Chapter 194: Retribution for Treason!

This completely overturned everyone's understanding!

The newspapers published that day featured a headline in the boldest black font on the front page: "Announcement on a Comprehensive Investigation of the Traitorous Group Involving Zhou XX, Chu XX, and Others."

The storm swept through the entire capital city with overwhelming force.

The first to react were those who had once desperately tried to gain entry into the Zhou and Chu families.

Overnight, the once bustling Zhou family compound and Chu family old house became deserted, with everyone avoiding them like the plague.

Even worse, some people went to the newly established joint task force and "heartbrokenly" exposed the "suspicious behavior" of the Zhou and Chu families that they had heard about, staging an absurd drama of everyone kicking someone when they're down.

The real liquidation began at the same time the announcement was made.

Dozens of heavily armed soldiers sealed off the Chu family's old residence.

Old Mrs. Chu was fiddling with her prayer beads in the Buddhist hall when, for the first time, the cold handcuffs were fastened to her wrists, and her face, which was always filled with gloom and calculation, revealed a genuine, apocalyptic terror.

She didn't say a word, her body went limp, and she was carried away by the soldiers.

The biggest commotion was in Chu Yanran's courtyard.

When the soldiers broke down the door, she was wearing a bright red wedding dress, applying makeup in front of the mirror, and humming an unknown tune.

"What are you doing! Get out! Who let you in!"

She saw the soldiers barging in and instantly flew into a rage, slamming her eyebrow pencil down on them.

"Chu Yanran, you are suspected of multiple crimes including treason, leaking state secrets, and intentional homicide. Come with us!" The leading officer read out the order expressionlessly.

"Treason? Murder?" Chu Yanran laughed maniacally, as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world. "Who did I kill? I love my country! I only love a man! What did I do wrong!"

"Huo Lang! Yes, it's Huo Lang! He's back! He's come to marry me, isn't he!" She suddenly remembered something, pushed aside the soldier in front of her, and was about to rush out.

"Huo Lang! I'm here! I'm dressed in my wedding gown!"

Her madness resulted in even harsher control.

Two soldiers stepped forward and pinned her down, the cold handcuffs clicking as they locked her slender wrists.

As she was dragged out of the gate, Chu Yanran was still screaming wildly.

"Huo Lang is mine! He was mine in life and he's mine in death! You bandits! You've taken him away from me!"

Her screams attracted a large crowd of neighbors, all of whom looked at the madwoman with disdain and contempt.

Everyone finally realized that the "ghost marriage tablet" scandal that had spread throughout the entire social circle of wealthy women was not unfounded.

This woman has truly gone mad for a man.

What's even more ridiculous is that the man she longed for not only returned alive, but also became the hero who personally sent her to hell.

This farce became the most ironic footnote to the downfall of the Chu family.

...

Unlike the turbulent outside world, the Gu family compound is a place of long-lost warmth and tranquility.

The official announcement completely cleared Huo Shouzheng of the injustice he had carried for 23 years.

The top leader personally issued a commendation order, restoring Huo Shouzheng's reputation, military rank, and benefits, and awarding him the highest honor of "First-Class Combat Hero of the Republic".

The Huo family, once despised as the "family of traitors," has transformed into a shining family of heroes.

Old Master Huo and Huo Shouxin also rushed from Hong Kong to the Gu family.

When Old Master Huo saw his son, dressed in a brand-new military uniform, with a general's star on his shoulder and still standing tall and straight, standing right in front of him, this old man who had spent his life in the business world could no longer hold back his tears.

He reached out his wrinkled and age-spotted hand, trembling, and stroked Huo Shouzhen's weathered face.

"...Uphold righteousness."

A single call, filled with twenty-three years of longing and heartache.

"Dad, I'm back." Huo Shouzhen, with tears in his eyes, gave his father a deep military salute.

Grandpa Huo hugged his son tightly and burst into tears, crying like a child.

Everyone in the Gu family who witnessed this scene quietly shed tears.

Su Yue stood beside Gu Beichen, looking at the scene of three generations living together.

Her dignified and sharp grandfather, her towering father, and... herself.

This was a warmth of blood ties that she had never experienced in both of her lives combined.

The baby in the womb seemed to sense the mother's joy and moved slightly, as if sharing this belated happiness.

Su Yue placed her hand on her lower abdomen, a gentle smile unconsciously spreading across her lips.

it's all over.

No, it's a complete restart.

After the storm, the dust settled.

Chu Zhennan and his wife voluntarily handed over all of the Chu family's illegally obtained assets and fully cooperated with the special task force's investigation.

Because of his significant meritorious service in putting the greater good before his own family, and because he was indeed innocent and had not participated in any of his mother's or sister's crimes, the organization decided to treat him leniently.

However, I definitely can't stay in Beijing anymore.

In the Gu family study, Chu Zhennan took the initiative to submit his application for a job transfer to Gu Zhengfeng.

“Commander Gu, I want to… go somewhere where nobody knows us and start over.” He seemed to have aged ten years overnight, but his spine remained straight.

Gu Zhengfeng pondered for a moment, as if he had thought of something.

"The Qiongzhou Military Region is currently short of a deputy director for its logistics department. Would you be willing to go?"

Hainan Island.

Su Yue's heart skipped a beat.

That's a good place, far from the whirlpool of Beijing, with vast skies and seas, perfect for a fresh start.

Chu Zhennan looked at Gu Zhengfeng gratefully and nodded heavily.

Just when everyone thought that this 23-year-long feud had finally come to a satisfactory end.

A confidential secretary hurried into the study.

He walked straight up to Huo Shouzheng and handed him a newly received encrypted telegram from the United States.

All the talking in the study stopped.

Huo Shouzhen took the telegram and opened it.

The living room, which had just been filled with the joy and warmth of surviving a disaster, suddenly became somewhat awkward because of this unexpected telegram.

Su Yue looked at her father.

Huo Shouzheng unfolded the thin telegram; his movements were steady and showed no abnormality.

But the next second, his body suddenly froze.

The face that had just regained some color instantly returned to its icy, hard state.

The telegram was small, and the content on it was even shorter.

It's just three simple words.

She's here.