Chapter 201 Car Accident
When Zhao Feng received the encrypted telegram from the international intelligence network, he was staring intently at Gu Baobao's detailed report on "toxin-induced mutation" on the table.
Every word in the telegram felt like an icicle, piercing his eyes.
"Unknown impurities found in samples from Project Angel Wings... Lavoisier Southeast Asia laboratory leak..."
He looked up abruptly, his gaze falling on the rigorous inferences in the last few pages of Gu Baobao's report regarding the mutagen potentially causing mutated product properties, loss of stability, and even uncontrollable side effects. A chill ran down his spine to the back of his neck.
What a coincidence!
The coincidences were so striking that it was hard to believe they were just coincidences.
He grabbed the red secure phone on the table and dialed a rarely used number.
After the connection was established, he succinctly reported the astonishing connection between international intelligence and Gu Baobao's research findings.
There was a nearly half-minute silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a calm but undeniable voice:
"The situation is understood. Immediately activate the highest level of emergency response plan. First, ensure the absolute safety of Comrade Gu Baobao and his family in Beijing, and prevent any desperate measures from being taken."
Second, all relevant leads will be investigated together to thoroughly uncover any remaining networks within the country.
Third, Comrade Gu Baobao's research findings are classified as top secret. An expert group will be organized to conduct a feasibility assessment and to prepare for possible...technical countermeasures.
"yes!"
Zhao Feng stood at attention and replied, knowing the weight behind the words "technological countermeasures".
This was not an ordinary arrest, but a covert technological confrontation without the smoke of gunpowder, yet with potentially far-reaching consequences.
While the highest levels of government were on edge because of this connection, a different scene of busy warmth unfolded in the courtyard houses of Houhai.
Gu Baobao directed Lu Zhanming to clean up all the empty rooms in the east and west wing rooms and the rear room.
Lu Zhanming made several trips to department stores and supply and marketing cooperatives, and bought brand-new bedding, thermos flasks, enamel basins, towels and toothbrushes one by one.
The main house's east room belonged to the young couple, the slightly smaller east side room next door was given to their grandparents, and the two sunny west wing rooms were given to Gu Jianqiang and Li Fenfang.
Gu Baobao specially placed two extra soft cushions in her grandparents' room and a small desk in her parents' room.
She also placed some flowerpots that Lu Zhanming had somehow acquired on the windowsill. Although there were no flowers in winter, they still looked vibrant.
"Now that Grandpa, Grandma, and Mom and Dad are here, they'll definitely like it."
Gu Baobao looked around the newly renovated room with satisfaction, her face beaming with undisguised joy.
She especially liked the few plots of land that Lu Zhanming and his guards had recently reclaimed in the yard. Although it was frozen now, the soil had been turned over and fertilized, and they were just waiting for spring.
"Grandma and Mom love tending to these things. Giving them a piece of land keeps them from getting bored."
Lu Zhanming watched her flit between rooms like a happy little bird, his eyes filled with tenderness.
He walked over, gently wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, and rested his chin on the top of her head:
"So happy?"
"Um!"
Gu Baobao nodded vigorously, snuggling into his arms, her voice carrying a rare softness and dependence.
"Honey, you don't know. Before... well, in the place I came from, our family wasn't poor, but I always felt like a machine."
You can't make mistakes, you have to be excellent, you have to keep working hard. Here in Qinghetun, even if I do nothing, my grandparents, parents, and brothers all dote on me like my own precious darling. That feeling... is different.
She spoke casually, but Lu Zhanming felt as if he had been pricked by a needle.
He tightened his arms, holding her firmly in his embrace.
What genius, what miracle doctor? Her astonishing skills were all earned through hard work and dedication, sacrificing time that others spent playing and resting since childhood.
The hardships and suffering she endured are probably only known to herself.
"Baby,"
His voice was deep and resolute, carrying an undeniable solemnity.
"From now on, you will be the apple of my eye. My parents, grandparents, brothers, and I will cherish you and protect you for the rest of our lives."
Gu Baobao felt a lump in her throat, turned around and buried her face in his chest, letting out a muffled "Mmm".
Lu Zhanming felt the warmth and dependence in his arms, and his heart was burning.
His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily. He lowered his head, his lips brushing against her sensitive earlobe, his breath hot against her skin.
"I love you, my wife... I love you so much I don't know what to do with you."
What followed was even more suggestive, taking on the direct and intimate tone of a late-night whisper, making Gu Baobao's ears turn bright red, and she lightly punched him:
"Lu Zhanming! You... how come you're going off on a tangent all of a sudden!"
The man chuckled softly, directly silencing her complaints with his actions.
As their breaths mingled, their worries and anxieties seemed to be temporarily shut out.
As night deepened, the courtyard returned to tranquility.
Only in the master bedroom could a few suppressed moans and helpless pleas for mercy occasionally escape, only to be quickly swallowed up by an even more intense entanglement.
After several rounds of lovemaking, Gu Baobao was so tired that she could barely keep her eyes open. Lu Zhanming carefully cleaned her up and carried her back to her bed in the real world, where they fell asleep in each other's arms.
They all thought this would be the last warm moment before the storm.
However, Lavoisier's "gift" never arrives late.
The next day, in the early evening, the sky was just beginning to darken.
According to the plan, the train carrying Gu Dongguo's grandparents, fifth uncle, and fifth aunt should have arrived and been picked up directly by a pre-arranged car and taken back to the courtyard house.
Lu Zhanming and Gu Baobao were waiting in the main room early on. The stove was burning brightly, and hot tea and snacks were laid out on the table.
Time ticked by, the appointed time passed, and the person still hadn't arrived.
Gu Baobao looked towards the door with some unease. Lu Zhanming took her hand:
"Don't worry, there might be some traffic on the road, or the train might be a little delayed."
Twenty minutes passed, and there was still no movement.
Lu Zhanming frowned, about to have the guards in the front yard call to inquire about the situation, when the dedicated phone in the back room rang shrilly first.
He quickly went over to answer the call, and after hearing just one sentence, his expression changed drastically!
"What?! A car accident?! Where?! How are they?!"
His voice suddenly rose, trembling without him even realizing it.
Gu Baobao felt a chill run from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, and the teacup in her hand fell to the ground with a "clatter" and shattered.
She suddenly stood up, and her vision went black.
Lu Zhanming had already hung up the phone. He rushed back and caught her as she swayed, his voice quick and urgent as he forced himself to remain calm:
"Baby, listen up! The car that picked up our grandparents and parents had an accident near Xizhimen. The car skidded and crashed into a wall!"
They've already been taken to the military general hospital! Dongguo was also injured, but he said his grandparents and fifth uncle and aunt were seriously injured! We're going to the hospital right away!
Gu Baobao felt ice-cold all over, her ears were ringing, and only the words "severely injured" echoed wildly in her mind.
She gripped Lu Zhanming's arm tightly, her nails digging into his flesh, barely managing to keep her balance.
"Go...go quickly!"
Her voice was hoarse, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she suppressed them with something stronger, almost instinctive.
We can't panic, we can't panic now!
The car sped along, heading straight for the military general hospital.
In the car, Lu Zhanming held Gu Baobao's cold hand tightly, repeating it over and over again:
"It'll be alright, baby, it'll be alright. The best doctors in the hospital are here."
Gu Baobao remained silent, her lips pressed together until they turned white, her eyes staring straight ahead, empty and terrifying.
When I arrived at the hospital, there was chaos in front of the emergency room.
Doctors and nurses in white coats ran back and forth, the strong smell of disinfectant mixed with a faint smell of blood, pungent and cold.
Gu Dongguo had bandages wrapped around his head, his arm in a sling across his chest, and abrasions on his face. He was speaking anxiously to a doctor with red eyes.
Upon seeing Gu Baobao and Lu Zhanming, he staggered and lunged towards them:
“Baby! Zhanming! Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle and Aunt… are badly injured! The car brakes suddenly stopped working, and it crashed into us while turning! I rushed over to protect Grandpa and Grandma, but…”
His voice choked with emotion, filled with self-blame and anger.
"Where is he?!"
Gu Baobao interrupted him, her voice unusually calm, even somewhat eerie.
"In...in the emergency room! Grandma is the most seriously injured, unconscious. The doctor said it's a comminuted fracture of her femur, with internal bleeding, and possibly damage to her pelvis!"
Grandpa hit his chest on the back of a chair, and it hurt when he tried to breathe. X-rays showed several broken ribs, one of which had punctured his lung! Uncle and Aunt also suffered multiple fractures, hit their heads, and have been nauseous and vomiting ever since…”
Gu Dong's Mandarin was incoherent.
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