Upon hearing Sister Zhao’s words, Gu Jianing’s heart sank completely, and she felt a chill run down her spine.
In truth, when she saw Sister Zhao and heard her question, she had already begun to suspect something, though she still clung to a sliver of hope. But now, seeing the look on Sister Zhao’s face, Gu Jianing instinctively knew things had gone wrong. Sure enough, the system was never mistaken.
As expected, Huijuan soon explained how she had been tricked into coming to the hospital and shared her suspicion that the real targets were Xingxing and Yueyue.
Gu Jianing’s expression darkened.
It seemed this group wasn’t just limited to Aunt Zhou—there were others involved. For instance, one person had deceived Sister Zhao into coming to the hospital.
That meant there must be at least one more person sent to lure Xingxing and Yueyue away.
The question now was: What had happened to the twins?
Since the system hadn’t alerted her that the protective charms on Xingxing and Yueyue had shattered, it meant they were still alive, though in danger. The problem was, she had no idea where they were or what condition they were in.
“Dr. Gu, I’m so sorry—this is all my fault. I shouldn’t have fallen for their trick,” Huijuan said, her eyes filled with guilt.
She had been foolish, too easily deceived.
“Sister Zhao, let me think about what to do next,” Gu Jianing replied.
Deep down, Gu Jianing knew the real blame lay with the criminals—they were too cunning, and Sister Zhao had simply been caught off guard. But right now, she had no energy or mental capacity to comfort her.
She had just given birth and was utterly exhausted.
Under normal circumstances, she should have been resting, even sleeping.
But she forced herself to stay awake.
She had to confirm Xingxing and Yueyue were safe before she could relax.
Yet, in her current state, she couldn’t get out of bed to search for them. The only person who could was Sheng Zexi.
She had no idea what he was doing right now.
But Xingxing and Yueyue were his children—he needed to know.
So, after returning to her hospital room, while no one was paying attention, Gu Jianing quietly purchased a “gray mouse” messenger from the system shop.
After scribbling a message and specifying Sheng Zexi’s location, the gray mouse scurried out through the window and vanished.
Gu Jianing watched its retreating figure, then turned her attention back to the system shop, searching for anything that could remotely help Xingxing and Yueyue.
…
Xingxing, Yueyue, and Goudan, who were pretending to be unconscious, were carried further away.
Xingxing could sense the wind and rain growing fiercer.
The gales and raindrops lashed against their faces, stinging sharply.
But neither Xingxing nor Yueyue dared to move a muscle.
After what felt like an eternity, they heard Aunt Zhou say, “We’re here.”
Peeking through barely open eyes, Xingxing saw they had arrived at the seaside.
‘Brother, why did they bring us to the sea?’ Yueyue asked silently in her mind.
Xingxing stayed quiet, though he had a grim suspicion.
Yueyue quickly voiced it.
‘Are they going to drown us?’
The moment the thought formed, Aunt Zhou’s voice confirmed it.
“Throw them into the sea.”
Xingxing and Yueyue: Just as we thought!
Drowning the three children in this weather—whether it would be ruled an accident or not—was the simplest and most convenient way to dispose of them.
Once they left, no one would ever find them.
“Don’t blame us. Blame your father—he’s the one who took what belonged to us,” Aunt Zhou said, pinching Yueyue’s cheek.
Yueyue winced in pain from the pinch but clenched her teeth, refusing to move or make a sound.
‘Brother, they’re really going to throw us into the sea! What do we do?’ Yueyue panicked. ‘Ow, that really hurt!’
‘It’s fine. Let them.’
‘Have you forgotten? Mom gave us Water-Avoiding Beads.’
‘Oh, right! Mom did give us those!’
Their mother had explained the beads’ abilities in detail.
Though they hadn’t tested them in the sea or a river before, they had experimented in a basin during bath time.
So, they knew exactly how the beads worked.
‘But, Brother, we have the beads—Goudan doesn’t!’
‘Then we’ll have to save him ourselves.’
‘Okay!’
Aunt Zhou and her group showed no mercy.
Almost immediately after the twins finished their silent conversation, all three children were hurled into the sea one after another.
The moment they hit the water, Xingxing and Yueyue felt something incredible.
In such weather, the sea should have been freezing.
Yet, they didn’t feel even a hint of cold.
The moment they sank beneath the waves, they opened their eyes—and felt no discomfort at all.
Strangely, what should have been pitch-black underwater was perfectly clear to them, as if illuminated.
They could see everything in the sea with startling clarity.
Around their bodies, a thin, transparent film seemed to encase them, shielding them from the water’s effects.
Here, they could see, breathe, and even swim freely—just like fish.
For the twins, it was a wondrous experience.
Of course, the moment they were thrown into the sea was also the moment the system alerted Gu Jianing that they were in mortal danger.
Unbeknownst to them, their mother already knew—and was frantic with worry.
‘Yueyue, we have to find Goudan, quick!’
As amazing as it was to move like fish underwater, Xingxing knew the beads were their lifeline.
Goudan didn’t have one.
If they didn’t act fast, he could drown.
‘Brother, I see him! Goudan’s over there!’
Yueyue soon spotted a small figure sinking rapidly—it was Zhao Goudan.
‘Hurry, let’s go!’
Just as they were about to reach him, a figure suddenly plunged into the water.
…
Neither the twins nor Aunt Zhou’s group knew this, but someone had witnessed the entire scene—someone saw the children being thrown into the sea.
That someone was Lin Shu.
The so-called “madwoman” of Qianye Village.
The typhoon wasn’t severe enough to force evacuations in Qianye Village, so the locals were supposed to stay put.
Lin Shu should have remained safely at home.
Yet, in this storm, she had run out—straight to the shore.
Because she was determined to save her “drowned” daughter.
Leave a Reply