“His assistant came by personally to handle the details. After looking through the files for that asset bundle, he immediately picked out the one you were interested in.”
“There wasn't much haggling, but their offer was higher than yours, and the deposit has already been paid.”
Gu Huaiyu!
Those three words were like a heavy hammer slamming into Su Wan’s heart.
Why would he buy that unfinished building?
There was no way he had any commercial interest in a place like that!
The only explanation was that he knew she lived there. He might even know she was looking into it—that she wanted it—and had intentionally snatched it out from under her!
Was it revenge? A show of power? Or did he have other motives?
Images flashed through Su Wan’s mind: Gu Huaiyu’s hypocritical face from the previous night in front of the building, his “desire to help,” and the look of shock and dejection after she slapped him.
Now it seemed his so-called “help” was nothing more than a front for his real intentions!
But she couldn't let any of that show.
Taking a deep breath, she forced her voice to sound merely regretful and curious.
“Young Master Gu? Why would someone like him be interested in a place like that? Manager Wang, are you sure you aren't mistaken? The projects in that asset bundle are all...”
“Tell me about it,” Manager Wang replied, sounding equally perplexed.
“I was wondering the same thing. The Gu Corporation has its hands in everything; why would they want this pile of junk? But his assistant said Young Master Gu has some personal interest in it—maybe he wants to do something else with it.”
“Regardless, they offered a high price and moved quickly with the paperwork. Naturally, on the bank’s side...”
He didn't finish the sentence, but the implication was clear: the highest bidder wins, and the bank doesn't lose out.
Su Wan forced herself to remain calm and pressed further, “How far along is the paperwork? Since the deposit is paid, is it... a done deal?”
“Well...” Manager Wang hesitated for a moment. Perhaps thinking there was no harm in sharing or wanting to maintain a relationship with a potential client like Su Wan, he explained simply:
“As you know, Miss Su, the disposal of these non-performing asset bundles follows a very standardized process. Young Master Gu’s side has already completed their due diligence, verifying the title documents, debt certificates, and mortgage registrations we provided.”
“Following that, both parties signed an asset transfer agreement, stipulating the transfer price and closing conditions.”
“The deposit—roughly ten to twenty percent of the total price—has already been transferred to our bank’s escrow account.”
“Next is the internal approval process...”
“Once all the procedures are finished and the remaining balance is paid, the registration for the change of ownership can be processed.”
“Generally speaking, once the deposit is paid and the agreement is signed, it’s pretty much a certainty.”
“Unless the other party backs out on their own, the bank won't unilaterally breach the contract. After all, we've accepted the deposit. If we back out now, we’d have to pay double the compensation.”
There was a hint of suggestion in Manager Wang’s tone.
Unless she could offer an even higher price to make the Gu family back off, or convince them to give it up voluntarily, the matter was essentially settled.
Su Wan understood the subtext.
She was silent for a few seconds before saying calmly, “I see. Thank you for letting me know, Manager Wang.”
After hanging up, Su Wan stood still for a long time.
That unfinished building was more than just a failed construction project to her.
It was the Terminal Station’s anchor point on Blue Star, the foundation of her travel between the two worlds, and her only truly safe shelter in this world!
If it fell into Gu Huaiyu’s hands, the consequences would be unimaginable.
He could kick her out at any moment, or even tear the building down!
If the building were destroyed, what would happen to the system?
What would happen to her Absolute Safety Zone?
Would she still be able to travel back to the apocalypse?
These unknown fears caused her more heart-pounding dread than any direct threat.
She absolutely could not let that building fall into Gu Huaiyu’s hands!
But Manager Wang had been clear: the deposit was paid, the agreement was signed, and the process was underway.
Through normal channels, she no longer had any chance.
Unless...
A cold glint flashed in Su Wan’s eyes.
Unless Gu Huaiyu himself voluntarily gave it up.
But would that man ever give it up?
Since he had gone out of his way to snatch it, he certainly wouldn't let go easily.
She had to go to him and demand an explanation face-to-face!
What exactly was he trying to do?
Was he simply trying to spite her, or did he have another agenda?
Despite her bone-deep hatred for the man, the importance of that building outweighed everything else at this moment.
Su Wan took a deep breath and hailed a taxi.
“To the Gu Corporation headquarters.”
...
Meanwhile, on the top floor of the Gu Corporation building, in the CEO's office.
Gu Huaiyu stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the bustling city of Jiangcheng.
His assistant had just finished reporting the progress of the asset bundle transfer; the deposit was paid, and the paperwork was being processed.
“President Gu, are you sure you want to buy that asset bundle?” the assistant asked cautiously.
“The projects inside are mostly non-performing assets. Especially Jinxiu Garden—it’s been unfinished for years and has a terrible reputation... From an investment standpoint...”
“I know,” Gu Huaiyu said flatly, without turning around. “Just do it.”
The assistant didn't dare ask more. He gave an acknowledgment and retreated.
Silence returned to the office.
Gu Huaiyu stared out the window, but images of the previous night involuntarily surfaced in his mind.
In front of the unfinished building, Su Wan’s eyes as cold as knives, that stinging slap to his face, and the bone-chilling hatred in her voice when she told him to “get lost.”
He instinctively raised a hand and touched his cheek.
The pain was long gone, but the residual heat of that slap seemed to linger.
Once upon a time, Su Wan’s attitude toward him hadn't been like this.
Back then, Su Wan had been simple to the point of foolishness.
If he gave her an occasional smile, she would be happy all day.
If he casually mentioned liking something, she would run across half the city to find it.
When he worked late into the night, she would clumsily cook a late-night snack and bring it to him. Even if it was burnt, she would shyly stick out her tongue and look at him expectantly, hoping for even a simple “thank you for your hard work.”
He had detested her clinginess, her attempts to please him, and that unreserved, almost subservient love.
He felt she wasn't good enough for him, that she was just a tool used by the Su family for a marriage alliance. He took all her efforts for granted, even finding them somewhat cheap.
So, when his plans required it, he hadn't hesitated to use her.
He exploited her feelings, her trust, and her knowledge of the Su family’s internal affairs to push the family into the abyss step by step.
After bringing down the Su family, he ruthlessly tore up the engagement and abandoned her completely, feeling that even a second glance was unnecessary.
He thought the matter was over.
He expected Su Wan to struggle and sink into the mire, eventually disappearing into some corner of the city as a minor footnote on his road to success.
But she hadn't.
Not only had she not disappeared, but she had reappeared in his life in a way he couldn't comprehend.
She had changed.
She had become calm, sharp, and... inscrutable.
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