Chapter 73 - Chapter 73: Do You Have a Girlfriend?
Chapter 73: Do You Have a Girlfriend?
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Gu Ziyu was so infuriated that he devoured two more buns for breakfast. Then, he went to train with Chen Fei in a fit of anger. Gu Ci didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. After breakfast, she stayed at home and read a thick pharmacology book.
When Lu Zhiyuan came downstairs, Gu Ci was engrossed in a dense medical book, making extensive notes. Lu Zhiyuan sat by the bay window, silently observing her.
“Aren’t you going to train?” he finally asked.
“Are you Gu Ci?” Lu Zhiyuan asked with a serious tone.
Gu Ci raised her head and looked at him. “It’s really me.”
He shook his head. “I’ve obtained the medical records of that surgery. If you were able to perform it, then you’re not Gu Ci.”
She put down her pen and closed the tablet. Gently, she asked, “If I’m not Gu Ci, then who am I?”
“I’m asking you!” Lu Zhiyuan’s voice grew more hostile, his eyes filled with anger.
Gu Ci couldn’t reveal the truth, nor could she explain how she could perform surgery. “If you’re not Gu Ci and you’ve taken over her body, I’ll kill you!” he threatened, his presence exuding a domineering and malicious aura. He placed his hands firmly on the desk, confronting her.
An intense atmosphere filled the study room. Gu Ci was moved by the anger in his eyes. Before she could explain, Lu Zhiyuan stormed off, leaving her behind with a glimpse of his furious back.
Gu Ci sighed and slumped in her chair. She shouldn’t have performed that surgery and revealed herself. She was too young, only eighteen years old, and it was difficult for others to trust her.
She called Jiang Junlin and asked him to inform the hospital director that the surgery had been performed by Dr. North. She couldn’t expose herself, and the matter had to be kept confidential.
Jiang Junlin had already discussed this with the hospital director. The surgery video would be attributed to Dr. North, and Gu Ci’s involvement would be concealed to protect her.
Without a medical license and being so young, if this information were to be exposed, her career as a doctor would be over. Even if the surgery was successful, the director understood the gravity of the situation. Besides the people in the operating theater, this matter had to remain a secret.
The old lady regained consciousness on the third day after the surgery and was recovering well. Gu Chuyun turned pale when she learned that the operation had been successful. Apart from going out for afternoon tea with Zhou Jinjin, Gu Ci spent her time at home reading medical books. Occasionally, she would go to the stands to watch Lu Zhiyuan’s training.
On that day, as she watched Lu Zhiyuan compete from the stands, Gu Ci received a substantial sum of money—five billion yuan. Gu Ci raised an eyebrow in surprise. The sender was Gu Chuyun.
Jiang Junlin happened to come and find her, sitting next to her in the stands.
“Take this money. You deserve it,” Jiang Junlin sneered. “I gave her an ultimatum today. If she doesn’t pay up, she’ll receive a court summons.”
Gu Ci smiled. “Brother, if you need money, I can provide it anytime.”
“Alright.” Jiang Junlin hesitated. “Grandma wants to sec you.”
Gu Ci lazily leaned back, stretching her legs to bask in the sun. “Let’s wait until her body fully recovers. I don’t want to go to the hospital and cause unnecessary trouble.”
Jiang Junlin understood her reasoning. The doctors regarded her as a genius and wanted to engage with her. Gu Ci found it bothersome. She was always independent.
“That day, Grandma’s condition worsened because she was angered by Gu Chuyun. Gu Chuyun even abandoned her at her time of need. Luckily, Grandma dotes on her so much.” Jiang Junlin’s tone was cold. “Her condition is already beyond hope.”
Gu Ci asked curiously, “Brother, why have you never liked her?”
“Her intentions are sinister,” Jiang Junlin replied. “One should do things the right way, to sit properly, to stand properly—honesty and transparency.”
Gu Ci rubbed the space between her eyebrows. She thought of Ji Xiong, who was malicious and scheming, but adhered to a righteous and principled approach.
“What are you smiling at?” Jiang Junlin asked.
Gu Ci touched the corner of her lips. “Am I smiling?”
“You’re laughing.”
“Just…thinking of something amusing.” Gu Ci asked, “Brother, do you have a girlfriend?”
“No!”
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
Jiang Junlin was silent for three seconds. “Why would I have a boyfriend?”
Gu Ci was speechless.
The conversation abruptly ended. Gu Ci didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Gu Ci recalled something and asked Jiang Junlin, “Brother, have you found out who was behind your accident?”
Jiang Junlin stretched his legs and leaned back lazily, much like Gu Ci. “After I took over Hualan Bank, it grew rapidly. Naturally, it ruffled many feathers. It’s not surprising that I have enemies. I’ve investigated the matter, but it’s complicated, and I don’t have any leads.”
Lu Zhiyuan finished his training and walked over. Jiang Junlin noticed Gu Ci’s serious expression and said softly, “It’s inevitable to make enemies in business. Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle it.”
Gu Ci nodded. When Lu Zhiyuan approached, Jiang Junlin frowned. “What’s his attitude?”
“We… We had an argument.” Gu Ci stood up. “Brother, you can go back now.”
Jiang Junlin watched Gu Ci’s departing figure with a serious expression. He wanted to ask her why she could perform surgery and where her confidence came from, but he hesitated.
There were too many mysteries surrounding her. Despite her youthful appearance and occasional emotional outbursts, she possessed an unusual level of maturity and composure. She didn’t quite resemble an eighteen-year-old girl except in her appearance.
In the locker room, Lu Zhiyuan removed his helmet and loosened his training suit’s collar. He wiped the sweat from his face with a towel. Gu Ci leaned against the door, gazing at him. “Lu Zhiyuan, do you plan to ignore me forever?”
Lu Zhiyuan remained silent, his expression cold and distant. After wiping off his sweat, he headed to the bathroom.
Li Jiang approached from afar. When he saw Gu Ci, he quickly turned and avoided her.
Lu Zhiyuan took a quick shower and emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. His damp hair cascaded down his chest, and each movement showcased his perfectly sculpted, powerful physique. His upper body was strong and lean, his muscles well-defined. Broad shoulders tapered into a slim waist, even more slender than a woman’s. Sunlight filtered through, casting a golden glow on his body.
He put on his T-shirt and tossed the towel aside. Gu Ci blushed and averted her gaze. She silently chanted a mind-clearing mantra, her mouth feeling dry.
Her body seemed to yearn for and remember this figure.
Lu Zhiyuan walked past her, looking straight ahead. Gu Ci grabbed his wrist. “Lu Zhiyuan…”
“Let go!” Lu Zhiyuan’s voice was cold and low.
Gu Ci’s heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively released her grip. A hint of panic flickered in her eyes. She couldn’t determine if he was Third Master or Lu Zhiyuan. The two were becoming indistinguishable.
Lu Zhiyuan strode away, leaving Gu Ci unable to persist. It was too pitiful and heartbreaking. All she could do was watch him vanish from her sight.
In a gloomy mood, Gu Ci decided to use the Gu Corporation as an example. She took the five billion yuan that Jiang Junlin had given her and shorted the Gu Corporation’s stocks. In a single day, she had squandered one billion yuan. With the fake money and fabricated news, the collaboration between the Gu Corporation and Hualan Bank fell apart. The Gu Corporation, already facing financial difficulties, plunged even deeper into crisis. Gu Wcnliang struggled to stabilize investors, but now, with the short-selling, the situation grew even worse..