Huo Yuwei interrupted him, "Second Uncle can rest assured about the company's affairs. Before Xiao Jiu fell into a coma, he had already appointed a temporary agent. The company's affairs are being handled by someone, so Second Uncle doesn't need to worry about them for the time being."
Huo Mingyuan's expression changed slightly. "An agent? Who?"
Perhaps realizing his tone was too hasty, Huo Mingyuan chuckled and tried to smooth things over, "Second Uncle didn't mean anything by it, I'm just worried that Xiao Jiu is still just a child, and what if she's been misled by something... You know, our Huo family is in a precarious situation right now, and it's easy for someone to take advantage of us!"
"Don't worry, Second Uncle. That person is someone that Xiao Jiu has carefully cultivated and absolutely trusts, just to prevent the Huo family from being leaderless in this situation."
Huo Yuwei spoke to him in a formal tone, his words perfectly watertight, "Second Uncle, I still have a lot of things to take care of. If there's nothing else, Second Uncle, you should go back first."
The order to leave was given without any politeness.
Huo Mingyuan looked displeased, but he couldn't lash out, so he could only leave dejectedly.
As soon as he left, Huo Yuwei immediately contacted Huo Yusen in the safe house, "Second Uncle just arrived, I feel like he's about to take the bait."
“As expected.” Huo Yusen’s voice came through the encrypted communicator. “He will definitely take action next. Brother, have someone keep a close eye on him.”
"Don't worry, I've already made all the arrangements."
After hanging up the call, Huo Yuwei looked out the window.
As darkness fell, a storm was brewing.
In the suburban manor, Qiqi was having tea with Old Madam Huo.
Although she said she was drinking tea, Qiqi was actually drinking fruit juice.
She sipped her drink slowly, her eyes fixed on the view outside the window, clearly preoccupied.
"Worried about Xiao Jiu?" Old Madam Huo saw through her thoughts.
Qiqi nodded, her eyes full of worry, "Is it dangerous for Brother Jiu to be there all alone?"
"Don't worry, your older brother has arranged everything." Old Madam Huo patted her head. "And Xiao Jiu is more capable than you think. He is the head of the Huo family."
Even so, Qiqi still couldn't put her mind at ease.
She thought for a moment, then took out a few paper figures from her small bag. "Little paper figures, go and help Qiqi check on Brother Xiao Jiu."
The paper figures landed and transformed into several small figures, which silently slipped out of the manor and headed towards the safe house.
Mrs. Ji came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of freshly baked cookies. "Qiqi, come and try the cranberry cookies that Mom made."
"Thank you, Mom." Qiqi took a piece, took a bite, and her eyes lit up. "Delicious!"
"Eat more if you like it." Madam Ji looked at her daughter gently. "Qiqi, Mom knows you're worried about Brother Jiu, but right now the most important thing for you is to get better, you know? You don't want Brother Jiu to be facing a lot of dangers while also worrying about your health, do you?"
Qiqi nodded, "Yes, Mom, don't worry, Qiqi knows, Qiqi will be good. But... Mom, Qiqi always feels that things aren't that simple."
"How so?"
Qiqi put down the cookie, her little face serious. "Last night, that bad guy said the Netherworld Cult is 'creating a god.' Qiqi thought about it all night. If they want to create a god, they need so many children's souls, so they must be capturing children in more than one place. Zhao Tianxiang's villa only has more than fifty children, so where are the other children?"
Madam Ji and Old Madam Huo exchanged a glance, both seeing the worry in each other's eyes.
"Qiqi thinks Tianxiang Pharmaceuticals might be the key," Qiqi continued. "Brother Xiao Jiu said they're researching some kind of potion related to the soul. Perhaps, there are even bigger and more secrets hidden there that we don't know or even guess."
Madam Huo pondered for a moment and said, "Qi Bao is right. Awei and the others are busy dealing with Huo Mingyuan right now, so they probably can't pay attention to what's going on over there."
"So Qiqi wants to go and see!" Qiqi said immediately.
"No!" Madam Ji immediately objected. "It's too dangerous! The doctor said you can't use your spiritual power recently and you must rest."
"Qiqi won't go alone, Qiqi can ask Grandpa Taoist Priest for help!" Qiqi was already prepared, "Grandpa Taoist Priest is so powerful, he can definitely protect Qiqi!"
Madam Huo hesitated.
She knew Qiqi was right; Tianxiang Pharmaceuticals was indeed an important clue.
Moreover, with Xuanzhenzi around, safety should be somewhat guaranteed.
"No, what if something unexpected happens?" Madam Ji was anxious; she couldn't bear any risk of losing Qiqi.
After pondering for a moment, Madam Huo said to Madam Ji, "Qiqi is right, we do need to investigate that area. How about this, I'll have Awei send a few people to follow them, and then contact Daoist Xuanzhenzi. If the Daoist agrees, then let Qibao go."
Qiqi clapped her hands happily, "Thank you, Grandma!"
"Don't thank me yet. You must first make a three-point agreement with Grandma." Old Madam Huo tapped her little nose and said, "First, you are absolutely not allowed to use spiritual power. Otherwise, no matter what you say in the future, I will not agree to it."
Qiqi nodded, "Don't worry, Grandma, Qiqi will definitely not use her spiritual power!"
Unless the situation becomes so dire that she has no choice but to intervene.
Qiqi silently added in her mind.
"Second, once you've confirmed the situation, back out immediately; don't take any risks."
When Madam Huo mentioned the second point, Qiqi nodded in agreement.
"Third, if you encounter danger, leave immediately. Qi Bao might think Grandma is selfish and heartless. But for Grandma, no matter how many children she has, none are as important as her Qi Bao, you know?"
"Okay, Grandma!"
Old Madam Huo had already said what she needed to say. Seeing the determination in her daughter's eyes, Madam Ji didn't say much more and could only offer some words of advice.
"Then you must promise your mother that you will listen to Grandpa Taoist and not run around, okay?"
"Okay!" Qiqi nodded vigorously.
Madam Huo immediately contacted Huo Yuwei and Xuanzhenzi.
Huo Yuwei initially objected, but upon hearing that Xuanzhenzi would accompany him and that he would only conduct reconnaissance on the periphery, he eventually agreed.
Xuanzhenzi was even more straightforward, saying directly, "Alright, I'm just bored anyway, so I'll accompany the little girl on this trip."
So, at eight o'clock that evening, a figure swayed and strolled into the manor.
He looked disheveled, his clothes were crumpled and hanging on his body, his hair was messy, and he was carrying a gourd of wine, swaying as he walked.
As soon as Qiqi saw him, she ran over happily, calling out in her clear voice, "Grandpa Taoist Priest!"
At the same time, out of sight of Madam Ji and Old Madam Huo, he winked at Xuanzhenzi.
The latter understood and looked her up and down. "Oh, little girl, you look pretty good. Much better than the last time I saw you."
"Hehe, Qiqi took her medicine obediently!" Qiqi said.
Xuanzhenzi nodded, then looked at Madam Ji and Old Madam Huo, "Don't worry, you two. Although I may seem unreliable, I can still protect a little girl without any problem."
That's what she said, but looking at him like that, Madam Ji really couldn't put her mind at ease.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com