Missing
When Zhang Xiande learned that the supplies had been bombed, he had already notified his third brother to prepare double the supplies and delivery personnel.
"Boss, everything is ready. We're just waiting for Mr. You to finalize the time and place with his superiors before we can send it out." The third brother quietly arrived at Zhang Xiande's hospital room.
Upon hearing this, You Jiale's eyes lit up. He turned to look at Zhang Xiande, his face filled with genuine admiration: "You're really quick! The incident just happened over there, and everything's already arranged here."
Zhang Xiande's lips curled up almost imperceptibly, but he didn't show it on his face. "It's only right."
You Jiale stood up, his tone tinged with urgency: "Then I'll go back and report to my superiors to finalize the time and place. You can go back to Yunyin Hall now, right? There's no place like home here." He looked at Zhang Xiande with a questioning gaze.
Zhang Xiande nodded. "Yes, the butler will be here in a bit."
You Jiale rubbed his hands together. "That's perfect. I haven't been to 'Le Ji' for a single day since your accident. There must be a ton of things waiting for me at the shop." As he spoke, a helpless yet concerned expression appeared on his face. "I'll go back and get busy first, and then I'll come see you when I'm done."
Zhang Xiande looked at him, his eyes filled with reluctance: "You must keep your word."
You Jiale nodded shyly, then dashed out in a flash.
As soon as You Jiale stepped into the threshold of "Leji", a figure rushed over in a flurry.
Lin Zhi, her voice trembling with barely concealed panic, gasped, "Jiale! You're finally back! Something terrible has happened!"
You Jiale looked up and saw Lin Zhi looking completely lost. "What's wrong? Slow down, what happened?"
"It's Xiao Liu!" Lin Zhi's voice was choked with sobs as she gripped You Jiale's arm tightly, her nails almost digging into the fabric. "I sent him to deliver goods to the suburbs yesterday, and he hasn't come back yet! We've been to his house, but the neighbors all say they haven't seen him. His mother is going crazy with worry!"
You Jiale's expression instantly turned serious: "Which specific line? Which direction was it delivered to? Where was the last order received?"
Lin Zhi tried to calm herself down, fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead: "Xiao Liu has always been in charge of the route in the west of the city, near Xiaocang Mountain."
"Xiaocangshan?!" You Jiale's heart sank. He didn't have time to ask any more questions and immediately turned around and ran towards Zhang Xiande's ward. He guessed that Zhang Xiande shouldn't be back in Yunyintang so soon after he left.
Zhang Xiande was still leaning against the hospital bed, while his third brother stood beside it, quietly reporting something. When You Jiale rushed in, Zhang Xiande's eyes showed a hint of doubt. His third brother immediately fell silent, turning his gaze to You Jiale.
"Something's happened! Our shop assistant, Xiao Liu, went to deliver goods near Xiaocangshan in the west of the city yesterday and hasn't come back yet. We can't find him at home either!"
“I feel something’s wrong!” You Jiale said urgently.
"You suspect...it's not just a simple disappearance?"
“Definitely!” You Jiale said with certainty. “People just disappear for no reason. In this chaotic world, anything can happen! You have to find a way to send someone to investigate!” He looked at Zhang Xiande with anxious eyes.
Zhang Xiande nodded slightly, then turned to look at the third brother who had been silent, giving him a meaningful glance.
The third brother immediately understood Zhang Xiande's meaning.
You Jiale looked at the third brother with a hint of gratitude in her eyes: "Then I'll leave it to you. Please be careful."
Zhang Xiande looked at You Jiale and said, "You stay in the shop and reassure the others. Suspend all orders that are currently outside the city! Safety is the priority."
You Jiale nodded, "I understand, I'll go arrange it right away." She was still filled with unease.
You Jiale returned to "Leji" and forced a smile to reassure the brothers inside. He told them that the delivery service was suspended for safety reasons due to recent unrest outside the city. Although some were puzzled, they didn't dare ask further, seeing You Jiale's serious expression. A tense atmosphere filled the shop as they whispered among themselves. You Jiale glanced towards the door every now and then, anxiously awaiting news from his third brother.
The next afternoon, as the setting sun painted half the sky red, the third brother returned to Yunyin Hall. He strode to Zhang Xiande's study, where You Jiale was also waiting. Seeing the third brother's expression, her heart sank.
You Jiale immediately stood up and asked anxiously, "Third Uncle, what did you find out?"
Old Fu's face was grave. "Yesterday during the day, our men saw Japanese military police vehicles frequently entering and leaving Xiaocang Mountain. The situation was unclear, so we dared not approach rashly. Last night at midnight, I arranged for several of my most skilled brothers to quietly sneak into the mountain."
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