Winter Returns

Chapter 106 The Shepherd Dog (Part 2) (Total 10,000 words)

Zhang Shutong and Song Nanshan got out of the car. Old Song went to say a few words to the leading policeman, while Zhang Shutong watched as the four bodyguards took out a series of professional tools from the car.

Riot shields, headlamps, tactical vests—Boss Gu is really rich and powerful. I wonder where he got so much equipment in such a short time.

Zhang Shutong watched as the four bodyguards began a thorough search of the villa. They were paid handsomely and had lives on their hands, protecting the safety of their young mistress. They wanted to examine every single blade of grass.

All of Gu Qiu Mian's henchmen combined couldn't compare to one of them.

Zhang Shutong wanted to say that they should stop watching, that he had already seen everything he needed to see, and that there was really nothing there, but since they were professionals, he couldn't get a word in edgewise.

No one paid attention to the little boy, so he wandered around the yard, sometimes turning his head to look, hoping to find more clues, but it was actually difficult. Maybe Old Song was right, he should leave for a while, otherwise he would go astray.

As he walked, he unconsciously walked to the doghouse in the backyard, where the Doberman was dozing. Zhang Shutong was a little afraid of dogs when he was a child, but he was no longer afraid as he grew up. However, he still subconsciously wanted to avoid it. But the dog opened its eyes at just the right moment, and the two of them stared at each other. For some reason, the dog stopped barking.

Perhaps it's because I've seen it three times already and it's treating me like an acquaintance?
Zhang Shutong felt he had a special connection with this big guy, and even wanted to proudly tell it, "Do you know, if it weren't for me, you stupid dog would have been poisoned to death." But it was just a thought. The Doberman glanced at him and then lay down in its bed to doze off. It was so sleepy that it couldn't even keep its eyes wide open, and it made a pleasant, humming sound in its throat.

Zhang Shutong then realized that this was just an old dog living a retired life.

It had been raised by Mr. Gu for a long time and was no longer capable of guarding the house, but because Mr. Gu was sentimental, he brought it to the villa on the island.

Old Song's analogy about sheepdogs is somewhat inappropriate. They weren't actually eliminated by high-tech equipment, but by well-trained, purebred hunting dogs.

But at least this Doberman has a permanent position after retirement, while that sheepdog has nothing. It's just a dog that came from who-knows-where, with mixed bloodlines. To put it bluntly, it's a stray dog. It's clearly in a sorry state, yet it keeps clamoring to protect the sheep. But now that a more elite force has arrived, it's time for it to retire and return home.

Of course, the sheep wasn't to blame; it was just a very clever and rational sheep. She used to trust the sheepdog a lot, but for some reason, things suddenly changed.

Zhang Shutong stood there for a while, still not used to the metaphor of a stray dog. It was just too awful. If he could, he would prefer to say that the henchman had retired and returned to his hometown.

After Lao Song finished handing over his work, it was time for them to leave. Zhang Shutong waved goodbye to the Doberman. The Doberman glanced at him with droopy eyelids, as if it regarded him as a colleague, and then moved its paws to signal him to keep up the good work.

Seeing this, Zhang Shutong smiled and stood up.

He returned to the villa, and the three of them said goodbye to Gu Qiu Mian and the nanny.

Zhang Shutong suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to bring the down jacket, but she would have to do it another day.

The nanny came out and opened the door. Zhang Shutong thought she could also use facial recognition, but it turned out to be a password. Zhang Shutong casually asked, and the nanny said that only Mianmian's family members had their faces recorded. It seems that Boss Gu is very suspicious.

Old Song's car still couldn't be driven away, but this time bodyguards took them home. Zhang Shutong sat in the back seat and glanced at the window of a room on the second floor, where the curtains were wide open.

Then nothing could be seen anymore, and the car slowly started moving.

Old Song had promised to treat everyone, but now he realized he didn't have a car and was physically disabled. By the time they finished eating, the buses would have already stopped running, and he couldn't very well walk home through the snow.

Zhang Shutong noticed his embarrassment and quickly said that she also wanted to go home and rest early.

"Alright then... I'll invite a few of you tomorrow, and I'll see if there's any way to get the car down."

Zhang Shutong nodded and asked the driver to drop them off at the bus stop. He still had something to say to Lu Qinglian.

Their homes are all on the east side, so it's on the way.

The two watched the Land Rover drive away. Zhang Shutong thought Lu Qinglian would mock him. She was a bit cunning. He had really embarrassed himself. Not long ago, they had said they were business partners, but he had been dumped first.

This is like you found a partner to take on a project from the client, and your partner worked hard without complaint, but then you were replaced, and all of their efforts were wasted.

But Lu Qinglian didn't say anything. After a while, she finally spoke, her voice clear and crisp:

"It seems to be different from what you planned."

"Yes, it is a bit... Also, it's been a lot of trouble for you to run around all day with your injury."

Zhang Shutong apologized, saying that he was actually fine and not as disappointed as Lao Song had described.

This isn't about taking orders to make money. As long as Gu Qiumian's safety is guaranteed, it doesn't matter who does it. Lu Qinglian, on the other hand, first got herself into a trap, then spent half a day busy with the figures in the restricted area, only to find out that there were two of them, and she gained nothing.

"There's nothing to apologize for. It's not your fault. There are always unexpected changes."

"Are you trying to comfort me?" Zhang Shutong asked, puzzled.

“You can understand it that way,” she said calmly.

“There’s no need for comforting,” Zhang Shutong muttered to himself. “Actually, it’s good news. Four bodyguards, two policemen, and weapons, working in shifts 24 hours a day. By the way, can you beat them?”

"I can't beat them." Lu Qinglian shook her head.

“In that case, if they can’t even deal with the murderer, there’s no point in us staying here. But taking her off the island is a real hassle. Even if Gu Qiu Mian agrees, her father won’t agree now.”

Zhang Shutong said with a headache.

Just then, the bus arrived.

He wanted to find some coins, but realized he had changed his coat and had no money. In the end, Lu Qinglian took out two coins from the inner pocket of her green robe and paid for his ride.

Nobody goes out in this weather; it's just the two of them in the car.

The two found a seat by the window. Zhang Shutong had already sat down next to Lu Qinglian, but then remembered that she had said she didn't like physical contact with people. He was about to stand up and go to the back, but the girl sighed with a headache:

"Zhang Shutong, I'm not that dramatic. Besides, didn't you get enough pain today?"

Ok.

They ate together, rode together, and went down the mountain together. Zhang Shutong remained motionless beside her.

"The plastic seats on the bus are definitely hard," Lu Qinglian asked again.
So you're going to give up?

“Of course not.” Zhang Shutong stared out the window. “We’ve held on until today, there’s no way we can just go home and sleep and give up. We have to keep an eye on things until Monday. Besides, I promised you I would find that figure in the restricted area. You’ve helped me so much, I can’t just say that Gu Qiumian is safe and then end the cooperation.”

"You are more trustworthy than I thought."

Am I really that bad in your eyes?

"Why do you always say such useless things?"

Zhang Shutong responded with an "oh":
"What are your plans next?"

"It's only four o'clock now." Lu Qinglian glanced at the clock above the bus. "I can go back to the mountain a little later, what about you?"

"Let's try to get a car first. It's too inconvenient to move around right now. That way, I can drive to the villa on Saturday night to take a look, and I can take you with me if I want to investigate anything tomorrow."

"car?"

“It’s not that bad, it’s just a motorcycle.” Zhang Shutong showed him his phone. “My mom went off the island to find my dad, and he came on his motorcycle too. They met up at the island’s port and then drove onto the ship. The motorcycle was left at the port. And my mom just messaged me saying she won’t be back tonight, so I’m planning to ride that motorcycle back.”

Lu Qinglian nodded her chin, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

"In that case, I'll be getting off the bus soon. We can arrange a time tomorrow, and I'll pick you up at the foot of the mountain."

The final time was set for 8:00 AM.

The Gu family villa is to the south, Green Snake Mountain is to the east, and the port is located in the north of the island.

This is the only bus service on the island, which isn't very convenient, but it does take you around the island.

In a clockwise direction.

North is up, south is down, west is left, and east is right. In other words, they have to pass through the western part of the island first, then the northern part, where Zhang Shutong gets off the bus, and finally the eastern part, where Lu Qinglian arrives at her stop.

She seemed to rarely take the bus, mostly walking, and couldn't even distinguish some of the stops. Zhang Shutong then briefly explained to her where the bus passed and where to get off. Lu Qinglian listened attentively and indicated that she had remembered it.

The two then fell silent.

Today's events were truly exhausting; I was only holding on by sheer willpower. Now that willpower has dissipated, I just want to lie here and stare blankly.

Lu Qinglian was looking up at the bus handle with her small face, her light eyes swaying with the movement of the handle.

Zhang Shutong looked out the window. If possible, he wanted to open the window to let in some fresh air, which might cheer him up, but unfortunately, he was sitting on the outside.

until:

"Please don't stand so close," Lu Qinglian said, frowning as she looked away.

Zhang Shutong also looked away and realized that they were indeed standing quite close.

"Oh...sorry, but didn't you say you didn't mind?" The car was now passing through the western part of the island, almost reaching the restricted area. He had been staring out the window and hadn't noticed, so he asked casually.

"It's not that I don't mind, it's just that I'm putting up with it because you've worked so hard all day and it's pitiful."

Sure enough, this woman knew how to mock him.

Lu Qinglian moved further inside as she spoke, her face expressionless:

"But that doesn't mean you can push your luck. Or did you get slapped by Gu Qiumian and now you're turning your attention to me?"

Zhang Shutong really couldn't argue with her.

He consciously moved aside.

The bus continued to move.

The girl named Lu Qinglian frowned again.

Because the person who was just apologizing kept failing to learn from his mistakes, this time he almost had to rely on her.

She was about to speak up to remind her;
The other party suddenly banged on the window:
"Look, isn't that her?"

Lu Qinglian quickly turned her head. The bus was very tall, so from her seat she could see directly over the dense reeds and onto the shore.

Then, their expressions froze simultaneously.

—A figure was standing in the waters called the restricted area.

Zhang Shutong quickly stood up and pressed the emergency button on the back door.

"Please stop the car!"

He rushed to the door in one stride.

The driver was startled by the words and slammed on the brakes. The huge vehicle left two long tracks in the snow and came to a stop. His body and vision tilted down as he watched Zhang Shutong grip the railing tightly and see the air door open a crack with a "whoosh".
The bus hadn't come to a complete stop yet, and he couldn't jump off;

A figure flashed past her side first, and Lu Qinglian had already rushed out of the car door—

(End of this chapter)