Chapter 380: An Urgent Midnight Summons
Chapter 380: Chapter 380: An Urgent Midnight Summons
Hua Yusen’s heart lurched. If it wasn’t a matter of extreme urgency, Elder Gu would never have summoned him in the middle of the night, especially not while he was on his wedding leave.
Hua Yusen changed his clothes and hurried down the stairs.
Hua Zhiqiang heard the noise, came out, and asked, "What is it, Yu Sen?"
Seeing his father, Hua Yusen’s expression remained unchanged. He said softly, "Elder Gu needs to see me. Dad, don’t worry, I’m just going over for a bit. As for everyone at home, don’t panic or show any worry. I think this might be an emergency, or else they wouldn’t have called me over in the middle of the night."
Hua Zhiqiang was taken aback and grew even more worried. He frowned and said, "But your wedding with Nuanyue is about to happen. It will probably have to be postponed."
"Sigh. Don’t worry yet. I’ll go see what’s going on." Hua Yusen’s heart was heavy, and he had no time to say more. "Dad, I’m leaving now."
"Okay, good. Don’t worry about home, I’m here." Hua Zhiqiang nodded. "Be careful on the way. The Wu and Li families are at each other’s throats right now. I have a feeling this has something to do with them."
Hua Yusen had the same suspicion. He nodded, and not daring to linger any longer, he quickly left with Liu Jian and the others.
Hua Yusen arrived silently at Elder Gu’s residence. It was already one in the morning, but Elder Gu was surprisingly still awake. It was clear there was a truly urgent matter.
"Elder Gu, you summoned me so late at night. What’s the assignment?" Hua Yusen asked. ’If it weren’t extremely urgent, Elder Gu would never have called for me.’
Gu Qingyu glanced at the letter in his hand, then placed it in front of Hua Yusen. "Yu Sen," he said, "take a look."
Hua Yusen was startled. That letter was something his security clearance didn’t allow him to see, but since Elder Gu told him to read it, he would.
But upon seeing the letter’s contents, Hua Yusen’s eyes widened involuntarily.
"My God, Liu Zhongjun went back on his word?" Hua Yusen said in disbelief, then quickly looked at Gu Qingyu. "Elder Gu, this... is this letter credible?"
Gu Qingyu nodded. "Very credible. It’s just that this is all happening in secret right now. Liu Zhongjun thinks he’s being covert, but he never would have imagined I have people by his side—and more than one. So we already have sufficient evidence of his actions. The problem is, Liu Zhongjun also has many people willing to follow him, many of whom are stubbornly loyal. At this critical juncture, I cannot openly send someone to arrest Liu Zhongjun. It can only be done covertly."
Hua Yusen’s heart sank. Elder Gu hadn’t called him over in the middle of the night because he couldn’t sleep and wanted to chat.
’He probably wants me to go. But my wedding is the day after tomorrow... no, since it’s already past midnight, it’s actually tomorrow.’
Hua Yusen also understood Gu Qingyu’s predicament. One wrong move could affect the entire situation. The whole plan was vast and intricate; a problem in any single link would cause a chain reaction.
Hua Yusen felt melancholic and sad. It had been so difficult for him and Zhao Nuanyue to get to this point, and now, just as they were about to get married, another crisis had emerged.
Elder Gu calling him over now... the meaning was obvious. He hoped Hua Yusen would be the one to handle this matter.
As a loyal supporter of Gu Qingyu, Hua Yusen had no other choice. He asked urgently, "Elder Gu, do you want me to carry out this mission? To investigate the situation and, if it’s true, apprehend Liu Zhongjun?"
Hearing Hua Yusen ask, Gu Qingyu looked a bit embarrassed and troubled. "You’re about to get married," he said. "I originally didn’t want to send you. But I’ve been deliberating all night and couldn’t find another suitable candidate!"
Gu Qingyu was not an ungrateful person. Zhao Nuanyue had shown him great kindness, helping him out of danger several times. Hua Yusen, for his part, had saved his life—and more than once.
He was happy to see his two juniors on the verge of marriage. But now, for something like this to happen, it truly put him in a difficult position.
Hua Yulin was Hua Yusen’s younger brother, and he was loyal and trustworthy. However, Hua Yulin’s skills weren’t enough to guarantee this mission would be a hundred percent successful. So, after thinking it over and over, Gu Qingyu had called Hua Yusen back after all.
"Elder Gu, when do I depart?" Hua Yusen asked. This was no time for hesitation. ’A true man who wants to achieve great things must know when to let go.’ He and Nuanyue already had their marriage certificate; the wedding ceremony could be held anytime.
He didn’t care about these formalities, he just felt that it was unfair to Zhao Nuanyue.
"Sigh... This is hard on you, Yu Sen," Gu Qingyu said with a wry smile. "This mission is extremely important and requires immediate departure! It just means your wedding with Nuanyue will have to be delayed."
Hua Yusen also felt terrible, but since things had come to this, there was no need for pretense or to waste any more time. He said in a low, serious voice, "Elder Gu, to be honest, I’m heartbroken. Nuanyue and I have been through so many setbacks, and now we can finally get married. But because of this unexpected event, I have to leave for a mission. It’s truly a deep regret for me. However, I know you, Elder Gu. You must have thought this through carefully before calling me. You wouldn’t put me in this difficult position, or cause me and Nuanyue this regret, unless you had absolutely no other choice. I understand this very well."
Hearing Hua Yusen’s words, Gu Qingyu was deeply moved. To have such an understanding and capable subordinate was like giving a tiger wings. He nodded and said, "Yes. I received this letter at seven o’clock yesterday evening and have been thinking about it ever since. I even considered sending your brother, Yu Lin, so that you and Nuanyue’s wedding could proceed as scheduled. But I know that while the boy is loyal, he lacks cunning. In that regard, he is far from your equal. If it were just a matter of the mission failing, I might face some trouble, but we probably wouldn’t be in mortal danger. It would just be another setback. What I truly fear is that if your brother fails to apprehend Liu Zhongjun, he could lose his life. That’s why I couldn’t risk sending him."
Upon hearing this, Hua Yusen’s resolve hardened. He bowed deeply and said, "Liu Zhongjun is a ruthless character. We can’t let Yu Lin go."
"Indeed. After much hesitation, I had no choice but to summon you," Gu Qingyu said with a nod. "Yu Sen, your ability to see the bigger picture moves and gratifies me."
Receiving Gu Qingyu’s affirmation eased some of Hua Yusen’s sadness and regret. He said seriously, "Elder Gu, when do I leave? Also, can I go say goodbye to Nuanyue before I depart?"
Romantic ties have always been a hero’s burden. But Hua Yusen never wanted to be a hero; he just wanted to protect Zhao Nuanyue and stay by her side.
But in his current position, there was no turning back. To not advance was to retreat. He now had not only the Hua family to think of, but also the woman he loved to protect. For their sake, Hua Yusen had to strive forward.