Chapter 1726: Chapter 1725: Refusing to Cooperate

Ling Nan, with great strength, carried a large basket on his back and held four vegetable baskets, briskly returning to the little garden.

Gu Qiaoqiao couldn’t help but laugh, thinking that anyone who didn’t know better would assume he was a young man from the city selling vegetables. "Ling Nan, why didn’t you drive?"

Ling Nan put the things in the yard and smiled sheepishly, "Sister Qiaoqiao, our family’s car can’t get into the morning market, and it’s just a short distance, easier to walk."

At this time, Qin Yize was already in the kitchen preparing breakfast. The four of them hadn’t eaten together for several days.

Gu Qiaoqiao couldn’t help but ask, "Uncle, what have you been busy with these days?"

"Just handling some of my previous stuff," Gu Junbai pointed to the west wing room. "I brought them back and put them there. See if there’s anything you like when you have time."

If it were the old Gu Qiaoqiao, she’d have put down her chopsticks and gone to see what was there. But now she was much calmer, though still a bit curious. "Uncle, is it okay to leave things in the west wing all the time?"

"Take some with you when you and Ah Ze leave, and the rest can stay here. I’ll be living in Sky Sea City for a while."

Gu Qiaoqiao already knew Gu Junbai would stay in Sky Sea City, at least until Yun Luo had handled everything before he would leave.

But Sky Sea City was different from other places, given their house and future plans there. Gu Qiaoqiao smiled and continued eating.

After breakfast, she went to the west wing room and was secretly amazed to see, in addition to paintings and calligraphy, so many antiques.

These were things the uncle used to play with.

And of course, without needing appraisal, they were all treasures of significant age.

Just then, Gu Junbai came over and pointed to a portion of them, "Qiaoqiao, take these back and store them in the Treasure Room at Gu Garden."

Some items must be preserved in the Treasure Room, or they’ll be ruined.

Then he pointed to the rest, "You can handle the others however you like."

Gu Qiaoqiao didn’t decline, nodded happily, and then, after setting a Barrier Talisman, they again took the speedboat to the island.

...

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Capital, Choo Lan returned to the institute with high hopes, saw Luh Fei, and learned they had connected with Qin Yize, immediately beaming as she asked, "Luh Fei, what did Big Brother Qin say?"

Luh Fei looked at Choo Lan, somewhat understanding what she was thinking.

He couldn’t quite grasp Choo Lan’s persistence, knowing it was impossible, why do it?

It seemed unethical; didn’t she realize this?

So the usually smiling Luh Fei turned serious as he relayed Qin Yize’s words verbatim to Choo Lan, adding, "Miss Choo, the current Qin Group doesn’t require collaboration with anyone else."

Choo Lan’s expression gradually darkened, her hands clenched until her fingernails painfully dug into her palms, then she relaxed her hands.

Unlike the base, having stayed long in the Choo Family, certain emotions needed careful control.

Choo Lan smiled slightly, picked up her bag, and told Luh Fei, "Luh Fei, I understand. But you can tell Big Brother Qin, I’m always ready to offer collaboration opportunities whenever he wants. It’s mutually beneficial for both sides."

Luh Fei replied courteously, "Alright, I’ll tell President Qin when he returns."

Choo Lan left the Qin Group’s institute, stood at the entrance, observing the seemingly tranquil yet heavily guarded yard.

She knew that, under Qin Yize’s leadership, the institute would birth incredible scientific projects.

Regardless of whether it was Qin Yize or not, she was keen to gain a share of it, but now it seemed impossible.

But how could she be content with this?

She had assured her grandfather of reaching a cooperation agreement with the Qin Group. By staying on this big ship, the Choo Family’s enterprises would smoothly enter the Imperial Capital and achieve long-term development.

After all, her projects were highly sought after, incomprehensibly rejected by Qin Yize.

She couldn’t understand, feeling deeply aggrieved.

Did Qin Yize not trust her or look down on her?

But times had changed.

Why wouldn’t he consider her proposal at all?

Knowing that the research project was world-renowned, getting a share signified elevating one’s tech-based enterprise to epoch-making heights.

Such a transformation was clear to every insightful researcher, who wouldn’t pass up any chance.

So she was certain of collaboration with the Qin Group.

Possessing an invaluable project opportunity allowed her to gather a few people from the Border City Base, strengthening her research team.

She never thought of bringing Qin Yize, as it was impossible.

Naturally, she wouldn’t hold such fantasies.

But collaboration was possible.

Another person would have agreed immediately, and with just a hint, many would approach her, rather than her seeking them.

But now everything had reversed.

Choo Lan glanced again at the institute nestled among greenery, eyes heavy, knowing Qin Yize’s words were resolute. Having refused, there was no turning back. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Choo Lan bit her lips hard, eyes squinted, speaking to herself, "Qin Yize, such a great opportunity delivered to your door, and you refuse it. You’ll regret it."

Then she stomped her foot and quickly headed towards the road, where a car from the Choo Family was waiting for her. Once inside, she left the area.

On the third floor, Luh Fei watched the car leave before looking away. He couldn’t figure out Choo Lan’s thoughts, standing at the door for so long. Though he felt something off about her expression, he knew that he and Qin Yize had severed ties with the base, and the same applied to Choo Lan. Their future meetings would be nothing more than acquaintances.

One thing was certain: Choo Lan wouldn’t return.

When Gu Qiaoqiao and Qin Yize returned from Sky Sea City, they shocked both the Gu Family and the Qin Family.

Because when leaving, it wasn’t obvious. She still looked like a young girl from behind, but now it was too apparent, with her belly swelling like a balloon.

They finally realized there were two inside.

The Members of the Gu Family and Qin Family were equally surprised and delighted, yet filled with complaints about the daring couple.