Zheng Jiayu abruptly raised her head and looked at Captain Xiang. “Uncle Xiang, what did you say?”
“These past few days, we asked the police to help investigate the matter. In the end, we discovered that someone had tampered with the car, which caused the accident on the road.”
“Not only that, someone also went through your parents’ belongings at the Research Institute.” Captain Xiang had been Zheng Jiayu’s father’s closest friend, and the two men were also each other’s most trusted confidants.
Captain Xiang knew exactly how Zheng Jiayu’s parents arranged their belongings, but when he went back yesterday to sort through their personal effects, all the marked documents had been rummaged through and left in disarray.
Zheng Jiayu suddenly thought of Li Zonglin. “Uncle Xiang, is there something wrong with Li Zonglin?”
Captain Xiang nodded solemnly.
They had not suspected Li Zonglin at first, but something was clearly wrong with the Li family today.
“The Li family is very likely involved. If that really is the case, you’re in danger.” They usually stayed at the Research Institute and could not protect Zheng Jiayu at all times.
Captain Xiang hesitated for a moment before saying, “Jiayu, for your safety, your uncle has two options for you.”
“First, we can send you to a completely secure Research Institute. It’s isolated from the outside world and the conditions there are difficult. Although you’ll be safe, you’ll lose your freedom. Second, we can contact the Gu family and have them honor the marriage agreement between you and their grandson.” When Captain Xiang presented these two options, his heart was filled with guilt toward the Zheng family.
If the Research Institute had not already been targeted, he would not have wanted to send Zheng Jiayu away either.
Zheng Jiayu lowered her head and thought carefully before looking up. “I’ll go to the Gu family.”
Although going to another Research Institute would keep her alive, she would no longer be able to investigate the cause of her parents’ deaths. She did not want to be protected inside a turtle shell.
She wanted to avenge her parents’ wrongful deaths herself.
Captain Xiang felt somewhat heavyhearted as he handed Zheng Jiayu an envelope. “There are two thousand yuan in here. It’s compensation from the Research Institute. As for your parents’ case, we’ll continue investigating it.”
Holding the envelope Captain Xiang had given her, Zheng Jiayu looked up at him. “Uncle Xiang, what exactly are they after?”
“I don’t know either. I only heard your parents say that if their research succeeded, it would bring enormous benefits.”
Zheng Jiayu clutched her clothes. So that was what this was about.
“Jiayu, take the valuable things with you when we leave. As for your house, I’ll have someone stay here.” Captain Xiang knew that once the Li family realized their intentions had been exposed, they would certainly not let the matter go.
Zheng Jiayu said nothing more. She turned around, went back to her room, packed her valuables into a suitcase, and left with Captain Xiang and the others.
Li Zonglin, who had been hiding in a corner downstairs without leaving, watched Zheng Jiayu carry her suitcase away with Captain Xiang and the others. He slammed his fist against the wall.
“Damn that Xiang fellow, how dare he ruin my plans!”
As the car carrying Zheng Jiayu was leaving, she spotted Li Zonglin hiding in the corner with a resentful expression. “Uncle Xiang, you don’t need to arrange for anyone to come over. Li Zonglin is over there watching us.”
Captain Xiang turned his head and immediately saw Li Zonglin standing there, sneaking around as he watched them.
“Fortunately, you’ve already left with us. Otherwise, Li Zonglin would definitely come back and make another move.”
After returning to Captain Xiang’s home, Captain Xiang picked up the phone and called Old Master Gu.
Old Master Gu, who was playing chess with an old friend, heard the phone ring and told the guard beside him to answer it.
The guard answered the call but did not hang up immediately. Instead, he said to Old Master Gu, “Old Master, it’s a call from Bashu. They said that only one orphaned girl remains of the Zheng family.”
The chess piece in Old Master Gu’s hand dropped onto the board. He hurriedly stood up and took the phone. “This is Gu Zhanshan. Who is this?”
“Hello, Old Leader. I’m a close friend of Jiayu’s parents. They died unexpectedly three days ago, leaving behind only one daughter.” Captain Xiang told Old Master Gu about Zheng Jiayu’s current situation.
“Old Leader, things are no longer safe on our side. I’m calling to ask whether the marriage agreement between our two families still stands. Can your Gu family provide Jiayu with a place to stay and protect her?”
Old Master Gu had not expected a traitor to appear within the Research Institute.
“I’ll give you an address. Have Jiayu bring the marriage certificate with her and go find my grandson, Gu Yunting.”
Captain Xiang quickly wrote down the address, then exchanged a few more words with Old Master Gu before hanging up.
Meanwhile, after Old Master Gu hung up, he called his grandson, Gu Yunting.
When Gu Yunting heard that his commander said his grandfather was calling for him, he quickly freed himself from the person pestering him and went to the commander’s office to take the call.
“Grandpa, why did you suddenly have time to call me today? Did something happen?”
“Yunting, do you still remember the girl from your Grandpa Zheng’s family?”
Gu Yunting was stunned for a moment before asking hesitantly, “You mean the fiancée you arranged for me?”
“That’s right. Her parents were killed by traitors three days ago, and she’s in danger now. She needs our help. You must marry her and use everything at the Gu family’s disposal to protect her and keep her alive.” Old Master Gu seriously explained Zheng Jiayu’s situation to Gu Yunting.
“Yes, Grandpa.”
From Old Master Gu’s words, Gu Yunting learned about Zheng Jiayu and the circumstances surrounding her deceased parents.
Since those people had already set their sights on the Zheng couple, they certainly would not let Zheng Jiayu off either.
She would indeed be safer by his side.
Besides, wasn’t there someone here who had been pestering him relentlessly?
Now that his legitimate fiancée had arrived, if she still dared to pursue him, it would become a complete joke.
With that thought, Gu Yunting said to Old Master Gu, “Grandpa, ask her when she’ll arrive. I’ll go to the station to pick her up.”
“No, you go there personally to pick her up. I don’t trust anyone over there now.” Old Master Gu had originally planned to have someone from Captain Xiang’s side escort Zheng Jiayu to Gu Yunting.
However, given the situation there, Old Master Gu was not reassured.
“Put your commander on the phone. I’ll have him approve your leave.”
Gu Yunting handed the phone to the commander standing beside him, and the latter took it.
At first, he was smiling as he spoke, but he soon became serious. “I guarantee the mission will be completed.”
After hanging up, the commander looked at Gu Yunting. “Yunting, take two men with you.”
“Yes.”
While Gu Yunting went to choose the men who would accompany him, Old Master Gu contacted Captain Xiang.
After hanging up, Captain Xiang happily said to Zheng Jiayu, “Jiayu, the Gu family will send Gu Yunting to pick you up.”
Zheng Jiayu waved her hand. “Uncle Xiang, I can go there myself. There’s no need to trouble him.”
“Jiayu, this isn’t a matter of troubling him. It’s about ensuring your safety.”
Things were no longer safe here, so having Gu Yunting, a soldier, come with men to escort Zheng Jiayu was the safest choice.
“Until Gu Yunting arrives, you’ll stay at my house. You’re not allowed to go anywhere.”
Zheng Jiayu had no way to argue, so she could only stay at the Xiang residence.
Three days later, three unfamiliar men appeared at the entrance of the Xiang residence.