After Transmigrating into a Scumbag Alpha, I Whitewashed Myself with the Movie Queen on a Reality Dating Show - Chapter 51

In the morning, the two woke up and ate downstairs together. Mu Baobao specifically called them: “Mama, Mummy!”

Xu Muyan was surprised: “Baby, you’re up so early?”

“Mama, I forgot to tell you, the kindergarten is having a parent-child activity this afternoon. Grandma and Grandpa are too old to play games. Whoever is free, remember to come to the kindergarten, okay~”

Mu Baobao’s sweet voice immediately made Xu Muyan miss her. “Alright, Mama will come to accompany you.”

Mu Baobao jumped up cheering: “Yay!”

Gu Zhi was immediately unhappy: “Baby, you only want Mama to come? Don’t you want Mummy?”

Mu Baobao mumbled: “It would be great if Mummy came too. The teacher didn’t say only one parent could attend.”

Gu Zhi clapped her hands: “Good! Mummy will definitely come to support Mu Baobao!”

Xu Muyan frowned: “Don’t you have things to do?”

“Don’t you, Sister?”

“I can postpone them.”

“Can’t I?”

The two were inexplicably competing, feeling that only their presence could bring joy and attention to Mu Baobao.

Gu Zhi did not go to the company after leaving the house. She went directly to find Gu Mian. Gu Mian was wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a white shirt, trimming flowers and plants in Gu Lan’s yard. Gu Zhi stood quietly behind her, watching Gu Mian trim systematically. She was surprised by what she saw.

She increasingly felt that Jiang Shiyi was too much like Gu Mian—the movements, the temperament, and that composed demeanor.

“What are you looking for me for?” Gu Mian heard her footsteps and asked.

“Oh, Auntie, I have a case here that I need your help with.”

“How did you become a detective? And you want to solve cases?”

“Hehe, it’s just a side job.”

In the study, Gu Zhi even saw tea being brewed. She had to admit that her aunt’s life was truly focused on health and self-cultivation. If it were her, she would be bored all day long. Playing with her wife and child was much more fun.

“Tell me.” Gu Mian poured her tea.

“Do you know about Su Ruoqiang’s situation in the Su family?”

“I’ve heard a little.”

“His granddaughter checked the lab report and found a small amount of laudanosine in Su Ruoqiang’s blood, but Su Ruoqiang has never used drugs. This means someone deliberately put an unknown poison in his tea or food.”

Gu Mian looked at the lab report: “Is it from some uncommon plant?”

Just as Jiang Shiyi had thought, Gu Zhi was slightly impressed: “Yes.”

“Laudanosine is a chemical component that can be refined, so the original plant should be different from opium. This makes it very difficult to find.”

Gu Zhi was speechless.

“However…” Gu Mian changed the topic: “Go take a look in the Mountain River District. Perhaps you really can find it there.”

…

Xu Muyan left early for Mu Baobao’s kindergarten. Children were waiting at the entrance for their parents, chattering and creating a lively scene. Mu Baobao had been lightly made up by the teacher. Her lips were red and her teeth were white, making her look cuter than ever. She saw Xu Muyan’s figure early and quickly ran over to hug her thigh: “Mummy~”

Xu Muyan looked at Mu Baobao’s little bun hairstyle and affectionately picked her up: “Did you wait long?”

Mu Baobao shook her head: “I saw Mama as soon as I came out. Where’s Mummy?”

Xu Muyan: “She still needs some time. See, Mama is on time.”

Mu Baobao nodded, then suddenly looked behind her: “Do you know that Grandpa?”

Xu Muyan was startled. She turned around and it was actually Xu Xun! Although the reality show had aired and everyone knew what Mu Baobao looked like, Xu Muyan and Gu Zhi had intentionally kept all other information about Mu Baobao private. Xu Xun had no way of knowing where she went to school.

Xu Muyan asked coldly: “What are you doing here?”

At that moment, Gu Zhi rushed over, gasping for breath: “Mu Baobao, Mummy is here.”

The teachers began speaking into the microphone: “Parents and children, please pay attention. The games are about to begin.”

Xu Muyan immediately handed Mu Baobao to Gu Zhi and pushed them inside: “You two go in and play. I have something to talk to him about.”

Gu Zhi looked at Xu Xun cautiously and said to Mo Zhifan: “Protect Madam.”

Xu Muyan and Xu Xun stood outside the kindergarten, watching Mu Baobao and Gu Zhi play through the iron fence. Xu Muyan asked: “Why are you following me?”

Xu Xun sighed: “I just wanted to see my granddaughter.”

“She is not your granddaughter!” Xu Muyan retorted.

“When you entered Junze, didn’t you call me ‘Father’? How is Mu Baobao not my granddaughter?” Xu Xun sounded aggressive.

“I said she is not, so she is not.” Xu Muyan stared closely at him. No matter how much Xu Xun cared for her, she would never admit he was Mu Baobao’s grandfather. She stated firmly, word by word: “Don’t have any ideas about my daughter.”

Xu Xun’s eyes were filled with regret, and a smile touched his lips: “Muyan, what are you saying? She is my granddaughter. How could I have ideas about her? Besides, what good would it do for me to have ideas about her? I just want to see my biological granddaughter. I want to give her the love I couldn’t give you.”

“She doesn’t need your love. The love I, Gu Zhi, her grandparents, and my mother give her is more than enough.”

Xu Xun was slightly taken aback and silently watched Mu Baobao. This child was indeed much more lively than Xu Muyan, seeming to have grown up in love. “I’m sorry. If I could have given you more love, would you not hate me so much?”

“It’s too late.” Xu Muyan said flatly: “Gu Zhi has given me enough, more than enough. Also… Mu Baobao doesn’t know you. You better not get to know her and don’t come looking for her!”

Xu Xun’s eyes seemed veiled in a fog. He nodded: “Okay.”

Although Gu Zhi was worried about what Xu Muyan and Xu Xun were discussing, the oblivious Mu Baobao was having fun with others. Gu Zhi had no choice but to put away her worries and smile.

Mu Baobao suddenly walked over and took Mummy’s hand: “Mummy, who is that Grandpa? Why did Mama look so scared when she saw him?”

Gu Zhi didn’t know how to answer, so she lied: “That Grandpa is also an actor. They were acting, and Mama couldn’t get out of character for a moment.”

Mu Baobao braided Gu Zhi’s hair with a new technique she learned: “Then we won’t let her get out of it. Mummy will help her get out of it, right?”

Gu Zhi was stunned for a moment, then happily nodded: “Yes!”

After dropping Mu Baobao off at Gu Lan’s house, Gu Zhi asked Xu Muyan: “Do you want to go inside with Mu Baobao?”

Xu Muyan shook her head: “Do you have something to do? I’ll go wherever you go.”

So, Gu Zhi took Xu Muyan to the Mountain River District Herb Street. There were many vendors selling herbs, potted plants, and vegetation here. Since they were sourced from deep mountains, these plants were uncommon. Gu Zhi instructed Han Yun and Mo Zhifan to buy dozens of different herbs to take back and test individually.

Xu Muyan suddenly saw a potted, unusual flower at a shop: “I want to go take a look.” With a love for beauty and beautiful, unique flowers, Gu Zhi smiled and followed her in.

Xu Muyan looked at the flower. It was a pale pink, with a total of ten petals. It hadn’t bloomed fully, but the stamens inside were graceful and fragrant, filling the whole room. Gu Zhi was entertained and asked: “What kind of flower is this?”

The shop owner smiled: “This is the Pink Orchid Sleep Flower from the Shiwan Dashan (Hundred Thousand Great Mountains). It is named this because it has a sleep-inducing effect.”

Xu Muyan seemed interested: “Sleep-inducing? Does it really have this effect?”

The shop owner chuckled: “Madam, please rest assured. I have personally tried it. It’s from a natural plant, pollution-free, and has no side effects. It’s much more useful than sleeping pills.”

Xu Muyan clearly liked it: “Zhi-Zhi, should we buy this pot?”

“Boss, do you have any more Pink Orchid Sleep Flowers?” A female Omega walked in and was slightly surprised to see Xu Muyan: “Vice Director Xu, you’re here too.”

Gu Zhi was curious about who she was, and Xu Muyan spoke: “Miss Ji.”

Ji Yan smiled: “My home is nearby. If you don’t mind, come sit at my place.”

The invitation was hard to refuse, so the two went to her house. Ji Yan lived in a very small house with a tiny garden outside. The two were quite surprised that a daughter from a major corporation lived in such a cramped environment. When Gu Zhi entered, she saw many unfamiliar flowers and plants in the garden, presumably bought from here. She went to look curiously.

Xu Muyan and Ji Yan were chatting: “You actually live here? I heard this area is a mixed bag, full of people from different places, and quite dangerous.”

Ji Yan smiled dismissively: “There are several acres of flower fields nearby. I like to stroll there in my free time. The air here is fresh, making it very suitable for living.”

Xu Muyan thought so too and blurted out: “Aren’t you working today?”

Ji Yan looked a bit downcast: “Director Xu dismissed me.”

Xu Muyan was speechless.

Gu Zhi suddenly made a sound, and the two walked over to look. Xu Muyan frowned: “Zhi-Zhi, don’t touch other people’s flowers.”

Gu Zhi grinned: “I’m not Mu Baobao. I know that much about etiquette.”

Xu Muyan: “Mu Baobao isn’t interested in things that aren’t edible.” During the last reality show filming, Mu Baobao’s eyes lit up when she saw strawberries and she immediately forgot the task of picking flowers.

The flower in front of Gu Zhi was a cluster of blooming pink flowers, similar in appearance to the Pink Orchid Sleep Flower. However, its stamens were pale white, and it didn’t smell good.

Xu Muyan was puzzled: “Is this also a Pink Orchid Sleep Flower?”

Ji Yan shook her head: “My father bought this for me when he came to visit. It’s called… Jiangbei Nanchen Flower. He bought it just because it looked nice. It has been blooming for a while.”

“He gave you a flower that smells so bad?” Gu Zhi laughed mockingly.

Ji Yan also laughed: “It’s ventilated outside, and the smell isn’t strong. At least it looks beautiful.”

“Mr. Ji has been here?” Gu Zhi asked casually, feigning disinterest.

“Yes, he came with Chairman Xu.”

Gu Zhi: He brought Xu Xun along? It’s odd for a business partner to bring a friend to see his daughter.

“Jiangbei Nanchen Flower? What a strange name.” Xu Muyan noticed that.

Ji Yan: “My father named it. I don’t know the real name.”

Xu Muyan asked: “Then are you buying the Pink Orchid Sleep Flower because you have trouble sleeping?”

Ji Yan shook her head: “Director Xu has neurasthenia and sometimes can’t sleep well. So I wanted to buy it specifically for her, hoping she could sleep peacefully.”

Xu Muyan pursed her lips, feeling a little guilty towards her.

“I still don’t understand why Chairman Xu would follow Mr. Ji here,” Gu Zhi pressed.

A flicker of hesitation crossed Ji Yan’s eyes: “My father said Chairman Xu wanted to see the plants in the Mountain River District and followed him to see me. I rent a place nearby, and it wouldn’t be right for my father not to visit me.”

Gu Zhi and Xu Muyan were both very observant and quickly caught something in her expression. They both felt she was lying and holding back some information.

…

Gu Zhi secretly plucked a few petals and went to Gu Mian. She handed the pink petals to her: “Auntie, I’m relying on you.”

Two hours later, Gu Mian finally had a result. “It can indeed be refined into laudanosine, but it can also be refined into other chemical components.” Gu Mian pushed up her glasses, wearing a white lab coat, looking very refined and intellectual.

Gu Zhi frowned: “What other components?”

Gu Mian: “This is uncommon. I haven’t tested it yet.” She noticed Gu Zhi desperately running her hands through her hair and asked: “Is something wrong?”

Gu Zhi: “No.”

If Xu Xun only grabbed a few pieces from Ji Yan’s yard, he could only refine a small amount. He couldn’t come to the yard every day and pull off a few pieces. The flower would be bald. He must have bought it somewhere.

Wanzhong Group Business Room.

Ji Guangyao walked in wearing a suit, looking distinguished. When people saw this elite figure, they all stepped aside and murmured. Walking into the business room, Gu Zhi stood up and shook hands with him: “Long time no see, Mr. Ji.”

Ji Guangyao smiled: “CEO Gu, what can I do for you?”

Gu Zhi started with an unrelated topic: “Mr. Ji, are you not going back to H-City?”

Ji Guangyao: “My daughter was dismissed. I plan to take her back.”

“It looks like she’s going back to inherit the family property.” Gu Zhi chuckled and took out the transparent bag containing the Jiangbei Nanchen Flower, placing it on the table so Ji Guangyao could see it clearly. After a day, the petals were still as vibrant as when first seen.

Gu Zhi smiled: “Mr. Ji, do you remember this flower?”

A flash of surprise crossed Ji Guangyao’s eyes. As expected of a seasoned businessman, he quickly regained his composure and smiled: “Isn’t this the flower I gave my daughter? It’s called—”

“Jiangbei Nanchen Flower.” Gu Zhi answered.

Ji Guangyao nodded: “Does CEO Gu have this flower too?”

“No, I just happened to run into Miss Ji Yan, your daughter, while picking indoor plants in the Mountain River District. She invited me home for tea and a visit. I happened to see it in the yard. My wife thought this flower was blooming so beautifully, so she picked a few petals to ask you if you had any more?”

Ji Guangyao chuckled: “I’m sorry, CEO Gu. I picked this flower on a mountain somewhere. It happened to be in Jiangbei, and there was the Nanchen scenic area nearby, so I named it Jiangbei Nanchen Flower. As for whether there are any more, I’m not sure.”

Gu Zhi’s eyes became sharp: “Picked near the Nanchen scenic area?” Fortunately, she and Xu Muyan had visited Xue Yan in H-City during the New Year and played in the surrounding scenic spots. Nanchen Scenic Area was a water park.

“I remember Nanchen Scenic Area is a water park, officially called Nanchen District Water Fun Park, and it’s surrounded by residential houses. How could there be a mountain nearby?”

Ji Guangyao dodged her gaze and cleared his throat: “It’s near the mountains in the Nanchen District.”

“Does Mr. Ji like mountain climbing?” Gu Zhi asked suspiciously.

Ji Guangyao’s voice trembled, trying hard to control it: “Yes, I enjoy hiking in my free time.”

Gu Zhi said, “Oh”: “Then I’ll ask my mother-in-law later if Mr. Ji likes mountain climbing.”

“CEO Gu!” Ji Guangyao suddenly shouted.

Gu Zhi stood up, staring straight into his eyes, her voice as cold as her expression: “What’s the matter, Mr. Ji? What are you hiding from me! You claim to love Xue Yan, but you’re secretly doing shady things with her ex-husband, aren’t you?!”

“I’m not!” Ji Guangyao also stood up, but compared to Gu Zhi’s youthful intensity, he lacked confidence in his voice.

“Mr. Ji, what exactly are you hiding?”

Ji Guangyao sat down, took a sip of tea, and spoke slowly: “Xu Xun and I met three years ago. At that time, I hadn’t met Ayan and didn’t know Xu Xun was her ex-husband. I’ve always been aloof. I’ve only had business partners, not friends, but I enjoyed talking with Xu Xun and gradually opened up, considering him my best friend in my later years. Then one day, my son returned from studying abroad and brought back two plants. It was the Jiangbei Nanchen Flower. He said it could help with sleep, but later he felt unwell and suddenly collapsed in front of me. We took him to the hospital and found out he was poisoned. My son realized he mistook the Pink Orchid Sleep Flower for the Nanchen Flower. I asked him where he picked it. He said he went on an expedition with a group of adventurers to a deserted mountain in a tropical region and stumbled upon this plant. He thought it was the Pink Orchid Sleep Flower and brought it back.”

“Since this plant is poisonous if you stay with it for a long time, why did you give it to your own daughter?”

Ji Guangyao suspiciously raised his eyes: “It would only be poisonous if kept in a sealed bedroom. Yan Yan’s yard is ventilated, and just a few plants wouldn’t have any effect. Besides, Yan Yan likes gardening, so I specifically gave it to her for appreciation.”

Gu Zhi laughed out loud. Ji Guangyao’s words were full of holes. If that was the case, why didn’t he tell Ji Yan that the flower was poisonous, and why did he lie earlier when questioned? This person seemed to be hiding something.

“Mr. Ji, let me advise you. Since you want to help Xue Yan, you must completely cut ties with Xu Xun. Can you do that?”

Ji Guangyao raised his eyes and shook his head: “Of course, I will help Ayan. Xu Xun and I are only connected by business interests.”

Gu Zhi knew that if she probed further, Ji Guangyao would only lose control. Since this man was still connected to Xue Yan, she didn’t want Xue Yan to find out she was tormenting her old flame.

However, her most important goal now was to find out where Xu Xun was cultivating the Nanchen Flower.

These crimes could surely put him away for good! Therefore, she still set her sights on Ji Yan. Based on the look in her eyes last time, Ji Yan also seemed to be hiding something unknown.