"You mean, Dad’s secretary is behind all this?" Gu Zixuan raised an eyebrow. Gu Zixi nodded, "That’s my intuition, otherwise why would she be at such a remote club at that exact moment?" Gu Zixuan fell silent, Liang Shiman, Liang Shiman... This name seemed familiar, yet she couldn’t recall why. Looking at Gu Zixi’s profound eyes, she trusted that while Zixi had done some foolish things, it was due to lack of social experience. In terms of character, she was inherently extremely smart, her intuition was probably not wrong. But... theoretically, it indeed didn’t make sense. If Liang Shiman’s aim was to bring down the Gu Family, then the forces behind this were too huge. After all, in Dad’s affair, several political figures had already been implicated, and it was a matter of who helped whom got into trouble. Could a mere secretary wield such extensive power? This almost reached the innermost power circles, right? Moreover, if it truly was Liang Shiman, what’s her motive? People always have a stance when doing things, dragging down Father wouldn’t even elevate her to Vice Governor status, and as the saying goes, "It’s good to enjoy the shade of a big tree," if Father was steady, she’d have more opportunities to advance. Why would she do such a thing? Thinking over and over, Gu Zixuan couldn’t figure it out. Unless... someone wants to sabotage the Gu Family, and Liang Shiman is just one link in the chain. Chapters first released on novel•fire.net In Qiu Tong’s eyes, a flash of sharp intelligence. Meeting Gu Zixi’s gaze, Gu Zixuan furrowed her brows, nodded, "Alright, I’ll keep an eye out, and someday I’ll go to the agency to see that person." Hearing her sister cared, Gu Zixi exhaled in relief, "Fortunately, you believe me, Dad and Mom have too much trust in Liang Shiman’s character." "Mom and Dad trust her greatly?" Hearing this, Gu Zixuan seemed even more convinced about Zixi’s words. Gu Zixi nodded, "Not just trust her, you know, when you’re not here, they’ve often treated her as a daughter, inviting her over to dine at home. When I spoke against her, I was scolded by Dad and Mom, saying I’m superficial and purely jealous. But Sis, I believe what I see: though Liang Shiman’s smile is gentle, she never reveals even the slightest hint, her eyes never smile, and once she was on the phone while I was feeding the cat. When she saw me, she was quite startled, if I wasn’t mistaken, her gaze was wary." Upon hearing this, Gu Zixuan fell into deep thought, but before she could ponder further, Gu Zixi’s phone rang timely. "Oh, brother-in-law?" The soft murmur made Gu Zixuan’s heart tremble, her gaze naturally followed the glowing phone screen. Gu Zixi connected the call, frequently nodding, "Yes, my sister is with me, we didn’t go out, just at home." "Oh, the call couldn’t go through?" Gu Zixi glanced around, "Sis, where’s your phone?" Gu Zixuan paused, then looked down at the dressing table and bed, shaking her head, "Seems like it’s outside." "Outside. Are you coming over, brother-in-law?" Gu Zixi raised her eyebrows. This question was almost unnecessary, as before Gu Zixi finished speaking, the call was hung up abruptly. The cold, swift speed made Gu Zixi furrow her brows, "Sis, why has brother-in-law always been ?" Coldly, treating people like he doesn’t want to interact. Gu Zixuan’s heart fluttered, with a hint of suppressed sadness, which she forced down. She smiled and said, "That’s pretty good, a manly presence." "But you’re more suited to someone who treats you gently." Gu Zixi disagreed, shaking her head, feeling a bit sorry as she glanced at her sister’s knee, then stood straight, "Your leg is injured, sit tight, I’ll get your phone." The tall figure already nearing 184cm, combined with a gentle tone and considerate demeanor, filled Gu Zixuan’s heart with warmth. In appearance, they both resembled their mother, extremely striking and exquisite, needless to say herself. Over the years, Gu Zixi’s features blossomed, handsome beyond reproach. He resembled youthful idols, more like male protagonists in Japanese comics. Coupled with undergoing this ordeal, he gained a hint of melancholy, standing there like a picturesque view captured by a camera. Gu Zixuan couldn’t imagine what it would be like when Zixi around thirty, as his masculine charm gradually formed, possessing elegance and warmth that would undoubtedly captivate women. For a moment... she suddenly remembered another tall figure, the quiet scene of him playing Kongming Lock with her was still vividly fresh. Her heart skipped a beat, she shook her head quickly dispelling that image, unsure of why she thought of him! Her thoughts returned to Zixi, listening to timi’s "meow-meow" sounds from outside, Gu Zixuan knew Zixi must be feeding the cat while fetching the phone. Thinking about the current possible downfall of the family’s status. As these two words lingered in Gu Zixuan’s mind, for a moment, the anger that He Qimo, along with the people around him, had incited for several days slowly calmed down after clenching her fists. In a short while, Gu Zixi entered with Timi in his arms and handed over the phone. At first glance, she saw He Qimo’s text message and a flurry of missed calls. [Where are you? I’m at your house looking for you.] She slightly twisted her lips with a hint of bitterness. Although she saw the missed calls from Liang Xi, she naturally believed Liang Xi was only helping He Qimo to contact her. Relaxing her shoulders, she quietly waited. Gu Zixi watched his sister, who returned this time with a noticeably different demeanor, and slightly furrowed his brows. He placed Timi beside his sister’s hand, allowing Timi to play with her. Then he turned around, entered his own bedroom, and began memorizing vocabulary and reading books. His major is International Economics and Trade, preparing for the postgraduate exam in this field. However, the required professional English level is particularly high, though he has just passed TEM-6. If he wants seamless communication in foreign trade in the future, he must reach TEM-8 level. While reading, there was a segment of literature he couldn’t quite understand, so he opened his computer. He found a person online with a dark gray metallic buckle icon on QQ, his eyes slightly brightened, and he sent a message: [Light and Shadow Teacher, so you’re online!] Light and Shadow’s full nickname is "The Profile of Light and Shadow," shortened by Gu Zixi to Light and Shadow. This is a mysterious person he met years ago during high school. Very enigmatic, speaks little, and never chats about life. Even after years of acquaintance, the person’s empty space, profile, and words, don’t reveal who they are. Quickly, a reply came from Light and Shadow, [Yes.] Before Gu Zixi could respond, another message arrived, [Is there something you don’t understand again?] [Yes, there’s some literature I can’t comprehend. Could you explain it to me?] Gu Zixi took a photo, sent it to his computer, and forwarded it to the other person. Light and Shadow’s knowledge is incredibly vast. Once, Gu Zixi thought this person was some kind of tutor, whom he happened to encounter due to fate, occasionally assisting with his studies. To some extent, his full scholarship admission to a top university in Rong City was thanks to him. But over the years, as his knowledge base expanded in college, he realized the other person possesses an immense depth of knowledge, making him suspect the person might be some fifty-year-old professor. The other side looked for a moment and began replying, [The application of marginal effect is extensive, and demand laws in economics are based on it. In your studied economic history, both Keynes’s Law and Say’s Law have reflections...] Gu Zixi listened attentively until he fully understood, observing those fluid English explanations and the patient tone, responding to his inquiries with detailed answers. Eventually, he couldn’t help but say, [Light and Shadow, you know so much, I really wonder how old you are and what you do.] [What difference would it make?] The other side typed. Gu Zixi sighed for a moment, saying, [If it turns out you aren’t that old and unmarried, I honestly want to introduce you to my sister.] His sister is clearly unhappy in her marriage, coupled with not conceiving a child for eight years, which indicates the marriage has significant issues! He sees it, but he can’t help. The other side fell silent for a long time, then asked, [What’s your sister doing now?] Gu Zixi was puzzled by this inexplicable question, stunned for quite a while. After all, it was the first time the other person inquired about his sister’s matters in the years they’ve known each other; usually, they remain silent and don’t respond. After pausing, he honestly replied, [Playing with Timi.] The other side said nothing for a long time, [Oh, got it.] Gu Zixi blinked, bewildered. After pausing, the other side responded again, [Don’t trust others easily, especially strangers. Don’t introduce your sister casually.] [Why?] Gu Zixi paused, understanding the other person talked about themselves, said, [Even if others can’t be trusted, you can be trusted. You’re a good person.] [...] The other side didn’t answer, and after a moment of silence, they went offline... Gu Zixi furrowed his brows in confusion, began looking at the literature. After a while, when he encountered another unclear knowledge point, he remembered the advice Light and Shadow previously gave him, and went back page by page through the chat logs. When he reached the part where he vented about his brother-in-law wanting to venture into internet business, stopping for a few days, the advice Light and Shadow gave him intrigued him to try starting a foreign trade business himself. After being stunned for a while, as if denying something, he shook his head, smiled, and continued browsing.