Ye Qiu requested information on Jin Haili from Tang Buyi. Tang Buyi, having collected data on his primary business rivals, naturally had it ready and handed it to Ye Qiu. However, he repeatedly warned Ye Qiu not to act rashly and to focus on protecting Tang Guo.
Though Ye Qiu agreed outwardly, inwardly he was dismissive. He intended to resolve the issue quickly to avoid constantly being on high alert. With a lead, how could he not investigate?
Meeting with Tang Buyi had left Ye Qiu even more confused. Tang Buyi mentioned that if Elder Ye asked, he wouldn't hesitate to give Tang Corporation to him. Though he spoke with a smile, his tone was sincere, making it hard not to believe.
What was the value of Tang Corporation? Tang Buyi probably couldn't calculate it offhand. Why was he so generous to Ye Qiu?
Perhaps the old man had helped him before. Some people believe in repaying kindness tenfold. Ye Qiu could understand this sentiment. He once helped a stranger woman, who then offered him a check for millions, which he refused.
— Mainly because the woman was so beautiful that Ye Qiu felt too embarrassed to accept.
What troubled Ye Qiu was having to accompany Tang Guo and Lin Bao'er to Tsinghua University. For someone who had never been to school, it was a new challenge. He wondered if he would run into Lan Kexin and the timid guy he dealt with on the train. They were also attending Tsinghua.
Leaving the Tang Corporation building, Ye Qiu decided to go shopping. He hadn't slept the previous night due to the dirty bedding, leading Tang Guo to think he went streaking early in the morning. With school starting, he also needed new clothes. If he had the money, no one would want to wear such rural attire.
Located in the financial district, Tang Corporation was surrounded by many supermarkets. With Tang Buyi mentioning that the card had a million-yuan credit limit, Ye Qiu had no concerns about money and headed to the most luxurious-looking building, Oriental Plaza.
The bustling crowd flowed like a river.
Among the throng, Ye Qiu was quite inconspicuous, but he was struck by the number of attractive women. City living standards were high, and beauties seemed to sprout like bamboo shoots after rain, each more impressive than the last.
However, what caught Ye Qiu's attention most was an elderly man and a young boy. The old man, with white hair and beard, was spirited, wearing a white Tang suit, exuding an air of immortality. The boy beside him, about fifteen or sixteen, looked smart and cute, reminding Ye Qiu of little Loli Lin Bao'er at home.
"Grandpa, look at how much has changed. You can't always stay indoors; getting out is good for your health. I'm telling you, shopping is more effective than practicing a set of Tai Chi at home—grandpa, slow down, watch out for the escalator—" the boy said with a smile.
"Yes. From now on, I'll listen to my good grandson and go shopping every day," the old man chuckled, stroking his beard. Nearing twilight years with a caring grandson, what more could one ask for?
"Great. I'm starting school soon, but luckily it's not far from home. I can make time to take grandpa shopping every day."
"Haha, you child. You really want to accompany grandpa every day? Aren't you worried about embarrassment? Look, walking among these young people, how many are secretly watching us," the old man said, patting his grandson's head.
"So what?" the boy scanned the crowd with angry eyes, "A bunch of boring people. Grandpa, don't mind them. I'm not afraid of embarrassment. Everyone has a grandpa."
Following behind them, Ye Qiu overheard their conversation and developed a liking for the boy. Filial piety was the foremost virtue, and in traditional values, loyalty, filial piety, propriety, righteousness, and integrity ranked high. But in modern society, few lived by these principles.
If the boy weren't so young, Ye Qiu would consider befriending him. Though he didn't think of himself as particularly virtuous, he didn't mind having a few virtuous friends.
The escalator moved forward, quickly reaching the second floor.
"Grandpa, slow down, watch your step—" the boy was helping the old man off the escalator when the latter stumbled and fell. Ye Qiu, still on the lower level, couldn't help but watch them both fall.
"Grandpa, are you okay—grandpa—wake up—someone help—" the boy, still on the ground, was anxiously checking on his unconscious grandfather.
Such a sudden incident in Oriental Plaza, which saw tens of thousands of visitors daily, quickly drew a crowd. The mall's security guards, upon hearing the news, rushed to disperse the crowd and help the boy get his grandfather to the hospital.
"Don't move him," Ye Qiu shouted as he saw the guards attempting to move the old man.
The noise died down instantly. All eyes turned to him, confused about why this rustic-looking guy was stopping them from helping the old man.
"Who are you? Why can't we move the old man?" The security manager asked, puzzled. Initially thinking Ye Qiu was a relative, he dismissed the idea upon seeing his attire.
Waving to the dazed guards, he said, "What are you waiting for? Get the patient to the hospital. Who will be responsible if something happens?"
The guards hesitated no more, dividing into pairs to lift the old man.
Ye Qiu had shouted impulsively, not fully committed to saving the man. Seeing the guards ready to make a mistake, he quickly intervened, punching one guard in the eye and flooring the others with swift kicks.
"Who are you? Why are you interfering? If you don't step aside, I'll call the police," the security captain threatened. The investors behind Oriental Plaza wielded significant influence in Beijing; no one dared cause trouble in the mall.
"Don't move him. If you do, he'll be dead before he reaches the hospital. You're not saving him; you're killing him," Ye Qiu said coldly.