Volume One, Chapter 77: Courage in Blood

As soon as Lu Rongrong left, Pei Jingmo and Fu Linhan also departed.

"President Gu—"

Song Qingyu hurried after them, her tone anxious.

Noticing that the couple had things to discuss, Fu Linhan shot Pei Jingmo a look and said, "I'll wait for you downstairs."

Pei Jingmo nodded, turning to Song Qingyu. "Miss Song, is there something you wish to say?"

Song Qingyu pressed her lips together, a trace of guilt in her expression. "I'm sorry."

"Hmm?"

"Just now, I thought Zhengzheng was upset with you because you were injured, so I spoke harshly on her behalf. I hope you can forgive me."

Pei Jingmo smiled faintly. "You were concerned for your friend, Miss Song. I understand."

Seeing that Gu Yuandong showed no displeasure, Song Qingyu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Rumor had it that President Gu was ruthless and vengeful.

But the man she knew was nothing like that. He was understanding, considerate, and a good brother.

Pei Jingmo noticed the dark circles under her eyes and said lightly, "Miss Song, you look very tired. You should get some rest."

"Thank you for your concern, President Gu. I'll return to the ward now."

"Very well."

After watching Song Qingyu enter the ward, a man in a black jacket and baseball cap approached.

He leaned in and whispered a few words in Pei Jingmo's ear.

Pei Jingmo's lips curled into a cold smile. "So, some people really can't sit still any longer."

Downstairs, Fu Linhan was idly scrolling through short videos. When he saw Pei Jingmo coming, he immediately put his phone away.

"Hey, what did Song Qingyu say to you?"

As they walked outside, Pei Jingmo replied, "She said she loves me."

"What the—? Really?"

"What do you think?"

"...You’re messing with me!"

Song Qingyu didn’t even know Gu Yuandong was Pei Jingmo—how could she possibly confess her love? Besides, whether she loved Pei Jingmo or not was a question in itself.

"I remember you bought a ring at the auction two years ago," Pei Jingmo suddenly remarked.

Fu Linhan’s alarm bells rang. He took a defensive stance. "What are you up to?"

"Sell it to me."

"What—? Do you know I almost got into a fight with Third Young Master Han at that auction for that ring?"

Thinking of this, Fu Linhan gritted his teeth in frustration. "He pushed me to the edge before he finally let it go. Afterwards, he smiled and said he never intended to compete; he was just raising the price for fun. Anyway, that ring is for when I get married in the future. I can’t give it to you."

"You won’t be needing it."

"Hey, what do you mean by that? Are you cursing me to stay single?"

"I’ll pay you double whatever you paid for it."

Double. Fu Linhan’s eyes lit up.

"Ahem—am I the type to be tempted by money?"

"I can choose from many rings, but you only have this one chance."

"Heh, I never said I wouldn’t sell. Fine, take it—" Fu Linhan still sounded a bit resentful. "Hmph, if I’d known, I never would have told you I bought that ring. Feels like I got it just for you."

Pei Jingmo was always busy in the military. Every month, he carved out ten minutes to call Fu Linhan and Bai Yinian, all for the sake of brotherhood.

During those ten minutes, Fu Linhan monopolized nine, speaking at breakneck speed, chattering endlessly about everything that had happened that month.

The remaining minute went to Bai Yinian.

Pei Jingmo felt that all his patience over the years had been honed by Fu Linhan.

"The ring’s in my safety deposit box at HSBC. I’ll bring it to you tomorrow."

"I’ll go with you to get it now."

Guo Rang, standing nearby, reminded him, "Boss, everyone’s here and waiting for you."

Pei Jingmo’s expression was unreadable. "Let them wait."

By the time Pei Jingmo arrived at Emerald Bamboo Pavilion with the ring, the faces of the shareholders gathered inside were all sour.

Among them was Pei Jingmo’s second uncle, Gu Chengming.

"Apologies for the delay," Pei Jingmo said, "I had an urgent matter to attend to."

Guo Rang pulled out a chair for him. Pei Jingmo sat down in full view, his mask hiding any trace of embarrassment.

Gu Chengming frowned in displeasure. "Yuandong, making all your elders wait is not the proper thing to do."

Pei Jingmo smiled mildly. "You’re right, Uncle. That’s why I apologized first."

Though he smiled, there was no warmth in his eyes.

His gaze was sharp and deep, as if he could see through men’s hearts, making everyone present feel an intangible pressure.

"I know everyone’s time is precious, so shall we get down to business?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Bingcheng was the first to speak. "President Gu, investing in pharmaceutical research is a good thing, but it takes years to see results. Wouldn’t it be better to just build a hospital?"

Pei Jingmo’s fingers tapped idly on the table, as though he was only half-listening.

The shareholders, knowing his iron-fisted methods, dared not challenge him directly.

When his tapping stopped, every shareholder held their breath.

"Gentlemen, do you know how expensive a bottle of imported medicine is?" Pei Jingmo answered his own question. "At least twenty, thirty thousand. Sometimes a hundred thousand or more."

Yang Bingcheng replied, "But what does that have to do with us?"

Pei Jingmo’s gaze turned icy. "True, to you, the cost of those drugs means nothing—you can afford them. But countless families are ruined, some left waiting for death, all because they can’t afford a single bottle of imported medicine!"

Seeing the numb expressions on their faces, Pei Jingmo knew his words were wasted.

True capitalists couldn’t empathize with ordinary people.

He changed tack, appealing to their interests. "You all know how vast the domestic market is. Foreigners pour their resources into drug research because they want our money. Why shouldn’t we manufacture our own medicines and take their share instead?"

He turned to a middle-aged man who had remained silent. "President Li, you went to Country M two years ago. You must know what it feels like to be looked down upon. Rather than being crushed forever, shouldn’t we strive to grow stronger ourselves?"

President Li had also invested in medical equipment. When he attended a summit in Country M, he’d been openly insulted—told that the lifeblood of China’s economy was in their hands.

President Li, a man of some spirit, had even come to blows with them.

But when it came to special drugs, the truth was they still relied on Country M.

President Li exhaled heavily. "I support President Gu. Money and profit matter, but the backbone of our people must never be bent."

Yang Bingcheng still objected. "President Gu, President Li, no one’s stopping you from being heroes, but our interests are all tied together. Shouldn’t you consider everyone here?"

Pei Jingmo looked at him with a half-smile. "You’re right, President Yang. That’s why I think anyone unwilling to join this project is free to leave now."

Yang Bingcheng glanced around. The others were still hesitating, not yet ready to withdraw.

He looked at Gu Chengming, whose face was dark.

Pei Jingmo had invoked national duty. As a member of the Gu family, if Gu Chengming disagreed, he’d be criticized endlessly.

"So, it seems only President Yang wants out—"

"Hey, I haven’t decided yet!"

"You have three seconds."

Yang Bingcheng was flustered. Wasn’t the plan that after Gu Yuandong took over the Tianqi Group, the shareholders would make things difficult for him?

They’d all agreed to teach Gu Yuandong a lesson.

How had he turned the tables with just a few words?

He was even leading them all by the nose.

"Time’s up, President Yang. Perhaps we’ll cooperate on the next project."

"Wait, President Gu, I didn’t say I was withdrawing, I was still considering—"

Pei Jingmo smiled slightly. "President Yang, business is like war—opportunity waits for no one."

Yang Bingcheng was full of regret, but it was too late.

As Pei Jingmo left the teahouse, Gu Chengming called after him. "Yuandong—"

Pei Jingmo stopped and turned. "Is there something else, Uncle?"

"President Yang is an old shareholder of Tianqi Group. You shouldn’t disregard his dignity entirely."

Pei Jingmo’s tone was calm, with a hint of impatience. "Didn’t I already give him three seconds?"

"Well..."

"Uncle, my father often speaks of you. When you have time, you should visit him. His understanding and insight into national duty are far deeper than mine."

Gu Chengming was at a loss for words.

Pei Jingmo had to pick up Song Qingyu from the hospital and had no time to waste on idle talk.

When Song Qingyu received Pei Jingmo’s message, she was still conflicted.

"Are you sure you don’t need me to stay with you tonight?"

Xie Liuzheng patted her hand reassuringly. "I really don’t. Xiao Rou is here, and President Fu arranged for two professional caregivers. I’ll be fine."

"Alright, but if you need anything, call me. I’ll come after work."

"I know."

Reluctantly, the two parted ways. As Song Qingyu left the inpatient ward and headed toward the hospital entrance, she caught sight—quite by accident—of a familiar figure.

It was Lin Tiange, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time, holding a slip of paper as he entered the obstetrics and gynecology building.