Chapter 73

Early the next morning, Zhou Huijuan began discussing the move. Moving was a major undertaking, so she planned to take the day off to handle it. They would move a portion of their belongings first to get settled, then transport the rest gradually.

Upon hearing this, David and his younger brother were so reluctant to go to school that they could barely tear themselves away.

When can we go see our new home? the two children asked, gazing at Zhou Huijuan with hopeful eyes.

Zhou Huijuan replied, You can see it after school today. Focus on your studies and don't let your mind wander. Only by becoming university students will you have your own Thousand-Square-Foot Mansion in the future. Otherwise, you will be stuck squeezing in with us forever.

The two children had no choice but to pout and head off to school.

As for Su Fuling, she had patients coming for check-ups every day, so she could not stay home to help with the move. Zhou Huijuan understood this well, so she did not ask her to stay, telling her only to pack her own luggage. Then, she and Su Jue-ming began the moving process.

Stepping into the new house, Zhou Huijuan felt a surge of excitement. Her entire outlook seemed to broaden. It was no wonder everyone aspired to live in a large house; it truly made a difference. Although she had worked as a domestic helper in wealthy households before, those were other people's homes—merely places of employment—so she had never truly experienced the feeling of living in a spacious residence. Now that it was her own family moving in, the sensation was entirely different.

A Thousand-Square-Foot Mansion naturally could not compare to the grand estates of the truly wealthy, but it was enough to satisfy Zhou Huijuan completely.

Ming, do you think our family will ever be able to buy a house like this? Zhou Huijuan asked, her voice tinged with a dreamlike quality. In her heart, she felt as if this might just be a dream.

Su Jue-ming replied, If our shop continues to turn a profit, after a long time, we might have a chance.

Zhou Huijuan added, And who knows if property prices will rise.

Su Jue-ming chuckled, Then we will just have to work harder to earn money. He reached out and wrapped his arm around Zhou Huijuan. Juan, you have suffered by my side. I will work hard to earn more.

Zhou Huijuan shook his hand off, Alright, thank goodness we are not at home where people could see and make jokes.

Su Jue-ming said, There is no one else here. I haven't talked to you properly in a long time. It is good to live in a big house; we can share secrets again in the future.

Zhou Huijuan laughed, We have Fuling to thank for this.

Indeed, Su Jue-ming sighed. I have done nothing for the Su family. I originally intended to raise Fuling on behalf of the old master and my sister, but in the end, I am the one who has benefited. We can only work hard to earn money so that we do not hold Fuling back in the future.

...

At the headquarters of the Longhu Association, Zhang Long sat smoking a cigar, chatting with his sworn brother.

Although the two had been at odds for years, they were both getting on in age; as long as they were not pushed to the brink, neither wanted to escalate things. After all, the situation in Harbor City was complex, and the competition for territory was fierce. If the two of them clashed, it would only benefit outsiders.

After finishing their discussion on recent profit sharing, Wang Jinhu smiled and said, I heard Long San recently provoked someone from the Sifang Association? A doctor, no less.

Zhang Long replied, So you already know. It seems that fake scholar Wen Tao called you, too.

Wang Jinhu laughed, Indeed. I was just curious who this person could be, to make him call you specifically.

Zhang Long scoffed dismissively, Just a doctor. I already asked Long San about it; she must be a practitioner of traditional medicine. Young and pretty—who knows whose mistress she is.

Hearing Zhang Long speak so crudely, Wang Jinhu sneered inwardly. This brute likely had no idea who he had offended.

He said deliberately, Brother Long, the Sifang Association is powerful these days. We should not provoke their people. Sometimes, one must know when to bow one's head.

What, are you getting old and losing your nerve? Zhang Long glared at him with sharp, ruthless eyes.

Wang Jinhu instinctively averted his gaze. Zhang Long was known for his viciousness and willingness to kill; even Wang Jinhu had to admit he was inferior in that regard. Otherwise, Zhang Long would never have secured the position of leader of the Longhu Association.

Wang Jinhu was now very curious to see what would happen when Zhang Long encountered this mysterious Doctor.

If even a man like Zhang Long could not handle her, then Wang Jinhu decided there was no need for him to curry favor with this so-called Doctor. He would simply have her brought over to work for him. If Zhang Long kidnapped the Doctor, he would swoop in to save her and earn a massive favor. If she were grateful, that would be fine; if not, he would have to resort to special measures.

As for the Sifang Association, Wang Jinhu was not worried. With such a treasure capable of foresight in his hands, he could entice more gangs to cooperate. He understood the principle of befriending distant states while attacking neighbors.

He said intentionally, It is not about being timid, but they have already issued a specific warning to us. Furthermore, the other party is in Yau Ma Tei; although there are other forces there, the Sifang Association has a strong presence. We will suffer if we overstep our boundaries.

Zhang Long waved his hand, What does Wen Tao amount to? He dares to warn us. If he has retired, he should go to an island and enjoy his retirement. Staying here all the time is perhaps just a smoke screen to make us lower our guard. We might as well take the initiative. Let the Sifang Association make the first move so we can see where their bottom line lies.

He took a puff of his cigar, Tiger, I intend to expand the Longhu Association's territory and make more money before I wash my hands of this life. By the time our next generation takes over, we will gradually withdraw from this industry. I do not want my grandson to be involved in fighting and killing in the future.

People in the underworld were like this: no matter how ruthless they were themselves, they insisted on their descendants living clean lives. Those in the industry knew that if one's luck ran out, it was easy to lose one's life. When one was poor, one fought for survival, but once one had money, one began to cherish life. They wanted to pass on their legacy for generations, so they worked hard to earn money and clean up their reputation. That was why Zhang Long preferred to support his own brother, Long San, and, like Wang Jinhu, send his children away to live a better life.

Wang Jinhu asked, So you are prepared to make a move on this Doctor?

Zhang Long replied, That is correct.

Wang Jinhu advised, Brother Long, we are at an age where we should not offend the Sifang Association again.

Look at you. I said you were timid, and you really are. Enough, I have already made my decision. Do not try to persuade me further. I think you should just wash your hands of this and go home to look after your grandson.

Hu Er, the adopted son behind Wang Jinhu, felt truly indignant at these words.

After leaving Zhang Long's office and returning to Wang Jinhu's residence, he complained, Master Long really gave no face to Godfather at all.

Wang Jinhu replied, Why say such things? Face is just face; it is not worth much. He looked outside, Only one's life is worth anything.

Hu Er asked, Then what should we do now? Should we notify the Sifang Association? That Doctor really does not seem like a simple person.

Wang Jinhu said, Notify them of what? It is not as if the Sifang Association does not know Zhang Long has his eyes on the Doctor. If we go and say something, it would be redundant and might even raise suspicions that we are betraying the Longhu Association. In any case, we have already tried to persuade Zhang Long; we have done our part. Even if something happens, it will have nothing to do with us.

Hu Er felt his Godfather made sense, but he was still curious, Godfather, do you think Zhang Long will succeed?

Who knows? It has nothing to do with us. I am going to visit my grandson in a few days. Whatever happens in the Longhu Association has nothing to do with me.

Hearing this, Hu Er knew that Wang Jinhu was distancing himself from the situation.

He would wait until both sides had a winner before placing his bets. If Zhang Long lost, Godfather could return to consolidate power in the Longhu Association and then befriend the Doctor—killing two birds with one stone. If Zhang Long won, Godfather could return and join forces with him to deal with the Sifang Association; even if he could not control the Longhu Association, the territory he seized would still be larger than before.

Godfather truly was Godfather.

...

After a busy morning, Su Fuling went to the Orphanage again in the afternoon. Watching these children, she thought once more of the child named Lin Xiaoli. That child was so young, yet she had been cruelly persecuted. She hoped that Officer Wang would catch the killer soon.

After checking the pulses of the children, Su Fuling felt relieved. The children with minor illnesses had recovered significantly after three days of medicine and only needed two more days of treatment to consolidate their health. As for the child with epilepsy, it was more difficult and would require long-term treatment.

Although the treatment period was long, Director Liang was already very satisfied.

This child is good-looking; as long as she is healthy, she will have a chance to be adopted in the future.

Su Fuling asked, Are there many opportunities for these children to be adopted?

As long as they are smart and pretty, there is a chance. Some families without children come to the Orphanage to adopt.

Su Fuling felt a pang of worry, Is it safe?

I conduct regular follow-ups on the children adopted from here. I am not sure about other orphanages. Sigh... sometimes the pressure on an orphanage is high, and they just hope someone will adopt the children. The situations vary.

Looking at the children, Su Fuling thought to herself that once they left their biological parents, their fates were destined to drift with the tide. It was fortunate if they met a good adoptive family, but if they met a bad one, their fate would be decided by others.

After leaving the Orphanage, Su Fuling passed by the police station and wanted to ask how the case was going.

Hey, you are a friend of Officer Wang, right? asked the uncle at the entrance of the police station.

Su Fuling nodded.

I will call him for you, the uncle said enthusiastically. He assumed Su Fuling was the officer's girlfriend and naturally did not want her to make a wasted trip.

Su Fuling wanted to say it was too much trouble, but the man had already picked up the phone.

After a while, Wang Sihua came running down.

Seeing his dark circles and his hair, which looked like a bird's nest, it was clear he had been pulling all-nighters.

Su Fuling said, Officer Wang, you have been staying up late again.

Wang Sihua scratched his hair, looking frustrated, After you told me the name of that child yesterday, I spent the whole night checking the names of all missing persons in the entire Harbor City, but there was not a single one...

Su Fuling suggested, Could it be that they did not report it to the police?

Perhaps... but that makes it even more troublesome. The volume of data is massive, and there are many people with the same name. It is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Besides, if a family loses a child, even if the parents do not report it, the neighbors would notice something is wrong, but we have not received any such reports.

Wang Sihua became increasingly distressed as he spoke, then asked Su Fuling, Doctor, what brings you here?

Su Fuling had originally intended to ask about the case, but now that there was no need, she did not want to add pressure to him, Nothing, I was just passing by and was recognized by that uncle, so he called you down.

Oh, I thought you were asking about the case... I am sorry, Doctor, I have failed to live up to your abilities.

He looked at Su Fuling with glowing eyes, Doctor, can you see anything more?

Su Fuling, ...No. I am not a deity.

Wang Sihua looked dejected, then mocked himself for becoming increasingly useless, wanting to rely on the Doctor whenever he encountered a problem.

He smiled awkwardly and asked, Doctor, where have you been?

Mama Liang's Orphanage. I am providing volunteer medical services for the children there.

Hearing this, Wang Sihua was filled with admiration for Su Fuling. He remembered how he had once suspected she was not a good person, yet here she was, constantly doing good deeds—and doing more of them than he was.

When I finish this case, I will also go to the Orphanage to work as a social worker. Those orphans... Wang Sihua wanted to say that orphans were pitiful without parental care, but before he could finish, he remembered something.

Doctor, do you think... could that child be from an orphanage?

Su Fuling felt a chill run down her spine. Would anyone care if a child from an orphanage went missing?

Wang Sihua suddenly became spirited. He looked at Su Fuling with intense focus, Doctor, did you figure it out and come specifically to remind me?

Su Fuling, ...No.

Wang Sihua felt he had guessed correctly; the Doctor must know something, Doctor, I will go and check! This workload will not be as large!

With that, he ran off.

Su Fuling, ...

Seeing Wang Sihua's proactive attitude toward the investigation, Su Fuling felt a sense of relief. She felt she did not need to worry about this case anymore. With such a responsible police officer in charge, it would be solved sooner or later.