Planning to Catch Them

This time, I wouldn't let them come into contact again. First, it would only strengthen Zhou Jingxuan, and he'd use that strength against us later.

Second, they were truly heinous. We finally had a chance to catch them, so we definitely couldn't let it slip away. Otherwise, who knew how many more people they would harm?

In the story, Zhou Jingxuan did deal with them in the end, but that only happened after he had secured his position as head of the family. How many people would they hurt over these next few years?

And Zhou Jingxuan dealt with them because they actually dared to threaten him into doing things. The authorities had also set their sights on them, and he was afraid they would trace something back to him, so he stepped in too.

It was entirely to show off his domineering aura, and to show Shen Keke how much he loved him. Like, "See? I didn't hesitate to go after his family. Could I possibly not love him? I love no one but you."

Love my ass. If you truly loved Shen Keke, could you bear to let him suffer such grievances for so many years? You might have had your difficulties in the story, but seriously, how could there be that many difficulties?

But Shen Keke wasn't worth pitying either. It was ridiculous—every time he ran away, he couldn't even make it out of A City. There were clearly several times when, if he had tried harder, he could have gone abroad, yet he still hid somewhere in A City. He knew perfectly well that Zhou Jingxuan had influence in A City, didn't he?

I seriously suspect you were just waiting for Zhou Jingxuan to come find you so you could feel how much he loved you. Sigh, wouldn't this kind of thing be utterly baffling in real life?

Xu Qingqing was the most speechless after hearing Shen Can's thoughts. As someone who had actually carried out a plan to leave A City, she truly could not understand someone who could not even escape the city.

Was this supposed to be "he ran, he chased"? This was clearly more like storming out after an argument, then waiting for the other person to come coax you.

Of course, from the perspectives of the two people in the story, it might have been incredibly angsty and tragic, but she genuinely could not feel it.

As soon as the Cruise Party begins, I'll immediately call and report that there are extremely dangerous people aboard who pose a major threat to society. That way, they'll be arrested the moment they disembark.

But in the story, they came to the Cruise Party to move a shipment through the party. Another gang set them up, though, and that was how their leader, the one nicknamed Eagle, was accidentally injured.

There are more than ten of them, and the other gang has four or five people too. Then I need to make it sound more serious, right? No, that doesn't seem right either.

In that case, they'll probably need more people. I should just anonymously report in advance that there'll be an illegal transaction on this cruise ship. The police should set up an ambush beforehand, then.

I really want to tell Fourth Brother directly, but what if he asks how I know? Should I look for Brother Lu? I heard some of his grandfather's old comrades had risen to regimental command.

If anyone asked which two people were the angriest upon hearing this news about the gang, the answer would definitely be Shen Yao and Lu Shao.

Shen Yao was in the military, so naturally he could not tolerate this sort of thing. Besides, he knew of Eagle; the police had been trying to catch him for a long time.

Lu Shao had also been influenced by his grandfather since childhood, making it difficult for him to tolerate such matters as well.

Though Shen Can seemed to have spent a long time thinking it over, only a few minutes had actually passed.

Huo Xi spoke up at just the right moment to greet the Shen Household and say he had come to pick up Huo Huan. Shen Mother hurriedly asked whether he had eaten, and upon learning that Huo Xi had not, she quickly had someone bring him a bowl and utensils.

The moment Shen Can saw Huo Xi, inspiration burst through his mind. Why is Huo Xi here? Right!! What do I do for a living? I make games!!

I'm very good with computers. I can just say I accidentally ended up on an overseas website and saw them discussing things on an anonymous forum.

Besides, this sort of thing usually only stays up for a little while before disappearing. It would be normal if no one could find it afterward.

Shen Can put down his bowl, said he had something to do, and went upstairs. He stayed up there for roughly an hour before coming back down.

He pretended to rush downstairs anxiously with his laptop in his arms, only to wonder why everyone downstairs was still gathered there.

Usually, everyone went off to do their own things after dinner. Shen Can glanced at Huo Xi and guessed it was because he was there.

"Dad, Mom, I found something huge!! The Cruise Party we're attending is dangerous. An organization is planning to conduct an illegal transaction there."

After saying that, Shen Can planned to show them the page on his computer, only to find that it had already crashed.

Shen Can put on a dejected expression. "They deleted it. There's no evidence now. But someone really was arranging a transaction there."

Shen Chi somewhat wanted to laugh. His younger brother's acting was honestly a little funny to him, leaving him unsure how to respond. No one had expected Huo Huan to be the first to speak.

Huo Huan nodded solemnly. "In lots of movies, bad people do bad things on cruise ships because they can sail out into international waters, where no one can control them."

Once Huo Huan had said that, everyone else found it easier to speak.

Shen Can looked at Huo Huan approvingly. As expected of you. You really are a genius at this stuff, understanding it all at such a young age.

Good thing you won't become like you were in the story now, or that would have been terrifying.

Huo Huan did not hold it against Shen Can, even though he had clearly spoken up to help Shen Can continue the conversation. He had already grown used to Shen Can's erratic thoughts.

Moreover, from Shen Can's thoughts, he had learned that he was originally destined to become a very bad, terrifying person whom everyone feared.

But that was the original future, not the present.

Sure enough, after Huo Huan spoke up, everyone began analyzing the situation.

Shen Yao's unit was a special forces unit, specifically tasked with carrying out extremely difficult missions.

When he had transferred in, the family had all been worried about his safety, but they had ultimately supported his decision.

Shen Yao nodded and said he would report it to his superiors. After all, even the slightest possibility was worth trying.

Many times, they had no way to verify information passed along by informants, but they still had to carry out the mission.

They worked for the people's safety, so even if there were no results, they still had to try. Lu Shao also said he would tell his grandfather when he returned.

"Uncle, Auntie, use my bodyguards when the time comes. It would be bad if anything went wrong. Those people are desperate criminals and won't show mercy," Huo Xi suggested kindly.

They all knew Huo Xi meant well. Everyone in their circle knew that the Huo Household's bodyguards were exceptionally formidable—either former underground fighters from abroad, combat champions, or retired soldiers.

The Huo Household's ability to hire such people was proof of their capabilities, and the Huo family truly needed them. Their overseas business required bodyguards of that caliber.

Once Huo Xi saw that the discussion had mostly concluded, he took Huo Huan home. As Huo Xi was heading upstairs, Huo Huan suddenly called out to him.

Huo Xi turned around and asked what was wrong. Huo Huan said somewhat awkwardly, "Uncle, you need to be careful too."

It was the first time Huo Huan had called Huo Xi "Uncle" as Huo Xi had instructed. Everything he had now was given to him by Huo Xi, and he was genuinely grateful. Besides, this matter seemed far from simple. He truly worried about Huo Xi, and he also had something he wanted to ask of him.

Children were not allowed to attend the Cruise Party. If a child from any family were injured aboard the ship, it would be far too troublesome.

"My fighting and shooting skills are both very good, and I have bodyguards too, so you don't need to worry. Is there anything else you want to tell me?"

Thinking of Shen Can, Huo Huan added, "Uncle, could you protect Uncle Shen Can too? He isn't strong."

Shen Can was important. Everyone in the Shen Household knew that because they could hear Shen Can's thoughts too; Huo Huan had quietly figured that out himself after spending so much time there.

But Huo Xi could not hear them, and Shen Can sometimes spent time with Huo Xi. Huo Huan was afraid Huo Xi would not take Shen Can seriously enough and that Shen Can might be accidentally hurt.

Shen Can's thoughts contained many things about the future, and whenever Huo Huan went over to play, Shen Can treated him quite well. Shen Zhuo also liked Shen Can, his little uncle, very much.

"Alright, I will. Go to sleep now." Huo Xi agreed with a smile. Of course he would protect him, even if Shen Can had been avoiding him all day.

After Huo Xi went upstairs, Huo Huan thought about what had just happened. Had Huo Xi smiled? Why had he smiled? Huo Huan thought about it for a long time without understanding, and eventually could only go to sleep.

Huo Xi had not expected Huo Huan to say something like that. Sure enough, with a changed environment, Huo Huan would not become like he had in the story.