Chapter 194 - Chapter 194: Jiang Junlin

Chapter 194: Jiang Junlin

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Gu Ci thought about what Third Master said. He made it clear that he didn’t like her, speaking with firm conviction. She chuckled and replied, “Master, in this lifetime, 1 have only one weakness, and I accept it.”

Doctor North had the intention to advise, but he also knew that there was a stubbornness within Gu Ci. As long as Lu Zhiyuan didn’t let her down, she wouldn’t change her mind.

Gu Ci’s gaze was resolute. “When I love someone, it’s for a lifetime. Whether it’s through mountains of knives and seas of flames, or the depths of hell, I’m willing to bet and accept defeat.”

However, Gu Ci wasn’t one to passively endure. After returning to the Blue Fields Villa, Gu Ziyu had also returned home. “Mom, Pei Qiuying’s flight back to Country M was an hour ago.”

“How did your research go?” After the ocean incident, upon returning to the Blue Fields Villa, Gu Ci’s first task was to have Gu Ziyu investigate Pei Qiuying. Gu Ziyu handed over all the information to Gu Ci. “Mom, I looked into Pei Qiuying and found something interesting. She almost got engaged to our uncle, Ji Chi. He won’t let her off easily.”

Without lifting her head, Gu Ci responded, “Hmm, she almost became your stepmother, and now she still wants to be your stepmother.”

Gu Ziyu was puzzled.

The incident of her falling into the sea wasn’t something Gu Ci had told Gu Ziyu. Gu Ci was accustomed to hiding her pain deep within her heart. “She likes Lu Zhiyuan.”

“Heh.” Gu Ziyu’s face turned cold. “Those who like my dad are as numerous as the circles around the Earth. What’s the difference, one more or one less?”

A global champion like Lu Zhiyuan had countless devoted fans going crazy for him.

Gu Ci chuckled lightly and said, “She confidently stated that the other personality of your dad likes her, and she told me not to be a third wheel.” “She’s doomed!” Gu Ziyu’s eyes turned dark in an instant. “She has offended both me and Ji Chi.”

Gu Ci smiled wryly. Still looking at the information, Pei Qiuying was a princess of the underworld, exceptionally outstanding. At twenty-seven, she held two Ph.D. degrees from MIT. Pei Zhihang was the former leader of the underworld. When he was assassinated, Pei Qiuying was only fifteen, young and inexperienced, yet isolated and helpless. The underworld was inherited by the Rong family.

After inheriting the underworld, the Rong family exiled Pei Qiuying. During those years, her survival was a question, and she faced the Rong family’s threats from both open and hidden sources. She pretended to be insane, acted weak, distanced herself from the core of the underworld. After graduating from university at 21, in just six years, she wiped out the Rong family and reclaimed her own glory.

One’s character and temperament could be seen through their experiences and history.

“In the previous life, did Ji Chi bring down the underworld and kill Pei Qiuying because… of jealousy?” Gu Ziyu murmured to himself, “The case is solved, that’s how it was.”

“What’s going on?” Gu Ci knew very little about the underworld.

Gu Ziyu explained, “After 1 helped Ji Chi rise to power, the first thing he did was to bring down the underworld and kill Pei Qiuying. At that time, Black Hawk was in ruins, and it was chaotic internally. Many forces were watching us. To ensure security at home, you need stability within, isn’t that basic policy? But he went against it. I was furious at the time and wanted to get rid of him. I still don’t understand why he went mad. Now 1 have some understanding.”

“But Pei Qiuying likes Lu Zhiyuan. What’s there for him to be jealous of?”

Gu Ziyu shrugged. “Don’t ask me, I don’t really understand you guys.”

Love and emotions, are they really that important? Each one seems to carry more weight than life itself.

Isn’t building a career more appealing?

Gu Ci was silent in thoughts.

However, she wondered if Pei Qiuying’s close cooperation with her brother would make her uncle help her in a battle against Pei Qiuying.

“Mom, have you ever felt that Uncle is quite cunning?” Gu Ziyu rubbed his nose. “In the previous life, after his leg was broken, he was down and out. He was imprisoned by Ji Chi, and the times we could see him were few and far between. 1 somehow mixed up the uncle who was in a slump in the previous life with the uncle of this life, and I felt especially sorry for him. But why do I feel like… Uncle is manipulating me?”

“What happened?”

Gu Ziyu cleared his throat and imitated Jiang Junlin’s tone, “Today at the State Security meeting, they brought up the issue with Hualan Bank. Our department, from the seniors to the juniors, was all scolded for our improper procedures and told to investigate Hualan Bank. It’s said that Uncle attended a financial conference organized by the government, and he deliberately brought up this matter, putting pressure on all financial institutions.”

He cleared his throat again, mimicking Jiang Junlin’s tone, “We all pay taxes according to the law and operate legally as financial institutions. For a spot check, there must be a reason. I can’t just suspect that your gold reserves are problematic and come to inspect without evidence. Even Hualan Bank has to go through this. What about other financial institutions? Our assets are in the country, and I feel very unsafe.”

Gu Ci sighed, “And then?”

“We were scolded, issued an apology statement, and the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission has formal documentation to regulate events like this. It won’t be so easy to investigate Hualan Bank in the future.” “Well, you didn’t really have concrete evidence.” Gu Ci remained neutral about the situation.

Gu Ziyu continued, “The matter is settled now. We apologized privately too, and the Vice President accepted it. But Uncle brought it up again in a public setting, which damages our credibility.”

After all, in the eyes of the public, State Security dealt with the highest level of secrets and wasn’t supposed to make mistakes. One mistake and their credibility would be compromised. When Jiang Junlin brought it up, Chen Liangdong knew that there would be a storm.

Gu Ziyu lazily lounged on the couch. “The most suspicious part of this whole thing is that the bank is following the national policy, but why is Uncle so dominant?”

Gu Ci had completely changed her view of Jiang Junlin.

Steady and composed, the CEO of Hualan Bank wouldn’t intercept State Security’s gold.

Even more so, he wouldn’t go against the policies and force Black Hawk into a corner.

Though Black Hawk was under Jinyun Group’s control, it was actually a state-owned asset of Country M. If Jiang Junlin forced it into a corner, truly causing it to collapse, it would become a financial matter that would escalate to the level of the State Council. Diplomatic means would have to be employed, and it would be a major hassle.

Gu Ziyu said, “During the nickel squeeze event, Black Hawk suffered heavy losses, and Ji Chi was demoted. When he first came to City A, he was very high-profile and offended many people. Now that he’s fallen on hard times, everyone is giving him a hard time. Last night at the financial round table, he was also challenged by someone, and he ended up drinking three bottles of white wine and was sent directly to the hospital.”

“What about your brother?” Gu Ci inquired.

“Oh, about my brother…” Gu Ziyu’s words were enigmatic. “His heart is like iron. He didn’t even spare a glance and just left.”

Gu Ci sighed.

Gu Ziyu’s clever mind suddenly had a thought. “I think Ji Chi is trying to garner sympathy, but who knew he’d be throwing longing glances at a blind man? Uncle doesn’t even respond to his tactics.”

Gu Ci affectionately ruffled his hair. “Let them handle their own affairs. Have you taken your leave?”

“I have!” Gu Ziyu grinned. His trip abroad wasn’t an easy feat. He had recently achieved merit, and his academic load was heavy. With Christmas approaching, Chen Liangdong finally relented and allowed him to go abroad.

The condition was that Chen Liangdong wanted Chen Fei to accompany him.

Gu Ci had bought a plane ticket for Chen Fei and sent him the ticket number. It was a last-minute purchase, so they couldn’t get a first-class ticket, only an economy class ticket. But Chen Fei didn’t mind at all.

Zhou Jinjin had a photo shoot to attend, so she would leave for the trip one day after Gu Ci and the others..