Tit For Tat (Beloved Enemy) - Chap 86
Beloved Enemy Chapter 86
FEBRUARY 28, 2019 ~ ROSYSPELL
GuQingPei opened the car door. Just when he start the car, YuanYang caught up and held him down.
GuQingPei turned his head; both men glared at each other. The atmosphere is tense.
YuanYang gritted teeth, “Get out of the car.”
GuQingPei wanted to open his mouth, but seeing the ghastly sight of blood on YuanYang’s face, he immediately lost his breath like a deflated balloon; his body feeling a bit weak. He sat in his seat and looked at his hand that is still trembling.
Besides senselessly fighting in his childhood, he’s never physically hurt anyone. Unexpectedly, the first person he hit with blood showing is YuanYang.
He’s really been pushed too far by YuanYang. He didn’t know if that was because the gap in their age was too wide or is it because YuanYang’s personality is so different from ordinary people. He had never felt that there could be such unreasonably difficult person to deal with in the world. In fact, he even felt that it is impossible for him to communicate with YuanYang.
The ravine between the two people is getting deeper and deeper, but they are powerless to change anything, so instead they ended up farther and farther apart.
GuQingPei looked at him tiredly, “I’ll take you to the hospital.”
“Don’t need to.”
GuQingPei wanted to reach his hand out to check his head while trying not to touch his wound, sighing, “Let’s go to the hospital. Don’t try to act brave.”
YuanYang looked at him stubbornly for a long time, “The road is not easy. I’ll drive.”
“No, how can you drive in this state?”
GuQingPei pinched his chin, “Hurry up, get in the car.”
YuanYang sat in the passenger seat.
GuQingPei headed toward the mountainous road. It was indeed difficult to drive. The road was curvy and steep. It was extremely dangerous. GuQingPei concentrated fully on the road, afraid to drive too fast for fear that they would flip and roll over the edge of the mountain. At the same time, he was afraid of driving too slow for fear that something would happened to YuanYang.
Halfway through, GuQingPei finally couldn’t stand this tormented drive, “What the fuck place is this, how far away is the hospital!?”
YuanYang softly muttered, “Soon.”
GuQingPei drove for over ten minutes before arriving at a town. At this time, he realized that they are near a small county at the junction of Hebei and Beijing. He asked the people for the location of the hospital and quickly headed in that direction.
At the entrance to the hospital, despite YuanYang’s calm expression, his face is paled and his collar stained with blood.
GuQingPei felt a bit guilty. He usually speaks very eloquently, but he couldn’t say anything. At this moment, he didn’t know what to say. The two men went into hospital and rushed to the emergency room. The doctor ordered YuanYang to take some x-rays.
YuanYang held onto GuQingPei’s hands, not letting go. Obviously, he was afraid that GuQingPei would run away.
GuQingPei said expressionlessly, “I’ll go with you.”
It was only then that YuanYang was willing to go into the X-ray room.
YuanYang’s injury was not serious, needing only three stitches. GuQingPei couldn’t remember what he was thinking when he struck YuanYang with the astray. It was likely that he was desperately trying to escape so he wasn’t thinking straight.
Now, looking at the gauze wrapped around YuanYang’s head, he felt a bit regretful.
The doctor ordered YuanYang to stay in the hospital for two days. He was unwilling. But at this time, neither of them had the strength to drive more than an hour on the dangerous mountainous road. Not to mention, GuQingPei didn’t want to go back there at all. So, he unyieldingly completed the hospitalization process to get YuanYang placed in a standard room.
Both people stayed in the hospital that night.
The bed is a 1.5-meter bed. It wasn’t very comfortable for two big men to squeeze into, especially with YuanYang insisting on holding onto him.
After being anesthetized, YuanYang was a little drowsy. But he depended on his willpower to stay awake. He felt that if he were to fall asleep, GuQingPei would certainly leave.
GuQingPei realized that he (YuanYang) had been trying to force himself to stay awake. Looking at the time, it was already past 3am in the morning. He knew that YuanYang won’t be able to stay awake much longer. So he simply closed his eyes and fell asleep.
This sleep was not peaceful. His mind kept wondering, thinking about everything relating to YuanYang, relating to YuanLiJiang, and relating to the problems with the bidding. All of it so intricately complicated. It filled his mind with repeated nightmares. The more he slept, the more tired he got.
When he woke up, the sky was mistily dark. He glanced at YuanYang. Surely, he had fallen asleep and looking to be in a very deep sleep. During these few days, YuanYang certainly didn’t get much sleep in order to watch over him. If he was still able to stay up, it would be shocking.
GuQingPei looked at YuanYang’s face in the dark, using his eyes to carefully sketch out YuanYang’s perfectly crafted features. He stared for a long time.
Then, he got up lightly and quietly walked away.
When he rushed back to the company, it was just the start of the work day. Everyone who saw him looked at him with an expression of “You finally came back.” He hadn’t even gotten to his office before his secretary ran over breathlessly, “Director Gu. You finally came back. Chairman Wang is urgently looking for you. He’s not in yet but I already gave him a call. He’ll be here immediately.”
GuQingPei nodded his head and glanced into the office solemnly, then he summoned several staff from the Asset Disposal Department.
“Director Gu, you’re finally back. Where did you go these past four days?”
GuQingPei waved his hand, “Let’s not talk about this, tell me what’s going on immediately.”
The four to five people had a short meeting to report the situation and development of the current progress of this incident to GuQingPei.
They really thought that GuQingPei had intentionally turned off his cell phone and completely disconnected himself to relax somewhere. It would have been impossible for them to even fathom what GuQingPei was actually experiencing these few days.
Half an hour later, WangJin arrived at the company and urgently summoned him.
When GuQingPei entered his office, WangJin looked at him somberly. In the end, he didn’t lose his temper. He merely said, “There’s no need for condemnation, I believe that you know better than me.”
As the company’s executive manager, keeping open communications 24 hours a day is a basic requirement. Regardless of how exhausting one might be, he must still answer his phone. This is preventive measures in case emergency events like this occurs. This logic… GuQingPei naturally understands. In fact, it is something that he usually requires his subordinates and himself to follow. However, he could not explain to WangJin that he had been under house arrest these few days. He could only guiltily tell him, “This is my fault. I’m willing to take full responsibility.”
“Saying anything now is useless. Do you understand the currently situation?”
“Yes.”
“Call them for a meeting in the conference room. We’ll discuss in details on what to do next.”
“Okay.”
WangJin added, “I got some news from the last two days. It was mentioned that the whistleblower came from the third company. Obviously this was targeted at me and YuanLiJiang. Just who the heck is behind this person to have the guts to challenge us? This is not something simple. But I’ve only heard of this news, it can’t be confirmed. The assistant and his top boss are all under investigation. This bidding will likely be terminated. I think this is the whistleblower’s biggest intention; wanting us to be embroiled in a lawsuit. But the evidence is far from sufficient. Regardless, this has created pressure from public scrutiny. It is entirely possible that this would force X Steel Group to redo the bidding process. If this happens, then at that time, because YuanLiJiang and I have suffered a credibility crisis, we can only voluntarily withdraw. It seems that the most beneficial is the third company, so it is most suspicious.”
Knowing that WangJin didn’t know the truth, GuQingPei is incessantly anxious. It’s no wonder that YuanYang had a well-thought out plan to push for the termination of X Steel’s bidding. With the current developments, terminating the bidding is the most logical and best way to appease the public.
At present, the stocks of the three companies have been greatly impacted, especially X Steel, whom got hit the worst. Its stock price dropped significantly, falling into despair with its market value losing more than 40 billion within three days. QingDa followed closely behind. Yuan Li Jiang’s company was slightly better, but he lost face in losing to WangJin even after knowing the bid price through bribery.
Since things have progressed to this stage, no one is thinking of retreating.
GuQingPei dejectedly replied, “In this matter, I will definitely minimize the losses.”
WangJin walked over and patted him on the shoulder, “Disappearing without reason, there is obviously some neglection of duty. But with the opening bid, you did a great job in reducing the risk to a minimum. If you weren’t leading this effort, I’m afraid that it is not X Steel but us that is standing in the cusp of this mess. This time, we encountered someone who didn’t care to live. Otherwise, this would have been a good thing from beginning to end. You don’t have to blame yourself. We still have other opportunities.”
GuQingPei depressingly nodded, “Let’s go, let’s go to the meeting.”
After GuQingPei concluded the meeting, he personally took his subordinates to consult with other social connections, working tirelessly for the entire day.
His cell phone is still in YuanYang’s hands. He didn’t even have the keys to his home. All he had on him is the suit that he’s wearing; even the taxi fare was paid by the company’s front desk. How is he going to get home that night was going to be a problem.
But he didn’t have time to ponder over this. He just wanted to be able to resolve as much issues as he can before YuanYang intrudes.
After GuQingPei got off work, he stayed in the company to work overtime. That night, he simply just slept in the company. After all, there is a bed and bathroom in his office. The only thing lacking was that he didn’t have dinner. So by 10pmish, he was so famished that he had a stomach ache.
He was about to call for some carryout, but the landline rang before he got to make his call. GuQingPei picked up the phone.
“I’m downstairs of your company. What time are you actually off?” YuanYang’s chilling voice sounded from the other side.
GuQingPei didn’t even have the energy to get angry. He softly muttered, “I still have a lot of things to deal with. YuanYang, don’t force me. After this project is over, I’ll resign and get far away as possible from WangJin. Can you let me go?”
YuanYang was silent for a moment, “I’ll give you time, but I’m advising you not to waste your energy. X Steel will definitely terminate the bid. If you don’t want to do something so useless, just clarify things and leave as soon as possible.”
GuQingPei listened quietly. He was silent for a while before slowly responding, “YuanYang, I’ve always hoped that you can mature, but your vigor is used in the wrong direction. You’ve made the distance between us farther and farther apart.”
YuanYang gritted his teeth, “What exactly do you want me to do?”
“This question, I’m also trying to ask you. What do you want me to do? You don’t want me to have a career or to have any social interactions. You just want me to be like a woman staying by your side, doing everything you say? YuanYang, do you think it’s possible?”
“That’s not what I’m thinking.”
“Then why did you confine me?”
YuanYang’s voice coarsely responded, “I just don’t want to let you see WangJin.”
“Who I see and what kind of work I choose is my freedom. It is because you can’t understand my freedom in making my life choices that we can’t communicate. YuanYang. Remember this. I, GuQingPei, will control my own life. You keep forcing me time and time again, turning my life upside down. My reputation and achievements from over the past decade had been so easily destroyed by you. Right now, I can’t work. I can’t live normally. I hope that you are satisfied with this ending. But this is the last time. YuanYang, this is definitely the last time.”
For the first time, GuQingPei mentioned everything that YuanYang had done in such calming tranquil tone; but, it made YuanYang’s back chillingly cold. YuanYang couldn’t help but wanted to confirm again, “Will you really resign?”
“Yeah,” GuQingPei lowered his voice as he got to the end of the conversation, “During this time, don’t come again.”
After hanging up the phone, leaning on the back of the chair, it was a long time before he got out of the daze.
The huge office is dark and empty. At a glance, it is pitch black, so quiet that it’s scary. He stood up and walked up to the windows and opened the curtains. Sure enough, he sees YuanYang and his car downstairs, but he could only see a vague shadow.
Looking down from above, YuanYang looked really small.
The rim of GuQingPei’s eyes heated and tears streamed down his face.
He didn’t think that he would cry, without any warning at all…
Touching his face, he couldn’t remember the last time he had tears streaming down his face. He stared blankly at the clear liquid at the tip of his fingertips, feeling a bit at a lost.
When GuQingPei awakened the next day, people had already come to work. He handed the press release that he had modified several times to his secretary to turn into the public relations department.
After breakfast, he had intended to bring a lawyer along to the bureau to learn more about the situation.
Just after he had finished eating, WangJin came.
GuQingPei was a bit surprised. WangJin is the Chairman of the company after all. There was no reason for the Chairman of the Board to come visit him.
GuQingPei stood up, “WangGe, what’s going on?”
WangJin’s expression did not look normal; he raised the file in his hand, “Explain to me. What is this?”
GuQingPei didn’t understand what he was alluding to but when he opened the file, it was a one-sided contract termination. It was only then that he remembered. That day, YuanYang had said that he would send his contract termination to WangJin. It should have been received in these two days but he had been too busy to follow up. Now he has yet another troubling matter at hand. But he’s past the anger stage, leaving only a sense of powerlessness.
GuQingPei truthfully responded, “It was YuanYang who sent that to you.”
WangJin was slightly surprised, “YuanYang, you still have contact with him?” WangJin’s voice unconsciously rose a little suddenly, “The four days you were missing, were you with him?”
GuQingPei rubbed his eyebrows tiredly, “WangGe, our matters, I can’t explain it clearly. Can you stop asking me? Right now I just want to settle this legal case and let this storm weather by.”
WangJin sighed, “Concentrate on the people from the Special Investigating team, I’ll handle X Steel. However, there is no hope. Terminating the opening bid is a sure thing.”
GuQingPei closed his eyes. The kind of taste where one has expended all his painstaking effort only to have his hopes and efforts come to nothing… this taste is really unbearable.
WangJin patted him on the shoulder, “The Special Investigating team will issue the survey results this weekend and make it public. Whether or not we can salvage the company’s image is all dependent on that.”
“WangGe, you can be rest assured. I know that they don’t have sufficient evidence to file the case. Now it is mainly the reputation of the company. I’ll find a solution.”
In the morning, GuQingPei took his subordinates with him to the Special Investigating Unit and thoroughly explored the investigation with the person in charge. This person has had previous contact with him. He was very polite, speaking the truth in letting him know that they indeed are unable to file the case; only the executives of X Steel Group are guilty of misconduct. X Steel Group does not want to file a lawsuit, only wanting to make concession to avoid legal trouble.
The most important thing for GuQingPei’s at this time is writing the case notification. The person in charge showed him the manuscript. GuQingPei picked out several items relating to QingDa and changed the statement. The meaning did not change. However, from its underlying meaning, it pushed more of the responsibility to X Steel.
The person in charge looked at him a few times and shook his head, “Director Gu, we are a government agency. We must give priority to the protection of state-owned enterprises. This manuscript…”
GuQingPei smiled, “The meaning has not changed at all. Words like this are all based on how others interpret it. LiuShou, please make an exception this once. I and Chairman Wang will be very grateful.”
LiuShou nodded at the manuscript, “I’ll consult with my people and contact you again.”
“LiuShou, will you do the honor in having a meal with me tonight?”
“I can’t…really can’t. I’m too busy, let’s do another day…another day.”
When GuQingPei left the office with his people, his face sank immediately. He ordered the subordinates next to him, “Go check on Secretary Liu’s organizational connections. Do this immediately. The manuscript did not mention YuanLiJiang, it only mentioned QingDa and other companies. It is clear that it’s pointing the gun at us and X Steel. It seems that YuanLiJiang has already acted. We’re too slow.”
“Yes, Director Gu.”
“Give me your cell phone.”
“Huh?
“Cell phone. Let me borrow it for two days. Afterwards, I’ll have Secretary Zhou buy me a cell phone and another phone card.”
“Ahhhh, okay.”
GuQingPei talked to WangJin for a long time on the phone, asking him to quickly contact his social network to change the case notification immediately. It certainly can’t mention the name QingDa. The two men on both sides tried to reach out to their social networks, working relentlessly. After a great deal of effort, they finally got QingDa’s name erased from the case notification and replaced with “individual company.”
After the case notification was announced, QingDa also held a press conference. It presented itself as a reputable company who had silently suffered, receiving injustices. It promised to once again participate in the bidding process.
At the other end, YuanLiJiang withdrew the competition.
This loud commotion in the storm seems to have passed. X Steel Group announced that it will terminate the bidding. It had decided to carry out an internal reorganization and re-do the bidding initiation process in two to three months.
GuQingPei and WangJin have some time to take some breather as they continue to sort out the remaining issues.
After staying in the company for three days, YuanYang sent GuQingPei’s wallet and keys to him and sent him a short text saying, “I dare not see you. If I see you, I want to carry you on my shoulders and take you home.”
For a long time, GuQingPei stared in a daze at the text message and then led out a long sigh.
He finally returned home that same day. He took out the employment contract between him and WangJin and carefully looked it over.
Terminate the contract….
He had signed a one-year contract with WangJin. He hadn’t even been in the company for more than a month. He thought that he could do something for the company but instead ended up causing a big ruckus. Even though WangJin didn’t blame him, he himself was very upset.
As yet, all the remaining issues have yet to be resolved…but he has to resign…
He really couldn’t imagine how the company’s people would think of him. The days that he thought he could redeem himself didn’t even last a month. Now, he’ll need to disgracefully get the fuck out of this place.
How could he not hate YuanYang? Regardless of how much he loved YuanYang, how can he withstand this torment?
Holding his cell phone, he repeatedly looked at WangJin’s number on the screen, but didn’t dare to call him. He was simply too ashamed to face WangJin.
It just so happened that WangJin called at this time
GuQingPei was shocked. He calmed his emotions down and answered the call, “Hello, Wang Ge.”
WangJin’s voice was really gloomy, “QingPei, Zhong Xian Investment brought their partner along to invite us for a discussion regarding X Steel’s bid. Try and guess who they brought?”
Zhong Xian is another company participating in the bidding. Compared with them (QingDa), the scope is much smaller. Now it has become the most innocent one.
GuQingPei’s heart shivered, “Who?”
WangJin gritted his teeth, “YuanYang.”
Gu Qing’s lips trembled, “YuanYang…”
“I just now understand why YuanLiJiang simply withdrew. He may have known this step before me. Then what about you? When did you know?”
GuQingPei smiled and said, “Wang Ge, I’ve just found out now.” What he said was not a lie. He only knew that it was YuanYang who reported the bidding breach. It is only now that the realized YuanYang had become ZhongXian’s partner.
WangJin silently said, “QingPei. Do you think I can believe you? During the time that the bidding breach was announced, the company fell into a major credit crisis and you ended up disappearing for four days. You were with YuanYang, not answering your phone, not responding to emails. It was as if you have vanished into thin air. Then, now I find out that YuanYang is also involved in this matter. QingPei, tell me, do you think I can believe you?”
GuQingPei solemnly responded, “Wang Ge, I’ve never done anything that would be detrimental to the company. There are things that I am sorry for, but with this, you can believe me.”
WangJin led out a sigh of relief, “Now I wanted ask you on a personal level, what happened to you and YuanYang in the last four days?”
“Me and him……nothing happened.”
WangJin sighed with disappointment, “QingPei, this bidding project, going forward…. you don’t need to manage it. I have several property rights disputes to be taken care off, it’s enough work for you.”
GuQingPei opened his mouth. The matter with his resignation, under this circumstances; he was unable to bring up.
After he hung up with WangJin, he received a phone call from an unfamiliar phone number. He vaguely felt that the number looked familiar but could not recall. It was only after he connected that he realized that it was a number that he had previously deleted, YuanLiJiang’s number.
YuanLiJiang calling him at this time, most likely is not with good intentions. GuQingPei calmly and collectedly controlled his voice as he casually asked YuanLiJiang what he’s calling for.
YuanLiJiang’s voice did not have a trace of affection, “What your present situation is right now, I can guess to some extent. You being in WangJin’s company, you won’t last long. WangJin is skeptical. He will definitely not allow a person who might be disloyal around him.”
GuQingPei ponderingly responded, “Chairman Yuan, since when did you care about me?”
“Regardless of whether you believe it or not, what I’ve done, I have somewhat regretted it. I didn’t fully consider the consequences. Now my son is running me up against the wall everywhere. It’s giving me migraines.”
GuQingPei listened quietly.
“The things between the both of you, I know everything, including the recent few days in Hebei. Director Gu, my son had always been reckless since childhood, he’s like that with everyone, especially to those close to him. Right now, I feel that you’re quite pitiful.”
The green veins on GuQingPei forehead protruded as he coldly responded, “I really don’t need Chairman Yuan’s pity.”
“I know you blame me. But it doesn’t matter. At least now we have the opportunity to cooperate.”
“What do you mean?”
“I want my son to be separated from you. And you… likely don’t want to be entangled with him again. Am I right?”
“If Chairman Yuan has something to say, might as well say it directly.”
“The position in Canada that I mentioned last time is still valid. It’s effective at any time. As long as you nod your head, I will help you straightened matters with WangJin. You can go at any time. YuanYang can’t leave the country. As long as you guys separate for two years, many conflicts can be resolved. He will eventually grow up. And you can also open up a new world elsewhere. Isn’t this like killing many birds with a stoneT/N?
T/N 一舉多得 – achieve many things at one stroke; answer multiple purpose; kill many birds with one stone
GuQingPei smiled and sarcastically muttered, “Chairman Yuan have always had such good considerations.”
“You don’t have to mock me. Smart people can communicate on the same level. So I chose to call you this time because the time has come. After two years, if you want to come back, you can come back any time.”
This time, GuQingPei did not flat out refuse. He was silent.
YuanLiJiang said dismally, “QingPei, believe me, WangJin’s heart only needs to have the seeds of suspicion and it will take root. Let alone, you have YuanYang fanning the fire, forcing you at every step. Sooner or later, you won’t be able to put up with this. If you wait until that day comes, it will be too late.”
GuQingPei’s hand holding the cell phone shook uncontrollably.
End of the Chapter
