Who wants to be a male model after being reborn? I want to be a male god.

Chapter 426 He had already chosen his own ending.

Chapter 426 He had already chosen his own ending.
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a soft chuckle: "Interesting. Let's wait and see. By the way, please give my regards to President Gu."

The call was suddenly dropped.

Xu Wen put down his phone and found his palms were sweaty.

Yang Yiyao looked at him with concern: "What's wrong?"

“The people from Meituan know about the investigation team and are trying to poach talent,” Xu Wen said briefly.

Yang Yiyao gasped, "That was way too fast! Li Qingyun was just taken away!"

"This shows they were prepared in advance, or rather, they may be part of the mastermind behind it all," Xu Wen began to analyze.

He suddenly remembered the "Lin family" that Gu Hong had mentioned.

If the Lin family has connections with Meituan, then all of this makes sense.

They used Meituan to commercially suppress Shancheng, while simultaneously using the investigation team to politically attack Gu Hong and Li Qingyun.

"Xu Wen, you can't go see Gu Hong now, it's too dangerous." Yang Yiyao grabbed his arm.

Xu Wen gently broke free, her tone resolute: "I must go."

He picked up his car keys and strode towards the door.

Yang Yiyao caught up with him: "At least let me go with you!"

"No, you still need to be here outside. Contact me immediately if anything happens." Xu Wen got up and walked towards the door.

After saying that, he forced a smile: "Don't worry, I'll be careful."

He then walked out of the office without looking back.

In the corridor, employees walked towards the cafeteria in twos and threes, chatting and laughing, completely unaware that a storm was approaching.

Xu Wen strode through the crowd, with only one thought in his mind.

We must see Gu Hong before the investigation team arrives.

The moment the elevator doors closed, Xu Wen saw Yang Yiyao still standing at the office door, just standing there looking at him.

Although Li Qingyun has been taken away, Hongjing Industry seems to have been unaffected.

Everything is still running smoothly.

Just to be on the safe side, Xu Wen didn't go through the main entrance, but instead took the secret passage that Gu Hong had told him about.

The entrance to the passage is in a mobile phone store.

The shop assistants treated him as if he didn't exist, as if he were invisible.

Xu Wen hurried to the elevator.

After entering the password, the elevator ascended rapidly.

Xu Wen stared at the constantly changing floor numbers, feeling as if a huge rock was pressing on his chest.

After taking the elevator into Hongjing, he quickly went to Gu Hong's office.

The elevator doors opened, and Xu Wen took a deep breath and strode in.

Just like last time, as soon as he entered, he was hit by a strong smell of smoke.

Since Gu Xingruo left, Gu Hong seems to have completely let himself go.

He was immersed in tobacco and alcohol every day.

Gu Hong leaned against the wall of the heated kang (a traditional Chinese bed-stove), a cigarette dangling from his mouth as he puffed out smoke.

Hearing footsteps, he didn't look up, but simply raised his glass and took a sip.

"You're here?" Gu Hong's voice was incredibly hoarse.

"You gave me the USB drive." Xu Wen got straight to the point, without any hesitation.

It's not a question, but a statement.

At first, he and Yang Yiyao were just guessing.

But now that so much has happened, he is getting closer and closer to the truth.

What's happening now is exactly the same as what happened at Chengyi Hotel before; it's all part of Gu Hong's plan.

Everything was arranged by him.

Upon hearing Xu Wen's words, Gu Hong's shoulders twitched slightly, and he finally raised his head.

His expression showed no surprise, only a slight smile of relief.

Xu Wen had never seen Gu Hong show such an expression before.

Although he didn't admit it verbally, his silence was the best answer.

The USB drive containing all the evidence of the crime was made by Gu Hong.

"Sit down." Gu Hong pointed to the heated kang (a traditional Chinese bed-stove), then walked to the wine cabinet and poured a glass for Xu Wen as well.

The liquor swirls in the glass, and the ice cubes clink together with a crisp sound.

Xu Wen didn't answer, but stared into Gu Hong's eyes: "Why did you lie to me?"

Gu Hong smiled, a smile tinged with bitterness and relief.

He put down his wine glass, took out a USB flash drive from the drawer, and it was exactly the same as the one Xu Wen had received.

"Because only in this way will you do what I want."

Xu Wen clenched his fists at his sides: "You know Li Qingyun has been taken away."

“It’s not just him.” Gu Hong walked to his desk and turned the computer screen around.

The above is an encrypted email with only a few lines: "Xia Hai was apprehended this morning. The chain of evidence is complete. The operation begins."

Xu Wen's pupils suddenly contracted.

The situation was worse than he had imagined.

"The investigation team has all the evidence: Hong Jing's financial problems, corruption in the school district housing project, and...things from twenty years ago." Gu Hong's voice suddenly lowered.

Xu Wen recalled the information about the Lin family on the USB drive.

"So you're going to drag everyone down with you?" he asked rapidly.

The purpose of the USB flash drive is self-evident.

The investigation team's momentum is unstoppable; even the most glorious past will vanish into thin air.

Gu Hong had no way to escape; all he could do was perish together with his opponent.

Xu Wen instantly understood his purpose.

Gu Hong did not answer directly, but walked to the window and looked down at the city below.

"Xu Wen, do you believe in fate?" he suddenly asked, his voice very soft.

Xu Wen frowned deeply: "I don't believe it."

If he believed in fate, he should have died in a hotel long ago, under the body of a rich woman.

Instead of going back ten years and changing everything that was regrettable.

"I don't believe it either, but some things are destined to end from the beginning," Gu Hong chuckled.

He turned around, his eyes instantly turning serious.

At this moment, he seemed to have transformed back into the shrewd and resourceful Gu Hong he once was.

"I won't live more than three months. The investigation team has already obtained most of the evidence. It's just a matter of time."

Xu Wen suddenly remembered something someone had told Lan Qiusheng.

Now it's appearing in Gu Hong's mouth again.

Just like the USB drive in his hand, even that person was arranged in advance by Gu Hong.

Everything was just to make him faster, faster.

Although he had a premonition, hearing it with his own ears still made him gasp for breath.

"The investigation team hasn't taken any action yet because I'm afraid I'll become desperate and do something rash. They want to resolve this in a more lenient way, and I absolutely cannot resist. If I do, the whole nature of this matter will change." Gu Hong's tone was very calm.

He seemed completely unconcerned about his future.

The investigation team, Li Qingyun, Xia Hai, and other matters seemed to have nothing to do with him.

“Therefore, I must ensure Ruoruo’s safety,” Gu Hong continued.

Xu Wen took a deep breath and asked, "Then what about the evidence on the USB drive?"

“It’s all true, but I’ve recently added a lot to the part about the Lin family. They’ve waited twenty years, and they’ve finally got their chance to take revenge on me. So let’s all go to hell together.” A ruthless glint flashed in Gu Hong’s eyes.

Xu Wen suddenly understood Gu Hong's plan.

Self-destruct.

He used himself as bait to drag all his enemies down with him.

Since he can't live, he'll make sure that everyone who can threaten Gu Xingruo can't live either.

Using the investigation team, he eliminated everyone he wanted to kill.

"Why me?" Xu Wen asked in a deep voice.

Gu Hong walked back to his desk, took an envelope from deep inside a drawer, and handed it to Xu Wen.

"It's the same thing I said before: because Ruoruo believes in you, I've started to believe in you too. I've told many lies in my life, but this is the truth." Xu Wen took the envelope, which contained several photos and a letter.

In the photo, Gu Xingruo stands in the snow, her smile forced yet still beautiful.

The letter was very short, containing only a few words:

[Dad, I'm fine. It's snowing here, and it's very cold. Please tell Xu Wen that I miss him very much.]

There was no blackening, no covering.

Xu Wen's fingers gently traced the line of writing, his chest and nose feeling a little stuffy.

“She doesn’t know about me, but she mentions you in her letters, every week.” Gu Hong’s voice suddenly softened.

Xu Wen raised his head, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes.

Just like Xia Hai said.

Parents' beloved sons have far-reaching plans for it.

It turns out that Gu Hong had been planning for his daughter all along, looking for a way out for her.

"What do you want me to do?" Xu Wen asked.

He already had a vague guess in his mind.

Gu Hong took a deep breath and took out a red USB flash drive from the inside pocket of his suit.

"This contains the final version of all the evidence, including evidence of the Lin family's crimes, which I recently collected. I want you to submit it to the investigation team in Ruoruo's name," he instructed.

Xu Wen suddenly stood up: "You want her to put aside her own family for the greater good?"

Everything was as he had guessed.

"This is the only way to ensure her safety. Hong Jing will fall, I will die, everyone will die, but my daughter must live a clean life." Gu Hong's voice left no room for doubt.

In an instant, Xu Wen understood everything.

Gu Hong's plan was very clear.

Make Gu Xingruo the whistleblower and completely sever ties with Hong Jing.

That way, even if Hong Jing collapses, she can escape unscathed.

Flash City will become her only safe haven.

She also owns shares in Flash City, enough to ensure she'll be financially secure for the rest of her life.

"What about Meituan and Ele.me?" Xu Wen suddenly asked.

Gu Hong's lips curled into a cold smile: "Who do you think is behind them? The Lin family has been secretly supporting Meituan in its efforts to suppress Shancheng in Linjiang and Jinling."

He walked up to Xu Wen and shoved the red USB drive into his hand: "Once the Lin family falls, Meituan will lose its local power here, and your expansion plans will be unimpeded."

Xu Wen looked down at the USB flash drive in his hand; its metal casing was icy cold.

He recalled the photo of Gu Xingruo standing in the snow, the longing in her letters, and the resolute back view of her when she left.

"What if we fail?" he asked softly.

Gu Hong's eyes became unusually firm: "I will not fail. I have arranged everything. I will not let go of anyone who poses a threat to Gu Xingruo. This is the last thing I can do."

The office fell silent.

The city outside the window was bustling with traffic, as if everything was normal.

Xu Wen gripped the USB drive tightly, not even feeling the metal edge digging into his palm.

"Why did I choose this path?" he finally asked the question that had been on his mind.

Gu Hongneng must have known about the investigation team a long time ago, given that he was able to make so many plans.

He has a lot of money, he can run away, he can abandon everything and fly far away.

But in the end, he chose to stay.

Face everything that is happening now.

Gu Hong walked to the wine cabinet and poured himself another glass of wine.

“More than a decade ago, I betrayed the Lin family to climb the social ladder, causing the death of Ruoruo’s mother. Now, it’s time to pay the price.” His voice was low and hoarse.

Xu Wen had never heard Gu Hong mention Gu Xingruo's mother.

So this is how the woman who never appeared in the story left.

How did she...?

"The car accident was caused by the Lin family, but the cause was me." Gu Hong interrupted him, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes.

He downed the drink in one gulp, his Adam's apple bobbing: "If Ruoruo never knows the truth, I hope she never does."

Xu Wen suddenly understood Gu Hong's resolute decision.

This was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a revenge that had been brewing for many years.

"What will you do after submitting the USB drive?" Xu Wen looked directly into Gu Hong's eyes.

Gu Hong smiled, a smile that carried a hint of relief: "I have my own place to go. After so many years of hard work, I should take a complete rest and get a good night's sleep."

He didn't say it explicitly, but Xu Wen understood.

This man, who once dominated Linjiang, has already chosen his own end.

After Ruoruo returned, Xu Wen felt a strange sense of sadness.

He disliked Gu Hong; Gu Hong was by no means a good person.

But he also dislikes the plot of a hero's decline.

"Take good care of her. And don't tell her the truth." Gu Hong patted Xu Wen's shoulder, the force quite strong.

Xu Wen took a deep breath and carefully put the red USB drive away.

"I will."

Gu Hong breathed a long sigh of relief and walked back to his desk to sit down.

“There’s one last thing. Flash City must immediately sever all financial ties with Hong Jing. All of Hong Jing’s investments in Flash City are legal, and I’ve already arranged for the finance department to handle it.” His expression suddenly turned serious.

Xu Wen nodded.

Gu Hong had considered everything very thoroughly, calculating every step carefully.

He suddenly remembered something and continued, "So you fired Yan Hui not because she knew too much, but because you wanted to protect her?"

Gu Hong gave a helpless smile: "Someone has to take the blame, but it shouldn't be her."

The answer is self-evident.

Xu Wen did not ask any further questions.

He said softly, "When do we act?"

"Tomorrow, the investigation team will release the preliminary findings of their investigation into Li Qingyun. That will be the best time to submit the USB drive." Gu Hong glanced at his watch.

Xu Wen suddenly remembered something: "Xia Ning's father"

“Xia Hai is a smart man. He knows what to do. He’s doing this for his daughter, just like me.” Gu Hong’s eyes deepened.

Xu Wen recalled the breakfast Xia Ning had brought this morning, and the sight of her leaving with red eyes.

Will Xia Ning hate him?

If only she knew that everything her father did was to save her.
"Don't overthink it. Everyone has their own path to walk." Gu Hong seemed to see through his thoughts.

Xu Wen gave a wry smile, stood up, and prepared to leave.

As he reached the door, Gu Hong suddenly called out to him.

"Xu Wen."

Xu Wen turned around.

Gu Hong stood by the window, his back to the viewer, his figure lonely and resolute.

"Thank you."

Those three simple words weighed heavily on Xu Wen's mind.

He didn't answer, but slowly walked up to the elevator.

As the elevator descended, Xu Wen leaned against the cold metal wall, his chest aching with a tightness.

Now it all makes sense.

Gu Hong deliberately sent the USB drive under Li Qingyun's name to lure him into the trap.

Now, he has no way out.