Capítulo 864: Chapter 864: Is Third Young Master Covering the Losses?

Just as Lin Zhiyi was about to leave amidst the commotion outside the screen, Gong Chen reached out and stopped her.

She thought Gong Chen was going to stop her again.

“Third Young Master, I’ll handle it well…”

“Be careful.” Gong Chen advised.

Seeing the trust in his eyes, Lin Zhiyi nodded with a smile.

Then she lowered the brim of her hat and quickly walked in a certain direction.

Outside the lounge, there were many accompanying personnel, including the Gong Family’s butler.

He glanced at her earlier, clearly wanting to convey something.

But since the lounge was full of people, it was inconvenient for him.

When Lin Zhiyi came out, it seemed like the butler had waited for her for a moment.

Then he walked towards the nearby smoking area.

When Lin Zhiyi wanted to follow, he gave her a sidelong glance.

Helpless, she stood still, stretched lazily, and pretended to exercise.

The butler stood by the trash can, took a pipe from his pocket.

Lin Zhiyi recognized it immediately.

It was a gift from the old man to the butler on his birthday a few years back.

The butler usually treasured it, always keeping it on the shelf and wiping it occasionally.

But at this moment, the butler was adding something into the pipe.

When he was about to light it, he seemed to find no fire and glanced in Lin Zhiyi’s direction.

Then he turned around and threw the pipe into the trash can and left.

Lin Zhiyi was directly stunned; aside from its value, it was a gift from the old man.

The butler would never throw it away.

Something’s wrong, something’s fishy.

The year the pipe was gifted, Lin Zhiyi was also present.

So the butler surely knew she understood the pipe’s significance.

He did it for her to see.

After the butler had walked far away, Lin Zhiyi quickly approached.

She looked into the trash can, and the pipe was there, with some tobacco inside.

But she could vaguely see something hidden beneath the tobacco.

Seizing the moment with no one around, Lin Zhiyi immediately retrieved the pipe.

After pouring out the tobacco, there was a small white pill inside.

Was this the message the butler wanted to convey?

Lin Zhiyi wouldn’t delay; she took out a handkerchief from her pocket, wrapped the pipe and the pill together, and returned to the lounge.

The golf attire was quite similar, and with her wearing a hat,

it was hard to distinguish her among the surrounding women.

So she easily returned behind the screen.

Just as she was about to speak to Gong Chen, external discussions came from outside the screen.

“In your opinion, how is this business of Fourth Master Gong?”

“Sounds good, but… with such a large upfront investment, if it doesn’t work out, it could be a complete loss.”

“Given the old man is paving the way, and the Gong Family also has Third Young Master, anything can be settled by finding Third Young Master when necessary.”

“Indeed, at least there’s Third Young Master to back it up. It’s odd though, why isn’t Third Young Master here?”

“Isn’t it obvious? The old man is paving the way for Fourth Master. It’s hard to say who will ultimately call the shots in the Gong Family. We can’t afford to offend either side.”

After drinking a glass of chilled champagne together, they turned and left.

Lin Zhiyi clenched her fists after listening.

What do they mean by Third Young Master backing it up?

What kind of trick is Gong Yao playing?

After the sounds outside faded away, Gong Chen put down his teacup.

“Don’t dwell on it, that’s how businesspeople are.”

Truth and deception, mingled.

Lin Zhiyi responded with a hum, spreading the handkerchief on the table.

Gong Chen recognized the pipe: “The butler’s?”

“He deliberately threw this pipe into the trash can, and there was a pill hidden in the tobacco inside. This should be the message he wanted to convey to us.”

Lin Zhiyi pointed to the small pill beside it.

Gong Chen picked up the pill and examined it.

“Chen Jin said the butler’s family went abroad for vacation two days ago.”

“Huh? Isn’t the butler’s grandson taking his college entrance exams? Traveling abroad at this time?”

Earlier this year, during New Year, the butler had casually mentioned his grandson’s exams while praying for blessings.

The old man and the butler have had decades of friendship.

As long as his grandson meets the target set by the old man, everything from studying abroad to working afterward has already been arranged by the old man.

The closer it gets to this time, the more crucial it becomes.

Lin Zhiyi thought it over and saw only one possibility.

“His family was controlled? So the butler was so obedient. Then what about this pill…”

“I’ll have Li Huan test it.”

Gong Chen folded the handkerchief.

Lin Zhiyi looked outside the screen, worried: “They mentioned Gong Yao has a new business, do you know what it is?”

“Haven’t heard.”

“Operating behind your back? If we hadn’t come this time, wouldn’t they have quietly pulled it off? We were only away for three days, and so much happened.” Lin Zhiyi said incredulously.

Gong Chen glanced slightly: “When you see a cockroach, it means there are more hidden out of sight.”

It seemed that whatever Gong Yao had planned wasn’t just a day’s scheme.

“Could he accomplish so much alone?”

Lin Zhiyi didn’t believe it.

Gong Chen put his index finger on his lips, implying some things couldn’t be discussed further.

He stood up and said, “Let’s go, since we’re here, let’s play for a while.”

Lin Zhiyi was slightly taken aback.

“I don’t know how.”

“I’ll teach you.”

Gong Chen led Lin Zhiyi to the field under the guidance of the caddie.

She tried hitting a few balls herself but couldn’t touch any.

Meanwhile, Gong Chen swung effortlessly, with both beautiful posture and results.

Lin Zhiyi held the club, casually swinging twice.

She had said she couldn’t play.

As she was lost in thought, a shadow fell behind her.

Gong Chen wrapped his arms around her from behind, holding her hand.

“Slightly bend your knees, keep this hand straight…”

Gong Chen moved her body to swing, the ball went out, but who knew where it landed.

“Zhiyi, in terms of sports, you…” Gong Chen hesitated.

“I told you I can’t.” Lin Zhiyi pursed her lips.

Gong Chen smiled: “No rush, take your time to play, if you can’t learn just swing randomly, no one dares to comment.”

Lin Zhiyi chuckled: “If the ball doesn’t move, it’s fine. I’m most afraid of the club flying out.”

Gong Chen checked his watch: “Let’s play for five more minutes.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhiyi looked at him curiously.

Five minutes later.

Lin Zhiyi finally understood what Gong Chen was waiting for.

The few bigwigs who had been discussing business with Gong Yao just now happened to come here.

Seeing Gong Chen, they immediately came over to greet him.

“Third Young Master is here, why didn’t you join us for a drink earlier?”

“I didn’t know you were here, was there something?” Gong Chen’s tone was cold.

Lin Zhiyi was gobsmacked.

The ability to lie was indeed impressive.

Neither his voice nor expression revealed any flaws.

But the few people opposite, upon hearing that Gong Chen didn’t know about the meeting arranged by Gong Yao and the old man, looked a bit awkward.

Gong Chen looked at them and said, “Seems like you enjoyed your drinks.”

“We, we… were just casually chatting.” They explained.

“Chatting is fine, just don’t overdo it, think twice before acting.”

They looked at each other in dismay.

Without waiting for them to respond, Gong Chen handed his club to someone nearby.

“You guys keep playing, we’re leaving.”

It wasn’t until they got into the car that Lin Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief.

“Aren’t you afraid they’ll tell Gong Yao and the old man?”