Chapter 188 188 She hasn't left yet, is she so persistent? ...
Guan Xia did gain a lot from the trip to the orphanage, but this gain was very unexpected, even caught her off guard and left her at a loss.
Guan Xia never imagined that when she was very young, without her knowledge, every move of her, Meng Lan, and many other children was under the watchful eyes of the criminal organization centered on Wu Yang.
Guan Xia couldn't imagine how long they had been observed and analyzed before countless children like Meng Lan came into the sight of that criminal organization, were guided and exploited.
If it was just a guess before, Guan Xia now confirmed that Meng Lan's previous experience was not a coincidence. What made her even more terrified was that in addition to Meng Lan, in places she couldn't see, there were countless children who were lured into joining that criminal organization using similar methods.
It was like a thread. Although there were still many doubts, some of them were connected by this thread, allowing Guan Xia to figure out many things in an instant.
It was only then that Guan Xia realized how much progress she had made. Even though her heart was pounding, her scalp was tingling, and her hair was standing on end with fear, she managed to maintain a calm expression and even forced a natural smile to ask Mother Chen, "It's fine that there are surveillance cameras in the orphanage, but why did they install them in the house too? With so many children coming and going, including many girls, isn't it a bit inconvenient?"
As Guan Xia spoke, she peeked into the open bedroom, trying to see if there were any surveillance cameras in the bedroom.
Mother Chen continued to serve food to everyone enthusiastically, and even refilled Guan Xia's empty drink cup. She casually answered, "We complained the same way before. It's okay to put it outside, but what about putting it in this house? But then the director came to explain to everyone in person. The main reason is that there are only so many mothers in the orphanage who can take care of children. It takes 18 years for a child to grow from birth to adulthood, but new children join every year. With so many children, even if they are more mature than their peers because they are orphans, they are still children after all. It is inevitable that there will be conflicts when we get along with each other. If you scold me, I will push you. Some children, who know where they got it from, have even learned to lie and wrongly accuse others. The wronged children naturally don't accept it, and the situation gets worse and worse, doesn't it? To reduce and eliminate this kind of behavior, the director decided to install a camera at home. But don't worry, Guan Xia, it's only in the living room, not in the bedroom or bathroom. After all, we usually do homework and eat in the living room, and conflicts often occur there. Before, when the children quarreled and fought, we had trouble distinguishing them. Later, with this camera, it was much easier. We could see at a glance which child was being bullied and which one was lying.
It can be seen that although this surveillance camera is sometimes inconvenient, for Mother Chen, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, so she only complained a few times, and most of the time she was praising its usefulness.
Guan Xia only extracted the key parts and skipped over the rest.
After Chen's mother finished explaining, Guan Xia asked again, "Besides me, has anyone else come back to visit in the past few years?"
Guan Xia tried hard to recall and mentioned several children who were about her age and were also raised by Mother Chen, trying to find out more information.
Mother Chen shook her head and said, "Many of those children would send money back from time to time, but they rarely came back. They did call, though, and they said they were doing well now, with good jobs. The income wasn't high, but it was stable, and there was room for promotion. But Yuanyuan, the child with the round face who used to live in the same room with you, told me that the children downstairs that your mother Geng took care of had heard about their biological parents. She only heard about it at the time, but she didn't know whether they had found them or not, and she never asked again."
Guan Xia's heart moved when she heard this, "Mother Geng's house, isn't that..."
Before Guan Xia finished speaking, Mother Chen nodded and said, "Yes, that's your inseparable friend from childhood, the mother Geng who took care of Meng Lan."
Guan Xia could barely hold back her smile as she murmured, "What a coincidence! Meng Lan found her biological parents, and those kids also heard about them."
Mother Chen didn't catch Guan Xia's hidden meaning and said in surprise, "It's really quite strange. So many children who have left orphanages, as long as their biological parents are still alive, all want to find them. But when others can't, the children that Mother Geng is raising can find out. By the way, Guan Xia, it's been several years since you graduated from college, and now you're making money. Have you ever looked for your biological parents?"
Guan Xia shook her head silently. Seeing her expression, Mother Chen thought that she had mentioned her sad story and quickly changed the subject.
Guan Xia was deep in thought. She had never thought about it in this direction before, but after hearing what Mother Chen said, she immediately realized that there was a problem.
Mother Chen was right. With so many children leaving the orphanage, except for special ones like Guan Xia, the others all wanted to find their biological parents. But with such a large country and such a large population, how could it be easy? But the children raised by Mother Geng got news of their biological parents so easily.
Guan Xia easily thought of Meng Lan. Meng Lan's experiences seemed bizarre, but they were not difficult to replicate. Perhaps those children were also selected like Meng Lan, but why? Why are the children raised by Geng Mama so special?
Guan Xia thought about it and only thought of one possibility: at least one of the children raised by Geng's mother was a member of that criminal organization.
Guan Xia and her friends arrived at the orphanage at noon, and by the time they returned to the hotel, it was already dark.
Mother Chen is really an enthusiastic and kind person. She is very happy for Guan Xia's current success. It is not enough for her to invite them to have lunch, she also invited them to have dinner. She also introduced the seven or eight children she is currently taking care of to Guan Xia. After watching them get along happily for a while, she let Guan Xia and the other three leave with satisfaction.
Pang Le and Zhong Xiaoyu were fine, as they were very extroverted people and felt at home in such occasions. But Guan Xia felt uncomfortable. She was used to being alone and didn't talk much. In one afternoon, she had almost used up all her limited social experience and patience.
So as soon as he got back to the hotel, Guan Xia collapsed on the small sofa, staring at the ceiling for more than ten minutes, before he barely pulled himself together and climbed up from the sofa.
Seeing this, Pang Le handed her an unopened bottle of mineral water. Guan Xia drank half of it in one gulp before twisting the cap and saying thoughtfully, "The staff at the orphanage are fine, but there are some very serious problems. It seems our suspicion is correct. The orphanage is also one of the bases where that criminal organization recruits its members."
Pang Le also gulped down half a bottle of water, sat down next to Guan Xia, and said, "I still can't believe it. How could someone be so cruel and crazy as to target an orphanage? What's his intention?"
Pang Le was puzzled. "He's so rich now, so rich that he can live his whole life without worrying about food and clothing even if he doesn't work. If he wants to show his social value, the company he founded from scratch can fully satisfy him. Why would he set up such a criminal organization? Could it be that he has experienced too much darkness in his growth and has been driven crazy and perverted by the repression, so he compares himself to God and wants to bring man-made justice to the world?"
Pang Le has been working on cases with Guan Xia for the past few months and considers himself to have seen some of the world, but now his worldview has been refreshed and he is completely unable to understand the thought processes of those criminals.
Zhong Xiaoyu couldn't figure it out either, but she didn't bother to think about it. She leaned against the table, casually tossed up a mineral water bottle, and caught it. She said nonchalantly, "No matter what he's up to, or what his purpose is, even if he truly has his reasons, he's still a criminal. He's responsible for so many lives, and he's naturally against us. We just need to figure out how to bring him to justice."
Zhong Xiaoyu said a few words quickly and decisively, then looked at Guan Xia and said, "Our trip today has confirmed our suspicions and provided us with some clues. Guan Xia, what do you think?"
Guan Xia calmed down, put aside the things that were confusing in his mind, sat up a little straighter and said, "Through some clues found in the orphanage today, I suspect and am very sure that Meng Lan finding her biological parents and mine is not a coincidence. I still can't figure out the criteria for that criminal organization to screen its members, but through some of the clues we know so far, Meng Lan has obviously been one of their targets for a long time, and not only her, but also the children raised by Geng Mama like her. I speculate that at least one of the children raised by Geng Mama should be a member of that criminal organization, and judging from the timeline, they should be much older than Meng Lan and me. Let's wait until we get back to Yongquan City. When we get back to Yongquan City, I'll talk to Meng Lan and see when she got the clue about her biological parents. Although it's not accurate, through this time point, combined with some other information, we should be able to roughly infer the age range of that member."
Pang Le nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly thought of something and asked Guan Xia, "Oh, Guan Xia, now we know that Wu Yang is a big problem. Meng Lan's current situation seems safe, but it's actually very dangerous. What are you going to do? Let Meng Lan leave Linshan City and come to Yongquan City?"
Speaking of this, Guan Xia said with some distress: "That was my plan before, but after today, I feel that this is a bit reckless. If we don't handle it well, not only will Meng Lan be in greater danger, but we will also be exposed to that organization."
Pang Le said, "I think so too. For safety, and to prevent Meng Lan from becoming your weak spot, we must leave Linshan City. But we need to discuss how to leave. At least we need to find a very legitimate and reasonable reason. Otherwise, if the people who are watching Meng Lan have the slightest suspicion, we will be finished. Forget about secretly investigating Wu Yang. We have to be careful at home from now on to see if there are assassins."
After what happened with Lu Manqing and the other members they knew, Guan Xia no longer dared to underestimate the criminal organization. Not only did she not think Pang Le was exaggerating, she even nodded in agreement, "You're right. I'm worried about this too. I even feel like living across from Xu Nian isn't that safe anymore."
Guan Xia was just thinking about renting a house next to the Pingjiang District Police Station when Zhong Xiaoyu suddenly put her arm around her shoulders and said, "Don't be afraid. Sister Ji and I discussed this when we were in Shangshuang City. When we return to Yongquan City this time, I'll move in with you. I'll get a camp bed and sleep in the living room so I can detect any disturbances. Sister Ji also said that she'll come over when Ping'an's situation gets better. By then, we'll all be strong enough to fight. Unless someone is so audacious as to set fire to something, we'll arrest them all."
Guan Xia felt relieved at first, but then something occurred to her, and she said with some worry, "But they have a gun. I remember when Xu Nian and his men went to arrest Lu Manqing, not only was Lu Manqing silenced, but the West City branch also lost a gun. It's still missing, and it's clearly in the hands of that criminal organization. No one knows if that's the only gun they have."
Zhong Xiaoyu laughed and said confidently, "They have guns. Xu Nian and the others are police officers, so how can they not have guns? What's more, when it comes to using guns, I am their ancestor."
Zhong Xiaoyu patted Guan Xia's shoulder with some force and said, "Just put your mind at ease. We are here and will never let that organization touch you. Just use your brain and figure out how to eradicate that criminal organization."
Guan Xia thought about what Zhong Xiaoyu said. Pang Le is a good fighter, Zhong Xiaoyu is an even better fighter, and even Ji An has received professional training. Ordinary people are no match for her. All in all, she is the only weakling. All she needs to do is hide and protect herself as soon as possible in dangerous moments.
Guan Xia recalled the layout of her home and instantly imagined how she would hide anywhere in the house if a killer really came.
Perhaps because he had a plan in mind, Guan Xia was finally not so worried. He calmed down again and started to think about how to investigate this case.
The purpose of the trip to the orphanage was achieved, and Guan Xia took the earliest flight back to Yongquan City the next morning.
Guan Xia would be busy outside for more than a month at a time, even when she was traveling, she had never been away for so long. Now that she is finally back, Guan Xia feels refreshed.
After putting the luggage in the trunk of the car, Guan Xia slammed the door shut. She looked around and couldn't help but sigh, "I'm finally back. I didn't realize it before, but now I realize that I actually miss home a little bit."
Pang Le had already sat in the driver's seat, fastening his seatbelt. Seeing that they hadn't gotten in for a long time, he couldn't help but stick his head out and ask, "What are you doing? It's the middle of the day, aren't you feeling the heat? Hurry up and get in the car. If you have anything to say, talk about it once you get in."
Guan Xia and Zhong Xiaoyu hurriedly got into the car and sat down. Guan Xia dusted off her hands and said, "This car has been parked for over a month. Look at it, it's been exposed to the wind and sun, and it's covered in dust. I wonder how much the parking fee is."
Pang Le started the car and said casually, "There's a limit, only a few hundred, which is not bad. It's better than having to queue up for a taxi after working so hard. As for the car being dirty, I can just go to the car wash later."
As they were chatting, Guan Xia's cell phone rang. He took it out and saw that it was Xu Nian.
Guan Xia had just called out Xu Nian's name when he asked, "Have you arrived in Yongquan City yet? Approximately what time will you be home?"
Guan Xia thought Xu Nian's words were a little strange, but she didn't think much about it. She roughly calculated the distance in her mind and replied, "I just got off the plane. It will take more than an hour to drive back. I will probably be home around 1 o'clock. What's wrong?"
Xu Nian was silent for a moment, then he said in a low voice, "My mother just called me. She said she came to my house today to bring me dumplings, and then she saw that girl again in the corridor."
Guan Xia didn't react at first and was stunned for a moment. After a moment, she remembered who Xu Nian was talking about. She couldn't help but said in surprise: "It's been so long, and she hasn't left yet. Is she so persistent?"
Xu Nian said: "My mother said that he went back in the middle, but came back a few days later."
Guan Xia suddenly felt annoyed. "What on earth does this person want to do? Isn't it good for her to live her life and me to live mine? She has to come to my house. Doesn't she think that just because we're related by blood, we're definitely family?"
Xu Nian hesitated and said, "I'm already on my way home. If you don't want to see her, why don't you have lunch outside and come back? I'll see if I can get rid of her when I get back."
Guan Xia thought for a moment, took a deep breath and said, "Forget it. Since she is so determined to see me, if you send her away this time, she might come again next time. I might as well meet her and see what she wants to do."
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