Back To The 80s-Chapter 41: Explosion_1

After setting up Chen Qiumei back home, Gu Xiaobei headed home by bus without having dinner first. He was really irritated, Gu Xiaodong was just messing with him.

When he arrived home, he found Lu Zhanguo sitting on the sofa, looking serious and stern. "Is there a problem?" asked an apprehensive Gu Xiaobei.

"No problem, why did you come back so soon? Have you had dinner?" Lu Zhanguo asked, hiding his worries.

"No, I haven’t. My mom is alright, I don’t understand why my brother wanted me to go see her," muttered Gu Xiaobei.

"Would you like some noodles?" asked Lu Zhanguo.

"Sure. On my way back, I saw many people and police officers around Building 4. What happened?" Gu Xiaobei loudly asked Lu Zhanguo while changing in the bedroom.

Lu Zhanguo came out of the kitchen to answer, "Apparently, a gas cylinder exploded in someone’s home. Fortunately, no one was home at the time."

"That’s terrifying, gas cylinders don’t explode if they’re not being used and not exposed to an open flame." Gu Xiaobei was curious.

Lu Zhanguo gazed at Gu Xiaobei with admiration; she always had a knack for focusing on the important details.

"The police are investigating the incident," said Lu Zhanguo, who had noticed that he was being followed on his way back all the way to the apartment complex entrance. No sooner had he entered his home than he heard the explosion from the neighboring building.

He couldn’t help but think that it might have been an attack targeted at him. He didn’t tell Gu Xiaobei, not wanting to worry or scare her.

With her back against the door and watching Lu Zhanguo roll out noodles, Gu Xiaobei found him incredibly handsome. She also casually discussed work with him.

"You’re saying it’s possible that a running car hauling things wouldn’t make a sound?" Gu Xiaobei voiced her doubt to Lu Zhanguo.

"That’s impossible. And remember, don’t spill everything at work and give those with ulterior motives a chance to exploit it," advised Lu Zhanguo.

"Okay, don’t worry. My work rule is ’two more, one less’: listen more, do more, talk less," Gu Xiaobei giggled confidently.

Lu Zhanguo finished rolling out the noodles, stir-fried some green onions, boiled the noodles, and then sprinkled some spinach leaves on top.

Gu Xiaobei was very satisfied, in an era like this, being able to eat white rice and noodles every day was indeed a blessing.

Gu Xiaodong stood at the riverbank, his face gloomy, berating a short, stout man standing beside him: "How can your men be so stupid? They were tailing Lu Zhanguo but bombed the wrong building. How could you let Lu Zhanguo notice your men following him? Not only did we blow up the wrong building, but we’ve also raised Lu Zhanguo’s suspicion. It’ll be harder for us to find another opportunity."

"Brother Gu, should we try it again in a few days?" suggested the short, stout man.

"Are you kidding? If you don’t want to die, stay out of the picture for a while. And the man who was following Lu Zhanguo should stay away. He always remembers faces he has seen," Gu Xiaodong fumed, his face pale from frustration. He planned to teach Lu Zhanguo a lesson using Gu Xiaobei as a distraction, but the plan had completely fallen apart.

"Okay, Brother Gu, just call us when you need us," the stout man said, nodding and bowing.

"Alright, go home now and don’t search for me proactively," Gu Xiaodong ordered before turning to leave.

When Gu Xiaobei woke up early in the morning, she was surprised to see Lu Zhanguo preparing porridge in the kitchen. Curiously, she asked, "Are you not going to the meeting today? Are you resting?"

"There’s something I need to handle, so I’ll go a little later," replied Lu Zhanguo, after turning off the stove. "Go wash up, and have breakfast. I’ll drop you off at work before I leave."

"That’s nice." Gu Xiaobei cheerfully rushed to get ready.

After breakfast, Lu Zhanguo dropped Gu Xiaobei off at work before slowly driving to meet Shen Heng, without noticing anyone suspicious on his way.

"You’re saying someone’s been following you?" Shen Heng questioned, barely able to believe it.

Lu Zhanguo nodded, "Can you help me look into the explosion in my complex? It’s not convenient for me to inquire directly."

"Alright, are you suspecting Gu Xiaodong?" Signalizing Lu Zhanguo a cigarette, Shen Heng asked as he lit one for himself.

"Gu Xiaodong seems to suspect that the complaint against him in the military zone was my doing." Lu Zhanguo analyzed.

"Gu Xiaodong is becoming increasingly desperate, but he won’t be so lucky next time if something like this happens again," Shen Heng declared placidly.

"You have been here for a while now, are you going to take action?" asked Lu Zhanguo methodically.

"Yes, the net is being cast. I estimate we can reel it in in two or three months," confidently replied Shen Heng.

"How about the matter I mentioned last time?" Lu Zhanguo asked Shen Heng.

"It’s all arranged. You are now a model husband. But I must remind you, if something happens to Gu Xiaodong, Mother Lu will certainly not approve of your wife. Seriously consider how to protect your wife when that time comes."

As longtime family friends, Shen Heng grew up with Lu Zhanguo and knew Mother Lu’s way of handling matters very well.

Furrowing his brows, Lu Zhangou assured, "I’ll handle it when the time comes."

Shortly after Gu Xiaobei arrived at the office, Gao Dailin introduced another young man into their ranks. In his early 20s, he sported a floral shirt, bell-bottoms, and a flat-top haircut. He had a fair complexion and slightly upturned peach blossom eyes. He would have been quite handsome if it weren’t for his garish attire.

Gao Dailin called everyone together for an introduction, "This here is Jin Cheng. He will be the director of our office from now on. Everyone, please listen to Director Jin’s instructions."

Then, he ingratiatingly told Jin Cheng, "Jin Cheng, you can sit next to Gu Xiaobei. If there’s anything you’re not happy with, you can call me directly."

Jin Cheng, in a nonchalant tone, answered, "What does it matter if I’m satisfied? It’s my father who has to be pleased, right?" He then sat down next to Gu Xiaobei.

Shaking his head helplessly, Gao Dailin announced, "That’s all. Everyone, get back to work." He shot a look at Jin Cheng before walking away.

Jin Cheng, turned towards Gu Xiaobei and began tapping on the table, "Hey, so you’re Gu Xiaobei. I suppose your siblings are Gu Xiaodong, Gu Xiaonan, and Gu Xiaoxi?"

Gu Xiaobei rolled her eyes at him without responding, figuring he must be a second-generation rich kid.

Seeing that Gu Xiaobei ignored him, he snatched the documents she was reading from her hands, "How can you be so impolite? Can’t you see I’m talking to you?"

"Give it back to me," Gu Xiaobei snapped.

"What if I don’t? You’re a good-looking young lady, but your temper isn’t very good," Jin Cheng retorted provocatively.

Gu Xiaobei grabbed a cup from the table and splashed the water at Jin Cheng’s face.

"What do you think you’re doing?" Jin Cheng jumped up. Ling Yun quickly stepped in to pull Gu Xiaobei away, sternly saying, "Enough, both of you stop making a scene during work hours!"

Jin Cheng shook the water off his face, pointed at Gu Xiaobei and said, "Okay girl, you just wait and see."

Gu Xiaobei stood up straight, her small face stern, glaring at Jin Cheng, "I’m waiting, I would like to see you try to move heaven and earth."

Outside of the office, Ling Yun pulled Gu Xiaobei aside to console her, "Why bother engaging with him? Don’t let him get to you."

Gu Xiaobei, still angered, responded, "Who told him to provoke me?"