Chapter 367: What Condition Can We Negotiate

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“Cici, regarding Lin Qing’s situation, I have to thank you. If it weren’t for you exposing his false facade, I would have remained deceived by him,” Zhang Jiaqi said sincerely. “1 owe you a favor. If you ever need help in the future, please let me know.”

Both Lin Chunli and Grandma Jiang didn’t know that it was Gu Ci who had exposed Lin Qing’s actions. They both looked at Gu Ci and asked, “Cici, what’s going on?”

Zhang Jiaqi was surprised and asked, “Didn’t Cici tell you?”

Gu Ci felt a bit uneasy. She hadn’t told her grandmother and aunt about Jiang Junlin’s situation, and she certainly couldn’t reveal anything about Lin Qing’s situation.

“I happened to see Lin Qing on vacation with his lover and child, so I informed Grandpa Zhang,” Gu Ci simplified the matter.

Lin Chunli and Grandma Jiang frowned, seeing through Gu Ci’s lie at once. Gu Ci wasn’t the type to meddle in others’ affairs, and it wasn’t like it was her best friend’s husband who was cheating. There was no reason for Gu Ci to expose Lin Qing, as they had no prior acquaintance with the Zhang family.

However, they didn’t express their doubts.

“Zhang Auntie, if 1 have acted inappropriately, please forgive me,” Gu Ci apologized gracefully.

“There’s nothing inappropriate about it. It’s better that this came to light sooner. It’s good for me and for the Zhang family. I’ve already drafted a divorce agreement, and I’ll be getting a divorce in a few days. I’ve been blind for so many years,” Zhang Jiaqi accepted the failure of her marriage with a calm attitude.

Gu Ci greatly admired how she handled the situation.

When Zhang’s daughters were busy preparing tea, Lin Chunli and Grandma Jiang finally inquired about the whole story. Gu Ci had no choice but to explain the sequence of events, omitting the part about Jiang Junlin being imprisoned, going on the run, and getting arrested.

Grandma Jiang playfully tapped Gu Ci’s hand, “Why are you so audacious? Coming to the Zhang family by yourself to find Grandpa Zhang. Don’t you have elders at home? For such matters, you should have informed us, and we would have dealt with it. Weren’t you scared?”

“I’m sorry, Grandma, Auntie. I know I was wrong,” Gu Ci tried to be cute like Gu Ziyu, “I won’t do it again. I won’t.”

“You better not!” Grandma Jiang said sternly. “You’re still a child. For major issues, you should let the elders handle them. Don’t take risks on your own. Remember that.”

“I remember, I remember!”

Lin Chunli playfully tapped Gu Ci’s nose, “You dared to do this for your brother. Auntie underestimated you.”

“We’re family, and when my brother was in trouble, I was really worried,” Gu Ci replied.

Lin Chunli found her words heartwarming. Gu Ci might be a bit cold, but she was deeply loyal. Thankfully, none of Gu Wenliang’s undesirable traits had been passed on to her.

In the study, Lu Zhiyuan, Jiang Junlin, Grandpa Zhang, Chen Liangdong, and Gu Ziyu were discussing matters related to national security, the underground world, and the Black Hawk and Triad. Gu Ziyu was mostly just listening.

Grandpa Zhang said, “Junlin, regarding the matter of the Dark Web, you’ve suffered unjustly this time. You have to trust your grandfather. I truly didn’t know about this. If I had known about Lin Qing’s actions, 1 wouldn’t have tolerated it. Don’t lose faith in us, and don’t be disheartened. This was a bloodbath caused by personal greed. Remember, it’s not for revenge; it’s for vigilance. This won’t happen again. Your grandfather and I have been friends for many years, and we’re lifelong old friends. We would never force you into such a situation.”

“Grandpa Zhang, I believe you,” Jiang Junlin said with a smile. “This matter was caused by Lin Qing, and it has nothing to do with you.”

Lu Zhiyuan sipped his tea calmly, and his attitude was almost identical to Jiang Junlin’s. They both listened attentively, eager to know the reason for Grandpa Zhang’s visit.

Grandpa Zhang looked at the two young men before him. Lu Zhiyuan was in his early twenties, and Jiang Junlin was not yet thirty, yet they were the leaders of the Black Hawk and Triad. He felt a pang of age but also satisfaction in seeing the emergence of talented individuals in the younger generation.

Grandpa Zhang said, “We always thought that Triad and Black Hawk were foreign enterprises, especially Black Hawk, which operated like international capital. We never imagined that these two major financial organizations were actually under our control. So, why should we fight each other to the death? Lu Zhiyuan, according to national security intelligence, Black Hawk intends to shift its focus to City A.”

“That’s our intention,” Lu Zhiyuan replied with a light smile. “National security’s information is quite reliable. We’ve just made some moves, and you already know about it.”

Chen Liangdong added, “We make our living from this line of work, so having reliable information is natural. However, while we’re well-informed, there are still gaps. For example, despite our information, we couldn’t uncover Third Master’s true identity, so there are many shortcomings.”

Gu Ziyu kept his thoughts to himself.

He would just remain a spectator. There probably wasn’t anything for him to comment on.

Lu Zhiyuan and Jiang Junlin, as the younger generation, were quite patient, and no one was in a hurry to ask Grandpa Zhang about his intentions. Grandpa Zhang also understood their thoughts and was confident in his position.

Grandpa Zhang said, “Junlin, Zhiyuan, you both are highly educated and talented young men. One has quietly contributed for ten years, and the other has brought numerous honors to our country. You are both our pride. Triad and Black Hawk share the same roots, so why rush into a life-and-death struggle? Resolving grievances and creating a shared interest community is what we should aim for. 1 invited you, along with Old Chen here, to my home to discuss your thoughts on a three-party cooperation. Are you willing? If you have any difficulties or concerns, feel free to express them, and if you have any conditions, you can also put them on the table for discussion.”

Lu Zhiyuan took a sip of tea, and Jiang Junlin poured himself a cup as well, but neither of them spoke.

Grandpa Zhang gave a subtle signal to Chen Liangdong.

Chen Liangdong said, “Having an open and honest discussion can be beneficial. At the very least, we’ll understand each other’s needs. If we can cooperate, that’s great, but if we can’t, there’s no need to force it.”

“If you want to hear the truth, then I’ll be honest,” Jiang Junlin said. “Lu Zhiyuan and I have irreconcilable differences, and reconciliation is simply impossible!”

“It goes both ways!” Lu Zhiyuan added, unapologetic.

Gu Ziyu, who had been silently observing, furrowed his brows. “You have irreconcilable differences, and even with me here, you can’t reconcile?”

Father and nephew!

Nephew and uncle, and they can’t reconcile?

“I have nothing to disclose,” Lu Zhiyuan said lightly.

Jiang Junlin smiled ambiguously, indicating the same sentiment.

Grandpa Zhang didn’t expect the conversation to come to an abrupt end, and Chen Liangdong, sensing his frustration, tried to defuse the tension. “Young people have such strong tempers these days. Isn’t Gu Ci in a relationship with Zhiyuan? Sooner or later, they’ll be family.”

“In a relationship?” Jiang Junlin asked. “Lu Zhiyuan, do you acknowledge it?”

Lu Zhiyuan remained silent.

Chen Liangdong began to doubt his information and his own eyes. “They broke up so quickly?”

He turned to look at Gu Ziyu, who shrugged. He couldn’t help with this matter, and he didn’t know either. His parents kept their lips sealed tight.

Grandpa Zhang wished these two were his subordinates so he could give each of them a good scolding.. “Let me rephrase: What conditions would it take for you two to reconcile?”