Speaking of her uncle, Qiao Zhiwei’s heart turned ice-cold. “I suspect it was my uncle who revealed my whereabouts to He Gang. Otherwise, there’s no way he could have intercepted me so precisely halfway.”
She quickly added, “I’m not just guessing. That day, He Gang brought a few creditors to deliberately trouble my sister and me. My uncle and cousin were there too. Even though we had already severed ties, that day they suddenly showed up to advocate for He Gang. There’s only one reason he did that He Gang had something my uncle needed.”
Huo Jingnian’s expression grew colder. “Mm, your cousin got into trouble and urgently needed money. He accepted He Gang’s money.”
“Heh! I really didn’t expect…”
Qiao Zhiwei never imagined that family, once corrupt, could be worse than strangers.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he and your cousin eat their prison meals properly,” Huo Jingnian said.
Hearing this, Qiao Zhiwei’s nose turned red. “Can I really handle this?”
“Why not?”
She didn’t want to rely too much on him. She feared that one day, when she should leave, she wouldn’t be able to. “I’ve troubled you too much already.”
Huo Jingnian said, “Since there’s already been so much trouble, one crucial thing more doesn’t matter. Rest well. The wedding is set for the 18th of this month.”
Counting the days, Qiao Zhiwei realized there were only eight left.
“I only have fifteen days of wedding leave,” Huo Jingnian explained, fearing she might feel rushed.
“After the wedding, will you return to the military district with Grandpa Huo?” Qiao Zhiwei asked.
At this, Huo Jingnian’s usually sharp features softened. He asked in return, “What do you wish?”
“I…”
Qiao Zhiwei couldn’t answer—she had no right to make such a request.
“I’ll apply to transfer back to the Kyoto Military District as soon as possible,” Huo Jingnian said immediately, not wanting to trouble her.
Qiao Zhiwei was stunned. “Your transfer application… is it for work, or…”
Or… for me?
But she feared Huo Jingnian would think she was imagining things.
“For both.”
“I haven’t finished asking?” Qiao Zhiwei asked in shock.
“The reason isn’t important. The result is.”
Qiao Zhiwei remained silent.
The car stopped at the Qiao residence. Qiao Zhilan immediately ran out when she heard the commotion. Seeing Huo Jingnian’s car, she was so excited she almost cried.
“Sister!”
Huo Jingnian got out, walked to the passenger side, opened the door, and gently took Qiao Zhiwei’s arm.
Just as Qiao Zhiwei intended to step down using his support, he lightly lifted her, carrying her effortlessly.
By the time she registered it, she was already standing on the ground.
How was this man so strong? He carried her like a rag doll. There wasn’t even a sound of breathing in the lift and descent.
But that single moment made her heart flutter, and her ears felt warm.
She glanced at Huo Jingnian. His face was calm, showing no reaction, as if he hadn’t just carried a woman.
Luckily, the car’s position blocked the yard gate, so Zhilan didn’t see.
Within half a minute, Qiao Zhilan came around the front of the car. Seeing Qiao Zhiwei’s neck and feet wrapped in bandages, her eyes immediately reddened. “Sister, which bastard did this…”
Qiao Zhiwei quickly reassured her, “I’m fine. That scumbag has already been sent to the police station by Jingnian.”
“Was it He Gang again?”
“Mm.”
“What a bastard.”
Qiao Zhilan cursed while helping Qiao Zhiwei inside.
Huo Jingnian said, “Rest well at home. Don’t go anywhere. I still have some matters to handle.”
Qiao Zhiwei noticed he hadn’t rested since last night and said softly, “Jingnian, my uncle can’t escape. You go rest first.”
Huo Jingnian nodded. “Mm, I’ll be careful.”
After watching the sisters go inside, he returned to the car.
Meanwhile, Qiao Luwen had already been brought to the police station.
He still didn’t know that He Gang had been detained. Sitting calmly in front of the interrogator, he said, “Yes, I sent that extortion letter to Qiao Zhiwei, but I really didn’t know she went missing.”
The interrogator glanced at him calmly, then whispered a few words to the officer beside him, who then left.
Qiao Luwen felt inexplicably uneasy.
After sitting for a long time without hearing the interrogator speak, he couldn’t help but ask, “I’m telling the truth, officer. You have no idea how worried I was when my niece disappeared. I couldn’t sleep all night.”
The interrogator never looked up, still writing with his pen.
After a while, he finally stopped and handed the statement to him. “Check if I recorded it correctly.”
Qiao Luwen looked and saw it matched his account exactly. He sighed in relief. “Yes, that’s right.”
The interrogator nodded. “Now, look at the slogan on the wall.”
On the wall were the large characters: Confess for leniency; resist and face severity.
Qiao Luwen felt a pang of guilt but knew that interrogators often used psychological tactics.
He refused to fall for it and nodded firmly. “My statement is correct. I wouldn’t dare lie to a police officer even if I had ten lives.”
“Good.” The officer didn’t waste more words and glanced at his watch.
“Can I go now?” Qiao Luwen asked.
Just then, an officer who had gone out returned bringing someone he never expected.
“Son… you… how did you get in here?” Qiao Luwen’s eyes nearly popped out.
Qiao Hui avoided his father’s gaze. “Dad, I was caught right after handing over that money. The police told me to redeem myself through service. So… don’t blame me…”
Hearing this, Qiao Luwen felt the sky collapse. What a heartless, ungrateful wretch! He never imagined he’d be reported by his own son.
Ignoring the officers, he grabbed a stool to throw at Qiao Hui, but the officer quickly intercepted it.
At that moment, Yang Ze entered. The officers immediately stood and said, “Officer Yang.”
Yang Ze nodded lightly, then looked at Qiao Luwen. “How does it feel to be betrayed by the one closest to you?”
Qiao Luwen didn’t know this young officer, but the words hit with precision. He immediately became alert. “I haven’t offended you, Officer Yang, have I?”
“No. I’m just doing my duty.” He spread out a statement on the table. “If you think your son wronged you, then look at He Gang’s statement.”
Qiao Luwen’s face went pale.
Then Yang Ze commanded, “Take him away.”
As Qiao Luwen was lifted, he suddenly realized something and shouted, “You’re colluding!”
“Colluding?” The accusation was heavy. Yang Ze gestured to stop.
Qiao Luwen was released and adjusted his clothes. “You must be connected to the Huo family, taking revenge for Huo Jingnian.”
The Huo family certainly had the capability.
“You offended Huo Jingnian?” Yang Ze asked.
“He came to my house in the middle of the night, even asked me to wake a friend to help find Qiao Zhiwei. I refused.”