Chapter 255: The Son-Pitfalling Old Lady

The police:...

In short, it's hard to comment.

Just a moment ago they felt this old woman was pitiful, but in an instant, they felt she deserved it.

This old woman is truly a pitfall to her son!

Truly, there must be something hateful about a pitiful person!

They are police officers, but they are also sons; putting themselves in his shoes, if it were them, they probably couldn't be a filial son either.

Several police officers communicated for a moment, then confirmed with Li Xuan again, "Is everything your son said true?"

They were right by Li Xuan's bed when they called to notify Shen Chi just now, so of course she heard it.

These are indeed things she did, but there were extenuating circumstances.

Even if she has done these things, isn't she trying to find a way to make amends now?

"That unfilial thing!"

The police:...

"Um, do you have any other relatives? We can help you notify them."

Although this old woman is very bizarre, they couldn't just dump her at the hospital, and the follow-up would involve hospital fees and the like.

A wave of sorrow rose in Li Xuan's heart, "None left. My parents died of old age, my brothers and I have long since stopped associating, and an unfilial daughter ran away from home—I don't even know if she's dead or alive."

Speaking of this, she remembered the young girl who looked extremely similar to her own daughter.

Li Xuan's mind stirred; she suddenly thought of a good plan.

Since her leg is broken now, why not let the police help her find her granddaughter?

Their legs and feet are in good shape; they would certainly find her faster than she could.

"I still have a granddaughter, she's a little shorter than me," Li Xuan took a photo of Shen Yuan out of her pocket, "Take a look, my granddaughter looks very much like her aunt; you won't go wrong if you search based on this!"

The police looked at each other.

The team leader asked tentatively, "The granddaughter you want us to find wouldn't happen to be the one your son mentioned, the one you sent to the Fuliyuan right after she was born and who has been missing ever since?"

"That's her. A father's debt is paid by the daughter; she should be filial to me."

The police:...

Speechless to the extreme.

They had no choice but to instruct the hospital to provide basic treatment, as it was highly likely they wouldn't be able to collect the medical fees.

Chuan Shi has many mountains and beautiful scenery; it is a good place for tourism.

But a dark cloud hung over the hearts of the two who had just arrived here.

In less than a month, a massive disaster would occur here.

Countless casualties.

So after getting off the train, they headed straight to the home of the more steady student Jiang Cheng had mentioned.

Because they had already spoken over the phone before coming, the student was waiting to pick them up outside the station.

"Teacher Jiang! Teacher's wife!"

This student is named Zhang Linsen; he wears black-rimmed glasses and is indeed, as Jiang Cheng said, very mature.

He is already married and has a cute daughter.

Because she thought they might need to trouble Zhang Linsen later, Si Rong gave the girl a red envelope the moment she saw her.

It contained one thousand yuan.

Zhang Linsen's wife seemed accustomed to it, and Zhang Linsen only offered a faint word of thanks.

He knew his teacher was never the warm, sociable type, and coming here under the guise of tourism probably meant there was a favor to ask.

He didn't even take the red envelope to heart.

Zhang Linsen had his wife prepare a meal.

It was a signature noodle dish of Chuan Shi, along with some side dishes.

Si Rong was not very accustomed to the flavor of the food, as it was too salty and spicy, but she still praised it as delicious.

After the meal, Jiang Cheng went to the study with Zhang Linsen. Si Rong didn't know what they talked about, but after Jiang Cheng came out, he took her and left the Zhang household, politely declining Zhang Linsen's offer to stay the night.

"What's wrong? Did it not go well?" Walking on the unfamiliar street, Si Rong asked while holding Jiang Cheng's arm.

This matter was never going to be easy.

Moreover, while Jiang Cheng was talking in the study, she had heard what Zhang Linsen's wife and child were saying in the kitchen when she went to the restroom.

The general meaning was that they looked down on the two of them; the chopsticks they used for the meal today were even thrown away.

She had never been looked down upon like this in her life; it was just as well not to stay at the Zhang house.

However, Si Rong didn't intend to tell Jiang Cheng about this; his body was already weak, and if he got angry, it would certainly be even worse for his health.

"Yes, I misjudged the person."

Jiang Cheng didn't blurt out the fact that an earthquake would happen in a month; he only probed a few times to ask if Zhang Linsen knew anyone at the Earthquake Research Institute.

As it turned out, Zhang Linsen beat around the bush, asking if he was trying to make plans for his own son, and also said the Earthquake Research Institute was a sinecure with no future, while recommending several other departments and implicitly suggesting that a bribe of over one hundred thousand would be needed to pull strings.

"It's okay, we'll take it slow," Si Rong comforted him, "Let's find a hotel first; I'll heat up your medicinal soup, and we can make plans after you've rested well."

No one would be willing to believe them unless it was someone with authority, like a geologist.

"Okay."

Just then, Jiang Cheng's phone suddenly rang, and a lively voice came from the other end, "Guess who I am?"

A prankster!

Jiang Cheng naturally remembered, but he refused to give the person the satisfaction, "If you don't say, I'm hanging up."

"Teacher, it's me, Xu Jie! Where are you all right now? I'll come pick you up!"

Jiang Cheng instinctively looked at his wife first, and seeing Si Rong shake her head, he said, "It's too late today; we'll go to a hotel first and come find you tomorrow."

"Commander Jiang, don't be so hesitant. How could a hotel be as comfortable as home? I've already had people tidy up the house, just waiting for you and the teacher's wife!"

Jiang Cheng had no choice but to report his location.

In less than ten minutes, Xu Jie arrived by car.

"Tsk tsk, Commander Jiang still looks as young and handsome as before," Xu Jie began to banter as soon as they met, "Hello, teacher's wife!"

"Hello." Si Rong shook his hand briefly.

Now she also understood what Jiang Cheng meant earlier when he said he had mistaken the person.

It was true; people do change, and she actually felt that this mischievous one was more reliable than that steady one.

Xu Jie had indeed already taken care of the room; it was a two-bedroom apartment, very tidy.

"Feel free to stay here in Chuan Shi," Xu Jie said, handing them the keys, "I don't usually live in this apartment."

"Then thank you."

After Si Rong expressed her thanks, Xu Jie waved his hands repeatedly, "Teacher, you're not an outsider. I know you aren't the type who likes sightseeing. If there's anything you need, just let me know. If I can handle it, I will; if I can't, we'll figure it out together."

"There is something," Jiang Cheng no longer acted coy; he also hadn't expected that this boisterous child was so thoughtful deep down.

To see a person clearly, one still has to look at their actions.

"I wanted to ask if you know anyone from the Earthquake Research Institute or any geologists, specifically in Chuan Shi."

Xu Jie didn't ask further and picked up his phone to scroll through his contacts, "I don't know any, but I have many friends; I'll ask around."

As he spoke, he began making calls.

After about two or three calls, Xu Jie said happily, "Found one, from the Chuan Shi Earthquake Research Institute—it's my friend's wife."