Chapter 331: Chapter 329: Changes in the Wind and Clouds (3) The Wise Song Zhizhi (Second Update)

Translator: 549690339

“Quite a number of people outside are keeping an eye on your illness,” Yan Jin said.

Ji Baijian pressed his lips together; he had guessed as much.

It wasn’t easy for anyone to believe in sudden illness and hospitalization.

“Song Zhizhi has called you. I told her to come back soon,” Yan Jin said.

There was a slight movement in Ji Baijian’s eyes as he stared directly at Yan Jin.

Feeling a bit creeped out by Ji Baijian’s stare, Yan Jin said, “Why are you looking at me like that? As your wife, I naturally had to let Song Zhizhi know about your severe illness. In front of those watching you, I even made it clear that you’re on the verge of death.”

Ji Baijian fell silent.

It would be best if Song Zhizhi returned at this time. What worried him, however, was the potential danger she might encounter midway.

Anyone with a bit of cleverness could figure out that they could use Song Zhizhi to probe the truth about his illness. Given how crafty and cunning Qian Guanshu was, he was unlikely to overlook this.

He clenched his teeth.

“Give me the phone.”

Yan Jin handed the phone over to Ji Baijian.

Ji Baijian dialed a number.

Yan Jin thought he was calling Song Zhizhi, but that wasn’t the case.

Sometimes, Yan Jin felt that despite his age, he couldn’t completely comprehend Ji Baijian, a man of 25. Ji Baijian’s depth was impenetrable; Yan Jin couldn’t figure out what he was thinking.

“Young Master Jun.”

“Isn’t the Ji family’s eldest son gravely ill? This is his deathbed resurgence.”

“You promised me that you would protect Song Zhizhi,” said Ji Baijian bluntly.

“Don’t worry: your wife is very clever,” Jun Mingyu said. “She left with her bodyguards this afternoon, and I had people watching unseen. Although you gave me forewarning to pay attention to Song Zhizhi’s safety when your heart disease relapsed, I can’t restrict her freedom. Even if she doesn’t want to delay a second coming to see you, there’s nothing I can do. I’ve tried to dissuade her, but she didn’t listen and I had to let her go.”

“Get to the point,” Ji Baijian said, seemingly losing patience.

“When she left, she was indeed being watched. I was prepared to take risks for your wife, but it turns out, your wife is smarter than we thought. Wei Ziming’s sedan was stopped by a group of people in a secluded place on the street in Jinghe Village. The target was naturally your wife. The moment the car door opened, I almost gave the order, only to find that there was no one in the sedan apart from Wei Ziming, who managed to escape successfully in the dark. That is to say, your wife has successfully dodged everyone’s attention somewhere unknown and left unnoticed. Now if you ask me where your wife is, I honestly don’t know,” Jun Mingyu explained.

Ji Baijian’s face seemed to brighten slightly at that moment.

Jun Mingyu said, “Ji Baijian, with you and Song Zhizhi working together, it’s unlikely anyone could stand against you.”

“So, Young Master Jun fears us?”

“That’s not it,” Jun Mingyu laughed. “People like me either kill or get killed; there’s no way we can live peacefully throughout our lives! So, it doesn’t matter who kills us, as long as we can give them trouble and find someone else to blame, it isn’t in vain to live this life. Ji Baijian, do you think there will be a day when you kill me?”

“The same goes for you,” was Ji Baijian’s retort.

Jun Mingyu raised a corner of his mouth, not answering directly. He changed the topic and said, “Now, your wife has completely disappeared from my sight, and I can’t guarantee her safety. I am also under surveillance, so don’t risk calling me or sending messages. It might just expose us.”

Ji Baijian hung up the phone directly.

He knew Song Zhizhi was smart, but this time, she had outsmarted his expectations.

He didn’t call Song Zhizhi to explain his situation because he guessed that Song Zhizhi would certainly figure out that his illness was a ruse. If he were really dying, he wouldn’t have neglected to inform her. If he were truly on his deathbed, the first person he would want to see would be her, instead of lying directly in the hospital.

He trusted that Song Zhizhi would guess all of this.

Moreover, he didn’t tell her for another reason: so she wouldn’t have to pretend. Regardless of whether Song Zhizhi could deduce what was happening, she would still worry about his condition, prompting those hiding around her to believe his illness was real. The fact that Song Zhizhi was in a rush to see him further proved this!

He had also alerted Jun Mingyu to protect Song Zhizhi in secret. However, he hadn’t expected his wife to be this thorough in her planning.

He lay in bed, restless.

Until Song Zhizhi returned, he would still worry somewhat.

But he believed in Song Zhizhi!

Ye Family Villa.

Ye Wenhan looked extremely displeased.

So did Qian Guanshu.

Ye Wenhan harshly hung up the phone and said to Qian Guanshu, “They lost her!”

Qian Guanshu had also heard Ye Wenhan’s phone conversation and could hardly conceal his anger.

Ye Wenhan didn’t dare to speak.

He followed Qian Guanshu’s lead for now, having no ideas of his own. He wasn’t sure what their next move should be, and he couldn’t accept the fact that Song Zhizhi had managed to disappear under their watchful eyes. He had never thought Song Zhizhi was all that remarkable; he believed someone was helping her from behind the scenes, making her appear clever, similar to how his own father commanded him from the background. But now, without anyone by her side, Song Zhizhi could still play them all.

“Have people search for her. Since Song Zhizhi left by herself, she couldn’t possibly walk back; she must have taken a car to Nanyun Airport. I want people to search all transport routes and some at the airport. I refuse to believe that we can’t find a single Song Zhizhi!” said Qian Guanshu sternly.

“Yes.” Ye Wenhan promptly issued orders.

Qian Guanshu’s face still didn’t light up any.

Ye Wenhan said, “Dad, it’s possible that Song Zhizhi just happened to guess our next move and prepared in advance. However, we’ve been monitoring Song Zhizhi’s phone all along, so as long as she makes a phone call or goes online, we can get the latest base station data. We can determine where she is based on which base station she’s under…”

“If Song Zhizhi can anticipate our next move, do you really think she couldn’t guess she’s under surveillance?! Do you think she’ll still use her phone to make calls and send messages?!” Qian Guanshu looked particularly displeased.

Ye Wenhan was silent.

This time, Song Zhizhi had really opened his eyes. He hadn’t expected that Song Zhizhi was capable of distracting him and vanishing!

He gritted his teeth, his face becoming increasingly clouded.

Qian Guanshu hesitated for a while.

He picked up his phone and dialed a series of numbers.

Ye Wenhan watched his father.

Qian Guanshu made the call.

After a moment, someone on the other side picked up, “What’s up?”

“I’ve lost track of Song Zhizhi, and I can’t guarantee that I can find her.”

“How could you screw this up?!” The voice from the other side was furious.

“I didn’t expect this version of Song Zhizhi to be so clever. We were indeed following her, but didn’t expect her to use Wei Ziming as a diversion. Song Zhizhi’s whereabouts are now unknown.”

“Qian Guanshu, you’ve really disappointed me,” The voice on the other end was ice cold, “Not only did you fail to find anything on Ji Baijian as I asked, but now, after I went to all the trouble of arranging for Jihong Group to collaborate with Kostal, and framing the JiHong Group for heavy bribery of relevant Kostal personnel, absolutely nothing is going right! It’s clear as day that Ji Baijian’s illness is nothing but a ruse. He must be onto something. All I asked was for you to grab Song Zhizhi and force Ji Baijian to admit he’s not ill. How could you not even handle that simple task?!”

“I am at fault,” Qian Guanshu did not make excuses, “I know you’ve gone through a lot of trouble, the fault is mine.”

“What good will discussing who’s at fault do now! When I chose to partner with you instead of Ye Taiting, I did so because I saw in you greater ability. Don’t make me regret my decision!” The voice on the other side ended the call abruptly.

Qian Guanshu’s expression darkened further.

He looked up at his son, “Do you have any ideas?”

Ye Wenhan was taken aback.

Slowly, he shook his head.

Qian Guanshu’s anger flared again.

All this time, Ye Wenhan made no progress, completely dependent on him for guidance and completely lacking initiative.

Qian Guanshu rebuked him, “Wenhan, you’ve been following me long enough. I didn’t say anything when you first took over, but it’s been a year now and you haven’t made any progress. How am I supposed to have peace of mind about leaving everything to you? You need to learn to stand on your own!”

Ye Wenhan hastily agreed, “Dad, I am studying seriously.”

“But what have you actually learned!” Qian Guanshu’s tone was severe, “At this rate, not only are you nowhere near catching up to Ji Baijian, you’re not even on par with Song Zhizhi!”

Leaving his comment hanging, he walked off angrily.

It was the first time Ye Wenhan had been so bluntly criticised by his father.

He was angry and felt his dignity slipping.

His father had always been kind to him, seemingly feeling a great debt to him and always incredibly patient. All that changed because of Song Zhizhi!

Always Song Zhizhi!

If Song Zhizhi ever fell into his hands again, he’d strangle her himself!

Meanwhile, in the Song Family villa.

Song Shan received a call from Song Wen.

Song Wen asked, “Song Shan, when did Zhizhi become so intelligent?”

Song Shan frowned, “What do you mean?”

“We were told to deal with Ji Baijian, who’s suddenly backed out of his deal with the Kostal Group, feigning illness. Since everyone knows Ji Baijian’s illness is a ruse but can’t find a way to prove it, the higher-ups wanted to kidnap your daughter to gauge the truth about Ji Baijian’s health. But your daughter has disappeared, despite tight surveillance.”

Song Shan’s face hardened. “Wasn’t it agreed that my daughter would not be harmed in the process of dealing with Ji Baijian?!”

“That was merely for show. Rest assured, the higher-ups will keep their word. I called to ask if there’s any way you could contact your daughter. Don’t worry about the rest, I assure you she won’t be harmed,” Song Wen said.

“I’ll try calling her.”

“No need, Song Zhizhi’s phone has been switched off,” Song Wen said, “Your daughter is highly intelligent, Song Shan. If Song Zhizhi was a son, she could be quite a formidable figure!”

“Don’t use that tone with me. Because of Song Zhizhi, my relationship with Song Zhidao is strained!” Song Shan was visibly upset.

Song Zhidao did not inherit his assertiveness at all.

Being too kind-hearted, he was always considering Song Zhizhi’s feelings.

Once everything was set in stone, they could always make amends. At this critical juncture, the big picture was all that mattered!

“By the way, Wei Ziming follows Song Zhizhi around all the time, right? Call him and see if he knows anything. If he has information, let me know. The people upstairs seem rather angry.”

“Alright,” Song Shan nodded.

He hung up the call and dialed Wei Ziming immediately.

Wei Ziming’s phone was on. After narrowly escaping a mob, he had made it back to the main road. But now, it was too late and there were no cars. He walked along the street, knowing that as Song Zhizhi had said, he was not the target and nobody would be out to kill him. He didn’t need to proceed too carefully.

Looking at the incoming call, Wei Ziming hesitated before picking up, “Uncle”.

“Are you with Zhizhi? I tried calling her but her phone’s off.”

“No, we split up.”

“Where did she go?” Song Shan got straight to the point.