NOVEL NEXT Chapter 359 - 359: Brother Is Free
Chapter 359: Brother Is Free
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Gu Ci stared fixedly at the entrance of MSS Gate. While she quietly pondered, both Dr. North and Qin Wan felt a bit uneasy. Qin Wan asked, “Cici, what are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking about Lu Zhiyuan,” Gu Ci blurted out.
Dr. North and Qin Wan exchanged puzzled glances, and Gu Ci, realizing her slip, quickly corrected herself, “1 mean, I’m wondering why he’s so quiet.” “What’s wrong with that?” Qin Wan didn’t quite understand. “Even if Black Hawk doesn’t actively intervene, they’re likely watching from a distance, waiting to reap the benefits.”
Gu Ci shook her head, “Lu Zhiyuan and his brother have been trying to eliminate each other for so many years. With such a major incident happening in the underworld, his silence is unusual.”
“Maybe it’s because of you?” Qin Wan speculated.
Gu Ci responded calmly, “He and I are different.”
Dr. North felt a pang in his heart and whispered, “Cici, don’t dwell on it. Let’s watch how things unfold.”
Qin Wan, who always believed in fighting fire with fire, couldn’t help but be curious, “Cici, let me gossip a bit. If there’s a day when your master and Third Master are at odds, whose side are you on? What if they become enemies?”
Gu Ci gazed silently out of the window, offering no response.
Having been by Gu Ci’s side for so long, Qin Wan had some understanding of her personality. Gu Ci’s heart was like a desert, making it difficult for her to get close to anyone. No matter how kind others were to her, it might not warm her heart. She could only offer a fraction of herself.
For example, when it came to the Jiang family, Gu Ci worked tirelessly for Jiang Junlin because he genuinely treated her as a sister and protected her. But what about the rest of the Jiang family?
Gu Ci was somewhat indifferent toward them. If she saw a box of delicious snacks on the street, she might think of Lu Zhiyuan, she might think of Gu Ziyu, she might think of Jiang Junlin, but she probably wouldn’t think of the other members of the Jiang family.
She knew in her heart that they were her family, but she didn’t know how to love them. Gu Ci didn’t understand.
So, Qin Wan found it unexpectedly touching that Gu Ci was becoming close to Dr. North for no apparent reason.
“Qin Wan, why so many words?” Dr. Dr. North shook his head at Qin Wan.
“Just a bit of gossip,” Qin Wan said. “Anyway, if it were me, if anyone touched my family, I’d take them down.”
Gu Ci chuckled softly, “But… Lu Zhiyuan is also my family.”
“He’s not your husband; what does a boyfriend count as in terms of family?” Qin Wan shrugged. “If you said he’s your husband, 1 could understand, as he’s your closest person and the heir to your inheritance. But he’s just your boyfriend.”
Dr. North remained silent, and Gu Ci continued to gaze out of the window in silence.
In the MSS organization, even though Old Zhang had retired, his influence remained strong. When he arrived late and the confrontation between Jiang Junlin and Lin Qing had already started, he hadn’t heard the details. Chen Liangdong replayed the video and audio for him.
Old Zhang’s expression turned serious. “Lin Qing initiated this calamity with baseless accusations. He must take responsibility. Since we can’t provide evidence of Jiang Junlin’s betrayal, Old Chen, you must handle this impartially, without favoritism. If Jiang Junlin needs to go to court, let him go to court openly and fairly.”
The others felt a chill in their hearts. Old Zhang’s words indicated that he wasn’t going to protect Lin Qing, and there was a high probability that Lin Qing would be removed from his position.
“Yes, 1 understand!” Chen Liangdong replied.
Old Zhang made a final declaration, “Lin Qing, you’ve been incredibly foolish! Engaging in such actions without concrete evidence, not only did you act recklessly, but you also played right into their hands. How can I protect you now?”
“But 1 did it for…” Lin Qing tried to explain.
“Shut up! Do you want to make things even worse?” Old Zhang scolded him angrily.
The two of them locked eyes, and Lin Qing eventually gave in, dejectedly saying, “I understand, Dad.”
Old Zhang was furious and also remembered that he had another son. He had betrayed his marriage, adding to his anger. “You’re on your own.”
Gu Ziyu breathed a sigh of relief. His mother had successfully persuaded Old Zhang to abandon the sinking ship.
He was a smart person who knew what he had to do.
His mother also understood that uprooting a deeply rooted tree would not happen in one fell swoop. If they could bring down Lin Qing, that would be a satisfactory conclusion. But the matter with his uncle would not end so easily.
As Gu Ziyu had expected, after Jiang Junlin emerged from the meeting, he met with everyone individually.
An emergency meeting was convened.
Old Zhang did not participate; he was already retired and left after the matter was settled.
Jiang Junlin attended the meeting, which focused on the issue of the Dark Web’s leadership. Without proper supervision, they needed a solution that satisfied everyone. The discussion was heated, but Jiang Junlin remained silent. “Mr. Jiang, what do you think?” someone finally asked.
Jiang Junlin smiled and said, “I have no objections. I will follow the national arrangements. How about this, 1’11 step down, and you can appoint anyone you like. I’ve been the leader of the Dark Web for ten years, and I’m tired.”
The others were taken aback.
They wanted to diminish Jiang Junlin’s power, but they couldn’t afford to let him step down. If he did, the Dark Web would fall into uncontrolled chaos, and they would still have to listen to Jiang Junlin.
Even if he were to step down, it wouldn’t be now.
“Regarding Lin Qing’s situation, you have suffered unjustly. We have seen your hard work, and this resignation is just a rash decision. There’s no need to bring it up again. The Dark Web can’t do without you.”
“Yeah, that’s right…”
Everyone agreed, and the discussion continued. Jiang Junlin sipped his tea and remained silent.
Taking advantage of the tea-serving moment, Gu Ziyu discreetly poked Chen Liangdong.
Chen Liangdong chuckled and said, “This matter won’t be resolved quickly, and its impact is significant. It might be best to handle Lin Qing’s situation first. Once we’ve sorted out the aftermath, we can revisit this issue.”
Outside of MSS, as soon as Old Zhang came out, he saw Gu Ci waiting at the entrance.
His expression slightly darkened. The Jiang family’s children seemed to be born assertive and confrontational. Back when Jiang Mingyue had caused a scene at the wedding, it had caused him great embarrassment. Jiang Junlin insisted on investigating the matter thoroughly, which had forced him to sever ties with Lin Qing.
Gu Ci’s threat hung over him like a sword. Even if the Zhang family had nothing to do with this matter, both siblings were capable enough to pin this scandal on the Zhang family.
Only by publicly abandoning Lin Qing would Lin Qing face a public trial, and Jiang Junlin could completely free himself.
“Little girl, there’s plenty of time ahead!” Old Zhang said with a faint smile. “Don’t forget to come with your grandfather and uncle to celebrate the Lantern Festival.”
“Of course, I’ll be there!” Gu Ci replied.
Old Zhang chuckled and got into his car. Gu Chuyun had been a part of the Jiang family for eighteen years, and he had always been curious about how the Jiang family, known for their strong-willed and intelligent nature, had ended up with a granddaughter like Gu Chuyun. He had initially thought it was due to some genetic deficiency in the Gu family.
But now… it was all a misunderstanding!
At such a young age, she dared to issue a challenge to him. Her courage was undeniable, and he couldn’t help but admire it.
When Jiang Junlin emerged, the sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow across the sky. He stood on the steps of MSS, squinting his eyes as he gazed at the half-empty sky..