"Mo Han, I received this today. Is Lin Jing asking us for help?"
She held a blood-stained piece of paper, on which the words "Save me" were written in bright red blood.
"Where did this come from?"
Wei Yumeng quickly pulled him to the table, "It was a package. I checked, and it was mailed from a village in the suburbs. Do you think it could be Lin Jing?"
"No."
Zhan Mohan blurted it out, leaving Wei Yumeng somewhat flustered. "W-why?"
Zhan Mohan then realized his reaction had almost exposed today's events. He quickly explained, "Our search for her whereabouts is no longer a secret. If it's exploited by someone with ulterior motives, it will be detrimental to you. I will investigate this, but you cannot be involved."
Zhan Mohan had already experienced the plot to harm them using Mu Linjing as bait today. They returned unharmed because of his prior arrangements, but luck wouldn't always be on their side.
He absolutely could not let Wei Yumeng get entangled in such danger. Of course, it was also evident that someone had set their sights on Wei Yumeng.
"Yumeng, it's been turbulent lately. It's best if you don't go out. To ensure your and the child's safety, I'll send you and the child to Grandpa's tomorrow. I'll bring you back after this busy period."
Hearing his words, Wei Yumeng could tell something had happened and felt a vague sense of unease. But she knew that Zhan Mohan's not explaining immediately meant he didn't want her to worry. No matter how she asked, she wouldn't get any answers.
However, she could also guess that it had something to do with Mu Linjing's disappearance.
"I understand. I won't cause you any trouble."
Upon hearing this, Zhan Mohan pulled her into his embrace, resting his chin on her forehead, and sighed softly.
However, she sensed the turmoil in his chest and realized the seriousness of the situation. Wei Yumeng knew that all she could do was take good care of the child and Grandpa, so he wouldn't have any worries.
With their own thoughts, neither of them slept well. Early the next morning, Zhan Mohan took his wife and child to the Zhan family.
Old Master Zhan had already heard about the shipwreck. Perhaps it was because he was old that his heart softened. He hadn't been in good spirits these past few days and hadn't even gotten out of bed today, feeling that his own assertiveness had cost Wen Yulan her life.
Zhan Mohan and the others had been very busy these past few days and hadn't had time to visit. They only learned of this situation today.
"Don't worry too much. I'll spend time with Grandpa with the child during this period. You go ahead and do what you need to do."
With her words, Zhan Mohan could leave with peace of mind.
On the way to the company, he received a call from Fang Xun, who said he had discovered a strange phenomenon: after Ji Tong died that year, a large number of prison guards were also replaced. The official reason given was that they had all reached retirement age.
However, this explanation was clearly a cover-up. How could it be such a coincidence that everyone reached retirement age in the same year?
Thus, he changed his route and went to the prison.
He and Fang Xun split up to inquire, and the results were consistent. They intended to dismiss them with such a respectable reason, but it only proved how suspicious the matter was.
Seeing the visitors, he couldn't help but think of Jiang Siyu, whom he had sent in.
Since he was there, he casually stopped a staff member and asked a question.
"A few months ago, a woman named Jiang Siyu was held here. How is she now?"
He had only asked casually, but the person, flipping through their work folder, searched for a long time. "Jiang Siyu? There's no one by that name here."
This surprised Zhan Mohan. The person he had personally sent in, with instructions that she should never leave here, how could it be as if she had never existed?
Seeing their surprised expressions, the person smiled. "I haven't been here long, perhaps she was released before I arrived. Why don't you ask someone else?"
Zhan Mohan and Fang Xun exchanged glances, both sensing something was wrong. Even if the person had just arrived, they should have known all the inmates. How could it be as if they had never heard of this person?
Jiang Siyu could not have left this place; they both knew this better than anyone.
So, Fang Xun called over a more experienced staff member and questioned him again. They learned that Jiang Siyu had been killed attempting to escape several times.
"Why didn't we receive any news?"
Zhan Mohan had played a role in Jiang Siyu's imprisonment, so he should have been informed of any improper intentions she might have had.
But Zhan Mohan had never heard any news about Jiang Siyu for such a long time. Now, upon asking, he was told she had been killed. This sounded like a tall tale.
Perhaps fearing they wouldn't believe it, the other person even produced the list of escapees. "These are all recorded and reported. After verification, the superior authority will stamp the documents for us. That woman, I remember her. She was restless after arriving and didn't comply with discipline. I heard she even tried to commit suicide when she was brought in."
Zhan Mohan looked at the list, which indeed bore the official seal of their higher authority.
The two of them did not press further. It wasn't until they returned to the car that Zhan Mohan pondered deeply. "These two incidents are too similar."
Having been by his side for so long, Fang Xun knew he was referring to Jiang Siyu and Ji Tong. The prison's explanation for both was too similar, clearly designed to ensure there were no witnesses.
Moreover, what the other person had said earlier reminded them that Jiang Siyu had been determined to die at the time. If she was already heartbroken, why would she try to escape multiple times?
"Mr. Zhan, is it possible that Jiang Siyu has been released?"
Fang Xun boldly proposed this speculation, and Zhan Mohan did not refute it, as this was also what he had in mind.
If Jiang Siyu had really tried to escape several times, given her previous suicidal attitude, it was very likely that she had been incited by someone, thus wanting to struggle for another chance at freedom.
If that statement was false, it was even more important to investigate the truth.
The news of "Jiang Siyu's death" not only shocked Zhan Mohan but also made him feel that it was fabricated.
With the same skepticism, he instructed Fang Xun to secretly investigate the matter, to see who had visited her since Jiang Siyu's imprisonment. If someone had truly instigated her escape, they would have had to help her, colluding from the inside and outside.
Such a plan would be impossible without several prior arrangements. If this were the case, that person must be among those who had visited her.