Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 51

Lu Tang came to see Yu Shunhai to confirm one thing. If Gu Yunhe tried to set her up, she needed to decide whether or not to consider Yu Shunhai’s unique situation and spare him. As long as Yu Shunhai gave her a hint or tried to stop her from getting into the wine business, she would remember his kindness.

However, despite their efforts to express trust in his character, Yu Shunhai’s reaction to Liang Cheng’s “addiction” to the Osmanthus Wine was just shock and struggle. People’s hearts differ, and everyone acts for their own benefit. Everyone has their own choices and camps.

Since Yu Shunhai chose Gu Yunhe for his son’s sake, she had no reason to be a saint because of someone else’s difficulties. Who wasn’t someone’s child? Just because his son was a person, did it mean other people’s sons deserved to be addicted to opium and have their lives ruined?

“Of course, I know Gu Yunhe!” Lu Tang didn’t hide the coldness in her tone when Gu Yunhe was mentioned. “He is very close to Lu Deren. My sister almost married his son!”

Yu Shunhai, seeing Lu Tang’s reaction, smiled and said, “There must be some misunderstanding. Yesterday, Gu Yunhe was drinking in our restaurant, and I heard him tell someone about the marriage with your family, saying it was all Lu Deren’s fault.”

He paused and carefully added, “The Gu family is a scholar family with people working in the court. If there is a misunderstanding, it is better for the two families to clear it up. After all, it is better to resolve enmities than to keep them. Being on good terms with them will also benefit your family’s inn.”

Lu Tang looked at Yu Shunhai with surprise. “Didn’t you just have an argument with Gu Yunhe yesterday? Why are you speaking for him today?”

Yu Shunhai showed a loving expression like a senior to a junior. “I argued with him over a personal matter. It’s not that I’m speaking for him, but I don’t want you to make enemies with him because of Lu Deren. It’s unnecessary.”

Lu Tang snorted and said nothing more.

Yu Shunhai assumed she was angry and shook his head with a smile. “Gu Yunhe is really a good person. My son is studying in the capital, and Gu Yunhe personally went to the capital to find connections and took care of him. Any child from Qingshui County, whether doing business or studying in the capital, can receive his care.”

Something flashed through Lu Tang’s mind. Subconsciously, she felt that the content was extremely important, but she couldn’t grasp it.

Irritated, she waved her hand. “We are talking about business, why mention him! When can I meet your boss so we can finalize the wine order?”

Yu Shunhai’s smile froze. “It may take a few days. I’ll send him a message and see when he can return.”

Lu Tang didn’t open the wine jar in the end. She consulted Yu Shunhai about the management of the inn and then left with Liang Cheng.

It wasn’t that she was reluctant to part with a jar of wine. It was that she suddenly realized she had been reckless. Yu Shunhai was skilled in winemaking. Even if he didn’t drink, he could probably tell by the smell that the jar didn’t contain the Osmanthus Wine from Yunyang Restaurant.

As soon as they left Yu Shunhai’s house, Liang Cheng cursed, “That bastard! I thought he was honest, but he’s in cahoots with Gu Yunhe and even tried to persuade your family to reconcile with the Gu family!”

Lu Tang kept thinking about what had just flashed through her mind and didn’t respond to Liang Cheng.

Liang Cheng asked again, “What should we do now?”

Lu Tang turned to him. “Just now, didn’t Yu Shunhai say that Gu Yunhe took care of people from Qingshui County in the capital?”

Liang Cheng was so startled he tried to shake Lu Tang awake. “Tang, you need to wake up! That old man’s words can’t be trusted!”

Lu Tang pushed his hand away. “Get off!”

“The mock test is about to begin. Please find a quiet place to extract the test paper,” the system’s annoying voice suddenly rang out.

Lu Tang’s heart skipped a beat. Damn! She had forgotten about that!

“Let’s go back to the inn first, we’ll discuss everything else later.”

The entire inn was filled with the aroma of food as they were hiring a head chef. Lu Tang used the excuse of not having slept well and went upstairs to rest. Zhou Shu pulled Liang Cheng to a corner. “Brother Cheng, a guy named Xue Tian came to apply for the head chef position. He said he knew you and would come to the inn this afternoon to find you.”

Liang Cheng, who had been worried about Lu Tang’s strange demeanor, was stunned when he heard the name. “Who did you say?”

“Xue Tian, ‘Tian’ as in ‘sky.’ What’s your relationship with him? He acted like you were close, but I’ve never heard of him.”

Zhou Shu’s chubby face was puzzled.

They had grown up together and knew each other’s friends well.

Liang Cheng felt like someone had grabbed his heart, making it hard to breathe. He forced a smile. “We’re not that close, just acquaintances. He’s here for the head chef position?”

Zhou Shu noticed Liang Cheng’s unusual expression and punched him in the chest. “Don’t hide anything from us!”

Liang Cheng laughed. “It’s nothing. What could be wrong? Besides, you’ll all be here when he comes in the afternoon.”

Zhou Shu stared at him for a moment before letting it go. Guo Dawei and Xu Shen came out of the kitchen with plates of food. “Come and try these hot and spicy kidney dishes. Four chefs, four flavors.”

Liang Cheng hid his emotions and joined them.

Meanwhile, at Qiao Family Manor, Gu Yunhe was carefully accompanying someone. “Lord Huang, this is Qiao Family Manor. The tenants here are tough because Qiao’s family has a big business.”

The person addressed as Lord Huang was Huang Yunsheng, who came to Qingshui County for water management issues. The Emperor wanted to solve the drought and flood problems in the southwest by building water management projects. Huang Yunsheng, previously a deputy minister of the Ministry of Works, was skilled in such matters. Gu Zongming used this opportunity to send him here.

After several days of surveying, they found the best way to divert water was through Qiao Family Manor. The best location for the dam was also there, which meant they needed to use the land.

According to the court’s subsidy policy, this would be a significant expense. If it were any other manor, they could forcefully requisition the land. But this was Qiao Family Manor.

Huang Yunsheng glanced at Gu Yunhe. “Do you think I don’t know what you’re up to?”

Gu Yunhe wasn’t embarrassed at being exposed and just smiled. “Whatever I do, it’s all for Master Gu. We are always on the same side.”

Huang Yunsheng laughed. “If you can make the people of Qiao Family Manor move without compensation, Master Gu will surely reward you. You might even be promoted next spring.”

“I dare not claim credit. Right now, I only hope for a family reunion.” His son was still in Qingshui County jail.