Chapter 129: Jiang Lai Takes the Initiative to Attack

There are many people in the world with similar facial features, and Gu Zhiyan would not doubt his own father just because Jiang Lai and his father share slightly similar brows and eyes.

He had heard since childhood the celebrated tale of his father abandoning a political career to go into business for his mother.

In his thirty years of memory, his father's care for his mother could be described as meticulous.

Gu Zhiyan withdrew the scrutinizing look in his eyes and said to Jiang Lai: "Miss Jiang, shouldn't you restrain your friend's words and actions?"

Jiang Lai glanced at Ke Zhongying and asked, "What's wrong with what she said?"

Ke Zhongying replied, "What's wrong with what I said?"

Gu Zhiyan said, "Miss Jiang, hasn't President Shen already…"

Shutong is still present, so he doesn't make it explicit.

Jiang Lai caught on; Lawyer Gu already knows about her divorce from Shen Xun.

Jiang Lai looked at Lin Shutong, "Lin Shutong, were you seeing each other during the period my marriage to Shen Xun was still in effect—yes before, but not now?" She added, "I look forward to hearing news of you marrying Shen Xun."

This remark, landing in Lin Shutong's ears, was a bare provocation.

If Jiang Lai doesn't agree to divorce, how could she marry Shen Xun?

It also mocks that her and Shen Xun's past wasn't aboveboard, and that their future cannot be aboveboard either.

Lin Shutong grew so angry his face flushed and his ears reddened.

Gu Zhiyan frowned, looking at Jiang Lai: "Where there is room to be merciful, be merciful."

Jiang Lai retorted with the same words, "Has Lawyer Gu ever shown mercy to the opposing counsel in court?" She added, "Where there is room to be merciful, be merciful, Lawyer Gu."

The lawyer expounded legal theory; there is no "where there is room to be merciful" in that.

Jiang Lai sending him that line is no different from not mocking his profession.

Gu Zhiyan instantly turned a sour face.

Ke Zhongying said, "Young Master Gu, does Uncle Gu know what kind of person you are defending in A City? Being a mistress, using back doors, and even leaking secrets."

Putting aside the first two, Gu Zhiyan couldn't tolerate the last, and said, "For matters without evidence, Miss Ke, you'd better not speak recklessly. Does Aunt Nian even know that Miss Ke is befriending someone without parents?"

Most wealthy‑family parents avoid their children dealing with people who have no parents.

Whether in marriage or friendship, rich parents have an invisible set of expectations for their children.

The match must be of equal social standing.

Elite relationships often carry resource‑binding attributes; a person without parents lacks family backing, cannot form resource complementarity, and to the elders of the elite this is merely a one‑sided taking.

The lack of parents also implies an absence of family tradition and upbringing; in parents' eyes they also worry it will corrupt the child carefully nurtured by the family.

Although the Ke Family in A City and the Nian Family in B City are not linked by marriage, when Ke Zhongying's parents wed, everyone said it was a perfect match of equal standing, a match made in heaven.

So the Ke Family, like the Nian Family, values lineage.

Gu Zhiyan's remark "without parents" ignited Ke Zhongying's fury; she put her hands on her hips, about to scold.

Jiang Lai seized her hand, not wanting Ke Zhongying to stand up for herself and thereby affect Ms. Nian and the Gu family's relationship.

She would herself launch an attack on Gu Zhiyan: "Lawyer Gu, those words don't sound like someone with parents."

Gu Zhiyan: "Sharp‑tongued."

Jiang Lai: "Having teeth and jaws is stronger than a headless, brainless person."

Lin Shutong seemed to notice; since Jiang Lai's identity was made public, she has been panting, her tone pitched high, and she looks down on everyone.

"Jiang Lai, does Ah Xun know you've become so uncultured?"

"Does Shen Xun know you came to dine with another man?" Jiang Lai retorted, "Don't you want to make it official?"

Lin Shutong felt the mockery again.

She didn't want to appear uncultured before Gu Zhiyan, and thus wore a face of grievance.

The man's protective instinct rose; Gu Zhiyan said to Jiang Lai, "Miss Jiang, that's enough."

"Hey, Mom." Ke Zhongying, at some point, dialed her mother's phone and, in front of everyone, asked, "Do you know who I'm going to dinner with tonight?"

She turned on the speaker.

Ms. Nian's gentle voice came through the phone: "Jiang Lai, haven't you arrived yet?"

"Just arrived at the restaurant, Mom. Would you mind that my friend has no parents?"

"Ke Zhongying." Ms. Nian's voice deepened, "Who taught you to speak such uncultured words?"

Ke Zhongying raised an eyebrow at Gu Zhiyan.

"Mom, I'm sorry."

She certainly wouldn't tell her mother that such uncultured words came from Gu Zhiyan; her mother and Uncle Gu still have a relationship.

Gu Zhiyan almost lost face.

The elders joined the dispute, and Lin Shutong and Gu Zhiyan left in a sour mood.

Watching the elevator doors close, Ke Zhongying cursed, "Truly speechless, a simple meal and we encounter something dirty. Sister Jiang Lai, are you alright?"

Ding.

A message popped up.

Ms. Nian: 【Ke Zhongying, after dinner come back to me immediately.】

Jiang Lai pointed at her phone, worried, "Are you okay?"

Ke Zhongying pressed her lips; her mother called her by full name, indicating she was a bit angry.

"It's fine, it's fine, I have another trick."

"Hm?"

Ke Zhongying, in front of her, sent a long text to her older brother, recounting what just happened and the anger from the uninformed Ms. Nian.

She then sent one more line.

【You are my older brother, help me, let's go home together tonight!】

……

Downstairs of the restaurant.

Lin Shutong comforted Gu Zhiyan: "Don't mind it, Eldest Miss Ke is used to being spoiled in A City; since Jiang Lai became friends with Ke Zhongying, she's also gotten more high-profile."

Gu Zhiyan scolded: "Fox borrowing the tiger's might. You're usually like this, not saying a word?"

Lin Shutong gave a bitter smile: "Nothing much."

Gu Zhiyan asked again: "Shen Xun isn't helping you?"

Lin Shutong smiled even more bitterly.

As she lifted her gaze, she saw a familiar license plate.

"Ah Xun?" her heart jumped; Shen Xun wouldn't be here to catch them in the act, would he?

"Zhi Yan, sorry, Ah Xun came to pick me up; you should go back to the hotel and rest early."

Gu Zhiyan glanced at the Bentley that had just stopped at the curb, a flicker of displeasure crossing her eyes.

"Go on."

"Bye, Zhi Yan, keep in touch by phone."

"Okay."

Lin Shutong walked straight toward Shen Xun, her steps lightening; she just knew Ah Xun would come find her after he finished his business.

Shen Xun had come by following Ke Zhongying.

Last night he watched Ke Zhongying enter Nanshan Villa; he couldn't go in, so he could only have the driver keep watch.

As expected, in the evening the driver called him, saying Jiang Lai was sitting in Ke Zhongying's car.

He immediately called a car over, deciding to sit in his own car and wait for Jiang Lai to finish her meal and come down.

If he went upstairs to the restaurant to find someone, Eldest Miss Ke's ivory-less mouth would surely cause a scene in the restaurant.

"President Shen, it looks like Miss Lin has come over."

"Shutong?" Shen Xun hadn't noticed Lin Shutong at all.

The next second, the driver opened the car door, and Lin Shutong naturally got in.

"Ah Xun, you finally have time to come see me; it's really cold, my hands are freezing, warm them up." She shoved her hand into Shen Xun's hand, knocking the wallet he had just been holding out of his hand.

Shen Xun frowned, bent over to pick it up.

Lin Shutong was a step quicker in picking it up; inside the wallet's transparent compartment lay a plain ring.

Another was worn on Shen Xun's ring finger.

Obviously that one belongs to Jiang Lai.

Ah Xun had just been staring at Jiang Lai's wedding ring?

Was he thinking of Jiang Lai?

And he had even put his own one on.

When she returned to the country, she hadn't seen Ah Xun wearing a wedding ring, but now he actually is wearing one!

How come? Knowing Jiang Lai is more capable than her, does he want to dump her!