He switched pages and saw a photo of a middle-aged man, “one of the Four Venerable Envoys of the Netherworld Cult.”
Huo Yuwei's pupils contracted. "Are you sure?"
“Confirmed.” Huo Yusen nodded. “I hacked into the foundation’s internal system and found their financial records with the Netherworld Cult. This Zhao Tianxiang is the one responsible for providing financial support to the Netherworld Cult.”
Qiqi, perched on Huo Yusen's shoulder, also saw the photo.
He was a kind-looking middle-aged man with gold-rimmed glasses and a friendly smile, who didn't look like a cult leader at all.
"You can't judge a book by its cover," she muttered to herself.
“So, we can start with Zhao Tianxiang next.” Huo Yusen put away his tablet. “Follow the clues and find the other strongholds of the Netherworld Cult.”
Huo Yuwei frowned. "But Qiqi needs to rest. The doctor said it will take at least three months."
“I know.” Huo Yusen looked at Qiqi, his eyes gentle but firm. “So this time, Qiqi can’t go.”
Qiqi immediately protested, "No! Qiqi wants to save the children too!"
"No way!" Huo Yusen refused without hesitation. "You need to be carried to walk now. You'll only cause trouble if you go. How will you save people?"
Qiqi's sore spot was touched, and her little face fell. "But..."
"No buts." Huo Yusen was unusually assertive with her. "You should stay home and recover during this time, and spend time with Grandma and Aunt Ji. Leave the investigation to the adults."
Qiqi wanted to argue, but the car had already entered the gate of the Huo family villa.
In front of the villa, Madam Huo and Madam Ji were already waiting.
Seeing the car stop, the two ladies quickly came to greet it.
"Grandma Huo! Mom!" Qiqi called out happily.
Madam Huo took Qiqi and looked her over carefully. "Oh my, my little darling, how come you've lost so much weight? You don't look well either. Have you not been eating or sleeping well?"
Madam Ji touched her daughter's face tenderly, "Qibao, are you feeling unwell? Or are you injured?"
"Qiqi is fine!" Qiqi forced a bright smile. "I'm just a little tired and want to sleep."
"Rest if you're tired." Old Madam Huo carried Qiqi inside. "Zhang Ma has stewed bird's nest. Have a bowl later to nourish your body."
Huo Yuwei and Huo Yusen followed behind, exchanged a glance, and both breathed a sigh of relief.
Looks like I've passed the first hurdle.
For the next few days, Qiqi lived like a "little princess".
I can sleep until I naturally wake up in the morning, and a nutritious breakfast will be waiting for me when I wake up.
After breakfast, Mrs. Huo would take her for a walk in the garden to bask in the sun.
At noon, Madam Ji would personally cook her favorite dishes.
In the afternoon, one could either accompany Madam Huo to drink tea and listen to opera, or learn painting from Madam Ji.
In the evenings, after Huo Yuwei and Huo Yusen return home, they will play games and tell her stories.
I couldn't be happier.
Of course, life would be perfect if it weren't for the bitter medicine I had to secretly drink after every meal!
Besides, Qiqi always kept in mind the children who had not yet been rescued.
Every time Huo Yuwei and Huo Yusen discussed the case in the study, she would sneak over to listen.
That afternoon, she tiptoed to the study door again, and just as she pressed her ear to the door, it opened from the inside.
Huo Yusen stood in the doorway, looking at her expressionlessly. "Qiqi, what are you doing?"
Even after being caught red-handed, Qiqi remained calm and confidently stated, "Qiqi wanted to help too! After resting for so many days, Qiqi feels almost fully recovered!"
She waved her little arms to prove that she was strong and could fight.
Huo Yusen sighed, picked her up, and carried her into the study. "Didn't I tell you to rest well and leave these things to us?"
"But without Qiqi, you can't break those formations!" Qiqi blinked her big eyes and pouted. "Little Ninth Brother, don't worry, I definitely won't try to be a hero this time. I'll just focus on breaking the formations!"
Huo Yuwei looked up from the document and said helplessly, "That won't work either! The doctor said I can't use my spiritual power for three months."
Qiqi pouted, "Then Qiqi can use her brain instead of spiritual power, right? Qiqi is very smart, I can guide the formation master to break it on the spot!"
In this way, she can participate in the rescue operation without using her spiritual power.
That's the best of both worlds!
Huo Yuwei and Huo Yusen exchanged a glance, both looking helpless.
Huo Yuwei finally compromised, "Then you can sit here and listen for now, but don't cause any trouble. As for whether or not you'll be involved in the operation, we'll talk about that later."
"Mmm!" Qiqi nodded immediately and sat obediently on Huo Yusen's lap.
Huo Yusen continued the previous topic, "Zhao Tianxiang is having a charity gala in Beijing in three days. I got an invitation, so I can sneak in."
"And then?" Huo Yuwei asked.
“According to intelligence, Zhao Tianxiang has a habit of going to his private villa in the suburbs after each of these kinds of events.” Huo Yusen pulled up a map of the villa. “That’s very likely his base in Beijing.”
Qiqi leaned closer to look at the map, her little brows furrowing. "The feng shui of this villa... is so strange."
"How so?" Huo Yuwei asked.
“Look here.” Qiqi pointed to a spot on the villa. “This is a place where yin energy gathers. Normal people wouldn’t build their houses here. Moreover, the overall layout of the villa looks like some kind of formation.”
Huo Yusen examined it carefully. "Indeed, judging from the satellite image, the villa's architectural layout is quite unique, and its decoration and furnishings are quite different from those of ordinary residences."
“Qiqi can draw it!” Qiqi jumped off Huo Yusen’s lap, ran to the desk, picked up paper and pen, and prepared to draw the floor plan of the villa.
Thinking of Qiqi's superb painting skills, Huo Yusen stopped her in time.
"Let me do it!"
Qiqi: ……
All right.
Although she knew she was just scribbling nonsense, Little Nine Brother was being too hurtful!
However, she still handed the paintbrush and paper to Huo Yusen, saying, "Then, Brother Xiao Jiu, you can draw it!"
Huo Yusen took the paper and pen, patted the little girl's head, and comforted her, "Qiqi drew very well. Brother Xiao Jiu just didn't want Qiqi to get tired."
Qiqi blinked, "Really?"
"Hmm, when has Brother Jiu ever lied to you?" Huo Yusen asked sincerely.
Qiqi was appeased in a second.
But actually, Huo Yusen genuinely thought that Qiqi's scribbles were very beautiful and had their own unique style.
There was no intention to coax the little girl.
In no time, a detailed layout diagram was completed.
Qiqi scrutinized the blueprints, pointing to several key points, "Here, here, and here, these are all array eyes. If Qiqi isn't mistaken, this should be a 'Soul Nourishing Array,' specifically used to nurture and store living souls."
Huo Yuwei's expression changed. "So, it's very likely that the arrested children are being held there?"
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