Tycoon: From Rags to Riches

Chapter 57: Chapter 57: So-called Love

On the Ring City Elevated Road, a Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 gleamed under the sun as it sped along smoothly.

Gu Heng sat with his legs crossed in the executive seat in the back, slowly lowering his phone from his ear.

What happened with Luo Xiwen last night was certainly not what he had initially expected.

Gu Heng admitted he had been a bit impulsive last night.

’Then again, what man could refuse a woman like Luo Xiwen?’

’Her elegant, exquisite face was already captivating enough, but who would have guessed what a magnificent figure she was hiding under her usual blouse?’

’Add to that her slender, all-natural waist, free of any surgical enhancements.’

’On top of that, she was a blank slate with zero relationship experience—another huge plus for any man.’

To say he wasn’t the least bit tempted by such a top-tier woman would be a flat-out lie.

So...

He had acted on impulse, and so be it.

He was no longer the man he used to be.

He had more than enough power to deal with the consequences of his impulses.

As for his feelings toward Luo Xiwen, he definitely liked her.

After all, for men, affection almost always began with physical attraction.

But as for love, that was a different matter entirely.

The trauma from his family of origin, combined with the time he’d spent working in nightclubs, had extinguished any romantic illusions he might have had about love.

’What is love?’

’A poor man’s money, a rich man’s time.’

’A gentle scholar’s courage, a playboy’s fidelity.’

’But...’

’The poor have no money, and the rich have no time.’

’The gentle scholar is timid, and the playboy is fickle.’

Gu Heng didn’t understand love, nor did he harbor any fantasies about it being pure and innocent.

He just needed to be true to himself.

If fate brought them together, they would be together. If fate willed them apart, they would part.

If Luo Xiwen was willing to stay by his side, he would treat her well.

But if she wasn’t, he wouldn’t force the issue.

Everyone had their own choices. He remembered something he’d once read in a novel: true acceptance was allowing others to be themselves, and allowing yourself to be yourself.

As his thoughts swirled, Gu Heng’s gaze finally shifted to the driver’s seat ahead.

"Master Zhou, how many years have you been with Zhen Cui Group?"

Gu Heng’s sudden question caught the driver, Zhou Sheng, who was concentrating on the road, by surprise. He instinctively glanced at Gu Heng in the rearview mirror and quickly replied, "Chairman Gu, I’ve been with Zhen Cui Group for seven years now."

"Have you always been a full-time driver?"

Gu Heng asked.

"Yes, Chairman Gu."

Zhou Sheng replied respectfully.

"Would you be interested in transferring to the Chairman’s Office and becoming my personal driver?"

Gu Heng watched Zhou Sheng at the wheel, a hint of appreciation in his eyes.

Last night, the alcohol had quickly overwhelmed Gu Heng again, to the point that he completely forgot his driver was waiting downstairs.

Gu Heng had assumed Zhou Sheng would have left, but when he came downstairs this morning, he found Zhou Sheng still waiting in the same spot. Not only that, but he had already started the car and adjusted the interior to a comfortable temperature.

From the moment he picked up Gu Heng that morning to when he was told to drive to the real estate transaction center, he hadn’t uttered a single word of complaint. His attitude was deferential, and his demeanor was sharp and professional.

Gu Heng was secretly impressed, so he had just sent a message to Qi Min, asking her to forward Zhou Sheng’s personnel file.

After reviewing the file, Gu Heng was even more satisfied.

Zhou Sheng, male, 37 years old.

After retiring from the Special Police Mountain Eagle Assault Team in 2016, he joined Zhen Cui Group. His primary role was chauffeuring VIPs for business functions, and he occasionally drove the former chairman, Hu Jilin.

In seven full years, he had been diligent and conscientious, never making a single mistake.

Even Hu Jilin had nothing but praise for him. If the former chairman hadn’t already had a long-serving personal driver, he would have transferred Zhou Sheng to his side long ago.

Now, Gu Heng was a major figure in his own right.

He often had business dinners that involved drinking, and not having a personal driver was a definite inconvenience.

Now that such a perfect candidate was right in front of him, Gu Heng was tempted.

Faced with Gu Heng’s sudden offer, Zhou Sheng first froze for a second, then replied, looking overwhelmed by the honor, "Chairman Gu, the fact that you’d even ask is a great honor. Of course, I’m more than willing."

Zhou Sheng was almost forty; he knew all too well the vast difference between being a driver for the Group and being the personal driver for the Chairman of the Group.

As the old saying goes, even the doorman at a prime minister’s manor is a man of influence.

In both the political and business worlds, the personal drivers of powerful leaders and tycoons always wielded considerable influence.

Gu Heng’s simple invitation could very well be a monumental opportunity, one that could change the entire trajectory of Zhou Sheng’s life.

How could he not feel overwhelmed by the honor?

How could he not be ecstatic?

Seeing Zhou Sheng accept, Gu Heng nodded. "Since you’re willing, Master Zhou, I’ll notify Manager Qi to have you transferred to the Chairman’s Office. You’ll be my exclusive driver from now on."

"Yes, of course."

Zhou Sheng agreed immediately.

After that, Gu Heng chatted with him for a while longer, asking about his family and personal life.

Upon learning that Zhou Sheng had a happy family with a son and a daughter, Gu Heng’s opinion of him improved even more.

’A happy family with two children means he has ties, a vulnerability.’

’If he were a lone wolf, I wouldn’t dare hire him.’

’Who knows if he might get some malicious idea one day and decide to kidnap me for ransom?’

As they talked, Zhou Sheng drove the Maybach GLS600 and soon arrived at the Beichun Real Estate Transaction Center with Gu Heng.

...

「Two hours later.」

Gu Heng emerged from the real estate transaction center side-by-side with Jiang Man, flanked by his lawyers, including Xia Siyao and He Jingyi.

"Chairman Gu, it was a pleasure doing business with you."

"If you need my assistance with anything going forward, please don’t hesitate to contact me."

The property title had been transferred smoothly and the final payment had cleared, putting Jiang Man in an excellent mood. She extended her right hand to Gu Heng with a smile.

"Of course."

Gu Heng shook her hand. "Dean Jiang, let’s keep in touch."

"Of course."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Jiang Man took her leave.

"Lawyer He, thank you for all your hard work these past couple of days," Gu Heng said, turning to He Jingyi and the others. "That’s all for now. You can all head back to the firm."

"Understood."

"Please let us know if you need anything at all."

He Jingyi replied with a slight bow, her tone deferential.

"Alright."

As they parted ways, He Jingyi handed Gu Heng all the documents and deeds related to the property.

At the exact moment the documents changed hands, a crisp chime suddenly echoed in Gu Heng’s mind.

[Prerequisite Mission 2: Establish a Home]

[Mission Progress: Complete]

Gu Heng stared at the notification that had popped up on the system’s holographic screen, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes...

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