Chapter 103 Monitoring App Today, she still didn’t smile.
It was already nine o'clock when Fang Qingzhuo woke up.
After washing up, he picked up his phone and scanned it, and all he saw were missed calls from Tang Yan.
The most recent call was two minutes ago, and when I called back, the call went through in seconds: "Mr. Xiao Fang, you finally answered the phone."
Fang Qingzhuo turned on the hands-free mode and briefly treated the wound on his arm: "What's wrong?"
"Something happened."
Fang Qingzhuo paused while cutting the gauze. "What about Li Suba's investigation?"
Tang Yan spoke quickly, his anxiety creeping out of the screen: "Li Subaru was taken away this morning. He was the one who posted the video last night."
"What video?"
"Last night, he posted a video in his capacity as Yike's vice president, accusing Yike of cutting corners and substandard construction at its Ideal City development, and pleading for the relevant authorities to take notice. Furthermore, he called on Ideal City's owners to take legal action to protect their legal rights. "Now everyone online is accusing us of making dirty money, and…"
Perhaps there were more nasty things Tang Yan couldn't say, so he simply shifted the focus. "Also, the Housing Construction and Housing Management Bureau have issued instructions. They will formally intervene in the investigation this afternoon. They hope we will stop work and actively cooperate."
“How long will the shutdown take?”
"There is no definite information at the moment."
Fang Qingzhuo's expression grew serious. With the bitter lessons learned from past incidents over the past few years, real estate was a sensitive topic that could not be touched. If construction were halted, not to mention the losses, the prolonged online backlash and the panic among property owners would have an immeasurable impact on Yike. "First, send a letter of apology, demonstrating our willingness to cooperate. Also, explain the situation of the individuals involved. Oh, and close with this: Yike has always been upright and fearless, and welcomes scrutiny from all walks of life."
There was no other remedy at the moment. Tang Yan agreed to everything and then hesitated on the other end of the phone: "There's one more thing."
"Um?"
"I don't know who posted Lin Su's story online."
For at least half a minute, Tang Yan didn't hear Fang Qingzhuo express his opinion.
Logically speaking, such gossips are not uncommon, but man proposes, God disposes, and at this critical juncture, they happened to run into the gun barrel, and the work style issues, whether big or small, were instantly dissected and nitpicked under countless magnifying glasses.
"Mr. Xiao Fang, are you listening?"
It would have been fine if I hadn't asked, but once I did, laughter erupted from the receiver.
Tang Yan couldn't help but worry about his condition, "Are you okay?"
"fine."
After hanging up the phone, Fang Qingzhuo sat quietly on the armrest of the sofa for at least ten minutes before the unknown smile in his eyes gradually faded. During this period, his brain had already conceived of various situations that might happen next and the corresponding strategies. He wrapped the sterile gauze around his body again, put on his shirt, and finally picked up the car keys and went out.
The destination was not the company, but an ordinary restaurant on the street.
Less than two minutes later, the passenger door was opened from the outside. The short-haired man who got in briefly greeted Fang Qingzhuo and then handed over a brown paper file. "This is what you asked me to look up. It's all the information about that woman named Lin Su over the past few years."
"Thanks." Fang Qingzhuo took it and untied the rope of the file bag. A stack of photos slipped out first. The content was roughly about Lin Su picking up and dropping off the children at kindergarten. The kindergarten looked small and the decoration was ordinary. In the next photo, the parent in charge of picking up and dropping off the children was replaced by a tall and thin man. Turning the page again, it was a picture of the three of them going home together. The old and crowded building was entangled with dense wires. The lingering dark tones were frozen in the photo paper.
“Where is this background?”
Ah Chao took a quick glance and immediately recognized it: "It's the urban village in Shiwei. You must have never been there. It's a place you can't even pinpoint."
Fang Qingzhuo did not comment and continued to read the kindergarten student files.
The three words "Guo Fanglang" were clearly written in the name column.
It turned out to be Guo.
The blood type column immediately made his eyes light up.
The parents' information further down is Guo Tianlin and Lin Su, but basic information, such as work units and contact information, is blank.
Seeing this, Ah Chao explained: "It seems that she has not worked in the past few years and relies on this man's work to support him."
"Can we find out where he works?" Fang Qingzhuo asked without raising his head.
Ah Chao replied, "My second child happens to attend this kindergarten. According to some teachers and parents, this man seems to work for some large internet company. I'm not sure about the details. Do you want me to send my younger brother to follow him?"
"No, that's enough."
After Fang Qingzhuo finished speaking, the car suddenly fell into a continuous silence. Feeling the atmosphere was awkward, Ah Chao pulled out a cigarette case from his pocket, took out two cigarettes, held one between his teeth, and stretched the other to the driver's seat: "Who are these three people to you?"
Fang Qingzhuo didn't refuse but didn't plan to order either. He held the cigarette between his fingers and leaned out the car window, jokingly saying, "Everyone's saying this kid is my brother, and they're forcing me to let him recognize his ancestors."
Hearing this, Ah Chao laughed unkindly, and the cigarette he had in his mouth, which he hadn't lit yet, fell off his thigh because of his action: "Sorry, I didn't mean to."
Fang Qingzhuo stopped talking about this topic and turned his head to look at the unremarkable little restaurant on the side of the road. Business was pretty good and the seats were almost full before lunchtime.
Following the end of his sight, Ah Chao came across the clay pot rice stall where his family made their living, so he warmly invited them: "Have a bowl before you leave?"
Fang Qingzhuo curled his lips and said, "Do I look like I have an appetite now?"
Ah Chao also laughed: "No, I'm not exaggerating, but anyone who has tried my clay pot rice will definitely come back for a second time."
Fang Qingzhuo immediately followed up on his question: "When will the branch be opened?"
"Well..." Ah Chao showed a troubled expression, scratched the back of his head and said honestly, "I don't have any plans yet."
"Then I'll help you."
As soon as these words came out, Ah Chao instantly understood his intention, and looked at him with a puzzled look in his eyes: "I say, after so many years, how come you still haven't developed a sense of humanity?"
"I just don't like owing people favors."
"Forget it, I'm too embarrassed to say anything." Ah Chao leaned back in his chair, reminiscing through the windshield in front of him, "If it weren't for you, I might still be wandering down some road of no return. This time, consider it my repayment for the gift you gave me for the Hundred Days Banquet. We're even now, just like the beating I gave you back then in exchange for medical expenses."
The breeze passed through the car window, bringing the childish voice of "Dad" to my ears. It was Achao's son and daughter, carrying small backpacks of the same style but different colors. It was obvious that they had just been picked up by their mother and grandmother.
Achao got out of the car swiftly, picked up a child in each hand, and at the same time tried to persuade Fang Qingzhuo to stay: "Look at how stubborn you are. If you really don't want to come down and try it, I'll treat you."
The happy smiles of the family outside the window were too eye-catching. Fang Qingzhuo retracted his envious gaze and waved his hand: "Next time, there are people at home waiting for me to go back for dinner."
Since the grandson joined her at the dining table in the Fang family's old house, the old lady's appetite has improved a lot.
"Azhuo, eating this chicken and the medicinal food are all good for your health."
Fang Qingzhuo put down his bowl and chopsticks and joked, "Grandma, I'm really full. If I eat any more, I can go to a sumo tournament."
"Are you full? How many bites did you eat in total?" The old lady hated to see her grandson not eat well. After picking up the food that was running on the ground, she scooped up the food that was swimming in the river. In the blink of an eye, the small bowl was filled into a small hill.
In this situation, Fang Qingzhuo said no more, picked up the chopsticks again, looked like he had no appetite, but forced himself to chew the food one by one.
The old lady frowned: "Is the food not to your liking?"
Fang Qingzhuo shook his head slowly, speaking softly, "No, I'm just a little tired. Oh, and I made some soup to take to the hospital. I'll go there later."
Seeing her grandson running back and forth after work, the old lady felt so distressed: "Don't send him off tonight. There's no rush."
As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Qingzhuo objected: "How can that be possible? We can enjoy a feast at home while my dad suffers alone in the hospital."
The old lady blinked quickly. "It's not like the hospital doesn't provide meals. Besides, if he misses one or two meals at home, will he really starve?"
Fang Qingzhuo's face was filled with disbelief, his lips trembling as he said, "Grandma, what you said is wrong. He is your son."
The old lady was speechless.
Fang Qingzhuo pressed on: "I know you feel sorry for me, but I really don't feel tired. Special Assistant Tang is still working overtime in the group. I have to go back and set a good example. Delivering soup is also a matter of convenience. The more critical the moment is..."
The old lady was so nervous that she raised her hand to stop him: "Alright, alright, stop acting. I know your dad isn't there."
"You knew it long ago." Fang Qingzhuo changed his previous tired attitude and looked at the old lady with calm and determined eyes.
Realizing she was being tricked, the old lady averted her gaze, her emotionless gaze shifting. After a moment's thought, she explained, "He still had a conscience, coming to see me before he left. But you shouldn't have resorted to such a drastic measure, arranging the scene of him being hospitalized. And you certainly shouldn't have misled people into thinking he was dead, creating panic and giving those with ulterior motives an opportunity. If I hadn't personally contacted the old shareholders before the meeting, do you think you and Special Assistant Tang could have gotten through this?"
After a series of accusations, Fang Qingzhuo lowered his eyes: "It was no coincidence that you came to the manor that night."
The old lady paused and said, "I did receive news about what happened at the meeting, and I'm worried..."
For the first time in his life, Fang Qingzhuo interrupted the old lady and said, "Do you know where my father is now?"
The old lady was obviously not interested in talking, and replied sarcastically, "Where else can I go? I'll just revisit the old place."
Fang Qingzhuo: "You just let him do whatever he wants?"
Hearing the unhappiness in her grandson's words, the old lady subconsciously defended her son: "It has not been easy for your father these years."
Fang Qingzhuo was silent for several seconds, as if he had adjusted his mood before he spoke softly: "Do I have it easy?"
"You..." The old lady was taken aback by the question. "Just think of this as an opportunity your father gives you to gain experience and a chance to show your face in the group. Sooner or later, you will take over Yike."
She had put on this act without telling him, just to train him? Fang Qingzhuo was truly exhausted at this moment. He lay back in his chair and curled his lips nonchalantly, "Don't I have a younger brother now? I'll train him."
The old lady's expression suddenly changed, her eyes becoming particularly cold and solemn as she scrutinized him: "You believe what that crazy woman said?"
Fang Qingzhuo simply gave up, his voice steady but with a hint of mockery: "Anyway, everyone has been questioning my identity behind my back a lot."
This nonsense was undoubtedly like rubbing salt into the wound. The old lady covered her heart and said, "You must be angry with grandma and make her sad, don't you?"
Fang Qingzhuo said nothing.
"Grandma only has you as her grandson, and your father only has you as his son. Why has your father worked so hard all these years? To pave the way for you. Some words may be hard to hear, but Grandma still has to say this: there are some people whose price is clearly marked from the moment they are born. This is a fact that cannot be changed, unless you want this huge family business to fall apart because of you."
Fang Qingzhuo still said nothing, as if he had compromised but also seemed numb. He stood up and left the table expressionlessly. The old lady heard it clearly before his back completely disappeared.
"I'll clean up the mess I made myself, but I don't acknowledge or take responsibility for what my father did. Please tell him."
Back in the car, Fang Qingzhuo closed his eyes, leaned against the headrest and took a long breath. His right hand habitually reached for his cell phone in the armrest, but found a cigarette instead.
He opened his eyes and suddenly retracted his fingertips.
His smoking addiction can be less severe or stronger after he quits it once, except when he is very excited and can't help himself.
He found his phone, unlocked it, ignored the flood of pop-up messages, and opened the monitoring app on a separate interface. At this time of day, Luo Shu should have been home long ago. It seemed that he didn't have to work overtime recently.
He pulled the progress bar over and over again, repeating the few seconds of footage where the figure appeared.
In the dark driver's seat, a pair of empty pupils lit up with worry. Today, she still didn't smile.
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