I originally wanted to go find Song Zhi first, but who would have thought that I would run into Fu Lin and a woman carrying things just coming out of the department store.

Jiang Qiao didn't think twice. Judging from their appearances, they were most likely each other's partners.

"Brother Fu—"

Hearing someone call his name, Fu Lin turned around and saw that it was Jiang Qiao. A smile immediately appeared on his face.

"Hey little girl, what are you doing not going to school? Skipping class?"

Jiang Qiao shook her head. "I have to go out on business during the May Day holiday, so I asked my teacher for leave in advance. Brother Fu, is this your future sister-in-law?"

Fu Lin's girlfriend wasn't particularly beautiful, but she was fairly pretty. However, she was quite tall; when the two of them stood together, she was half a head taller than Fu Lin.

It seems Fu Lin is trying to make up for his lack of height by taking advantage of his wife. The woman was wearing a work uniform, so it looks like they were rushing over to buy something after get off work.

The woman was taken aback when she saw Jiang Qiao, then smiled and nodded. "And who is this?"

Fu Lin quickly stepped forward to introduce them: "This is a girl we brothers have acquainted with, her name is Jiang Qiao, Qiao'er. And this is your sister-in-law, Zhao Yanhua—"

"Hello, sister-in-law!"

Jiang Qiao noticed Zhao Yanhua looking her over and asked curiously, "Sister-in-law, have you seen me before?"

Zhao Yanhua smiled and shook her head. "I've never met you, but I've always heard of you. Zhao Guoping is my younger brother—"

"Oh my god, I never imagined Zhao Guoping was your brother. We even sat at the same desk for a semester."

"Brother Fu, I have some sugar coupons and cloth coupons here. Do you think they'll be useful? I was going to deliver them anyway, but since I ran into you, it saves me the trouble."

Fu Lin happily accepted the ticket. "Thank you so much! You've really helped me a lot!"

"Don't mention it, I have something to do, I'll be going now."

Jiang Qiao and Fu Lin didn't dawdle; after giving their instructions, they quickly left.

Zhao Yanhua watched Jiang Qiao's figure disappear into the distance before turning her gaze away. "Jiang Qiao is the girl who went hunting in the woods with you?"

Although Fu Lin was a little confused, he nodded seriously. "That's right. Before, in order to prepare the meat dishes needed for the banquet, I asked Jiang Qiao to take me into the forest to see if I could get any game. What's wrong?"

Fu Lin remembered mentioning that he had gone hunting, but he hadn't said who he had gone with. Zhao Yanhua's question meant there was definitely something going on.

Zhao Yanhua sighed, "I heard it from an acquaintance of one of my colleagues. The person said that the woman's tone sounded like she had ill intentions. She said she saw you and a woman going into the woods in broad daylight and told me to be careful."

Upon hearing this, Fu Lin immediately became furious. "Damn it, who is this? This is utter nonsense! How old is Jiang Qiao? She's just a child. How can they treat her like this? Aren't they trying to harm her?"

Zhao Yanhua rolled her eyes at Fu Lin. "If I say it, it means I don't believe that Jiang Qiao would be interested in you."

I was thinking, with Jiang Qiao's looks, what kind of man could be worthy of her?

This girl is already so beautiful even before she's grown up. Imagine how stunning she'll be when she's all grown up and dressed up!

Fu Lin gave a wry smile. "Don't overthink it. My brother's little wife is Ning Hao's. Do you remember him? We've met him before."

Zhao Yanhua looked at Fu Lin in surprise, "Ning Hao? My God, how old is Jiang Qiao? He's already got his eye on her?"

Fu Lin smiled sheepishly, "She's someone else's person, why do you care so much? Just keep it to yourself. It's just that Jiang Qiao has big plans in mind and says she won't talk about this until she's old enough."

So, I don't care what outsiders say about Jiang Qiao, but you know what's really going on in your heart. This girl, we can only be friends with her, just don't offend her. Let's go—”

Fu Lin knew what was going on with Jiang Qiao, but he couldn't say too much. He just wanted his wife to understand a little. As for the rest, he would have to give Jiang Qiao a proper talking-to when they met again. Damn it, who the hell had the time to spread such nonsense?

"What's that woman's name?"

Zhao Yanhua shook her head. "That woman often comes here to buy things. She got to know my colleague after a while. As for her name, I really don't know. I'll ask her later."

Jiang Qiao was unaware that people outside were spreading rumors about her. When she arrived at the police station, she found the atmosphere inside to be tense. Usually, there were many people inside, but now, only a few people were on duty.

"What happened? Where did everyone go?"

The officer on duty recognized Jiang Qiao. "They're having a meeting inside. As for what it's about, you'll find out when you ask our director."

It seemed to be a confidential matter, so Jiang Qiao didn't press the matter and waited outside for a while.

After everyone had come out, she went to Song Zhi's office.

"Uncle, what's wrong?"

Upon seeing Jiang Qiao, Song Zhi sighed, "Something's happened. There's been an incident at the prison in the neighboring city. Some criminals have escaped, and we have to cooperate in their capture. You didn't see the military mobilized? I just finished a meeting here and I have to go out soon too."

"Girl, I've already arranged the train tickets. Your dad can contact someone directly; he knows people."

Jiang Qiao grabbed Song Zhi, who was in a hurry to leave, and asked, "Third Uncle, what are the arrangements over in the valley? Is someone keeping an eye on it?"

Song Zhi nodded. "I don't know how Old Chen arranged things after those two people went last time. I've already reported this to Song Shutian, and he should be able to come today. Don't worry."

Jiang Qiao hesitated for a moment, then said, "Uncle, I think that what happened in the neighboring city this time might be an operation coordinated by our opponents in this valley."

Song Zhi, who was in a hurry to leave, took a step back and looked at Jiang Qiao with a serious expression. "Girl, what are you thinking?"

Jiang Qiao pulled Song Zhixian to sit down. "Third Uncle, don't be anxious. I think we should be more cautious about this matter, since the timing of the events is too coincidental."

How about this: have the army send some men out, leave some to guard the area around the city, and send some to the valley. I don't really know how to communicate this.

Furthermore, how many people actually escaped from the neighboring city? Weren't they caught there? Are there police and military personnel operating there as well?

Song Zhi stretched out his hand and shook it. "They said they caught some of them, but ten escaped. As for the identities of these ten people, the higher-ups didn't say too much. They just said that they must catch them. I suspect that there might be enemy agents among them."

"Then you should have photos and identification information here, otherwise, how would you investigate? If it really is that kind of identity, you know better than I do what those people do."

Song Zhi sighed, "The documents and photos should arrive soon. I understand these people, of course. Girl, I'll talk to the leadership now—"

Jiang Qiao's words reminded Song Zhi that he hadn't thought of this before, but he felt that even if someone went to the valley, they couldn't do anything. He thought it wouldn't be too late to take action after Song Shutian's people arrived. It seems he was wrong.