Chapter 134 Increased Risk of Backyard Fire
Subsequently, the interrogation of Zhang Xiaohua from the performing arts troupe also yielded a breakthrough.
Under pressure, Zhang Xiaohua cried out and confessed to Su Xiaoyu, saying that Su Xiaoyu had found her, given her 100 yuan, and asked her to find someone to steal Gu Baobao's draft paper, promising a generous reward afterward.
She was greedy, so she approached Tian Daniu, who was always looking for a bargain, and pocketed seventy yuan for herself.
"Su Xiaoyu!"
Zhang Yunxiang gritted his teeth.
"That troublemaker again! Where is she right now?!"
"We have already sent people to her and Chen Yongkang's residence in the provincial capital."
Comrades from the provincial capital military region reported.
"But... the place is deserted, it seems they left in a hurry. The neighbors said they saw them this morning, but they disappeared this afternoon."
"They ran away?!"
Zhang Yunxiang and Lu Zhanming exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes.
Su Xiaoyu running away alone might not be a big deal.
But Chen Yongkang also disappeared... This is highly unusual.
Chen Yongkang indeed has serious problems!
"Investigate! Track along all transportation routes! Issue an arrest warrant!"
Zhang Yunxiang roared.
"We need to find them alive or dead! We must dig them out!"
However, in the vast sea of people, and having fled in haste, catching up immediately is easier said than done.
When Gu Baobao returned to the island in a military vehicle under heavy protection, it was already close to dusk.
The setting sun dyed the sea a magnificent orange-red, and seagulls returned to their nests, emitting long cries.
The car drove into the family compound and stopped in front of Gu Dongguo's small courtyard.
Gu Dongguo had been waiting anxiously at the door, leaning on his crutches. When he saw the car return, and especially when he saw Gu Baobao get out of the car unharmed, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.
"Baby! You're finally back! Are you alright? You scared me to death!"
He rushed over, wanting to pull his sister up but afraid of touching her, at a loss for what to do.
"Brother, I'm fine."
Looking at her brother's anxious face, Gu Baobao felt a warm glow in her heart.
"Look, everything's fine."
Lu Zhanming also got out of the driver's seat and nodded to Gu Dongguo.
Gu Dongguo glanced at his sister, then at the small, scabbed wound on Lu Zhanming's forehead, and at the unspoken yet inexplicably harmonious atmosphere between the two.
The protective instinct she had suppressed out of worry resurfaced, and after glaring at Lu Zhanming, she pulled Gu Baobao into the yard.
"It's good to be back, it's good to be back! Are you hungry? I saved some food for you! I'll heat it up for you..."
The courtyard regained its brief tranquility.
After dinner, Gu Dongguo was helped by Zhang Xiaobing to wash up.
At the entrance to the main room, only Gu Baobao and Lu Zhanming remained.
The evening breeze on the island carries a salty, damp coolness, dispelling the daytime heat and thrills.
Gu Baobao sat on a small bamboo stool, gazing at the last rays of sunset on the horizon.
Lu Zhanming stood not far from her, also silently gazing into the distance.
After a while, he walked to the well, drew up a bucket of cool well water, soaked a clean towel in it, wrung it out until it was half dry, and handed it to Gu Baobao.
"Wipe your face to cool it down."
His voice sounded particularly deep and gentle in the twilight.
Gu Baobao took the cool towel, pressed it against her face, and sighed comfortably.
I was on edge all day.
"Baby,"
Lu Zhanming squatted down beside her, maintaining a distance that wouldn't make her feel pressured, his gaze fixed on her still somewhat pale face.
"Did I scare you today?
His tone carried a cautious inquiry and a hint of barely perceptible annoyance.
He seemed to be regretting that he hadn't noticed the danger sooner, which had frightened her.
Gu Baobao took the towel and turned to look at him.
As dusk settled, his silhouette became somewhat blurred in the dim light, but his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, filled with undisguised concern and lingering fear.
Her heart felt as if it had been burned by that gaze, and it skipped two beats.
"No."
She shook her head, her voice very soft.
"With you here, I'm not afraid."
These words slipped out of her mouth, and she froze after saying them, her cheeks quickly flushing red.
Lu Zhanming was also stunned. Then, his usually calm and cold eyes seemed to explode with starlight, shining brightly.
His Adam's apple bobbed, as if he wanted to say something. His lips moved, but in the end he just looked at her intently, his lips involuntarily curving upwards into a gentle and beautiful smile.
That smile softened his usual coldness, like a spring breeze melting ice.
Gu Baobao's cheeks burned even hotter under his gaze. She hurriedly looked away, fiddling with the towel in her hand, her heart pounding like a restless deer.
The courtyard was extremely quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind and the faint sound of waves in the distance.
A subtle, bittersweet atmosphere flowed silently between the two.
"Cough cough!"
A heavy coughing sound came from the doorway of the main room.
Gu Dongguo stood there leaning on his cane, his face dark, his gaze sweeping over the two of them like a searchlight, especially over Lu Zhanming's still-unretracted silly grin.
"It's getting dark, and there are mosquitoes outside!"
Gu Dongguo said irritably,
"Baby, hurry back to your room and rest! Commander Lu, shouldn't you go back to your own room too?"
The last few words were almost spoken through gritted teeth.
That pig!
She was laughing like a trumpet flower!
Just pretend he doesn't exist!
Lu Zhanming quickly suppressed his smile, regained his serious expression, and stood up:
"Yes, it's time to rest. Baby, you're exhausted today, go to sleep early."
Gu Baobao quickly stood up, gave a barely audible "hmm," and without daring to look at the two of them, she lowered her head and hurried into her room, closing the door behind her.
With her back against the door, she could still hear Gu Dongguo's low-pitched warning and Lu Zhanming's muffled response from outside.
She covered her still-burning face, her mind a jumbled mess.
So much happened today.
The sabotage by enemy agents, the thrilling capture, the frantic escape... and Lu Zhanming's smile, and my thoughtless remark...
[Host, your heart rate is high and your adrenaline levels are elevated. We suggest you take deep breaths to calm your emotions.]
The system's serious voice rang out.
According to data analysis, your interaction with the target male individual, Lu Zhanming, just now conforms to the typical physiological and psychological reaction characteristics of the ambiguous stage from late adolescence to early adulthood.
Would you like this system to provide you with "The Psychology of Love (Beginner)" or "Guide to Marriage and Love Views in the 1960s"? Friendly reminder: exchanging for these requires 5 merit points.
Gu Baobao: 【…Defu, shut up.】
"Okay, host. However, based on this system's analysis of Comrade Gu Dongguo's micro-expressions and body language,
His hostility index towards Comrade Lu Zhanming (his "cabbage protector") is currently 78, an increase of 15 percentage points from yesterday. **Warning:** The risk of trouble in his own backyard has increased.
Defu changed the subject, still with that electronic tone that seemed to enjoy watching the drama unfold.
Gu Baobao was both amused and exasperated; her shyness and flustered state were somewhat alleviated.
Her system is truly a treasure.
Outside the main room, Gu Dongguo was gritting his teeth and whispering to Lu Zhanming:
"Let me tell you, don't think you can take advantage of me just because you protected the baby today! My grandparents, my fifth uncle, and my fifth aunt are coming soon! And then, hmph..."
Lu Zhanming remained expressionless, a trace of warmth still lingering in his eyes. He nodded, his tone sincere:
"Brother, I understand. I will do my best."
Gu Dongguo: "..."
Who's your brother!
Who asked you to perform!
Is their skin made of city walls?!
He angrily flung his hand away, leaned on his cane, and stomped back into the house, deciding to urge the telegraph office tomorrow to ask if the telegram from his hometown had arrived yet!
Lu Zhanming watched Gu Dongguo's retreating figure, then glanced at Gu Baobao's tightly closed door, and a slight smile appeared on his lips once again.
Although today was dangerous, it seems there were some good gains as well.
His girl doesn't seem to be as resistant to him anymore.
As for Comrade Gu Dongguo's "police" and the upcoming parents' group
...
Commander Lu stroked his chin, a sharp, determined look flashing in his eyes, a sign of a soldier's resolve.
Overcoming difficulties is his forte.
However, the high ground we need to conquer this time is quite special, requiring more patience, sincerity, and... wisdom.
As night deepens, the starry sky over the island becomes exceptionally bright.
The courtyard has returned to tranquility, but many people's hearts are not at peace.
Enemy agents are on the run, the threat remains, and the international exhibition is drawing ever closer.
What Gu Baobao was unaware of was the uproar her telegram, which summoned her family to join her in the army, had already caused in Qinghetun, Liaoning Province.
Little did she know that Chen Yongkang and Gu Ningbao, who had disappeared into the vast sea on their fishing boat, were planning a grand gift for her on her journey to the international stage.
The storm has subsided, but even greater waves are brewing in the distant sea.
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