Chapter 344 Finding Problems Within Problems
Qi Luquan got out of bed reluctantly and sat in a nearby chair.
“I’ve been to so many places in my life, wherever is remote, strange, or dangerous, I’ve left my trace. This is also my own strength. I tell you, there’s nowhere I dare not go…”
“Stop, Grandpa, can you be serious? Your life is on the line now, why are you still so infuriating!”
Qi Xuan was truly anxious, but while she was suffering here day after day, the person involved was completely unconcerned. She truly had no outlet for her anger.
Qi Luquan smiled bitterly. What was the point of finding out? To let others suffer the same fate as him?
“Uncle Qi, if we can get to the bottom of this, we can figure out a solution. Do you have any hidden difficulties? Now that there are many of us, why don't you speak up and we can think together.”
“Yes, Grandpa, please, I’m begging you. You’re the only one I have left. Do you really want to leave me and go first?”
Qi Luquan felt a headache coming on from the two young girls’ fussing. He sighed and said,
“Fine, I’ll tell you, won’t I?”
Ye Shenge and Qi Xuan exchanged a smile and quickly sat up, waiting for progress.
“I’ve truly been to many places, usually only going to see places that pique my curiosity. I haven’t taken on many missions, but of the missions I accepted, there were two places I visited that made me feel unwell afterward.
But I didn’t pay much attention at the time, thinking I had come into contact with some mildly toxic substance. I even saw a doctor when I returned and took some detoxification medicine.
A few days later, I felt fine. But as I got older, especially in the last two years, I found it difficult to even climb over a courtyard wall.
So I went to the hospital. This time, I didn’t even tell the Qi family doctors. The result was organ failure, and my life is not long for this world.”
Ye Shenge pondered Uncle Qi’s words repeatedly. There were two pieces of information that might be problematic.
“Uncle Qi, I’ll make a guess first. It might not be correct, but we can consider it.”
“Hmm, go ahead.”
“First, were you truly poisoned in those two places? And was it a potent poison? But another point of doubt is whether those two places have any related connections. Why did you feel unwell after visiting them both?”
“You should recall now if those two places have any commonalities, so we can eliminate or confirm them later.”
“Second, when you returned, did you see your doctor on Mist Ice Mountain? If so, can this person be trusted? Is it possible that they put something they shouldn’t have into your detoxification medicine?
Of course, this is just my guess. It’s always best to consider the worst-case scenarios first and rule out all possibilities.”
“Also, I’ll add one more thing. Uncle Qi, start recalling now, use all your brain cells to remember. Recall your feelings when you entered those two places, how you felt afterward, how long it took for you to feel better.
And how much time elapsed between when you first felt unwell and when you felt sick again. Then, you need to describe, in meticulous detail, all the problems you’ve had with your body.
So I have something to compare, in case I can find any useful clues in your memories.”
Qi Luquan and Qi Xuan were both confused by Ye Shenge’s string of questions. Was it that their brains weren’t big enough? Was Shenge asking too many questions?
“Uh, Shenge, why don’t you ask slowly, one by one? You speak too fast and ask too much, I can’t remember it all.”
Ye Shenge glanced at Qi Xuan. The grandfather and granddaughter had the same expression.
“Alright, I’ll go back to my room to get a notebook. We’ll talk and record as we go.”
After Ye Shenge left, Qi Luquan’s face darkened. Qi Xuan knew her grandfather too well.
“Grandpa, did you think of something?”
“No, it’s just that I’ve never suspected anyone from Mist Ice Mountain.”
“Hmph, they’ve already kicked us out, what can’t we suspect? What Shenge guessed might be true.”
Qi Luquan said nothing further. It seemed he would have to investigate himself. He could accept death, but he absolutely could not accept betrayal.
Zi Yisheng happened to be carrying out a plate of pastries made by Aunt Zhen. Seeing the young girl hurrying towards Qi Luquan’s room, he quickly stopped her.
“Haven’t you been inside for a long time? Why aren’t you done yet?”
Ye Shenge picked up a pastry and put it in her mouth. Her eyes immediately narrowed. It tasted so good.
“Not yet. Do you want to come in and listen?”
Zi Yisheng sighed in his heart. When the little girl got busy, she completely forgot about him.
“No, I’ll go find something to do as well.”
Zi Yisheng spoke in a particularly wronged and pitiable tone, hoping to get the little girl’s attention.
“Oh, alright then, you go find something to do. Oh, right, help me ask Aunt Zhen to make some flower tea. My mouth gets dry when I talk a lot.”
With that, she walked away, not forgetting to take the pastry from Zi Yisheng’s hand.
Zi Yisheng sighed again and resignedly went to the kitchen. If the little girl wanted flower tea, he had to make it himself.
Ye Shenge and the other two began a lively discussion in the room, with Qi Xuan diligently taking notes, her pen never stopping.
Zi Yisheng, the service staff, refilled their water every half hour, thus finding something to keep himself busy.
Ye Shenge looked at Qi Xuan’s notes and nodded with satisfaction.
“Uncle Qi, I’ll hand these over to my masters, and we’ll study them. If you remember anything else, you must tell us.”
Qi Xuan moved her sore wrist, a hopeful smile on her face.
“Shenge, is there some hope?”
“Mm, yes, it’s much better than just fumbling around aimlessly. Let’s look forward to a good outcome together.”
“Yes, thank you both so much.”
Ye Mu’en returned that night, accompanied by Houzi and Luo Hansheng, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.
They all stayed at Zi Yisheng’s house, as there were plenty of rooms.
“It’s very late. You can see Shenge tomorrow, and you can talk to her directly about any issues.”
Ye Mu’en was now managing the black market, but there were many things that her sister needed to know. Since they would tell her themselves tomorrow, Ye Mu’en wouldn’t repeat herself.
When Ye Shenge woke up in the morning, still groggy, she was dragged to Zi Yisheng’s house by her elder brother. Upon seeing several sacks and boxes in the main hall, her eyes immediately lit up.
Seeing Houzi and Luo Hansheng, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time, she immediately opened a box. As expected, it was gold bars, which she liked.
“Thank you for your hard work. I’ll give everyone bonuses for the New Year.”
Houzi and Luo Hansheng were both very happy. The black market business had been very good this year, and the large trucks had been constantly busy, traveling all over the country in search of supplies.
Especially Luo Hansheng, who last year couldn’t even get enough to eat and had to risk his life for his family. Now, he could support his family and provide them with a good life.
All of this was given to him by Ye Shenge. She was like a second parent to him, so seeing her happy, Luo Hansheng wished he could work even harder and bring her more.
“Shenge, here are the account books, and I’ve also kept a separate ledger for the medicinal herbs.”
At this moment, Zi Yisheng had brought breakfast from the Ye family’s house, of course, only for himself and the little girl. Even his elder brother didn’t get to enjoy his personal service, let alone Houzi and the other two.
“Big Brother, Aunt Zhen has also prepared a lot in the kitchen. You all should go eat quickly.”
Ye Mu’en smiled sinisterly. This little girl wanted some alone time with his sister, truly finding every possible way.
Luo Hansheng saw this scene and was confused. After asking, he learned that his boss was engaged and had been snatched away by the owner of that Western-style house.
Luo Hansheng didn’t know how he felt now. There was blessing, a sense of inevitability, and also a bit of sourness. Yes, his boss was the most wonderful person and deserved to meet someone even stronger to cherish her.
Luo Hansheng smiled with a sense of relief. As long as his boss was happy, he would work hard to earn money for her. At least he wasn’t entirely useless.
There was also one person in the house who was the happiest today, and that was Mo Lin. Seeing Luo Hansheng, he immediately jumped onto his back.
“Brother Luo, I missed you so much. Are you doing well? Do you miss me?”
Luo Hansheng laughed heartily and bounced Mo Lin on his back.
“Good boy, you’ve gotten much heavier, and you’ve grown taller again.”
“Hahaha, of course. I practice martial arts every day now. Brother Luo, you might not be able to beat me.”
Luo Hansheng put Mo Lin down and measured his height. He nodded with satisfaction and squeezed Mo Lin’s increasingly strong arm.
“Shall we spar sometime? I’ve been training with Houzi and the others quite a bit.”
Mama Ye watched her little helper disappear in a flash. She came out of the kitchen and saw two strangers. But seeing how affectionate Mo Lin was with them, she smiled.
“We have guests! Come and have some breakfast.”
Mo Lin quickly pulled Luo Hansheng over to introduce him to Papa and Mama Ye.
“Papa Ye, Mama Ye, this is Luo Hansheng, he’s Sister Shenge’s helper.”
Papa Ye extended his hand. Luo Hansheng immediately reached out.
“Hello, Uncle and Aunt. I’ll be staying for a few days.”
“Hello, don’t be so polite. Since you’re Shenge’s friend, consider this your home. It’s just a bit messy here these few days.”
While it was lively here, Ye Shenge’s group finished breakfast as quickly as possible and opened the ledger to start looking, her mind rapidly calculating the amounts.
Zi Yisheng only glanced at the total amount and sighed in his heart. He felt like he had been sighing a lot recently. This little girl was too capable, and her earning speed was quite astonishing. Although she was still far behind him, she had only started recently. At this rate, in another two years, she would definitely catch up to him. If that were the case, wouldn’t he be even more useless?
“My income for this year should also be delivered. Can you help me calculate and collect it too?”
Ye Shenge looked at Zi Yisheng in confusion. Was he asking her to be his accountant?
“I earn money for you. This way, you’ll see more money and be happier. I want you to be happier.”
Ye Shenge smiled, a sweet smile.
“So you’re so willing? You’re starting to hand over your salary now?”
“Of course. It was yours to begin with.”