Chapter 612: After failing one, you can’t fail a second one.
Zhongli Wuzhi hung up the phone, his gaze still heavy as it lingered ahead.
The gas form of sedatives unique to M country was tricky because, once vaporized in the air, it left no trace.
Thus, even though both Song Jing and Chinian possessed such things, there was no way to prove that the two had actually used them.
Once the courtroom trial began, the judge wouldn’t experience it personally like he had, so Song Jing’s tactics were indeed clever.
But compared to time, there were two people with even more brilliant schemes.
The princess and prince of M country, siblings Chinian and Chiluo, seemed to have teamed up from the very beginning, and their purpose in coming to G country was traceable.
Despite his people failing to figure out who tampered with the hotel guest registration information, there was no need to investigate further at this point.
He didn’t believe that Lu Xiaoer would tell Song Jing about their arranged meeting at the Kasi Hotel that night, especially not with details as specific as the room number.
But he... he had indeed told Chinian everything.
Right down to the Kasi Hotel, even the scheduled time.
Should Chinian wish to extract Lu Xiaoer’s hotel check-in records from Kasi Hotel, it might seem improbable, but given that she was the princess of M country and her brother was Prince Chiluo, it wouldn’t be difficult to look into.
One could only imagine how aggrieved and distressed Zhongli Wuzhi felt at this moment.
He had been thoroughly duped by Chinian; beneath that innocent and pure appearance was a convoluted and fathomless mind, impossible to see through to the end.
It was he... who brought such a dangerous person in proximity to Xiaoer, and he who let danger come upon Xiaoer.
No amount of protection he had provided before could match the harm done this time.
The car was very quiet, all the windows shut tight. He could clearly recall the words Song Lili had said to him,
"This matter, from beginning to end, has no right or wrong, and she doesn’t want to dwell on who’s right or who’s wrong. She just wants to live her life and continue being the straightforward, free-spirited Lu Xiaoer that she is."
Straightforward, carefree, following her own desires – that Lu Xiaoer...
Yes, that’s the real Lu Xiaoer.
Fearless and brave, independent, unique – that Lu Xiaoer.
---
With the urgency from above concerning the case between Song Jing and Lu Xiaoer, Minister Lu was obviously not planning to follow normal procedures. He wanted Song Jing to be dealt with swiftly, unable to stand another day.
The trial date was set for April 15th.
This was also ten days after Zhongli Yuting’s birthday banquet.
Lu Xiaoer, who had just recovered from a serious illness, had been recuperating at home for quite some time, almost getting too lax from lying in bed so much.
"Xiaoer?"
Minister Lu saw Lu Xiaoer dressed and carrying a shoulder bag, as if she were going out, and promptly stood up from the living room sofa.
The staff from the intelligence department present also put down their work.
Xiaoer felt somewhat guilty seeing her father bring people home to work,
"Dad, you can go to work. I’m all better now, really."
Lu Xiaoer said as she came downstairs, then she deeply bowed to the staff members gathered around the coffee table,
"I’m sorry, uncles and aunties."
"Xiaoer, it’s okay, working here or anywhere else is the same. The important thing is that you’re safe."
Said a middle-aged lady who had worked alongside her father for many years.
Xiaoer’s guilt was difficult to diminish,
"In the future, please don’t listen to my father anymore. I’m really fine now, and if you continue to trouble yourselves by coming to our house to work, Xiaoer will really feel very apologetic."
Minister Lu’s colleagues looked at how charming and docile Lu Xiaoer was and all took a liking to her.
"Xiaoer, are you heading out now?"
Minister Lu asked, puzzled.
"Yeah, I’ve been cooped up at home for so long I feel like I’m about to grow mold. The weather is good today so I thought I’d go out for a spin."
"Where do you want to go? Daddy will accompany you!"
Minister Lu, putting aside his work, was ready to go out with Lu Xiaoer. Seeing her father’s anxious expression, Xiaoer didn’t know whether to laugh or cry,
"Dad!"
"What, what is it? Or is it somewhere... where daddy can’t go? It’s okay, daddy can be your driver and wait for you."
Minister Lu quickly interjected, seemingly afraid that she might come up with an excuse not to take him along.
"I’m really okay,"
Lu Xiaoer took a deep breath, walked up to Minister Lu, and looked at him seriously,
"You focus on your work. You’ve already wasted a lot of time and effort taking care of me during this period, dad."
"Xiaoer, I’m just worried about you..."
Minister Lu pursed his lips,
"In that case, have Ah Xuan accompany you for a spin. Ah Xuan, drop all the work at home, and your task today is to accompany the young lady out to have a good stroll and relax."
"Yes, master! I’ll change clothes and be right there!"
Ah Xuan immediately responded.
Xiaoer looked at Minister Lu helplessly. She really just wanted some quiet time to herself. But on second thought... in order to let her father rest easy, she didn’t say anything more and let Ah Xuan follow.
"Will you be back for lunch?"
"No. I want to check out the new oceanarium in the morning, Ah Xuan and I will eat out at noon, and then I’ll go shopping in the afternoon. It’s been so long since I last went shopping properly."
"Good, good, buy plenty."
"Dad, will you give me your card?"
"Here, here!" Minister Lu said while taking out a gold card from his pocket and handing it to Lu Xiaoer.
Lu Xiaoer didn’t hesitate to take the card,
"And I want to stop by the hospital on the way."
Xiaoer took the initiative to inform everyone about her plans to go out for the day.
"Going to the hospital?"
"Yes, I’d like to explain the situation to the dean thoroughly. Even if I resign, I can’t just leave without saying anything," Xiaoer said.
Lu Yonghuai was taken aback again.
"You... want to resign?"
"Anyway, I don’t want to stay at Anlin Hospital any longer; it’s uncomfortable," she said with a smile.
Lu Yonghuai quickly nodded, "Yes, if you don’t want to stay, then don’t. Indeed, feeling comfortable is the most important thing. From now on, just stay at home, Daddy will support you!"
Xiaoer chuckled softly, but this chuckle made Lu Yonghuai wary.
"What’s the matter?"
"You go ahead with your work, I’ll explain more when I come back later."
Xiaoer appeared relaxed as if it wasn’t a matter of importance, but Lu Yonghuai was quite uneasy at this moment.
What kind of plan is this girl thinking up now?
"Ah Xuan, are you ready yet? I’m not waiting for you!"
"Miss, I’m coming right now!"
Ah Xuan hurried out. She was a bit older than Xiaoer and had come to work for the Lu Family with her mother.
"Uncle, Auntie, you guys go ahead with your work, I won’t disturb you any longer! Remember to stay at home for dinner later!" said Xiaoer to her uncles and aunties.
"Xiaoer, just go out and take it easy, don’t worry about us."
After greeting the family, Xiaoer and Ah Xuan went out together.
The porch door closed.
Lu Yonghuai stood there, watching the direction of the door, his face full of concern.
Most of those seated could relate to Lu Yonghuai’s mood, being parents themselves.
Xiaoer’s issue had been kept under tight wraps, but there are no walls in the world that do not let some news through, so privately, the word had already spread quite a bit.
Lu Yonghuai was angry about it, but there was nothing he could do. A thousand people, a thousand mouths. What the truth was, there would be no need to explain anymore after the court session. Everyone would know then.
"Looking at Xiaoer, she seems to have regained her spirits well, Minister Lu, you really don’t need to worry too much."
Someone was consoling Lu Yonghuai, and the others began to chime in agreement.
Lu Yonghuai nodded.
"By the way, when exactly is the case going to be heard?"
"The day after tomorrow."
Lu Yonghuai didn’t hide it.
"At that time, let’s all go and see what kind of fate that reckless person will meet!"
"Yes, let’s go together!"
Lu Yonghuai pursed his lips and didn’t object.
After all, now many people were coming up with wildly exaggerated speculations about the incident Xiaoer had encountered. Allowing the court to judge the case openly was also the best opportunity to reveal the truth of the matter.
———
On the other side, the relationship between Chinian and Zhongli Wuzhi hadn’t broken off.
In fact... their relationship was continuing to progress.
Zhongli Wuzhi had made the right choice, which filled Chinian with joy.
——I still don’t understand to this day, if there was a misunderstanding between you and Lu Xiaoer, why didn’t you clear it up? Do you... really not like Lu Xiaoer anymore?
At the cafe, this was the first time Zhongli Wuzhi and Chinian had met in the past ten days.
Although they had exchanged many messages frequently during these ten days.
But there were some things Chinian still wanted to ask Zhongli Wuzhi face to face.
Looking into his eyes, at his expression, she could determine if his responses were true or false.
"Why you? Aren’t you mad at me? At my father’s birthday banquet, I deliberately ignored you, deliberately misunderstood you. Why do you still want to marry me?"
Zhongli Wuzhi countered with a question instead of answering.
——I know your feelings for Lu Xiaoer are deep, and I know that you’ve been through a lot with her. Those are things I can’t compare with.
——If you choose her, then I wish you the best, but if you and she have come to an end, then I will hold onto you firmly.
——You’ve only known Xiaoer for a few years, but if you marry me, I’ll have you for decades.
Chinian was still Chinian, her appearance, her character, even the speed at which she typed had not changed.
In front of him, her face was full of shyness and nervousness, yet... she moved forward with courage.
Her acting was so good, perfectly portraying a woman who, despite her shy nature, was striving for love, being strong for love, evoking pity and touching people’s hearts.
She really had men’s psychology figured out all too well.
——Now it’s your turn. Isn’t it about time... for you to answer my question?
Zhongli Wuzhi pursed his lips.
"The misunderstanding between Lu Xiaoer and myself can’t be resolved."
——Why not?
"I’ve hurt her too deeply; she’s given up on me, and I don’t want to make any more effort," Zhongli Wuzhi said indifferently. "Compared to her, you, I can still make amends."
Chinian’s eyes widened slightly, she looked at Zhongli Wuzhi in surprise,
——So, this time, can I assume you’ve truly... made up your mind?