Shen Zhiwei stopped in her tracks, slightly out of breath but speaking clearly, “I’m looking for Representative Gu Yanzhou. I have an urgent matter to report.
My name is Shen Zhiwei Representative Gu previously instructed that if I had an emergency, I could try to request a message be passed along.”
Hearing her name, the sentry’s expression changed at once. He immediately returned to the guard post to make a call.
After a brief conversation.
His attitude turned respectful. “Comrade Shen, please wait a moment.
Representative Gu’s secretary will be down shortly.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a young, capable-looking officer hurried out.
Upon seeing Shen Zhiwei, he said at once, “Comrade Shen, Representative Gu is currently in a meeting, but he’s already been informed of your arrival. He asked me to bring you upstairs immediately.”
“Please rest assured he has already sent people to look into the matter.”
Such a response eased the tightness in Shen Zhiwei’s chest. Her nose stung slightly, and an indescribable sense of security wrapped around her.
He was always like this whenever she needed him, he gave the most decisive response.
She followed the secretary into the building.
The corridors were spacious and bright, with solemn slogans hanging on the walls, exuding an air of authority and gravity.
From time to time, people in military uniforms or cadre attire passed by, casting curious but mostly reserved and disciplined glances at her.
Shen Zhiwei straightened her back, looking straight ahead, maintaining her composure.
Suddenly, several cadres stepped out of an office to the side. The middle-aged man leading them frowned upon seeing the unfamiliar face. “Who is this comrade?”
The secretary was about to explain, but the man cut him off sharply, “This is a place of strict military discipline how can you just bring people in casually?
What’s going on? Does she have an appointment or proper authorization?” The others behind him also looked at her with scrutiny.
The atmosphere instantly turned tense.
The secretary tried to explain, “Director Wang, this is Representative Gu’s ”
“She’s with me.” A low voice sounded from the stairwell. Gu Yanzhou stood there, his expression serious, his eyes filled with concern as he looked at her.
Everyone turned toward the voice.
He strode down the stairs, his face stern, uniform immaculate, the epaulettes on his shoulders glinting coldly under the light. It seemed he had ended his meeting early.
He didn’t ask “what happened.” Instead, he said in a deep voice, “I’m already aware of the situation. Don’t be afraid.”
Just one sentence but it was like a solid rock, instantly steadying all the panic hidden beneath Shen Zhiwei’s forced composure.
“Representative Gu, this…” Director Wang hesitated.
Gu Yanzhou didn’t respond. He naturally took off his military coat, still carrying his body warmth and faint soap scent, and draped it over Shen Zhiwei’s shoulders without hesitation.
“The situation reported by Comrade Shen Zhiwei involves military security issues. It has now been taken over by our department.”
“All of you, return to your posts. No further inquiry is needed.”
He offered no ambiguous explanation of her identity only used his authority directly to crush all doubts and objections.
Everyone immediately fell silent, nodding and responding with “Yes,” not daring to say another word.
Gu Yanzhou turned his gaze back to Shen Zhiwei, his voice softening slightly.
“Can you walk?”
“I’m fine.”
He seemed not to hear her.
One large hand had already firmly supported her arm, while the other naturally wrapped around her waist. With a half-supporting, half-embracing hold, he bore most of her weight and turned to lead her out.
“To the provincial security department,” he ordered the secretary, his tone decisive.
Held within his arms, Shen Zhiwei felt the warmth from his body. Her cheeks grew slightly warm, her heartbeat quickening uncontrollably.
The coat draped over her and his protective embrace shielded her from all scrutiny.
She stole a glance at him his jawline tense, profile cold and resolute, fully focused on leading her forward. That absolute posture of protection struck deeply at the softest place in her heart.
The jeep was already prepared.
He practically helped her into the passenger seat with great care, even thoughtfully shielding the top of her head with his hand.
“What exactly happened? Tell me everything you know.” Gu Yanzhou kept his eyes on the road, controlling both the steering wheel and the pace.
Shen Zhiwei quickly organized her thoughts and calmly explained how her father had been taken away and how Li Man might be framing him.
Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was well-structured and logically clear.
Gu Yanzhou listened quietly, occasionally asking one or two key questions. The admiration in his eyes grew stronger she wasn’t helplessly crying for help she was providing him with the most effective information and analysis.
“Very good.” After hearing her out, he gave a concise affirmation. “Your judgment is likely correct. Don’t worry nothing will happen to him, and the injustice will be cleared.”
His words were like a stabilizing pillar.
With a sudden brake, the car stopped in front of the gray, two-story building of the provincial security department.
Gu Yanzhou got out first, walked around to her side, and once again reached out to help her without hesitation. This time, Shen Zhiwei didn’t refuse. She placed her hand on his firm forearm and used his support to step out of the car.
They exchanged a glance an unspoken understanding formed instantly.
The battlefield had arrived.
As soon as they stepped into the dimly lit corridor, they heard the sound of a table being slammed and harsh shouting coming from the innermost room.
“Shen Guodong, tell the truth! Where did these foreign materials come from? Who are you colluding with? Did you sell the factory’s secrets to foreigners?!”
“Still refusing to admit it? Looks like you won’t talk unless we use some measures!”
It was Wang Qiang’s voice!
Shen Zhiwei’s heart clenched instantly her father!
Gu Yanzhou’s expression turned icy in an instant. He released Shen Zhiwei’s hand and shielded her behind him.
The next second, he suddenly raised his leg bang! with a loud crash, he kicked the interrogation room door open.
Inside, Shen Guodong was being forced down onto a wooden chair by Li Jianye, his face pale but his gaze stubborn. Wang Qiang stood there holding several sheets of paper, looking smug and arrogant.
The loud crash startled the three people inside, who all turned around in shock.
When Wang Qiang saw Gu Yanzhou standing at the door like a god of judgment and Shen Zhiwei protected behind him the smugness on his face froze. He quickly forced a smile. “Re-Representative Gu? What brings you here? We’re just handling some internal factory matters…”
Gu Yanzhou didn’t bother listening to his nonsense and cut him off coldly. “This involves military matters. It is now fully taken over by the military discipline commission. All of you, leave immediately.”
Wang Qiang’s face turned pale, but he forced himself to raise the papers in his hand. “Representative Gu, that’s not in line with procedure, is it?
We have solid evidence. These are all in foreign languages letters from abroad. Shen Guodong can’t explain their origin at all! This is ironclad proof!”
“Since when is it a crime for technical personnel to read foreign academic journals?”
A cool female voice sounded from behind Gu Yanzhou.
Shen Zhiwei stepped out from behind him and stood shoulder to shoulder with him, her sharp gaze fixed on Wang Qiang. “My father was publicly funded to study in the Soviet Union in his early years.
He is fluent in Russian reading foreign journals is routine for him! Deputy Director Wang, labeling him as colluding with the enemy without distinguishing right from wrong do you have ulterior motives?”
Gu Yanzhou turned his head slightly. “Was that clear enough?”
“Now, either you leave on your own, or I’ll have someone escort you out.”
The arrogant momentum Wang Qiang had under Li Man’s direction was completely crushed under Gu Yanzhou’s absolute authority and Shen Zhiwei’s counterattack.
But he also caught onto what he thought was a loophole in her words. “Girl from the Shen family, by what you’re saying, you’re admitting these unidentified foreign letters “all belong to your father, don’t they?”