Chapter 36
Late summer, early autumn. The summer heat gradually dissipated, and a cool breeze carrying the fragrance of grass and trees blew through Shu Ci’s hair.
This was his second visit to the government service hall.
Compared to the anxiety he felt last time when he updated his ID, his mood was significantly more relaxed now.
Gu Lan Zhu’s threats still lingered, but from his previous lonely and estranged state from Lu Wan Qing to now owning the entire island and having a relationship with his “cheap husband” based on exchanging secrets, Shu Ci felt his efforts had not been in vain.
The service center was still bustling with people. Shu Ci walked upstairs and saw several cameras set up in the most prominent position in front of the main entrance. He paused, noting the scale, it looked like a live broadcast.
Approaching, he saw a familiar figure standing in front of the camera.
—It was the reporter he had met at Shen Ti’s house.
As Shu Ci approached, the media crew was packing up. Reporter Zhao put down his microphone, met Shu Ci’s gaze, and gave him a familiar smile.
“Hello, Mr. Shu.” Shu Ci was about to bypass the scene and enter the hall, but unexpectedly, Reporter Zhao greeted his colleagues first, then walked towards him, “We meet again.”
Shu Ci was slightly stunned, then put on a formulaic smile: “Reporter Zhao.”
The reporter’s eyes held undisguised inquiry. Shu Ci almost immediately saw that he seemed to have something to say.
Standing at the entrance of the government building wasn’t ideal, so before the security guards came out, Shu Ci went around to a side door. After stopping, he spoke in a gentle tone: “We’ve only met twice, and you already know my name. I should say—”
Shu Ci tilted his head and glanced at the name of the media outlet on his ID.
“As expected of Chao Xi She?”
Zhao Qin Feng, Chao Xi She’s ace reporter, grinned slightly: “Overpraise. Because someone previously requested that our agency publish a missing person notice about you in print and online media, and then someone withdrew the request, so…”
Shu Ci raised an eyebrow.
Shen Ti had already received news from her elder brother, so this was probably the work of Gu Lan Zhu or the Shu family?
He chuckled lightly: “Because of the harassment from someone I dislike, my partner took me out for a break. I didn’t tell anyone, which may have caused some confusion for certain people.”
The words were false, but he believed Lu Wan Qing wouldn’t mind such a harmless lie.
While Gu Lan Zhu could suppress public opinion, the large cast he hired for the play would inevitably spread some absurd rumors. If Reporter Zhao were to interview the Shang Jiang family in the future, just like he interviewed Cui You’s family, he would also have established a persona for Lu Wan Qing as a member of the Gu family in advance.
A hint of surprise crossed Reporter Zhao’s face, and then he let out a long sigh of relief.
“It’s fortunate that you’re safe and sound! Recently, we’ve been conducting street interviews for election opinion polls, and quite a few people have suffered aggressive physical harm from supporters of opposing sides after their interviews aired. Now, the agency barely allows us to do on-camera live broadcasts of citizens.”
Hearing this, Shu Ci recalled that Reporter Zhao was conducting street interviews near the tea shop where he and Shu Cui had afternoon tea the day he kicked Gu Lan Zhu into the hospital. He couldn’t help but ask curiously: “Have there been any changes in recent public opinion?”
The original book’s plot never mentioned the parliamentary elections. It seems Gu Lan Zhu’s uncle’s position had not been shaken.
According to Shen Ti, after the incident of Gu Lan Zhu being kicked into the hospital by O spread among the wealthy families, some opposing families secretly released some embellished stories on social media. He wondered if Gu Yi Yuan’s support rate could still be as dominant as in the book.
“The changes are huge.” Reporter Zhao sighed, “The poll drafts are exceptionally difficult to write. Making them readable without provoking criticism is even harder.”
Shu Ci looked at his dark circles and didn’t smile.
Their relationship wasn’t deep, and obviously, Reporter Zhao didn’t intend to confide in him, but he still gleaned a lot of information from the reporter’s words.
If it were simply a presentation of data, there wouldn’t be any difficulty.
These grassroots media outlets are all backed by certain families or companies. The difficulty indicates that the trend of the polls contradicts Chao Xi She’s stance. It’s less about avoiding being scolded by the public and more about avoiding being scolded by their big boss.
Shu Ci pondered, as if opening up a new avenue of thought. If Gu Yi Yuan no longer held the dominant position of power as in the book, would Gu Lan Zhu’s abilities also weaken accordingly?
He gratefully glanced at Reporter Zhao, thanking him for the inspiration.
Before leaving, he said meaningfully: “No matter how difficult it is, you must still state and express, because that is the power you possess.”
In the original book’s abusive love plot, Shu Ci almost died once because of Gu Lan Zhu’s admirers’ smear campaign.
Labels such as “shameless unmarried Omega,” “climbing the ladder,” and “disabled person with a ruined gland” were all slapped onto him. The original owner, already suffering from postpartum depression, couldn’t bear the pointing and whispering, and sent the child to Gu Lan Zhu before taking pills in the night.
The plot always arrived at the perfect time, allowing Gu Lan Zhu to appear just in time. While accepting his lover’s repeated torture, the domineering CEO’s retaliatory anger affected many people. The ringleaders who started the trouble were crushed into dust by him through public opinion.
Perhaps this was a refreshing experience to some, but Shu Ci only felt nauseous.
Whether it was Gu Lan Zhu’s admirers or Gu Lan Zhu himself, they clearly knew how sharp the blade of language was. Choosing to stab others mercilessly was filled with the arrogance of those in power.
From beginning to end, only the original owner bore all the malice.
“You seem to be in a bad mood?” The Beta woman at the service hall handed him a cup of warm water. “Don’t worry, our review process has both speed and quality control. You won’t have to wait too long. It’s just that the change of land ownership needs to be registered in the national system. This step of review is relatively slow.”
Unlike changing his ID, the highly confidential process of inheriting an island was on the top floor of the service center. From the moment he entered the elevator, he received VIP-level treatment; he could even see the progress of each step of the process on a tablet.
Unexpectedly, even the mood of the service staff was taken into account.
Was this the treatment of the wealthy?
“Thank you.” Shu Ci took the water but didn’t drink it.
Thanks to Zhao Qian, he had completely learned not to eat or drink alone when he was out.
Lu Wan Qing’s message arrived timely, preventing him from awkwardly listening to the staff’s enthusiastic efforts to cheer him up.
Lu Wan Qing: [When do you expect to finish? My people have already set off from the base.]
Shu Ci: [Half an hour.]
Lu Wan Qing: [Did you bring your work permit?]
Shu Ci: [Yes. Aren’t you in a meeting? Why are you replying so quickly?]
Lu Wan Qing: [Tea break.]
When Shu Ci received the last message, the process had just reached biometric verification, so he didn’t have time to reply and followed the staff to operate.
Lu Wan Qing didn’t get a reply, his fingertips tightened slightly as he held his phone, his eyes deep.
Something didn’t seem right.
Even when there were signal development time limits at the base, he hadn’t been as eager for his message as he was now. This was the first time Lu Wan Qing had been affected by “read but not replied.”
The person who had been replying instantly suddenly stopped replying. Had something else happened?
Halfway through the tea break, Lu Wan Qing had already sent Shu Ci’s well-prepared promotional video plan to the twelve generals. Each plan was unique, and with eighteen creative ideas presented, every general couldn’t help but exclaim.
Even one who wasn’t very friendly with Lu Wan Qing was captivated.
Those praises belonged to Shu Ci, and he shared in the glory, so he subconsciously wanted to share it with him.
But before he could speak, Shu Ci stopped replying.
General Lu looked at the clear sky outside the window, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. For some reason, a part of his heart felt as if a piece was missing.
“The procedures are officially completed. You can take a look at this handbook. The island management companies listed here have all passed strict government standard assessments. If you need third-party commission later, it is recommended that you prioritize those with qualifications.”
“Thank you.” Shu Ci had already decided to choose the same agent as Lu Wan Qing.
The staff, with a warm smile, handed the manual to Shu Ci with both hands, quietly observing him.
Unlike those who became extremely high-profile after buying an island, this Omega gentleman remained calm and indifferent throughout. Except for the occasional bewildered look in his eyes, there was no trace of extravagance.
His process was secret inheritance, and all stages involving personal privacy, including signatures, were conducted in private rooms. Most of the tedious paperwork was handled by automated systems, and the auditors were several special staff members who had signed lifelong confidentiality agreements with the government.
As for their reception roles, they only knew that his appointment number was marked with five-star importance, and they didn’t even know which island he had inherited.
The staff took him to the elevator and sent him downstairs: “The system just notified me that there’s a shuttle service after the procedures, the driver is waiting for you in the parking lot.”
Shu Ci raised his eyes, narrowed his eyes alertly, and his steps out of the elevator were hesitant.
Could Gu Lan Zhu’s hand have possibly reached into the government service center?
He didn’t know if the shuttle service and the person Lu Wan Qing sent to pick him up were the same group, so he slowed his pace towards the parking lot.
He sent a message to Lu Wan Qing while walking: [The service center says I have a shuttle service, did you arrange it?]
The staff took him to a black car, and the driver got out and showed his work ID to verify his information with the receptionist. Shu Ci glanced at it, and the patterns on their work IDs were the same.
This obviously wouldn’t be Lu Wan Qing’s person.
Shu Ci thought to himself, retracting his gaze, when he suddenly felt a gaze falling on him from inside the black car.
The black car window’s anti-peep film didn’t reveal anything, Shu Ci took a small step back.
At this moment, his phone vibrated, and Lu Wan Qing actually called.
The alpha’s low voice was slightly hoarse, and the background sound seemed to be the noise of a meeting ending: “You can recognize my people by the license plate. The shuttle service has nothing to do with me; be careful.”
“Okay, husband.” Shu Ci clutched his phone, changing his demeanor to act. He didn’t know if this shuttle service was abnormal, but he had to appear as if he had someone backing him.
Unbeknownst to him, Lu Wan Qing trembled violently on the other end.
Just as he was thinking about how to find an excuse to leave, a horn sounded behind him.
Turning around, he saw a young man in military uniform jump out of an off-road vehicle, a casual smile on his lips, walking slowly towards him. Shu Ci saw the golden license plate on the car and breathed a sigh of relief.
He didn’t notice the young man approaching, and when he looked at him, a look of curiosity and excitement flashed in his eyes.
“Yuan Yu District Commander.” The young man extended his hand towards Shu Ci, “Your work permit has been officially activated today. I’m here to pick you up for work.”
Shu Ci turned around and gave the staff at the service center a light smile.
“Thank you for your trouble.” He bowed slightly to the driver, “I have someone picking me up, I’ll go first.”
The staff member suddenly snapped back to her senses: “Okay, okay, no problem. If you have any other problems, you can always make an appointment to contact us.”
Her gaze followed the two as they left, fixated on the young man in military uniform.
So, he had connections with the military, no wonder he had to go through confidential procedures.
Shu Ci walked to the off-road vehicle, his peripheral vision still on the black car. Perhaps due to the enhancement of his pheromone abilities, he could clearly feel that the gaze from inside the car had never left him.
He remembered that the call with Lu Wan Qing hadn’t ended yet, and quickly said after getting into the car: “My ride is here, I’ll hang up then?”
Lu Wan Qing had already heard the sound from his end, and hummed softly.
He quickly added: “Give the phone to him.”
Shu Ci was taken aback and turned his head.
He saw the young man just fastening his seatbelt, lowering the sun visor, and casually putting on sunglasses. This behavior and appearance seemed a bit familiar.
He handed the phone to the young man: “Lu Wan Qing wants to talk to you.”
After speaking, he couldn’t help but think of the incident where he snatched Lu Wan Qing’s sunglasses from him at Shen Ti’s door.
Wasn’t this young man Lu Wan Qing’s fanboy?
“Hello boss? Yes, I’ve picked him up.” The young man lowered the car window, “I saw it, it’s a black car, the license plate is dark blue and black, there’s nothing wrong, but—”
“Just say it.”
“But the driver looks a bit familiar. He doesn’t look like a government employee. He looks like…someone from the mayor’s office.”
Shu Ci pricked up his ears, his brows furrowed.
Someone from the mayor’s office looking for him. Could it be Gu Lan Zhu’s uncle?
Lu Wan Qing didn’t know what else he ordered, only hearing the boy’s crisp response.
After the two finished their call, the young man cleared his throat before starting the car: “I forgot to introduce myself, I’m Lu Shangjiang’s subordinate, Yuan Yu District Commander Yu Xingxing. I may not drive as steadily as I sail, but I’ve never violated any traffic regulations, please rest assured!”
Shu Ci wrinkled his nose and resisted the urge to cover his ears.
This Yu Xingxing’s voice was extremely loud, clearly a veteran of shouting slogans, almost deafening.
Hey, wait a minute.
Yu Xingxing? Wasn’t this name the crazy loyal dog of Gu Lan Zhu’s white moonlight in the original book?
In the clichéd and misunderstanding-filled substitute plot, Gu Lan Zhu had a bamboo horse who was positioned as his “white moonlight.” In the early stages of the plot, everyone regarded the original owner as the substitute for the white moonlight.
Yu Xingxing was this white moonlight’s ultimate lickspittle.
When Gu Lan Zhu publicly showed his affection for the original owner, and the white moonlight was heartbroken, it was this Yu Xingxing, blinded by love, who firmly believed that the original owner had stolen Gu Lan Zhu from the white moonlight and launched a crazy revenge on the original owner.
Shu Ci: …
So it was you, kid.
He silently shrank towards the car door, lowering his eyelids: “Lu Wan Qing’s person, I’m still at ease.”
Driving skills are reassuring, personality needs further observation.
Yu Xingxing saw him coldly looking away, blinking blankly.
He was the one who, besides Lu Wan Qing, first observed Shu Ci using his pheromones to deal with unknown creatures through a telescope in the Dragon Thorn Island waters. He was full of respect and curiosity for Lu Shangjiang’s partner.
He stepped on the gas pedal, feeling inexplicably sad.
He, Yu Xingxing, was the social butterfly of Yuan Yu, loved by everyone, even Lu Shangjiang was somewhat indulgent towards him when he was in Yuan Yu.
Why does Mr. Shu seem to dislike him so much?
Author’s Note:
Shu Ci: Thanks for the invitation, PTSD from a Level 10 reader of the original work.
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