Chapter 174 The Truth Comes Out

His initial hopeful attitude finally had its bloody veil ripped open at this moment, and an uncontrollable sense of guilt instantly overwhelmed Wu Jiang. He didn't know what others were thinking, but he simply couldn't ignore the condemnation in his heart.

What he had been worrying about finally happened.

Although his family had long ago been moved abroad under the lame excuse of a company reward for an overseas trip for outstanding family members, his classmates, teachers, and so many innocent families who had once been peaceful and happy were still here...

The government would never have resorted to a city lockdown unless it was absolutely necessary. The entire nation would be watching Nanze City's every move, and any misstep would be magnified. No one wanted to risk trouble. The only possibility was that the situation was beyond their control, and they could no longer handle it, forcing them to close the city.

It's only been three days since the virus was released, but the government has been forced to make the decision to lock down the city. The virus's rapid spread is definitely not as simple as Su Xingran planned.

Wu Jiang stared at Su Xingran with red eyes and demanded, "Su Xingran, didn't you say the first wave of deployment would be to marginalized people and stray animals? How did it get to the point of a city lockdown?"

The answer was obvious, how could Wu Jiang not have thought of it, but he still couldn't help but find an outlet for venting.

Su Xingran glanced indifferently at the man who questioned him. Even though he was being held hostage, he still maintained a condescending attitude and simply disdained to answer the man's questions.

Assistant Wang disapproved: "Dr. Wu, please stop talking nonsense. What does what's happening outside have to do with us?"

The middle-aged woman sarcastically said, "They are so cruel to their own people, how can they be kind to outsiders?"

Aside from the uninformed security guards who were completely bewildered upon hearing these words, the other researchers' expressions all changed. If these two hadn't suddenly barged in, what would have been waiting for them?

Should we burn the bridge after crossing it, or share the fruits of success?

The answer was almost self-evident, and several researchers felt a chill down their spines.

A crisis of trust had already emerged, and the allies' subtle plots and backstabbing were now clear. But at this point, could they still terminate their cooperation? If they did, their painstakingly researched results would become the very fuel that fueled the Su Group's growth, and their future careers would face a grim end.

At this point, what other way out do they have?

The other two researchers exchanged glances, each realizing the same thing. They were now in a state of utter despair; there was no turning back.

"Old Wu, calm down first."

"Yes, Teacher Gu, don't be so anxious. We are doing fine now. The situation outside is critical. It is time for us to use what we have learned to serve society."

Shen Jiang almost looked up to these two researchers who had always been quiet. Look at their righteous looks. It would be a waste of their talents if they didn't go into acting.

"Have you made up your mind? Do you want to trade them for you?" Shen Jiang whispered devilishly in Su Xingran's ear.

The blade was pressed tightly against Su Xingran's soft neck. Suddenly, a sharp pain came over him, and something hot and wet flowed down his neck, bringing Su Xingran, who was lost in thought, back to his senses and then making him furious.

How dare she! How dare she!

"Stop it now!" Assistant Wang was horrified when he saw the bright red on his boss's fair neck. "Cutting an artery could be fatal!"

Shen Jiang looked at him unkindly: "One last time, do you want to change?"

Of course, Su Xingran wouldn't trade. Those researchers had already begun to distrust him. If he chose to trade their lives for his, wouldn't that be a clear admission that these researchers were worthless in his eyes, further alienating them? The only thing he wondered was why the sniper hadn't made his move yet.

Wu Jiang, Dr. Gu... and Assistant Wang were all nervously waiting for their boss to express his opinion.

Su Xingran said in a low but firm voice: "I can give you a lot of money, but their lives are as precious as mine."

Some people in the crowd breathed a sigh of relief, but before they could finish their breath, someone said anxiously, "Boss! This won't do."

As Su Xingran's trusted confidant, Assistant Wang naturally knew what to do at this moment. When his boss wasn't thinking clearly, he had to speak frankly and offer advice. If his boss was thinking clearly, he would have to carefully consider the deeper meaning behind his words. Su Xingran seemingly offered an answer, but Assistant Wang, having spent so much time with him, knew with a quick thought that that response couldn't possibly represent his boss's true decision. After all, his boss was a classic capitalist, solely focused on profit. He would make such stern remarks at a critical moment, hoping to reap the rewards he desired. The researchers didn't trust him, so he was demonstrating his position to them, trying to regain their trust.

Now that his goal had been achieved, he, as a confidant, should do something. For example, he could go against his boss's decision and become a rebellious assistant who insists on having his own way.

Assistant Wang said to his boss earnestly, "The company outside is still waiting for you to take charge, and the military will be here soon. You can't afford to be impulsive at this moment." Seeing that Su Xingran refused to change his mind, he seemed to have made up his mind and turned to the security captain, "Secure those researchers!"

Wu Jiang was still blaming himself, unresponsive. Dr. Gu was still lying on the ground, and the other two researchers were looking at Su Xingran with gratitude. At that moment, they were all forcibly pulled up by the security guards nearby. Disbelief filled the eyes of several researchers: "Assistant Wang, are you crazy?"

Su Xingran's brows darkened. "Assistant Wang, didn't you hear what I said?"

Assistant Wang didn't even look at his boss. Instead, he said to Shen Jiang, "Let my boss go. These people will follow you. I can prepare a car for you."

Shen Jiang didn't expect that Su Xingran's assistant would have such great power, but the other party's voice finally matched the voice on the phone a few months ago, which made her look at the other party meaningfully.

Shen Jiang: "Have someone take them to the car outside. Once they're in the car, I'll let him go."

Looking at Assistant Wang, who looked frustrated but had to do what he was told, Shen Jiang thought he looked a lot like the middle-aged woman trying to sell unsold vegetables at the market. Angry, but cooperative.

No matter how hard Dr. Gu and the others struggled, they couldn't get past the sturdy security guards. Assistant Wang's unyielding plea for cooperation was even more frustrating. But they were powerless and could only stumble forward like chickens, being herded around.

Halfway through the journey, the military personnel appeared in the Su family's old house uninvited as expected, like divine soldiers descending from the sky.

Not only Assistant Wang, but nearly all the researchers felt as if the day had finally dawned. Gazing at the soldiers, their figures as tall as green onions, a sense of security suddenly arose. At this moment, no one felt a trace of guilt, only a desire for their rescue.

Assistant Wang's eyes welled up with tears when he saw the soldiers: "Hurry and save our boss! He's been held hostage by criminals."

These two idiots actually dared to hurt the boss. Unfortunately, they met the soldiers whose mission is to protect the people. Even if they have great abilities, they can't escape.

In fact, without him saying anything, the soldiers had also noticed the situation here. In fact, after they saw that a short man was holding a hostage, their expressions became extremely complicated and exciting.

Assistant Wang didn't understand what was going on. He just thought that the other party's extremely serious expression was because he was worried about someone's life, and he was desperately thinking about how to rescue his boss.

"Wang Gang, you take your men to move the others to a safe place first, and the rest of you follow me." The leading officer quickly came to his senses and began to direct the scene.

"yes!"

Before Assistant Wang could even breathe a sigh of relief, he was taken outside by several soldiers who were walking towards him without any explanation.

"No, I can't leave. Just save my boss, don't worry about me." Assistant Wang struggled mightily, but the other party's strength was unbearable. No one listened, only using hidden power to hold him down and force him out. Several researchers and security guards, however, cooperated well and were spared the restraint.

Suddenly, only Su Xingran, Shen Jiang, Godwin, and a team of soldiers who were trying to rescue the hostages from the criminals were left at the scene.

Su Xingran couldn't say what was strange, but the current situation made him feel a little relieved. After all, he was not only a legal citizen, but also a very vulnerable hostage.

The negotiations officially began.

"You shouldn't be so impulsive." These words, though seemingly accusatory, were also tinged with intimacy. The speaker was none other than Chen Ming, the soldier Shen Jiang had abandoned outside the mansion. He should have been delighted to see Shen Jiang standing there unharmed, but he'd taken a hostage. If she had discussed this with them, she wouldn't have found herself in this situation.

The leading officer made a gesture, and the other soldiers immediately raised their weapons and aimed at the three people present.

Su Xingran's lips curled up into a faint smile. If the two men behind him could die at the hands of these soldiers, his plan would still be flawless, and it would even further prove his innocence. These soldiers arrived at the perfect time.

But the situation changed quickly, and Su Xingran's usually calm expression showed a very obvious look of surprise for the first time.

The person behind him suddenly released his hold and shouted loudly enough for everyone to hear, "This man is the owner of Su Kang Pharmaceutical. This happened suddenly, and I had no choice but to resort to this last resort to protect myself. I will take responsibility for any problems. Bring those researchers back to base immediately. I have an urgent matter to report to Secretary Kang."

Shen Jiang pulled Godwin and retreated to a position far enough away from Su Xingran.

Su Xingran was still in a daze about his sudden freedom. When someone behind him suddenly mentioned Secretary Kang, he couldn't help but have a bad feeling.

The officer on the opposite side waved his hand, and someone immediately stepped forward to restrain Su Xingran. The officer's face was filled with worry, but he said, "Doctor Shen Jiang, I didn't expect you to go so deep into the Tiger Cave. Fortunately, you're okay. We received orders, one to control the people here, and the other to find you."

No matter how stupid Su Xingran was, he realized that something was wrong. But no matter what he said, the soldiers turned a deaf ear to him and took him straight to the military vehicle.

Shen Jiang also got into another car. Assistant Wang happened to be in the car behind her. Seeing that she and the tall man were very free, not being escorted by soldiers at all, they got into the car as if no one else was around. He couldn't believe his eyes and shouted, "Why are we good citizens treated like prisoners, while the real criminals are treated with courtesy? Are you crazy?"

Things went more smoothly than Shen Jiang expected. She originally thought that she might have to face legal sanctions or spend some effort to make Secretary Kang believe her.

On the way, Shen Jiang heard Chen Ming say that the substance found at Su Kang Pharmaceutical had been tested positive for the virus. She finally understood why so many soldiers had suddenly entered the Su family compound. This made her feel a little more relaxed. With this test result, combined with the antidote and some incomplete information she had collected in the small building, it seemed that convincing Secretary Kang and the others should not be difficult.

But what Shen Jiang didn't expect was that things would be handled much faster than she had imagined.

Among the researchers, Wu Jiang was the first to confess the truth, not entirely for the sake of seeking leniency. The strong sense of guilt broke down his psychological defenses. After witnessing the tragic conditions in the base hospital, which was like hell on earth, he completely collapsed.

Nanze City was plunged into disaster by their greed, and the government had irrefutable evidence of their crimes. Everything about him, both psychologically and physically, was ruined. To atone for his sins, Wu Jiang simply hoped to quickly put the antidote into production. Then came Dr. Gu and two other researchers. They admitted that, in an effort to gain fame in the medical community, they, under the leadership of Dr. Chen, had been researching viruses and antidotes in Su Kang's secret laboratory.

Su Xingran had no idea that these people had sold him out. Faced with the evidence before him, he first kept silent, and then said that he knew nothing about it and asked them to talk to his legal team.

The only point Su Xingran gave in was Shen Jiang. He insisted that Shen Jiang had deliberately cut himself with a knife, but no one believed him because they could not find any wound on his neck.

When Chen Ming talked about this, he was full of disgust for the guy who was still trying to scam people when he was about to die: "This cowardly guy thought the blood on his neck was his."

Shen Jiang smiled slightly, her eyes fixed on her bandaged wound, as if nothing had happened. In the car, Chen Ming saw the horrible appearance of the flesh on her hand and gasped. Not only Chen Ming, but everyone else saw the wound on her hand, so they all believed that Su Xingran was lying.

In reality, the wound on her hand had long since healed. After bandaging it, Shen Jiang used basic light magic to heal it. Since it was covered with gauze, no one else could see it. The same method was used on Su Xingran's neck. Shen Jiang wouldn't give the other party an opportunity to exploit such a small detail.

When Godwin saw that she was willing to hurt herself to hide her tracks, his eyes instantly turned red.

It's red from anger.

"I'm going to kill that guy."

Shen Jiang advised him to be patient for a while.

Godwin looked at her with a strange look: "Why wait until then?"

He didn't want to give that guy any more chance to catch his breath.

Shen Jiang smiled and said, "Because killing someone is heartbreaking. I want to know how a child of destiny like him would react if he fell into the quagmire of his own making, becoming disgraced and despised by the world."

Since she is the protagonist of this world, I should be able to give her some surprises.