Chapter 178 - Chapter 178: Love Rival

Chapter 178: Love Rival

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Chen Rushi narrowed his eyes. Cases involving national security were always extraordinary. Having just woken up from surgery, he was kept in the dark and didn’t know which business deal had gone wrong.

“Who is your attending physician?” Chen Liangdong asked officially. “For special clearance, we need you to come with us.”

Gu Ci had no intention of getting involved in the case. She bid farewell politely, and Chen Liangdong didn’t stop her either.

When she returned to Dr. North’s hospital room, she had already had dinner. Gu Ci accompanied her for a walk and casually mentioned that Chen Rushi had caught the attention of national security. She didn’t care about Chen Rushi, but if Black Hawk was in trouble, would it implicate Lu Zhiyuan?

Dr. North said, “A batch of gold was stolen from the M Country Bank, distributed and scattered all over. Some of it fell into the hands of the underworld and was transported to City A. Chen Rushi wants to use this gold to open the doors to M Country’s financial elite. He reached a secret agreement with the underworld, and they quickly agreed. However, this gold-related case is incredibly complex. During Chen Rushi’s surgery, someone leaked his information, claiming he had an incurable heart disease and was bound to die. Someone on this thread double-crossed in the high seas trade and drew the attention of national security. As it turned out, while the people were all caught, the gold vanished midway, stolen by someone.”

Gu Ci listened quietly, waves of astonishment and shock surging within her. Why did Master know so much about this?

Dr. North continued, “Black Hawk and the underworld have clashed across the financial realm multiple times. In July this year, they engaged in a battle of longs and shorts. Black Hawk suffered a huge loss, 20 billion dollars. Chen Rushi’s collaboration with the underworld at such a critical juncture is simply courting death. He might cooperate, but he’ll definitely keep an ace up his sleeve. Most likely, he’s just peeling the outer layers, not harming the foundation.”

Curiously, Gu Ci asked, “How much is the gold worth?”

“Three hundred kilograms of gold, not worth much,” Dr. North replied casually. “Neither side is short on money, but the value of the gold isn’t measured in currency. It’s a game.”

“Does Master know who took the gold?”

Dr. North shook her head. “This operation was highly confidential, not a trace of information leaked. However, the investigation is intense. If someone wants to hide three hundred kilograms of gold, it won’t be easy. Clues will eventually surface.”

“Why does Master know so much about this?” Gu Ci asked in curiosity.

Dr. North fell silent for a while before whispering, “The same batch of gold was lost by the bank over a decade ago. It happened to fall into Chen Geng’s hands. Later, through a series of coincidences, 1 managed to hide that gold. Last night, when things unfolded, the unde world’s Pei Qiuying begged me to hand over the gold to help them out. They’re willing to pay double the price.” “Why has the M Country Bank lost its gold reserves repeatedly?”

“I don’t know,” Dr. North strolled idly, her posture relaxed, like a recluse from the world outside. “I’ve been manipulated by Chen Geng for nearly twenty years. Having turned the tide, 1 no longer want to get involved in their affairs. I just want to focus on teaching for the rest of my life.”

While Gu Ci had come to listen to a case, she couldn’t help but feel apprehensive. This matter was related to Lu Zhiyuan and also to Gu Ziyu. Father and son were cleverly positioned on opposing sides.

In the past life, if Lu Zhiyuan hadn’t died, Ziyu would have been Black Hawk’s successor. Now, Ziyu had become the destroyer of Black Hawk. In this father-son confrontation, who would emerge victorious?

After walking for over half an hour, Gu Ci accompanied Dr. North back to the hospital room. Along the way, they ran into Chen Liangdong and several subordinates. Chen Rushi had just undergone surgery and couldn’t leave. They had to interrogate him in the hospital and assign people to watch over him.

Seeing Gu Ci, Chen Liangdong walked over and chuckled, “The weekend is coming. Bring Ziyu home for dinner. The pumpkins in the yard are ripe, and Ziyu has been wanting to have pumpkin congee.”

“Sure!”

Chen Liangdong looked at Dr. North who stood nearby, noticing a hint of avoidance in his eyes. He didn’t pay much attention to it, and after instructing his men, he left. Dr. North watched Chen Liangdong depart with a puzzled expression on his face.

In a hoarse voice, she asked Gu Ci, “What’s his name?”

“Chen Liangdong,” Gu Ci replied. “The second-in-command of the Ministry of State Security.”

In just two more years, he would become the head.

Dr. North’s legs went weak. Leaning against the wall, her back pressed tightly to it, her face turned pale. Gu Ci felt puzzled, “Master, what’s wrong?”

“Just a bit of a headache,” Dr. North rubbed his brow. “Cici, you should go back. I’m a bit tired. I’ll rest in the hospital room.”

“Alright, please rest well, Master.”

As Gu Ci exited the hospital, a car was parked by the entrance, blocking the path. She was about to go around it when the car door opened, and an armed black-clad bodyguard stepped out, “Miss Gu, our master requests your presence.”

“And who is your master?” Gu Ci narrowed her eyes, looking at him warily. “You’ll find out once you come!”

“What if I don’t?” Gu Ci took a step back. This was a busy hospital entrance; they were being quite audacious. Her heart sank, realizing the danger.

“Miss Gu, please!” The bodyguard was assertive. Gu Ci noticed the gun at his waist and her heart sank further. She took a deep breath, got into the car, the door closed, and they left the hospital.

The car arrived at the harbor where a cruise ship was anchored at sea. Gu Ci followed the black-clad bodyguard onto the cruise ship.

On the deck, a woman sat there drinking. The autumn wind rustled, and she wore a black dress that revealed her fair and slender arms. Her long black curly hair cascaded down her shoulders, a blend of allure and elegance, exuding a harbor-style charm. Unfazed by the cold, the woman’s bright eyes held a hint of seduction, captivating yet dignified.

Holding a glass of red wine, she admired the view. Gu Ci looked at her in silence.

The bodyguard said, “Master, she’s here.”

“Step back!” Her voice was melodious. She smiled at Gu Ci, placed the red wine down, and walked over slowly. The cruise ship also departed from the shore. The woman was quite tall, wearing high heels, which made her appear even more statuesque. “Indeed, your beauty is outstanding. You’re even more beautiful in person than in photos.”

On the cruise ship, there were at least twelve bodyguards. Observing closely, Gu Ci decided to play along since she was already here.

“I don’t know you,” Gu Ci said indifferently.

A stranger, she had never seen her in her previous life.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Pei, Pei Qiuying,” Pei Qiuying’s voice was alluring, exuding the charm of a mature woman. Every move and gesture displayed innate elegance.

Gu Ci understood. She was Pei Qiuying, the current head of the underworld, twenty-seven years old this year.

“Do you have something to discuss?” Gu Ci asked succinctly.

Pei Qiuying looked at the young girl before her with amusement. T-shirt, jeans, long coat, hair tied in a high ponytail, she appeared like a student. Her natural beauty was hard to hide even without makeup. Unperturbed, calm, and collected, if she weren’t Gu Ci, Pei Qiuying would want to be friends with her. Beauty, intelligence, and courage, she was admirable.

Her gaze fell on Gu Ci’s wrist, and Pei Qiuying said, “I’ve taken the liberty to bring you here because there’s something I want to tell you. Cherish your life and stay away from Lu Zhiyuan..”