Chapter Six: Times Have Changed (2)

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Tian Hao was already feeling dizzy just from the sight of those cars outside, his mind spinning as he realized he didn’t know anyone with such an ostentatious display. When he entered the floor where Xiao Tianci’s office was, he found it crawling with grim-faced bodyguards. At the stairwell, he was thoroughly searched for weapons, and his own two token bodyguards were left outside.

Nervous, Tian Hao immediately called Gu Qiang, his whole plump body trembling as he wondered what on earth was going on.

“Chairman, what are you doing standing here?” Gu Qiang came out and found Tian Hao pacing anxiously at the company entrance.

Spotting Gu Qiang, Tian Hao hurriedly pulled him aside and asked in a panic, “What’s going on? Who are all these people?”

Though Tian Hao hadn’t dared utter a word to those intimidating bodyguards, in front of Gu Qiang, he puffed out his general’s belly and demanded an explanation in a low, stern voice.

Gu Qiang found his antics amusing, but kept a respectful tone as he explained, “Please don’t worry, Chairman, let me explain. Here’s what happened today…”

“Ah…ah…ah…” As he listened to Gu Qiang recount the day’s events, Tian Hao’s jaw all but dropped, and he could only keep exclaiming in disbelief.

He’d heard vague rumors about the Xiao family before, but never knew the specifics—he never imagined any of it could be true.

After Gu Qiang finished, Tian Hao smacked his lips twice and swallowed hard before asking, “So… is Tianci still inside?”

Gu Qiang thought to himself, “That was quick—he’s already calling him Tianci now.” Still, he nodded and said, “President Xiao is waiting for you inside, please go in.”

“Alright…” Perhaps overwhelmed by shock, Tian Hao agreed with the eagerness of a subordinate.

This time, Gu Qiang accompanied Tian Hao inside. As Tian Hao entered, Xiao Tianci quickly stood up. In the past, no matter how big a boss someone was, if Xiao Tianci didn’t think much of them, he didn’t bother with pleasantries. But Tian Hao was different—“love me, love my dog”, as the saying goes. On a personal level, Xiao Tianci probably had no fondness for the fat old man, but he did have an exceptional daughter.

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“Chairman, you’re here. I’m sorry for making you come all this way.”

Gu Qiang ushered Tian Hao in and quietly closed the door behind him. Ignoring Xiao Tianci’s greeting, Tian Hao began to size him up with the same hungry gaze he might reserve for a beautiful woman, his eyes practically sparkling.

Being scrutinized so intently made Xiao Tianci’s skin crawl. He forced a smile and said, “Chairman, please have a seat. I’ll get you some—”

Before he could finish offering tea, Tian Hao had already grabbed his arm, exclaiming excitedly, “I knew it—I just knew it! I could never have misjudged you, Tianci. I always said you weren’t meant for the shallow waters—you were destined for greatness!”

Hmph… If you had such insight, pigs would be climbing trees by now! Still, you are Tian Ni’s father, after all.

With that thought, Xiao Tianci quickly led Tian Hao to a seat. “Chairman, it’s really nothing special, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. By the way, about the board’s inquiry today, I’m afraid…”

Tian Hao, who had never before shielded Xiao Tianci from trouble, thumped his chest and declared, “Don’t worry about that—I’m here. Those people think I’m just a figurehead, but I’ll show them.”

“Heh, thank you. And I wanted to mention—I don’t think I’ll be able to stay on much longer, so I’d like to recommend Gu Qiang. He’s been with me for years—not perfect, a bit green sometimes, but overall he’s quite capable.”

Xiao Tianci wasn’t one to shirk responsibility. Although he could have simply given the word, or used Xu Guowei’s suggestion to “just acquire it,” he preferred to leave things in order. Gu Qiang was familiar with the business and especially up to speed on the new products.

Tian Hao’s small eyes were almost invisible in his chubby face, and when he smiled, they vanished altogether. He might have inherited his fortune without much effort, but he was no fool—he understood perfectly what was at stake.

“Of course, that won’t be a problem. Tianci, look at your status now! Sigh… I just hope you won’t forget your Uncle Tian in the future!” Tian Hao gave a long, sentimental sigh, smoothly shifting the nature of their relationship.

Uncle Tian? Xiao Tianci understood the significance of that change, though it happened so quickly he could hardly process it, as though everything had happened in the blink of an eye.

No time to dwell on that now—he needed to reassure his future girlfriend’s father first. “Uncle Tian, you know what kind of person I am. I’m sure I’ll be bothering you even more in the future.”

Tian Hao squeezed his hand excitedly. “Good! Truly, I’ve always seen you as one of my own nephews.”

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Xiao Tianci had never been so close with him before—chatting hand in hand like this made him quite uncomfortable. Though he never felt much affection for Tian Hao, given his feelings for Tian Ni, he had no choice but to endure.

Though he’d worked at Hao Tian Industries for years and risen from nothing, Xiao Tianci and Tian Ni had always been nothing more than good friends who got along well. They saw each other often, sometimes shared a drink, but he’d always kept his sincere feelings for her hidden.

For someone as open as Xiao Tianci, to keep a secret crush alive for so long was truly a test of his patience and resolve. Yet, aside from Tian Ni, quite a few others knew about his feelings—Gu Qiang and Old Ma, both of whom he had personally mentored, were certainly aware. What he couldn’t understand was how Tian Hao had found out.

Tian Hao, holding tightly to Xiao Tianci, began talking openly and bluntly about relationships, trying to build a familial bond. Xiao Tianci, though inwardly amused and slightly annoyed by some of his remarks, had no choice but to tolerate him.

His stomach began to rumble, but Tian Hao just kept talking. Seizing a brief pause, Xiao Tianci said, “Uncle Tian, it’s already noon. How about we have lunch together and talk over a meal?”

“That would be wonderful! It’s been a while since we’ve had a heart-to-heart like this.”

Xiao Tianci thought to himself, “A while? More like never.”

As the two stood up, Tian Hao suddenly seemed to remember something important. “Oh, right, Tianci! I just thought of a great joy—a long-held wish of mine. You know, Tian Ni isn’t getting any younger, and I know how you feel about her. Today, I want to settle things between you two.”

“Ah…”

What must come, will come. If he wanted others to believe in him, he had to believe in himself first. If he couldn’t get past the people closest to him, there was no point thinking further.

Inwardly, Xiao Tianci scoffed at Tian Hao. He did like Tian Ni, but did Tian Hao really think he couldn’t see through such a clumsy scheme?

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