Chapter 342: United by a Common Hatred
Chapter 342: Chapter 342: United by a Common Hatred
"Huh?" Zhao Nuan Yang was taken aback, not understanding why his sister had said that. "Sis, what’s wrong? What’s wrong with Wang Yuan?"
Zhao Nuanyue glanced around, then lowered her voice and beckoned for her brother to come closer. Leaning in, Zhao Nuanyue whispered in Zhao Nuan Yang’s ear, "Do you remember when Elder Gu’s health suddenly failed?"
"I do!" Zhao Nuan Yang nodded, a look of lingering fear on his face. "At the time, I thought Elder Gu wasn’t going to make it. I never expected him to be so fortunate. He managed to pull through after returning to Jincheng City. It just goes to show that Jincheng City is blessed with great people; it saved Elder Gu’s life."
Zhao Nuanyue didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at her brother’s words, but she wasn’t going to tell Zhao Nuan Yang the whole story. After all, it involved Elder Gu’s confidential matters.
"Hua told me that it was Wang Yuan who poisoned Elder Gu’s food," Zhao Nuanyue said in a hushed voice. "Do you remember the Moon Festival that year? Wang Yuan was so enthusiastic, bringing food to the elders in the backyard. She used that opportunity to poison Elder Gu’s bowl."
"Oh my god!" Zhao Nuan Yang couldn’t believe it. "Is that... is that really what happened?"
"Yes. Hua and my master investigated and discovered it together," Zhao Nuanyue replied. "And do you know who the mastermind was?"
Zhao Nuan Yang didn’t answer right away, frowning as he thought it over carefully.
Zhao Nuanyue didn’t rush to tell him the answer. ’Some things my brother has to think through for himself. That’s how he’ll mature and learn to handle unexpected situations in the future. After all, in the social circles we’ll be moving in, we’ll have to face these kinds of complicated, dark underbellies.’
’Zhao Nuan Yang has his own life; he has to learn to face things on his own.’
At a signal from Zhao Nuanyue, Little Red Carp also stayed quiet, letting her brother think for himself.
After a good while, Zhao Nuan Yang finally said slowly, "Was it Guo Dongmei? The Guo Family?"
"Wow, not bad, Nuanyang! You actually figured it out!" Zhao Nuanyue was both happy and relieved. ’My brother is kind and gentle, but that doesn’t mean he can’t think or reason.’
"In that case, we really do need to be wary of Wang Yuan. No—just Wang Yuan." Zhao Nuan Yang was someone who saw things in black and white. Since Wang Yuan was no longer a friend, he wouldn’t be polite anymore.
Zhao Nuanyue nodded and said, "Yes. I don’t think Wang Yuan’s appearance before us is a simple coincidence. After all, Guo Dongmei and I have a history. The only person who can get close to me without raising suspicion is Wang Yuan. My social circle is very small, so Guo Dongmei could only have turned to her."
"Mm, that makes sense." Zhao Nuan Yang nodded, then sighed. "Why can’t people just get along? Why are there so many conspiracies and schemes?"
"Wherever there are people, there is conflict," Zhao Nuanyue replied, looking at her brother. "All we can do is protect ourselves and not let others hurt us. And if we get the chance, we’ll strike back to protect the people we care about."
"I understand, Sis." Zhao Nuan Yang nodded. He understood his sister’s good intentions in saying all this—she was afraid he would get hurt. "Sis, what I don’t get is, if Guo Dongmei sent Wang Yuan after us, what’s her goal? What’s in it for Wang Yuan?"
"I don’t care what’s in it for her. What I want to know is her objective. Is she trying to kill us, or just frame us?" Zhao Nuanyue wasn’t sure either. Feeling a bit uneasy, she looked at her brother’s worried face. "Nuanyang, you don’t need to be scared. I’ve already sent people to investigate Wang Yuan and Guo Dongmei. We just don’t have any results yet. So, until we have a definite answer, we must be extremely careful."
Just then, Zhao Nuan Yang looked at Little Red Carp and asked, "Little Red Carp, did you notice anything unusual about Wang Yuan?"
Little Red Carp thought for a moment and said, "I haven’t noticed anything yet, but I do know that when she came over today, she wasn’t carrying anything evil!"
"Oh. Nuanyang, promise me, if Little Red Carp isn’t with you, don’t eat anything Wang Yuan gives you. Got it?" Zhao Nuanyue warned. Until they knew Wang Yuan’s true goal, this was the only clumsy method they could use to protect themselves.
Zhao Nuan Yang froze for a second, thinking of how Wang Yuan had drugged Gu Qingyu before. He then nodded and said, "I’ll remember that, Sis."
"Nuanyang, you’re grown up now. You need to be more vigilant when you’re out so you don’t get tricked," Zhao Nuanyue reminded him. "Talk less, do more. It’s a way to learn things and protect yourself at the same time."
"Sis, I’m not stupid. I understand all that," Zhao Nuan Yang said with a laugh. "You don’t have to worry about me. Just because I don’t say anything doesn’t mean I’m clueless about all the backstabbing and scheming between people!"
"As long as you understand." Zhao Nuanyue smiled. "To be honest, I’m just fumbling my way through and growing, too. I can’t say I’m in any position to teach you, but we can improve together!"
Just as she was speaking, the bodyguard, Zhang Hong, knocked and entered the room.
"Zhang Hong, is something wrong?" Zhao Nuanyue asked. Zhang Hong and the other bodyguard, Li Wei, lived in a room in the front courtyard, taking turns at night to protect Zhao Nuanyue, Zhao Nuan Yang, and Little Red Carp.
Zhang Hong saw that Zhao Nuan Yang and Little Red Carp were also there and hesitated, unsure if he should speak.
"It’s fine, go ahead and speak," Zhao Nuanyue said. "You don’t need to hold back."
So Zhang Hong said, "Ms. Zhao, I’ve been investigating Wang Yuan. I found that three days ago, she paid a visit to the East City Shijia Lane Guo Family. Afterward, Guo Donghai escorted her back to the area near the Wu Family’s house in Wu Family Alley, in the southern part of the city. Today, I tailed her as she went straight home to the Wu Family’s house in Wu Family Alley, and she hasn’t come out since. I haven’t yet been able to determine if any kind of deal was made between them."
After listening, Zhao Nuanyue’s heart filled with mixed emotions. She nodded and said, "Mm, I understand. You can stop the investigation. I already know the answer."
"Yes, ma’am!" Zhang Hong replied. Although he was curious, since Zhao Nuanyue had told them to stop investigating, he would just continue with his primary duty: protecting Ms. Zhao and her younger brother and sister.
"Thank you for your hard work. Go back and get some food and rest," Zhao Nuanyue said gratefully. Zhang Hong and Li Wei had been protecting her all these days, which moved Zhao Nuanyue deeply. ’I’ll have to find a chance to repay them properly in the future.’
"Yes, ma’am," Zhang Hong replied, then turned and left.
After Zhang Hong left, Zhao Nuanyue sighed. "Our guess was right. Wang Yuan is definitely in cahoots with Guo Dongmei. We’ll have to be even more on guard against her."
"Sis, can’t we just take the initiative and attack?" Little Red Carp asked impatiently. "This is so frustrating! If we just get rid of Guo Dongmei and Wang Yuan, we won’t have all these troublesome problems."
Hearing her sister’s words, Zhao Nuanyue didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She then asked, "And after we get rid of them? Have you thought about the consequences?"
"Uhh..." Little Red Carp shook her head, frowning. "I haven’t! What’s the worst that could happen? We’ll just roam the world and make our home wherever we go!"