I work as a security guard at a cemetery, and I overhear the dead chatting about getting rich quick.

When Gu Mingyuan saw "A17", he only paused for a moment.

very short.

It was so short that most people in the meeting room didn't even notice.

Lin Ye noticed it.

From the moment he entered, he hadn't dared to relax. While others looked at documents, he looked at people. While others looked at Gu Wantang, he looked at Gu Mingyuan.

In that instant, Gu Mingyuan's eyes felt as if they had been stabbed by something.

He quickly picked up his water glass and took a sip.

His movements were calm and his expression remained composed.

Lin Ye felt even more uncertain.

A person who knows how to pretend is more frightening than someone who changes their expression on the spot.

Gu Wantang saw it too.

She didn't mention A17, but simply pressed down on the photocopy and looked up at Gu Mingyuan.

"The original document."

Gu Mingyuan put down his water glass.

"Wantang, it's not that I don't want you to see it. It's just that you suddenly came back today with a lawyer and other strangers, and you wanted to verify the will as soon as you walked in. That's not in accordance with the rules."

Gu Wantang looked at him.

"Yesterday at my grandfather's grave, when you asked me to accept his will, you didn't explain the proper etiquette to me."

The middle-aged woman next to him immediately frowned.

"Wantang, why are you still holding onto what happened yesterday? We're all family."

Gu Wantang turned to look at her.

"Since you're family, why won't you show me the original documents?"

The woman opened her mouth, but couldn't reply.

The other man spoke with a stern face: "The original document is so important, you can't just look at it like that, can you?"

Attorney Shen took over the conversation.

"It is precisely because it is important that it needs to be verified. There are already documents on file with the notary office that conflict with the contents of the will you have published. Ms. Gu's request to see the original is perfectly reasonable."

The man glanced at Attorney Shen.

"You're a lawyer from outside the family; you wouldn't understand family matters."

Attorney Shen adjusted his glasses.

"I don't need to know how to take care of a family. I only know the law."

Lin Ye stood behind, silently keeping those words in mind.

That's what you call professional.

Gu Mingyuan was silent for a few seconds before his gaze fell on Gu Wantang's face.

"Are you really going to escalate things to this point?"

Gu Wantang said, "You're the ones who brought things to this point."

"In front of so many elders?"

"Weren't they all concerned about me yesterday?"

Gu Wantang's voice was not loud.

"Let's listen to it together today."

The meeting room quieted down a bit.

Lin Ye noticed that the expressions on the faces of his relatives had changed.

Just a moment ago they were acting like "I'm the elder, I'll mediate," but now their eyes are starting to wander.

In this situation, it's easy to chime in.

If we really wanted to keep a record, no one would be so enthusiastic.

Gu Mingyuan finally raised his hand and called the person at the door.

"Go to the study and bring me the file folder from the safe."

The man responded and quickly walked away.

The meeting room fell silent.

No one dared to speak out of turn.

Lin Ye stood in a remote position behind Gu Wantang, trying his best to look like a pillar without any opinions.

He glanced at the desktop.

The long table is wide, with beautiful wood grain, and it's polished to a shine.

He subconsciously pulled his hand back a little.

This table looks expensive.

Given his current situation, it's best for him to avoid anything related to the Gu family.

If he accidentally bumps into him, Gu Mingyuan might just add a "damaged property" tag to his name.

Gu Wantang remained standing.

Attorney Shen was also standing.

Gu Mingyuan sat in the chair with his back very straight.

Lin Ye noticed that his left thumb was constantly pressing against the knuckle of his index finger.

a bit.

a bit.

It's very light.

It's like trying to push emotions back.

A few minutes later, the person who came to collect the documents returned.

He was holding a dark brown paper bag with a seal on the opening.

Gu Mingyuan took it but didn't open it immediately.

"This is the original will that the lawyer read aloud earlier."

Attorney Shen stepped forward.

"A video needs to be recorded before opening the container."

Gu Mingyuan looked at him.

Attorney Shen said calmly, "Since verification is necessary, it's best to record the entire process for everyone's benefit. It also prevents anyone from saying the documents were switched later."

That statement is a complete and utter block.

Gu Mingyuan couldn't refuse.

Attorney Shen asked his assistant to turn on the recording, and Gu Wantang also took out her phone to film from another angle.

Lin Ye stood to the side and suddenly felt a pang of nostalgia for the scrap yard.

Back then, when I was looking for a stamp album, the shopkeeper would only say one thing: "Don't rummage through the electronics."

Now a document is on the table, two phones are taking pictures, the lawyer is wearing gloves, and everyone is staring.

Sure enough, when you have a lot of money, you even need to talk about the chain of evidence when you're arguing.

The kraft paper bag was opened.

Take out a bound document from inside.

The paper is clean and the edges are neat.

It looks very new.

Even a layman like Lin Ye thought it was too new to be eye-catching.

Of course, he didn't dare show it.

In such situations, laypeople should refrain from even moving their eyebrows.

Attorney Shen put on gloves and placed the documents on the table.

He first photographed the cover, then the binding, and then turned to the signature page.

Gu Wantang stood to the side without saying a word.

The quieter she was, the less likely anyone in the meeting room dared to speak up.

Attorney Shen flipped through a few pages, his brow furrowing slightly.

A relative couldn't help but ask, "How is it?"

Attorney Shen didn't look at him, but simply placed the document and the copy retrieved from the notary office side by side.

"I can only do a preliminary comparison now; it cannot replace forensic identification."

He should make his point clear first.

"However, the two documents differ in their descriptions of the core shareholding and asset arrangements."

Gu Mingyuan immediately responded.

"Wills can be updated. The later will is made takes precedence; Attorney Shen should know this."

"Know."

Attorney Shen nodded.

"So the question now is whether this so-called post-testamentary will is genuine and valid."

Gu Mingyuan's expression darkened slightly.

"What do you mean?"

Attorney Shen pointed to a spot in the document.

"This document lacks a corresponding notarization number, and the witnessing lawyer's signature is incomplete. You claim it is a version re-signed by Mr. Gu Huaizhang in the final stage, but there is currently no third-party record or complete witnessing video."

Someone nearby immediately remarked, "When the old man is seriously ill, how can he possibly be perfectly prepared for every step?"

Attorney Shen looked up.

"It is even more important to have a complete will when you are seriously ill."

The man shut up.

Gu Wantang suddenly spoke.

"Look at the signature."

Attorney Shen turned to the last page.

The three characters "Gu Huaizhang" were written on the paper.

At first glance, it does look like it.

The brushstrokes are heavy and the ending strokes are abrupt, resembling the characters on an old envelope.

But when the three signatures are placed together, the differences become apparent.

The signatures on the surviving documents and old envelopes are marked with a heavy, decisive last stroke.

The last stroke of the piece that Gu Mingyuan took out was a little lighter.

I know how to write it, but I don't have the habit of doing it.

No one spoke in the meeting room.

Gu Wantang looked at the signature and spoke in a very soft voice.

"Is this the will you've made me accept?"

Gu Mingyuan's expression remained unchanged.

"Handwriting cannot be judged by the naked eye. If you want it authenticated, you can go through the proper procedures."

"Of course we're leaving."

Gu Wantang put her phone away.

"From now on, all changes in shareholding, transfer of management rights, and transfer of revenue related to Gu's Cultural Tourism are suspended."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the people at the table changed.

Gu Mingyuan finally frowned.

"You don't have that right."

Attorney Shen then spoke.

"As an interested party, Ms. Gu has the right to apply for preservation and raise objections. If Mr. Gu insists on pushing forward with the relevant arrangements, we will immediately initiate legal proceedings."

Several relatives were clearly getting restless.

They may not want to hear about terms like shares, management rights, and profit transfer.

But they understood the word "pause".

Someone immediately said, "Wan Tang, aren't you making things chaotic for the company by doing this?"

Gu Wantang looked over.

"Is the group in chaos, or are some individuals causing the chaos?"

The man's face turned pale, and he didn't say anything more.

Gu Mingyuan looked at her, and the gentleness on his face finally faded.

"Wantang, you were being very irrational today."

Gu Wantang said, "I'm more rational than yesterday."

You've been used.

Gu Mingyuan's gaze swept over the forest.

Lin Ye felt a tightness in his back.

Again.

His role in this meeting room today seems to be that of being suspected.

Gu Mingyuan slowly began, "A cemetery security guard suddenly accompanies you to Nanxi. An old butler who left the Gu family twenty years ago suddenly produces evidence. A lawyer from outside suddenly returns with documents. Wan Tang, don't you think this line of events is too smooth?"

Immediately, someone nearby echoed his sentiment.

"Yes, what a coincidence."

"Could someone have set this up?"

"Wantang, don't let yourself be used as a pawn."

Lin Ye felt uneasy and speechless.

It's normal for them to suspect him.

To say he set a trap is to give him too much credit.

If he were capable of setting up such a scheme, he wouldn't have spent 18,000 yuan to buy that craft factory customer service bottle in the first place.

Gu Wantang did not explain for him.

She just looked at Gu Mingyuan.

"You're right, this line is too smooth."

Gu Mingyuan's eyes flickered slightly.

Gu Wantang picked up the old pocket watch on the table.

"It's smooth because Grandpa laid it out in advance."

She looked at Gu Mingyuan.

"Your men can stop Chen Bojin from entering the Gu family, but they can't stop him from waiting for me."

He picked up the photocopy again.

"You can try to pressure me with something, but you can't pressure the notary office to keep a copy."

Finally, she looked at the so-called original document.

"You can say I was used, or you can say Lin Ye's background is unclear."

She paused.

"But you can't explain this will."

The meeting room fell silent.

This is more useful than arguing.

Because arguments can be avoided.

The document cannot be bypassed.

Gu Wantang carefully put away the file folder.

"Uncle, I'm not here today to argue with you about who can win an argument."

She looked at everyone at the table.

"I will formally apply for an appraisal, suspend the relevant asset changes, and demand that the Gu family disclose all materials related to my grandfather's will."

Gu Mingyuan looked at her.

"What if I disagree?"

Gu Wantang said, "Then let's go through legal proceedings."

Her voice was very flat.

"The remarks made by everyone present today will also be compiled and submitted."

Immediately, someone in the conference room lowered their head to drink water.

Someone is pretending to check messages on their phone.

The person who just said "Don't be used as a pawn" cleared his throat: "I was just trying to mediate, I didn't mean anything else."

Lin Ye almost lost his composure.

This change of heart happened faster than a flea market vendor changing their tune.

Gu Mingyuan's expression finally turned ugly.

It wasn't because Gu Wantang won against him with just one sentence.

It was because he noticed that the people at the table had started to leave.

They can speak up for him.

The premise is safety.

Once a record is left, relatives become strangers.

Attorney Shen carefully put away the two documents.

"Mr. Gu, this original document needs to be sealed. Both parties can jointly confirm the sealing process and agree on an appraisal agency."

Gu Mingyuan did not move.

Gu Wantang looked at him.

"Or are you saying you're too scared?"

This sentence was spoken very softly.

But everyone in the conference room heard it.

Gu Mingyuan looked up.

For a fleeting moment, the gentleness on his face vanished completely.

For the first time, Lin Ye realized that what was truly terrifying about this person was not his anger.

It's that he clearly wanted to get angry, but he was able to hold back.

A few seconds later, Gu Mingyuan smiled.

"Can."

He said.

"Since you insist on investigating, then investigate."

He pushed the document forward.

"I also want to know who's behind all this trouble for the Gu family."

This was said to Gu Wantang.

The last gaze fell on Lin Ye.

Lin Ye felt a chill run down his spine.

He felt that if he could get back to the cemetery safely tonight, the first thing he would do was wipe the dust off the anti-floating bottle.

Wipe three times.

The sealing process began quickly.

Attorney Shen and the Gu family members recorded the video, signed the document, and packed it into a bag.

Lin Ye remembered Lu Zhixia's words and refused to sign anything.

Attorney Shen did not make him sign it.

He simply stood to the side, serving as a quiet backdrop.

But after Gu Mingyuan glanced at him, he couldn't calm down no matter what.

He knew he was being remembered.

It's not the kind of "you're useful" kind of memorization like Gu Wantang's.

It's the kind of "you're in my way" attitude that Gu Mingyuan has that I remember.

The former will take him into the car.

The latter might lead him into a trap.

The meeting ended close to 10 p.m.

The Gu family members left the meeting room one after another.

The people who were talking to Gu Mingyuan just now are now leaving faster than the last.

Like a chair burning your butt.

Gu Wantang carefully put away the pocket watch and the document bag.

Attorney Shen whispered to her to confirm the next steps.

Lin Ye stood at the door, finally feeling like he could catch his breath.

Just as I was about to follow him out, Gu Mingyuan walked over from the side.

He stopped in front of the forest.

The distance is neither too close nor too far.

It's just what makes people uncomfortable.

"Mr. Lin."

Lin Ye immediately stood up straight.

Mr. Gu.

Gu Mingyuan looked at him, his face regaining a touch of gentleness.

"Do you work at Qingshan Cemetery?"

"right."

"night shift?"

"right."

Gu Mingyuan nodded.

"Night shifts are tough."

If Uncle Zhao had said these words, Lin Ye would have found them simple and unpretentious.

Hearing it from Gu Mingyuan's mouth was a bit unsettling.

Lin Ye remembered to speak as little as possible.

"good."

Gu Mingyuan smiled.

"I'll visit Qingshan Cemetery when I have the chance in the future."

Lin Ye felt a chill run down his spine.

That sounds like a polite remark.

But to him, it sounded like a horror movie trailer.

Just as he was wondering how to respond, Gu Wantang walked over.

"Uncle."

Gu Mingyuan looked at her.

Gu Wantang's voice was indifferent.

"I brought Lin Ye. If anything happens to him after tonight, everyone will know who was the first person to contact him."

There was a moment of silence at the entrance to the conference room.

This statement is neither ambiguous nor does it sound like favoritism.

It was more like a warning notice, stuck directly to Gu Mingyuan's face.

Gu Mingyuan looked at her for a moment and smiled.

"Wantang, you're starting to act more and more like your grandfather."

Gu Wantang said, "You forced me to."

Gu Mingyuan didn't say anything more, and turned to leave.

Lin Ye waited until he was far away before slowly letting out a sigh of relief.

Gu Wantang looked at Lin Ye.

"Walk."

Lin Ye nodded and followed her outside.

As they walked down the corridor, he couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Miss Gu, am I being watched now?"

Gu Wantang glanced at him.

"Calculate."

Lin Ye remained silent.

"You answered too quickly."

"If only we had known, we would have been prepared."

Lin Ye thought for a moment.

"Can I go back to the cemetery now?"

Gu Wantang stopped in her tracks.

"You still want to go back?"

Lin Ye said earnestly, "I feel especially safe in the cemetery now."

Gu Wantang looked at him for two seconds.

"I send you."

Lin Ye was about to say no.

Gu Wantang added a sentence.

"So you don't die halfway there."

Lin Ye: "..."

The way wealthy families care about people is indeed very efficient.

When Lin Ye got into the car, he felt a little weak.

The car drove out of the Gu family's old house.

The light gradually fell behind.

He looked out the window and suddenly missed the old chair in the security booth.

I want instant noodles.

To prevent bottle spillage.

He even wanted Old Li to scold his grandson.

At least if a dead person curses, no one will be sent to investigate him.

Half an hour later, the car stopped at the entrance of Qingshan Cemetery.

Gu Wantang did not get out of the car.

As Lin Ye opened the car door, he heard her say, "Be careful these next few days."

Lin Ye turned back.

"Would Gu Mingyuan really cause me trouble?"

Gu Wantang said, "He's already looking for it."

Lin Ye's hands froze.

"What do you mean?"

Gu Wantang looked at him.

"Before you even left the Gu family's conference room, his people were already checking your information."

The wind blew in from the entrance of the cemetery.

Lin Ye suddenly felt that the gates of Qingshan Cemetery were not so safe after all.

Gu Wantang handed him a new business card.

This time, there's an extra number on the back.

"Call this number if you need anything."

Lin Ye accepted it.

"What is this?"

"My people."

Gu Wantang said.

"It wasn't an emergency call."

Lin Ye looked down at the business card, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

He used to get business cards to sell things.

He's getting the business card now to save his life.

Life is progressing too fast.

I feel a little dizzy.

After the black sedan left, Lin Ye stood at the entrance of the cemetery for a long time.

When he returned to the guard booth, the first thing he did was check the anti-floating bottles.

The anti-floating bottle is still there.

The flowers are arranged neatly and upright.

Lin Ye walked over and reached out to touch the bottle.

"I'm back."

He said.

"I almost didn't make it back."

The anti-floating bottle did not react.

But Lin Ye found it particularly pleasing to the eye tonight.

Once midnight passed, the East District became lively again.

Old Li had just opened his mouth to scold his grandson when Old Master Gu's voice coldly interrupted.

"If A17 is exposed, Gu Mingyuan will definitely panic."

The East District suddenly became quiet.

Lin Ye stopped holding the pen.

Grandpa Gu continued, "He is not afraid of the will, not afraid of the apology, and not afraid of the Gu family changing their tune."

"But he must be afraid of the A17."

Lin Ye looked up at the window.

The night breeze rustled through the pines and cypresses, casting their shadows that swayed gently on the ground.

He suddenly realized that everything at the Gu family meeting tonight might just be the first step.

What Grandpa Gu really wanted to know was who Gu Mingyuan would go to first after seeing A17.