A live stream that dramatically transformed a depressed schoolgirl shocked netizens across the count

The car became completely quiet.

The only sound was the dull thud of the wipers slicing through the windshield.

Gu Qingshang gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands, the image of that door latch that had never been completely locked resurfacing in his mind.

Chen Lang is right.

Every time Zhou Henian refused, he left room for the next step.

They don't meet in person, but they're willing to verify each other's identities through a door.

He didn't discuss his whereabouts, but he was willing to reveal the secret that Cheng Shouzhou's right hand was injured when he left.

She doesn't accept business cards, but instead has her granddaughter tell her to go to the square where the whole village will be tomorrow.

Chen Lang lazily lowered his hand and shifted to a more comfortable position.

"The door was only half open when we found the person."

"Zhou Lan will take him to the square tomorrow. He will not only see you, but he will also personally hand over the trump card that he couldn't reveal ten years ago in front of everyone."

Gu Qingshang stared intently at him through the rearview mirror, her voice trembling.

"What makes you so sure you have a trump card?"

Chen Lang chuckled softly.

The gloomy sunlight outside the window shone on the black titanium steel earring in his left ear, giving it a cold sheen.

"A herbal medicine inspector, with old scars on his wrist from being interrogated, and stray dogs stalking his house, could still remember exactly which documents each of the six seals appeared on ten years later."

Chen Lang spoke casually, yet with an air of unwavering certainty.

"He risked his life to protect it for ten years; it can't just be three expired pieces of waste paper."

Su Niannian's eyebrows twitched, and she blurted out.

"An account book?!"

Shen Qingci also raised her cool eyes and added softly.

"Or, original records that perfectly match the names, batches of medicinal materials, and cash flow."

Ye Xingyu's breathing tightened slightly.

"If something so deadly truly exists, why hasn't it been handed over to the Gu family in ten years?"

Chen Lang leaned back in his chair, a hint of mockery in his eyes.

"Because the Gu family who came ten years ago weren't here to save people at all."

"Some people sought out Cheng Shouzhou, some collected prescriptions, and some offered high prices for acceptance records."

"No one asked about the review report, and no one cared whether Cheng Shou-chou lived or died."

Chen Lang made the final decision.

"It's not that Zhou Henian didn't want to hand it over; he just hadn't found the right person who was clean and worthy of taking this trump card."

Gu Qingshang's chest heaved violently.

The suffocating feeling that had been weighing on my heart for days finally dissipated somewhat after Chen Lang's few words.

A dozen seconds later, she raised her hand and pressed hard on the corners of her reddened eyes, then shifted gears and started the car again.

"Chen Lang, thank you."

The sound was hoarse yet extremely heavy.

Bai Weiwei waved and laughed from the back row, trying to liven up the atmosphere.

"Sister Qingshang, it's not too late to thank us after we find Mr. Cheng. You'll have to treat us to a nice meal then!"

Gu Qingshang looked at the sincere faces in the rearview mirror and smiled.

"Okay, please."

Su Niannian immediately sat up straight and announced loudly.

"Except for Chen Lang! He ate the biggest fish head last night, and he still wants to freeload today? No way!"

Chen Lang didn't even open his eyes, casually retaliating.

"You still remember that fish head. The food at your place is delicious, but the bill is taking a while to arrive."

Su Niannian let out a cold laugh.

"Don't give me that crap. If we actually find someone tomorrow, you'll be Qing Shang's laborer, carrying his stuff!"

"Okay."

Chen Lang responded lazily.

"You have to hire a farmhand just to have a meal; your business is definitely a sure-fire way to make money."

A relaxed laugh finally broke out inside the car.

The gloom that had been weighing on Gu Qingshang's brow was somewhat dispelled by this burst of lively laughter.

At the same time.

Songhe Village shrouded in rain.

Inside the dimly lit brick house, Zhou Henian resealed the brown paper bag.

He carefully wrapped an old key, its surface patina of verdigris, in a soft cloth and tucked it into the lining of a paper bag.

The yellowed note that read, "If the Gu family comes to rescue people, give her the account book," was folded neatly and tucked away deep inside.

The old man, dragging his injured leg, opened the old wooden cabinet and took out a white, faded sacrificial robe.

He brushed the dust off his shoulder with his thin fingers, stuffed the paper bag into his inner pocket, and fastened it tightly with a safety pin.

The metal box on the table was not properly closed.

In the dim light of the flashlight, the hard edge of a black ledger was visible at the bottom of the metal box.

On the cover of the ledger, the names of four units were written heavily in pen.

At the very top, marked with a glaring red line, was the He family from Shanghai.

It was evening.

The SUV rolled over the bluestone road and came to a smooth stop outside the Bai family's courtyard.

The gray, unlicensed car outside the courtyard was still parked in the same spot.

The man in the driver's seat was holding up his phone, furtively pointing the camera at the SUV door.

Just as he was about to press the shutter, Chen Lang pushed open the car door, stepped out with his long legs, and slowly raised his head.

Their eyes met in mid-air, separated by two layers of rain-washed glass.

Chen Lang didn't make any unnecessary movements; there was even a nonchalant smile on his lips.

But his dark eyes revealed an undisguised coldness.

In that instant, the man in the car felt a chill run from his tailbone straight to the top of his head, and his neck suddenly tightened.

With a snap.

The man flicked his wrist, and the phone smashed directly between his legs.

His face turned ashen, and he frantically rolled up the car window, even adjusting the seat back half a notch in fear, barely daring to breathe.

Chen Lang looked away, walked to the back of the car, opened the trunk, and lifted out the heavy equipment box with one hand.

"He's so timid, yet he's out doing surveillance. This job is really putting him in a difficult position."

Su Niannian got out of the car and followed his gaze to the gray car that looked as timid as a quail.

"Should I take the spatula and go ask?"

"What do you want to ask?"

Chen Lang closed the trunk with his back hand.

"Ask him if the composition of his shot is good? Let him stay put. He finally found a job as a night watchman; don't let him scare him into losing his job."

Su Niannian rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Your mouth will get you a good beating sooner or later."

Chen Lang carried his suitcase and stepped into the courtyard.

"The idea is good, but so far, no one has been able to do it."

After everyone entered the hospital, Bai Weiwei didn't let the oppressive atmosphere linger for more than three minutes.

She darted into the room like a nimble lark, and soon came out carrying a large pile of colorful Bai ethnic costumes, which she spread directly across the bamboo couch in the courtyard.

Exquisite silver ornaments, hand-embroidered belts, indigo tie-dyed long skirts, and short jackets with double-breasted fronts piled up to form a dazzling sea.

Bai Weiwei greeted them excitedly.

"We all need to wear traditional clothes for the Rao San Ling event tomorrow!"

Su Niannian picked up an embroidered hat covered in tassels and held it up against her flamboyant wolf tail hair, her expression strange.

"Will wearing this make me look too innocent? It doesn't suit my personality."

Bai Weiwei examined it carefully for two seconds before mercilessly adding insult to injury.

"It's alright. As soon as you open your mouth, everyone will know it's a misunderstanding."

Ye Xingyu couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Su Niannian's eyes widened, and she pretended to pinch Bai Weiwei's face.

"Well, Wei, you're getting bolder lately, aren't you?!"

Bai Weiwei deftly hid behind Chen Lang's broad back, peeking out her head in a provocative manner.

"The main thing is that Chen Lang is there; I have a backer! You need to beat him first!"

Chen Lang turned his head and glanced down at Bai Weiwei, who was hiding behind him.

He tapped the bamboo pillar beside him with his long, slender fingers.

"Using me to block the spatula? According to the rules, you should be charged."

Bai Weiwei blinked.

"I'll add a fried egg to your breakfast tomorrow!"

"two."

Chen Lang bargained.

"make a deal!"

Su Niannian threw her embroidered hat onto the bamboo couch and laughed in exasperation.

"So you two settled the deal right in front of me, huh?"

After a while of fooling around, Bai Weiwei put away her playful expression and looked at everyone seriously.

"But let's agree on the rules first. There will be no live broadcast tomorrow, no filming equipment, no asking for Grandpa Zhou's specific address, and no actively seeking information about Mr. Cheng's whereabouts."

"As long as he doesn't speak up, we're just ordinary tourists attending the 'Rao San Ling' ceremony."

Gu Qingshang was the first to nod, his gaze firm.

"Do as agreed."

The others also solemnly agreed.

Just then, Shen Qingci, who had been standing quietly to the side, picked out the most elegant indigo tie-dye long dress from the pile of clothes.

She spread out her skirt and gently held it up to her slender figure.

Exquisite silver buttons are neatly arranged along the neckline, and a circle of fine hand embroidery is pressed along the waist.

The indigo blue color made her already pale skin appear even more translucent.

The faint red beauty mark at the corner of her eye made her appear even more aloof and frail at that moment.

Shen Qingci looked down for a moment, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the hem of her skirt.

She then turned to face Chen Lang.

Her usually wary eyes now held a hint of barely perceptible expectation.

"Is it pretty?"

She asked softly.

Chen Lang lifted his eyelids.

His gaze slowly moved upwards from the fluttering indigo skirt, past her taut fingertips, and finally landed on her cool, aloof face.

Chen Lang's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and he was about to raise his signature roguish smile.

A system notification suddenly sounded in my mind.

【warn! 】

[Unusual movement of people detected on the northern slope of Cangshan Mountain!]

[Hidden quest triggered: A deep-seated ailment from ten years ago!]

[Current Mission Phase: The Ledger Appears!]

Multiple unidentified hostile forces are converging on Songhe Village!

[Hint: Professional security personnel, business investigators, and some local thugs have been detected within the target group!]

Chen Lang's smile froze for a moment.

The mission map in view unfolded rapidly.

Seventeen red dots are approaching the northern foot of Cangshan Mountain from three mountain roads.

Some people are walking on the highway.

Some people detoured from the abandoned orchard.

Several others had already dispersed into the vicinity of the village road that Rao Sanling would inevitably pass through tomorrow.

The three groups of people did not overlap, but they were all tightening their grip on Songhe Village.

The nonchalant look in Chen Lang's eyes gradually faded.

Seventeen people: professional security guards, business investigators, and some lowlife thugs.

With such a large entourage, it's impossible that they actually went there to burn incense.

Shen Qingci keenly sensed the fleeting pause in his breath.

Just a moment ago, an extremely dangerous sense of pressure suddenly erupted from Chen Lang's body.

She subconsciously tightened her grip on the silver button at the hem of her skirt, her cool voice tinged with nervousness.

"Isn't it good-looking?"

Chen Lang instantly concealed his aura.

He leaned down slightly, his fingers touching the indigo skirt in her hand, and a smile returned to his eyes.

"It looks great. This outfit suits you best; wear it tomorrow."

Hearing his sincere praise, the hidden unease in Shen Qingci's eyes completely disappeared.

She gave a soft "hmm," a slight blush rising to her pale cheeks, and her lips unconsciously curved into a gentle, bright smile.

Bai Weiwei was helping Gu Qingshang choose matching silver jewelry, while Su Niannian chattered away, offering suggestions. The courtyard was filled with cheerful laughter and lively conversation.

Apart from Shen Qingci, no one noticed the fleeting coldness in Chen Lang's eyes just now.

Chen Lang straightened up, put one hand in his pocket, and looked up towards the northern foot of Cangshan Mountain.

He had only accompanied Gu Qingshang to meet an old man.

Follow the rules, go through the procedures, and wait for Zhou Henian to speak up.

It now seems that tomorrow's pilgrimage will be much more lively than he expected.

Chen Lang lightly touched his cheek with the tip of his tongue, and the corners of his mouth curled up with that nonchalant smile again.

Seventeen people, three paths.

They're all after an account book from ten years ago.

interesting.