Chapter 63: Chapter 63: The Tian Family in Danger Chapter 63: Chapter 63: The Tian Family in Danger While they were talking, noises ca from the bedroom, and Zhang Xiumin hurried over.
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng followed and saw Mrs. Guo on the bed, emaciated beyond recognition; the room was relatively warm, with a brazier burning all the ti.
Mrs. Guo woke up, recognized no one, took a sip of water, and then lay down to sleep again.
Then they all withdrew, and after exchanging a few words in the living room, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng said their goodbyes. Given the situation at ho, the elderly lady could really pass away at any mont.
ng ng was reluctant to let Gu Pan go, clinging to her hand.
Gu Pan caressed ng ng’s little face, “Auntie will co to see you again in a few days.”
ng ng finally nodded, “Auntie, then you must co early.”
Gu Pan smiled and agreed.
Zhang Xiumin escorted them to the door and watched them descend the stairs before she closed the door.
Back at ho, Zhang Xiumin looked at those items, truly grateful; at this ti, anyone who would send these things was truly a life-saving friend.
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng then went to Tian Zhenzhen’s house, only to find the gates of her community open, with no security personnel in sight.
They entered and discovered bloodstains and corpses in the courtyard.
There was no one in the courtyard, and they didn’t dare to rashly go upstairs, so they left the community and stood outside, waiting for passersby to inquire about what had happened.
The first two people they asked ran away in fright when they heard the questions about the community.
It wasn’t until the third person that they got so information. They heard that the community had experienced unequal distribution of resources and had erupted into a riot on the eve of the Lunar New Year’s Eve, when everyone lowered their guard. Many people died, many were robbed; it was chaos, a civil unrest.
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng expressed their thanks to the person, now having a rough idea of the situation. Knowing it wasn’t under the control of any organized military, the two of them entered the community, after all, they were not afraid of these people with their abilities.
After entering, they didn’t encounter anyone until they reached Tian Zhenzhen’s place. The door was open, with signs of a struggle and bloodstains inside.
But they found no one, no supplies, just a used smoke bomb.
Lu Ruisheng pulled the anxious Gu Pan and comforted her, “The absence of bodies ans that they are still alive; they probably used the smoke bomb to escape amidst the chaos.”
Gu Pan still felt unease, “But there’s blood. Who got hurt?”
“We should go back ho and wait now. If Tian Zhenzhen runs into trouble, she’ll co to us first.”
“Right, right, I got so flustered. Let’s hurry ho.”
The two had intended to visit Dong Mingyue and Shi Liang as well, but now they couldn’t go; they had to wait at ho for news from Tian Zhenzhen.
After getting ho, they first asked the neighbors if anyone had been looking for them, but there was no news.
All they could do then was wait at ho. If there was no sign of Tian Zhenzhen in two days, they would have to return to her community to ask around.
But after waiting at ho for two days, there was still no news.
After discussing it, they decided to first deliver New Year’s goods to Dong Mingyue and Shi Liang. Visiting them would also allow them to ask around for information, after which they could go back to Tian Zhenzhen’s community to look for clues.
When they arrived at Dong Mingyue’s place, they saw her thriving within her community, the queen bee. When her underlings heard Gu Pan and the others looking for Dong Mingyue, one of them ran to inform her.
Dong Mingyue ca running out shortly after, “It’s almost New Year; if you hadn’t co, I was going to visit you too.”
Gu Pan smiled, “That’s why we ca first, to bring you so New Year’s goods.”
“You also have difficulty finding supplies, so why bother bringing anything? We’re not lacking, I was thinking of giving you sothing.” Dong Mingyue had changed completely from before; her speech, behavior, and mannerisms were different.
Seeing her like this, Gu Pan felt relieved, “We have our own supplies, too. Just a few days ago, a team from our community started a fight with us and we took them down.”
“With Captain Lu here, leading the fight is a sure win,” Dong Mingyue said.
“I’m not weak either. The general has no weak soldiers,” Gu Pan said with a bit of amusent.
“Co on, let’s go see my place,” Dong Mingyue gestured, wanting to take Gu Pan into the community.
Gu Pan held her back, “Not today. There was a riot in Tian Zhenzhen’s community, and their family is missing. I’m afraid she might co looking for or for you, so I’m just letting you know. If she cos to you, let soone tell .”
“Missing? I’ll have soone look into it,” Dong Mingyue said.
“You have to make sure your people are trustworthy before going or you can hire soone with money; after all, your safety is equally important. With the New Year coming, these days will be even more chaotic. You must be extra careful.”
“I know, don’t worry. And if there’s any news on your end, let know.”
“Yes, I will. We’ll be going now; take care of yourself.”
“You too,” Dong Mingyue said, then turned to Lu Ruisheng, “President Lu, take good care of Panpan.”
Lu Ruisheng nodded, “I will. You take care, too.”
After saying their goodbyes, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng left Dong Mingyue’s community and rode their snowmobile to Shi Liang’s place.
Shi Liang’s place was busier today. The holiday was important in the eyes of the Chinese; even if they skimp during the year, they would still try to make the New Year as good as possible. So, anything of value that people were reluctant to trade was now being brought out.
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The two didn’t go to disturb Shi Liang’s trading business but wandered around, listening to what others were exchanging their goods for.
The value of the exchanged items was constantly changing; not only were food prices high, but so everyday items were also becoming scarce.
When Shi Liang was free, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng approached him.
“Big sis, brother-in-law, these days have been busy with the New Year coming up, and more people exchanging goods,” he said, pulling out two red scarves from his backpack, “Little Fang knitted these for you. It’s New Year and we don’t have much to offer, but this is a token of our hearts.”
Gu Pan received the two thick, soft scarves with a smile, “This is the best New Year gift we’ve received. We’ll wear these for the New Year.”
Shi Liang was delighted, then whispered to them, “Big sis, brother-in-law, I have so important news. Recently, there’s a surplus of gold at the trading spots. If you want so, take advantage now ahead of New Year’s. People are digging deep into their reserves to get supplies, so it’s the best ti.”
When Gu Pan heard this, she was excited, “How much do you have now? Exchange it for .”
“Please, I beg of you, find a way. I really need dical supplies for external injuries; my sister is hurt and unconscious. This is all our family has, please help us,” a man nearby implored a second-hand dealer, his voice strained with desperation.
Gu Pan suddenly thought the voice sounded familiar; she stood up to look over.
She saw the second-hand dealer refuse resolutely, “At this ti, it’s very hard to get dical supplies; I really can’t help.”
“Please, just think of a way to help, or connect with a doctor,” the man begged again.
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