Chapter 35: Budding Talent

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Child trafficking has already been legislated, and both buying and selling are considered serious crimes with severe punishments. Since Gu Ci moved to the Global Sports Center, Gu Chuyun had sent people to investigate them. She knew that Gu Ci and Gu Ziyu lived together and had an affectionate relationship. However, no one could find out where Gu Ziyu actually came from. Gu Chuyun thought to herself that if Gu Ci had bought him, she would launch a counterattack.

The police officers and lawyers behind them were also taken aback. There was obviously something suspicious about Gu Ci and Gu Ziyu’s reactions.

“Sister, let’s go!” Gu Ziyu shook Gu Ci’s hand. “Don’t pay attention to her.”

Gu Ziyu knew that this situation was tricky. His origin was a secret that nobody could reveal, and nobody could guarantee what would happen if the secret were exposed. He couldn’t let Gu Ci be associated with the reputation of child abduction.

“Gu Ci, if you don’t explain clearly, don’t think you can leave!” Gu Chuyun stood in front of her, feeling smug and malicious. “Did you abduct this child? Little friend, don’t be afraid. We will speak up for you.”

“Get lost!” Gu Ziyu said expressionlessly.

“Gu Ci, let’s go home!” Jiang Junlin sensed a hint of danger from Gu Ci’s expression and made a quick decision. At the very least, this matter should not be exposed at the police station.

Gu Ci had come to rescue him on a rainy night, calm and composed. But when Gu Chuyun asked about the child’s origin, she seemed visibly flustered, which was not normal. It was like a ticking bomb.

“Wait, Miss Gu’s words make sense. What’s the deal with this child?” a police officer who was more interested in gossip came over, his expression serious. Watching the show and gossiping was one thing, but when it involved child trafficking, they couldn’t turn a blind eye. They would be failing their military uniform.

Gu Ci calmly responded, “I encountered him on the way. He was covered in injuries and had no money, so I took him under my care and have been trying to find his family.”

“Where is your home?” the police officer asked.

Gu Ziyu provided an address, which the officer noted down. “Do you have your ID?”

“I didn’t bring it!”

“What’s your name? I’ll run a check.”

Gu Ziyu pursed his lips. His name couldn’t be found in the system. He was an undocumented individual, without household registration, and the address he provided was fake. It wouldn’t withstand scrutiny.

“I forgot!” he replied.

“But isn’t he called Gu Ziyu?” Gu Chuyun said. “Gu Ci just said so.”

Jiang Junlin gave Gu Chuyun a sharp glance, causing her smile to vanish and leaving her both frightened and irritated. Why did Jiang Junlin dislike her? He didn’t even know Gu Ci, yet he was protecting her?

Gu Ci was clearly a cold-hearted woman!

“Little friend, how old are you? There are four people in the country named Gu Ziyu, but the ages… don’t match yours. Is it possible that we entered the name incorrectly?” the police officer in charge of registration was perplexed.

A hint of confusion and teardrops appeared in Gu Ziyu’s peach blossom eyes. “Uncle, I am illiterate. I can’t read.”

Everyone gaped.

“Sister, I want to go home. I don’t want to stay here. They are scary,” Gu Ziyu’s teardrops shimmered, displaying a remarkable performance. He appeared pitiful and adorable, evoking sympathy from others.

Jiang Junlin pursed his lips and remained silent as he watched the child turn hostile.

Gu Ci was accustomed to the baby’s acting skills and remained calm. “Okay, let’s go home!”

The police officers realized that something was amiss and stepped forward to stop her. “Miss Gu, you cannot take him away. Even if he is illiterate and can’t read, he must stay here until we investigate thoroughly. Right now, we have reasonable suspicion that you may have abducted a child.”

Gu Ci’s heart was hanging in the balance. Several police officers had blocked her path, and she adopted a firm stance. “When handling a case, evidence is required. You accuse me of child abduction, so provide concrete evidence.”

Jiang Junlin also spoke up. “Even if Gu Ziyu was lost or an orphan, his presence with Gu Ci doesn’t automatically imply child abduction. In handling the case, you must present evidence.”

“It was our slip of the tongue. Miss Gu Ci and the child must stay here for further investigation!”

Gu Ziyu couldn’t withstand the investigation. If they dug deeper, the problem would arise instantly. In the blink of an eye, Gu Ci couldn’t think of a way to escape. Gu Chuyun felt a sense of satisfaction. “Child abduction is a serious crime, Gu Ci.”

Unable to disclose the child’s origin, Gu Ci was doomed. This was different from Lu Man’s crime which had surpassed the statute of limitations after eighteen years. This was a severe crime, and if they imprisoned Gu Ci, there were many ways to ensure she met her demise.

“I’ve been all alone and suffered so much hardship. Finally, I met a kind-hearted sister. What have we done wrong?” Gu Ziyu held onto Gu Ci’s arm, sobbing and choking. He covered his chest, feeling like he couldn’t catch his breath. He was about to feign fainting to try and get out of this situation when several bulletproof cars parked outside the entrance. Several special police officers swiftly got out of the cars and positioned themselves on the left and right. An elderly person with a kind face and neat attire got out of one of the cars and entered the police station.

He saw a group of people gathered at the entrance, and his gaze landed on Gu Ziyu, who was pretending to be unconscious with his hand over his chest. The elderly person smiled and asked in a friendly manner, “What’s all this commotion about?”

Gu Ziyu was stunned.

Damn, it’s the old fox!

The police officers explained the situation, and the elderly person with a benevolent appearance said, “You really can’t know this child’s identity.”

“Why not?” objected one of the hot-headed police officers.

The elderly person took out an identification card and smiled. “National Security has taken over.”

Silence fell, not a sound could be heard.

This was the most mysterious and powerful organization in the country. No one knew how many people were in the Ministry of State Security (MSS), but they knew that when the MSS got involved, it was not a trivial matter, and it definitely wasn’t about child trafficking.

The police officers knew, and Gu Ci knew as well.

“Ziyu…” Gu Ci’s voice trembled. They were going to take Ziyu away. Would Ziyu be able to come back? Gu Ziyu squeezed Gu Ci’s hand, pretending to be afraid.

The old man smiled warmly as he looked at Gu Ziyu, as if he were looking at his own grandson. “He’s so cute.”

Everyone looked at each other, unsure of the situation.

At the provincial MSS headquarters, Gu Ziyu and Gu Ci were invited for a chat. They each had a cup of latte and calmly drank it. The expressions of the mother and son were perfectly synchronized. The old man sat across from them, looking at Gu Ziyu with great fondness.

“I am Chen Liangdong, the Director of the International Intelligence Bureau of the Ministry of State Security,” Chen Liangdong calmly sipped his tea. His glass was filled with strong tea.

Gu Ci remained composed. “How do you do, is there something you need from us?”

Chen Liangdong blew on the foam of his tea in the glass and made a gesture. The screen displayed a segment of space interception, filled with lines of code. Gu Ci couldn’t understand it, but Gu Ziyu could. That day, when he was tracing Jiang Junlin’s location, he forcefully bypassed the satellite firewall and used satellite positioning to locate Jiang Junlin. However, he was cautious and stayed within a three-minute window. In theory, they shouldn’t have been able to track him.

Gu Ci had a rough idea that Ziyu might have done something wrong. She said, “Sir, my little brother has a natural talent for computers. He is young and curious, lacking in understanding. If he has done something wrong, I will surely discipline him. Considering his young age, please don’t treat him as an equal. He is still a budding talent of our country.”

Throughout her words, Gu Ci emphasized Ziyu’s young age and talent, essentially conveying the message that he was still a minor.