“Thаnk you, Law Enforсement Оfficеr Lu, fоr bringing me bаck.”
Whеn Gu Wenсheng and Gu Jiayan stеppеd outsidе, they saw Gu An’an thanking Lu Xiao.
Under thе lamplight stоod а slender, bеаutiful уoung wоmаn аnd a tаll, elegаnt, аnd distinguishеd аdult man.
“An’an.”
Gu Wenсheng frownеd аnd sрokе up, “How did уou соmе bаck with Lаw Enforсemеnt Officеr Lu?”
Thesе twо peорlе—Gu Wеncheng truly cоuldn’t figurе out how they could hаvе met.
One wаs his biоlogiсаl daughtеr, just brought bасk from thе countryside; the other was the youngest and most promising newly transferred Law Enforcement Officer in Nancheng.
No matter which aspect you considered, there was no comparison.
As soon as Gu Wencheng frowned, Gu An’an guessed what he was thinking. Hah, he just thought she wasn’t worthy, right?
Only the white lotus Gu Wanrou was worthy, wasn’t she? Gu An’an caught the hidden jealousy in Gu Wanrou’s eyes as she looked at her.
Lu Xiao explained:
“We happened to meet on the way.”
“In fact, I should thank An’an for helping me with a small matter. Otherwise, I would have had to write a self-criticism report overnight.”
It was true that a new official needed to make a strong impression, and everyone was eager to test his attitude toward Nancheng’s future plans.
But as soon as Lu Xiao was transferred, a bus explosion occurred in Nancheng, resulting in many casualties.
Although it was unfair, reprimands and self-criticism reports were unavoidable.
Lu Xiao turned to look at Gu An’an and smiled:
“Seeing how late it was, I took An’an to a restaurant for dinner before bringing her back.”
“I hope the head of the Gu family won’t blame me for delaying An’an’s return home.”
“No, no, it’s fine.”
Faced with such words from the young, high-ranking Law Enforcement Officer, Gu Wencheng quickly smoothed things over.
It was obvious that Lu Xiao couldn’t possibly have done anything to Gu An’an.
Gu Wencheng wanted to ask Gu An’an a few questions about the situation and show some concern.
But when he met her clear, cold gaze, he fell silent for a moment.
If not for yesterday’s argument, the Gu family members had always overlooked Gu An’an.
Let alone caring about when she returned home.
In the Gu family, Gu An’an was practically invisible.
Now, wanting to show concern suddenly felt too late and somewhat hypocritical, leaving him unable to speak.
As for Gu An’an, now bound to the Future Information System, she had money and confidence. Even if she had to leave the Gu family immediately, she wouldn’t panic.
She was even more impatient to watch the others engage in social niceties here, showing no regard for anyone’s face, and spoke matter-of-factly:
“I’m going upstairs to rest.”
With that, she turned and left on her own.
For a moment, she left Gu Wencheng and the others standing there.
The scene turned awkward for two or three seconds.
Gu Wencheng quickly recovered, “Officer Lu, thank you for bringing my daughter back so late. I recently acquired some excellent tea. Please come inside and try it.”
Lu Xiao had only intended to bring Gu An’an back.
Now that he had escorted her home, thinking about the prophecy he needed to verify tonight, he grew eager.
Glancing at Gu An’an’s retreating figure, his dark eyes faintly smiling, he declined:
“No need, I have matters to attend to.”
“Mr. Gu, we’ll meet again another time.”
With that, he turned, got into his car, and drove away.
Watching Lu Xiao’s car depart, the three members of the Gu family finally voiced their confusion:
“How did An’an run into Lu Xiao?”
These two people had absolutely no reason to cross paths.
Gu Jiayan had vaguely seen something while browsing local videos in the morning and had a slight suspicion:
“I heard that this person encountered a child trafficking case by South Lake this morning and took them to the police station.”
“I had someone inquire about it. It also involved families of martyrs, so he should have been handling matters at the police station all day today.”
“So, did An’an get into trouble and was sent to the police station, where they met?”
Gu Wencheng spoke up but quickly shook his head in denial.
“No, impossible. If that were really the case, even if she were my daughter, Lu Xiao would absolutely show no mercy.”
Based on Lu Xiao’s methods over the years, hoping for leniency from him was less likely than ensuring one’s own tracks were covered and not caught.
Otherwise, the entire South City wouldn’t have been shocked upon hearing he was transferred here.
After discussing for a while, the two still couldn’t figure anything out.
In fact, the most effective way would be to ask Gu An’an directly how she and Lu Xiao met.
But it was easy to guess that Gu An’an probably wouldn’t tell them the truth. The fact that she still came back to the Gu family to sleep at night was something they should be grateful for.
Gu Wencheng was also tired. “Since An’an is back, you should all go rest.”
“Oh, and arrange another car and driver tomorrow specifically to pick up and drop off An’an.”
Gu Jiayan was taken aback but replied with an “Mm.”
“It’s not easy to find a driver on such short notice. I’ll personally handle the pickups and drop-offs tomorrow.”
Gu Wanrou had a dedicated luxury car from the Gu family to take her to and from school every day.
As for Gu An’an, no one had paid any attention to her since she was brought back.
They hadn’t asked before, but today’s inquiry revealed that the driver had never picked up Gu An’an—she had always found her own way to school.
It was hard to describe how Gu Wencheng felt when he learned this.
In any case, arranging a dedicated driver for Gu An’an was something that needed to be resolved immediately.
If she didn’t want to go to and from school with Gu Wanrou, there was no need to force her. From now on, she could go wherever she wanted.
Just as long as what happened today—not coming home and being completely unreachable—didn’t happen again.
“Oh, right.”
Gu Wencheng spoke up again, looking somewhat awkwardly at Gu Jiayan:
“Later, go find An’an and, ahem, ask for her contact information.”
It was only today that Gu Wencheng realized that not a single person in their family had Gu An’an’s contact information.
This fact was truly shocking.
Gu An’an could completely cut off contact with all of them unilaterally.
When would she come home? No idea.
What was her contact information? None.
For once, Gu Wencheng felt he was far from being a competent father.
Why had he previously thought that finding Gu An’an in the countryside and bringing her back to the Gu family was the greatest favor he could do for her?
He had been overly confident.
Hearing this, Gu Jiayan let out an “Oh,” his face also showing some embarrassment.
He, too, had only realized today that even though An’an had been back home for so long, he didn’t have a single way to contact her on his phone. He really wasn’t a competent older brother.
Their discussion hadn’t avoided Gu Wanrou, let alone sought her opinion.
Only after they had finished discussing did they notice Gu Wanrou standing in the corner, looking pale and unwell.
“Rourou,” Gu Jiayan asked, puzzled, “what’s wrong with you?”
“I’m fine.”
Gu Wanrou forced a smile, her heart in turmoil.
The Gu family was starting to soften toward Gu An’an. What would happen to her then?
“If you’re fine, go rest early. It’s already very late.”
Gu Wencheng’s stern and imposing gaze fell upon Gu Wanrou, his words decisive and final.
As for this daughter, who had grown up by his side since childhood,
Gu Wencheng was willing to give her a few more chances.