"Jingwan, you go back to work first. I'll find out more about the child from Third Brother. Eldest Brother knows about the same as us, but Third Brother probably knows more than us."

"I'm not leaving, I'll stay here and listen."

Before Gu Zhengfeng could even make the call, Song Zhi called. He didn't say much, probably because he was worried about the inconvenience of talking over the phone, since there was an operator in between.

"Zhengfeng, I've talked to Haozi. That kid is more mature and stronger than we imagined. So, you go about your business here. I'll keep you company. I won't say more. Take good care of your wife and kids. If you're alright, go study some more."

After hearing this, Gu Zhengfeng laughed. It would have been more direct to tell him to use his brain.

"Yes, I understand. Please, you must find out the truth."

Seeing Gu Zhengfeng hang up the phone, Wen Jingwan anxiously tugged at her husband's sleeve, "How did it go? What did Third Brother say?"

Gu Zhengfeng sighed softly, "Third Brother said that our son-in-law is doing as usual, nothing has changed. Think about it yourself. Before the child left, he told Haozi not to listen to or believe anything if anything happened on the way."

We are Jo's parents, and we should trust our child.

Wen Jingwan was now unsure whether to trust her husband. "Zhengfeng, give me a straight answer: is our Qiao'er still alive?"

Gu Zhengfeng paused for a moment, then nodded firmly. "Qiao'er is definitely still alive."

Wen Jingwan wanted to hear those words: "As long as the child is alive, nothing else matters. My daughter would never kill her own comrade. I hope the matter can be investigated as soon as possible and justice can be served for our Qiao'er."

Just as he finished speaking, Ning Hao called. Song Zhi had already told him that he had no choice but to contact his father-in-law; there was no point in keeping it a secret any longer.

"Dad, you know about Qiao'er's matter?"

Gu Zhengfeng hummed in agreement on the other end of the phone, "Haozi, I don't care what people are saying outside. Just focus on your work, take good care of the elderly at home, and we'll wait for Qiao'er to come back."

I can only believe the truth after seeing my daughter; I don't believe anything I hear secondhand.

“Dad, you did the right thing. Qiao’er told me the same thing before she left, that I should trust her. Grandpa Qiao is doing well, but the old man doesn’t believe it either. I haven’t had time to go see my grandpa yet. I’ll take Grandpa Qiao with me during the New Year. You and Mom are all doing well too, don’t worry.”

It would be a lie to say they weren't worried, but they kept it all to themselves. There was no point in saying it out loud. All they could do now was wait.

Wen Jingwan rushed over and said a few words to her son-in-law. She was worried that gossip might affect the child. If Ning Hao had elders around, she wouldn't have to worry about that.

However, the family consists of elderly people, and Ning Hao is the only one supporting them. She is afraid that if the child collapses again, what will happen?

"Mom, don't worry, I will take good care of the family. I believe in Qiao'er, she has always been our pride."

Mom, do you remember what Master Hou did when Qiao'er was unconscious? Think about it carefully. I won't say more. Come back whenever you have time, and don't worry if you don't. I'm here for you.

When Ning Hao reminded her of this, Wen Jingwan slapped her thigh. Oh my god, how could she have forgotten such a thing?

After hanging up the phone, she started chatting with Gu Zhengfeng, "Zhengfeng, I just remembered something. Back then, when I went back to take care of our daughter, that Master Hou seemed to have drawn a talisman for our Qiao'er."

Gu Zhengfeng frowned and asked, "What talisman? Has Qiao'er taken it off all this time?"

Wen Jingwan shook her head. "It wasn't drawn on paper, but on his back. It's really strange. I clearly saw the old man draw it, but in a short while, it was all gone. I don't understand what happened."

Master Hou said at the time that Qiao'er herself didn't know anything. With this talisman, at least her life wouldn't suddenly end. It would also remind her when she was feeling unwell, which would be much more convenient for those of us who were taking care of her.

Do you think that with that talisman, our Qiao'er won't have any accidents?

I asked beforehand, and they said it would last for five years, and it hasn't expired yet.

With those words in mind, Gu Zhengfeng felt at ease; before, he had only been comforting himself.

Now, he was no longer worried. As long as the talisman was still effective, even if Qiao'er was in danger, at least the talisman would help remind her, and there was still space. This time, it would be difficult for her to die.

"Alright, stop overthinking. If that stuff hasn't expired yet, it means it works. Don't scare yourself. Go to work, eat when you're supposed to eat, and work when you're supposed to work. Let's not cause trouble for the kids."

With her own man by her side, Wen Jingwan felt much more at ease. She knew Gu Zhengfeng well after so many years of marriage; he wouldn't easily make up lies, especially about the child, which concerned the child's life. Her husband would never joke about such a thing.

With her mind at ease, Wen Jingwan naturally didn't stay long; she still had work to do.

Gu Zhengfeng received several more phone calls, all about his daughter Qiao'er. Most of the calls were from people who were concerned about and comforting him.

The eldest and second eldest brothers told him not to worry, that they would have someone on their end inquire about it.

Jiang Qiao knew better than anyone what was being said about her; wherever she went, she could hear people talking about her.

However, she can't do anything else right now; the only way to make the enemy think she's dead is to make things easier for her later.

She was well aware of the impact and trouble this situation would cause her family, but there was nothing she could do right now. She hoped that Ning Hao and Song Zhi could appease their family.

Jiang Qiao had a tough journey, constantly hiding and on guard against inspectors who seemed to appear out of nowhere. Finally, she arrived at the place where she was to meet Jian Ling.

Jiang Qiao, dressed in tattered clothes and carrying a snakeskin bag, walked to the hospital entrance.

Jian Ling arrived long ago. At first, she didn't recognize Jiang Qiao at all. She knew Jiang Qiao could disguise herself, but she didn't expect Jiang Qiao to be dressed like this. If Jiang Qiao hadn't walked up to her, she wouldn't have even glanced at her.

"Aunt Jian, come with me—"

Although the person had changed, Jiang Qiao's voice remained the same. Upon hearing Jiang Qiao's voice, Jian Ling paused for a moment, blinked, and then the two of them left the hospital entrance one after the other.

Once they reached a secluded spot, Jian Ling rushed over anxiously. Regardless of Jiang Qiao's current condition, the child's clothes looked pitiful. Even though their Qiao'er dressed simply before, she had never looked like this.