Chapter 758 - 594: Fired?

Chapter 758: Chapter 594: Fired?

Compared to Ming Mo and Ming Yan by Gu Chengyu’s side, he fell far short; he was aware of this.

Now that Gu Chengyu had become an official, he had more authority than before, and he had to be more respectful than in the past.

"Second brother’s death was an accident, but his health had been deteriorating for a while, and he never fully recovered over the years."

Gu Chengyu wasn’t aware that Yu Tuanzi was suspicious of him, but even if he knew, he wouldn’t care.

"I’ve heard about the matters in Jingyuan Prefecture; it’s all my own negligence."

Yu Tuanzi knelt again. Indeed, this matter had caused Gu Chengyu significant loss, and he could not shirk responsibility.

Yu Tuanzi had carefully glanced at Gu Chengyu just now, seeing his face was calm, but he himself felt uneasy.

He had watched Gu Chengyu grow up, and Gu Chengyu’s thoughts had always been hard to discern.

But after all these years with Gu Chengyu, he understood a bit of Gu Chengyu’s temperament.

It seemed that Gu Chengyu had developed some distrust towards him, but he wasn’t angry. To be honest, he did have personal interests.

It was normal to gain some benefits when working for Gu Chengyu.

He believed Gu Chengyu understood that if you want the horse to run, you need to let it graze.

But he never dared to go too far, always staying within Gu Chengyu’s tolerance.

"What are you doing? Get up! You’ve been with me for so many years, and I do understand you. Nobody could have predicted what Manager Xing did. He really had the audacity; my Silver is not that easy to take!"

Gu Chengyu glanced at Yu Tuanzi with a half-smile, not believing Yu Tuanzi hadn’t harbored selfish motives.

Over the years, the restaurant’s profits were considerable; whenever he opened branches in other states, substantial Silver was involved.

Yu Tuanzi held significant authority; could he really have never lined his own pockets?

Human nature is easily swayed; seeing so much Silver pass through one’s hands daily, who wouldn’t be tempted?

But Yu Tuanzi didn’t go too far; Gu Chengyu would turn a blind eye, knowing even the emperor couldn’t prevent all the officials below from embezzling.

Yu Tuanzi felt a sinking heart. Indeed, in recent years, he had become a bit arrogant, losing the caution he once had.

He almost forgot he wasn’t the owner, just a shopkeeper.

"I’ve been to Jingyuan before; at that time, everything seemed normal with Manager Xing. I didn’t expect he would make such a grave mistake after I left. It was my shortsightedness not to see through Manager Xing’s ambitions."

Gu Chengyu, sitting above, carefully observed Yu Tuanzi’s reactions, confirming that Yu Tuanzi probably didn’t know about Manager Xing’s affairs.

But finding someone to share Yu Tuanzi’s authority was essential, though he hadn’t yet found a suitable candidate.

Gu Chengyu felt a bit bothered and suddenly thought of the third son.

Judging from his previous performance, the third son had matured over the years and was somewhat presentable.

However, the third son alone wasn’t enough, and the third son couldn’t be completely trusted either; Gu Chengyu suspected he had his own thoughts.

"These eyes can’t tell if a person’s heart is red or black, can they? You’ve been quite diligent these years, and I’ve delayed your lifelong matters; I feel a bit guilty."

Gu Chengyu suddenly smiled, bypassing the topic of Manager Xiang, and brought up Yu Tuanzi’s lifelong matters.

Hearing this, Yu Tuanzi’s forehead broke into a sweat.

He didn’t believe Gu Chengyu was genuinely concerned about his lifelong matters; it seemed more like he wanted to relieve him of his duties.

It wasn’t the first time Gu Chengyu mentioned this, but the context was now different from before.

With such a significant issue as Manager Xing’s not being brought up, yet asking about his lifelong matters—wasn’t it obvious?

"I’m not young anymore and don’t plan to marry. I dedicate myself to serving you; as long as someone can take care of my elderly mother, that’s enough."

Yu Tuanzi had already found a livelihood for his sister, entrusting his mother to his sister’s family.

"That won’t do; you’re not that old. How can you live a single life forever? Otherwise, wouldn’t that be my fault? I see you’re so busy every day, and you need to take some rest."

As soon as Gu Chengyu finished speaking, Yu Tuanzi, still kneeling, quickly replied with a trembling voice, "I am willing to serve you all my life and always remember your grace in uplifting me. Without you, I would have either perished during the corvée or been caught doing petty theft by the county government—where would I have the prestige I have today?"

At this point, Yu Tuanzi’s voice choked. Indeed, he couldn’t forget Gu Chengyu’s kindness.

"Nowadays, when I go out, who doesn’t call me Steward Yu? It’s all because of the respect you bestowed upon me. I only ask that you don’t abandon me and give me another chance."

Yu Tuanzi kowtowed sincerely to Gu Chengyu, his heart filled with panic.

He couldn’t imagine what he’d do if Gu Chengyu no longer needed him.

In truth, the Silver Gu Chengyu gave him each year was considerable, and he still had quite a bit saved. Even without Gu Chengyu, he could live comfortably.

But being with Gu Chengyu allowed him to be a respected steward. Such authority was hard to let go. He was just a common man and couldn’t escape such worldly concerns.

Plus, he was accustomed to being with Gu Chengyu; once gone, where would he go from there?

Gu Chengyu chuckled, muttering that Yu Tuanzi must have misunderstood, thinking he wanted to dismiss him?

Even mentioning past events—wasn’t this trying to remind him of old favors?

"I just see you’re overworked and want to send two people to assist you! You’ve overthought it; you are so capable, and I naturally am reluctant to let you go. But your lifelong matters are equally important. There are three unfilial acts, having no offspring being the greatest, doesn’t your mother hope for a plump grandson from you?"

Seeing that Gu Chengyu wasn’t dismissing him, Yu Tuanzi sighed with relief.

However, Gu Chengyu meant that two people would come to share his authority, and now he dared not be dissatisfied.

"I misunderstood."

Gu Chengyu stepped down from the chair, personally helping him up.

Ming Mo and Ming Yan overheard the conversation between Gu Chengyu and Yu Tuanzi and couldn’t help but relate it to themselves.

The two determined to be more cautious in the future.

Two more days passed swiftly, and Gu Chengyi’s coffin was finally laid to rest in the ancestral grave.

Mrs. Li’s coffin had long been buried. She was too young, and as a concubine, naturally, there was no reason to be buried alongside Gu Chengyi at the same time.

"Third brother, don’t be too heartbroken. The dead cannot be revived; we living ones must be open-minded. You still have Xiao Bao and the others; they are all filial."

Gu Changbai stepped forward, patting Mr. Gu’s shoulder, and said earnestly.

Gu Chengyu sneered from the back, intending to resolve Gu Changbai tonight.

"Xiao Bao! Big brother has been thinking, the old house does need rebuilding; that main building is indeed inauspicious. However, the Zhang Family next door poses a challenge. The eldest of the Zhang Family is easy to talk to, but his wife always tries to take advantage. To buy their courtyard, I’m afraid they’ll make exorbitant demands."