Chapter 82: The Dominance of the Lady CEO

After courteously seeing Gu Luoyan off, Xiao Kaitian returned alone to his office amidst the surprised gazes of those around him. He settled into the plush swivel chair, playing with it like a child, spinning left and right.

Gu Luoyan’s intentions were not hard to deduce. The earlier "Xiao Kaitian" had stirred up Qing Tang Tianxia, secured five billion in financing to establish the project's basic scale, but due to a lack of subsequent liquidity, the project had temporarily collapsed.

Once a project couldn’t be revitalized, it would enter restructuring or forced auction phases. Yet, at that critical moment, the Zhao family intervened, allowing the project to catch its breath.

The territory Xiao Kaitian had claimed was vast; if this project could proceed smoothly, the future profits would be substantial.

It must be said, Gu Luoyan possessed a remarkable commercial vision. Xiao Kaitian was not yet in absolute dire straits, even showing signs of recovery, and she shrewdly grasped this, proposing cooperation. This truly made Xiao Kaitian see her in a new light.

Once the three billion shortfall was injected, the whole structure would come alive, and the five billion owed to the bank could be repaid. Xiao Kaitian had no reason to refuse, and this was the confidence Gu Luoyan calculated upon.

But what she could calculate, Xiao Kaitian could as well. Three billion could be mobilized by the Gu family, but once they joined, his Qing Tang Tianxia shares would be diluted, perhaps even transferring controlling rights—a scenario Xiao Kaitian least wished to see.

Yet, one couldn’t deny Gu Luoyan’s tactics were top-notch. Realizing this, Xiao Kaitian felt vexed—his current team, Lin Xiang and Guo Lei, were no match for these seasoned players in the capital market.

He needed to recruit fresh talent, people truly versed in business and finance.

To put it bluntly, he had neither manpower nor money at the moment. This fight would not be easy!

But he disliked Gu Luoyan—he didn’t know why. Perhaps it was an instinct left behind by the former "Xiao Kaitian." Aware of this, he dialed Jiang Churan’s number.

This time, Jiang Churan did not refuse; after about fifteen seconds, the call was answered.

“I’m very busy, darling. I hope you really have something to discuss,” Jiang Churan’s voice carried a coldness, as if the delicate softness of her island days had long since vanished.

“Little lover calling?” A female voice chimed in. Xiao Kaitian recognized it: her confidante, the charming Yang Mengqi. She had returned to the country as well?

Helpless, Xiao Kaitian could only wipe his face and say, “Gu Luoyan came to see me today.”

“Her?” Jiang Churan’s voice over the receiver was tinged with mockery. “Let me guess—she wants to cooperate, invest in Qing Tang Tianxia, thinks highly of you, something like that?”

“You’re truly far-sighted.” Xiao Kaitian admired his childhood bride and elder sister; whatever else, she indeed managed his affairs thoroughly.

“Reject her. If you can’t handle things, I’ll step in,” Jiang Churan was probably presiding over a meeting, her tone full of female CEO authority. “Keep clear of her. I’m telling you—never get involved with her.”

“Doesn’t she have a younger sister?” Xiao Kaitian pressed further.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Churan fell silent for a long while, finally adding in a cool voice, “Don’t get entangled with Gu Luoyan. Tomorrow, I’ll send Uncle Zhong to your side—he’ll sort out these little flowers. Hanging up!”

She cut off the call without hesitation, leaving Xiao Kaitian speechless. He’d hoped to learn something from Jiang Churan, but the more he asked, the more confused he became.

And now he’d brought Uncle Zhong upon himself; starting tomorrow, the man would be coming over. The thought of hearing his daily “nagging” gave Xiao Kaitian goosebumps.

The moment Xiao Kaitian made the call, in the underground parking lot of First Seaview Tower, Gu Luoyan sat in her car with a frosty expression, taking a deep breath.

Xiao Kaitian, what gives you the right to treat me like this—before, and now! She clenched her fists, a cold smile curling at her lips.

“Miss, where to next?” The driver, dutiful as ever, inquired.

“Get out! Get out of the car!” Gu Luoyan erupted instantly, hurling her Chanel handbag at the back of the driver’s head. Terrified, the driver quickly opened the door and fled.

“Hmph!” Gu Luoyan snatched her bag back, glanced at her twisted reflection in the window, and took a long breath. She rummaged through her purse, pulling out a slender women’s cigarette and lighting it.

The burning scent of tobacco sank deep into her chest, instantly calming her. She reached for her phone, dialing a number.

“You…what…do you want? My patience…is limited…” The voice on the line was listless, intermittent.

“Hmph, I spoke with Xiao Kaitian today. He’s really changed—compared to you now, he’s much better.” Gu Luoyan sneered, flicking her hair.

“You…bastard…do you believe I’ll kill…you?”

“It’s just the truth, Second Young Master Bian. Can you hurry up your progress?” Gu Luoyan took another deep drag, exhaling slowly, filling the car with a minty tobacco aroma.

“It’s…the first…time I’ve seen someone so jealous…of their own sister,” the voice on the other end chuckled.

“Get lost, you’re just a pervert. Do you think Zixi will ever like you?” Gu Luoyan switched hands holding the phone, reveling in the sensation of provoking him. “She’ll never like you!”

“You…shut up!”

“Hehehe,” she laughed wantonly, “So, you’d better pick up the pace, Second Young Master Bian! Otherwise, you’ll only watch Xiao Kaitian climb higher and higher, while your beloved Zixi will never look back at you.”

“Get out…just get out!” The heavy breathing and roaring from the other end sounded delightful to Gu Luoyan.

“Hanging up now. Wish you a pleasant mood.” Her crimson lips curled into a smile as she ruthlessly ended the call.

After that phone call, her mood improved considerably. She tapped her fingers lightly against the seatback, smiling as she dialed another number.

After the ringing, the call connected.

“….”

“Zixi, is that you?” She crossed her legs, caressing her smooth stockings. “Guess who I ran into today?”

“….”

“It was Xiao Kaitian—Brother Xiao. He’s in Haidu now. Yes…but there was a bit of an accident…”

As she spoke, Gu Luoyan gazed at her reflection in the car window, her red lips standing out vividly.