Back To The 80s-Chapter 118 - 117: Scheme_1

Chi Xiaoyue was a bit annoyed, she gathered her courage and said, "Do you have any complaints about me?"

Upon seeing Chi Xiaoyue’s direct approach, Cheng Qijia breathed a sigh of relief and replied, "Dr. Chi, you’ve misunderstood. I just don’t have any plans to settle down yet."

Chi Xiaoyue felt embarrassed. She couldn’t say anything else after he rejected her so bluntly. Her face fell as she turned around and walked into the courtyard of the health team.

Just as Gu Xiaobei, Qin Li, and Jiujiu entered, they saw Lu Zhanguo dressing impeccably, presumably preparing to go out.

"Are you leaving?" Gu Xiaobei asked, though feeling it was superfluous to do so.

"Yes, I’ve just received an order for an emergency mission." Lu Zhanguo secured his combat belt around his waist, put on his hat and prepared to leave.

Gu Xiaobei was a bit nervy and worried, she hesitatingly asked, "Will it be dangerous?"

Lu Zhanguo glanced at the other people in the room, and looked deeply into Gu Xiaobei’s eyes, "Just stay at home and wait for my return!"

Without looking back, he ran downstairs. As soon as Lu Zhanguo left, Gu Xiaobei seemed dispirited. Seeing the concerned looks from Qin Li, Chen Gang, and Jiujiu, she forced a smile and said, "Chen Gang, you two kids squeeze onto the small bed tonight." Fortunately, the bed wasn’t too narrow, at about one meter wide. It was suitable for the two kids.

Chen Gang sensed Gu Xiaobei’s downheartedness and quietly took Jiujiu to wash up.

Qin Li tried to comfort her, "Sister Xiaobei, don’t worry too much. Lu Zhanguo is very capable. He’ll definitely be okay."

Gu Xiaobei tried to reassure herself too, but couldn’t help but recall Wen Dong’s sacrifice, leaving her with a nagging unease in her heart.

Because Lu Zhanguo was on a mission, Qin Li naturally had more reason to stay.

Gao Dailin in T City now felt uneasy. He knew he was completely exposed to national security and the police. The only reason they hadn’t acted was to bait out the big fish behind him.

Ling Yun, with a solemn expression, watched Gao Dailin pacing anxiously and complained, "You’d better think of a solution quickly. These cultural relics are a ticking time bomb in our hands."

"What solution could there be? The reason they aren’t making a move isn’t because they don’t know the cultural relics are with us; they’re confident that the relics are in T City and aren’t going anywhere. In the meantime, they can investigate who’s really backing us," responded Gao Dailin, after taking a deep drag from his cigarette, sighing.

"Didn’t you follow Lu Zhanguo and Gu Xiaobei to a hotel where they met with national security personnel? Why don’t we orchestrate an accident for that kid to distract their attention?" suggested Ling Yun viciously.

"That kid is just a decoy to draw our attention. Who knows how many people he has working behind the scenes! We don’t need to get involved with a murder case right now." Gao Dailin huffed.

"Do you think there might be a mole among us?" Ling Yun speculated.

"Who do you suspect? It’s only the few of us here. Do you think any of them is capable?" Gao Dailin scoffed.

"What about Jin Cheng? He has been absent from T City for several years, have you checked him out?" Ling Yun proposed, her inquisitive nature taking over.

"I’ve checked. That kid always wanted to make a name for himself to impress his family, but he’s too naive and is easily duped. After drifting around several provinces and finding life too hard, he finally came back." Gao Dailin showed no regard for this trust-fund kid.

"How about involving Jin Cheng in smuggling the relics?" Ling Yun offered.

"You’re making sense. But Jin Cheng is lazy, we’ll need to find weak spots to manipulate him." Gao Dailin admitted Jin Cheng wouldn’t be as easy to command as Li Hao just by offering money. He’d have to think through it carefully.

Suddenly more worried, Ling Yun prompted, "That Li Hao, his drug addiction is getting out of hand. Asking for money every few days. You figure out a solution. Useless people like him, get rid of them as soon as possible. It’s one less risk."

"Let’s keep him for now, he’ll be useful in time. If we drive him away now, he’ll make a scene every day, which would be more trouble," Gao Dailin’s eyes gleamed with cunning, forming a plan in his mind.

Lately, Shen Heng was also troubled. Chu Dabiao’s wife, who was under house arrest awaiting trial, had committed suicide at home. The thread he was about to unravel had tangled up again.

For Jin Cheng’s safety, Shen Heng felt it was inappropriate to visit him these days. He thought of a plan but dismissed it instantly, considering it too underhanded. Despite his dismissal, the idea nagged at him, pushing its way back to the forefront of his mind.

He was planning to visit Gu Xiaobei when Yuan Tan showed up again. She was carrying a large tote bag, giving the impression of a long stay.

"Brother Shen, I’m planning to find a job in T City," Yuan Tan declared, slightly upset at Shen Heng’s surprised reaction at her arrival.

"Haven’t you given up yet? If you keep this up, I’ll have to call Aunt Yuan and send you back." Shen Heng was a little angry.

"Give up? No chance. My mother agreed to me coming here this time, and my father even supported my decision to take part in the development of our Northwest region," Yuan Tan said, smugly.

Shen Heng sneeringly said, "I suppose they don’t know you’re here pestering Lu Zhanguo."

"Hmph, don’t make it sound like I can’t live without him, I just want to annoy Gu Xiaobei," retorted Yuan Tan reluctantly.

"Well, feel free to do as you wish, but make sure you don’t end up being the one bother," Shen Heng said, gloating.

"I’m going over there tomorrow, are you coming or not?" asked Yuan Tan casually.

"Sure, I’m in the mood for some braised pork cooked by sister-in-law. Remember, you’re buying the meat since we’re visiting tomorrow. It won’t do to freeload all the time," Shen Heng teased.

Yuan Tan pouted, "Fine, I’ll buy it. But quit nagging."

...

Gu Xiaobei escorted Chen Gang and Jiujiu to the army barracks, reminding Chen Gang, "When your farm work is over, remember to come for remedial lessons. You’re already eleven years old and only in third grade. If you can skip grades, you’ll finish school earlier, right?"

Chen Gang nodded, considering it would be his 20th birthday by the time he would apply for university after two years of primary school, three of middle school and three of high school.

Gu Xiaobei continued, "Alright, you adjust your schedule. When it’s time for remedial lessons, you can lodge with Jiujiu. This way, Jiujiu won’t miss home too much."

Looking at the departing figures of Chen Gang and Jiujiu, Qin Li commented, "Wow, you’re acting like a mom now. If you love it so much, why not have a baby yourself?"

Gu Xiaobei shot her a look and said, "You had better prepare a big red envelope."

"Don’t worry, I’ll definitely give a big red envelope, but I want the child to recognize me as the godmother," Qin Li proudly responded.

"Aren’t you embarrassed? Who’s going to be the godfather?" Gu Xiaobei squinted, teasing Qin Li.

Qin Li pouted, "Sister Xiaobei, do you have to hit where it hurts?"

Gu Xiaobei snorted through her nose, "Keep reminding you, and you’ll get used to the pain."

Qin Li wasn’t upset, she chuckled and fell silent.

As the two entered the barracks, someone was heard shouting, "Sister Xiaobei"

Gu Xiaobei turned around and found it was Li Hao and Liu Cuicui. The entrance of the barracks wasn’t a place for a conversation, nor did Gu Xiaobei feel inclined to invite Li Hao and Liu Cuicui into her home.

She walked out again with Qin Li, directly leading the pair to the side of the road.

Seeing Li Hao looking as haggard as a ghost, Gu Xiaobei was taken aback; how had he ended up in such a state? She asked Liu Cuicui, "Why did you two come here?"