Lu Chengzhou got up not long after and started gently massaging her shoulders as if he was afraid that her shoulder had gone numb. “Will you be drawing lots for the second round of the competition tomorrow?”
Gu Mang hummed an assent.
The balloting ceremony for the team debate was supposed to be held today right after announcing the written test results, but due to the earlier incident, it was postponed to the next day instead.
Unable to imagine his fiancée participating in a debate, Lu Chengzhou asked uncertainly, “The rules state that only four members of each team will participate in the team debate. Will you be one of them?”
“No,” said Gu Mang lazily. “I’ll be the audience.”
Lu Chengzhou raised his eyebrows unsurprisingly. “I’ll send you to the Academic Center tomorrow.”
“Okay.” When Gu Mang realized that she had run out of sweets, she naturally reached her hand into Lu Chengzhou’s pocket to get some.
…
Back at the hotel, they could hear Qin Fang and the others playing cards as soon as they opened the door of the suite. Upon entering, Gu Mang saw a few new faces.
The group tossed their cards aside when they saw Lu Chengzhou. Following Qin Fang’s and He Yidu’s greeting, the newcomers bowed their heads and respectfully greeted them. “Young Master Lu, Ms. Gu.”
While Gu Mang dipped her head slightly in acknowledgment, Lu Chengzhou lifted his chin in Lu Yī’s and Lu Qi’s direction, signaling them to put away the gifts they had brought back from the Bai family.
Gu Mang removed her cap and turned toward Lu Chengzhou. “I’m going to the room.”
“Okay. Sleep if you’re tired. I have some things to settle first.”
“Mm.” Gu Mang then slowly made her way to the bedroom.
Only when the bedroom door closed did Lu Chengzhou retract his gaze and walk over to the sofa. “What have you found out?”
One of the newcomers respectfully answered, “We can’t find out anything about 102 Research Base’s internal structure. Only the four major clans know about this place, but even so, they have very limited information about it. Only a handful of the senior management have free access to it…”
…
In the bedroom.
By the time Gu Mang, together with Xingmu International Corporation’s IT team, fixed the bugs and problems related to their new engine project, half an hour had passed.
Her grandfather’s words came to mind as she gripped her phone in hand. She had not been able to figure out the purpose of Ye Junci’s sudden visit to the capital, but now that she knew that Lu Chengzhou was expanding his influence on Jijing Island at a rapid rate, she figured that his mother must have found out about it and thus came to look at him in person.
Why is he expanding his influence? With her eyes lowered, Gu Mang leaned back against the chair and tapped the side of her phone against the table. She was deep in thought when her phone screen suddenly lit up, indicating that she had a new unread message.
[Jiangsui: Sister Mang, Responsive Dragon ran into Lu Chengzhou’s men on Jijing Island’s black market.]
[Gu Mang: …]
[Jiangsui: According to Responsive Dragon, Lu Chengzhou now controls 80% of the black market. Responsive Dragon was targeted by Lu Chengzhou’s men during a transaction and is currently outnumbered by them…]
Gu Mang narrowed her eyes.
[Jiangsui: What should we do?]
[Tell him to stay still. I’m going over now,] replied Gu Mang before shoving her phone into her pocket. She then stood up and left the room.
Lu Chengzhou and the others were in the middle of a discussion when she emerged from the room and approached them. His voice trailed off as he looked over instinctively. “What’s wrong?”
She stopped in front of him. “A friend of mine got into a fight with your men while dealing on the black market.”
While Lu Chengzhou remained silent. Qin Fang’s eyes bulged and his heart leapt into his throat. Did we… offend another of her friends again?
…
At the black market.
Both factions were in a standstill.
After Lin Shuang blew up Lu Chengzhou’s villa in Country K, Lu Qi was transferred back to the capital while Peng Yan was dispatched to Jijing Island. The latter was the leader of Lu Chengzhou’s team on the island.
Responsive Dragon’s exotic face looked quite dark at the moment. Just you wait! I’ll teach you guys a lesson once my fifth brother arrives!
