Chapter 413 - Chapter 413: Happy Boy Ziyu
Chapter 413: Happy Boy Ziyu
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
After the matter was exposed, Gu Ci was worried about Ziyu’s situation in the Ministry of State Security. She talked to him, knowing that Ziyu was not exactly a child. After a deep conversation, Gu Ci was reassured. She understood that this was his career and his challenge to face, and she would assist Jiang Junlin.
“This is confidential, no comment,” Gu Ziyu said mysteriously, finishing his fruit and finally turning to the cold dishes.
Ten cold dishes were served one after another, and Gu Ziyu picked up two pieces of spare ribs with his chopsticks.
Jiang Junlin said, “What kind of secret is this? Let’s talk about it.”
Gu Ziyu was a little afraid of Jiang Junlin. This matter was also related to him. He continued while nibbling on the ribs, “When my dad’s identity was exposed, I talked to the old man once, and when my uncle’s identity was exposed, I also talked to the old man. The old man also investigated me. Although my identity is still a mystery and can’t be explained clearly, he still chose to trust me.”
Qin Wan admired, “You’re really brave!”
Rong Li frowned, “Didn’t anyone give you a hard time?”
“I told you, no one would give a hard time to a little kid. If they have any ideas, they’ll find the old man, and as long as the old man can handle it, it’s fine.” After eating two pieces of spare ribs, Gu Ziyu’s hunger was somewhat alleviated.
“Is it that simple?” Ji Chi was puzzled.
“If you say there’s no impact at all, that’s not true. My actions have been recorded by Old Chen’s team, and the old man checks from time to time. Some people also try to find fault from time to time. It’s like solving a simple math problem. If I want to climb to the position of the head of the Information Department, I might be able to take office two years after getting my Ph.D., but now it might take five or six more years. I don’t mind this time cost at all.” Gu Ziyu didn’t mind at all. “True gold fears no fire, and as for this time cost, I don’t care.”
Lu Zhiyuan and Jiang Junlin actually knew that their identities would definitely have an impact on Gu Ziyu. Originally, following Chen Liangdong would have been a straightforward path, but now they had to undergo many tests of loyalty, which was very unfair to Ziyu.
Fortunately, Gu Ziyu was only close to them in terms of relationships, not legally related to them.
If they were legally related, Gu Ziyu would definitely be expelled from the Ministry of State Security.
Even with Chen Liangdong’s protection, at most, Gu Ziyu would be an off-the-books employee. There was no chance of him taking over Chen Liangdong’s position. Everyone tacitly understood this and never brought it up.
“In case someone decides to have a DNA test, that would be disastrous,” Ji Chi’s statement was quite surprising.
Gu Ziyu clicked his tongue, “1 don’t look like anyone, who would bother to test our DNA?”
Jiang Junlin, who had too much free time on his hands, retorted,”…”
He was indeed suspicious and had secretly gone for a test!
“Don’t be so sure!” Jiang Junlin said coldly. “If you want to continue on this path, you should still handle the aftermath properly. Don’t let anything go wrong.”
Since Jiang Junlin learned about Gu Ziyu’s identity, he had already helped him with the aftermath, providing him with a series of background details. Fortunately, Gu Ci and Lu Zhiyuan were still young, and no one suspected that they were a family of three. If they were a few years older, it would be harder to explain.
Gu Ziyu’s smooth sailing was, of course, a good thing. But if someone decided to cause trouble, a perfect background could be arranged for him.
As a young man in his teens with a hearty appetite, Gu Ziyu scanned the cold dishes before finally getting to the hot dishes. Only he, Rong Li, and Qin Wan were eating seriously. Qin Wan and Rong Li had had a strenuous fight earlier, which had consumed a lot of energy.
Lu Zhiyuan, on the other hand, had no appetite as he wondered if Gu Ziyu’s pain was related to him. Gu Ci was focused on observing Lu Zhiyuan’s condition, and the atmosphere between Jiang Junlin and Ji Chi was subtle, leaving everyone without much appetite.
When all the hot dishes were served, Rong Li, who had a rather straightforward personality, noticed something.
“This restaurant serves Chinese food, but there’s no scallions or garlic in any of the dishes? Several of these are stir-fried dishes, even someone with basic cooking skills knows these are essential ingredients.”
Qin Wan said, “My master doesn’t eat them.”
“Why doesn’t he eat them? Does that mean he’s depriving us of what we want to eat?” Rong Li teased, looking at Ji Chi, and finally realized why Ji Chi’s Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup never tasted right.
So, Jiang Junlin is a picky eater!
Qin Wan arrogantly replied, “Because this restaurant belongs to my master!”
Lu Zhiyuan and Rong Li both looked at Ji Chi, thinking, “You arranged the meeting place, but you chose to meet on Jiang Junlin’s turf?”
Rong Li gave Qin Wan a sarcastic thumbs-up, and Gu Ziyu changed the topic, asking Qin Wan, “Did Brother Rong and Qin Wan fight?”
“Look at your injuries!”
Rong Li and Qin Wan smirked and still seemed ready to go at it.
Gu Ziyu was curious, “Who won?”
“I did!” Rong Li and Qin Wan said in unison, each refusing to admit defeat.
“It’s hilarious! With your appearance after the fight, you still claim victory?” Qin Wan showed her bruised arm. “I fought injured; otherwise, I would have disarmed you!”
“Empty boasts. We were all injured,” Rong Li was nursing injuries too. He had thought of going easy during the negotiation between Lu Zhiyuan and Jiang Junlin, but he didn’t expect Qin Wan to go all out.
“Go fight outside again!” Jiang Junlin spoke up. Qin Wan, seeing an opportunity to back down, and Rong Li, who didn’t want to bring it up again, let it go. The feud was settled.
Lu Zhiyuan frequently served dishes to Gu Ziyu. After spending time with him, he had learned what his son liked to eat. Gu Ziyu loved meat and wasn’t picky, enjoying all kinds of dishes with a sweet taste.
To outsiders, it was indeed a heartwarming scene of a loving father and filial son.
He had missed Gu Ziyu’s growth and felt remorse for not being able to protect him from the inhumane treatment he had endured. He always wanted to make it up to his son. Gu Ziyu accepted him without reservation, eating heartily.
However, Gu Ziyu suddenly handed a large chicken leg to Ji Chi. “Have some!”
Ji Chi smiled and ruffled his hair.
Gu Ci, Lu Zhiyuan, and Jiang Junlin all suddenly lost their appetite.
“Why did you only give food to Ji Chi?” Lu Zhiyuan asked.
Gu Ziyu hesitated for a moment, realizing three pairs of eyes were on him. He was sitting beside Gu Ci at a round table. To his right were Jiang Junlin and Qin Wan, and to his left was Ji Chi, Lu Zhiyuan, and Rong Li.
“Because he’s sitting next to me,” Gu Ziyu quickly improvised. He had noticed Ji Chi looking unhappy, so he thought giving him a big chicken leg would help. Little did he know he was poking a hornet’s nest.
“Gu Ci is also sitting next to you,” Qin Wan pointed out.
Gu Ziyu explained, “My mom only eats vegetables and fruits at night.”
Rong Li shook his head and joked, “So, baby, you need to be fair.”
Gu Ziyu was not one to indulge them. “You can eat whatever you want; I don’t care.”
Everyone was left speechless.
Jiang Junlin gave Ji Chi a glance. Since their second negotiation meeting, Ji Chi had been avoiding his gaze. Even when their eyes met by chance, there was no spark in Ji Chi’s eyes.
Jiang Junlin felt a slight pang of discomfort. He had accepted the outcome calmly, but he still felt hurt.
Ji Chi was naturally stubborn and sensitive. How should he handle Ji Chi?
What should he do?
Thanks to Gu Ziyu’s presence, the meal proceeded relatively peacefully, without any tension..