novelA Million Times for You (78)
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Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Tuoba Rui would have done everything in his power to help if he were still the president.
Unfortunately, he was no longer the president.
Thus, he had no say in the major political decisions of the nation.
Lin Shishi, who was sitting beside Tuoba Gucheng, realized that her parents-in-law had fallen out because of the matter. Not wanting them to be upset, she said, "Father, Mother, my family and I know how serious this matter is, but no matter what, we have to consider Gucheng's interests first above everything else. I've already spoken to my parents and persuaded them. We're all supportive of the nation's decision. That way, Gucheng won't be put in a spot."
Tuoba Gucheng stared at Lin Shishi, filled with a mix of emotions. Shi Xiaoyu smiled and praised, "Shishi is so understanding. It's a blessing to have you as our daughter-in-law."
Pursing her lips, Lin Shishi said, "This is only my duty. Since I've married Gucheng, his interests should be my first priority."
Tuoba Rui turned beet red and stormed off in a huff.
"Mother, why does Father look so..." Lin Shishi blurted, finally popping the burning question she had.
"He's just too used to being the president and having a say in everything. He's just afraid of facing criticism from the public for leaving a citizen in the lurch. However, I'm sure most people can tell what's best for the nation. Things will blow over soon enough and the tongues will stop wagging online. Gucheng, don't make an exchange with those terrorists. You're the nation's leader now, and the nation's interests should be your top priority, " Shi Xiaoyu said.
He was sick of being told that he had to look at the bigger picture and consider the nation's interests first.
He had heard it umpteen times in the past few days.
He had a strong urge to curse back at them, "To hell with the nation's interests!"
However, being the mature adult he was, he could completely control his emotions and keep his thoughts to himself.
He would never allow his heart to rule his head.
It was practically a torment to have no choice but to force himself to make a decision against his wishes.
He had a heavy burden on his shoulders and was the only hope the nation had.
He ought not to disappoint his citizens and to make every decision with the nation's best interests at heart.
"Gucheng, you'll make the correct decision, won't you?" Shi Xiaoyu asked.
"Yes." He had forced that answer out of himself reluctantly with all his might.
Shi Xiaoyu smiled and said, "I knew you wouldn't disappoint us."
——
"Young Sir, we've nabbed Xu Baizhi and her husband, they're on a flight back now. We caught them at about five o'clock in the morning. The plane will arrive in our hangar at about four o'clock in the afternoon."
Jin Qingyan lit up with joy and asked, "Awesome, did you manage to find out anything from them?"
"No, they refuse to speak up."
"I'll interrogate them myself."
"Alright, I'll inform you once the plane touches down, " said Fan Shixin.
"Okay."
Jin Qingyan waited patiently for the plane to arrive. At the same time, he was also waiting for the results of the negotiation.
Although the wait was grueling, he knew not to act rashly before receiving news of the results.
Time crawled by bit by bit.
There were only a few hours before the afternoon was to arrive.
The media finally reported the latest news of the results at three o'clock in the afternoon.
The news report was titled: "The president stands firm on his decision and decides not to succumb to terrorism. The negotiation has failed."
It was clearly a carefully-curated article written by a professional.
The article was a detailed writeup that described the challenges and difficulties faced during the negotiation with the terrorists, the vast number of soldiers sacrificed in the process, as well as the possible consequences the country will have to bear if they were to give in to the conditions laid by the terrorists.
After the article was released, all the easily-influenced netizens immediately went with the crowd and showed their strong support for the nation's decision.
At the same time, they did not forget to take pity on An Xiaoning.
Everyone was certain that An Xiaoning would not be able to make it back alive.
Many netizens took to Weibo to show their pity and concern toward An Xiaoning, seemingly having placed much less emphasis on the controversial issue of her three marriages.
However, there were still some malicious netizens who repulsively gloated over An Xiaoning's mishap, saying that she had deserved it for making all other women jealous of her while she was alive. They thought that it was only right for her to lose as much as she had gained.
They made every comment and statement in shameless self-righteousness.
While a major uproar was breaking out all over the internet, Xu Baizhi and her husband were brought to the secret basement obscured within Wei Ni Estate.
They were kneeling on the ground with their limbs tied together, appearing extremely pale and disheveled.
Jin Qingyan and Fan Shixin were standing right in front of them.
"Are you still not going to speak up? Xu Baizhi, you'd better speak up while I'm still patient. Don't wait until I decide to give you a hard time, " Jin Qingyan scorned sternly with a menacing look in his eyes.
"Will you let me go after I speak up? You won't, right?" Xu Baizhi asked.
"I will, " said Jin Qingyan, desperately wanting to know An Xiaoning's whereabouts.
"You will? Why do I feel like you're lying to me?" Xu Baizhi asked apprehensively.
"Of course, you may choose not to believe me, but do you really have a choice right now? Where is An Xiaoning?" Jin Qingyan questioned again.
"Let my husband go and I'll tell you. He's innocent, " said Xu Baizhi, taking a look at the man beside her.
"Okay." Jin Qingyan then instructed Fan Shixin, "Release her husband."
"Baizhi..."
Just as Xu Baizhi's husband was about to say something, she interrupted him, "Hush, don't say anything. I did this alone. It has nothing to do with you. I probably won't be able to make it out of here. Get out and carry on with life. You shouldn't even have been implicated in this. This is the end of our fate as a couple."
The man wanted to say something but ended up remaining quiet and exiting together with Fan Shixin.
After they left, Jin Qingyan asked again, "Can you speak up now?"
"I was the only person behind this. I did it because I wanted to leave the organization together with my husband, that's why..."
Before she could even finish, he interjected, "Don't waste my time, get straight to the point! Where is she now!?!"
Xu Baizhi shivered in shock and fear and answered without hesitation, "She's on Mount Qingping in R Nation. That mountain is much steeper than average mountains and has many obstacles. Average people usually won't be able to get near it at all."
"Young Sir!" Fan Shixin scurried in and whispered into his ear.
Jin Qingyan flew into an uncontrollable rage after hearing Fan Shixin's words and immediately grabbed a thick steel rod, which he swung toward Xu Baizhi's head.
"Ah!" Xu Baizhi shrieked in pain and passed out soon after.
Fan Shixin watched as Xu Baizhi fell onto the ground and stopped moving after a few shivers. Blood began to flow from her head and seeped into the cement floor. Her brain had also fallen out of her skull.
Although she was already dead, Jin Qingyan was still not appeased and continued to hit her lifeless body with the rod several times more.
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