Chapter 142: Gu Feifei's Predicament
"Silly girl, there are so many people here. Aren't you afraid your employees will see?" Though Zhou Fan said this, he wrapped his arms around her slender waist, spun her around twice, and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Let them see! I'll fire anyone who dares to gossip!" Gu Feifei said haughtily, which earned her a light tap on the forehead from Zhou Fan.
"Come on, show me your company. Let's see how you're managing things."
"How about I take you out to eat instead? There's nothing to see at the company," Gu Feifei said, pulling on Zhou Fan's arm, trying to lead him elsewhere, only to find him unmoved.
"You're not going to tell me even when you're in trouble? If I hadn't arranged for people to protect you, I'd still be in the dark. They're the ones who told me!" Zhou Fan said, pinching Gu Feifei's cheek and making her wince.
"Oh, so you're spying on me!"
"Don't give me that. Tell me, what's the situation?" Zhou Fan ignored Gu Feifei's pouting and started walking toward the building. Seeing this, she had no choice but to follow.
"Didn't you say you already knew everything?"
"I only know that you have no authority in the company. Even though you're the CEO, you have no real power. Your grandfather, the so-called chairman, has also been ousted. The Gu Family name is still there, but the person truly in charge has changed." Zhou Fan shook his head. That was all he knew. Qian Rong had sent him a message with information relayed from Li Xing and Li Yue.
That was why Zhou Fan had rushed to Jiang Province. For one, he had to help Gu Feifei solve this problem. For another, Jiang Province was just as important as Nanjiang City in his plans.
"That's more or less it. My grandfather has been taken away by my aunt and her family. They claim they're taking care of him, but they've actually put him under their control. They've also managed to get all of his shares. Now, my aunt's son, Wang Liang, is in charge. This means that the largest shareholder of the Gu Family is actually Wang Liang, with thirty-five percent of the shares."
"The only reasons I can continue as CEO are because I hold ten percent of the shares, and there's a company veteran—someone who started the business with my grandfather—who's supporting me. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't even be the CEO anymore!"
Since Zhou Fan had asked, Gu Feifei didn't hide anything anymore. She explained in a low voice while holding onto his arm.
"Didn't you say before that you had a lot of connections? Have they all switched sides? You and your grandfather haven't been back for long. Even if the Gu Family is facing a crisis, your aunt's family reacted a bit too quickly, don't you think?" Zhou Fan frowned slightly. 'This seems premeditated, no matter how you look at it.'
"I'm not too sure. My aunt's family took my grandfather away right after we got back." Gu Feifei shook her head. She had her suspicions about that too, but with no power in her hands, there was no way for her to investigate.
As they spoke, the two took the elevator up to the floor of Gu Feifei's office. Just as the doors opened, they were met by a few people walking toward them. The man in the lead was about thirty years old.
"Well, if it isn't my dear cousin? Isn't it a bit improper to be leaving work without permission during office hours? And who is this man?" Wang Liang glanced at Zhou Fan without much interest before fixing his gaze on Gu Feifei.
"Wang Liang, as the CEO, do I need to report my every move to you? Don't get ahead of yourself!" Gu Feifei's personality was naturally direct, and seeing him bossing her around, she retorted without holding back.
However, Zhou Fan gently pulled Gu Feifei's hand, then stepped forward with a harmless-looking smile on his face. "You must be Cousin Wang Liang, right? I'm Feifei's boyfriend. Feifei and I used to work at the same company in Nanjiang City. When I heard she became the CEO here, I quit my job to come join her. I hope you'll take good care of me in the future, Cousin."
"Sure, sure. A freeloader, I get it. But you should know, it's not so easy to live off a woman these days. As a man, you should keep your girlfriend in line. Tell her not to think about stirring things up, or sooner or later, I'll have you both thrown out!" Wang Liang said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Don't you worry, Cousin. I'll talk to Feifei. She's actually very obedient to me!" Zhou Fan maintained his smile, his expression the very picture of sycophantic flattery. This put Wang Liang in a great mood, so he didn't pester them any further and left with his men.
"Brother Fan, do you have a plan?" Back in the office, Gu Feifei locked the door and asked Zhou Fan in a low voice.
"Why do you say that?"
"Hmph, you think I don't know you? With your personality, if you didn't have something in mind, would you have been so polite to Wang Liang? You'd have probably slapped him across the face by now!"
"My Feifei is so smart. Come here, let me see if your little heart's gotten any bigger."
"Ah, Brother Fan, you're so naughty!"