicking or seizing the opportunity to make demands.

Wasn't the reason for all this that those old fogeys couldn't stand him replacing Gu Hui's position?

He laid all his thoughts bare on his face.

Seeing this, Shen Yan didn't mock him; instead, he laid out the facts and reasoned with him, explaining why that group of people started being so difficult, nitpicking, and even demanding extra conditions after he took over.

"If I haven't guessed wrong, the reason those people approached The Supporting Male Character is twofold: first, they were interested in the Gu Corporation's substantial qualifications and connections."

"Second, they had reached some unspoken agreement with The Supporting Male Character that couldn't be brought into the open."

As soon as the words fell,

Gu Mingming frowned; he didn't quite understand what Shen Yan meant.

"What do you mean by that? Are you saying they have other business besides the deals involving the Gu Corporation?"

Shen Yan sighed.

"It seems you really don't know your own grandfather well..."

"But it’s fine. If you don't know, you don't know. The situation is already like this, and you have no other choice."

Upon hearing this, Gu Mingming's face filled with panic.

"Mr. Shen, what do you mean by that?"

Shen Yan shrugged and replied, "What I mean is very simple: either agree to their conditions and pay more money, or maintain the current state until the Gu Corporation runs out of funds."

Why?!

He sought out Shen Yan for advice, not to hear these words!

Thinking this, Gu Mingming gritted his teeth and said to Shen Yan, "I don't believe there is only this way!"

"If I really agree to their conditions, they will definitely push their luck! The group's situation will only get worse then!"

Shen Yan nodded thoughtfully, then asked Gu Mingming back, "Then do you have any other solutions?"

Gu Mingming was stunned.

If he had another solution, he wouldn't have come to find Shen Yan.

Seeing his dazed expression, Shen Yan picked up his coffee and took a sip.

"If you agree to their conditions now, the Gu Corporation can hold on for a long time. But if you don't agree... I don't need to tell you what the consequences will be, right?"

Gu Mingming fell silent.

Although he was extremely unwilling to admit it, what Shen Yan said was indeed very reasonable.

Shen Yan didn't intend to waste any more time here. He stood up and brushed some dust off his suit.

"Alright, I've said what I needed to say. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."

With that, he left the coffee shop without looking back.

Behind him, Gu Mingming hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself. Finally, he picked up his phone and left the coffee shop too.

Back in the office, Shen Yan loosened his tie, just about to resume work, when he saw Chen Guangke sneak into his office.

"What is it? Trying to slack off again?"

Hearing Shen Yan's question, Chen Guangke rolled his eyes, walked up to him, and asked, "I saw you with that Gu Mingming in the coffee shop downstairs just now. What were you two talking about?"

Shen Yan didn't think it was anything that couldn't be discussed.

He recounted the entire conversation that had just taken place downstairs to Chen Guangke.

After listening, Chen Guangke looked completely incredulous.

"Does he think you are his father or his grandfather?"

Shen Yan couldn't help but laugh.

"I don't want to suddenly gain a son or a grandson."

Chen Guangke shook his head and said, "I thought his brain would work better after becoming Chairman, but it seems he's just like me—he frantically looks for you whenever something happens."

"But you have no connection to him. Why does he keep coming to you? Could it be he really intends to acknowledge you as his grandfather?"

It had to be said, Chen Guangke's tongue was truly venomous.

If Gu Mingming had heard what he said, he would surely have been furious.

Shen Yan thought to himself while saying to Chen Guangke, "He and Gu Xuantian are both good-for-nothings. It's just that one is arrogant and domineering, while the other is cowardly and incompetent."

Chen Guangke pursed his lips.

"I don't care if he's cowardly and incompetent or arrogant and domineering. In short, this matter has nothing to do with you, and you don't need to genuinely help him strategize."

Hearing this, Shen Yan let out a burst of pleasant laughter.

"Don't tell me you actually think I'm helping him?"

Chen Guangke was confused for a while.

"Aren't you?"

Shen Yan shook his head and said, "If he truly acknowledged me as his grandfather or father, perhaps I would sincerely offer him some advice. But he hasn't done that, so why should I genuinely help him?"

Chen Guangke impatiently asked him,

"Stop beating around the bush. What exactly do you mean?"

Shen Yan curved his lips and replied, "I want to slowly devour the Gu Corporation."

As the words fell,

Chen Guangke's eyes widened.

"Holy crap! You plan to swallow their company whole?!"

Shen Yan nodded.

"Is there anything wrong with that?"

Hearing the question, Chen Guangke quickly shook his head and gave him a thumbs-up.

"No, not a problem at all. You're the capable one; you think further ahead than I do."

Shen Yan scoffed, "Alright, stop flattering me here. You've asked your questions, time to go."

Chen Guangke looked unconvinced.

"How long have I been here? You're kicking me out already..."

Shen Yan opened a folder on his desk, picked up a pen to sign documents, and said to Chen Guangke, "If you want to slack off, go back to your seat. Don't disturb my work here."

Seeing that Shen Yan had quickly immersed himself in his work, Chen Guangke shook his head and returned to his duties.

Until night fell.

Shen Yan finally finished processing all the work piled up on his desk.

When he looked up again, there were basically no people left outside.

"Ding-dong!"

His phone chimed, indicating a received text message.

Shen Yan glanced at it and saw it was a flight ticket notification.

The flight time was four o'clock the next afternoon.

After checking it to confirm, he picked up his phone and left the company directly.

Back home.

The moment he entered the door, he was greeted with a warm welcome from Youyou.

"Daddy! Welcome home!"

Feeling the little one throw herself into his arms, Shen Yan smiled dotingly and bent down to pick Youyou up.

"What did you do at home today?"

Youyou replied, "I went out with Auntie."

Hearing this, Shen Yan turned and glanced at Shen Ya, who was sitting on the sofa.

"You took Youyou out?"

Shen Ya nodded while eating potato chips and replied, "Yeah. I took her to look at those aristocratic international kindergartens. She seems to like them quite a bit."

As soon as she finished speaking,

Youyou, in Shen Yan's arms, nodded vigorously.

"Mhm! I like it, I like it a lot!"