After hearing this, Elder Bai could not keep his composure. He said quickly, “Yes, there is an underground restaurant next to the hotel. I will send you its location soon.”


  After the call ended, Qin Yaozhi sat up. “Sister Mang, are you going out?”


  Gu Mang opened her luggage and took out some clothes. “I’m going to meet someone.”
……

  The moment Gu Mang left the room, she saw Professor Yang and a Professor from M University chatting in the hallway.

  She greeted Yang Tianming. Gu Mang was wearing her baseball cap and carrying her black backpack. She walked to the elevator.

  Watching Gu Mang walk away, Professor Yang sighed. “That child is very smart. This time…… Sigh……”


  The Professor from M University had seen Gu Mang during the recruitment drive at Ming City High School, so he knew about her capabilities.

  “We all know what’s going on. Jijing Island must be behind this.” The Professor from M University added, “We just don’t know what their motive is.”


  If they explained this to the public, no one would believe them. Jijing Island was very particular about travel visas. They did not issue them easily to foreigners. So many people yearned to come here and yet fewer than a handful would ever be able to come.

  Who would believe them if they said that Jijing Island had falsified the results?

  Yang Tianming frowned. “I still can’t wrap my head around this. Could it be that the authorities of Jijing Island are interested in poaching Gu Mang?”


  “I don’t think so.” The Professor from M University shook his head. “If they really wanted to poach her, why did they announce the namelist straight away yesterday, instead of inviting Gu Mang? Now, Gu Mang won’t even be taking part in the training. We all know how important this training is.”


  Didn’t they do this because they clearly want to see Gu Mang make a joke of herself?

  The more Yang Tianming thought about it, the more vexed he became. Yang Tianming tapped on his forehead to calm himself down. “I don’t know how the various news outlets are going to take this when we get back.”


  The top education institution in the country, Capital University, had the lowest score in the competition. After embarrassing themselves on Jijing Island, they still had to face the netizens.

  Gu Mang might have to take the brunt of it all.

  The Professor from M University patted his shoulder. “Now that we can’t change anything, you don’t have to worry so much. As long as we’ve tried our best.”


  Yang Tianming sighed again. “I’ll get going first.”


  “Sure.”


  After the two of them bid farewell, they walked in opposite directions.

  Just then, in another hallway, the blue-eyed boy from H University who had taken the same bus with the Capital University students walked out from around a corner……

  As Gu Mang walked to the entrance of the hotel, she just so happened to come across the group of people who had just arrived. The medical organization’s team was part of this group too.

  Staring straight ahead, Gu Mang avoided the revolving door and went out through the side door.

  A girl’s gaze followed Gu Mang.

  “Yinyin, what are you looking at?” Curious, a guy who was on the same team as Gu Yin followed her gaze.

  There were so many people walking in and out of the entrance, so the guy did not know who Gu Yin was looking at.

  Gu Yin looked away, smiled, and continued walking forward. “I saw my sister.”


  Hearing this, the guy’s eyes widened slightly. “Your sister is here for the competition too?”


  Gu Yin nodded. “She’s a member of the Capital University’s team.”


  “You and your sister are so impressive. You are in the medical organization while your sister is at Capital University.” The guy seemed to have thought of something as he said jokingly, “Wouldn’t it be so awkward if we draw lots and you and your sister were paired as opponents?”


  Gu Yin slightly lifted her chin. She smiled calmly and remained silent……

  At the underground restaurant.

  Holding her phone, Gu Mang replied to Gu Si’s messages.

  Gu Si’s message read, [Sis, we are not as powerful as those big families on Jijing Island. Be careful.]

  Gu Mang typed back, [Okay.]

  She looked up from her phone. Just then, she saw Elder Bai at the entrance.

  The moment he saw her, he approached her quickly. “Miss.”


  Expressionless, Gu Mang nodded slightly.

  “Old Master is waiting for you in the private room.” Elder Bai led Gu Mang inside. Once they reached the private room, he pushed the door open. “Miss, please.”


  Inside, a white-haired old man who was in great spirits stood up with his hands behind his back. His gaze looked vaguely agitated.

  Gu Mang walked in, removed her baseball cap, and said, “Grandpa.”


  The man looked at Gu Mang’s familiar features and became slightly dazed. Two seconds later, he regained his senses. “Sit down.”


  Gu Mang placed her backpack and cap on the sofa casually.

  “You have made an overt appearance on Jijing Island. The Elders’ Association and Huo Zhi won’t let you leave.” Frowning, the man looked slightly solemn.

  Elder Bai poured tea for the two of them.

  Gu Mang leaned back. She did not bother to hide her coldness and arrogance. “This is an accident. I have never thought about coming here.”


  He was taken aback. “What do you mean?”


  “Leng Xuan added my name.” Gu Mang’s lips curled up, making her look slightly ruthless.

  “Leng Xuan?” Grandpa thought for a few seconds before saying in a deep voice, “She shouldn’t have access to your information.”


  Gu Mang hummed in acknowledgment and said rather casually, “Nevermind. Even though I have never thought of coming, I’m not afraid.”


  “What about Gu Yin and Gu Si?” Grandpa asked.

  “Gu Yin is part of the medical organization’s team.” Gu Mang did not hide anything. “Gu Si is with Red Flame.”


  The white haired man frowned again. “Red Flame is not a good place. What kind of deal do you have with them that they are helping you protect Gu Si?”


  Gu Mang was already used to Red Flame’s infamous reputation, but she was still slightly annoyed when she heard this.

  She asked, “Huh? Does agreeing to be their girlfriend count?”


  The man looked extremely shocked. When he regained his senses, he opened his mouth, but could not make out any word.

  After a good few seconds of deliberation, he said, “You don’t seem like someone who would…… sell yourself……”


  Gu Mang laughed. “Maybe I’m just drawn to good looks and money.”


  The two people facing her were speechless……

  Gu Mang did not stay at the underground restaurant for long.

  On the way back to the hotel, Gu Mang replied to messages while walking slowly. Suddenly, a shadow blocked her way.

  She did not look up. Instead, she took half a step to the side and continued walking forward.

  The other party reached out and stopped her. “Miss.”


  Gu Mang looked up. A pair of sharp and cold eyes could be seen under her cap. Her gaze was almost suffocating. There were four people in front of her.

  The person leading the group looked her in the eye. “Elder Gu wants to see you.”


  The second person who summoned her.

  “Scram.” Gu Mang sounded very nonchalant and annoyed. Her gaze was void of any warmth.

  The other party refused to give way, continuing to stare at her.

  Gu Mang chuckled. After placing her backpack aside, she took off her baseball cap.

  Then, she straightened her spine and twisted her wrists. “It seems like I’ll have to clear the way myself.”


  The other party looked at her and reminded her, “Miss, please don’t make things difficult for us.”


  Gu Mang was expressionless. “Come at me.”


  The afternoon sun caused the pavements to be scalding. Not even a dog could be seen wandering on the streets.

  A loud sound resounded throughout the empty street. The sound of four objects being slammed to the ground mercilessly could be heard.

  Gu Mang looked askance at the four men who were struggling to get up.

  She dusted her hands off, put on her cap, and picked up her bag.

  Then, she stepped across the four men to continue on her way……

  At the entrance of the hotel.

  Gu Mang saw the third person who wanted to summon her.

  The bald man stood next to the bonsai near the hotel entrance. Seeing that Gu Mang had returned, he approached her. “Ms. Gu, Mr. Huo wants to see you.”


  “See, see, see. See my a**.” Gu Mang could not be more irritated. “I’m too f*cking busy. Scram.”