Chapter 119: The Elder of the Gu Family

"Gu Beicheng! Where is your President Gu?"

An elderly man dressed in a crisp Zhongshan suit leaned on a high-end mahogany cane, followed by several bodyguards in black suits and sunglasses.

"Chairman, why are you here?"

The receptionist's throat went dry as she forced a smile, her eyes darting away, unable to meet the sharp, piercing gaze of the old man. The stern, indignant aura radiating from him was even more intense than Gu Beicheng’s. A veteran of the old guard, he possessed an imposing presence that was impossible to resist.

"Chairman, President Gu, he..."

Gu Beicheng had just emerged from the conference room with a grim expression before retreating into Mu Ran's office at Chengxing. He hadn't come out for a long time. By now, the entire country knew that the flight Mu Ran had been on was missing. It was rare for the company’s employees to see Gu Beicheng in such an emotionally volatile state.

"Grandpa Gu, why are you here?"

Shen Mubai, having also heard the news of the possible plane crash involving Mu Ran, had rushed to Chengxing to find Gu Beicheng.

"Mubai, look at that brat Gu Beicheng! Does he really think that by having his bodyguards block me from my phone and the television, I wouldn't hear about Mu Ran? And you! You’ve been covering for him too! Move! Take me to him!"

Cold sweat beaded on Shen Mubai's forehead. He gave the receptionist a look, signaling her to return to her duties. "Come, Grandpa Gu, let me help you. Beicheng is not in a good state of mind."

Old Master Gu dismissed him, shaking off Shen Mubai’s hand. With a gloomy face, he slammed his cane against the floor. Though the sound wasn't deafening, it struck a chord in the heart of every employee at the Chengxing Group. When the boss was unhappy, it was usually the employees who suffered.

"That brat Gu Beicheng—whenever something happens, he acts like a block of wood. He doesn't say a word, and he doesn't let anyone interfere! Quickly! Take me to him!"

Old Master Gu had been overjoyed that his grandson, Gu Beicheng, was finally seeing someone. He used to boast to everyone that his eldest grandson, who had never dated before, had finally made a move and was actually seeing the very girl the old man idolized. He had been hoping for Gu Beicheng to bring Mu Ran home to meet him soon. He wanted to settle the marriage early so he could hold a great-grandson! Who would have thought his grandson would be so incompetent? How could he let Mu Ran travel on a commercial flight alone? Didn't the Gu family have enough private jets?

"Beicheng, Grandpa is here." Shen Mubai knocked lightly on the office door.

"Whose office is this? This isn't Beicheng's office, is it?" Before Gu Beicheng could respond from within, Old Master Gu pushed the door open.

"Grandpa Gu, this is the office Beicheng set up specifically for Mu Ran."

Old Master Gu’s sharp eyes flickered toward the man sitting at the desk with his back to them. He scanned the room, inwardly sighing that his eldest grandson was such a closet romantic. The office was completely at odds with the rest of the Chengxing building. The room was decorated with a distinctly feminine, youthful touch and filled with the faint, unique scent of women's perfume.

The four walls were covered in photos of Mu Ran from the very beginning of her career. The corners of Old Master Gu’s mouth twitched; there were many artistic shots and promotional photos he didn't even have! Gu Beicheng knew full well that he idolized Mu Ran, yet he hadn't shared a single one of these gems.

"Beicheng, why didn't you protect Xiao Ran!" Old Master Gu marched with vigorous steps toward the man, who was shrouded in cold gloom. "I don't care what you say—I want my granddaughter-in-law back safe and sound!"

After a moment, a hoarse, weary voice filled with helplessness drifted from the room: "Grandpa, there is nothing we can do right now. We can only wait."

Old Master Gu opened his mouth, but for a moment, he was struck dumb.

"Beicheng, what about that brat Gu Xiao? The passenger list the staff gave me still lists him and Gu Yan..."

Gu Yan—that name hadn't been mentioned in the Gu family for a long time.

"Gu Xiao didn't board the plane. As for Gu Yan..." Gu Yan was the son of Gu Beicheng’s second uncle; after that incident, he had been struck from the family register. How could it be such a coincidence that he was on the same flight, in the same cabin, as Mu Ran?