A pond full of blooming flowers, an ultimate addiction.

Chapter 138 The Night Before the Snowstorm

Choi Soo-ryung's passing brought grief to some, but also great joy to others.

Jiang Guoqing and Xu Xinping were enjoying a delicious lunch at the dining table in their apartment. The two of them, each harboring their own secrets, were hiding in their cozy little home.

"There's still no news about Guoqing and Xiaoxue, and now Cui Xiuling is dead too."

Xu Xinping takes good care of herself. Although there are traces of time on her face, her eyes always look at Jiang Guoqing with affection, which fascinates him.

Jiang Guoqing took a sip of red wine. That day, he saw the proof that Xu Xinping was faking illness, but he didn't care. It was just a way for him to keep his womanizing ways. If Cui Xiuling could do the same, would things be different for them?

"I originally thought Cui Xiuling knew Xiaoxue's whereabouts, but she didn't. Now that she's dead, so be it."

Jiang Guoqing exhaled lightly, as if the affection between husband and wife over the years had long since vanished, but his brows were furrowed as if a shackle weighed on his heart.

"What about Xiaoxue? I'm so scared during the National Day holiday. I dream every night that Xiaoxue is calling out to me, begging for help."

As Xu Xinping spoke, tears streamed down her face, making her delicate features even more pitiful. She glanced down at Jiang Guoqing, finding him increasingly unfathomable.

"It could only have been done by Chi Ruiche and his group behind the old man's back." Jiang Guoqing put his arm around her and patted her back gently.

"Chi Ruiche? Does Xiao Yi know about this too?"

Xu Xinping stopped crying and looked at Jiang Guoqing with an innocent expression. "Then I'll go and beg her to give my daughter back to me."

As Jiang Guoqing listened to her crying, he became increasingly agitated. All he needed to do was find Jiang Xue, arrange for someone to kill Jiang Yi, and the marriage between the Jiang and Chi families would fail. Her shares would be reshuffled, and Jiang Xue could then reveal her identity. Even if her father was unwilling, the Chi family would never agree to let go of the prize they had already obtained. The obedient Jiang Xue was much easier to control than Jiang Yi.

But now Jiang Xue hasn't been found, Jiang Yi is still alive, and now Cui Xiuling is dead, so all the plans have been disrupted.

Xu Xinping lowered her head, her shoulders trembling, her eyes glancing at Jiang Guoqing from time to time. She stopped crying when he was displeased. "Guoqing, I'm sorry. I was too worried about Xiaoxue and made you worry. I know you feel the same way I do."

“Xinping, Xiaoxue is also my dear daughter. I’m worried about her too. I’ve already sent more people to investigate.”

The nanny came over with the envelope and placed it respectfully on the coffee table. "Sir, Madam, someone asked me to give you this envelope."

"What about people?"

"That person left after delivering the item." The nanny nodded slightly and went to the kitchen.

“National Day, this is…” Xu Xinping guessed cautiously.

Jiang Guoqing roughly tore the photos apart, scattering them all over the floor. Xu Xinping immediately recognized the girl in the photos.

"Xiaoxue, it's Xiaoxue."

Xu Xinping excitedly picked up the photos. Each photo was taken from a different angle, but the one that left her speechless was Jiang Xue, disheveled and filthy, locked in a small space. Her clothes were tattered and stained with blood, and her once delicate face was torn and bleeding. She lay helplessly on the ground.

"Those beasts, how could they do this? My Xiaoxue, Guoqing, please save her, think of a way."

Xu Xinping collapsed weakly onto the floor mat, her hands trembling as she held the photo.

Jiang Guoqing stared calmly at the photo, as if trying to find some clues, when his thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of the telephone.

"Mr. Jiang, Ms. Jiang Xue is in Wutaishan Mental Hospital."

The phone call was brief, each word was clear, and it ended before I could even react.

"Who are you?" Jiang Guoqing answered warily, glancing at the unfamiliar number, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

The phone only kept ringing. Jiang Guoqing stared motionless at the photos on the ground, his eyes fixed ahead like a man-eating tiger.

Chi Ruiche stared at the computer screen when Abu ran over, panting.

"Boss, we've delivered the goods, but we don't know if he'll fall for it. What if that old man is vicious and doesn't care about Jiang Xue's life or death?"

“I’ve reviewed Cui Xiuling’s medical examination report.” Zhao Mingyang pushed up his glasses and handed them a report. “Heart rhythm disorder.”

"I've never heard Mom mention this." Jiang Yang looked at the report with surprise; the changes in the electrocardiogram were obvious.

"Auntie certainly doesn't want you to worry. Old Zhao, can this disease cause sudden death?"

Zhao Mingyang cautiously replied, "This is a common heart condition caused by physiological factors. With medication as prescribed by the doctor and adequate rest, it will improve."

"Physiological?" Abu didn't understand these technical terms.

Jiang Yang, who was a medical student, understood after hearing Zhao Mingyang's hesitant words.

"If it is pathological, including the effects of medication, it is very likely to lead to sudden death."

"drug?"

"Keep this a secret from Grandpa and Xiao Yi. If he really did it, I will show no mercy."

Jiang Yang clenched his fists, his nails digging into his flesh, the stinging pain forcing him to calm down.

"Mr. Chi, the locator is responding. The other party must be tracking our location." Lin Kai opened his computer, and the red dot jumped up and down.

"Is the will ready?" Chi Ruiche fiddled with the hourglass, watching the grains of sand disappear little by little.

Jiang Yang looked out the window. Under the gloomy sky, withered yellow leaves danced in the cold wind. The sudden gust of wind made the air even colder, seemingly foreshadowing the arrival of snow.