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Lu Zhiyuan remained indifferent, although Old Zhang’s proposed conditions were quite attractive, and he had the connections to fulfill them. Why agree to this negotiation and then shake hands with the underworld dark web?

To put it bluntly, the negotiation was about finding an obedient son. Who wants to find a stubborn father?

Once he cooperated with Jiang Junlin, there would be constant trouble in the future!

Jiang Junlin might not understand the unparalleled and dazzling presence of Lu Zhiyuan on the racetrack, but he understood the Third Master of the Black Hawk. From the beginning, Lu Zhiyuan had no intention of cooperating with Old Zhang. If his calculations were correct, Lu Zhiyuan had his own connections, and what Old Zhang could promise, he could obtain. What he sought, Old Zhang couldn’t deliver. So, he had no intention of agreeing from the start.

Gu Ziyu was genuinely concerned. As he descended the stairs, he tugged on Lu Zhiyuan’s sleeve. “Dad, can’t you make peace with Uncle? It’s always like this, and it’s also causing a lot of trouble for Mom.”

He had his selfish reasons; he didn’t want Gu Cici to be too troubled. He hoped for a harmonious family. Having experienced the tragedy of the previous generation, Gu Ziyu hoped for a happy and peaceful life for this generation. If Dad and Uncle couldn’t make peace, what would Mom do?

“I understand this matter,” Lu Zhiyuan rubbed his head. “Eat more and worry less.”

At such a young age, he was already so worried.

Gu Ziyu had a dark expression. With his family background, how could he not worry? How could he not worry?

Jiang Junlin and Old Zhang were still in the study discussing, so he left ahead to take a breather in the garden. Unexpectedly, he saw Gu Cici standing on a wooden stool, trimming plum blossoms.

Old Zhang had three red plum trees in the yard, and they were in full bloom, exuding a fragrant aroma. The stool was wobbling, and Gu Cici had to occasionally grab onto the branches. She had just trimmed three branches of red plum when she lost her balance and fell backward. Gu Cici hastily grabbed onto a branch, but unfortunately, it broke. She had thought she would fall to the ground, but instead, she fell into warm arms.

The two locked eyes, and Gu Cici heard her own heartbeat. She also saw the slight furrow in Lu Zhiyuan’s brows. Why did he come out so quickly?

Gu Cici calmly got up and distanced herself from Lu Zhiyuan.

She was wearing a white cashmere coat, holding red plums in her hands, and her beauty outshone the plum blossoms. Lu Zhiyuan’s fingertips twitched slightly, and he took a step back.

“What are you doing?” His tone carried a hint of displeasure.

“Grandma likes red plums, so 1 wanted to pick a few branches to take home,” Gu Cici said casually. There were also red plum trees in the Jiang family’s courtyard, but for some reason, they didn’t bloom this year, perhaps due to excessive fertilization. Grandma and Grandpa had been complaining about it, so when Gu Cici saw the red plum trees in the Zhang family’s yard blooming so beautifully, she wanted to borrow some blossoms.

“If I hadn’t arrived in time, you would have fallen to the ground.”

“It’s not that high; I wouldn’t have died!”

Lu Zhiyuan took a deep breath, took the scissors from her hand, and asked, “Which branch do you want to trim?”

Gu Cici looked at him, his posture tall and handsome, and her throat moved as she pointed to the tallest branch. “I want that one!”

Lu Zhiyuan glanced at it and said, “Gu Cici, are you doing this on purpose?”

“If you can’t do it, don’t boast!” Gu Cici taunted.

Lu Zhiyuan brought the wooden stool over and placed it under her feet. He then trimmed the highest red plum blossom for her. The petals of the plum flowers fell onto Gu Cici’s hair, adding an extra touch of elegance and beauty. Lu Zhiyuan asked, “Do you want another one?”

Gu Cici pointed to the highest branch opposite him. “That one!”

Lu Zhiyuan turned his head and gave her a faint look, then moved the stool to the opposite side and stood on it to trim another branch.

“Any more?”

Gu Cici took the red plum from his hand, sniffed the plum fragrance at the tip of her nose, and shook her head. “That’s enough.”

She turned and walked away, ignoring him. Lu Zhiyuan watched her coldly departing figure, his gaze dark and inscrutable. Only Gu Cici knew that she couldn’t look back, fearing she couldn’t control her feelings and attachment.

Not far away, Grandma Jiang and Lin Chunli, who had been secretly watching, exchanged glances. “Did they really break up?”

“Junlin said they did!”

“It doesn’t seem like it!”

“It really doesn’t!”

When Gu Cici returned, they stopped peeking, and Grandma Jiang happily accepted the red plum blossoms, praising them endlessly. Gu Cici’s cheeks were even redder than the plum blossoms.

Old Zhang and Jiang Junlin had concluded their discussion with smiles on their faces, seemingly in a good mood. Gu Cici couldn’t discern any clues from their expressions.

She couldn’t help but glance at Lu Zhiyuan a few times. If she remembered correctly, Lu Zhiyuan had come out early, and her brother, Jiang Junlin, and Old Zhang had talked for quite some time in the study. Were they avoiding a private conversation with Lu Zhiyuan?

Jiang Junlin served a piece of fish to Gu Cici. “Let’s eat!”

Gu Cici didn’t look again and began eating. The atmosphere at the table was lively, with the twin grandsons being coerced into performing their talents. It was a joyful meal. After dinner, they gathered to drink tea.

Lu Zhiyuan and Lu Ze left early, and Rong Li and Ji Chi were waiting outside. When Lu Zhiyuan came out, Ji Chi didn’t see Jiang Junlin and looked slightly disappointed.

“Third Master, what did Old Zhang want from you?” Ji Chi asked.

“As you might have guessed, it’s nothing more than cooperation.” Lu Zhiyuan rubbed his temples tiredly. This kind of socializing was necessary, but he didn’t actually enjoy it.

Lu Ze came over and knocked on the car window. Lu Zhiyuan rolled down the window, and Lu Ze said, “Would you like to celebrate the Lantern Festival together tonight?”

“I understand,” Lu Zhiyuan said.

Lu Ze had not expected much, but when he heard this, he was overjoyed and got into the car happily. Li Jiang drove, heading in a different direction than back to Global Center. It was the Lantern Festival, and Lu Zhiyuan had a few invitations to attend.

Ji Chi asked, “Since Old Zhang wants to cooperate, did he offer any attractive terms?”

“What attractive terms can he offer? What he can do, others can do as well. If I want to cooperate with the underworld dark web, I can approach Jiang Junlin directly without the need for him to be the intermediary. It would be a free benefit for him.” Lu Zhiyuan saw through it clearly. “Old Zhang has retired and wants to preserve the family’s honor. If the underworld and the Black Hawk both cooperate, it will be like adding wings to a tiger.”

“He does have a good plan. In fact, cooperation with him isn’t impossible. Old Zhang has a wider network and greater influence,” Ji Chi pointed out pragmatically.

Lu Zhiyuan understood this too but didn’t want to give in to Old Zhang’s wishes. “If I have the time and energy, I’d rather support Ziyu earlier. It’s always better to favor one’s son. That’s my priority.”

Ji Chi chuckled. “Third Master, Ziyu is still a baby, and he’ll have to listen to Chen Liangdong. Besides, 1 think Ziyu has a bit of your character. He’s determined, and even if you support him, there’s no guarantee he’ll reciprocate.”

Lu Zhiyuan asked in confusion, “Why should there be a guarantee of reciprocation?”

Ji Chi shrugged. “Even close brothers keep accounts, why not expect reciprocation?”

“Can’t 1 be a selfless father?”

“Third Master, do you have that image?” Ji Chi deadpanned.. “I don’t believe it!”