Shen Zhi Qiu was somewhat surprised. She turned her head and saw Gu Qingyan getting out of the driver's seat of the car in front with a gloomy face, followed closely by Si Mingyu.

Gu Qingyan was dressed in a pure black suit, his face was very ugly and his brows were tightly furrowed. He glanced sharply at Lu Jia and Jiang Bei next to Shen Zhi Qiu, and then strode towards her.

Si Mingyu's footsteps behind her were hurried but heavy. His eyes were filled with worry and heartache as he looked at Shen Zhi Qiu, but he quickly suppressed it and looked up at her gently.

"Come back with me!" Gu Qingyan said coldly, reaching out to take her away.

Just as Gu Qingyan's hand was about to touch Shen Zhi Qiu, Lu Jia stepped forward calmly but firmly to block her, then gently pulled her behind him and whispered to comfort her, "Don't be afraid."

Then, calmly, he slapped Gu Qingyan's hand and said:

“Mr. Gu, I think you are not in a position to ask Zhi Qiu to go back with you right now.”

When Gu Qingyan saw his hand being slapped away by Lu Jia, his anger surged up instantly. He frowned and said rudely, "What right do you have to stand in front of her?"

"The person who wants to kill her wasn't someone I provoked." Lu Jia frowned, already wanting to hit someone, but he held back because Shen Zhi Qiu was there.

"What do you mean?" Gu Qingyan was taken aback. He had been focused on finding Shen Zhi Qiu, and the clue he found was that she had been kidnapped by two men. He had checked the surveillance footage, and the men were strangers. But Lu Jia's questioning made him begin to suspect that someone else was behind it all. He frowned, paused for several seconds, and then asked uncertainly, "Could it be... Wan Qing?"

Jiang Bei, who had been silent all along, interrupted him impatiently, "Gu Qingyan, if you like that woman, go be with her. Don't pretend to care about our Zhi Qiu here. Our Zhi Qiu has someone who loves and cares for her, and she doesn't need an incompetent husband like you. Just looking at you annoys me."

Gu Qingyan's face was clouded with anger as he said, word by word, "I only like Shen Zhi Qiu."

"You like Zhi Qiu?" Jiang Bei sneered, giving him a disdainful look. "Gu Qingyan, has no one taught you how to like someone? If you like Zhi Qiu, you should cherish her and protect her, especially since she's carrying your child! But what do you do? Instead of treating Zhi Qiu this way, you repeatedly defend that murderer. What, have you been bewitched by her? Anyone can say they like someone, but it's all about actions! In this respect, you're no match for Lu Jia."

"Say one more word!" Gu Qingyan was furious, clenching his fists as if he were about to strike.

Si Mingyu sighed softly, suppressing the turbulent emotions in his heart. He stepped forward and pressed down on Gu Qingyan's hand, reminding her, "Are you sure you want to make a move here? Have you forgotten what we agreed on before we came?"

Gu Qingyan pursed his lips, recalling the precautions Si Mingyu had given him when he first learned Shen Zhi Qiu's location. Listening to him analyze Shen Zhi Qiu's personality point by point, Gu Qingyan felt a surge of anger, but he had to admit that Si Mingyu understood Shen Zhi Qiu better than he did. If he were to lay a hand on her today, Shen Zhi Qiu's impression of him would only worsen, just like before, and she would only firmly demand a divorce—something he absolutely did not want.

Gu Qingyan calmed herself down and then turned her gaze to Shen Zhi Qiu.

It was still early when a strong wind began to blow across the fields, causing Shen Zhi Qiu's hair to flutter and her lips to turn pale.

Lu Jia glanced back, immediately took off his coat, gently draped it over her shoulders, and softly comforted her, "Zhi Qiu, don't be afraid. Although I'm worried, you can decide for yourself whether to come with me or go back with Gu Qingyan."

Shen Zhi Qiu said softly, "I haven't figured out what happened to my mother yet, I'm worried..."

Lu Jia didn't speak, but he knew this was a knot in Shen Zhi Qiu's heart, and it wouldn't be good for her if it wasn't untied. However, he really couldn't bear to leave now.

After thinking for a moment, Lu Jia said to Jiang Bei, "Jiang Bei, I'll stay in Nancheng and help Zhi Qiu handle things."

Jiang Bei understood; he was never one for words. He glanced at Shen Zhi Qiu and said, "Zhi Qiu, I'll go first. I feel at ease with Lu Jia by your side."

"Thank you, Jiangbei." Shen Zhi Qiu smiled gently.

"Thank me? I'm leaving!" With that, Jiang Bei nodded to Lu Jia, then waved casually and walked towards the helicopter.

"Let's go home first." Gu Qingyan had learned her lesson this time, and her tone became very gentle.

Reaching the car, Lu Jia opened the back door and helped Shen Zhi Qiu into the car.

Gu Qingyan pursed her lips, a hint of displeasure flashing between her brows. Just as she was about to lash out, Si Mingyu coughed softly a few times, so Gu Qingyan stopped and opened the driver's side door.

They remained silent the entire way.

Two cars drove into the Gu family villa, one after the other.

Gu Qingyan parked the car, got out of the driver's seat, opened the door for Shen Zhi Qiu, and extended his hand to her.

Shen Zhi Qiu glanced at him but didn't say anything, nor did she let him help her.

Gu Qingyan withdrew her hand, looked at the villa, and said, "Go inside. The family doctor will come to examine you in a bit. The police are already investigating. If you need any assistance, I will help you. You should rest first." With that, she lifted her foot to walk inside.

"Wait a minute." Shen Zhi Qiu hesitated for a moment, then called out to Gu Qing Yan, "Don't go in. I don't want to see you."

Gu Qingyan frowned, her fingers curling up as she looked at Shen Zhi Qiu with disbelief, waiting coldly for her to say the next sentence.

“You said the transfer of ownership of the house has been completed. I’ve seen it, and the entire villa, including everything inside, now belongs to me alone,” Shen Zhi Qiu said calmly.