How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

"Hey, today's newspaper isn't like what you said." Zhang Yan slammed the food box on the table and handed over a newspaper.

Qingru quickly put down the comb and took it to look at.

"Good news! The young master of the Marshal's Mansion and Miss Zheng from the Zheng Mansion have a joyful reunion with Jin Anna."

The eye-catching, bold headline was followed by a black-and-white photo of a man in a cloak carrying a woman as they prepare to get into a car.

The photo shows the person's back, but they are wearing a police uniform and a hat. Even with only half their face visible, they are still very noticeable, because you can't find anyone else in the city dressed like that except for Guo Zixing.

The photo was taken very well; from this angle, it looked like a couple cuddling together, seemingly whispering sweet nothings and reluctant to part, while the man seemed impatient, getting into the car with a hint of eagerness.

Even though she knew the two had been drugged, Qingru was still furious.

With a "thud," Qingru slammed the newspaper on the table, her chest heaving, unable to calm down for a long time.

Seeing this, Lü Peijun also picked up the newspaper and read it over and over.

"That didn't happen."

Qingru came to her senses and slowly sat down at the dining table. Lü Peijun handed her a bowl of porridge, saying, "Miss Zhang Yan bought this early this morning, so please give her face and eat a few more bites."

On the table was a plate of fried dough sticks, a few tea eggs, and a pot of thin porridge. Qingru was already hungry, so upon hearing this, she had no choice but to eat first.

Why wasn't yesterday's event mentioned in the newspaper?

"There's no time to learn it. The event happened so suddenly that it's impossible to write, review, print, and distribute the manuscript to various places overnight."

Qingru felt uneasy and lost her appetite.

"Dad, I want to go back to the police station first. I need to figure out what's going on. Otherwise, it's really unpleasant to be kept in the dark all this time."

"Let's eat first, and we'll talk about it after we finish eating." Lu Peijun didn't really want Qingru to get involved in these matters, but Qingru's concerns were also very reasonable. At least at the police station, they could get the information first. Always staying at home and making decisions behind closed doors would only make them fall far behind.

Guo Zixing arrived at the door before the breakfast was even finished.

“Qingru, Uncle Lü.” Guo Zixing was about to explain, but when he turned around he saw Lü Peijun.

Qingru turned her back and did not answer, but Lü Peijun could not pretend that she had not heard.

"Please take a seat."

Guo Zixing sat down nervously, his eyes fixed on Qingru. Seeing her downcast expression, he guessed how much last night's events had affected her.

After finishing her meal, Lü Peijun wiped her mouth and asked, "Director Guo, you must already know about what happened at the Zheng family last night, right?"

Guo Zixing became serious. "I know. Last night... I was ambushed and didn't have time to react. But this morning I immediately asked Zhang Xun. The Zheng family suffered a lot of losses."

This isn't the place to talk, but a smart person doesn't need to go into details; with just a few words, Lü Peijun probably guessed what was going on.

"How were the guests last night?"

"Many returned, but very few stayed with the Zheng family."

"is it serious?"

"The Director's wife..."

The people at the table fell silent.

Just then, Zhang Yan returned from delivering food to Grandma Zhang and found it strange that a group of people at the table were not saying anything. However, with Guo Zixing present, she did not dare to be as unrestrained as she had been the day before.

After Qingru finished eating, the group said their goodbyes.

Before leaving, Lü Peijun gave Zhang Yan all the money he had on him, about ten silver dollars, which was enough for the father and daughter's room fee.

After sending Lü Peijun back to the Lü family home, Qingru sat in the car in silence with Guo Zixing.

Guo Zixing glanced at Qingru and drove the car into the suburbs.

"Qingru..."

Aren't you going to the Zheng family's house?

Guo Zixing was about to explain when Qingru interrupted him. He looked at Qingru, who had a completely calm expression.

"What happened yesterday was an accident, I..."

"No need to say anything, I understand," Qingru said calmly. "Company Zheng held a banquet to celebrate his new concubine, and most of the wives and families of the city's powerful and wealthy went."

Miss Zheng couldn't accept her father taking a new wife, so she went out to seek pleasure and get drunk, but little did she know that she was being plotted against by someone with ulterior motives.

You, Young Master Guo, were leading the police officers in charge of security patrols when you happened to run into Miss Zheng, who had been drugged. You took photos of the two of them entangled.

Then you escort Miss Zheng home, and unable to resist the effects of the drug, you become entangled with her. At this moment, the bandits begin to cause chaos, shooting guests, blowing up the storeroom, and incidentally eliminating the young master of the Guo family and Miss Zheng as well.

Do you think the situation in Sifang City might change?

Qingru analyzed the situation calmly, her eyes clear, showing no trace of entanglement or petty emotions.

Guo Zixing blushed and said, "You... why would you think so much? Nothing happened between Miss Zheng and me, we just got a little close."

“I didn’t say those things. What you and Miss Zheng had was just my speculation. The only variable was me. If Zhang Xun hadn’t asked me for help, you and Miss Zheng might have really become a pair of doomed lovers.”

Although Qingru spoke calmly, Guo Zixing broke out in a cold sweat.

Yes, yesterday's events were all interconnected. These people weren't just targeting the Zheng family; they were also after me.

Seeing that Guo Zixing understood her meaning, Qingru secretly rolled her eyes and continued, "I'm not the kind of person who likes to fight over men. I'm just worried about your safety."

Guo Zixing was greatly shocked and pulled Qingru into his arms.

Qingru felt the trembling on his body, and the turmoil she felt the day before vanished, replaced only by dissatisfaction and indifference.

Guo Zixing was filled with lingering fear. The favorable circumstances of the past few days had made him lower his guard, and he had also become entangled in his feelings for Qingru, so he had completely forgotten about his secret schemes.

If the person behind this succeeds in their scheme, then…

Qingru took a deep breath. "Have you figured out who would have the ability to plot against you like this?"

Guo Zixing frowned in thought. "If the people behind this are targeting the Zheng family and me, it could be the Military Intelligence Bureau, the Communist Party, or other warlords. The Zheng family are compradors who control a large number of weapons, and I am the eldest son of the Guo family, holding military power. If we cut off these two arms and disrupt the situation in the two lakes, only they will benefit."

Upon hearing this, Qingru relaxed her strength and leaned back weakly.

Her eyes held a deeper, more complex expression. She clearly didn't want to get involved in these political machinations, yet she was forced into it. Even though she was just a nobody, it was precisely because of her that the relationship between Zheng Peilan and Guo Zixing failed.

Perhaps the person behind this scheme will also put themselves on the assassin's list?

Qingru blinked, turned her head and said, "I don't think you should let your younger brother handle this matter entirely. First, he doesn't understand, and second... your affair with Miss Zheng has spread everywhere. What do you plan to do?"

Guo Zixing came to find Qingru as soon as he woke up this morning, unaware of what was written in the newspaper.

What's wrong with the newspapers?

"The newspaper said that you and Ms. Zheng had a happy reunion at Kim Anna's, and the content said that your wedding was coming soon."

Guo Zixing scoffed, "Isn't this just nonsense?"

“But there are also photos, photos of you carrying Miss Zheng into the car.” Qingru said, handing the newspaper she had taken from Zhang Yan to Guo Zixing.

"Look at this angle, this timing, how did this happen? It was just an accidental shot!"

Guo Zixing took the photos with a solemn expression. It was impossible for reporters to happen to be there at this time. The big star Hu Ye had just come to Sifang City to promote her movie these past few days, and most of the reporters were there to take pictures of her.

Even if a reporter wanted to film the romantic escapades of the privileged, they would never have taken such a clear shot from this angle.

"You suspect there's something wrong with the newspaper?"

"I just think it's too much of a coincidence. Even if a reporter accidentally took a picture of you, how would he know that you are Guo Zixing and not Guo Ziyou? After all, Guo Ziyou also likes to wear military uniforms, and he prefers to frequent dance halls."

Even if it's confirmed to be you, doesn't the newspaper have any reservations? How dare they write such a disgraceful story about you and Zheng Peilan right under the Marshal's nose? Aren't they afraid of retaliation from both sides later?

Guo Zixing fully regained his senses and immediately turned the car around. "Let's go to the newspaper office."