Chapter 262: Did You Do That on Purpose?

“This...” Du Jinsong frowned. Dragging an ordinary person into this recklessly would be troublesome and dangerous if even the slightest oversight occurred.

Zhou Xiongfeng, however, was unconcerned. “That isn't difficult. Leave this matter to Xiao Li to handle.”

Finding a dozen handsome men within the clan was quite easy.

Moreover, with guests gathering this time, they naturally wanted everyone to see Zhou Li's capabilities.

Kong Nian did not argue further this time. All that remained was to discuss the details; they could begin the operation tonight.

At that moment, Kong Xiang, who was standing behind her, showed a glint of sharp light in his eyes.

He spoke suddenly, even though it was an occasion where he shouldn't have opened his mouth.

“Actually, there is an excellent candidate. If it is this person, the plan will definitely succeed.”

Only then did everyone present notice his presence. Kong Nian raised an eyebrow slightly.

Clearly, Kong Xiang's interjection was something she had not anticipated.

The others didn't even bother asking about his identity; they were only concerned with the words he had just spoken.

“Who?” Du Jinsong pressed immediately.

Without the slightest hesitation, Kong Xiang uttered a name: “Gu Yang.”

As his voice fell, a wave of commotion erupted throughout the hall.

The expressions of both Du Jinsong and Ma Chulong turned extremely grim; they never expected Kong Xiang to mention Gu Yang's name.

Kong Yueqing, Gan Hua, and the others were completely bewildered.

They naturally knew of Gu Yang, as they had encountered the man at the banquet a few days ago, but they similarly couldn't fathom why Kong Xiang would say such a thing.

“The Gu Yang you are referring to—is it Gu Yang, the editor-in-chief of the Capital Publishing House?” Zhou Xiongfeng couldn't help but seek confirmation from Kong Xiang.

Kong Xiang nodded. “Clan Leader Zhou may not be aware, but the young lady just mentioned twice that she encountered someone in danger, and that person was this Editor-in-Chief Gu. To encounter such incidents twice in a row, the other party must surely have an obsession with Editor-in-Chief Gu. Therefore, if Gu Yang is willing to act as bait, the plan should succeed very quickly.”

Kong Nian's hands tightened slightly on the armrests of her chair. Kong Xiang mentioning Gu Yang intentionally at a time like this was clearly an attempt to send Gu Yang to his death!

“No.”

“No.”

The denials from Ma Chulong and Du Jinsong rang out almost simultaneously.

“Gu Yang is just an ordinary person. If he encounters danger, who will take responsibility?” Ma Chulong's reaction was quite intense.

Gu Yang was already surrounded by crises; if he were dragged into this matter, it might actually come true that what that old Taoist said would happen.

“It is best if we handle this matter internally. Clan Leader Zhou also just said there was no issue with the selection,” Du Jinsong added in agreement.

Sitting in the seat of honor, Zhou Xiongfeng nodded. He also knew Gu Yang, and pulling him into this was indeed inappropriate.

“I was merely making a suggestion. Whether to adopt it or not is, of course, for everyone to decide,” Kong Xiang maintained his composure, not pushing further as he continued to observe their reactions.

“Enough. I will decide on the candidate. I'll leave the subsequent plan to Captain Du,” Zhou Xiongfeng declared, settling the matter.

Ma Chulong and Du Jinsong exchanged a glance, feeling a sense of relief.

***

It was nearly noon by the time they left the Zhou family residence.

Walking beside Ma Chulong, Du Jinsong hesitated to speak.

“Captain Du, do you have something to say to me?” Ma Chulong naturally noticed.

After thinking it over, Du Jinsong felt it was necessary to give a warning. “Actually, I saw Gu Yang last night. Even this plan to 'lure the snake out of its hole' was his suggestion.”

Ma Chulong's expression turned to one of surprise.

“However, before he left, he specifically asked me not to tell classmate Su Yan about the danger he encountered. He probably doesn't want Su Yan to worry.” Du Jinsong knew that Su Yan was currently close to the Ma siblings, and after today's commotion, if he didn't say anything, Ma Chulong would definitely tell Su Yan the truth once he returned.

Ma Chulong frowned. “Is that so? But my concern is that if the person the Zhou family finds fails to lure out that menace, Gu Yang will ultimately have to step forward.”

After all, Kong Xiang had spoken so confidently in front of everyone.

Du Jinsong sighed, having thought of that as well, and felt there was a high possibility.

“I don't know exactly how Gu Yang offended that person. For now, we can only strive to resolve this as quickly as possible.”

He still had some confidence in this plan.

Ma Chulong hesitated for a moment, truly unsure whether he should keep it from Su Yan.

But then, remembering that this was Gu Yang's own wish, he nodded in agreement.

If Gu Yang truly had to step forward as a last resort, it wouldn't be too late to tell Su Yan then.

“Then I'll head back first. See you tonight.”

Du Jinsong: “See you tonight.”

***

Kong Nian and her group returned directly to their residence. As soon as they reached the entrance, Kong Nian signaled Kong Xiang to follow her to her room.

Her face was so grim that even Kong Yueqing and the others could tell something was wrong.

“Senior Sister Kong seems very unhappy?” Even though Kong Nian and Kong Xiang had walked far ahead, Kong Yueiling still lowered her voice and asked cautiously, “Senior Brother Gan, Senior Brother Ruan, do you know what's going on?”

They had been perfectly fine when they left, and since they usually feared Kong Nian, her being in a bad mood meant their lives would certainly become even more difficult.

Gan Hua and Ruan Tao shook their heads simultaneously.

They didn't have much contact with Kong Nian, and besides, a girl's thoughts were completely impossible to fathom.

Kong Yueqing murmured in a low voice, “She seems to be angry?”

This answer sounded more like she was talking to herself.

“Ah? Why is she angry?” Kong Yueiling couldn't help but press for more.

Kong Yueqing's eyebrows were knitted like a braid. She wanted to know more than anyone else, and a few seconds later, a glint appeared in her eyes.

“We'll know once we go over and listen.”

“Maybe we shouldn't, Senior Sister? Senior Sister Kong is already in a bad mood. If she catches us eavesdropping, she'll definitely fly into a rage.” Kong Yueiling truly feared Kong Nian from the bottom of her heart.

Kong Yueqing gave her an impatient glance. “As if she'd dare lay a hand on me? If you aren't going, I am!”

She was exceptionally "concerned" about everything regarding Kong Nian, practically wishing for something to happen to her.

Watching her figure stride away, Kong Yueiling felt uneasy.

“Senior Brother Gan, should we really not try to persuade Senior Sister?”

Gan Hua's expression was solemn; he had some understanding of Kong Yueqing's temperament.

“Yueqing is no longer a child; she should know what she is doing.”

***

Inside the room, even the air felt solidified.

Kong Nian looked at Kong Xiang coldly, a trace of suppressed fury in her eyes.

“Uncle Kong, were you being intentional at the Zhou residence today?”

Kong Xiang feigned confusion. “Miss, I don't understand what you mean.”

“Mentioning Gu Yang, suggesting he act as bait—were you being intentional?” Kong Nian repeated, her low voice clearly suppressing an emotion.

Kong Xiang seemed to realize it suddenly and immediately shook his head. “Miss, how could you think such a thing? I wasn't thinking that much at the time; I was only thinking of sharing your burdens and resolving the trouble here as quickly as possible, so that you could enter the ancestral lands with Young Master Zhou Li.”