Chapter 386 - Chapter 386: Third Master Is Really Too Corny
Chapter 386: Third Master Is Really Too Corny
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
He didn’t even know how to be grateful. He shouldn’t have spoken to the Chen family so evenly. Why should Lu Zhiyuan be so high and mighty? He should have been more submissive, and strike where it hurts.
“Third Master, there must be a misunderstanding in all this. Right after your accident, I called to inquire about your condition. When you were brought here, I investigated, and it was indeed not our doing. It was a decision made by a branch of our Chen family, acting recklessly. I will provide an explanation to Third Master.”
Chen Liangyou had to take a step back, feeling cornered. On his way here, he had considered that if Lu Zhiyuan compromised a bit, this incident could be forgotten. But if Lu Zhiyuan insisted on pursuing it, he could find a scapegoat.
Rong Li and Li Jiang exchanged glances, as if they had anticipated this. Rong Li was on the verge of bursting into laughter!
“What kind of explanation are you willing to give?” Lu Zhiyuan leaned forward, smiling somewhat casually. This was a side of Third Master that the Chen family had never seen before. In their impression, Third Master was as cold as ice, never one to smile or speak so casually.
“It was my luck that I survived the fall off the cliff along with the car. That was a certain-death collision. So, I’m very curious, what kind of explanation does Mr. Chen intend to provide?”
His tone was gentle, but it sent shivers down one’s spine.
Chen Yang said, “Third Master, please don’t be so aggressive. We’ve said that we will provide an explanation.”
“I survived a near-death experience and I want an explanation. How is that being aggressive?” Lu Zhiyuan continued to smile. “If you can’t come up with one, let me make a suggestion. Let’s push him off a cliff too. If he’s still alive after that, we can let bygones be bygones. How about that?”
Li Jiang almost burst out laughing. Third Master, you’re too ruthless. Isn’t this taking a life?
Rong Li clapped her hands. “Great idea! An eye for an eye. 1 think it’s excellent! 1’11 volunteer to be the one to take the fall!”
Everyone else was left speechless.
“Third Master, are you planning to sever ties with our family?” Chen Liangyou asked in a deep voice.
He was confident that Lu Zhiyuan wouldn’t dare to completely cut ties with the Chen family. After Jiang Junlin’s identity was exposed, he should understand who he was dealing with. Jiang Junlin had connections that he lacked, and Hualan Bank was a financial powerhouse. Jiang Junlin almost monopolized domestic financial assets. How could he compete with Jiang Junlin? He had no choice but to seek cooperation with the Chen family.
“It seems Mr. Chen wants to part ways completely with me,” Lu Zhiyuan’s expression turned cold. “You want my life, and yet you expect me to continue cooperating with you. That’s wishful thinking.”
“This time, it was a decision made by the branch without my knowledge,” Chen Liangyou sighed. “Originally, I wanted to protect him. But now it seems I have no choice but to speak the truth. Chen Rushi has always had connections with our family. When he was in Black Hawk, 1 tried to support him. He had the ability and ambition to become the owner of Black Hawk. You, Third Master, were a newcomer, and he had some grievances. The Chen family had a strong foundation on that side. Later, due to a momentary mistake, you expelled him from Black Hawk, and he joined the Triad. Now that Jiang Junlin’s identity has been exposed, being the Triad leader has become a hot potato. He’s not willing to give up, but he also knows it’s futile, so he acted recklessly. How you choose to deal with him is up to you. Our main family truly had no knowledge of this.”
Chen Liangyou had no choice but to push Chen Rushi into the spotlight. Originally, it was a plan that would have been a sure hit, a certain-death plan. If Lu Zhiyuan had died, and Gu Ci had died as well, Jiang Junlin would definitely not reconcile with Black Hawk. At that time, he could find another scapegoat, and Black Hawk would return to Chen Rushi’s hands, which he could easily control. He never dreamed that Lu Zhiyuan would survive. This made the situation very tricky.
With Lu Zhiyuan alive, the situation became complicated!
If he gave up cooperation with the Chen family, whom would he choose instead? Apart from his arch-nemesis Mr. Zhang, there were others in the same faction. If he chose Mr. Zhang, and he and Jiang Junlin joined forces, their faction would be squeezed out. If he chose the same faction, the position of the Chen family’s leader might not be secure. No matter how he chose, the Chen family would lose terribly. He shouldn’t have listened to Chen Rushi’s one-sided account and made that impulsive decision. Now, he was trapped and had no way out.
“So, this was Chen Rushi’s doing?” Lu Zhiyuan inquired.
“Yes, he’s audacious and daring. The Chen family won’t provide any assistance to Chen Rushi in the future. If you wish to punish him, we won’t intervene either. We just hope that you won’t hold any grudges, as this matter has nothing to do with our Chen family,” Chen Liangyou explained.
“If he’s a member of the Chen family, how you deal with him, Mr. Chen, is your business. I won’t interfere,” Lu Zhiyuan coughed. “I’m not feeling well, so I won’t keep you any longer.”
With arrogance, Lu Zhiyuan gave the order to escort them out. Chen Yang was infuriated and wanted to reprimand him, but Chen Liangyou stopped him. Chen Liangyou spoke amicably, “Then, we won’t disturb Third Master’s rest.”
Li Jiang escorted them out, and Rong Li poured a glass of water for Lu Zhiyuan. “Third Master, are you just going to settle things with the Chen family like this?”
“Do I look like a pushover to you?”
Lu Zhiyuan sighed. “Chen Rushi is, at most, a troublemaker. He’s ambitious and capable, but he wouldn’t offend me without reason. It’s clear that the Chen family is shifting the blame.”
“Chen Rushi is far away in Europe, and Chen Liangyou can’t control him. There’s not much he can do unless he really can’t accept it. He’s a cunning old fox,” Lu Zhiyuan took a deep breath. “No need to rush this matter.”
Chen Yang was still upset, and he said angrily, “Dad, Lu Zhiyuan is just too arrogant. He dares to talk to you like this. If it weren’t for you supporting him behind the scenes these past two years, he wouldn’t have been so successful. It’s like biting the hand that feeds him.”
“Stop it!” Chen Liangyou said sternly. “Can’t you see the bigger picture? If Gu Ci and Lu Zhiyuan fall in love and get married, the Triad and Black Hawk will eventually unite. Jiang Junlin won’t cooperate with us. Do you want him to become even more powerful?”
“Jiang Junlin almost killed him too. They’re even. He won’t stand on the same side as Jiang Junlin,” Chen Yang argued.
“Don’t forget about Gu Ci!” Chen Liangyou furrowed his brows. “Call your uncle and ask him to come home. I have something to discuss with him.”
“Yes!”
A University started its new semester, and the second half of the academic year began.
Gu Ci, Qin Wan, and Gu Ziyu went to register together. Gu Ziyu had a heavier academic workload, so he had temporarily suspended his work and focused on his studies. Gu Ci and Qin Wan were also busy with their work after the start of the school year.
Dr. North divided her time between her duties in the Triad and her role as a visiting professor. She no longer held regular clinic hours, which gave her more flexibility. During Gu Ci’s recovery period, she temporarily assumed the role of the Triad’s leader. Besides studying, Gu Ci spent her time on her music, finding solace in its melodies.
When she played music, she often lost track of time and forgot about her pain. Gu Ci had a deep passion for music, something ingrained in her genes. Dr. North encouraged her to play music during her leisure time or explore new interests.
Qin Wan was the belie of the National Defense Information Institute, exuding a commanding presence with her beauty and grace. Women liked to be friends with her, and men enjoyed having her as a companion, making her the department’s most scandal-free beauty. Initially disinterested in joining any clubs, Gu Ci was persuaded by Qin Wan to participate in the basketball club, debate club, and taekwondo club. Her extracurricular activities expanded greatly, and despite her cool and silent demeanor, her outstanding appearance earned her the affection of many. The club activities became vibrant and colorful with her presence..