How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Chapter 158 Who plotted against me? (4)

Trembling all over, Qingru was pulled by Lü Peijun to swim for a while before daring to surface when no one was around.

Qingru was exhausted and could barely swim anymore.

Lu Peijun grabbed her and tried his best to pull her towards the shore.

This stretch of road was right next to a park, and thankfully there was no one around at night. Once out of danger, Qingru covered her face and cried softly; this was the first time she had faced the "battlefield" directly.

She had only heard about wars and riots in various places before, but she had never experienced them herself, and could only get a glimpse of the horrors from the newspapers.

Gunfire whizzed past her ears, and corpses lay before her. She even stepped over them to escape; the touch… it was clearly still warm human flesh!

Lu Peijun didn't try to comfort her. She'd have to get used to it eventually; in these chaotic times, this would be the norm. She was lucky to escape danger today, but what if she'd been a little less fortunate? Wouldn't she have ended up like those unlucky guests?

Lu Peijun remained silent, knowing that some things needed to be experienced and learned by Qingru herself.

Since their decline, the Lü family has been waiting for an opportunity to rise again. But they've waited for over a thousand years—when will it finally come? Even Zhu Yuanzhang, a beggar, dared to rise up and seize the throne, yet their family, with its thousand-year-old lineage, has become nothing more than a coward?

Since they want to live in seclusion, I'll give them a push.

Lu Peijun gazed at the quietly flowing Mi River, his eyes deep and unfathomable, like a sunken well.

After a long silence, Qingru spoke, "Dad, when will we be able to control our own destiny? I would rather die on the battlefield, die from a conspiracy, than die anonymously from a stray bullet."

Lu Peijun composed herself and reassured him, "No, I already said that once the other three Lu families are gathered, we will open the Lu family treasure and then... leave this place to live somewhere else. We will no longer be homeless."

Having some plans in mind that he couldn't voice, Lü Peijun could only try to describe his vision for the future.

Qingru looked up at her father, her eyes filled with grievance and fear, but she bit her lip and tried her best not to let the tears fall.

Qingru also came to a realization: no matter what, a person must be able to stand on their own two feet. Thinking of Guo Zixing's promise to protect her, yet his repeated predicaments, Qingru lowered her head, reconsidering her actions.

After resting for a while, the two finally regained their strength. They stood up, wrung out the water from their bodies, and walked forward along the river.

Something big has happened to the Zheng family tonight, which must have alarmed Commander Guo. Security will definitely be tight tonight.

However, Lü Peijun had nothing to fear. He was one of the guests invited by the Zheng family, and he wasn't the only one who escaped tonight. Even Commander Guo had no reason to stop him.

Therefore, the two supported each other and walked along the main road by the river. At this time, it would be more dangerous to take the side road, in case there were still bandits caught in the shadows.

Soaked and cold, and frightened, Qingru soon realized that her breath was burning hot, and she knew she might have a fever.

Suppressing her willpower, Qingru didn't want to hold her father back, so she pulled her clothes tighter and walked on.

"Lü Qingru!"

It was Sergeant Zhang's voice. Qingru opened her eyes slightly. The bright lights in front of her shone directly into her eyes, almost blinding her.

"Chief Zhang?"

“It’s me,” Chief Zhang said, turning off the car lights and running to Qingru’s side. He nodded to Mr. Lü.

"Let's go, Zhang Xun has told me everything."

"Did you wait here on purpose?"

"Well, apart from me, San'er, Wang Chao, Ma Han, and others, everyone from the police station went out looking for you. I was lucky to run into you first."

Qingru was somewhat moved. "Let's go. Something terrible has happened to the Zheng family."

"Hmm." Chief Zhang didn't seem surprised at all.

Seeing Qingru's confusion, Chief Zhang explained as he helped the two into the car, "Zhang Xun told me everything, and the Zheng family's commotion was so big that even the Marshal was alerted. It's hard not to know. Tonight, the eldest young master is in trouble and can't move, so the second young master is in charge of everything. If his men run into you, it won't be so easy for them to get away."

Qingru had heard about the conflict between the Guo brothers, and upon hearing this, she said nothing more.

Mr. Lü remained silent after getting into the car, as he had never liked having much contact with the Guo family.

Sergeant Zhang drove his car back to his home; this was Qingru's second visit.

"It's more convenient for you to come to my house. You can stay for one night, and I'll see how things go before making a decision."

After arranging accommodation for Qingru and the other person, Sergeant Zhang hurriedly left. Both of them had fallen into the water, and they needed to change their clothes quickly.

Zhang Yan has been unemployed at home for a long time, and right now she is the one tending the fire under the stove.

Upon seeing Qingru, Zhang Yan's expression became somewhat unnatural. "My brother asked me to boil water."

"Thank you." Although there had been some friction with Zhang Yan before, both Zhang brothers were good people, and Zhang Yan hadn't made any fundamental mistakes.

Zhang Yan pouted and handed the fire poker to Qingru, saying, "You keep the fire, I'll go find you some clothes."

Qingru readily accepted the fire poker, poured all the hot water into Lü's father's pot, and then warmed herself by the fire.

Lu Peijun glanced at Zhang Yan and, seeing that she posed no danger, felt relieved.

After thinking about it, I decided to wait until this matter was resolved before telling Qingru and her sister about my plans.

Qingru quickly boiled water, washed up, and changed into Zhang Yan's clothes.

Qingru is tall, and Zhang Yan's clothes are a bit small for her.

Zhang Yan looked at Qingru, who had a curvaceous figure, and pouted disdainfully, but still dragged Qingru to her room to sleep.

Feeling a little uncomfortable with another person in the bed, Zhang Yan decided to chat with Qingru.

What's wrong with you guys tonight?

"You'll find out tomorrow; it'll definitely be in the newspaper."

"Tch, can't you just tell me? I won't just spout nonsense."

"I don't know how to explain it. It's too confusing, one thing after another. Even I don't understand it. How can I tell you anything?"

"Tch, if you don't want to talk, then don't. Why make excuses?" Zhang Yan irritably punched the bed a few times, then said, "Let me tell you, people like us shouldn't even dream of marrying into the Guo family. That's just wishful thinking."

Qingru was a little confused; why was this topic suddenly brought up again?

Qingru frowned at the thought of Zhang Yan clinging to Guo Ershao (Guo Ziyou) to celebrate Guo Laotai's birthday.

"Yes, you're right." Qingru didn't refute it and even agreed with the point of view, but Zhang Yan was still unhappy.

"Hey, how can you say that? You shouldn't say that today's progressive youth should enjoy free love and that being particular about social status is feudal dross that should be discarded."

Qingru was thinking about other things, and when she heard this, she just replied perfunctorily, "Yes, but some people are particular about this, and they have no choice."

Zhang Yan sat up abruptly and pointed at Qingru, saying, "You... how come you have no ambition at all? You've been with Young Master Guo for so long, haven't you ever thought about wanting a proper title?"

Qingru frowned and said, "I'm just doing my job, it has nothing to do with him."

"Who would believe that? You two are always together, everyone can see it."

"We all work in the police station, so does that mean I have to avoid doing what my superiors do? Love is a matter of freedom, but work isn't?"

Zhang Yan opened her mouth but couldn't refute it, and angrily turned her back to him, ignoring him completely.

Qingru didn't take it to heart; she was filled with doubts.

How did Miss Zheng take the Chinese medicine? How could Guo Zixing have run into her by such a coincidence? Why was there trouble right after Zheng the comprador held his banquet? Judging from the looks of it, they clearly came prepared and were able to precisely blow up his warehouse.

What's going on? Is the world really about to change?