I raised stunning young ladies, but they all wanted to possess me.

Now it was Gu Yan's turn to be depressed.

He originally intended to give Zhang Zihao a little prank, but the kid had given him so many surprises today.

The results of it?

This kid wasn't scared at all; on the contrary, he was as excited as if he'd been injected with chicken blood!

He's so excited because he's dribbling the ball!

Based on his previous performance at the auction house, Zhang Zihao absolutely refused to be the second male lead, preferring to be beaten up rather than do it.

Gu Yan thought he couldn't handle hardship, but it turns out he really enjoys participating in masochistic training camps?

The more excited Zhang Zihao became, the less happy Gu Yan felt; instead, she felt a little...suffocated.

"Alright, everyone has worked hard today."

"Let's leave it at that for now."

"Everyone can go home and rest now."

He finally sighed, raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and began to speak.

He paused, then looked at Chen Sinian: "I have some private matters to discuss with Boss Chen alone."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other and sensed that Master Gu's mood seemed genuinely low, even somewhat disappointed.

They immediately began to offer their comforting words all at once:

"Master Gu, don't put too much pressure on yourself! Today was already perfect!"

"Yes, Master Gu, Miss Chen looks much better; it's all thanks to you!"

"Master Gu, please take good care of yourself! You look a little pale; are you too tired?"

"Master Gu, you've done an absolutely fantastic job! Really!"

Gu Yan listened to these sincere but completely misunderstood words of comfort, and the corners of her mouth twitched involuntarily.

You can't hit someone who's smiling.

"Thank you for your concern, I'm fine."

"Everyone, you can leave now."

He nodded reluctantly and forced a smile.

Then everyone began to leave one after another.

Everyone who passed by Gu Yan couldn't help but glance at her a few more times, their eyes filled with sincere admiration and a touch of heartache.

Master Gu sets incredibly high standards for himself. Despite achieving such great success, he remains dissatisfied. He is truly dedicated and admirable!

Li Zhengguo, Zhang Xiong, and Zhang Zihao walked at the very back.

Zhang Zihao kept turning back to look at Gu Yan sitting alone in front of the monitor screen, her back looking somewhat thin and lost. He was filled with confusion, but at the same time, he felt an even stronger sense of respect and heartache.

He couldn't help but lower his voice and say to his father and Li Zhengguo beside him, "Dad, Uncle Li, I'm a little confused..."

"We won big today!"

"It's obvious to anyone with eyes that Miss Cecilia's attitude towards Master Gu is unusual!"

"Moreover, I felt that Miss Chen was genuinely happy when she was with Master Gu today, completely different from her usual lonely self!"

He scratched his head, looking puzzled: "This is clearly a huge success."

Why do I feel that Master Gu doesn't seem happy, but rather a little disappointed?

Upon hearing this, Li Zhengguo stopped and looked back at Gu Yan's back in the tent, a look of emotion and understanding on his face.

He patted Zhang Zihao on the shoulder and said in a deep voice, "Zihao, you're still young."

"Master Gu is different from us ordinary people."

Zhang Xiong nodded and added, "Your Uncle Li is right."

"Master Gu is the jewel of the empire, a figure highly valued even by the old men of the Senate, the Executive Yuan, and the Court of Judgment."

"His definition of success is probably completely different from ours."

Li Zhengguo continued to explain, his tone respectful: "In our view, it is already a near-miraculous success that we were able to make Miss Cecilia calm down and smile."

"But perhaps in Master Gu's own view... this is just the beginning, only reaching the initial stable bottom line."

"His standards for himself are probably much higher and more stringent than we imagine."

"That's the difference in levels of understanding."

"Even with such achievements, I am still not satisfied, I am still reflecting, and I am still pursuing higher and more perfect results..."

"As expected of Master Gu, who is hailed as an imperial treasure."

"Even though he is so young, his character and his high standards for himself are something we old folks should learn from."

Zhang Xiong sighed heavily, a mixture of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion) and 愧愧自己 (kuìkuìzì, a feeling of inferiority).

Zhang Zihao was completely stunned by Li Zhengguo and Zhang Xiong's insightful and respectful interpretation!

His mouth dropped open, his eyes widened, and a storm raged within him!

So that's how it is!

Master Gu is actually this harsh on himself?!

You've already done a great job, but you still feel it's not enough?!

This is absolutely stunning!

Zhang Zihao felt his eyes getting hot and his nose tingling.

He thought of Gu Yan's pale yet still upright back, and his seemingly disappointed expression just now.

I always hold myself to the highest standards, never satisfied with the status quo, and always striving for something better...

Master Gu, he was so great!

The lingering fear and hesitation in Zhang Zihao's heart from going to the dragon was instantly washed away by a stronger emotion.

He had underestimated Master Gu's vision and dedication.

He didn't just say it casually when he asked me to join the Jiaolong Commando Team, and he certainly wasn't trying to frame me.

This is because Master Gu values ​​him highly.

He wanted to toughen me up in the most brutal way so that I could truly grow up, be worthy of standing by his side, and be able to truly help him!

What immense trust and expectation this represents!

A surge of scalding heat coursed through Zhang Zihao's body. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his palms.

Master Gu, please rest assured.

I, Zhang Zihao, will absolutely not let you down!

No matter how tough, tiring, or terrifying the Jiaolong Special Forces are, I will definitely persevere.

I will definitely pass the selection and come back alive.

In the future, I will definitely become a right-hand man who can truly share your burdens and live up to your expectations!

In the boy's heart, a blazing fire of admiration and determination ignited.

He glanced one last time at the figures inside the tent, then turned and, with unprecedented determination, followed his father and Li Zhengguo, disappearing into the night.

Inside the tent, only Gu Yan and Chen Sinian remained.

Gu Yan rubbed her aching temples, barely having the energy to even complain.

"Boss Chen, now... we can settle the accounts properly."

"If you have Aunt Tian bring Cecilia to me, I won't say anything more."

"You let your own brother date your daughter."

"That's really generous of you!"

He looked at Boss Chen, who was rubbing his hands together with his ever-sincere smile, and spoke softly.

Even someone as thick-skinned as Chen Sinian, who had been navigating the business world for decades, couldn't help but blush when he heard Gu Yan say, "Let's settle the accounts properly."

"Master Gu, this...this can't be entirely my fault!"

"As you saw at the time, Mr. Bai suddenly left on his own. I acted impulsively and confused for a moment."

"By the way, Master Gu, I also made amends a bit by inviting Noah Life Science's top medical team to give Mr. Gu a deep stabilization treatment."

"The effects are said to be quite good."

"I hope Master Gu will be magnanimous and forgive me this time?"

He coughed twice and then spoke with a forced smile.

When Chen Sinian mentioned his grandfather, Gu Yan stared at him for a while, but ultimately didn't pursue the matter any further.

He then turned serious and said, "Boss Chen, Miss Cecilia's condition has now basically stabilized."

"As long as you pay attention to your emotions and receive regular gentle psychological counseling, there shouldn't be any major problems within a year."

"My mission is now complete."

"It's time to leave."

"Oh, right."

"I checked the account. Boss Chen transferred 20 billion, which is too much."

"Thanks anyway."

"As for the superpowered fruit, and the news about that mysterious finger bone."

"Boss Chen said before that he obtained it during a certain Kuroshio Current?"