Chapter 196: Sourness

Li Dan was the first to notice something off about Gu Yinxue, not because Ke Zhongyu had chosen an orphan and not her, but because Jiang Lai is an orphan.

Earlier, when he saw Jiang Lai, he felt that Jiang Lai bore a slight resemblance to Uncle Gu.

But looking at Gu Zhiyan, he felt nothing; even Gu's own son had no suspicions, so what was he suspecting for?

Gu Yinxue's reaction again aroused his suspicion.

Seeing Gu Zhiyan off through security, Li Dan said, "Do you also feel Jiang Lai looks somewhat familiar?"

Gu Yinxue's already anxious heart almost jumped into her throat.

"What do you mean?"

Li Dan opened his mouth, but still felt that saying Jiang Lai resembled your father or possibly was his illegitimate daughter sounded too presumptuous, so he once again chose to stay silent.

"Just felt a bit familiar."

Gu Yinxue could almost be certain that Li Dan had figured something out.

She gave a faint smile and said ambiguously, "It seems there is something, but I can't recall it."

Li Dan hurriedly added, "There are many people who look alike in the world; perhaps you've seen her somewhere, but it's not certain."

Gu Yinxue: "Li Shao is right."

Each harbored their own thoughts.

Gu Yinxue thought she needed to quickly uncover Jiang Lai's background, otherwise she would always feel uneasy.

……

In the private room.

Jiang Lai ordered many dishes and urged the server to hurry the kitchen.

Ke Zhongying curiously asked, "Why are we all coming to this private restaurant? Is it special?"

Jiang Lai: "The last birthday banquet for Mr. Shen was held here; I thought the food was good, mainly because you can eat authentic local dishes. Assistant Zhou, with a Chinese palate, has been eating foreign food abroad for so long that he'll probably crave local dishes when he returns."

The noticed Assistant Zhou felt warm inside; even if President Ke killed him with a glare, it wouldn't matter, because he truly couldn't stomach foreign food.

Actually President Ke also couldn't tolerate it; for short trips he could endure, but for long trips he always brought his own chef.

This time his business trip was neither short nor long, causing him to eat himself into seclusion several times; fortunately, President Ke's travel allowance was high.

Assistant Zhou bore President Ke's icy glare and explained, "Miss Jiang, you overestimate me; I'm just handling affairs for President Ke."

Jiang Lai glanced at Ke Zhongyu: "I know, it was him who asked you to help me investigate; I'll thank him."

Ke Zhongyu lifted his eyes and also looked toward Jiang Lai.

Their gazes briefly met in midair; the man's deep eyes seemed to carry a hint of stickiness, vanishing completely when he looked away.

The dishes arrived, and everyone began to eat.

Zhong Poqian recalled the looks Gu Zhiyan and Fu Daxiaojie had just given him, saying, "Lawyer Gu and Miss Fu probably recognized me; they might guess that Miss Jiang intends to recover the marital joint property."

Jiang Lai didn't care: "Gu Zhiyan only knows Lin Shutong is pregnant, unaware of Shen Xun's substantial financial support for Lin Shutong; Miss Fu knowing I want to recover marital joint property is no surprise; I haven't concealed anything from the Shen family or Shen Xun, they just think I can't find evidence, or they've also prepared ample evidence."

Zhong Poqian breathed a sigh of relief: "Our evidence chain is complete; only one thing, unless Lin Shutong says the child in her belly isn't Shen Xun's."

Jiang Lai recalled eavesdropping on Lu Hongyuan and Lin Shutong's conversation in the hospital that day, and affirmed: "At this point, the child is Shen Xun's; our country's prenatal paternity testing technology is mature, it can't be denied."

Suddenly, Ke Zhongying asked: "Wasn't it said that Shen Xun's relationship with Lin Shutong had been kept very delicate? If this evidence only proves Shen Xun cheated after Lin Shutong returned to China, then the previous three million per month wouldn't be recoverable, would it?"

Assistant Zhou said: "The results of my overseas investigation show that of the money President Shen gave Lin Shutong, only one-third was used for research, while the remaining two-thirds were spent on herself."

Zhong Poqian said: "If it doesn't constitute adultery, properly handled it could constitute fraud; a sixty-million-yuan fraud charge, imprisonment and full restitution— which would she choose?"

Jiang Lai hadn't thought of this either; hearing Zhong Poqian's analysis, she and Ke Zhongying stared at each other in shock.

Ke Zhongying excitedly raised her palm.

Jiang Lai understood, raised her hand and slapped hers once, a crisp clapping sound rang out.

Ke Zhongyu ladled a bowl of soup and placed it in front of Jiang Lai; Jiang Lai was happy at this moment, smiling and saying, "Thank you."

Ke Zhongyu suddenly wondered whether Shen Xun had ever seen such a smile many times before.

The first time he saw Jiang Lai she was crying; later, Jiang Lai was always aloof, only occasionally showing a smile in front of the playful Ke Zhongying, remaining cold toward others, always keeping her distance, not letting anyone approach.

After getting along for a while, he could finally see Jiang Lai's natural smile, but it was also rare.

Shen Xun and Jiang Lai had gotten along for four years, longer than he had.

Jiang Lai washed her hands and cooked soup for Shen Xun, while juggling two busy, demanding lives; for four years, she loved him for four years.

In short, Shen Xun must have seen Jiang Lai's smile, and many times.

Ke Zhongyu suddenly felt a tinge of sourness.

He picked up the warm water and drank it all in one gulp, trying to neutralize this sour feeling.

"Brother, why do you keep drinking water?" Ke Zhongying looked at him and said, "Are you trying to save money for Sister Jiang Lai?"

Jiang Lai also said, "The price at this private restaurant is okay; this table I ordered isn't expensive."

Ke Zhongyu's fleeting sour thought vanished instantly; his deep gaze looked at Jiang Lai, then at the bowl of soup before her, and he coldly urged, "Drink it."

Jiang Lai lifted it and silently took a sip.

After that mouthful of hot soup, her appetite was completely opened.

Everyone was eating.

Ke Zhongyu timely added: "Don't worry about whether the Fu family knows we're going to sue; this only concerns when Shen Xun leaves Star Universe Technology, how he leaves, whether he goes or not— that money Lin Shutong must repay."

The last sentence rang out resoundingly.

After finishing dinner.

Ke Zhongyu gave Assistant Zhou three days of paid leave; Assistant Zhou smiled and said, "Thank you, President Ke."

Jiang Lai saw Zhong Lü and Assistant Zhou off as they left.

Ke Zhongying worried on the side; her brother had driven over, she had also driven over, she wanted Sister Jiang Lai to ride in her car, and her brother surely also wanted Sister Jiang Lai to ride in his car— what to do?

Mainly, she also wanted Sister Jiang Lai to become her sister-in-law.

"What are you thinking about?" Jiang Lai looked at Ke Zhongying, "Are you coming back to Nanshan Villa with me tonight?"

"Sure!" Ke Zhongying grabbed her arm in one swift motion, quickly tossed her older brother and sister-in-law out of her mind, and pulled her toward her own car.

Ke Zhongyu: "……"

"Jiang Lai."

He called out to her.

Jiang Lai stopped in her tracks and turned around.

Ke Zhongyu: "This way."

He gestured for her to get in his car, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Ke Zhongying glared at her older brother, "Do you absolutely have to fight over this? Whose car you ride in doesn't change that we're going home!"

Jiang Lai spoke up: "I'll sit with Chongying on this side."

Ke Zhongyu looked at his smug, over-the-top sister and ordered: "Ke Zhongying, you're sitting here too."

"What about my car?"

"I'll have the driver take it back."

"Who will drive your car then?"

Ke Zhongyu ground his teeth: "I'll drive."

"Great!" Having the esteemed Ke Clan head act as driver was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; Ke Zhongying handed her car keys to the driver and then got in.

Jiang Lai didn't follow right away; instead, she saw Ke Zhongyu take the driver's seat and silently took the passenger seat.

There was no reason, emotionally or logically, to let the other person drive alone; if the passenger seat stayed empty, wouldn't that just make her the driver? Jiang Lai understood this principle well.

Jiang Lai was fastening her seatbelt when Ke Zhongying's head popped up from behind the seatback, and she just managed to call out: "Sister Jiang Lai……"

Her older brother's big hand reached toward her head and forcibly pushed her back down.

Ke Zhongyu said coldly: "Sit properly."

Ke Zhongying: "……"

You can't even say a word, and even before you've caught her, your possessiveness is this strong—once you do, you'll surely issue an order forbidding anyone within ten li, male or female, from coming near!