Chapter 115

The police left.

Jiang Lai went to have lunch with Professor Cheng and the members of the project group, while representatives from other companies were also on the same floor.

The bidding would open at two in the afternoon, and everyone was waiting.

However, compared to who would win the bid, everyone's thoughts were still on the matter of President Shen of Star Universe Technology and Lin Shutong.

Whether it was from the perspective of leaking secrets or marital infidelity, the impact of this incident was enormous.

Star Universe Technology would suffer a heavy blow this time, and the Fu Family would likely be shaken as well.

Now it all depended on how the Fu Family handled it.

This incident also made them understand Ke Zhongyu's ruthlessness even more: he either didn't make a move, or if he did, he would put the other party to death.

Everyone's gaze toward Ke Zhongyu became one of both respect and fear.

Everywhere Ke Zhongyu passed, there was a chorus of "President Ke."

He passed by calmly, without any response, until he caught a glimpse of Jiang Lai sitting in the crowd, at which point his footsteps paused.

Special Assistant Zhou also looked over.

Not only was Miss Jiang appearing here, but she also had a group of companions with her, one of whom he had seen at a cocktail party; clearly, Miss Jiang's identity was not ordinary.

Presumably, President Ke had long since guessed it; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so calm when he saw Miss Jiang downstairs this morning, and he wouldn't have forced Miss Jiang to take the same elevator as him.

"President Ke, our dining location is ahead." Special Assistant Zhou reminded him—President Ke, don't keep looking, don't end up harming your sweetheart like Lin Shutong.

Ke Zhongyu naturally understood this principle, withdrew his gaze, and walked forward.

At this moment, Jiang Lai looked up and happened to see Ke Zhongyu's side profile as he turned.

Quickly.

She withdrew her gaze.

Jiang Lai received a voice message from Ke Zhongying.

"Sister Jiang Lai, what are you doing? Have you been following today's news? My brother went to bid for the Self-developed Chip Project led by Old Cui. Our whole family is watching, and it's making me a little nervous."

"I don't know if my brother will win the bid, but we'll know when we watch the news this afternoon; the official media will report it."

"Actually, I'm still looking forward to it. I want to know who is taking over this project after Old Cui leaves. You have to say, the person taking over this project must be amazing! Last time I went to the cocktail party, I didn't find out any news at all. This time, I must see who it is!"

Jiang Lai converted the voice to text; just looking at the text, she knew how nervous and excited Ke Zhongying was on the other end of the phone.

She typed: 【Saw it, and then?】

Ke Zhongying: 【I'll go pester them, throw money at them, and ask them to make an exclusive chip for my bionic robot!】

Jiang Lai smiled lightly: 【I'm busy for now, I'll contact you later.】

She put away her phone and finished lunch.

The time reached two o'clock.

The media had also arrived.

Everyone who cared about this matter sat in front of their screens, waiting for the tense and exciting moment.

Various companies in the industry, as well as the Ke family, the Shen family, and so on.

The Ke family was waiting for Ke Zhongyu to appear in the media's lens, and the Shen family was waiting for Shen Xun and Lin Shutong to appear in the media's lens—if they appeared, it meant they had won the bid.

However, the media had a delay.

While people outside were still waiting, the institute leadership had already announced the winning company.

"Congratulations, Ke Clan."

As the loud voice fell, the major companies first felt a wave of disappointment and sighs, then turned to cast envious gazes toward the Ke Clan.

The employees of the Lanchuang Research and Development Center couldn't help but cheer loudly; even the usually calm and steady Special Assistant Zhou showed a big smile at this moment, clenching his fist and saying happily: "Yeah. We won!"

The people from the Ke Clan and Lanchuang all showed joy, unable to hide their excitement, and even stood up to fist-bump each other.

Professor Cheng clapped his hands.

The applause gradually rose.

The applause was thunderous.

Ke Zhongyu, as the head of the Ke Clan, sat calmly in the crowd, surrounded by cheers and applause.

The man nodded slightly, raised his hands, and clapped lightly, slowly, and rhythmically, congratulating the Ke Clan and himself.

Composed and noble.

Ke Zhongyu's peripheral vision locked onto the seat where Jiang Lai was sitting again; he looked up toward the front left.

Jiang Lai happened to look up, and their gazes crossed through the crowd and collided gently.

Jiang Lai curled the corners of her lips.

Congratulations.

Ke Zhongyu raised his eyebrows slightly.

Same to you.

The signing ceremony would be held here at three o'clock, and the institute cordially invited representatives of major companies to stay and observe the ceremony.

Ke Zhongyu looked at Special Assistant Zhou, instructing everyone to check their attire and pens, and to familiarize themselves with the process again to ensure that there would be no mistakes in the signing ceremony later—not even the smallest mistake.

Professor Cheng's side was also busy checking the contracts, pens, and paper, while confirming the process with Jiang Lai and the others.

"After the signing ceremony, you will have an awards ceremony where corresponding honors and bonuses will be awarded. It will also be here, and the media will be there."

Professor Cheng looked at Jiang Lai: "The media won't ask too much at the signing ceremony, but they probably will at the awards ceremony, and it might even involve your private life. Jiang Lai, you need to be mentally prepared, but they won't ask questions that are too excessive. Answer what you want to answer, and you don't have to answer what you don't want to. You are a national hero now, and the media won't dare to offend you."

Jiang Lai nodded, pursed her lips, and said: "Where is the water?"

Professor Cheng suddenly smiled: "Nervous?"

It would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous. Jiang Lai nodded.

Xiao Qian also smiled, stood up, and said: "I'll go pour water for Senior Sister."

Jiang Lai drank cup after cup of water, making herself go to the bathroom frequently.

Ke Zhongyu noticed.

"President Ke, do you want to check again?"

"I'm going to the restroom."

Ke Zhongyu stood up and walked toward the restroom.

Jiang Lai came out after using the restroom and ran into Ke Zhongyu at the sink; the man was bending over to wash his hands, but his eyes were fixed on the mirror above the sink.

Through the mirror, his gaze met Jiang Lai's.

"President Ke." Jiang Lai walked to his side, reached into the sink, and let the cold water run over her palms.

Ke Zhongyu finished washing his hands, straightened up, and looked at her leisurely, not speaking for a long time, but instead handing out a box of mints.

Jiang Lai looked at the iron box in his hand and didn't speak either.

Ke Zhongyu had no choice but to speak.

"Not poisoned."

"Wakes you up."

Jiang Lai certainly knew it wasn't poisoned, but she didn't understand why he was suddenly giving her mints.

Before she could reach out to take it, Ke Zhongyu seemed to lose patience, opened the box, put one in his own mouth, took out another, and moved closer to her.

The mint was pressed against her lips.

"Open your mouth." The man's voice was beyond dispute.

Jiang Lai opened her mouth as if by magic, and the cool taste spread in her mouth.

Ke Zhongyu left with satisfaction.

Jiang Lai chewed the candy in her mouth, making a crunching sound, and the taste became increasingly cool.

She shuddered all over.

This candy really did wake her up.

At the same time, Lin Shutong, who was at the police station, could no longer sit still and asked back: "Have you finished investigating or not? I'm in a hurry to go back and attend the signing ceremony!"

"Lin Shutong, you have already been kicked out of the project group. The signing ceremony has nothing to do with you, and this project has nothing to do with you."

"What?!" Lin Shutong slapped the table with both hands, her eyes almost popping out.

"Don't be excited. Regardless of whether you are in this project or not, you are not the one signing."

Shen Xun in the next interrogation room asked: "Which company won the bid?"

Under the spotlights and media lenses.

Ke Zhongyu and Jiang Lai sat opposite each other, lowered their heads to sign their names on the contract, then handed it to the other party to continue signing.

The signing was complete.

Both parties stood up and shook hands.

Ke Zhongyu: "Happy cooperation, Dr. Jiang."

Jiang Lai: "Happy cooperation, President Ke."

The two faced the camera, and with a click, their photos quickly swept the headlines of major media.

Jiang Lai's identity was completely exposed at this moment.