Chapter 517
“He’s never been anything good, so it’s no surprise he’d do something like this. But I had my people destroy what he was planning to do in advance, so you can rest easy, none of the girls are in danger,” Jiang Yexun reassured, gently patting his little wife’s hand.
However, Su Xiaoxiao quickly regained her composure, her anger simmering down to a calm expression.
“So you intentionally had Grandpa Zhang and Granny Wang investigate, to let them catch their own grandson in the act, and see how they would handle it?” she tilted her head, looking at Jiang Yexun uncertainly. Was this plan too risky?
He had people watching Zhang Hanyu 24/7, and it was perfectly reasonable to catch him doing something wrong. But Grandpa Zhang and Granny Wang, no matter how determined, couldn’t possibly keep watch that closely. Their investigation would likely miss something.
Su Xiaoxiao briefly considered reporting Zhang Hanyu directly to the police when they caught him, maybe even accusing him of a crime. However, she dismissed the thought quickly. With Zhang family’s status and Peng Huijing’s clever scheming, even the worst case might only involve marrying the victims into the family, not bringing the harm she wanted to cause to Zhang Hanyu.
“Yes, now we just have to wait and see if they will do the right thing,” Jiang Yexun said, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
“And if they don’t?” Su Xiaoxiao still wasn’t entirely reassured.
Though Grandpa Zhang and Granny Wang seemed reasonable, if the situation escalated, it would affect their grandson’s entire future, as well as the Zhang family’s future.
“Mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind,” Jiang Yexun replied with confidence.
Su Xiaoxiao took a moment to think it through, then understood his strategy. They were giving Zhang’s family a chance to show their integrity. If they acted justly and cut ties with their grandson, then no matter the past, they could still trust the elderly couple. But if they tried to cover up the issue, then Jiang Yexun’s people would reveal everything immediately.
Although the Zhang family had some power in the compound, this was Beijing. With their position, there were bound to be enemies who would love to expose them. If word of Zhang Hanyu’s actions leaked, the Zhang family would be in for a heavy blow.
“I had originally thought about sending Zhang Hanyu to even more dangerous places. With his personality and intelligence, he would have probably dug his own grave. But I didn’t expect you to already have a plan for him,” Su Xiaoxiao muttered quietly.
“It wasn’t exactly planned. After I left the Zhang household, I made a call and found out he’d done something else,” Jiang Yexun explained in a low voice.
Looking at his little wife, who was still tilting her head, pondering something, he continued, “Even if Zhang Hanyu were sent to a dangerous area to serve, the place is remote, and we can’t be sure the Zhang family won’t show mercy. Even if they don’t, they can’t keep watching him all the time. Peng Huijing is a strange person, and she’ll find a way to take care of him. Your plan will never succeed if you rely on her.”
“She’s strange? What’s going on with her?” Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes instantly brightened.
Su Xiaoxiao had always been suspicious of Peng Huijing, and hearing Jiang Yexun’s words raised her doubts to an all-time high. She was dying to understand what was going on.
“I’m not entirely sure yet, but when we get to the hotel, I’ll check with my contacts again,” Jiang Yexun said, a dark glint flashing in his eyes.
Then, noticing his wife’s curiosity, he warned her, “From now on, while we’re in Beijing, we need to stick together, wherever we go.”
As for Zhang Hanyu, there was no way he was going to the military. What if he really turned over a new leaf, came back years later, and became someone of consequence? Or what if the Zhang family took him in and used all their resources to train him? If that happened, Zhang Hanyu might become a major thorn in their side. If he continued to protect Peng Huijing, Su Xiaoxiao might end up clashing with him down the road.
That was why Jiang Yexun had carefully thought everything through and decided that no matter what, he needed to ensure Zhang Hanyu went to the military before he could make a name for himself.
Su Xiaoxiao looked at Jiang Yexun, who appeared to have thought of everything, and decided not to ask further questions.
“You don’t need to worry, wherever you go, I’ll go with you,” she said, nodding obediently.
With the Zhang family issue unresolved, neither of them had the mood to do anything else. They simply returned to the guesthouse.
As soon as they entered the room, however, Su Xiaoxiao immediately sensed that something was off.
She scrunched up her small nose and sniffed the air, her expression turning serious. “The room smells different.”
Jiang Yexun was momentarily stunned, then realized what she meant. His face immediately darkened. “Are you saying someone’s been in our room?”
As he spoke, he began scanning the room, looking for any signs of disturbance.
Su Xiaoxiao, however, was far more focused and directly headed to the bedside.
She rummaged through the pillow for a moment and pulled out a book written entirely in a foreign language.
Seeing the title, her face grew icy cold.
The last time she had shown this kind of frosty expression, full of undisguised murderous intent, was when Su Hongchen had been poisoned in the hospital.
“We just got here. For someone to place this book so precisely, it’s almost certainly Peng Huijing’s doing. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to investigate everything before we go back to the team,” Jiang Yexun quickly grabbed Su Xiaoxiao’s trembling hand, reassuring her.
“Do you know what this is?” Su Xiaoxiao’s expression remained cold as she held up the book.
Jiang Yexun originally thought it might just be a foreign-language novel. After all, Su Xiaoxiao looked like the type who might enjoy reading novels or essays.
But since she was asking so seriously, it was clear that this book wasn’t just an ordinary foreign book.
Jiang Yexun’s eyes darkened, his tone turning serious. “So, what’s in this book?”
“American’s Declaration,” Su Xiaoxiao said coldly, making sure he understood.
Jiang Yexun’s already cold gaze became even more filled with murderous intent.
It seemed the person who had hidden this book not only wanted to harm them but also intended to drag both families into this mess. Was Peng Huijing not worried about how this could backfire on the Zhang family?
Just then, there was a loud banging on the door.
Su Xiaoxiao swiftly hid the book into her space and quickly arranged the pillow and blanket.
“Open the door! Whoever’s inside, open the door immediately!” came a frantic voice from the other side, banging on the door as though afraid Su Xiaoxiao and Jiang Yexun were about to escape.