Busy days always passed very quickly. It had been more than half a month since Gu Nianbin came back from the United States. The war against the Jiang Group was still in a stalemate. Although he did not lose, his funds were tied down and he didn’t have additional money to meet the needs of the Gu Group. Some ongoing projects thus had a shortfall in funds and faced difficulties in maintaining normal operation, let alone make money.

Shao Boqing walked into Gu Nianbin’s office and threw down a stack of papers on his table and said, “Look at these. They are all submitted for payment. I explained a lot and even my mouth got dry. But they still didn’t agree. In the past, they were easy to talk to and purchasing materials from them on credit counted little to them. They are nasty persons who hit us when we are down!”

He lit a cigarette in a huff and took two deep puffs from it before sitting down on a chair.

Gu Nianbin picked up the stack of papers and examined them carefully one by one. He was not as angry as Shao Boqing. When he read the last one, he tidied them up on the table and put them aside. Then he said, “I have examined these papers. We can’t afford to pay them in full but 30 percent. You can answer them with this and tell them if they don’t agree to accept the 30 percent, they will get nothing at all.”

Shao Boqing puffed out a mouthful of smoke and said, “Now we can only deal with them in this way. When the company ran well, I didn’t feel wrong with them. Now it seems that a chain reaction was triggered. They all come to ask for payment as if the Gu Group will collapse soon. In the past, they begged us desperately. But when they saw that the situation was not right now, they immediately changed their attitudes and didn’t show the slightest bit of morality. When the company gets on the right track, I will punish those snobs!”

“Forget it. They have to protect their own interests. It’s understandable. The business world is like a battlefield. They can’t afford to take a single wrong step. Their foundation is not strong and they mainly rely on the Gu Group to make a living. If the Gu Group really falls, they won’t be able to collect the payment for their goods and will probably fell apart as well.”

Shao Boqing flicked the cigarette to shake the ash off. “Is there still no news from America that day? Are they afraid?”

“The Americans are sagacious. They never fight battles that they have no confidence in. Although they have been eyeing covetously the overseas subsidiaries of the Jiang Group for a long time, they don’t dare to open fire on it easily when they don’t have full confidence. Moreover, they have seen the situation here. In terms of strength, we are no match for the Jiang Group.”

“Are we just going to wait like this?” Shao Boqing sighed. “It would be great if the Jiang Group’s business line in North America was cut. If that happens, Jiang Kaiwei will definitely need to take back his funds. Then, we can launch a counterattack and cooperate with the Americans to make the Jiang Group beleaguered.”

Gu Nianbin said, “This is a great plan, but changes always run faster than plans. So we should be patient about this. In addition, the Jiang Group has already sued us for breaking the contract. The court has officially accepted the case and the summons will arrive in a few days. At that time, you will be responsible for coordinating this matter. It usually takes at least half a year to settle this kind of lawsuit. But this case is different. The government will definitely interfere and will not allow the ecological park project to stand still. Jiang Group thus has to pay for us first. At that time, Jiang Kaiwei’s funds will not be so sufficient.”

“Time, it was all about time. However, I have felt it anxious to wait during this period. Without money, many projects came to a halt, falling into a dying state. Moreover, there are also complaints from subordinates. Everyone in the company is anxious. Gossip has spread outside the company, saying the Gu Group is about to collapse. This is not the way to go.”

Gu Nianbin pondered for a short while and said, “From this month on, cut the salaries of senior and ordinary employees by 20% and 10% respectively. We have to decrease the expenses. Those who are unwilling to accept this can leave. Those who are willing to stay and stand with the company to pull through the difficult time will all be awarded a big bonus at the end of the year as long as the company operates well.”

“I think that’s feasible.” Shao Boqing said, “I’ll tell the HR Department to issue a notification about this later.” He looked at Gu Nianbin carefully and suddenly asked, “How long has it been since you last saw Du Xiaoxian?”

“Two days to one month.” Gu Nianbin asked with an expressionless face. “What else do you want to say?”

Shao Boqing chuckled. “I thought you couldn’t bear to be separated from Du Xiaoxian for a day. I didn’t expect you would look pretty good. Can you really bear it?”

“I have no choice. Even if this is for the sake of her, I have to stabilize the company first. Otherwise, how can those old guys on the board of directors and my parents forgive her easily? The Xia family wanted to make a deal on her and thought that without the Xia Group’s help, I would not be able to bring about an upswing.” Gu Nianbin snorted. “I want them to see how I get everything back on track without the help of the Xia Group.”

“Well, it is okay as long as you have confidence.” Shao Boqing said, “I made a rough calculation and found that Jiang Kaiwei had probably obtained three percent of the chips during this period. That is temporarily not a threat to us.”

“Only three percent?” Gu Nianbin raised his eyebrows, “My estimate is five percent. Is he doing this on purpose or have I overestimated him?”

Shao Boqing suddenly laughed and said, “In the past, I thought that Jiang Kaiwei was arrogant and unsparing. He never hid what he thought. Because of this, he had offended many people. They said that he was arrogant and domineering. But now, even Shen Li said that he was wily and secretive and could not figure out what he was trying to do. He had hidden himself well enough all these past years!”

“He is wily, but we are not to be trifled with.” Gu Nianbin said indifferently, “Let’s proceed with caution and respond according to the situation.”

Shao Boqing saw an indifferent expression on his face and knew that he did not want to talk anymore. Perhaps the mentioning of Du Xiaoxian stirred up Gu Nianbin’s feelings. So Shao Boqing took a hint, picked up the stack of papers, and left the office.

Gu Nianbin leaned against the back of the chair, pinched the area between his eyebrows, and heaved a tired sigh.

How could he not miss her? But what could he do even if he missed her? It only added to his distress. During the day, he could relieve the longing for her as there were always endless matters for him to handle. But at night, the longing was like a shadow following him. Wherever he went, there was always her shadow. Her slightest facial expression seemed to be engraved in every corner of the house. He really couldn’t do anything about it. He thus asked someone to install a sandbag in the side hall on the second floor. When he missed her, he kept punching the sandbag until he was exhausted and sweaty. Then he took a shower and lay down on the bed. Only then could he sleep until the sun rose another day.

But he didn’t spend every night in this way. Sometimes, when he woke up in the middle of the night and habitually touched his side, he found she was not there. Then he regained his senses in an instant and knew that she had left. So he hugged her pillow in his arms. There was her smell on it, a faint, grass-like smell. He could slowly fall asleep with that.

He knew where she was and knew that she would be back soon. Although she said that he could go to her place, he restrained himself from going to see her. He was afraid that once they met, he would forcibly bring her back to tell her how much he missed her.

But he knew he couldn’t do this. If he did that, all his previous efforts would be wasted. He could only try to control himself, save time, and think of all means to end this battle quickly so that he could quickly see her and let her return to his side.

He turned on his cell phone, but there was no message from her in the inbox. He clicked and opened it repeatedly, but there was still no message. Finally, he fell into a mood of despondency.

When they had just separated, she still texted him, telling him that she was good and what dishes she had learned to cook. She also said that she could cook them for him in the future. He did not reply to her messages, not a single word. She should know how much he missed her even if he didn’t reply to her messages.

When he was in the United States, she gradually stopped texting him. At that time, he ignored it temporarily as he was busy lobbying the Americans. But it did not mean that he did not care about it. He got anxious as he couldn’t get any word from her. After coming back, he had gotten impetuous and rushed to her neighborhood several times. However, he stopped at the intersection. He sat in the car and pulled his hair forcibly several times. Finally, he managed to calm down his mind and stopped the move.

He couldn’t go to see her. He must not go to see her until the day of victory.

He opened the phone book and looked at the first number. It was marked with the nickname Honey. There was a photo of her in the small circle. Every time he thought of her, he could only open the book and watch her silently to comfort the pain of missing.

However, he missed her very much today. He really missed her so much. Even if he could hear her voice, he would be satisfied. His fingers pressed slightly on the number, and his heart was in a mess. There was an indescribable feeling. Maybe it was nervousness. It had been a long time since he contacted her, and he was actually a little scared. His fingers were placed there slightly and unable to press the dial button for a long time.

He looked at the image of Du Xiaoxian in the small circle and took a deep breath. When he felt that his heartbeat was not so fierce, he resolutely pressed down the dial button as if he had made a major decision.

Long beeping sounds came from the cell phone, and each one sounded with hope as if the call would be picked up at any time. But it only rang three times before he immediately hung up.

He didn’t know why. He was still afraid. He was inexplicably afraid that even his palms were sweaty and sticky. Finally, he put down the cell phone.

Du Xiaoxian looked at the cell phone without blinking. Why did it stop ringing? It only rang three times. Why did it stop? Did he call the wrong number? Or…

She said that he could come to see her. But Gu Nianbin did not come, not even once. That did not mean that he did not miss her. The company’s issues must be too difficult to deal with, so he could not get away. However, he didn’t reply to her messages. He probably didn’t pay attention to it. He still had her in his heart, which was why he made the wrong call to her number.

After being separated for so long, this was the only expression he sent to her, a call ringing three times. That was all.

She thought, if this was not a wrong call, what did this mean?

Du Xiaoxian’s heart was in a mess and she could not think clearly. She only knew that even if the phone kept ringing, she would not pick it up. She made this decision after suffering a painful experience. There was no leeway. She also did not regret it.

In her heart, Gu Nianbin, who was like a god, could only be high and mighty. Even if she had to go down to the bottom of the hell and to suffer all kinds of inhumane torture, she would never regret it.

In this life, she had already obtained too much. No one would be happier than her. Even if she died for him, she would still be happy.

Du Huayue walked over and waved his hand in front of her eyes, “Wake up, hey, wake up. Don’t go that far. It’s just a bell.”

Du Xiaoxian was embarrassed. She put the phone away and said, “Why are you still at home? Don’t you need to go to work?”

“Do I get in your way when I stay at home?” Du Huayue glanced at her unhappily. “Xiaoxian, you can’t go on like this. I bet that as long as Gu Nianbin comes to you, you will definitely go with him.”

“I won’t. I’ve made up my mind this time. Besides, I…” She crossed her hands on her abdomen and said, “The plan is almost done.”

“Don’t mention your stupid plan,” As soon as the matter was mentioned, Du Huayue became even more furious. “It’s good that you didn’t scare me to death. You sneaked into my room in the middle of the night. You should at least let me know beforehand!”

Du Xiaoxian blushed. “Oops, I told you not to mention it. Why are you still mentioning it?”

“Alright, I won’t mention it anymore.” Du Huayue softened his tone. “When are you going to see Gu Nianbin? I think it’s better to be early than late. The weather is starting to warm up. If you want to leave, then leave early.”

“Let’s wait a little longer. Xia Xiaowan said that it would be safer to wait a little longer.”

“Why do you always listen to that woman?” Du Huayue said angrily, “She is not a good person. She actually trapped me into her scheme.”

“I know this is unfair to you”. Du Xiaoxian said gently, “But I really have no choice. Brother Ah Yue, other than you, no one else can help me do this.”

“Alright, stop. Don’t mention it again in the future.” Du Huayue put the key into his bag. “I’m leaving. You cook by yourself. Don’t always eat noodles. There are vegetables here.”

“I know. You don’t have to worry about me.” Du Xiaoxian walked to the door and saw him off. Watching Du Huayue quickly go downstairs, she closed the door and turned around to lean against it. She closed her eyes and only opened them after a long time. Her tears fell down…