Chapter 131: The Second Will Revealed

"Gu Ming knows about the will."

Special Assistant Song was with Gu Shiyan when he received the call from Lawyer Huo. Both men froze in shock. Gu Shiyan’s brow furrowed tightly.

"Is it the real one?" Song asked, stunned. "I thought you..."

"He held my assistant hostage and tracked my movements. Aside from home, I’ve only been to one place recently, and I left right after securing the will. I don't know what methods Gu Ming used, but he managed to break in. By the time I discovered it, the document had already been accessed."

Song was at a loss for words. Gu Shiyan lowered his gaze. "Can you tell me what’s in it now?"

Song hesitated. "But..."

The Old Master’s intention had been to wait until Gu Shiyan naturally desired to inherit the company before revealing the will's contents. But now that Gu Ming had beaten them to it, failing to inform Gu Shiyan would likely put them at a disadvantage.

Gu Shiyan rubbed his temples; for some reason, his eyelids wouldn't stop twitching. He pressed his fingertips against his chest. "Does the will really have anything to do with me? Was the fake one I had you forge actually true?"

To discourage Gu Ming from hunting for a second will, Gu Shiyan had intentionally ordered Song to forge a fake one, designed to draw fire toward himself. He had demanded Rongxin, a hollow shell of a company, which had since been separated from Kesheng and now operated independently.

Before the Old Master passed away, only Gu Yunzhi had been by his side. Gu Ming must have guessed the contents of the second will, which was why he targeted Gu Yunzhi. Now, having learned of the real will from Lawyer Huo, the situation had taken an unexpected turn.

"Fine, I’ll tell you." Song relayed the contents to Gu Shiyan.

Gu Shiyan immediately called Lawyer Huo. "Make the arrangements now. I want the will made public. I’ll coordinate with the media to ensure this hits the trending topics by tomorrow."

There was silence on the other end. "Announce it tomorrow? Do you really want everyone to know..."

"Yes," Gu Shiyan replied. "If we keep hiding it, Gu Ming will use every underhanded trick in the book. It’s better if we release it ourselves."

He added calmly, "At the same time, announce that I am transferring my shares to Gu Ming and that Rongxin is officially severed from Kesheng."

Song was taken aback. "So, when you transferred your shares to Gu Ming and took Rongxin, it was all to manufacture public opinion?"

"I figured that as long as the will existed, Gu Ming would never give up; it would be exposed sooner or later. I just didn't expect it to happen this early. Otherwise..."

He could have maintained better control.

"Understood. I'll make the arrangements now." Song caught his breath.

"Wait," Gu Shiyan stopped him.

"What is it? Isn't this urgent?" Song had already started contacting the media.

Gu Shiyan held his hand down. "No. Don't hold the press conference until I return to Beicheng."

"You’re going back to Beicheng? Why?"

"To attend class."

Song was speechless. In recent days, he had almost forgotten that Gu Shiyan was still a student.

"How can you go back to school at a time like this? You need to appear with me tomorrow."

Gu Shiyan shook his head. "No, if I show up, it will look too calculated and could be twisted by those with ill intent. If I am in Beicheng attending classes while you hold the conference, won't it be more persuasive? Gu Ming forced his own nephew to give up his only shares, brushed him off with an empty shell of a company, and hoarded the majority of the shares to control Kesheng, while I am just a student..."

Song marveled at him. He was truly the Old Master's protégé; he understood how to manipulate human nature with ease.

"I’ll prepare everything," Song said, reaching to arrange a private jet, but Gu Shiyan stopped him.

"Book me a commercial ticket. The private jet belongs to the Gu family; why would I use Gu Ming’s property?" Gu Shiyan’s tone was drawn out. "Since you’ve already had a falling out with Gu Liang, transfer all my private assets out first. Once the real assets are declared, Gu Ming will look like a heartless boss squeezing his own nephew."

Song quickly jotted this down, determined to heap all the blame onto Gu Ming.

On the screen, the video kept playing on a loop. The images shifted, and the voice continued. Gu Ming stated that the Old Master’s second will stipulated that, after the distributed shares were accounted for, the remaining significant holdings were to be left to his great-grandson—the child of his grandson, Gu Shiyan, and Luo Xing.

Gu Shiyan’s past relationship with Luo Xing had already hit the internet, and almost everyone knew about it, especially those within the Gu family. Luo Xing and Gu Shiyan were, for all intents and purposes, completely tethered together by the Old Master.

*Cough, cough.* Luo Xing drank some water, the cold liquid sliding down her throat.

Could it be that Gu Shiyan had been so good to her only because of the will? He must have known about the Old Master’s bequest long ago, which was why he had come to woo her. She couldn't think of any other reason.

In the video, Gu Shiyan now knew the contents of the second will. If he wanted to claim his shares, he would have to marry Luo Xing and have a child. Otherwise, he would get nothing.

Luo Xing lay in bed, dazed, her eyes wide open until the sky began to turn pale with dawn. Why had Grandfather Gu done this? She had clearly explained to him that she and Gu Shiyan were no longer together.

Her limbs felt stiff and numb. Her head throbbed, and as she pushed herself up from the bed, she nearly collapsed. She gripped the edge of the bed and slowly crouched down, biting her lower lip hard.

Suddenly, a thought struck her. She went to her desk, where her laptop sat, and reached for the box hidden behind a stack of books.

The Old Master’s words echoed in her ears: *"This was always meant for you."*

Luo Xing opened the box. The jade bracelet looked dim in the gloomy light. She sat at the desk, turned on the lamp, and stared at the jade under the light, lost in thought. Her sweaty palm supported her chin, her mind in a chaotic whirl.

As her gaze drifted downward, she noticed a strange glint beneath the black velvet lining. Frowning, she lifted the jade out. The velvet beneath had a subtle, high-quality sheen. She pulled it aside.

When she saw what lay at the very bottom, her breath hitched. It was the "Star of Zhaoyi," the gemstone Gu Shiyan had won at an auction for an astronomical price. Lu Yuanyi had once said that this belonged to Wen Nuan.

She clutched the jewel, which sparkled under the lamp, her eyes reddening and growing moist.

It seemed Grandfather Gu had misunderstood; this was never meant for her at all—it was for Wen Nuan. He must have mistakenly given it to her. Surely, Gu Shiyan didn't know it was in her possession.