Chapter 301: Fifteen-Year-Old Jiang Lai, I Am Your Guide for Today

Director Tang looked at Jiang Lai's amber eyes, shook their head: "Nothing."

There are many people who look alike in the world; one cannot assume a blood relation just because a side profile resembles another.

Besides, that is Mr. Gu.

Jiang Lai had been abandoned on the roadside back then; it was a freezing winter with snow falling everywhere, and the little Jiang Lai was born pink and cute—no one lacking cruelty could bear to abandon their own daughter in such a cold winter night.

Moreover, Mr. Gu has a daughter named Gu Yinxue.

Director Tang felt they must have been too eager to find the children's biological parents, forgetting that most of the kids in Fuli Yuan were abandoned, not lost; if they had been lost, with today's advanced information technology and DNA testing, families would have long been reunited.

Although Director Tang didn't mention it again, Ke Zhongyu still kept her earlier words and expression in mind, clearly directed at Jiang Lai.

Since it concerned Jiang Lai, he resolved to ask a few more questions before Director Tang left.

In A City, the zoo and botanical garden are not far apart; one passes the botanical garden first, then the zoo.

The car stopped in the parking lot beside the botanical garden, and the four got out.

Usually there are many people, and with the New Year holiday it was even more crowded; Ping'an timidly tugged at Director Tang's sleeve, not daring to look around, eyes darting only between Director Tang and Jiang Lai.

To prevent getting lost, Jiang Lai took out a child anti-lost device from her big bag, put one on her own wrist and one on Ping'an's wrist, and told Ping'an: "This way we won't get lost."

Director Tang smiled: "You even brought this."

Jiang Lai: "I've done some of the homework I should."

When Ke Zhongyu saw Jiang Lai produce the anti-lost rope, he was slightly surprised; seeing her use this rope to tether herself and Ping'an together, he regretted not having such a handy thing himself.

Jiang Lai noticed Ke Zhongyu staring at her wrist where the anti-lost rope was, and asked: "What's up?"

"Nothing." Ke Zhongyu withdrew his gaze, slightly lifted his chin to signal them to go ahead, and he would follow behind.

The four checked their tickets and entered; the signboard displayed a flower calendar.

In the January botanical garden, plum blossoms and narcissus were in full bloom.

Jiang Lai then took out her tablet from her bag; Ke Zhongyu saw her open a simple version of a PPT, the first slide being an introduction to plum blossoms—she was preparing to act as a guide for Ping'an.

However, upon seeing the PPT at first glance, Ke Zhongyu recalled what Chi Ce had once said: "From now on, when you're together, you must not argue using PPT."

A soft chuckle from Ke Zhongyu reached her ears; Jiang Lai looked up, thinking he found her PPT crude, though she wasn't there to present data.

Ke Zhongyu understood her gaze and asked: "Someday if we argue, will you also use a PPT?"

Jiang Lai hesitated slightly; "us arguing" presupposes a certain relationship—like good friends, or… lovers.

She knew Ke Zhongyu was best at taking advantage with his words.

"If there's a disagreement on a project, Mr. Ke doesn't like PPT; we can also use a mind map on our side."

Ke Zhongyu curled his lip: "Not falling for it."

He hid nothing of his feelings for Jiang Lai.

Jiang Lai almost got scalded by his deep, smiling gaze, withdrew her eyes, and led Ping'an to see the winter jasmine first.

Director Tang silently watched their interaction, not thinking of Ke Zhongyu's status, only seeing how Ke Zhongyu made the usually cold Jiang Lai show emotional changes, and felt a hint of joy.

Once she thought of Ke Zhongyu's identity as a scion of a wealthy enterprise, a faint worry would appear between her brows.

Ping'an was simple-minded, unaware of the adults' emotional shifts, and instead listened attentively to her sister's introduction, occasionally speaking up and blurting out flower names.

When Jiang Lai heard Ping'an repeat her words, she would show a faint smile.

The quietly accompanying Ke Zhongyu would always be dazed by her faint smile, then immediately break into a light grin; seeing the stall selling water and drinks, he walked over and brought back four bottles of water.

He first gave one to Director Tang, then passed one to Ping'an, then took out a bottle, twisted it open, and handed it to Jiang Lai.

"Thank you." Jiang Lai took it, took a sip, glanced at the bottle cap in Ke Zhongyu's hand; Ke Zhongyu reached out, took the water from her hand, screwed the cap on, and placed it into the clear plastic bag hooked on his fingers.

The two bottles of water bumped together.

Jiang Lai saw ink orchid in the botanical garden, and Ping'an repeated: "Ink orchid, beautiful."

Jiang Lai recalled the pot of cold orchid placed on her bedside table, and suddenly added: "Cold orchid is beautiful too."

Ke Zhongyu immediately knew she was referring to the pot he had given her, and naturally asked: "Between ink orchid and cold orchid, which do you prefer?"

Jiang Lai did not answer.

Ke Zhongyu: "Ink orchid?"

Jiang Lai still did not answer.

Ke Zhongyu: "Then it must be cold orchid."

Jiang Lai: "……"

Ke Zhongyu stared at her eyes, as if he wouldn't let her go unless she nodded in agreement.

Jiang Lai nodded.

Indeed.

She preferred cold orchid more.

Ke Zhongyu's lips curled up.

While strolling through the botanical garden, everyone felt a deep tranquility of nature; Ping'an, starting from a timid state, gradually relaxed, and his eyes began to show curiosity and delight.

This became even more evident on the way to the zoo; Ping'an, upon seeing many animals he had never seen before, would excitedly reach out to point.

Jiang Lai was about to continue the introduction when Director Tang said: "Let me do it; I know little about plants but I know animals—you can rest, does your throat hurt?"

Jiang Lai shook her head: "No."

Director Tang smiled, took the anti-lost rope from Jiang Lai's wrist, slipped it onto his own wrist, and, with Ping'an close by, went to look.

Director Tang was most skilled at dealing with children; his tone and demeanor when introducing animals better mobilized Ping'an's enthusiasm—Ping'an, upon seeing an animal he liked, would even excitedly turn his head to glance at Jiang Lai, calling out "Sister!" to get her to look.

Ke Zhongyu followed Jiang Lai's gaze and said softly: "Ping'an is very excited."

Jiang Lai nodded: "Yeah, a child over ten going to a place they've never been and seeing things they've never seen will get excited."

The two slowly followed behind Director Tang and Ping'an.

Ke Zhongyu asked: "What about your fifteen years old?"

Jiang Lai: 'Studying.'

To leave the layered mountains of G Province, one must devote more time and effort than others.

Ke Zhongyu, without asking, knew Jiang Lai definitely hadn't been to a zoo, let alone an amusement park, and said: 'Then please, fifteen-year-old Jiang Lai, come with me.'

Jiang Lai looked at him doubtfully, and under the guidance of his gaze followed him over, stopping at the flamingo area.

"Flamingo, named for its fiery red plumage, also known as the red crane (guan), Flamingo."

"Flamingos are monogamous, with stable partners, they are faithful birds."

Flamingos are monogamous, with stable companions, they are faithful birds.