Chapter 219 - 213: Stolen Twenty-Four Years

"Gao Desheng used clay statues to hide the bodies of his son and daughter-in-law in a cave. He told everyone that his daughter-in-law ran away because she couldn’t stand that their daughter and son were disabled, and that his eldest son, unable to cope, had jumped into a river and killed himself."

’That Gao Desheng really was paranoid and selfish.’

Jiang Li nodded. There was nothing left for them to do here. Just as she was about to leave, she noticed Wu Ming staring blankly into the distance.

She followed her gaze and saw the police officer named Wu Tong taking a meal from his parents, a look of being utterly doted on appearing on his face.

"Oh, Mom, Dad, I told you not to bring me food. I’ll head back as soon as I’m done with work."

"That won’t do. Your job is so demanding; you have to eat on time. Otherwise, if your stomach issues flare up, a certain someone will be crying her eyes out," Wu Yonghui said, affectionately tapping Wu Tong’s nose.

"Oh, Dad, I’m not a kid anymore. Don’t do that. You two should go home now. I have to get back to work."

"Okay, but remember to eat first!"

Wu Tong walked back inside, carrying the lunch box.

Wu Ming looked away, and when she turned her head, she found Jiang Li looking at her.

Wu Ming immediately broke into a laugh. "Hahaha, are you all done, Jiang Li?"

Jiang Li nodded. "Yeah, I was just about to head back."

"Let’s go then." Wu Ming stepped forward and looped her arm through Jiang Li’s, heading outside.

Back at the hotel, Wu Ming sat to one side, looking absent-minded.

Jiang Li put down her phone and glanced over. ’Is she homesick?’

But she remembered Master Wu saying that Wu Ming was an orphan.

Wu Ming looked at the Amulet in her hand. She had worn it for over twenty years without any issue, but today, it had turned black.

Wu Ming opened it up to take a look. The talisman paper inside had turned black.

She took out her phone and sent a message to her master, hoping he could find some time to look at it.

The next day, Jiang Li and Wu Ming went to the hospital to check on Bai Mingzhu’s condition.

Bai Yulan, who had been keeping watch all night, immediately opened her eyes at the sound. She was stunned for a moment when she saw it was Jiang Li and Wu Ming.

"Miss Jiang, thank you for this."

Bai Yulan hadn’t expected them to make a special trip to visit.

"What did the doctor say about your sister’s condition?"

Bai Yulan’s eyes welled up, tears swimming in them. She covered her mouth and shook her head.

"Not good. The doctor said she suffered a major shock, and her condition is worse now. She needs surgery to correct her joints." Bai Yulan turned her head to the side and wiped away her tears.

The surgery would cost hundreds of thousands, and she had already spent a lot of money on Mingzhu’s medicine and rehabilitation.

She couldn’t possibly come up with that much money on such short notice.

Seeing the distress on Bai Yulan’s face, Jiang Li took a business card for a foundation out of her bag.

"If you need it, you can contact them. Just tell them I sent you."

Bai Yulan took the card from Jiang Li’s hand. Seeing the character for "Li" on it, she said, "Thank you, Miss Li."

"It’s nothing. I hope your sister gets better and better."

Jiang Li led Wu Ming out and saw Luo Jingheng appear at the hospital, along with Wu Yonghui by his side.

’What a coincidence.’

"What a coincidence," Luo Jingheng said, the corners of his mouth turning up.

"Hello, Mr. Luo."

Seeing Luo Jingheng’s approachable demeanor, Wu Yonghui couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Li a few more times.

Wu Ming’s gaze remained fixed on Wu Yonghui. He was a complete stranger, yet looking at him made her feel unsettled.

Seeing that Wu Ming looked unwell, Jiang Li said, "We have other things to do, so we’ll be going now."

Jiang Li pulled Wu Ming past the two men.

Luo Jingheng glanced at the hospital room Jiang Li had just come out of, then headed inside.

Seeing Luo Jingheng appear, Bai Yulan stood up, flattered and startled. "Mr., Mr. Luo."

Luo Jingheng glanced at the business card in her hand. Bai Yulan saw his glance and quickly handed it to him.

"Miss Jiang gave this to me."

Luo Jingheng took the card from her, glanced at it, and read the name: Dawn Foundation.

He handed the card back, glanced at the person in the hospital bed, then looked back at the assistant beside him.

"Miss Bai, this is a small token of Mr. Luo’s goodwill."

"Thank you, Mr. Luo."

Luo Jingheng nodded and turned to leave.

"Young Master, should I investigate this Jiang Li?"

Luo Jingheng hesitated for a few seconds. "No need."

’The Dawn Foundation was one of the Huang Family’s assets, but surprisingly, it’s connected to Jiang Li.’

After leaving the hospital, Wu Ming let out a sigh of relief. That oppressive feeling was finally gone.

"Wu Ming, what’s wrong?" Jiang Li asked, looking at her with concern. In all the time she’d known her, this was the first time she had seen her like this.

Wu Ming shook her head and glanced behind her. "I don’t know either. That man just made me uncomfortable."

Jiang Li’s mouth fell open in surprise. She had thought it was because... she hadn’t expected this to be the reason.

"It’s okay. We’re going back tomorrow."

Wu Ming’s heart settled. ’That’s right, we’re going back tomorrow. I must be overthinking things.’

Back at the hotel, Jiang Li took out her phone, booked their return tickets, and reassured Wu Ming.

"Get some rest early today. We’ll go back tomorrow."

’Nothing much can happen in half a day.’

「The Luo Family Estate」

Luo Jingheng looked at the few people who had been captured and brought before him, then lowered his head to take a sip of ginseng soup.

"Who sent you?"

The men in front of him were the same ones who had been tailing Jiang Li.

"Mr. Luo, let’s mind our own business. Besides, isn’t Jiang Li just merchandise for your Luo Family, too? Our objectives are the same."

Hearing this, Luo Jingheng let out a soft chuckle and rose to his feet, stepping forward. "Who told you our objectives are the same?

Are you from the Dong family? The Ouyang Family? Or the Li Family? Surely it couldn’t be... Kun Sha."

The man’s expression faltered.

Luo Jingheng’s gentle face instantly darkened. "So restless."

He flicked his fingers and turned to walk toward his private garden. Behind him, the men were disposed of silently.

Sitting in the garden, he looked at the branch that Jiang Li had torn off, completely out of place amidst the vibrantly blooming flowers.

Just like his own life—no amount of splendor could conceal the decay.

Luo Jingheng rested his head on his hand, quietly observing the scene. Jiang Li’s appearance was like a stone tossed into a lake, sending out ripples.

Elsewhere, Kun Sha’s men stared at the bodies that had been delivered to them.

"A pack of gutter rats. Don’t go loitering in front of my Young Master. If you disturb him, our Old Master won’t stand for it."

"You’ve gone too far!" Kun Sha’s contact shot to his feet in anger.

Luo Jingheng’s housekeeper, Du Kang, was naturally intimidating without showing anger. "What does Kun Sha amount to? Don’t forget whose territory he’s on right now."

After delivering his warning, Du Kang turned and left. Just as he returned, he saw Wu Yonghui pacing by the entrance.

"Boss Wu, what are you doing here?"

"Housekeeper Du, my daughter can’t wait any longer! I’m begging Young Master Luo to help us."

Wu Yonghui begged Du Kang, bowing and scraping.

"Go on, get out of here! All you court are things that harm your karma. Are you looking to die?!"

Du Kang’s expression hardened as he tried to drive the man away. ’Isn’t this just asking for a scolding?’

’He clearly knows my Young Master is in poor health, yet he’s asking for help with such an immoral affair.’

"She’s the only daughter I have! I’m begging you! I’ll kneel for you."

Wu Yonghui dropped to his knees before Du Kang. He truly had no other choice; otherwise, he wouldn’t have resorted to such a desperate measure.

Du Kang’s eyes sharpened as he stared at him. "I heard you found someone to swap your daughter’s fate twenty-four years ago. What, wasn’t stealing twenty-four years enough for you?"