Mu Ziqi was heartbroken. Watching Gu Qingyan leave home without looking back, she ordered two bodyguards to follow him and make sure he only went to the beach where Xiao Wanqing had the accident and never set foot in the capital.
"Madam, what if Mr. Gu hires another batch of bodyguards to stop us?" the bodyguard said, somewhat troubled.
"I understand." Mu Ziqi thought of a good idea and then instructed, "You just follow him. I'll handle it. He can't possibly hire bodyguards again. Report to me directly if anything happens."
After the bodyguards left, Grandpa asked, "What are you going to do? Qingyan has gone mad, and I can't stop him anymore."
"Dad, don't worry, I'll have someone freeze all the cards under his name. He's so determined to leave home now, fine, we'll grant his wish, but I don't think he can act tough outside without a penny!" Mu Ziqi said resolutely.
"Hmm." Grandpa understood immediately. "Go ahead and do it. This time, he must pay the price for his willfulness. I will follow An Ye's advice and make sure he doesn't give Qingyan another penny. I hope this child can truly realize his mistake."
Mu Ziqi sighed silently. Her son became unreasonable when it came to Xiao Wanqing, and even when he realized his mistakes, he wouldn't change.
If all else fails, then we should really sever ties.
With that in mind, she called Gu Suian.
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Finally, Shen Zhi Qiu and Si Ming Yu arrived at the mountaintop where the Buddha was located. Looking up, they saw the Buddha sitting on the cliff, his eyes slightly closed, his face serene. The exquisite carving technique made the Buddha's expression lifelike. He looked down with a compassionate expression, as if he was pitying all living beings.
The Buddha's hands rest flat on its knees, palms facing upward, seemingly conveying endless blessings and goodwill to the world. Sunlight filters through the clouds, illuminating the Buddha and bathing it in golden light, making it appear even more solemn and sacred. The surrounding mountains and trees seem exceptionally small in comparison to the Buddha, as if the entire world is under its protection.
Standing at the foot of the Buddha statue, Shen Zhi Qiu felt a surge of inexplicable emotion. She knelt down and began to move forward, bowing with each step towards the Buddha.
Si Mingyu sighed, offering no words of advice, but simply stayed silently by her side.
At this moment, he received a call from Rong Mo. They had arrived at the platform location following Si Mingyu's instructions.
"Zhiqiu, your brother and the others are here," Si Mingyu said softly, trying to reassure Shen Zhiqiu.
Shen Zhi Qiu didn't speak, as if she hadn't heard, and remained in the bowing posture, her forehead pressed firmly to the ground.
When Rong Mo, Wei Qiao, and the others arrived at the mountaintop, they saw Shen Zhi Qiu, who was almost at the foot of the Buddha statue, in the distance. She was staggering due to extreme exhaustion.
Just as Wei Qiao was about to run over, Rong Mo stopped her, saying, "Let's go over quietly and not disturb her."
Wei Qiao pursed her lips. "President Rong, if Miss continues like this, her body definitely won't be able to handle it. She also had to kneel and kowtow every step of the way in the temple. I'm worried she might..."
“I know.” Rong Mo sighed. “I know my sister very well. She’s the most stubborn person. If I don’t let her do it, she’ll blame herself even more. So, if I let her do what she wants to do, she won’t give up until she finishes it.”
Shen Zhi knelt on the ground, her figure appearing lonely yet resolute in the afterglow of the setting sun. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, and began to pray silently.
"Buddha above, I beg you to protect Lu Jia and keep him safe. If he can return safely, I am willing to do good deeds for the rest of my life, even if it means shortening my lifespan by twenty years. Please!" Her voice was low and devout, and she knelt down and kowtowed heavily after each sentence.
Each time, her forehead would press against the cold stone slab, and she would repeat the same words over and over again, her voice filled with anticipation for Buddha.
Rong Mo and the others stood at a distance, watching Shen Zhi Qiu's retreating figure, their hearts filled with respect and emotion. Although they couldn't hear Shen Zhi Qiu's specific words, they could feel her inner piety and determination.
Si Mingyu, standing beside Shen Zhi Qiu, couldn't help but clench his fists. He listened to Shen Zhi Qiu's prayers over and over again, his heart breaking. Watching Shen Zhi Qiu risk her life to pray to Buddha for Lu Jia's protection, he even began to envy Lu Jia. He wondered if, if he had saved Shen Zhi Qiu, she would have risked her life, prostrating herself step by step, to pray to Buddha for his safe return.
Will it?
Si Mingyu shook his head with a wry smile. The answer was clear; Shen Zhi Qiu didn't need to answer him at all.
As darkness fell, Shen Zhi Qiu finally reached the foot of the Buddha. She solemnly knelt before the Buddha, clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and began to pray. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and she kowtowed again and again, her voice hoarse.
Before she came, she had heard that one must kowtow continuously before Buddha a hundred times for Buddha to take notice of one's sincerity and grant one's request.
But Shen Zhi Qiu's strength had reached its limit. Each kowtow felt like carrying a heavy burden, and her breaths became heavy and rapid. A large bump had swelled up on her forehead, stained with blood, a stark contrast to her pale face. Her vision began to blur, and a buzzing sound filled her ears, as if countless voices were calling to her, making her feel dizzy.
However, she knew she couldn't fall, she couldn't give up. She gritted her teeth, closed her eyes tightly, and clenched her hands together, forcing herself to stay awake. Only one thought occupied her mind: to persevere, and for Lu Jia's sake, she had to succeed.
However, her body began to sway uncontrollably, and she felt an even stronger wave of dizziness wash over her. She tried to maintain her balance, but her body went limp like a lump of mud. Startled, she quickly braced herself with her hands on the ground, trying to stand up again.
However, her strength was no longer enough to support her body. She felt her arms trembling and her fingers spasming. She tried to stay awake, but her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, as if an invisible force was pulling her into darkness.
Si Mingyu was startled and quickly squatted down to support her, but Shen Zhi Qiu immediately said, "Brother Mingyu, don't interrupt me, I must hold on."
Hearing her slightly choked voice, Si Mingyu sighed and said, "Okay, but you must tell me if you can't hold on any longer."
Not far away, Rong Mo watched this scene, his heart aching as he clenched his fingers.
Shen Zhi Qiu took a deep breath, rallied herself, and knelt upright again. Her movements became slow and clumsy, but she did not hesitate and continued to kowtow.
South City.
"You called me today and said you were going to the orphanage to bring back a child?" Gu Suian rushed home from the company and immediately pulled Mu Ziqi to sit on the sofa as soon as he entered the door, his face full of anxiety. "What exactly happened?"
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