Chapter 324 Tipping and Information
I suspect... the Zheng family knew we were going and made preparations in advance.
Qiao Wanyin's heart tightened, and her fingers unconsciously gripped the hem of her clothes.
Something's not right, this is definitely not right.
Zheng Mingyuan was an important leader of the municipal party committee who had been in power for many years. How could his office and living quarters be so thoroughly "cleared out"?
Even if it's just to pass an inspection, some superficial traces will still be left.
The study was in such a state that unless someone gave him advance warning, allowing him enough time to erase all suspicious clues, it would be impossible for him to leave it like this.
unless……
"Someone tipped us off."
Fu Li'an suddenly spoke, his voice as cold as ice, his gaze as sharp as a knife, piercing straight at Qiao Wanyin, "The only people who knew about our operation from beginning to end were the three of us. The information couldn't have leaked out unless—it was among us."
Qiao Wanyin immediately shook her head, her words rapid and firm: "I haven't mentioned this to anyone, I don't even dare to talk loudly in my sleep. Maihe, what about you? Have you inadvertently let it slip?"
"I didn't even tell my mom!"
Fu Maihe was so anxious she almost jumped up, waving her arms wildly, her face full of grievance and anxiety. "You know how careful I am, I don't even dare to make phone calls, afraid of being tapped. I swear, I haven't said a single word about this to anyone!"
The three people stared at each other, and the air seemed to freeze at that moment, so heavy that it was hard to breathe.
If no one really leaked the information, how could Zheng Mingyuan have reacted so quickly?
How could all the traces be cleaned up so thoroughly?
Did he have some kind of premonition?
A sudden thought flashed through Qiao Wanyin's mind, like a lightning bolt suddenly striking in the darkness, illuminating a neglected path.
“Li An,” she lowered her voice, her tone cautious and serious, “has anyone recently returned from the military region? Is there anyone who might have detected our movements in advance?”
Fu Li'an was taken aback, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes: "What do you mean? Why are you suddenly asking this?"
“I mean,” Qiao Wanyin said, choosing her words carefully and slowly, “is there anyone who might have guessed that we’re looking for evidence? Or…who has heard any rumors? Or even…knows what we’re investigating?”
Fu Li'an was silent for a few seconds, his brows furrowing more and more. Suddenly, his expression changed drastically, and he whispered two words: "Fang Wanyu... Yesterday, a comrade casually mentioned that she had completed the formalities and returned to the city."
Qiao Wanyin felt a chill run through her body, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her head, instantly soaking her limbs and bones.
She's back?
It was her.
Fang Wanyu is no ordinary person; she is definitely not the gentle and elegant cultural troupe cadre she appears to be on the surface.
She possessed far more information than the average person, even...
Knowing what will happen in the future.
She knew exactly what secrets lay hidden behind what was happening and who needed to be eliminated.
Her return now is definitely not just for visiting relatives or reminiscing.
Perhaps they are her target.
Just then—
Thump, thump, thump.
Three steady knocks suddenly broke the silence of the room, their rhythm clear yet carrying an unsettling sense of oppression.
Fu Maihe was startled, but quickly realized what was happening and got up to run to open the door.
The door had barely opened a crack when her voice suddenly rose, filled with astonishment and surprise: "Sister Wanyu? It's you!"
Qiao Wanyin's back stiffened, her fingertips unconsciously touching her abdomen, and her heart suddenly raced.
Why is she here again?
At this time?
The door opened fully, and Fang Wanyu slowly stepped into the room, her steps light, yet carrying an indescribable sense of oppression.
Her voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, tender and moving: "I was very saddened to hear that Uncle Song had an accident, so I asked the organization for leave and rushed back to see everyone. After all, we grew up together."
She was dressed in a crisp military uniform, with neat epaulets and a belt tied meticulously.
Her long hair was neatly coiled into a bun at the back of her head, not a single strand out of place.
Her neck was long and slender, and her skin was so white it was almost translucent, gleaming faintly under the light, as delicate as porcelain.
That face, with its almond-shaped eyes brimming with affection, possessed an innate allure that flowed through its gaze. The corners of its lips were slightly upturned, always adorned with a perfectly timed smile. It was so beautiful that one couldn't look away, yet inexplicably made one wary.
Fu Li'an simply nodded indifferently, his expression cold and stern, offering no response even a smile, as if the other party were merely an insignificant stranger.
But Fang Wanyu's gaze did not linger on him at all.
Her gaze swept across the room and landed directly on Qiao Wanyin's protruding belly.
In that instant, a barely perceptible chill flashed deep in her eyes, like an ice needle piercing the surface of a lake, vanishing in an instant.
But the next second, her smile deepened, becoming so gentle it was almost dripping with tenderness.
"Wanyin, you don't look well... Pregnancy must be really tough, right? I heard the first three months are the hardest, with people not sleeping well and not eating much. It must be especially grueling, right? You need to take good care of yourself, for the sake of the baby and for your own sake."
"Thank you for your concern, I'm fine."
Qiao Wanyin's tone was flat, her eyes distant, neither resistant nor affectionate, like a thin mist between the two.
Fang Wanyu turned to look at Fu Li'an, her voice as soft as sugar water, so gentle it seemed to drip with honey: "Brother Li'an, when I heard that Uncle Song had an accident, my heart clenched immediately. I took leave from work that day, didn't even have time to eat, and rushed over. The situation is so tense now, it's too hard for you to handle it alone. If there's anything I can help with, please don't hesitate to tell me."
Fu Li'an took half a step back, a slight movement that clearly increased the distance between the two.
His gaze was calm, but his tone left no room for doubt: "No need. We'll handle our own affairs. Our Fu family doesn't need outsiders to worry about us."
Fang Wanyu took another step forward, her face almost overflowing with concern, and her voice lowered even further: "Brother Li'an, I know you're stubborn, but Uncle Song is really different to me. I grew up in his family, and he treated me like his own daughter. I remember back then, when we were poor, he would always secretly slip me candy, saying, 'A sweet-talking girl will have a sweet life.' I'll remember these kindnesses for the rest of my life. So now that he's in trouble, I really want to do something, even if it's just running an errand or passing on a message, I'm willing to."
Qiao Wanyin stood aside, coldly staring at her familiar and attentive manner, feeling nauseous.
Her fingers curled slightly, her nails almost digging into her palms.
This guy is such a hypocrite. He hasn't shown his face for years, but now he suddenly appears, calling everyone "Uncle Song" and crying his eyes out to show his loyalty. He's using that old childhood friendship as a tool to cling to Fu Li'an. What is he after?
"Comrade Fang."
She finally couldn't hold back any longer and interrupted in a cold voice, her tone devoid of any warmth, "We are dealing with family matters. The situation is complicated and involves many people. If you don't have anything else important to do, please go back first. There's no need for outsiders to interfere here."
Fang Wanyu's face froze for a moment, and the smile on her lips almost vanished.
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