How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Guo Zixing appeared as if from heaven, just in time to solve Qingru's urgent problem.

Mr. Song's expression suddenly changed. He stood up, his composure waning, and said sternly, "Young Master Guo, what is the meaning of this? My Song family has always been law-abiding and never caused trouble. Are you trying to show the people of the city how powerful you are by bringing the police to our door?"

Guo Zixing remained unaffected and laughed, "What are you saying? Does my Marshal's Mansion not care about the people in the city? I'm just here to visit you, old man. What, are you not welcome?"

"Oh? Is this kind of visitation still possible nowadays?" Old Master Song asked, looking at the police officers who were holding guns.

Guo Zixing scoffed, "Zhang Xun."

Zhang Xun stepped forward and handed over a box.

"Here, this is some top-quality eye-brightening and mind-calming cake. It'll help you calm down. You're getting on in years, so don't be so stubborn."

He kept calling him "old man" and saying that Master Song was getting old, how could he tolerate that?

In this city, the only one who can make Master Song bow down is Commander Guo.

He was unconvinced. "If Young Master Guo is this domineering at every door, then I really need to ask Commander Guo for advice and see if this is a new rule in the city?"

Guo Zixing didn't want to get entangled with him, so he said, "I recently took office as the police chief. You know, a new broom sweeps clean, and I have to take charge of everything. I just heard that your family is holding someone's daughter and won't return her. What's going on?"

Master Song remained calm and composed. "Young Master Guo has misunderstood. I was merely inviting my father-in-law and sister-in-law to stay at home."

Guo Zixing was stunned. "What?"

"It seems that Young Master Guo is unaware that Lu Jiayanru is my sixth wife. To be honest, Lu Peijun and Miss Lu are not my proper in-laws, but it is because my sixth wife is favored that I am willing to give her some extra attention."

Guo Zixing looked at Qingru. What was this?

Qingru shook her head slightly; she couldn't explain it clearly in a moment.

Guo Zixing persisted, "Really? That's unheard of. You keep claiming to be from the Yue family, but it seems they don't really acknowledge you."

“That’s right, I won’t agree. I will never marry into the Song family.”

"Master Song, forced melons are never sweet. Please be lenient."

Master Song beamed, "Whether you acknowledge it or not, the fact remains. Who knows, Yanru might already be carrying a child of the Song family?"

Everyone's expression changed drastically, especially Qingru and the other two. They didn't know what was going on with Yanru, or why Master Song and Young Master Song both recognized the child in Yanru's womb.

Guo Zixing suddenly seemed to remember something and burst out laughing. "Hehe, Mr. Song, if I remember correctly, Miss Lü was a wanted criminal last year, wasn't she? I only issued the statement revoking her warrant today. So, what about your story of harboring a fugitive and raping a young girl?"

Master Song's face finally cracked. Oh right, how could he have forgotten about this?

Guo Zixing remained unfazed, seemingly unaware of Master Song's change in expression. "I request an explanation from Master Song regarding this matter. Harboring a criminal is blatantly breaking the law and opposing the Marshal's Mansion."

Although Master Song was not completely panicked, he was still embarrassed by being questioned in public.

The two faced off, neither willing to give in.

Ultimately, it was Master Song's businessman nature that made him want to maximize his profits, so he took a step back and said, "Young Master Guo, if you can help the Lü family reunite, I will be happy to do so, after all, they are my family."

If you've come today to interrogate me, then please escort me, Song, to the Marshal's residence for questioning by the Marshal himself. While I did risk taking in an old friend's daughter, it was only out of consideration for our past relationship. If the Marshal holds me accountable for this, I accept it. After all, standing up for a friend is my principle.”

"Hmph," Lü Peijun snorted coldly. This bullshit principle, it sounds so nice.

Guo Zixing knew that once was enough, twice was not enough; today he could only choose one of the two options.

"Alright, I, Guo Zixing, also like to help others achieve their goals. I would also appreciate it if Mr. Song could invite Miss Lü Er out so that I could also witness this happy reunion."

Master Song gave a wink, and the butler understood immediately, quietly taking Yanru over.

"What exactly happened?" Yan Ru asked, frowning.

"You'll see when you get there." The butler came to pick them up personally, without asking anyone else to help.

Yan Ru was filled with anxiety, wondering what Master Song was up to, and what if he was trying to force her...

Yan Ru brandished the dagger in her bosom; she was determined not to give in.

"Dad?!" As soon as Yan Ru got out of the sedan chair, she saw a figure she could hardly believe.

Lu Peijun was also filled with emotion, anger and resentment, but also heartache.

"walk home."

Yan Ru was both surprised and delighted, having no idea what had happened.

"What exactly is going on...?" She wanted to ask what was going on, but seeing the large number of people present, she decided to suppress her questions for now.

“Okay, Dad, Sister, let’s go home.” Yan Ru put away the dagger in her bosom and stood behind Lü Peijun.

Master Song was very unwilling. Since Yan Ru came into the room, she hadn't even glanced at him. So he spoke again, "Yan Ru, look at your father and sister. They're so worried about you. They might think I've been mistreating you."

Yan Ru wiped away her tears and bowed gently. "Thank you so much for taking care of me during this time, Master Song. I have already given you my thanks. I will repay you for anything else another day."

Yan Ru was referring to a piece of jade pendant she had given away, a piece of jade pendant that was priceless. Therefore, Yan Ru believed that she had already repaid the favor.

Master Song was furious. He knew that Yan Ru was heartless, but his frequent confinement of her during this period of time had probably hurt her feelings.

But to give up such a delicate and beautiful woman so easily was still hard for Master Song to accept.

If it weren't for Guo Zixing watching him closely, he would never have given in no matter what.

Lu Peijun blocked Yan Ru from watching, saying, "Master Song, when I asked you for help, I already gave you money to buy my daughter's life. That was enough. Now... I don't want to say anything more. The grudges between us are settled. Please be careful about my daughter's reputation and don't say anything bad about her outside."

Master Song was furious when he heard this. Was Lü Peijun trying to completely sever ties with Yan Ru?

Good, very good. When I needed to protect Brother Song, he was now out of prison and no longer needed me. So he became Master Song.

"Hmph, of course I will protect them."

Guo Zixing, however, had no desire to hear any more of these lawsuits. Seeing that the person had been found, he prepared to leave with them.

"Alright, Master Song, I've troubled you all today. Let's talk again another day. Farewell." After saying this, Guo Zixing called for his men to leave.

Mr. Song looked displeased, but he still saw the person to the door.

On the way back, for some reason, Yanru felt uneasy, as if something had gone against her expectations.

Lu Peijun kept a cold face the whole way. Yan Ru wanted to say that her luggage was still at the Song family's house, but seeing Lu's father's expression, she didn't say anything in the end. Well, she decided to let Song Yuanliang get it back for her, since her family's heirloom jade pendant was there.

Lu Peijun returned home, got out of the car, and went straight to his yard. Seeing him like this, Yan Ru felt even more uneasy; she had a feeling that something was going to happen today.

Lu Peijun came out shortly after entering the room. He placed a photo of Lu's mother on the table and questioned Yan Ru.

"Who is this?"

Yan Ru's heart skipped a beat. Had her father found out about what happened at the Song residence?

Not daring to look at Lü's father's face, Yan Ru knelt down with a thud, and Qing Ru also knelt down quickly.

Lu Peijun was furious and disappointed in Yan Ru. She slapped her and said, "Fine, fine, my good daughter. What's going on between you and the Song family father and son?"

Yan Ru was knocked to the side by the blow, tears streaming down her face.

She collapsed upon hearing this; her father knew, her father finally knew…

"I…"

She couldn't bring herself to say it. How could she say it? That she was dirty and confused? That she had no moral compass and had been with two different fathers and sons? That she was weak and incompetent, only wanting to depend on others?

No, she couldn't say it, even if it were all true, because once she said it, she would despise herself.

Seeing Yan Ru remain silent, Lü Peijun laughed angrily, "Fine, fine, you've really grown some guts! Fine, since you're so worthless, then you may go with your father!"