17: Chapter 17 Brothers Become Mom's Business Partners
Zhang Fan answered the phone with a smile, "Hey, Old Gu, what time is it, and you're already awake? Didn't you say you were partying at the bar until dawn last night?"
There was a two-second silence on the other end of the line, followed by a deafening roar that practically threatened to blow out the receiver:
"Zhang Fan! You bastard! What did you do to my stepmother?!"
The smile on Zhang Fan's face froze instantly.
Rapid breathing came through the receiver, along with the "clatter" of something being kicked over. Gu Jingshen's voice was hurried and furious: "What's with the photos in the Blue Whale Games group chat? Why did you take her to the Sheraton? Did she do something to you? Or did you... did you fucking harbor ulterior motives toward her?!"
Blue Whale Games photos?
Zhang Fan finally realized it must have been the people at Blue Whale who leaked the photos to Gu Jingshen. Was Gu Feifei trying to sow discord, or was Chang Yuan trying to use someone else's hand to kill?
"Old Gu, listen to my explanation, it's not what you think..."
"Explain my ass!" Gu Jingshen roared, "Who is Tang Wanqing? She values her reputation more than anything in this life. Even if she appreciates you, it's impossible for her to stay in a hotel with you until dawn! Zhang Fan, I treat you like a brother, and this is how you trample on my mother?!"
Tang Wanqing was sitting opposite him and heard the roar from the phone clearly.
She frowned and made a "give it to me" gesture to Zhang Fan.
Zhang Fan hesitated for a moment, but still handed over the phone. He knew that only Tang Wanqing could clear up this misunderstanding now.
"Jingshen." Tang Wanqing's voice came through the receiver, like jade quenched in ice—calm yet possessing unquestionable power. "It's me."
The roar on the other end of the line stopped abruptly, like a snapped guitar string.
After a full half-minute, Gu Jingshen's muffled voice came through, his tone trembling at the end like a child who had caused trouble: "Mom... are you okay? Did you... did you suffer any grievances?"
"I'm fine." Tang Wanqing looked up at Zhang Fan, her tone softening slightly. "I was set up during a business meeting last night; something was slipped into my drink. When I walked to Xiouqiu Park, I felt dizzy and encountered two thugs... It was Zhang Fan who saved me."
Her voice was clear and steady, each word hitting Gu Jingshen's heart: "He took me to the hotel to rest and stayed on the sofa all night; nothing happened. The photos in the group chat are just a matter of perspective. Don't believe what those people are making up."
"Really?" Gu Jingshen's voice was full of disbelief, still holding a lingering tension.
"When have I ever lied to you?" Tang Wanqing's tone suddenly sharpened, like a scalpel cutting through the air. "Now, you must apologize to Zhang Fan. He is not only my savior but also the newest business partner of Gu Corporation—I'm planning to invest one million into his studio."
"Bus... business partner?" Gu Jingshen was completely bewildered, his tongue tied. "Zhang Fan... he left Blue Whale Games?"
He suddenly raised his voice, filled with a confused excitement: "Holy crap! Holy crap! Did this guy finally come to his senses? He's finally willing to work for himself!"
"What kind of language is that!" Tang Wanqing's tone darkened.
"Ah! I didn't mean you!" Gu Jingshen hurriedly corrected himself, his voice clearly flustered. "I was talking about Zhang Fan... He always used to talk about wanting to make his own games. I didn't expect him to actually do it..."
Tang Wanqing didn't respond, simply and concisely completing the rest of the truth: "It was the Liu family from Hongtu Construction who set me up, colluding with Wang Bin from Huiyang Construction, wanting to take photos while I was incapacitated to blackmail the Tang Group. Those two thugs were likely hired by them, and they were quite ruthless. Not only did Zhang Fan beat them off, but he also stayed up all night watching over me, and ran around handling the aftermath at dawn."
With every sentence she spoke, the breathing on the other end of the line grew heavier.
"..."
Gu Jingshen was completely silent.
Finally, Tang Wanqing stared coldly at the phone, as if she could see Gu Jingshen's face through the signal: "Now do you understand why I made you apologize to Zhang Fan? He is your classmate and a trusted friend. You believed others' slanders without distinguishing right from wrong, which is also a defamation of me. Gu Jingshen, do you think you were right?"
"I... I'm sorry..." Gu Jingshen's voice was as low as a mosquito's hum, filled with deep shame. "Mom, I... I was too impulsive just now. I scolded Fan Zi without finding out the truth. I'm not a decent person..."
"Hmm, what you said was indeed very harsh." A faint smile tugged at the corners of Tang Wanqing's lips as she handed the phone back to Zhang Fan. "Talk to your brother yourself."
Zhang Fan took the phone and was just about to speak when he heard Gu Jingshen shouting anxiously on the other end: "Fan Zi! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I was wrong! I must have been blind to actually believe the nonsense from those people! You wait, I'm going to blow up the Blue Whale group chat right now and make them apologize to you!"
"Don't be impulsive." Zhang Fan smiled, the slight displeasure in his heart having long since dissipated.
He understood Gu Jingshen too well; this kid was a classic "overprotective" type. His anger just now, in the end, was because he was afraid his stepmother had been wronged.
"Why are we brothers still saying these things?" He paused and added, "Have a good time in Hainan. I'll call you later to explain in detail."
After hanging up, he looked at Tang Wanqing and scratched his head, a bit embarrassed: "I've embarrassed myself in front of you."
"He's just that kind of personality; he ignites at the slightest spark." Tang Wanqing checked the time. "But it's better this way, it saves you the trouble of having to explain it to him later."
Zhang Fan gave an internal "oh," instantly understanding.
A man and a woman staying in a hotel room for a night, even if innocent, still necessitated avoiding suspicion. Tang Wanqing was subtly signaling that it was time for him to leave.
Come to think of it, she was the president of the Tang Group, and he was his best friend's stepmother. This relationship was delicate enough as it was; staying any longer would only make it harder to explain if word got out.
"Then, Aunt Tang, I have things to do, so I'll be going now." He picked up his clothes.
"Alright." Tang Wanqing nodded, her fingertips quickly tapping a few words on her phone. "I have a meeting this morning. I'll have my secretary and lawyer contact you together. If you have any ideas regarding office equipment and the recruitment of the first batch of employees, just tell them directly; don't be shy."
"Thank you, Aunt Tang." Zhang Fan bowed, then turned and walked toward the door, his footsteps light, fearing he might shatter the quiet in the room.
Walking to the end of the corridor, the elevator dinged and opened. Just as Zhang Fan was about to step in, someone walked out.
It was a woman in her late twenties, wearing a caramel-colored cashmere coat, with an off-white turtleneck sweater peeking from the collar, accentuating her slender, straight neck.
She wore gold-rimmed glasses, and her eyes behind the lenses were bright and calm. When she swept her gaze over him, it carried a professional scrutiny that didn't feel offensive. She was carrying a long, black bag; judging by the size, it looked like it was for clothes.
Zhang Fan's footsteps paused for half a second.
This temperament, this attire, plus the bag in her hand... nine times out of ten, she was Tang Wanqing's secretary.
He subconsciously stepped aside and nodded slightly, acknowledging her.
The woman also stopped, her gaze lingering on him briefly before she nodded in response. Her movements were swift and polite. Without asking a single question, she turned and walked toward Room 1808, her high heels making light, rhythmic "click-clack" sounds on the carpet.