"Brother Cao, you can't hand over the position!"
Lin Yu grabbed the documents from Ma Bing's hands and shouted at Cao Mang.
Cao Mang was stunned, not yet reacting, but Fang Yuanyuan's figure flashed instantly beside him.
Bang!
Her fist landed precisely and swiftly on Lin Yu's face. Lin Yu flew back and crashed into the wall, cracking it in several places.
The punch knocked Lin Yu unconscious.
Though Fang Yuanyuan usually appeared to be a gaming-addicted girl, as the leader of Black Owl, her strength was not to be underestimated.
This punch would keep Lin Yu out cold for two or three days.
Everyone was startled by Fang Yuanyuan's sudden action, staring in disbelief.
Fang Yuanyuan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiled, and turned to Cao Mang: "Come on, let's continue the handover."
After Lin Yu's interruption, Cao Mang had sensed something was amiss.
If Ma Bing was Lin Yu's friend, why would he try to stop this?
"Leader, we can proceed with the handover, but at least let me know his identity?" Cao Mang narrowed his eyes at Fang Yuanyuan.
"Heh, what harm is there in letting you know?" Fang Yuanyuan waved her hand dismissively.
Ma Bing then spoke: "Donghai, Ma Bing."
Hearing the word "Donghai," everyone's eyes narrowed sharply.
Gu Chenan!
He was Gu Chenan's man!
"Hahaha." Cao Mang laughed loudly, then said with controlled anger: "Leader, you really know how to pick people!"
"As always," Fang Yuanyuan smiled.
"Since the leader has made her decision, let's proceed with the handover." Cao Mang grabbed the documents, visibly angry but unable to act on it.
This was a loss he had to swallow no matter what.
The onlookers were shocked by this sudden turn of events. They looked at each other helplessly, shaking their heads.
They had thought Cao Mang's successor would be one of his own people, but it turned out to be Gu Chenan's right-hand man.
This switcheroo was truly unexpected.
Under everyone's gaze, Cao Mang handed over all the documents to Ma Bing.
After finishing, without a word, not even looking at Fang Yuanyuan, he just cupped his hands to the group: "Everyone, farewell."
With that, he turned and left.
"Brother Cao..."
"Old Cao!"
Voices called out from behind, but Cao Mang ignored them all. He lit a cigarette, raised one hand in a salute, and entered the elevator without looking back.
Cao Mang was confident.
Even if Ma Bing replaced him, he still had so many members in the organization to back him up. He didn't think Gu Chenan could stir up much trouble.
In the office.
The others wanted to see Cao Mang off, but they couldn't disregard Fang Yuanyuan.
Fang Yuanyuan surveyed the crowd and said, "Both Cao Mang and Gu Chenan will be leaving the organization today."
"As you've all seen, Ma Bing will take over Cao Mang's position, and Gu Chenan's position will be filled by his first squad leader, Li Chuan."
Fang Yuanyuan narrowed her eyes and asked, "Does anyone object?"
Everyone glanced at the unconscious Lin Yu in the corner, then looked at each other.
"We'll follow the leader's decision."
"Very good," Fang Yuanyuan nodded. "I hope you'll keep the promises you just made to Old Cao."
With that, she turned and left the office.
They had just promised Cao Mang they would take care of his successor, and now that Ma Bing had taken over Cao Mang's position, that's why Fang Yuanyuan left with those words.
...
In Gu Chenan's office.
"Li Chuan, you've been in the organization longer than I have. I don't need to tell you what you already know."
Compared to the crowded scene in Cao Mang's office, Gu Chenan's office was nearly empty.
Apart from Gu Chenan and Hoshino Kannon, only Li Chuan and Wang Meng were present.
Li Chuan nodded: "Mr. Gu, take care."
Gu Chenan patted Li Chuan's shoulder without saying a word.
"I'm leaving."
He looked at Hoshino Kannon, and Li Chuan and Wang Meng tactfully left the office.
Hoshino Kannon's eyes were red-rimmed as she lowered her head, fidgeting with her fingers.
"Can't you take me with you?"
Gu Chenan pulled Hoshino Kannon into his arms, stroking her black hair. "Be good."
"Mm." Hoshino Kannon nodded slightly. "When will you come back?"
"Soon," Gu Chenan said.
"When are you leaving?" Just then, Fang Yuanyuan appeared at the office door. She looked at Gu Chenan, then at Hoshino Kannon.
"Uh... did I come at a bad time?"
Gu Chenan smiled and opened his arms to Fang Yuanyuan: "No, you came at just the right time."
Fang Yuanyuan frowned, thought for a moment, then stepped forward and nestled into Gu Chenan's embrace.
Outside the door, Li Chuan and Wang Meng saw this explosive scene and their eyes widened in shock.
"I... damn, Mr. Gu is too awesome!"
"When did Mr. Gu get so close to the leader..."
...
"I'm off. You all head back now."
At the bottom of the building.
Gu Chenan sat in the car, waving to the people on the roadside.
Five people stood by the road: Fang Yuanyuan, Hoshino Kannon, Li Chuan, Wang Meng, and Ma Bing.
They all waved back.
Finally, the car started, and Gu Chenan drove away.
Now Black Owl posed no threat to Gu Chenan.
The Black Owl leader had become his ally, so Lin Yu had no chance of growing through Black Owl.
It could be said that now, as long as Cao Mang was eliminated, Lin Yu would be left with no support.
But Gu Chenan wouldn't actively seek out Cao Mang. He was certain Cao Mang would come to him on his own.
"Hey, Qianmo."
In the car, Gu Chenan called Su Qianmo.
Su Qianmo, who was at the company, answered Gu Chenan's call, excitedly standing up.
"Chenan."
After Gu Chenan and Su Qianmo exchanged greetings and caught up briefly, he said, "I'm coming back to Donghai now."
"What!"
Su Qianmo was stunned, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I... I'll come to the airport to pick you up."
...
Three hours later.
Donghai Airport.
After the Boeing plane came to a stop, Gu Chenan disembarked.
Su Qianmo had been waiting there. When she saw Gu Chenan, her beautiful face showed a moved expression.
"Chenan!" she said softly.
Gu Chenan smiled and opened his arms. Su Qianmo, carrying her bag, walked quickly towards him.
They embraced.
The longing from their long separation dissipated with Gu Chenan's appearance, replaced by a hint of reproach and burgeoning love.
"You're finally back," Su Qianmo said, sniffling.
"I'm back," Gu Chenan smiled. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
"No, no," Su Qianmo shook her head. "For you, I'd wait as long as it takes."
"But I don't want to make you wait too long."