Chapter 82: Unrest in the Southern Foundry

That night.

Inside the dormitory for the martial arts academy students.

“I wonder what’s really happening with Cai Hu and Ze.” Qianqian lay on the bed, his expression tinged with worry.

“Heh.” Peng Fei couldn’t help but mock softly from the side, “So you do worry about those two? By the way, do you feel confident about the upcoming match?”

He continued with a hint of complaint, “Speaking of Anqing Martial Bureau, nine of the slots for this year’s admissions are already set in stone. Why can’t they give us a few more?”

It was clear that Peng Fei was displeased about the fact that only two slots were available for people like them.

Qianqian, on the other hand, didn’t seem to care much about the Anqing Martial Bureau’s admissions and muttered, “My unreliable old man will be back soon. The future between me and Qingxue will be settled soon enough.” Lying on the bed, Qianqian gazed hopefully into the future.

…

Nanye City.

After some time with Cai Hu, Zhang Ze grew increasingly concerned about his situation. As an outsider, he naturally felt deep sympathy for what had happened to Cai Hu’s parents. But after hearing the news from Zhuang Ning and the other investigators, Zhang Ze wasn’t optimistic about tracking down the culprits.

The operation against the cultists in three provinces was nearly over. Several days had passed since Cai Hu’s parents had been targeted, and the two cultists remained at large—likely indicating they’d already fled Nanye City.

This left Zhang Ze feeling frustrated as well.

…

The night passed uneventfully.

The next morning.

Unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere of the hospital room, Zhang Ze went outside alone. As soon as he reached the hospital entrance, he was drawn to the noisy crowd in the parking lot.

“These people are really insane nowadays,” complained a middle-aged man as he and his companion walked from the parking lot toward the hospital entrance.

“No kidding,” agreed the other.

Hearing their conversation, Zhang Ze asked, “Excuse me, what’s going on over there?”

As he asked, Zhang Ze cast a curious glance toward the crowd.

The two men looked at him as if he were a complete fool, but, relishing the chance to share gossip, one asked, “You’re not from Nanye City, are you?”

Zhang Ze nodded.

“That explains it!” said the man on the right. “The young master of Bright Investment, Chen Hao, is over there. I heard his celebrity girlfriend is recovering in this hospital.”

“Recovering?” The man on the left immediately cut in. “I heard Xia Minmin is pregnant and staying here for prenatal care.”

“Seriously? Xia Minmin is pregnant again?” The man on the right was visibly shocked.

“You didn’t know? Lately, Bright Investment and Dan Medicine Company have had a lot of business dealings. I hear Bright Investment has funneled plenty of benefits to Dan Medicine’s board as well. If you ask me, this Xia Minmin might look like Chen Hao’s girlfriend, but who knows how many people she’s actually charmed behind the scenes!”

Their conversation grew more outlandish, leaving Zhang Ze no chance to interject. He simply turned and headed upstairs.

…

In the corridor.

Zhang Ze ran into Ma Cheng. Despite having met briefly the day before, Zhang Ze didn’t know much about this model officer from the Anqing Provincial Investigation Bureau.

“Ma Cheng,” Zhang Ze greeted him politely.

Ma Cheng smiled and said, “Actually, I’d heard your name even before I started working in Anqing Province.”

That flattered Zhang Ze—it’s always nice to have a bit of fame.

Seeing his reaction, Ma Cheng explained with a smile, “That fallen investigator you discovered was actually one of our team’s people.”

At the mention of the deceased, Zhang Ze’s expression grew more serious.

“This place is too stifling. Care for a chat?” Ma Cheng offered, his interest piqued for some reason.

Zhang Ze, unfamiliar with Ma Cheng, hesitated for a moment before agreeing. “Alright.”

The two took the elevator up to the hospital rooftop.

…

“You must have attended the provincial martial arts academy exchange since you’re in Nanye City, right?” Ma Cheng made casual conversation in the elevator.

Zhang Ze didn’t hide anything, smiling as he replied, “Yes, I was lucky enough to participate. If all goes well, I should be able to enter the Martial Bureau in September.”

“That’s great.”

Ding—

Before they could chat much further, the elevator doors opened. The hospital’s upper floors were high, and stepping out, they were immediately greeted by a strong wind.

At that moment, Zhang Ze and Ma Cheng noticed a woman sitting at the edge of the rooftop.

Having watched too many melodramatic dramas in his past life, Zhang Ze immediately assumed she was about to jump.

Without thinking, he shouted, “Miss, don’t do anything rash!”

Even as he called out, he dashed toward the edge.

It was purely an instinctive reaction!

…

“Are you mentally ill or something?” The young woman, having turned around, scolded him softly before he could reach her.

She stood up and walked away from the edge, coming over to Zhang Ze and Ma Cheng. Rolling her eyes at Zhang Ze, she said, “Who says sitting on the rooftop means you’re about to jump?”

With that, she left, leaving Zhang Ze awkward and embarrassed.

Not jumping—just sitting at the edge? Wasn’t that a waste of my concern?

He forced a laugh toward Ma Cheng, but before he could speak, his phone rang urgently in his pocket.

Seeing Huang Ming’s name on the screen, Zhang Ze was puzzled.

“Hello?”

“Ze, have you heard from Chaozi lately?”

Only then did Zhang Ze recall that, since Wang Chao last visited him at the martial arts academy, they’d had no contact. It had been more than half a month since Wang Chao disappeared.

After hanging up, Zhang Ze couldn’t help but worry.

…

But with Ma Cheng beside him, he didn’t show any sign of concern.

“You didn’t know that girl just now, did you?” Ma Cheng asked, sensing Zhang Ze’s distraction.

Zhang Ze frowned and shook his head. “I’ve only just arrived in Nanning. Who could I possibly know here?”

“That was Xia Minmin, a fairly well-known celebrity from Beijiang Province.”

Zhang Ze wasn’t interested, so he didn’t react. Only when he recalled the gossip from earlier did he ask, “Ma Cheng, do you know anything about Bright Investment?”

Surprised by the question, Ma Cheng’s eyes flickered with meaning before he smiled. After a moment, he answered, “Ask any resident of Nanye City—there’s no one who doesn’t know Bright Investment.”

Zhang Ze grew curious. “Is Bright Investment related to Chen Hao?”

“That’s his father’s company—what do you think?”

“Heh.” Zhang Ze chuckled. “So those guys weren’t lying to me after all. But what’s the connection between Bright Investment and Dan Medicine Company in Beijiang Province?”

Ma Cheng fell silent.