Chà Chà Novel

 Gu Xichao left Xilin Manor in a daze.

He first returned to the hotel to change into a fresh set of clothes, then called a car to take him to Shen Jizhou.

There was one thing he had to confirm: had Shen Jizhou known that Gu Xichao was drugged the night before?

If Shen Jizhou had known, there would never be any further cooperation between them. But if he had truly been unaware, their business relationship could continue.

After all, Gu Xichao was still a businessman. In the business world, interests always came first. As long as both parties were sincere about working together, everything remained open to negotiation.

However, Gu Xichao maintained extremely strict standards for his personal relationships. He drew a line for everyone around him—a boundary that could never be crossed. The moment someone stepped over that line, he would immediately distance himself and never associate with them again.

Back then, it was only because he had allowed his feelings to cloud his judgment that he had lowered his boundaries for Yu Yan again and again. He had trusted Yu Yan unconditionally, only to be the one who suffered in the end.

After that betrayal, Gu Xichao could no longer trust anyone without reservation.

There was always a ruler in his heart, measuring every relationship and maintaining clear boundaries at all times. The moment someone crossed the line, he would walk away without the slightest compromise.

When Gu Xichao arrived at Shen Jizhou’s company, the receptionist escorted him directly to the president’s office.

The moment he stepped inside, he saw Shen Jizhou pacing back and forth anxiously.

“Nolan! Thank God you’re all right! I was worried sick! I called you so many times, but you didn’t answer. I nearly called the police!”

“My phone ran out of battery.”

Gu Xichao casually tossed his phone onto the coffee table and sat down on the sofa.

Anyone with eyes could tell that he was furious. The receptionist immediately left the room and closed the door to the president’s office behind her.

Shen Jizhou stood beside his desk with his hands on his hips, so flustered that he did not know how to explain himself. It took him several seconds before he finally spoke.

“I’m sorry, Nolan… I just finished investigating what happened last night. President Li took advantage of my absence and had someone slip something into your drink. His exact words were that he wanted to ‘help Chairman Chen make a connection.’ I thought he meant helping us move the partnership forward. I never imagined that was what he meant. Damn it! Those people at Voyage are nothing but a pack of shameless, filthy scumbags!”

The more Shen Jizhou spoke, the more agitated he became. He paced back and forth, his leather shoes striking the floor with heavy thuds.

“I’ve been doing business for years, and this is the first time anyone has ever used me as a pawn. That bastard President Li doesn’t have a single honest word in his mouth. At the banquet, he acted as though we were brothers, then turned around and tampered with your drink the moment my back was turned.”

“And that Chairman Chen—who the hell does he think he is? He’s already that old, yet he still had the nerve to order someone to deliver you to his bed. He thinks he’s worthy of you?”

“I shouldn’t have drunk so much last night. I should have stopped them from the very beginning. Damn it! Nolan, I truly knew nothing about this. You can’t suspect me because of what they did. I swear nothing like this will ever happen again.”

Shen Jizhou continued firmly.

“We’ll end our partnership with Voyage. I don’t need to beg them to sign a contract with us anymore. We’ll find another way.”

After hearing his explanation, Gu Xichao felt that Shen Jizhou probably had been unaware of the scheme.

A man who had built such a successful business would hardly abandon an entire forest for one twisted old tree.

“All right. I believe you. But nothing like this can ever happen again. From now on, I will no longer attend any business dinners involving alcohol.”

Gu Xichao took the opportunity to establish a new rule.

“It seems we can’t continue working with Voyage. I’ll think of another solution.”

In truth, this capital was the key to advancing Gu Xichao’s technology project. If the investment succeeded, the returns would increase by at least tenfold within two years.

Gu Xichao had always possessed exceptional foresight. He had almost never made an error in judgment.

But if they gave up on Voyage, what other company in the country would be willing to handle such a massive transfer of funds for them?

Shen Jizhou asked:

“Do you have any other options?”

Gu Xichao shook his head.

“Not yet. I plan to return to Malaysia tomorrow and check on the project’s progress there. For now, I’ll salvage whatever I can.”

“All right. I’ll look for another solution on my end as well.”

Shen Jizhou’s gaze shifted before he tentatively asked:

“Nolan, tell me the truth. Are you Gu Xichao, the man who disappeared?”

Shen Jizhou’s business had previously been concentrated in other cities. He had only expanded into City A during the past two years, so he genuinely knew almost nothing about Gu Xichao’s past.

When his subordinates first mentioned that name to him, he had been stunned for quite some time.

“I was under the impression that President Shen wasn’t the kind of person who pried into other people’s private affairs.”

Gu Xichao neither admitted nor denied it.

Shen Jizhou immediately understood. He knew he had crossed a boundary.

“It’s fine, Nolan. Who you really are doesn’t matter. As long as our partnership proceeds smoothly, that’s all that matters.”

“It’s all right. President Shen is an intelligent man. Working with you has always been a pleasant experience.”

“Of course.”

Shen Jizhou thought for a moment before deciding to ask one final question.

“Who saved you last night?”

“Just an ordinary person.”

Gu Xichao lowered his eyes and considered the question for several seconds, but did not give him a specific answer.

Then he rose to his feet and politely said goodbye.

“You don’t need to worry about the rest. I plan to take a flight back tomorrow morning. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure the funding for our project is properly handled.”

Shen Jizhou knew that someone had rescued Gu Xichao the night before, but he still had not uncovered that person’s identity.

Since Gu Xichao did not wish to talk about it, Shen Jizhou could only take the hint and remain silent.

The following morning, Gu Xichao finished packing his luggage. Just as he was about to leave, he received notice that his flight had been delayed, leaving him no choice but to wait until the afternoon.

That afternoon, as he rode to the airport, enormous advertisements of Yu Yan appeared one after another outside the window.

Each showed him in a different style and a different outfit. They flooded Gu Xichao’s vision like wave after wave surging in from the sea.

He remembered that three days ago, when he had first returned to City A, he had seen the same sight along this very road.

Back then, Yu Yan’s image had appeared everywhere, as though welcoming him home.

Now, those same advertisements seemed to be bidding him farewell.

Gu Xichao had only been back for three short days, yet far too much had happened.

His thoughts were in turmoil, and he could not help feeling that perhaps he should never have returned in the first place.

When he arrived at the airport, he carried nothing but a simple backpack.

His luggage was exactly the same as when he had arrived, yet as he prepared to leave, it somehow felt much heavier.

The taxi stopped in front of the airport.

Gu Xichao had barely taken two steps after getting out when someone called to him from behind.

A black Maybach pulled up behind him.

The man who had called out was dressed in a neat suit and was clearly the private chauffeur of a wealthy household.

He held a phone in his hand, its screen showing an active call.

“President Gu, President Yu sent me to pick you up. He would like you to take this call.”

“Yu Yan?”

“Yes. You may speak with him now. President Yu is waiting on the line.”

The chauffeur held out the phone.

Still suspicious, Gu Xichao accepted it.

Yu Yan’s deep voice immediately sounded beside his ear.

“Gu Xichao, you’re planning to leave again, aren’t you?”

“If you have something to say, get to the point.”

“In three minutes, I’ll go live nationwide and publicly reveal that you and I were lovers.”

Yu Yan gave a quiet laugh before continuing:

“But if you get into my car and leave with my driver, I won’t say a word.”

The hand holding the phone trembled involuntarily.

“Yu Yan, whatever existed between us ended two years ago. We have nothing to do with each other anymore!”

Yu Yan ignored him completely. His footsteps grew increasingly hurried, and he began speaking faster.

“That’s not all. I can also keep the truth about you faking your death a secret. Otherwise, once your creditors come knocking, I’d like to see how long you can continue living such a carefree life in Malaysia.”

“Oh, right—and Shen Jizhou’s money. Haven’t the two of you been trying everything you can to get your hands on it? I’ve already put my lawyers in charge. Without my permission, none of you will get a single cent!”