collective interests
Six people surrounded Jiangchuan Valley's hospital bed, vividly describing the perilous day.
Jiang Xingxing: "I was terrified when I received the call that day, and I almost fainted at the entrance of the villa! Luckily, those people let you go and didn't say anything."
Su Xi: "When the door opened, several burly men, each over 1.9 meters tall, surrounded the woman. It was like a movie scene. You were lying on a stretcher, your clothes covered in blood. Zhao Yuanfan was so scared that he wanted to rush up and fight her."
Qi Zeren: "Gu Zi, would you like something to eat?"
Jiang Chuangu shook his head and asked, "So you mean Lin Chaoying saw me and another woman out, and then went back to the villa herself?"
Shen Hao: "Yes, there must have been a deal. I saw her talking to the man in the Zhongshan suit behind the man in black, and that's why the man in black allowed the woman to talk to you."
Zhao Yuanfan: "What have you been doing all this time? Where did you get involved with these thugs?"
Jiang Chuangu's mind went blank, and he asked Jiang Xu blankly, "Lin Chaoying, are you injured?"
“Yes.” Jiang Xu nodded: “There was a purple mark around her neck, and the bandage on her shoulder was red. Her clothes…” He didn’t know how to say it. When the door opened, Lin Chaoying looked like a walking corpse. When he met this woman in Jiaozhou, he felt that she had a lot of tricks up her sleeve, was confident and strong, and was a very special person.
In just over a month, her eyes and demeanor seemed to have been completely drained of all her energy after enduring torture.
"Why..." Jiang Chuan Gu's emotions overwhelmed him like a burst dam, and he choked up, unable to speak coherently, asking intermittently, "Why...why didn't you save her? Why...couldn't you think of something..."
He knew he couldn't blame anyone; it was extremely difficult for Jiang Xu and the others to suppress Wu Liang and bring him out.
Everyone immediately understood the relationship between the two and didn't know what to say.
Jiang Xu patted his shoulder, "I wanted to too, but Lin Chaoying's attitude was too firm. She wouldn't let me get involved with her, she only told me to find a way to save you."
Jiang Xingxing interjected, "Brother Gu, don't blame Jiang Xu. We really didn't know the situation. We only wanted to save you at the time, and that Lin... she didn't seem to have any intention of coming out."
"So annoying!" Zhao Yuanfan said, holding his breath. "We should have brought them all out with us back then, why bother with those guys in black! We could have taken on them one by one, six of us!"
"Don't get involved," Shen Hao stopped him, saying, "Jiang Xu and that man at the door argued for so long, using the company, money, and public opinion pressure to get Jiang Chuangu out. If you fight again, not counting the three people with the girl, there were four people carrying the stretcher behind, plus the three with that man. They're all over 1.9 meters tall, and their arms are thicker than our legs. How are you going to fight them?"
Qi Zeren: "Should we call the police?"
Jiang Xu had been hesitant for the past few days. "Jiang Chuangu, I'm asking you seriously, can we call the police? The other girl who came out with you won't let us call the police."
"A girl?" Jiangchuan asked, "Where?"
Jiang Xu: "She was unconscious for a day, borrowed some money and a cell phone from us, and left the next day. She told us not to worry about it anymore, that she would have a solution, and to wait for news. She also said that we had special identities and should not call the police."
Jiang Xingxing added, "Yes! Even more irritable than Zhao Yuanfan! When he woke up, he inexplicably smashed everything he could in the ward!"
"Qian Fei?" Jiang Chuan Gu thought. Qian Fei would definitely go to Twelfth Street to seek help when he woke up, but how long would that be? Everyone told him to wait where he was, but how long could that den of iniquity, Wu Family Manor, last?
He looked up at his teammates beside the bed and said, "Thank you so much this time. Whether it's the money for the plane ticket or the money my friend spent on smashing things, I'll give you whatever it is."
Zhao Yuanfan's voice instantly rose several octaves, "I don't need your little bit of money!"
Jiang Chuan Gu understood that he was different now than before. Now that he was being targeted by the Ghost Gate, even if he escaped, how long could he hide? However, the six of them had nothing to do with the matter of the superhumans, so he could only say, "Thank you so much for these past two days, so I hope you will not get involved anymore. I will also be leaving Changjing tomorrow."
They came in bewilderment and left bewildered, their expressions somewhat embarrassed.
Shen Hao smoothed things over by asking, "The hot pot restaurant we used to frequent in Changjing can now be ordered for delivery. Want to try it?"
"No need," Jiang Chuan Gu shook his head. "I really'm not in the mood."
The atmosphere in the ward gradually cooled down. The group felt uncomfortable staying there, so they each made excuses to leave. Just as they reached the door, Jiang Chuan Gu called out, "After this is over, let's all come to my new house for a meal. It seems like you haven't been there yet."
His teammates standing at the door turned around, their eyes focusing on him. Their expressions relaxed, and the group left together, laughing.
Jiang Xu was left sitting on the edge of the bed. He took out his phone and placed it on the table. "Lin Chaoying asked me to pass on a message to you. I have a bad memory, but luckily the call was recorded so she can tell you herself."
"Just take Jiangchuan Gu and run as far away as possible. Continue working in Changjing and don't come back to us. Remember, no matter what, don't let Jiangchuan Gu interfere with us anymore. I will find you when I have a chance to get out."
"There's one more thing! After Jiang Chuan Gu woke up, he relayed a few words to me, saying that Lin Chao Ying never blamed him. Many things are beyond our control. Every blessing she gave him in the past was sincere, and her companionship was genuine. Those years were the most carefree time for her after she turned 18. No matter what he does in the future, she still wishes him a life filled with starlight and flowers."
In this recording, Lin Chaoying's voice is weak yet resolute.
Jiang Xu said, "Lin Chaoying and we went through so much trouble to rescue you. If you want to save her, don't go and die yourself, okay?"
Jiang Chuan Gu smiled bitterly: "Jiang Xu, to tell you the truth, I don't even know where to go to my death."
The only thing that can control the Ghost Gate is Twelve Streets. Qian Fei's whereabouts are unknown, so where can Twelve Streets look for him?
Wait a minute! He'd been to the base headquarters on Jiazhou 12th Street! Thinking of this, Jiang Chuan Gu's eyes gleamed with hope. He said, "Jiang Xu, I have a way! Thank you so much this time. Wait for me to come back in Changjing!"
Jiang Xu did not stop him, after all, he was also very conflicted about not being able to save Lin Chaoying this time.
Jiangchuan Valley didn't go home. Instead, he bought a plane ticket for the next morning and flew back to Jiaozhou. He decided to go to Jiaozhou Twelfth Street. He first determined the location of Kekexili on the map, and then followed his memory to find the hot pot restaurants along those roads.
We finally found a shop in the bustling city center.
Strangely, the hot pot shop is closed?
He pounded on the door frantically, and the shop owner next door popped his head out and said, "You want to eat hot pot? This family moved out last month and it's already been rented out!"
"What did you say?" Jiang Chuan Gu continued knocking on the door in disbelief. "Is anyone home? Can you open the door?"
He squatted at the door for a day and a night, hoping to see if anyone would come out, but the metal door remained completely still. This was the only base he knew of, and if no one was here, he really didn't know where to go. Anxiety and unease overwhelmed him.
Jiang Chuan made a snap decision, bought a wrench from a hardware store, and slammed it heavily on the lock with a clang. The chain twisted and fell to the ground. He pushed open the door, and the empty room mirrored his own heart.
The once high-tech elevator seemed to have been abandoned, completely decommissioned, standing there all alone. He found the switch, and the moment the power was turned on, the whole room crackled with electrical activity. Jiang Chuan Gu slowly ascended in the elevator, which didn't require scanning a code.
It's empty, completely empty, empty everywhere.
He sat bewildered by the window, hearing police sirens blaring downstairs. Looking out, he saw countless uniformed police officers rushing into the room. He sighed with a touch of melancholy: So this is still a civilized society.
Jiangchuan Valley was taken to the police station for illegal and violent trespassing. The familiar detention procedures, the familiar interrogation room, the familiar police station, and even the familiar police officers...
Wait a minute! The Li Chao case was also transferred from the police station to Qin Ming of 12th Street!
The lost hope was rekindled.
As his hands were cuffed at the police station, he asked the officer next to him, "I want to see Officer Li!"
The policeman glanced at him, said nothing, and continued with the interrogation.
In the dim light, Jiang Chuan Gu asked, "Will you report what I say to your superiors?"
The police officer said rudely, "I'm warning you, you better tell me honestly why you broke into my house!"
Jiang Chuan Gu said like a madman, "Fine, I'll tell you, there's something wrong with Li Chao's case! Because you haven't caught the murderer at all! And you didn't even handle the case! The real mastermind is still at large! I don't care what you report, I only have one thing to say: have the contact person on Twelfth Street come find me!"
He became more and more agitated as he spoke, and the handcuffs made a jarring sound as they slammed against the table.
After exchanging bewildered glances, the police officers left the interrogation room.
In the dark, windowless room, Jiang Chuan Gu was oblivious to the passage of time. He could only stare blankly at the only lamp, his mind constantly replaying what Lin Chao Ying had been going through these past few days and what Wu Yang and Wu Liang would do to her.
He kept telling himself to stay calm, because only by calming down could he find a new solution.
After an unknown amount of time, a middle-aged man walked into the cramped interrogation room and introduced himself, saying, "Hello, I am the bureau chief, my surname is Zhao."
Jiangchuan Valley ignored him and said coldly, "Give me the contact information for 12th Street."
Director Zhao sat on the opposite stool, his eyes exuding righteousness and his demeanor radiating an unquestionable authority. He said bluntly, "I can't give it to you, and no one else will. I can let you go this time, but I hope Mr. Jiang can live a normal life."
Nobody gave it to him?
Jiang Chuangu's mind went blank for a few seconds, then he suddenly understood and asked incredulously, "You all knew all along? You wouldn't save Lin Chaoying, Qin Ming, and Kong Yue, would you?!" He clenched his fists and pounded the table repeatedly, then stood up uncontrollably, shouting, "Why! Aren't they from Twelfth Street?! You all knew! Why didn't you go and save them?!"
"Please calm down!" Director Zhao ignored his breakdown and warned, "This is an arrangement from higher up, and it's all for the collective benefit of the superhumans of Twelfth Street."
"Fuck your collective interests!" Jiang Chuangu couldn't break free of his handcuffs and shackles, tearing at them frantically. The clanging of metal filled the room. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to stab this man to death. "You planned this all along! You dumped us in that manor! But aren't they human? Aren't the mobile unit members human?! Lin Chaoying, Qin Ming, Kong Yue, Qian Fei—aren't they human?! Do you fucking know how terrifying that underground place is?!"
Director Zhao listened to his words without any change in expression, as calmly as if he were looking at a mad dog.
Jiang Chuangu slumped into his seat, tears streaming down his bloodshot eyes. His voice trembled. "I don't care what your schemes or purposes are, Director Zhao. I didn't have a proper education, but you have, haven't you? On this land, as citizens, aren't we entitled to the most basic human rights? The right to life, personal freedom, and dignity—don't people with superpowers deserve these rights? Just because they have superpowers, don't they deserve protection? Aren't they human?!" He shouted fiercely, each word distinct. "Did they choose to have superpowers? Is possessing superpowers a crime?!"
His tearful, accusatory questions were met with Director Zhao pulling out his phone, opening Weibo in front of him, searching for Jiang Chuan Gu, and seeing the message: "[This user is banned for violating social distancing rules]."
Jiang Chuan Gu froze, his blood rushed backward, and a chill instantly flowed from his heart to his limbs.
Director Zhao: "You are no longer able to speak out on any public platform."
"Why?" Jiang Chuan Gu leaned back in his chair, his eyes lowered. "Why can't you save them? Are they your abandoned pawns? What can their deaths bring you? What can you exchange them for with the Ghost Gate?" He covered his face in anguish, his whole body trembling, pleading, "Please, save them, please save them..."
Director Zhao stood up and said, "Think it over carefully. If you continue to cause trouble, in order to maintain public opinion, we will consider your crime of violently breaking into a house."
The dimly lit room was filled only with the suppressed sobs of Jiangchuan Valley.
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