Capítulo 12: Seria ele?

Nanchu, historic and prosperous, is one of the few international metropolises in the Xia Kingdom that can rival the capital.

The headquarters of the Wu Group is located on the east side of the square in the city center. This building, standing over a hundred stories high, is a true landmark of Nanchu.

Two black Range Rovers pulled up one after another in front of the main gate. Before the security guards could approach, Wu Xiao opened her door and stepped out with agility. The four bodyguards accompanying her scrambled out as well, forming a well-trained circle around her.

A man who had been waiting at the entrance walked up immediately. Without the obsequious flattery typical of a subordinate toward a superior, he simply gave a slight nod. "Miss, you must be exhausted."

Zhou Linfeng, as his name suggests, possessed an elegance that lived up to his reputation. With a tall, slender physique and a vigorous, heroic bearing, his mere presence at the entrance was enough to draw lingering glances from passing women.

Despite having the looks of a modern idol, this man was a veteran of the armed forces. During his years serving in an overseas royal special forces unit, he was an undisputed ace. After retiring, he was recruited by the Wu family to serve as a bodyguard.

Although he had been demoted to a secondary position after Wu Xiao returned, in the eyes of many Wu family guards, this swift and decisive Deputy Captain was far more suited to lead the security team.

"What is the situation?" Wu Xiao asked, skipping the pleasantries.

Zhou Linfeng wore a serious expression and shook his head. "The men have been dispatched, but we still haven't found a trace of the young master. We haven't received any calls from the kidnappers these past two days either."

"And my grandfather?"

The answer was as expected, with no surprises. The man who had personally built this vast commercial empire remained in his hospital bed, unconscious and showing no signs of improvement.

"Miss, did your trip go smoothly?"

Unlike the other guards who could only rigidly call Wu Xiao 'Captain,' Zhou Linfeng used a more intimate term, which reflected the fact that the Wu family regarded him as a trusted confidant.

This served as a wake-up call. Wu Xiao, who had already begun walking inside, remembered there was still someone else in the car. She stopped and looked back, her expression displeased.

Zhou Linfeng followed her gaze and was startled to see a shabbily dressed, unkempt man stepping out of the vehicle. The guy walked with a staggering, unsteady gait, and even from a distance, the smell of alcohol reached them. Combined with his lethargic expression, even a blind person could tell he was still nursing a hangover.

Zhou Linfeng, who prided himself on his composure and ability to remain unruffled even if Mount Tai were to collapse before him, couldn't help but frown. He looked at Wu Xiao, puzzled. "This is?..."

Wu Xiao glared at the man, not even bothering to introduce him. One of her guards stepped forward and whispered into Zhou Linfeng’s ear. Upon learning that this disheveled man was someone Wu Xiao had personally invited for help, even a man as poised as Zhou Linfeng was stunned.

Surprise notwithstanding, he maintained his decorum, especially in front of Wu Xiao. Zhou Linfeng straightened his already imposing posture and extended a hand from a position of superiority. "I am Zhou Linfeng, Deputy Captain of the Wu Group security team."

Lu Dongyuan, still swaying as he walked, squinted through his drunken eyes and shook Zhou Linfeng's hand. "Deputy Captain Zhou, right? Please arrange a place for me. I need to get some sleep."

Sleep?

Zhou Linfeng thought he had misheard. With the Wu family in an absolute state of panic, this invited guest had the audacity to ask for a place to sleep?

Not only did the other guards look indignant, but even Wu Xiao couldn't contain herself. She snapped, "Lu Dongyuan! Don't push your luck! I invited you here to help, not to play around!"

"I know, I know," Lu Dongyuan replied, shaking his head nonchalantly. "No matter how big the problem is, one must be well-rested to face it."

Ignoring Wu Xiao, who was currently the acting head of the Wu family, he continued to cling to Zhou Linfeng, asking with a cheeky grin, "Deputy Captain Zhou, don't you agree?"

With that, he let out a loud, unrestrained alcoholic burp. Though Zhou Linfeng didn't move, a flash of cold light appeared in his eyes before quickly vanishing.

He glanced at Wu Xiao, noting her grim, furious expression, and then adopted the refined, scholarly demeanor of a high-achiever, nodding. "Mr. Lu is right."

"Anyone invited by Miss is naturally our honored guest."

Zhou Linfeng turned away and, under the guise of gesturing, subtly pulled his hand away from Lu Dongyuan. "You there, come here."

The person addressed as "you there" was a young guard who had just been recruited. Hearing the Deputy Captain call him, he pointed at himself in disbelief. Once he confirmed he was indeed the one being summoned, he ran over, filled with the trepidation of a nobody receiving a grace.

"Take Mr. Lu to the hotel to rest," Zhou Linfeng commanded with his usual brevity.

Although the young guard wore the same uniform, his duties usually involved guarding the gate—no different from a security guard. Having never been acknowledged by the exalted Deputy Captain, he was so excited that his eyes lit up upon receiving this "mission." He even snapped into a military salute toward Zhou Linfeng. "Yes, sir!"

The other guards looked on with disdain, while the young guard gestured respectfully to Lu Dongyuan. "Mr. Lu, follow me."

"Linfeng, that guy is just a hopeless case. Don't take him to heart," Wu Xiao said. Even after Lu Dongyuan had staggered away with the young guard, her mood remained sour, though she felt a newfound appreciation for Zhou Linfeng's composure.

Zhou Linfeng felt a sense of satisfaction, though he showed none of it on his face. Maintaining a modest and respectful posture, he bowed slightly. "Miss, you are too kind. These are extraordinary times; as long as he has real ability and can find the young master, his poor character matters little."

The words were both tactful and generous. Even Wu Xiao, who came from a military background and usually ignored such subtleties, couldn't help but look at him twice.

"Miss, shall we go to the command room to review the next operational plan?"

Still distracted by Lu Dongyuan, Wu Xiao shook her head. "For now, stick to the original plan. Continue to expand the search radius. If you lack manpower, recruit from outside—don't worry about the cost."

"Yes!"

Zhou Linfeng watched her slender, graceful back as she walked away, his eyes filled with greed. Only after she was out of sight did he look away. He beckoned a trusted subordinate and said in a low voice, "Go check Lu Dongyuan's background. Every detail—report to me as soon as you find anything!"

...

Back in her office, Wu Xiao was unaware of Zhou Linfeng's secret actions. She was deeply anxious about the series of events plaguing her family. Standing by the wall, she stared at the giant city map hanging there. Her gaze lingered on the New Ring Road, and she whispered in despair, "Wu Yao, where on earth are you?"

Unable to see the full map clearly, Wu Xiao stepped back, accidentally knocking a book off the shelf.

It was one of her favorite heavy volumes. Beyond documenting the history of human military development, it included analyses of various nations' military strength, anecdotes about commanders, armament construction, and more—it was all-encompassing. She usually loved to flip through it in her spare time.

But today, she couldn't muster any interest. She didn't even feel like picking it up, until her eyes landed on the open table of contents and she suddenly saw the words "Bird Whistle Language."

As if struck by an epiphany, Wu Xiao picked up the book and turned to the page documenting the Bird Whistle Language. When she saw the name of the inventor, her eyes widened in shock.

'Mr. Dong Yuan?'

'Dongyuan?'

Could it be Lu Dongyuan?