GBP Chapter 1955: Speculation Becomes Reality
Chapter 1955: Speculation Becomes Reality
"Someone has contacted Lan Cuihua?!"
The news brought by the dog was like a cold lightning bolt, instantly cleaving through the layers of mystery that had accumulated in Li Xiangnan's heart due to Yuan Neng's death and the temple's strange behavior, but it also brought a new, more intimate chill!
really!
As expected, the external forces colluding with the temple's internal traitors did not let go of that seemingly most natural and least suspicious entry point!
Lan Cuihua's father was poisoned, and Li Xiangnan rescued him. Lan Cuihua was grateful for his help...
Behind this series of seemingly logical events lies a truly insidious web!
Li Xiangnan forced himself to calm down. The various deductions in his mind about Lan Cuihua being used had now turned from "possibility" into "reality" that was happening!
He took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, took out a cigarette and offered it to the seller, asking, "Dog, what exactly happened? Tell me!"
The dog speaks very quickly and clearly.
"About two hours ago, your mother prepared Old Lan's dinner for Lan Cuihua, and she returned home as promised! A man wearing a cotton-padded coat, a felt hat, and a thick scarf, completely covered up, appeared near the Lan family's house!"
"This man caught our attention as soon as he appeared! We immediately started monitoring him! He circled the alleys near the Lan family's house twice, looking around cautiously. After making sure no one had noticed him, he went to knock on the Lan family's door!"
"That guy doesn't know that even the old man performing shadow puppetry on the street is one of our gang members!"
"It was Miss Lan who opened the door. The two of them whispered something at the door, but it was hard to hear from a distance! The man handed Miss Cuihua a cloth bag the size of her palm! Miss Cuihua hesitated for a moment, but still took it. Then the man went straight into the house!"
"He stayed inside for about the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn before he came out! Our men followed him for a while, but he was very good at counter-surveillance, deliberately choosing to go into dark alleys, winding and turning, and finally we lost him in the area of Coal Slag Alley!"
Li Xiangnan listened and thought at the same time.
This person took the initiative to come to the door, observed beforehand, brought items, and had a long, private conversation...
This was definitely not a simple test or a chance encounter, but a planned and purposeful rendezvous, and very likely a rendezvous with clear mission instructions!
The other party has likely begun to exert influence or threaten Lan Cuihua, and has started assigning tasks.
I didn't expect them to take so many days before they started to act; they really are patient.
"What was Lan Cuihua's reaction? What about her father?" Li Xiangnan pressed for specific details.
"Grandpa Lan is still in poor health and spends most of his time in bed, only coming out to bask in the sun during the day. He shouldn't be showing up today! Miss Cuihua..."
The dog puffed on his cigarette, trying hard to recall: "I seemed a little surprised when the door opened, and I was forced to take the bag. After that, I was a bit at a loss!"
"After that person went in, she stood at the door for a while, seemingly not quite reacting, before finally closing the door! The light inside stayed on, and we could see her shadow on the opposite rooftop; it seemed like she hadn't moved at all, just sitting there! After that person left, the light stayed on for a long time afterward!"
Feeling helpless, he sat there blankly for a long time.
These details depict the panic, struggle, contradictions, and bewilderment of a young girl who is suddenly drawn into a huge conspiracy.
This aligns with Li Xiangnan's assessment of Lan Cuihua's personality.
They are simple and honest, grateful and repaying kindness, but inexperienced in the ways of the world. Faced with coercion and threats, they are conflicted and at a loss.
"Well done, Gouzi!" Li Xiangnan patted him on the shoulder and said, "Please go back and tell Brother Cheng Kui to keep a close eye on things for me! Be extra careful, and make sure we don't get exposed!"
"In addition, record the characteristics and times of all suspicious persons who have come into contact with Lan Cuihua. If Lan Cuihua is found to be going out unusually, or if her father is acting strangely, immediately use a whistle to sound the alarm!"
"Understood! Don't worry, Dr. Li!" Gouzi nodded emphatically, then nimbly vaulted over the wall again and disappeared.
After the dog left, Li Xiangnan sat down on a nearby rock, smoked another cigarette, and remained motionless for a long time.
The cold winter wind swept through the ruins of the temple, stirring up ashes that fell upon him.
He squinted, looking towards the pitch-black ruins of the Mu family, then glanced at the brightly lit ancient temple behind him.
On one side lies a long-dormant family feud and bloody murders, and on the other side is an imminent infiltration threat aimed directly at the safety of their family members.
We must act now, and quickly!
He originally planned to use the possibility that Lan Cuihua might be coerced to devise a counter-espionage plan to find out the Little Buddha's movements and intentions.
Now, the opponent has made the first move, and Lan Cuihua's line has been activated!
This means the risk has increased dramatically!
But similarly, opportunities also arise.
If handled properly, what the opponent thinks is a "nail" could actually turn into a barb that pierces their vitals!
The key is how to gain Lan Cuihua's complete trust and make her cooperate willingly.
Li Xiangnan quickly formed a preliminary plan in his mind.
He didn't linger. He found Wang Defa and Song Ziming, briefly explained the current situation, and then left the temple alone, got on his motorcycle, and braved the cold wind to return to the courtyard.
In the familiar courtyard, seeing the warm light shining from his own window in the distance, Li Xiangnan felt a little less of the gloom caused by the temple and the changes in the Lan family.
But he knew that beneath this warmth, there might be an undercurrent of unease.
Lan Cuihua was washing dishes by the sink, her expression focused, lost in thought, and she didn't even hear Li Xiangnan return.
Li Xiangnan glanced at her, pushed open the door and went inside. His mother, Zhu Qiuju, and his grandmother, Tang Qingshuang, were discussing under the lamp what pattern to embroider on Xitang's shoes.
Qin Ruobai held the sleeping Xitang and patted her gently. When she saw him return, she looked at him with concern.
"It's late again today. How's the temple? Did the fire hurt anyone?" Zhu Qiuju asked, putting down her work.
Since his family didn't know about Yuan Neng's death, Li Xiangnan didn't say much and told a white lie.
"Mom, it's okay, no one lives in the house that burned down! It's just that there's a lot going on over there, so I might be busy for a few more days!"
Qin Ruobai sighed, knowing her husband was very tired, and comforted him, "It's good that you're busy. You don't need to worry about things at home. Go to sleep!"
Li Xiangnan was indeed a little tired, so he nodded, squeezed his wife's hand, and then turned around and went back to the backyard. He didn't go over to greet Lan Cuihua, but he could hear the sound of water over there seem to have paused for a moment.
After Qin Ruobai carried the child back into the house, he came out again, poured a cup of hot water, leaned against the door frame of the main room, and looked out into the courtyard.
Just then, Lan Cuihua came over from the other side carrying the washed dishes and chopsticks, her head bowed, ready to put them back in the main room.
She seemed preoccupied, her steps unsteady, and she almost tripped on the steps of the main room.
"Cuihua, be careful!"
Li Xiangnan spoke at the opportune moment; his voice was not loud, but it sounded like thunder in the quiet night.
Lan Cuihua trembled, and the basin in her hand shook, the bowls and plates inside making a soft clattering sound.
She hurriedly raised her head and looked at Li Xiangnan, her eyes flickering with a hint of panic and guilt that she couldn't hide.
Under the dim light, her face looked paler than usual, and her lips were pressed tightly together.
She could feel that Li Xiangnan's gaze seemed to see right through her...