“Ever since Chengzhou cut the Blood Institute’s research funding and stopped the project, I haven’t been able to sleep well.” Old Madam Lu’s eyes drooped as she spoke slowly. “The research institutes under the Elders’ Association are full of talented people and Jijing Island’s research institute has patented countless medical breakthroughs. However, the Blood Institute has shown no progress at all…”
The development of modern medicine had only happened in the last century. Jijing Island’s progress in modern medicine was beyond others’ imaginations. What was more, the medicine supplied by the island was top secret.
Gu Mang knew better than anyone how difficult the research was. Furthermore, the various research institutes were just the tip of the iceberg. Deep beneath the surface lay 102 Research Base.
“One will still have something to look forward to if the research project continues. Once it stops, however, there’ll be nothing to look forward to,” whispered Old Madam Lu in a trance.
At the moment, Lin Shuang and the lawyers could only see that Gu Mang was silently staring at the laptop screen.
“Chengzhou is very opinionated and stubborn. We couldn’t persuade him otherwise, so we could only watch him disband the Blood Institute’s research team. So can you imagine just how happy I was when he started up the project again?” Despite Old Madam Lu’s calm voice, the smile on her lips indicated her emotions at that moment. “Later, I found out that he did it for your sake… Actually, no matter whose sake it was for, I’m relieved that the project was restarted.”
Her grandson would not have embarked on the project again had it not been for Gu Mang.
Lu Chengzhou had no regard for his life at all. In just a short few years, he built up Red Flame into an organization to be feared, offending the major power players on Mingyu Island. He would rather die than let someone else control his life.
Gu Mang was the same. Living to see the next sunrise on her own terms was everything to her.
That said, although Old Madam Lu was grateful toward Gu Mang…
The smile on Old Madam Lu’s faded as she slowly said, “I later found out that the Blood Institute was just one of his arrangements. What he was really after was the Elders’ Association. I can’t stand by and watch him get himself into a situation that’s far worse than the one he’s already in.”
Gu Mang pressed her lips together as she watched Old Madam Lu’s eyes reddened. Old Madam Lu seemed to be choked with emotions and it took her a long time before she finally raised her head once more. Her expression now was the friendly and amiable one that Gu Mang was used to seeing. Old Madam Lu looked at Gu Mang gently. “If you decide not to return to Jijing Island, these assets will be our betrothal gift to you. I’m proposing marriage to you on my grandson’s behalf.”
Shock was evident in Gu Mang’s eyes as she stared dumbly at the screen. She had not been expecting these words from Old Madam Lu. Betrothal gift? She’s giving me half of the Lu family’s fortune as my betrothal gift?
Lin Shuang, who had been paying close attention to Gu Mang’s emotions from the corners of her eyes, could not help but frown when she saw the look of shock on her face. What did Old Madam Lu say to her? I’ve never seen Gu Mang look so shocked before.
“It’s just a pity that… I won’t be able to see your wedding,” said Old Madam Lu regrettably.
There was a long silence after that.
“If you decide to return to Jijing Island,” said Old Madam Lu gently. “You won’t be bullied if you have the Lu Military Group on your side.”
Gu Mang stared at Old Madam Lu’s ashen face on the screen. If I don’t go back to Jijing Island, all the assets will be my betrothal gift. But if I go back to Jijing Island, all these assets will become my strength instead.
Her eyes drooped and she stayed motionless for a long time.
