Chapter 147: Misunderstanding

"Fu Wenzhou!"

Song Qingyou woke up from the sofa with a start.

Fu Bei handed her a glass of warm water and some medicine. Song Qingyou rubbed her eyes wearily; she had just dreamt of Fu Wenzhou again. After taking the medicine, she asked, "Any news?"

Fu Bei looked pained. "No."

Song Qingyou had grown exhausted and weary of hearing that word over these past few days. She waved a hand, signaling for Fu Bei to leave.

Once the door closed, Song Qingyou closed her eyes again, feeling drained. Suddenly, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and answered, "Uncle Chang."

"Miss, how are you feeling? Why does your voice sound so weak?" Song Chang asked with concern.

Song Qingyou replied softly, "I'm fine."

Hearing this, Song Chang decided not to press further. He wanted to ask if young Mr. Fu had been found, but fearing it would only cause her more grief, he hesitated before getting straight to the point. "The court verdict is in. Luo Yuan has been sentenced to life imprisonment..."

"I see," Song Qingyou said. "There's no need to report anything regarding the Luo family to me anymore."

"Luo Yuan is requesting to see you. He claims there is something you would be very interested in knowing."

Song Qingyou frowned slightly. "What is it?"

"It is—" Song Chang lowered his voice. "It is regarding your mother."

Song Qingyou stiffened. "My mother?"

"Yes."

Song Qingyou’s eyes darkened. "Understood. I will go see him after I find Fu Wenzhou."

"Understood," Song Chang said, sounding worried. "I have a bad feeling about Luo Yuan; I don't think he has good intentions. Perhaps you shouldn't pay him any heed, Miss."

Song Qingyou said calmly, "I have to go eventually; he needs to sign the equity transfer agreement for the Song Corporation."

Hearing this, Song Chang replied, "That is true."

"Is there anything else, Uncle Chang?"

"Well... when will you be coming back, Miss?"

Song Qingyou supported herself as she stood up. "I will return once I have found Fu Wenzhou."

After hanging up, Song Qingyou went out to find Gu Bai and Xu Zezhan. During this period, she had forced herself to eat and sleep, resorting to sleeping pills when she couldn't drift off naturally. Her complexion had improved slightly, no longer looking as ghastly as it had days before.

Seeing her approach, Gu Bai waved. "I was just about to go up and call you."

Song Qingyou’s brows were etched with fatigue. "Where is Xu Zezhan?"

Gu Bai checked his watch. "He went to the helicopter; he should be back any moment now."

Before he could finish, Xu Zezhan walked in. Gu Bai immediately rushed toward him. "How is it? Any news?"

Xu Zezhan paused and slowly shook his head.

In truth, after so many days without news, everyone had vaguely guessed the outcome, but none of them were willing to believe it. They persisted in exhausting massive amounts of manpower and resources, searching day after day.

Xu Zezhan looked at Song Qingyou and Gu Bai, remaining silent for a long time before speaking in a deep voice. "No news. The depths of the forest are inaccessible. Two mercenaries have already been seriously injured. It has been so many days—the probability is that he is already..."

Xu Zezhan choked, then added painfully, "Qingyou, we cannot go on like this."

Gu Bai suddenly threw a punch at Xu Zezhan’s face. "What the hell are you babbling about! The three of us grew up together. Fu Wenzhou has an accident, and you just say we should stop looking? Are you even a brother?"

Gu Bai panted, his anger at its peak. He had used all his strength, and Xu Zezhan’s cheek swelled instantly.

Xu Zezhan’s expression darkened. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, his face looking grim and formidable. "And what would you have me do? Do you think I don't want to save him? Do you think I don't want to find him? We’ve been searching for days—is there even a single clue? If those two mercenaries die, you’ll be detained here! You’ll never be able to go home!"

Xu Zezhan laughed in fury. "How many times have I gone into the Mist Forest these past few days, huh? Have you ever cared about that? Fu Wenzhou is your brother, but am I not? Gu Bai, you have always been this selfish, acting only with your own feelings in mind. From childhood to now, every bit of trouble you’ve stirred up, haven't I been the one to clean it up for you? When something goes wrong, you come to me, and when it can't be solved, you blame me. Are you a giant infant?"

Gu Bai stood frozen, staring at Xu Zezhan. His chest heaved violently; he opened his mouth, but not a single word came out.

"You and Gu Bai should head back to the country," Song Qingyou said slowly. "I will take responsibility for whatever happens here."

Xu Zezhan’s expression remained stern. Ignoring Gu Bai, he turned to Song Qingyou. "Searching blindly like this is not the way. I know Wenzhou; he surely must have left signals along his path. Tomorrow, I will enter the deep forest with the remaining mercenaries. I will use flares as a signal. Once you see the flares, have the helicopters fly in."

Gu Bai was stunned, his mouth faster than his brain. "You... aren't you leaving?"

Xu Zezhan didn't even glance at him, continuing to address Song Qingyou. "Rest assured, as long as he is alive, I will bring him out safely."

It was more of a vow than a promise.

Song Qingyou’s eyelashes trembled slightly. She said hoarsely, "I'm sorry."

Xu Zezhan replied, "No need to apologize. He is not just your man; he is my friend. You want to find him, and so do I."

With that, he turned and headed upstairs. Gu Bai mumbled, wanting to chase after him, but lacked the courage. He had never seen such a terrifying look on Xu Zezhan’s face before. Realizing he had misunderstood without hearing the full story, Gu Bai felt a pang of guilt.

"He has been more exhausted than any of us lately," Song Qingyou said to Gu Bai. "Go and explain yourself, otherwise, he will only be more burdened."

Gu Bai clenched his fists, hesitated for a few seconds, then gritted his teeth and chased after him.