Zhang Wei's tone made Liu Dong's heart skip a beat.
To be frank, if Zhang Wei wanted to, he could make this Shanghai underground boss disappear without a trace overnight.
However, the question remained: he still couldn't understand how the "Young Master Gu" that Zhang Wei mentioned could possibly be Gu Chenan.
"Mr. Zhang, there must be some mistake. That Gu Chenan is my childhood friend's son. I know his family situation better than anyone - he couldn't possibly be the Young Master Gu you're talking about," Liu Dong said puzzledly.
"Hmmm..." Zhang Wei took a deep breath and delivered his ultimatum: "Liu Dong, listen to me. I don't care who you think Young Master Gu is, but as far as I'm concerned, this Gu Chenan you're talking about IS Young Master Gu. I don't care what you think you know - I'll tell you clearly, I just called Young Master Gu to ask about this matter with you, and he confirmed it!"
"Actually, I don't even need to make you apologize to Young Master Gu. I just need to ensure you won't mention my name, and then whether you live or die is none of my business. The only reason I'm telling you to do this is because you've been useful to me over the years, understand?!"
After Zhang Wei finished speaking, Liu Dong drew in a sharp breath.
Zhang Wei's meaning couldn't have been clearer - Gu Chenan, who had been in so many conflicts with Liu Dong, was indeed Young Master Gu!
Moreover, if Liu Dong hadn't been useful to Zhang Wei all these years, Zhang Wei would have simply ensured Liu Dong's silence about him without bothering with any apology to Gu Chenan.
And how would he ensure Liu Dong's silence?
Simple enough - Liu Dong had a family, relatives, vulnerabilities. If Zhang Wei held these cards, Liu Dong wouldn't dare mention Zhang Wei's name.
Yet Zhang Wei hadn't done this, and he had clearly explained his reasons to Liu Dong.
For Zhang Wei to nearly break their relationship by saying all this, Young Master Gu's influence must be terrifyingly vast.
But the question remained - even now, Liu Dong couldn't believe that Gu Chenan was Young Master Gu.
However, after Zhang Wei's words, Liu Dong didn't dare to say anything more, regardless of his disbelief. He could only nod and say, "I understand, Mr. Zhang. I'll apologize to Gu Chen- I mean, to Young Master Gu right away."
"Good, do it quickly. When I called earlier, I heard that Young Master Gu's people have already started investigating who's behind you. If they discover it's me, you know the consequences," Zhang Wei threatened.
"Yes, Mr. Zhang, I understand."
After hanging up the phone, Liu Dong put down his phone with a bewildered and confused expression.
Gu Chenan was Young Master Gu?
How was this possible?
But Zhang Wei had spoken with such conviction that this couldn't be wrong.
Yet Liu Dong still felt something was off, though he couldn't put his finger on what exactly.
"Boss Liu, how did it go? What did Mr. Zhang say?"
Nearby, Wang Hu and Li Lin looked at Liu Dong expectantly.
Liu Dong looked at their expressions and shook his head helplessly. "First, delete everything we posted online that can be deleted."
"Why?"
"What happened, Boss Liu?"
Both were startled and confused.
"Sigh." Liu Dong sighed and said, "Mr. Zhang says that Gu Chenan is Young Master Gu."
"What?"
"How is that possible?"
Wang Hu and Li Lin were shocked simultaneously, their eyes flickering with disbelief.
Liu Dong pressed his lips together and said dejectedly, "I find it unbelievable too, but that's what Mr. Zhang said. All we can do now is follow Mr. Zhang's instructions, or he'll definitely be angry."
"If Mr. Zhang gets angry, we can all kiss our good days goodbye."
At this moment, Liu Dong had become like an oyster being roasted over fire, with Zhang Wei being like the oyster's shell - what should have been protection had become the bowl containing the oyster for cooking.
Li Lin and Wang Hu felt equally frustrated.
They were considered somewhat notable figures in Shanghai's underground world, yet they had both been beaten up by Gu Chenan, and Li Lin even had a video taken of him begging on his knees.
Originally, they had planned to deal with Gu Chenan using Liu Dong's backing, but now the big shot behind Liu Dong was saying Gu Chenan was some Young Master Gu.
It made no sense!
The more they thought about it, the angrier they became, and finally said, "Boss Liu, surely Mr. Zhang isn't your only backing? Since Mr. Zhang thinks Gu Chenan is Young Master Gu, why don't you ask some other people about this?"
Hearing this, Liu Dong's eyebrows raised.
Right, why hadn't he thought of that?
Just because Mr. Zhang thought Gu Chenan was Young Master Gu didn't mean everyone else would think the same, right?
"Finally, a smart suggestion."
Liu Dong praised them and quickly picked up his phone to make calls.
......
Half an hour later.
"Brother Wang, you're saying this Gu Chenan I mentioned is Young Master Gu? Alright, alright, thank you very much."
"Ah yes, Director Song, what? Gu Chenan is Young Master Gu? This is troublesome, very troublesome."
"Thank you, Chairman Zhou."
Liu Dong had called all the important figures he knew, and surprisingly, their answers were all consistent.
The Gu Chenan he spoke of was indeed Young Master Gu!
Several people even called Gu Chenan personally after receiving Liu Dong's call, then called Liu Dong back to confirm.
After receiving unanimous answers from everyone, large beads of sweat appeared on Liu Dong's forehead, and his back was soaked.
If only Zhang Wei had said Gu Chenan was Young Master Gu, it might have been a misunderstanding, but when so many people confirmed it, it had to be true!
Realizing he had offended Young Master Gu, Liu Dong became terrified, his whole body trembling uncontrollably.
Though he didn't know the full extent of Young Master Gu's influence, he could tell from the respect shown by all these important figures he knew that Young Master Gu's power must be above all of them.
A small fry like him had offended the boss of all bosses - if this wasn't asking for death, what was?
Suddenly, he understood why Zhang Wei's tone had been so panicked earlier.
"Apologize, I must apologize to Young Master Gu immediately!"
Liu Dong stood up anxiously, pacing around the room in panic.
How had Gu Chenan been such an important figure all these years without him knowing?
Thinking about this, Liu Dong shook his head.
No, this wasn't the time to think about that. He needed to figure out how to apologize to Gu Chenan in a way that would earn his forgiveness!
As he pondered, Liu Dong suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Gu Zheng!
He should call Gu Chenan's father, Gu Zheng, to plead for mercy!