Chapter 141: Chapter 141 Alert
Because she had something on her mind, she got up half an hour earlier than usual.
As soon as she finished tidying up, she heard noises from the courtyard next door.
She went out immediately. "Liu Chenglin, I have something I need to tell you."
Seeing her like this, Liu Chenglin guessed she must have known he wasn’t there last night. "Come in and talk."
As soon as Yunyi entered the courtyard, she stopped. "Can you get in touch with Comrade Huo? I have something important to tell him."
Last night, she had suddenly thought of something very important, and her first thought was of Huo Jingrui. Perhaps, deep down, she acknowledged the name Jingrui more. She hoped it wasn’t too late.
Liu Chenglin could see her urgency. "Wait a moment, I’ll go find him right away."
They had searched the mountain all night but hadn’t found the person. Having just come down, the main group, aside from a team left on guard, returned to their temporary quarters in town. They needed to rest and prepare for the arrival of experts dispatched from higher up.
When Liu Chenglin caught up with Huo Jingrui, Huo Jingrui was a bit puzzled. "What is it?"
Liu Chenglin whispered into his ear, "Chu Zhiqing has something urgent for you."
As soon as Huo Jingrui heard it was Chu Zhiqing looking for him, he grew anxious. "What happened?"
Liu Chenglin shook his head. "She didn’t say, only that it’s very important."
Huo Jingrui had the others taken back, then he followed Liu Chenglin along the perimeter path back to Liu Chenglin’s residence.
Yunyi had been waiting all along. Upon hearing movement, she immediately opened the courtyard door.
Huo Jingrui scanned the surroundings to ensure no one was paying attention, then directly entered Yunyi’s courtyard. Suppressing an inexplicable flutter in his heart, he asked, "Chu Zhiqing, you were looking for me?"
Yunyi nodded. "Yes, it’s very important."
While she spoke, she glanced at Liu Chenglin.
Liu Chenglin quickly understood. "I’ll go to the private plot and keep watch."
Yunyi didn’t beat around the bush and recounted the events involving the brigade leader from the night before.
However, she concealed her actual intention to confront the brigade leader. She only said she had left something at the infirmary and, by coincidence, had seen the brigade leader acting furtively. She followed him and unexpectedly stumbled upon this important matter.
Huo Jingrui hadn’t expected this girl to stumble upon such crucial information by chance. Concerned for her safety, he said, "This discovery is very important for us. However, Chu Zhiqing, you must prioritize your own safety in the future."
He then asked some detailed questions, clearing up his doubts one by one, before concluding the conversation.
Having obtained such a vital clue, their plans naturally needed adjustment. So, he quickly excused himself. "Chu Zhiqing, this matter is of great importance. I must leave now."
But as soon as he finished speaking, Yunyi said, "Comrade Huo, I have another favor to ask."
Huo Jingrui saw the conflicted look on her face. "Are you facing some difficulty?"
Yunyi truly didn’t know how to say it. After all, if she spoke of things that hadn’t happened, people might think she was mentally ill. Yet, she couldn’t overcome the unease in her conscience by staying silent. "Comrade Huo," she began, "I’ve had the same dream for several days in a row. The dream feels very real, and it’s making me extremely anxious."
Huo Jingrui was at a loss for words. Seeing her solemn expression, he couldn’t bring himself to casually tell her that dreams are often the opposite of reality and that she shouldn’t worry.
So, he asked, "Can you tell me what the dream was about?"
Yunyi gathered her thoughts and described the impending disaster in Tang City. "Comrade Huo, I know you might not believe me, but I’ve had this dream for several days in a row. I..."
Huo Jingrui looked at her, his expression serious. "Why are you telling me this?"
Yunyi replied earnestly, "Time is short. I don’t know who to tell about such a serious matter. Even if I did speak out, it’s unlikely anyone would believe me, yet I can’t bring myself to remain indifferent. When I felt anxious and uneasy, you were the first person I thought of. With some things, it’s better to believe they might happen than to ignore the possibility. Could you help think of a way to give everyone an advance warning, without it affecting you?"
Yunyi knew she was asking a lot, but she felt she had no other choice. She had considered writing it down and secretly submitting it to the relevant departments. But what if it wasn’t taken seriously and was just thrown away like waste paper? Making a phone call wasn’t realistic either. Long-distance calls now involved multiple transfers, and who knew how many people would overhear what she said. If that happened, she might end up being watched in the future. She wanted to save people, but she didn’t want to bring trouble upon herself.
Seeing the gravity in Yunyi’s eyes, Huo Jingrui, for some unknown reason, found himself inexplicably believing her. "Is there a specific time?"
Yunyi gave a general time frame. "I’m sorry to have troubled you."
Everything she had said today was critically important. Huo Jingrui wasted no more time. "I’ll definitely find a way to pass the information up. As for whether it will succeed, I really can’t guarantee it; after all, this matter is truly quite incredible."
Yunyi nodded at him. "I’m counting on you."
Huo Jingrui nodded back at her, then turned and left the courtyard. He briefly instructed Liu Chenglin, who had been keeping watch outside, "Keep a close eye on the brigade leader’s every move, and do not reveal your identity."
Liu Chenglin was a clever man. As soon as he heard his boss’s orders, he guessed what was happening. "Don’t worry, Boss. Just leave Songling Village to me."
Huo Jingrui then remembered something. "Starting today, you no longer need to join us for night operations. Your current mission is to watch for any other suspicious individuals in the village."