Please come in.

Secretary Guo, Miao Xihe is here.

Please tell him to come in. Guo Zhenghe sat up and got out of the bed.

Miao Xihe entered the room. It was the first time they had met.

Good day, Chief Miao, Guo Zhenghe said.

Good day, Secretary Guo.

Both men eyed each other. They were trying to figure the other one out.

Thank you for your help, Guo Zhenghe said.

Youre too kind, Miao Xihe said. Besides, Im the cause of all the incidents. He did not deny that part.

Miao Tianchuan is indeed a lunatic, Guo Zhenghe said. I asked you to come here for two matters, Chief Miao. The first is to express my thanks. The other is to see if you can provide any solutions to rid us of this menace once and for all.

The second matter was much more serious and what concerned him the most. All of the previous incidents had been crazy enough, but the most recent one was even worse since that man chose to target government servants. That was a solid testament to the mans utter lunacy. He was a crazed demon who would stop at nothing and do anything to get what he wanted.

Ive been thinking about the problem for days, Miao Xihe said. If its me that hes after, then it would be best to use me as bait. However, we need to be clear about one thing. We need to confirm if he is still hiding in He County.

Hell, I wish that he was actually elsewhere now, Guo Zhenghe said.

Miao Xihe stayed silent for a moment before saying, He may have left.

He tried to assassinate me before, right outside the village, Miao Xihe said. He was gravely injured. I dont think he has long to live.

Is that so? Thats great news, Guo Zhenghe replied.

He wished to see Miao Tianchuan dead, regardless of how or where the man died. Anything was fine as long as the threat was eliminated.

Yeah.

But Im still concerned.

The problem is that I dont have much of a solution to offer at the moment.

Do we wait for him to attack us again?

That method was very dependent on luck. If Miao Tianchuan laid low and did nothing, there was no telling how long they would have had to wait.

As such, there was little else to discuss.

The two men exchanged several words. Before long, Miao Xihe excused himself. A pretty, capable-looking woman headed into the ward shortly after the older man left.

Sis? What are you doing here? Guo Zhenghe was rather surprised to see his sister.

I was concerned, she said. Why else would I be here?

His visitor was Guo Sirou. She had been back at home. When she heard that something happened to her younger brother, she became very concerned. Despite telling her mother to stay home, she came all the way there herself.

Well, Im still in one piece, arent I? Guo Zhenghe felt warm seeing family being around, especially his sister, who doted on him.

I think Mom is right, Guo Sirou said. Its best that you leave this place. Talk with Dad for a bit and go elsewhere, OK? She tried her best to persuade her brother.

Oh, alright. Ill talk to Dad when Ive got the time, Guo Zhenghe replied.

Sis, new years day is around the corner, he added. You best head home quickly. Both Dad and I are away from home, so Mom is alone.

Ill head back tomorrow, Guo Sirou said.

OK.

The siblings chatted for a bit in the ward. Guo Sirou helped Guo Zhenghe up. She stuck around while he walked around the room for a bit.

It was past 8 p.m. before they realized it.

I got you a place to stay, Sis, Guo Zhenghe said. Head back and get some rest. Ill be fine here.

Im in no hurry, Guo Sirou replied. Ill stick around and chat with you for a while longer.

The door suddenly opened with a click. A young-looking man with a faint golden complexion had opened the door.

Oops, sorry.

Its alright.

The man seemed to have walked into the wrong room, so he went back outside.

Guo Sirou left when it was after 9 p.m. Shortly after leaving her brothers ward, a young man approached her.

Good evening, Milady.

That young man was the one who went to Guo Zhenghes ward before.

Good evening, Guo Sirou said. And, you are?

I beg your pardon. My name is Miao Changsheng. Id like to make friends with you.

Im sorry. Guo Sirou smiled. That was not her first time running into this type of situation. After all, she was quite beautiful. Her unique aura easily charmed some men.

In case you change your mind, heres my phone number. The young man was not frustrated after he was rejected. He smiled and handed Guo Sirou a piece of paper with his phone number on it. Guo Sirou simply walked off without even looking at the paper.

Feisty. I like it. The young man chuckled.

A man in his 60s came before Miao Changsheng and said, Changsheng, the chief told you to go and see him.

Alright, Third Uncle.

Are you looking for me, Father?

What have you been up to? Miao Xihe stared at the young man, who was indeed his son.

Nothing.

Were outside now. Remember what I told you. Whatever you do, keep a low profile.

I remember, Father, Miao Changsheng said. This is not my first time going outside. I know what to do.

Yeah, that is good to hear, Miao Xihe replied.

So, when are we going home, Father?

Tomorrow.

OK, sure.

Guo Sirou went to the place Guo Zhenghe arranged for her. Her brother had assigned someone to take her there. It was Guo Zhenghes private residence. Be it security or the surroundings, everything was very well done.

The man who came with her said, Call me if you need anything at all, Miss Guo,

Alright, will do, she replied. Thanks a lot.

Dont mention it.

She went into the house and looked around. She went to bed after taking a shower. It had been a long day, but she still had trouble sleeping. She kept rolling about and felt very hot. It was as if she was on fire.

What is happening?

She sat up. Her experiences throughout the year told her that something was off.

Something is definitely not right! She felt her head becoming heavy.

Sh*t.

Since she was still in He County, she immediately called her brother.

What? Guo Zhenghe was shocked after receiving a call from his sister. Theres no need to panic, Sis. Ill get someone to get over there right away!

Soon, police sirens were heard.

Please, please, please dont let anything happen! Guo Zhenghe paced back and forth in his ward.

His expression was that of worry. At the same time, he looked sinister.

If anyone dares to harm my family, Ill kill them!

While he was still anxiously waiting, a police officer hurried into the ward.

What happened?

By the time we got there, Miss Guo had already passed out.

Passed out?

Yes, we saw someone suspicious outside the building. The person ran away as soon as we were seen. We didnt manage to catch them.

Other than having passed out, was my sister harmed in any other way? Guo Zhenghe felt as if his heart would leap out of his throat when he spoke.

Shes fine. Its a good thing we got there in time.

Very well. He felt a weight being lifted off of his shoulders.

Get Miao Xihe here right away.

Yes, Sir.

Miao Xihe, who had just fallen asleep, was awoken.

What? Another person poisoned? He was thoroughly startled.

Miao Tianchuan was dead. He had confirmed that much at least. That man was blown to bits. There was no way his body could have even been reassembled.

Yeah, please take a look.

Sure, I will head out right away.

When he arrived at the hospital and saw Guo Sirou in a coma, Miao Xihes expression changed.

Chief Miao, how is my sister? Guo Zhenghe asked.

Shes fine. I can get the poison out of her system right away.

Sure.

Guo Sirou quickly woke up.

Sis, are you alright? Guo Zhenghe asked after seeing Guo Sirou was finally awake.

Yeah, Im fine. Guo Sirou took his little brothers hand.

Good, good. Guo Zhenghe had been worried sick. Sweat was seen on his brow.

Thank you, Chief Miao. I want to know if this has anything to do with Miao Tianchuan.

Its most probably him, Miao Xihe said.

Does that mean he is still in He County?

I think so.

All of He County was on high alert, yet something like that still managed to happen. Furthermore, it was his beloved family who was harmed. Guo Zhenghe was very angry.

A city-wide manhunt was launched.

In a hotel somewhere in He County

Slap!

Whats wrong, Father?

Dont you know what youve done? Miao Xihe was very angry.

I-I didnt do anything.

You didnt, eh? Are you telling me you didnt bug a girl back then?

I, I

I told you before, this is outside and not the village! Miao Xihe shouted angrily at him. Do you know who that girl is? If they realize what youve done, do you know what will happen to us?

Im sorry, Father. I really am. Miao Changsheng was scared. He never expected his father would become so angry.

Get out of here at once!

What? Leave right now? Is it that serious?

It is.

Chief, theyre doing a widespread manhunt out there now, one of Miao Xihes people said. If we leave right now, it will be like admitting that we were the ones who did it.

Yeah, I almost forgot about that. In that case, disguise him. Well all leave tomorrow.

Sure.

In the hospital in He County

Sis, what did you say that guys name was?

Miao Changsheng.

Miao!? As soon as he heard that surname, Guo Zhenghe was immediately reminded of the valley and those people who came with Miao Xihe.

He immediately checked the hospitals surveillance. He found the man who got in Guo Sirous way.

Check further!

From the surveillance footage, he was able to tell that the man was someone who came with Miao Xihe.

Its him!

Guo Zhenghe frowned.

Regardless of who it was, if someone threatened his family, they would become his enemy.

Sis, you rest well. Ill handle everything from here, Guo Zhenghe said.

Im fine, and dont you go about doing something reckless.

Yeah, I know what to do. You just rest.

After he emerged from the ward, his expression became frighteningly grim.

Secretary Guo, should we apprehend those people?

No. They are very dangerous. Let me think about what to do with them. In the meantime, keep a close eye on those people.

Yes, Sir.

He returned to his ward. He paced back and forth while he thinking.