182tv大蕉蕉

Gu Ci had lunch and returned to the Blue Fields Villa. Both Dr. North and Gu Ziyu were still not awake. She packed some food and brought it back. Gu Ci took out a few vases and cut some flowers in the garden, arranging them in the vases.

As she arranged the flowers, she contemplated.

The supreme leader of the underworld had once betrayed to prevent Jiang Junlin from doing the same, there must be some form of restraint. The Jiang family was the best leverage, and with her brother holding a high position of power, there would be many contenders eager to replace him.

A financial institution as formidable as Hualan Bank—everyone desired it. It was the three generations of wealth and prosperity that the Jiang family’s Elder Jiang had secured with a lifetime of loyalty. Now it was Jiang Junlin’s turn to continue this legacy, and everyone coveted it.

In such a top-tier family, everyone was vying for power.

The division of power was necessary for stability, a principle that had held true throughout history. Someone would undoubtedly act as a check on her brother. These individuals couldn’t be identified, as human hearts were inscrutable, and she couldn’t afford to take risks.

Her brother’s temperament would surely leave a contingency plan. What kind of plan would that be?

Since the incident involving Lu Zhiyuan, both the Triad and Black Hawk were fraught with danger, with shifting loyalties. A wise man does not stand beneath a tottering wall. Given his unique status, he couldn’t risk being directly involved. He had to stay in Paris for a reason.

For Ji Chi?

Impossible. Her brother wasn’t the romantic type.

On New Year’s Eve, she had gone to see her brother… Wait, Gu Ci suddenly remembered that her brother had given her a gift just before New Year’s. A New Year’s gift was nothing out of the ordinary, but her brother had given her a bracelet.

Her brother was particular and proud, with high standards. He had once bid a sky-high price for a jade bracelet at an auction for her. That bracelet was the epitome of luxury. There was no way he would gift her another bracelet.

He could have given her earrings, a necklace, or even a bracelet, any piece of jewelry, but not a rose gold bracelet.

Putting down the vase, Gu Ci went into her dressing room. She retrieved the bracelet her brother had given her and accidentally knocked over the gift she had received from Third Master on her birthday earlier this year. She hadn’t opened it since it arrived. It spilled onto the floor, and when she opened the box, she found a cherry-shaped gemstone sculpture. Gu Ci raised an eyebrow, unable to suppress a light chuckle. This gift was truly imaginative—knowing her love for cherries, they had given her a cherry-shaped gemstone.

She put the gift back and took out the bracelet. Gu Ci closed the door, drew the curtains, and carefully examined the bracelet. The rose gold bracelet was about an inch wide. After undoing the clasp, she took out a screwdriver and unscrewed it.

A tiny chip fell out, no larger than a fingertip and quite thin. Gu Ci frowned at the chip. Her brother’s gift of the bracelet clearly had a hidden agenda. But why? He had truly left a contingency plan, yet not a word was spoken. How could he be so certain that she would understand his intentions?

“Brother, even though 1 love Lu Zhiyuan so much, do you still believe in me?”

Gu Ci held the chip, feeling its weight.

“Mom…” Gu Ziyu’s voice came from downstairs. Gu Ci put away the bracelet, placing the chip in her pocket. The MSS didn’t need him, so Gu Ziyu had slept in on the weekend.

“Is this Grandma’s osmanthus fish?” Gu Ziyu saw the steaming hot dishes on the table and smiled.

“Yes, Grandma knew you liked it and asked me to bring it to you.”

“Why didn’t you call me when you went back to the Jiang family, Mom?”

“You were sound asleep, and Mom brought back some artwork from Paris, so I thought I’d drop by.” Gu Ci saw that Dr. North was awake as well and invited him to eat, “Master, come join us for a meal.”

After Dr. North finished eating, he left the Blue Fields Villa for some business. Gu Ci brought Gu Ziyu to the study. “Ziyu, Mom needs your help with something, but you mustn’t tell anyone, okay?”

“Sure!” Gu Ziyu always did whatever Gu Ci asked.

“This is a bit special and related to your uncle. Your identity is also special, so no matter what you see or hear, you can’t tell anyone, including Chen Liangdong.”

Gu Ziyu pondered for a minute. “Okay!”

He would always protect his mother.

Gu Ci took out the chip. “This is a chip your brother gave me on New Year’s Eve, hidden in the New Year’s gift he gave me. 1 need you to decrypt it and find out what’s on it.”

Gu Ziyu looked at the chip, contemplating for a moment. He was also in a bit of a dilemma. Privately, he would always protect his mother, no matter what she asked him to do. Publicly, if the contents of this chip were related to national security, should he inform Chen Liangdong?

“Ziyu?”

Gu Ziyu took the chip. “Mom, no matter what 1 see, I’ll pretend I don’t know.”

“Okay!”

Gu Ziyu unlocked the chip. “Mom, this will take twelve hours. You should rest.”

Gu Ci didn’t wait in the room but had no interest in doing anything else either. She asked for the information on the projects Jiang Junlin had been working on in Hualan over the years and the details of Jiang Junlin’s trusted confidants from Jiang Minghua.

Global Sports Center.

After having lunch, Lu Zhiyuan had been reading books all day. He was recuperating, feeling mentally drained. When he woke up, he either answered calls or read books. He didn’t hold video conferences or bother with the affairs, leaving everything to Ji Chi and Rong Li. There was no need for constant reports.

After having lunch, the doctor came to check on him. His recovery was going well, and he had hardly suffered. After returning to the Global Sports Center, Lu Zhiyuan resumed reading, occasionally glancing at his phone.

It was one o’clock!

Today, the weather was exceptionally nice, with warm winter sunshine and a gentle breeze. It was very comfortable.

“Today is Saturday, right?”

“Yes, Third Master, do you have something in mind?” Li Jiang asked cautiously. Lu Zhiyuan’s mood didn’t seem good today, though he maintained his usual expression. Li Jiang could sense his displeasure.

Being with the Third Master was like being with a tiger, and that saying was particularly apt for him.

“It’s nothing!” Lu Zhiyuan replied coldly.

Li Jiang finally realized his mistake. He had failed to notice that the Third Master was upset because Miss Gu Ci hadn’t visited him since returning to the country. She had been busy catching up on her studies, and she hadn’t come to see Lu Zhiyuan.

Last night, she had come to see Lu Zhiyuan and had also inquired about Jiang Junlin’s situation.

Today was the weekend, and she hadn’t visited Lu Zhiyuan. This was unusual. Li Jiang knew that Lu Zhiyuan was the Third Master and didn’t think he would be upset. After all, the Third Master didn’t particularly like Miss Gu Ci.

But if it were the Third Young Master, he would have been furious.

“Third Master, if you want Miss Gu Ci to visit, you should call her!”

“Who said I want her to come!” Lu Zhiyuan said coldly. “If she doesn’t come, I don’t need to put on an act.”

“But if it were the Third Young Master, he would have been furious and would have called Miss Gu Ci to ask!”

Lu Zhiyuan was momentarily surprised, then he felt a hint of satisfaction. Finally, he had a reason to contact Gu Ci. However, he still asked Li Jiang in a cold tone, “Why didn’t you remind me?”

Li Jiang muttered to himself, “How is it my fault?”

Lu Zhiyuan picked up his phone and waved Li Jiang away. Li Jiang thought to himself that the Third Master’s acting skills were inconsistent. He had nothing left to complain about and retreated to the door. Lu Zhiyuan dialed Gu Ci’s number.

“Today is Saturday. What are you busy with? Did you forget about a bedridden boyfriend?”

Gu Ci was speechless..