Chapter 33 All Parties
Kang Mingfeng is feeling very frustrated lately.
For more than 20 years, he received many preferential treatments because of his positive public image as a "good policeman," "good father," and "selfless."
And now, precisely because of these personas, he can't openly ask someone to pull strings to get Kang Nian'en out of the police station.
Kang Nian'en was already more sensitive than her peers, and after experiencing such a thing, she was in a very bad mood and looked listless. Kang Mingfeng was so worried that he couldn't sleep, but he couldn't think of a solution for the time being.
He had secretly asked someone to help him, but that person eventually returned the money to him, telling him that the person Kang Nian'en had offended had a powerful background and had sent people to keep a close eye on the matter, so no one dared to open this back door.
Kang Mingfeng's eyes turned cold as he thought of Shi Yuan, who had a smiling face and a very nice attitude but insisted on not giving any forgiveness.
Perhaps she is right. If conventional methods cannot get Nian'en out, then some special methods should be used.
Even with a powerful background, Shi Yuan is just an ordinary young girl, and this is just a letter of understanding. I believe she will know what to choose.
Thinking of this, he got out of bed, turned on the lamp, and took out paper and pen to write down a draft of the letter of understanding.
If Shi Yuan were to see this letter of forgiveness, she would probably laugh in anger. This is not a letter of forgiveness; it is clearly a "confession." She is the one who is at fault!
Thanks to the police officer who delivered the message keeping Shi Yuan's identity a secret, Kang Mingfeng thought that "persuading" Shi Yuan would be a very easy thing.
As he wrote the letter of understanding, the excitement in his eyes became increasingly difficult to conceal.
Unfortunately, he couldn't find Shi Yuan for several days. He only learned from the guesthouse staff that she had been picked up by a tall, refined, and imposing young man.
Kang Mingfeng flipped the matchbox over, guessing that the man must be Shi Yuan's backer.
He needed to find out who the man was, hoping that the man's identity wouldn't be too difficult to identify, otherwise things would become very complicated.
Gu Linyuan soon received news that Kang Mingfeng was investigating his information and Shi Yuan's whereabouts.
He knew that Shi Yuan had her own plans for staying in Beicheng, and he also knew that with her strength, coupled with Shi Meili's combat prowess and the agile Huan Ni, it wouldn't be easy for anyone to scheme against her.
But he still wanted to tell her the news he had received; it's always good to be prepared.
Gu Linyuan found Shi Yuan and Huan Ni in the large garden. When he arrived, Shi Meili had just transformed into her true form, with her vines blooming with beautiful flowers that swayed in the wind. Huan Ni had transformed into a colorful swallowtail butterfly that flitted among the flowers, attracting various butterflies from the surrounding area to dance together.
The nearby eye of the storm also joined in the fun, bringing leaves and petals of various colors, making it a feast for the eyes and full of romanticism.
Shi Yuan sat with her knees drawn up against Shi Meili. Sunlight shone on her face, her eyelashes fluttered, and she smiled sweetly, like an elf who had wandered into the human world.
Gu Linyuan took a deep breath, really wanting to take advantage of Huan Ni and Shi Meili's efforts to make Shi Yuan happy to confess his feelings to her.
But based on his understanding of Shi Yuan, she was enjoying her current life and had no intention of stopping for anyone or changing her lifestyle.
He also felt that he shouldn't be a burden to Shi Yuan, at least for now, his confession might be a nuisance to Shi Yuan.
He looked at Shi Yuan with tender eyes, thinking that it didn't matter. He was already standing by her side, and he had enough patience to wait for Shi Yuan to turn around and see his feelings for him one day.
Perhaps it was a beautiful coincidence, or perhaps it was a sign from heaven, but at that very moment, Shi Yuan turned her head and saw him, the smile and gentleness in her eyes still lingering.
Under the sunlight, Gu Linyuan realized for the first time that his heart was beating so powerfully and rapidly, "thump! thump! thump!"
"Gu Linyuan, you're not working overtime today?" Shi Yuan greeted him with a smile.
Gu Linyuan didn't realize how gentle his smile was: "I was working overtime when I got some news, so I came to give you a heads-up."
"What news could possibly get you out of the office?"
Gu Linyuan chuckled to himself, thinking: Anything related to you is fine.
He said, "Someone is investigating my relationship with you, and my identity."
"Kang Mingfeng?"
“It’s him!” Gu Linyuan walked up to Shi Yuan and casually reached out to help her up.
Without thinking much, Shi Yuan extended her hand, used Gu Linyuan's strength to stand up, and chuckled, "Is he testing the waters before making a move against me?"
She clicked her tongue twice: "Looks like I won't be able to get his threats." She smiled at Gu Linyuan, "With you, the great master, as his backer, he wouldn't dare to make any rash moves." She was giving her boss a small but significant compliment.
Gu Linyuan's smile deepened: "If you need me, I can just be an ordinary person in Beicheng."
Both his and Shi Yuan's files are classified, and if Kang Mingfeng has no other way, he will only be able to find out his public identity.
Thinking of this, the smile on his face faded a little. He didn't like that identity and could change it at any time.
"I did have someone investigate some of Kang Mingfeng's past."
Shi Yuan became interested: "If you're not busy, come sit in my yard, and we can talk over tea?"
"Not busy," Gu Linyuan quickly replied. "It's all trivial matters." This wasn't a lie, but it was precisely because they were trivial that he was so busy.
"Let's go then. Meili got me some tea leaves; they smell very good. Please try some."
"Okay." The two said as they left side by side.
Huan Ni flapped her wings a few times, shooing away the butterflies surrounding her, and landed on Shi Meili: "Shi Meili, have you noticed that Gu Linyuan's smile towards Shi Yuan is so flirtatious?"
"No, he smiles like that at everyone, doesn't he?"
"You're such a blockhead, that smile is obviously different, okay?"
"I'm not made of wood, Shi Qingtian is made of wood, I'm a flower!"
"Fine, you're a flower, you're a flower." The tone was impatient.
"Why are you still angry? You were just praising her beauty."
"You idiot, Meili!" Huanni flapped her wings, thinking to herself that someone was trying to steal the cabbage from her house!
Shi Yuan, unaware of Huan Ni's thoughts, smiled and led Gu Lin Yuan to a seat, even personally brewing him tea.
Gu Linyuan's smile never faded. After taking a sip of tea, he started talking about things that Shi Yuan was interested in.
“I’ve found something very interesting,” he said. “Kang Mingfeng came to Beicheng more than 20 years ago. Before that, his life story was very vague.” It was clear that someone had helped Kang Mingfeng erase some traces.
But if Gu Linyuan wanted to investigate someone, he certainly wouldn't just find such vague information.
"In his earlier years, he frequented various gangs in Haicheng."
Kang Mingfeng was good-looking and knew how to act, and he was also smart, so he quickly gained the appreciation of the leader of the gang.
After that, he married the daughter of the person in charge and almost secured his position as the second-in-command.
Why do I say "almost"?
Because the policy has changed, those in charge are no longer someone everyone fears, but someone who needs to be re-educated and have their thinking reformed.
Overnight, his father-in-law came down from the farm, giving them no time to react.
Of course, unsurprisingly, he and his wife, as the second-in-command, could not escape the fate of being sent to the farm for reform. However, he was ruthless and shrewd, and before going to the farm, he handed over all of his father-in-law's private accounts.
Well, the father-in-law was originally supposed to be sent to a farm for reform through labor, but now he's been dragged away and shot, and his wife wasn't spared either.
Kang Mingfeng escaped unscathed by stepping over the corpses of his father-in-law and wife, and left Haicheng for Beicheng.
After that, they disappeared without a trace.
"The next news about him is that he adopted abandoned babies." Gu Linyuan put down his teacup. "I don't believe that kind of person would be kind enough to adopt abandoned babies."
"So I had people dig deeper into this old story."
Shi Yuan's eyes sparkled: "Is Kang Nian'en his biological daughter?"
“That’s right,” Gu Linyuan said. “My people found the midwife who delivered Kang Nian’en, and she confirmed that Kang Mingfeng was right there when Kang Nian’en was born.”
Who is her biological mother?
"Someone you wouldn't expect."
"who?"
"Xie Minyin".
"Who?" Shi Yuan's tone changed. "Xie Minyin!"
"It's her?"
"Wait, let me sort this out." Shi Yuan downed her tea in one gulp and said, "I heard my mother say that Xie Minyin was already pregnant before she and Wu Guanhai divorced."
“But last time, Wu Guanhai told us personally that Xie Minyin lied to him; she wasn’t pregnant at all.”
"Assuming Xie Minyin was indeed pregnant back then, and that child was Kang Nian'en, then why would she abandon the child to Kang Mingfeng?"
"Even if the child's identity is problematic, framing her with Wu Guanhai would be more in her best interest, wouldn't it?"
Didn't Aunt Shi tell you?
"What?"
"The Wu family members all have a black butterfly-shaped birthmark on the back of their necks. It is not noticeable normally, but it will appear when they are emotionally agitated or when they are stimulated by hot water."
"Kang Nian'en probably doesn't have this birthmark, so it can't be blamed on Wu Guanhai."
"Is that so?" Shi Yuan subconsciously touched the back of her neck. She was a relatively stable person and would never splash hot water on the back of her neck for no reason, so she really didn't know that she had a birthmark.
But that's not important. What's important is that the scumbag got cheated on too. What a karmic cycle!
Shi Yuan suddenly changed her mind.
She originally planned to use herself as bait to give Kang Mingfeng a chance to make a move, then remove his mask and let everyone know his true colors. She would then take the opportunity to release the news that Kang Nian'en and Kang Mingfeng were suspected to be father and daughter, making people suspicious and gradually revealing Kang Mingfeng's true colors.
The best solace for Shi Ling and Shi Yuan in the book would be for Kang Mingfeng's disgrace and Kang Nian'en's imprisonment.
In order to get Kang Mingfeng a severe sentence, she has already planned to suffer some serious "injuries".
But now she has a better idea: she wants Kang Mingfeng and Xie Minyin to fight each other like dogs first.
Remembering what Huan Ni had told her, Shi Yuan asked Gu Linyuan, "Has Xie Minyin's brother gone missing?"
"Yes, he disappeared after heading south. His employer has already reported it to the police."
"Heading south, huh?" Shi Yuan guessed. "Could it be that they're also heading to Qinglin Bay to raid the Blue Army's treasure?"
"I need some time to verify this." Xie Minzhi is not in the same system as him. He can check some information, but it will take some time.
Shi Yuan nodded and smiled meaningfully, "Anyway, it's not us who's in a hurry." After saying that, she filled her and Gu Linyuan's teacups, and the two clinked their cups together without saying a word.
Shi Yuan decided to stay at headquarters and enjoy a leisurely life, while Gu Linyuan was still extremely busy.
That day, He Tian came over to deliver documents for signature. He said with some surprise, "Mr. Gu, you've been busy until late at night every day lately, but you still look so energetic. What happy event has happened?"
Gu Linyuan subconsciously curled the corners of his lips: "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask."
"By the way, how's the matter I asked you to investigate going?"
He Tian pulled out a document and handed it over: "It's all here."
"Xie Minzhi took the initiative to seek the opportunity to go to Qing City for exchange and study. After that, someone saw him meet with a local hooligan who sold information in Qing Town. After that, there was no news of him."
Gu Linyuan flipped through the documents: "I remember that Wu Guanhai was also in Qingzhen around this time."
"Yes, but according to various sources, they have never met."
“Go and dig into Xie Minzhi’s life.”
"Yes." After reporting, He Tian hesitated for a moment before saying, "Two days from now is Old Master Gu's birthday. Commander Gu has sent word that he hopes you can attend the old master's birthday banquet."
Gu Linyuan's expression turned cold. Gu Linfeng flew from the potted plant to his side and rubbed against his face.
"Go ahead and get busy." The speaker neither said they would go nor that they wouldn't.
After He Tian left, he sat quietly for a while, then called Shi Yuan and told her about Xie Minzhi's situation.
Shi Yuan's first reaction was: "Could Xie Minzhi have another identity and be using the excuse of studying in Qing City to go to the Blue Army's treasure?"
“I have the same suspicion, and I have already sent people to investigate Xie Minzhi’s life.”
"Gu Linyuan, do you think there were other reasons behind Xie Minyin's interference in my mother and Wu Guanhai's wedding, besides their so-called 'love at first sight'?"
Gu Linyuan replied, "Then we'll dig out the truth about that past event bit by bit."
"Okay." Before hanging up the phone, Shi Yuan added, "I really look forward to seeing Wu Guanhai's face when he learns the whole truth and regrets his actions." Even though she knew that the scumbag didn't regret betraying her, but rather regretted that the price he paid for betraying her was too high, she still wanted to see it, and she also wanted her mother to see it with her.
The scumbag Wu Guanhai, whom she kept nagging, has been having a very tough time lately. He had originally planned to find a better match, but he was dumped by his boss first, and dumped completely.
However, he had helped his superiors handle some shady matters and had some evidence on hand.
He knew about this, and the leaders were also aware of it.
But the leader still abandoned him without hesitation, either because the situation on the leader's side was also very serious and there was no spare power to protect him.
Either the leader completely cuts off contact with him, but isn't afraid that he'll reveal any incriminating evidence.
Under what circumstances do you not need to worry about revealing incriminating evidence?
Wu Guanhai suddenly stood up and paced back and forth in the study. He was not abandoned, but became a scapegoat, a scapegoat to take the blame!
If he himself has problems, then the evidence he has against him is not trustworthy!
Aside from the criticism of his identity as a Xuan Master, he has no other problems!
Time is of the essence!
Only Shi Yuan can save him now!
Alternatively, let him join the Seventh Division! Then, his background won't be a weakness, but rather a strength!
He picked up his car keys, ready to have a serious talk with Shi Yuan. If she was willing to help him, he could guarantee that all the resources of the Wu family would be directed towards her! He would also leave all his belongings to her!
"Guanhai, where are you going?" Xie Minyin came in carrying sweet soup and immediately said when she saw Wu Guanhai about to leave, "I made some sweet soup. Drink it before you go."
Wu Guanhai ignored her completely and walked past her.
Xie Minyin took a deep breath and hugged Wu Guanhai from behind: "Guanhai, you haven't been talking to me since you came back. I'm so sad."
"Get to the point!" Wu Guanhai shoved Xie Minyin's hand away. "Get out of the way if you have nothing else to do!"
“It’s about my brother!” Xie Minyin quickly said. “He’s been out of contact since his last business trip.”
"Guanhai, can you help me find him?"
Wu Guanhai's lips curved into a strange smile: "Your brother? Where did he go on his business trip?" His voice held a well-hidden malice and amusement.
"They said they went to the south, but I don't know exactly where they went."
"You want me to search the entire South?" Wu Guanhai turned and looked down at Xie Minyin. "Do you think that's possible?"
"Or do you know where your brother is, but you're unwilling to tell me?"
"Xie Minyin, what exactly are you and your brother plotting?"
"No!" Xie Minyin immediately said, "I am my husband, my brother's brother-in-law, how could we possibly scheme against you!"
"Didn't you have any ulterior motives?" Gu Guanhai scoffed. "It'd better not!" He then turned and left without leaving.
Xie Minyin's heart pounded as she watched Gu Guanhai's retreating figure. Did Gu Guanhai know something?
Was her older brother's disappearance related to him?
She immediately denied the speculation. In any case, her brother was Wu Guanhai's brother-in-law, and their interests were aligned on external issues.
If his brother were in Beicheng right now, Wu Guanhai would definitely consult with his brother about countermeasures. His brother's disappearance was not caused by Wu Guanhai!
She needs to go home and ask her mother if her brother said anything before he left, or if he asked her to keep anything safe.
Wu Guanhai had just turned off the engine when he saw his good older brother and sister-in-law come out of the guesthouse looking dejected.
Was he kicked out by Shi Yuan?
Upon seeing his car, Wu Guanchao immediately walked over and asked, "Second brother, do you know where Shi Yuan went?"
"What's the meaning?"
“We came looking for her several times, but the people at the guesthouse said she had already checked out.”
Wu Guanhai was stunned. He had expected Shi Yuan to ignore him, or to confront him like before, or even mock his situation, but he did not expect that Shi Yuan would actually check out and leave!
"She went back to Qingzhen?" Wu Guanhai asked subconsciously.
"No, I asked around and she said she hadn't bought a train ticket."
Wu Guanhai subconsciously walked towards the guesthouse, but Wu Guanchao stopped him and said, "I asked the waitress, and she said that Shi Yuan was picked up by a very imposing young man."
"Gu Linyuan!" Wu Guanhai murmured. The imposing young man Shi Yuan knew must be Gu Linyuan, the elusive director of the Seventh Division.
There's no mistake. He Tian said that Gu Linyuan greatly admires Shi Yuan, so it makes sense that he came to pick her up personally.
“I know where Shi Yuan is. You don’t need to look for him anymore. We can’t even get into that place.”
"Where?" Wu Guanchao asked, unwilling to give up.
"The Seventh Headquarters!"
"This?" Wu Guanchao and Jiang Qiqiao looked at each other in bewilderment. If it was that place, then they really couldn't go there, and no one from the Wu family could get in.
I never expected Shi Yuan to have such a high position in the Seventh Division!
Both of them looked shocked, yet also with a hint of inappropriate relief.
"Second brother, we'll head back now. We need to let the old man know."
Wu Guanhai nodded, turned around and got into the car. When he had the best relationship with his boss, he had heard him mention Gu Linyuan's identity.
The old master of the Gu family is about to have his birthday, and Gu Linyuan will probably go back to the Gu family.
It's a pity that nowadays everyone emphasizes hard work and frugality, so even the elderly can't have a big celebration for their birthdays.
He can forget about sneaking into the family banquet; he's not qualified. But he should be able to wait outside.
No matter what, he had to see Shi Yuan; otherwise, he wouldn't be satisfied.
Meanwhile, Kang Mingfeng arranged to meet Xie Minyin again.
Xie Minyin found it very annoying.
At that time, Shi Ling discovered her affair with Wu Guanhai, but Wu Guanhai delayed mentioning divorcing his wife and marrying her. In order for Shi Yuan to have a relatively stable living environment, Shi Ling also seemed to have no intention of making a scene.
This won't do!
What did Shi Ling have back then? She was an orphan with only one child, and the worst part was that the child was mentally challenged.
Having children is like having any person can't do it.
So she made several more appointments with Wu Guanhai, but strangely enough, she couldn't get pregnant. So her brother gave her an idea: find someone to conceive.
She refused. She wasn't a good woman in the traditional sense, but she wasn't a promiscuous woman either.
But she tried for another six months and still didn't get pregnant, so she started to get anxious.
During the six months she was having an affair with Wu Guanhai, she deliberately stuffed women's items into his pockets, but Shi Ling never complained.
She clearly doesn't want a divorce!
So when her brother brought it up again, she agreed, but she had a condition: she had to meet the man first and be satisfied with him; she didn't want an ugly or slovenly one!
Kang Mingfeng was the person her brother found for her. He was taller, thinner, better-looking, and much gentler than Wu Guanhai.
After a few times, she became pregnant. Her brother told her not to tell anyone about the pregnancy except Wu Guanhai.
"Why?" she asked, puzzled. She should have made sure both families knew so that Wu Guanhai would divorce Shi Ling as soon as possible and cut ties. And that idiot should also be taken away by Shi Ling.
"Why do you think that is?" Xie Minzhi said in a low voice, "Don't you know how this child came to be?"
Xie Minyin immediately became obedient. After listening to Xie Minzhi's words, she only told Wu Guanhai about the matter in private.
Everything went smoothly after that. Before her pregnancy even became visible, Shi Ling and Shi Yuan left Beicheng looking disheveled.
Just as she was smugly anticipating becoming Mrs. Wu, her brother brought her devastating news.
“All the children in the Wu family have a butterfly birthmark on the back of their necks,” Xie Minzhi said with a gloomy face.
"How could that be?" Xie Minyin scoffed. "I've seen Shi Yuan; the back of her neck is clean and smooth, there's nothing there!"
"They say it only appears when you're emotionally agitated or stimulated by hot water," Xie Minzhi said, taking a deep drag on his cigarette. "It's true."
"elder brother?"
“Wu Xingzhou, Wu Guanhai’s nephew, has a birthmark like this on the back of his neck.”
Xie Minyin subconsciously touched her stomach: "What should I do?"
“This child cannot be kept. Find an opportunity to get Wu Guanhai to give you a push, Minyin. Sometimes a man’s guilt and pity are more lasting and effective than so-called love.”
But she didn't find an opportunity. All Wu Guanhai did when he saw her was do *that* with her. She did use this as an excuse to argue with him, but Wu Guanhai didn't even push her away, let alone argue with her.
There was no other way; the child couldn't be kept. Her brother could only take her to another city for an abortion under the pretext of a business trip.
What happened in the end?
She had a special condition and had this abortion, after which she lost all her subsequent pregnancies.
What to do? The only option is to give birth.
I don't know how her brother did it, but not long after she married Wu Guanhai, he went on a long business trip.
She gave birth to Kang Nian'en during that period.
Her mother said that Wu Guanhai was fine, but the problem was with her. She felt guilty. Not long after giving birth to Kang Nian'en, Wu Guanhai was coming back. In order to prevent Wu Guanhai from noticing anything unusual, her brother found someone to use some extreme methods to help her regain her figure.
During that period, I didn't even get a decent meal, let alone take care of myself during postpartum confinement!
She hasn't been able to conceive again over the years, which is largely due to that period of her life.
Sometimes she wondered, what was the point of all the suffering she had endured? Was it all worth it?
Coming back to her senses, she looked at Kang Mingfeng, who had become increasingly charming in middle age, and closed her eyes. He was a damn man!
He only borrowed her sperm, and now he's demanding a house, money, and a job from her. And now he's even asking her to bail him out! He thinks he's made of gold just because he trembled a little?
That daughter wasn't what she wanted at all, and she wouldn't admit it anyway.
Even if she regrets hanging herself on Wu Guanhai, she would never live a miserable life with Kang Mingfeng, a man who is all looks and no substance!
"I told you, I can't help it!" Xie Minyin said angrily in a low voice. "My brother is missing, my family is in complete chaos, please don't cause me any more trouble!"
"Nian'en is also your daughter, how can you bear to watch her be imprisoned?"
"Who told her to steal!" Xie Minyin said in a low, vicious voice. "You wicked child, you figure it out yourself, it has nothing to do with me!"
"That's your only daughter too!"
"What daughter!"
"A convict, does he even deserve it?"
"What did you say?"
"Kang Mingfeng, let me tell you, I've been very lenient with you. I know exactly what you did in Haicheng back then, so don't push me!"
"Don't ever look for me again!" Xie Minyin said, then grabbed her bag and left.
What a useless bastard! He can't even steal properly. How could she have given birth to such a useless child!
It was all for nothing that she paved the way for Kang Mingfeng to work in the public security system. With her background, she could easily find a decent man and live a good life.
After all, she was her own daughter, and if she had a better future, she wouldn't mind giving her a hand.
She had seen Kang Nian'en from afar; she was quite beautiful, and Kang Mingfeng had taken good care of her, making her fair-skinned and lovely.
Logically speaking, in this era, girls who dress and eat well would attract gossip, but because Kang Nian'en was an abandoned baby and was adopted by Kang Mingfeng, her appearance was actually a reflection of Kang Mingfeng's selfless dedication.
Moreover, she works at the local street office, which would not give rumors any chance to spread.
She even considered keeping an eye out for boys who weren't highly regarded in their circle for Kang Nian'en.
Someone like that, Kang Nian'en's status wouldn't be too low.
As long as she is outstanding and beautiful enough, she can be further promoted from behind the scenes to be shaped into a strong and resilient representative of the new woman.
When the time comes, the marriage will naturally fall into place, and Kang Nian'en can just wait to enjoy her happiness.
She had genuinely considered Kang Nian'en's future; after all, she was the daughter she had carried for ten months.
Moreover, if she hadn't had this daughter in her womb, she wouldn't have been able to marry Wu Guanhai so easily.
But who would have thought that he was such an incompetent fool!
They actually went to steal things?
Wasn't what Kang Mingfeng gave her enough? Weren't her new watch and shoes comfortable? She had even already chosen someone and started building momentum for her.
Sure enough, you can't judge a man by his appearance. No matter how good-looking Kang Mingfeng is, or how well he pretends, he's still a scoundrel, and so is his daughter!
Telling her that she only steals because her mother isn't around is pointless! Many of the girls who come to the neighborhood seeking help have been sold by their parents to raise money for their brothers' weddings.
They remain independent, self-reliant, and reasonable!
Kang Nian'en is just a bad seed!
She might save you this time, but there will be a next time, and a time after that. Where would she get so much American kung fu skills?
She went back to her parents' home to ask her mother where her brother had gone on his business trip.
"The Wu family has a lot of troubles of their own. You can't expect Wu Guanhai to mobilize people all over the south to find our eldest brother's whereabouts!"
"Mom, do you even know where my brother went on a business trip in the south? Did he say anything to you before he left?"
"I really don't know, why don't you ask your sister-in-law?"
"How could my brother possibly say anything to my sister-in-law?"
"Mom, if you keep hiding this from me, I'm not going to get involved in my brother's affairs anymore!"
"The Wu family has a lot of troubles!"
"Your brother went to Qingdao on a business trip."
"Why didn't you just tell me you were going to Qing City earlier? I have no idea why you were hiding it from me."
"Wait, Qing City?" Xie Minyin frowned. "Wu Guanhai's last business trip was also to Qing City, wasn't it?"
“He’s not going to Qing City, he’s going to Qing Town,” Zhao Chunmei said instinctively.
"How did you know?" Xie Minyin looked at Zhao Chunmei suspiciously.
Zhao Chunmei avoided her gaze and said, "Your brother mentioned it to me before."
Xie Minyin moved closer to her mother: "Mom, tell me honestly, what exactly did my brother do?"
Even if Wu Guanhai stopped talking to her about work, she knew that his last trip south was to investigate the Blue Army Treasure Trove.
Then, her brother also went south, and coincidentally ended up in Qing City.
Thinking of Wu Guanhai's attitude towards her brother's disappearance, a chill suddenly ran down her spine: "Mom, you're still not telling me the truth!"
"It'll be too late for you to regret it once something really happens to my brother!"
“I…” Zhao Chunmei hesitated for a moment before finally saying, “Your brother said he went south on a secret mission, but he didn’t tell me anything else.”
"A secret mission?" Could it be that her brother was also ordered to find the Blue Army's treasure?
The people who were looking for the Blue Army's treasure have all returned one after another, but why is there still no news about her brother?
"Mom, has my brother said anything else to you?"
"That's all!" Zhao Chunmei said, avoiding Xie Minyin's gaze. "I don't know anything about his work."
"He just casually gave me a few words of advice."
"Alright, contact me as soon as you remember anything." Xie Minyin said, then picked up her bag, frowned, and left her parents' home.
She felt that something was wrong.
But she had limited information and couldn't analyze anything useful except that something was wrong.
The seventh place is the courtyard.
Shi Meili conjured countless vines to entangle whatever the eye of the storm brought, keeping what she liked and throwing what she didn't like into the trash can, having a great time.
"Boss Huanni, this place is so much fun! I could stay here forever!" Shi Meili said cheerfully, waving the vines.
"Alright, alright, you can stay here. You can stay as long as you want." Huan Ni pointed to a spot and said, "There are mosquitoes. Quickly swatter them."
"Alright!" Meili said as she dealt with the mosquito. "It's already autumn, how come there are still mosquitoes?"
“There are mosquitoes even in winter,” Huan Ni said casually, then said to Shi Yuan, “Wu Guanhai is quite calm. He went to the guesthouse, didn’t find you, and wasn’t worried.”
“I’ve followed him a few times, and he’s actually been preparing birthday gifts lately. He’s really something, having the mind to do this even at a time like this.”
"How could you not know that he's trying to find a way out for himself?" Shi Yuan has recently taken a liking to tea. Coincidentally, Shi Meili said that there are many wild tea leaves in the big garden. She learned to roast them herself and tried them one by one, each with its own unique flavor.
"Shiyuan, there are many wild grapes in the big garden that are ripe. Do you want some? I'll pick some for you."
"A lot?"
"There are many, many of them have fallen to the ground."
"Then pick out a sweet one for me."
"I'll take care of it!" Shi Meili was about to make a move when Shi Yuan said, "You pick all the grapes, and while we're at it, I'll make some wine." "You can do that?" Huan Ni asked in surprise.
"Of course, do you think I only know how to draw talismans?" She knows a lot more than that. She even wanted to grill fish for Shi Ling back then, but she never had the chance.
"Hey, Huanni, do you think there might be fish in the pool under the waterfall over there?"
Huan Ni's eyes lit up: "Shall we go take a look?"
"Walk!"
Shi Meili gathered up the vines and chased after them: "Are we still picking the grapes?"
"Forget about the grapes for now, Shi Meili, do you know how to fish?" Shi Yuan asked her.
"I don't know how. I'm a demon plant, how could I know how to fish?"
"It's very simple, I'll teach you."
"Oh, why make it so complicated!" Huan Ni ordered Shi Meili, "Use the vines to go into the water and check. If there are any fish, just catch them."
“No problem.” Shi Meili said and then dipped the vine into the deep spring.
"I heard that the fish in the spring are the cleanest. How about we make some sashimi later?" Shi Yuan suggested.
"No, I don't want to get diarrhea," Huan Ni said, clutching her stomach.
"Don't be ridiculous, you're naturally straightforward and can't hold in any poop."
"Hey!" Huan Ni said unhappily, "This is mimicry, do you even understand mimicry?"
What is my true form?
"It's a mirage beast, a divine beast. How could a divine beast have a straight gut?"
"Wow, so many fish!" Shi Meili's exclamation drew Shi Yuan and Huan Ni, who were bickering, over.
"A lot? Are they big?" Shi Yuan asked.
"There are big ones and small ones, Shi Yuan, which one should I grab?"
"The bigger one, the bigger one has more meat."
"Alright!" Shi Meili deftly rolled up a large fish and threw it to the ground with a "whoosh." The fish was jumping around on the grass and looked delicious.
"Hey, I forgot my knife. Huan Ni, do you have a knife in your storage space? I need to kill some fish."
"You want to use the knife from my storage world to kill fish?"
"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
"No, I don't." He was a little speechless. "Of course, I don't have a knife either."
"What can we do? I can't just cut it open with my bare hands," Shi Yuan said worriedly. "Or, should we release it?"
"Hey, here you go!" Huan Ni was really annoyed by Shi Yuan! She pulled out a dagger and handed it to Shi Yuan without even looking at it.
"Thanks! You can have the tenderest parts later!"
"Save your breath, it's not even enough to cover my appearance fee for that dagger!"
"Then your dagger must have cost a lot in appearance fees."
"They are rare treasures in this world!"
As the man and the beast were bickering, He Wensheng, the gatekeeper, limped over and said, "Oh, killing fish?"
"Hello, Senior He. Shall we grab something to eat?"
“Sure, I have a grill over there. I’ll have Little Gray go get it.” As soon as he finished speaking, the weasel following behind him darted off.
"Shi Yuan, I'd like to ask, how's the Reincarnation Platform doing?"
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