Chapter 28: A Confrontation with Wu Guanhai
The sound of a key turning came from inside the room. Wu Guanhai's eyes darted around as he snapped out of his daze.
Not long after, Xie Minyin knocked on the door and came in, smiling as she said to Wu Guanhai, "Sister Xiao from the supply and marketing cooperative specially saved a good piece of meat for me. I stewed it, so eat more tonight."
Wu Guanhai, unusually, didn't lose his temper, but he also stared at her expressionlessly. Xie Minyin felt a little uneasy and forced herself to say, "I'll go cook," before going downstairs.
"I'm sorry, Tuan Wu, but Shi Yuan's surname can't be changed." Xiao Ren's words echoed in Wu Guanhai's mind.
Xiao Ren was a young soldier he sent to the household registration office to help Shi Yuan change his surname.
Some things are beyond Shi Ling's control. If Wu Yuan is a member of the Wu family, then he must take the surname Wu.
"What happened?"
“Shi Yuan’s file is encrypted and has a very high level of confidentiality. I don’t have the necessary permissions.” Xiao Ren was trying to save face for Wu Guanhai, since he was carrying out the task on Wu Guanhai’s instructions.
After hanging up the phone, Wu Guanhai became somewhat depressed.
To be honest, he had never regretted divorcing Shi Ling and abandoning Shi Yuan. Even more than ten years later, when he thought of this daughter, his first reaction was not deep fatherly love, but rather to use her to control Shi Ling.
But today, upon learning that Shi Yuan's file was confidential, he suddenly couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if he hadn't divorced Shi Ling, or rather, if he had kept Shi Yuan by his side after divorcing Shi Ling.
Does this give the Wu family an extra layer of protection? Does it mean no one will dare to report him? Or even if he is reported, will he not need to use his connections to get out of trouble?
Those are classified files! He can't even get close to them!
Hearing the noise coming from the kitchen, Wu Guanhai couldn't help but think again that the saying "marry a virtuous wife" was indeed true. Apart from being a little pretty, Xie Minyin was no match for Shi Ling in any way. As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Shi Ling's beautiful and bright face appeared in his mind.
Oh, so Xie Minyin isn't as pretty as Shi Ling!
Why did he divorce Shi Ling for her in the first place?
If the sharp-tongued Huan Ni were here, she would definitely chime in with, "Because he's shameless!"
"You're not regretting the divorce, you're regretting the benefits you didn't get!"
Wu Guanhai composed himself, made a phone call, and asked if there was any news about the person behind the real-name report. The other party gave him several names of people who left Beicheng after being reported.
He also heard Xie Minzhi's name, but he didn't pay much attention to it. His brother-in-law had to go on business trips every now and then because of his work.
He told the other party to focus on investigating the other cases, gave them some more instructions, and then hung up the phone.
Qinglin Bay
Shi Meili stretched out a branch and entangled Huan Ni, demanding that she take charge: "Boss Huan Ni, Shi Yuan clearly said that the private funds were mine, she didn't keep her word!"
Huan Ni: "That's really bad."
"Exactly, she's a bad person. She deceived my feelings!"
Huan Ni looked at the helpless Shi Yuan, then at Shi Meili who seemed heartbroken by the scumbag, and her claws went numb. She wanted to escape! She should have played with Gu Linfeng a little longer.
"Hey, about this matter." Huan Ni clicked her tongue, forcing a smile as she tried to mediate, "Well, this matter is not good."
"But Meili, you've always been beautiful, generous, and understanding, so you must know about this, right? It can't be blamed on Shiyuan, can it?" Huanni started to coax, or rather, persuade.
"but……"
"Don't rush, listen to me." Huan Ni calmly freed herself from Shi Meili's "embrace," and moved her paws slightly outward. "We all know that unclaimed things belong to whoever gets them."
Meili felt a little guilty when this was mentioned. She knew better than anyone that those treasures already had owners.
Well, she watched those people bury it with her own eyes back then.
But decades have passed and no one has come to dig it up, so it's considered unclaimed!
Of course, she wouldn't tell Huan Ni that the moment those people left, she had already taken the treasure for herself!
Which of those demons doesn't fight and snatch away the treasures?
She glanced at the tree spirit who was pretending to be stupid; even if this guy couldn't beat her, he still got 30% of the loot!
Huan Ni moved her feet further away: "But Mei Li, have you forgotten your current identity?"
"ah?"
"We're government employees now, eating government food, you forgot!" Huan Ni said, no longer feeling guilty. She withdrew her paw, cleared her throat, and spoke with increased confidence. "Tell me, what's the first rule for government employees?"
Seeing that Shi Meili didn't quite understand, Huan Ni guided her: "Think about it, you are so powerful and strong, and all the creatures on the mountain are under your control, shouldn't you..." Huan Ni deliberately paused, letting Shi Meili finish the sentence.
Shi Meili recalled the years she dominated the mountain, plucking feathers from every passing bird. She glanced guiltily at Huan Ni and stammered, "Extortion?"
"Pfft!" Shi Yuan couldn't help but turn her head and her shoulders trembled violently.
Huan Ni clenched her claws, telling herself to teach according to aptitude. She took a deep breath and couldn't help but flap her wing at Shi Meili: "It's the spirit of dedication, the spirit of dedication!"
"Fine, I won't eat that food then." Shi Meili buried herself back in the soil. "We demon plants can eat dirt too!"
Huan Ni was furious. She said, "I don't care anymore!" and flew away with her wings flapping. Just as her falling feathers were about to hit the ground, a thin twig caught them and secretly hid them in the soil.
Shi Yuan: ...
Shi Yuan looked at Shi Qingtian, signaling him to go and persuade him.
Shi Qingtian pretended not to see it, and there was no way he could persuade her. He hoped that Shi Meili could hold on, so that his treasures could be saved.
Luckily, he was smart and made some conditions before signing the contract, hehe!
Shi Yuan sighed, wishing she could treat those two like mutated plants!
"Shi Meili! Many people are eyeing those treasures! If someone else snatches them away, we won't get any of the rewards!"
Shi Meili ignored her. Don't be fooled by Shi Yuan's fierce fighting style; she's actually soft-hearted, especially towards her demons, whom she treats incredibly well!
Thinking about it that way, giving away some treasures wasn't a bad idea; she remembered there were many she was already tired of collecting.
Okay, let's wait a bit longer, and then I'll coax her!
"Don't worry, nobody can find me. I'm hiding very well!"
Shi Yuan, powerless, asked, "Then what do you suggest we do?"
Shi Meili jumped out of the flowerpot with great interest: "I want to follow you, wherever you go, I will go!"
"Huh?" That's it?
“Last time, Boss Huan Ni took me to play with Gu Linfeng. He said his brother dotes on him the most and takes him everywhere. He likes to turn into a peach branch and wrap it around his brother’s wrist. I want to turn into a flower branch and wrap it around your wrist too!”
"Okay!" Shi Yuan agreed without hesitation, and after thinking for a moment, she added, "I care about you too."
Shi Qingtian hesitantly made a request: "Then I want my other wrist wrapped. It's a promise, I get the same treatment as Shi Meili."
"Let's entangle her." Shi Yuan reached out her hand.
"Which hand do you want to wrap around?" Shi Meili asked fiercely.
Shi Qingtian answered honestly, "The one you left over."
“That won’t do!” Shi Meili said. “I want to wrap my left hand around my heart. My left hand is closer to my heart meridian, and I want to be close to Shi Yuan.”
"Then I'll wrap it around my right hand."
"I've already told you it won't work!" Shi Meili declared domineeringly. "I use my right hand a lot, and I don't want Shi Yuan to see you all the time!" That's how powerful a demon speaks with such authority!
"Then I, then I..." Shi Qingtian couldn't get the words out.
"Alright, Meili, it'll be more respectable for you to have a follower. Let Shi Qingtian go with you," Shi Yuan said, trying to smooth things over. "They'll stick together!"
"That works too." Shi Meili thought to herself: Shi Yuan calls her Meili, but calls that tree demon Shi Qingtian, which is obviously closer to her, so she will reluctantly take on a little brother.
Finally, Shi Qingtian and Shi Meili wrapped their arms around Shi Yuan's left wrist.
Then, Shi Yuan led them up the mountain.
After confirming the location of the Blue Army's treasure, Gu Linyuan and Feng Cheng returned to Qingzhen. After that, the reporting and communication were no longer Shi Yuan's concern; she was just waiting for the commendation and reward.
Shi Yuan originally planned to go straight home, but her left wrist suddenly felt itchy.
"What's wrong, Meili?" she stopped and asked.
"Shi Yuan, didn't you say that many people are looking for treasure?"
"Yes, but don't worry, with Gu Linyuan and me here, we won't let anyone else steal it."
"Who's worried about that!" Shi Meili was still heartbroken for her precious treasure, but considering that Gu Linyuan had given her several magical artifacts to enhance her cultivation, she reluctantly stopped feeling sorry for it.
However, how dare others covet her treasure? If they aren't taught a lesson, do they think she's the number one tyrant of Qinglin Bay?
"Then, what do you want?" Shi Yuan thought of the message Gu Linyuan had told him before he left.
Although Wu Guanhai was framed, because of his special status, the person behind him should protect him. He will definitely be the leader of their faction when they come here to search for treasure.
After all, finding the Blue Army's treasure was a huge achievement, and Wu Guanhai was the person with the best chance of finding its exact location.
If it were Wu Guanhai who came, then giving him a lesson would be exactly what she wanted!
“Lure those people into my golden pit!” Shi Meili said.
Shi Yuan: ...!
"Why didn't you say you had gold sooner!" Shi Yuan coaxed in a low voice, "My dear, tell me where the gold mine is, and I'll keep it safe for you. We won't give those people any benefits!"
Shi Meili: ...I don't know how to explain this to Shi Yuan.
At the crucial moment, it was Shi Qingtian, the underling, who stepped forward: "Shi Yuan, perhaps you don't know that ordinary plants will turn yellow after they are transformed into demonic plants."
"It's about expelling the impurities from the body."
Shi Yuan awkwardly tugged at the corners of her lips: "Oh, I see~" Then she quickly perked up, "That's a great idea, but how do we lure them over there?"
“That’s easy!” Shi Meili said enthusiastically. “We’ll just throw some gold outside to guide the way.”
"Well?"
"Don't worry, don't worry, Shi Qingtian is very good at forgery. Just have him make gold out of mud!"
That's settled.
When Huan Ni returned that evening, the three of them whispered among themselves, and in the end, Shi Qingtian reluctantly offered up his own golden pit.
In order to avoid accidentally harming friendly forces, Shi Yuan specifically asked Huan Ni to take the two to play with Gu Linfeng and tell Gu Linyuan: Don't pick up the gold on the mountain, don't pick it up.
On the third day, Huanni brought Shiyuan some news: many unfamiliar faces got off at Qingzhen Railway Station.
Shi Yuan didn't take it to heart. What she really wanted to know was who was the person who sent the news of the Blue Army's treasure to Beicheng.
Could it be the "he" the male ghost was talking about?
Back when Huan Ni was in Qinglin Bay, she loved watching the excitement. Now that her identity is public, she spends her days with her two companions following Gu Linfeng around Qingzhen, eavesdropping wherever there's excitement.
In addition, Gu Linyuan occasionally used her to send messages to Shi Yuan, so even though Shi Yuan never left the house, she roughly knew who had come to Qing Town and which faction each person belonged to.
They also knew that those people were still searching in Qingzhen and surrounding brigades to see exactly where the Blue Army's treasure was.
It seems that "he" also had limited information.
A few days later, Huan Ni brought her news that Wu Xingzhou had come again, and he called one of the middle-aged men who was with him "Second Uncle"!
Shi Yuan immediately told Shi Ling the news.
Shi Ling immediately grasped Shi Yuan's hand: "Wu Guanhai is truly capable. Will he be able to see through your problem?"
"No!" Shi Yuan answered decisively.
Before encountering the Reincarnation Platform and the Three-Life Flower, perhaps she would, but now, if Wu Guanhai were to question her identity, she could ask those reclusive local tyrants from the Seventh Division to come out as witnesses for her!
Despite her seemingly idle lifestyle, lack of regular work hours, and reluctance to clock in, she still wields considerable influence within the Seventh Division.
The seventh strange creature is counting on her to be reincarnated as a human or something else.
Those senior figures will need her someday too.
Let alone Wu Guanhai, even if the entire Wu family came, she wouldn't be afraid!
That's true, but she still told Shi Ming to take good care of Shi Ling and to stay home as much as possible herself.
She has always believed that people who are unfaithful to their marriages have no character whatsoever, and she fears that Wu Guanhai might harm Shi Ling.
Wu Guanhai arrived even faster than Shi Yuan had imagined.
When the door was knocked, the family was eating, or more accurately, drinking soup—a top-quality ginseng soup, generously contributed by Comrade Shi Meili.
"I'll go open the door." When Shi Ming was home, he was the one who did all the chores, like opening the door, washing the dishes, and sweeping the floor.
"Who are you?" asked Wu Guanhai, who had taken the initiative.
"And who are you?" Shi Ming saw Wu Xingzhou guess the newcomer's identity, but still retorted.
"I am Wu Yuan's father!"
"There is no such person!" Shi Ming said, then slammed the courtyard gate shut.
"You!" Wu Guanhai originally wanted to gain the moral and verbal high ground, but Shi Ming simply didn't take the bait.
Shi Ming said: That's ridiculous. If he had any morals, he wouldn't be alive today!
He stood with his arms crossed behind the gate, waiting for it to be knocked on again.
There's a consensus in the family regarding Wu Guanhai: let him come!
This time, it was Wu Xingzhou who knocked on the door: "Shi Ming, I'm Wu Xingzhou, Shi Yuan's cousin. Please open the door."
Shi Ming looked at Shi Ling and Shi Yuan, who had already entered the courtyard, and opened the door to welcome them into the courtyard.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, Wu Guanhai smelled the rich aroma of ginseng. He had eaten quite a lot of ginseng, but he had never encountered one with such a mellow flavor.
Then, he saw Shi Ling, whose complexion was rosy and whose charm remained undiminished.
He was stunned. He had thought that Shi Ling, who had spent many years in the countryside, would be a middle-aged woman.
Although he felt that Shi Ling was better than Xie Minyin in every way when they were in Beicheng, he also knew deep down that the countryside was the most hard-working place. No matter how beautiful a woman was, she could be worn down into a village woman if she went to the countryside.
Moreover, Shi Ling also has to take care of Shi Yuan, who has a special situation, so she has to worry about a lot.
He truly hadn't expected time to be so kind to Shi Ling. The past ten years or so, apart from giving Shi Ling a more mature and composed demeanor, hadn't left her with much hardship.
In fact, Shi Ling had aged drastically before Shi Yuan returned.
Just as Wu Guanhai thought, she had to take care of Shi Yuan, go to work, and outwit the Yang family. Later, Yang Fuguo became unreliable, and Shi Yuan grew into a young woman. She had to be wary of Yang Fuguo and all the men in Qinglin Bay.
How could she not age?
With temples frosted with age and eyes covered in dust, even the best features and most beautiful face in youth cannot withstand the test of time.
Shi Ling has recovered so well now, which is based on a good mindset and a good life, but the key is that Shi Yuan and Huan Ni put in a lot of effort.
Shi Yuan had agreed to many conditions for Huan Ni to take out the rhombus-shaped mirror from the storage world and look at Shi Ling's sleeping face every night.
This rhombus-shaped mirror is also called the Crimson Beauty Mirror. In Huan Ni's words, it was something that fairies highly sought after in her time.
That's why Shi Ling is in such a thriving state now.
Despite Shi Yuan's tendency to present herself as a rough and unkempt man in the apocalypse, she is actually quite vain.
She had already made a deal with Huan Ni: once she turned twenty-five, the diamond-shaped mirror would belong to her during the day!
Humans are visual creatures, and Wu Guanhai is no exception. Although he did not forget his original intention when he saw Shi Ling, his attitude softened a lot.
"Shi Ling, it's been so many years, you still look as charming as ever." Wu Guanhai's tone was filled with deep emotion and a hint of regret that he deliberately made it clear.
Shi Ling smiled and said, "You've aged quite a bit." She deliberately glanced behind him, "Where are your wife and children?"
"If I remember correctly, your wife was already pregnant before we got divorced, right?"
Wu Guanhai gave a bitter smile: "She's lying to us."
Shi Ling sneered: "You didn't sleep with her, how could she lie to you!"
"I'm sorry for what happened," Wu Guanhai said. "I came here today..."
"If you know you've wronged me, you shouldn't have appeared in front of me again!" Shi Ling wasn't trying to argue with Wu Guanhai about right and wrong when she said those things; she was imitating Wu Guanhai by occupying the moral and verbal high ground!
"Wu Guanhai, I thought you at least had some shame!" She chuckled, answering her own question, "That's true, if you had any shame, you wouldn't have been having an affair with your lover in the living room, and letting your young daughter witness it!"
Wu Xingzhou stared in disbelief at his most respected second uncle. He had always thought that his second uncle's divorce from his former aunt was mostly due to Shi Yuan, and partly due to the fading of their feelings.
But he never knew the inside story would be so explosive!
Is this something a junior like him should listen to?
Is he faking deafness or faking fainting?
Just as she was hesitating and struggling with her decision, Shi Yuanshun smoothly chimed in, "So urgent? Why in the living room? Is it because it's more spacious?"
Shi Ming replied seriously, "It's probably out of curiosity."
"But is the living room on the floor?" Shi Yuan clicked her tongue twice. "It's so dirty!" It was unclear whether she thought the people were dirty or the place was dirty.
Wu Xingzhou was bewildered. Was this a topic that could be discussed? Luckily, there were no red armbands nearby, otherwise they would have all been arrested and sent for ideological education.
"Wu Yuan!" Wu Guanhai couldn't stand it anymore. "I'm your father! Is this something you should be saying?"
"Who?" Shi Yuan exclaimed in surprise. "Who are you? I don't know you!"
"And who is Wu Yuan?"
She nudged Shi Ming: "Looks like you've been too curious and lost your mind."
"This serves as a lesson from the past."
Shi Ming immediately protested his innocence: "I would never do something like having an extramarital affair while my wife and daughters are out for a walk."
Wu Guanhai fell silent, imagining many scenarios of meeting Shi Ling and Shi Yuan.
He was prepared to accept Shi Ling's beatings and scoldings and Shi Yuan's estrangement and indifference, but he did not expect to be hit like this!
Why did Shi Ling tell Shi Yuan such a thing?
How could he maintain his fatherly authority in front of Shi Yuan?
He took a deep breath, preparing to gloss over the matter: "Back then, Wu Yuan was in that situation, I really..." He didn't say anything more, and brazenly changed the subject, "I checked Wu Yuan's file, it was a classified file, Wu Yuan, what did you do?"
Was the document submitted to Beicheng regarding clues about the Blue Army's treasure submitted by you?
Do you know exactly where the Blue Team's treasure is located?
Or perhaps you obtained the extraordinary treasure mentioned by the ancestors of the Shi family, had an incredible stroke of luck, and even gained the approval of the Seventh Bureau, which is why the Seventh Bureau stepped in to protect you? Did they encrypt your file?
These are the things he's eager to know the answers to.
But he wanted to know that Shi Yuan had no obligation to decipher the secret for him. She still said the same thing: "Go find whoever is Wu Yuan. Here, there is only Shi Yuan!" Let alone Wu Guanhai being a scumbag father, even if he were a top-notch father, she would still only be Shi Yuan.
"Shi Yuan, your second uncle is, after all, your father..."
"A father who cheated on his wife and abandoned his daughter, do you want him?"
Wu Xingzhou, true to his Wu family heritage, was shameless enough to throw away any pretense of dignity: "Shi Yuan, we've come here to find something important."
"If this thing is found, Second Uncle will rise to a higher level."
"No matter what your surname is, you are a member of the Wu family. Only when the Wu family prospers will you prosper."
Shi Yuan laughed: "It's your Wu family that's doing well, only then will you be well. What does it have to do with me, who has the surname Shi?" Back then, who did the elders of the Wu family oppose nine-year-old Shi Yuan wearing the Soul Jade for? Why are the beneficiaries pretending to be innocent?
"Also, since you're here to find something, then search properly." Ideally, you'd find the golden pit that holds Shi Meili and Shi Qingtian! "Don't cause us trouble, or else," Shi Yuan's face turned cold, "don't blame me for being impolite!"
"Wu Xingzhou, you and your second uncle should be careful when you go out. If you get injured like that again, you'll just rot on the mountain and become fertilizer!"
"you!"
Wu Guanhai and Wu Xingzhou returned empty-handed, having obtained not a single useful piece of information, and were even scolded and threatened.
Of course, before leaving, Wu Guanhai tried to save face by saying, "Shi Ling, I brought some books from the Shi family collection. If you need them, come find me at the guesthouse in town." Then he gave him the room number.
After the Wu family uncle and nephew left, Shi Ling suddenly burst into laughter: "That was great!"
"I've wanted to curse him for over a decade!" But back then, circumstances were beyond her control. She had already exhausted all her efforts to get Shi Yuan out of Beicheng safely, and she simply didn't have the energy to curse him.
Shi Yuan took the opportunity to ask her, "Didn't anyone help you back then?" For example, the female lead's adoptive father who regarded Shi Ling as his white moonlight?
Shi Ling smiled bitterly: "Back then, the Wu family was very powerful, who dared to lend a helping hand?"
"The Sheng family was bold enough, and capable enough, but when Yunhua sent back the news that he had been shot and was missing, the Sheng family was thrown into complete chaos."
"That's how it was. They even sent someone to give me money and tickets and helped me board the train heading south."
Shi Yuan asked again, "Is there no one else?" Was she just standing by and watching her beloved be in trouble? Or was there another reason?
She decided to be direct: "I heard Wu Xingzhou say last time that someone named Kang Mingfeng seems to be collecting information about you." Putting the blame on Wu Xingzhou, Shi Yuan wasn't embarrassed or flustered at all, knowing that Shi Ling wouldn't seek confirmation from Wu Xingzhou anyway.
“Kang Mingfeng?” Shi Ling frowned and shook her head. “I don’t know him.”
A fierce glint flashed in Shi Yuan's eyes, followed by a sense of certainty that everything had finally settled down.
She said it was strange that Shi Ling would entrust her orphan to a middle-aged man.
This novel definitely has hidden plots, and she just happened to stumble upon them!
So who is Kang Mingfeng? Did the female lead take the jade pendant intentionally? Was it a family reunion?
etc!
If she remembered correctly, the female lead later became the daughter of a high-ranking official, and a few years later she made a name for herself using the metaphysical skills taught by her adoptive father!
So here's the question: as far as she knows, Shi Ling only gave her the Soul Jade, so the female lead took the Soul Jade. Then, which leader's daughter did the female lead become? Was it the Wu family?
Did the female lead really learn her metaphysical skills from her adoptive father, Kang Mingfeng? If she is related to the Wu family, which has a long and distinguished family tradition of learning, why would she "debut" in her adoptive father's name?
Ji Ying didn't tell her any of this, so she probably either read it in a daze and didn't pay attention, or it wasn't written in the novel.
However, there are some things she can solve the mystery of, and some things that she changed the beginning of, which meant they were destined never to happen.
Once she finishes this current matter, let's go to Beicheng for some fun.
Whether it's the female lead or her adoptive father, perhaps, due to the power of the plot, they will meet again.
"Huan Ni, go tell Gu Linyuan that Wu Guanhai has come looking for us." Shi Yuan felt that Wu Guanhai was not a person who spoke without reason; his goal in coming to Qingzhen was the Blue Army's treasure, which was related to his career.
She didn't believe that Wu Guanhai would prioritize her and Shi Ling over his career, guessing that Wu Guanhai suspected the Blue Army treasure was related to Qinglin Bay.
"Shi Yuan, do you want me to teach that person a lesson for you?" Shi Meili was itching to do it; she was a professional at slapping people!
"No rush, the real show in Qingzhen has only just begun."
"Fine! Just let me know whenever you want to teach him a lesson!" Shi Meili said smugly. "I hope he falls into my golden trap soon."
"Shi Qingtian, you go and stir things up a bit when the time comes!"
"I won't do it!"
"You are a tree, what are you afraid of!"
"I'm not doing it!"
The two noisily planted themselves in the flowerpot.
Shi Yuan ignored them and instead asked Shi Ling, "Should I bring back the Shi family's ancient books?"
“No rush,” Shi Ling said. “I have a feeling that Wu Guanhai is planning something else. It’s better to wait and see.”
"Okay." Regarding Wu Guanhai's matter, we should still prioritize Shi Ling's opinions and feelings.
Gu Linyuan replied to the message quickly.
Huan Ni said, "He said everything is ready and the military will be here soon." He was referring to the faction that had always been aligned with the Seventh Division.
Shi Yuan nodded and said to Huan Ni, "You'll have to work hard these next few days and keep an eye on Wu Guanhai. That guy is a well-known master of mystic arts. Who knows if he knows anything about the Five Ghosts Moving Technique or something? Don't let him steal the treasure!"
"If that's the case, I won't be able to get a good night's sleep for the rest of my life!"
Just as Huan Ni was about to offer some comfort, Shi Meili suddenly interjected, "Then you can absorb the essence of the moon with me."
Shi Yuan: "...Thank you!" After saying that, she poured a large pot of water for her, "Drink more water." Once you've had your fill, shut up!
Qingzhen Guesthouse
After returning from Qinglin Bay, Wu Guanhai remained silent, and Wu Xingzhou also kept quiet.
Wu Xingzhou didn't know why Wu Guanhai was silent, but it was because his idealized image of his second uncle had been shattered, and he was disillusioned with his idol, so he didn't know what to say.
Wu Guanhai ignored him and stood by the window, pondering how to successfully achieve the purpose of this trip.
To say that Shi Yuan's attitude and words had no effect on him at all is impossible. He was almost being verbally abused to his face just now, how could he not feel anything!
If he hadn't been wary, he would have acted on the spot.
He always felt that Shi Ling's family's aura was a bit off, somewhat chaotic, as if something else coexisted there, yet it was harmonious and congenial.
It's a pity that he didn't bring any magical artifacts with him this time because of the previous report, otherwise he could have verified his suspicions.
Wu Guanhai took out a match and then felt his pocket. Wu Xingzhou stood up and had just put his hand in his pocket when he noticed that Wu Guanhai was standing there, looking very unhappy.
At this moment, he couldn't care less about being disillusioned or not, and quickly stepped forward to ask with concern, "Second Uncle, what's wrong?"
"Xie Minzhi? What's he doing in Qingzhen?"
"Him?" Wu Xingzhou looked out the window and saw Xie Minzhi talking to a shady-looking man while exhaling smoke. Xie Minzhi kept glancing around, clearly on guard.
"I remember he worked in an administrative position?"
Wu Guanhai nodded. He had always believed that Xie Minyin loved him to death, and that the Xie family at most received some private subsidies from her. He had never suspected anything.
What is the current situation in Keqing Town?
As far as he knew, both the government and the military had sent people over, including people from various factions.
They're all waiting to see who can pull the Blue Army's treasure back by showcasing their unique skills.
Whose side is Xie Minzhi on?
Is the person who reported him related to Xie Minzhi?
What about Xie Minyin?
She first approached Shi Ling and became his friend, and then she moved into his house and slept with him. Was it really just because she admired him?
Or is there some inside story he doesn't know?
Thinking of this, Wu Guanhai suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
At that moment, he suddenly felt a genuine sense of regret.
Before Xie Minzhi could look up alertly, Wu Guanguan closed the window and said to Wu Xingzhou, "Have someone follow him and find out why he came to Qingzhen."
Wu Xingzhou hesitated and said, "Second Uncle, isn't this a bit too much of an overreaction?"
Wu Guanhai lifted his eyelids and glanced at him: "Xingzhou, your second uncle will tell you a secret to invincibility."
"What?" Wu Xingzhou's eyes lit up and he immediately asked.
"Better safe than sorry!" This is an old saying, but it is also a wise saying.
Wu Xingzhou was somewhat disappointed, but he didn't show it on his face. He respectfully agreed and went to find someone to follow Xie Minzhi. However, he couldn't help but suspect that Shi Yuan had returned to normal and had achieved something again without their knowledge.
She is her second uncle's only biological daughter. Could it be that her second uncle wants to pass on all his skills to Shi Yuan?
My second aunt is currently divorced and single, and my second uncle's current search for Xie Minzhi's mistakes may well be paving the way for Shi Yuan's return to the Wu family.
Wu Xingzhou shook his head to clear his mind. His second uncle had always treated him like his own son and had never held back in passing on his knowledge and skills. He couldn't let his mother's words influence him to doubt his second uncle!
Even if my second uncle had any ideas, the elders in the family wouldn't agree. After all, Shi Yuan is a girl, and she'll be getting married soon!
The recent commotion in Qingzhen has given rise to many versions of the story, with the most widespread one in Qinglin Bay being: a big shot from the north city has come to search for his long-lost relatives.
Li Mingfen used a thimble to push the needle out from the side of the shoe sole, pulled it hard, and leaned slightly closer to Shi Lingxiao, who was somewhat speechless. She said, "Over at the Yang family, Feng Jinqiu and her daughter Yang Meiyu are trying to get Yang Fuguo to divorce her!"
Shi Ling pushed the candied fruit toward Li Mingfen, gesturing for her to eat, and casually remarked, "They are very capable of causing trouble."
"However, Wu Xinghe is already pregnant, and Yang Fuguo won't divorce her for the sake of the child."
Li Mingfen picked up a piece of candied fruit and took a bite. This time, her smile was meaningful: "Do you remember when Yang Fuguo got married, there were people making a scene?"
Seeing Shi Ling nod, she continued, "That green hat is so heavy, Yang Fuguo probably won't be able to take it much longer."
"Hey, I heard that Feng Jinqiu implied that she wanted Yang Fuguo to remarry you. What do you think?"
Shi Ling felt a chill: "Don't talk nonsense! It's bad luck!"
Shi Ling's eagerness to avoid the topic amused Li Mingfen, who burst into laughter: "I knew the Yang family was delusional."
Then she started talking about the gossip surrounding the big shots in Qingzhen: "I heard that a military officer in Beicheng has had his daughter missing for over ten years. Now his elderly relative is dying and wants to see her one last time. All the relatives who are free have come out to look for her."
She hesitated for a moment, but still asked, "Shi Ling, the person they're looking for... isn't Shi Yuan?"
"Of course not!" Shi Yuan pushed open the courtyard gate and came in, smiling as she said to Li Mingfen, "Aunt Mingfen, whose child has been missing for over ten years before they finally thought of looking for them?"
“That’s a misconception.” She picked up a piece of dried fruit and took a bite. “My friends in town told me that they came here on some kind of mission.”
"We ordinary people just need to stay out of trouble."
"So you had a mission!" Li Mingfen smiled sheepishly. "Hey! I knew it. Even a big shot looking for his child can't make a big fuss." She tidied up her shoe soles and sewing basket, stood up and said, "It's time. I'm going back to cook. I'll come talk to you again next time."
"Take care, Aunt Mingfen!"
"Okay!"
After smilingly seeing Li Mingfen off, Shi Yuan turned around and saw Shi Ling coldly tidying up the things on the small table.
"There's no smoke without fire. Could these rumors have come from that uncle and nephew from the Wu family?" Shi Ling vigorously wiped the small table. "Wu Guanhai hasn't given up yet!"
"I should have said something even harsher last time!"
"Mom, I don't want to go to the Wu family. No one can force me, not even public opinion!" Shi Yuan smiled and walked over to take Shi Ling's arm. "You can rest assured."
"This is not the time when we were isolated and helpless more than ten years ago."
“If the evil wind really gets too strong, you can come and stay with me at the Seventh Division.” Shi Yuan said with a smile, “I have staff dormitories at the Seventh Division. It’s a small courtyard with everything you need, including a small canteen where the food is all prepared in a special way and there’s a wide variety of dishes.”
"You can stay there, read books, grow flowers, go out for a stroll if you want, or stay at home if you don't want to go out."
"With me here, no one can hurt you anymore!"
These words brought tears to Shi Ling's eyes. She wiped away her tears while laughing, "I never dreamed I could live such a life."
“Don’t even dream about it,” Shi Yuan said seriously. “If you’re willing, we can go there now.”
"No." Shi Ling didn't agree. "The grain will be distributed after the autumn harvest. We're not leaving now."
"Okay, just let me know when you want to live there."
After coaxing Shi Ling and tidying up the yard, Shi Yuan returned to her room, took off her coat, lay down on the bed, and closed her eyes to rest.
The people from the north city have arrived, and the trucks are ready. Tonight, she will give them directions to the Blue Army Treasure.
I don't know what kind of chaos tonight will bring, I'll just get some sleep first.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
