These days, besides visiting Gu Qiaoqiao, Boss Xu was stationed at Lifeng Security Company.
Boss Xu privately investigated the incident with the Gu Family but couldnāt find any clues. He preliminarily concluded that it was likely done by outsiders.
The locals in Jinling City involved were just small fry; he couldnāt get anything out of them.
Besides those few phone calls, there were no other leads. Itās possible that these people were familiar with Boss Xu, so they avoided him.
Gu Qiaoqiao briefed Boss Xu and, in addition to some tasks at Lifeng Security Company, Boss Xu agreed to everything, reminding Gu Qiaoqiao to be careful. However, thinking that Qin Yize was by her side, there should be no problems.
Currently, Lifeng Security Companyās business is booming, and the security personnel and vehicles are rarely idle at the company, as they are mostly out on assignments.
Therefore, the previous incident, where Boss Xu was called in by the police for questioning over antiques purchased from Sanlitun, left him somewhat apprehensive.
But it also served as a reminder.
Gu Qiaoqiao and Boss Xu hadnāt anticipated this, realizing that from now on, the items they transport must have legitimate provenance and be beyond reproach.
So, as the saying goes, a setback is a setup for a comeback, and thereās a certain truth to that.
After leaving Lifeng Security Company, Gu Qiaoqiao went to Yubao Square in Jinling City.
After this incident, Gu Zhixing seemed much more composed and confident, though his white hair was quite prominent.
It appeared this situation had a considerable impact on him.
However, Yubao Square was orderly. The staff here, after a recent thorough cleaning, were much more diligent and conscientious, working hard at this private enterprise with good benefits. Furthermore, this business wasnāt standalone; according to current fashion, itās a chain with Yubao Square in the Imperial Capital. It is said that working here well allows one to retire regularly, with benefits comparable to or even better than those of state-owned enterprise employees, which explains the genuine smiles on the employeesā faces.
While state-owned enterprises remain mainstream, private enterprises have indeed sprung up like mushrooms after the rain. After all, with so many Huaxia people, not everyone can enter a state-owned enterprise and secure an iron rice bowl. Unemployed youth who canāt get into school are everywhere.
Therefore, these private enterprises provide excellent employment opportunities for them.
Nonetheless, itās hard to change entrenched perceptions, which is why the employeesā general education level remains relatively low.
Gu Qiaoqiao discussed with Gu Lei and Gu Zhixing that once things settle down, they can send some outstanding employees for further training to improve their cultural and identification skills and better serve Yubao Square.
After staying for a while at Yubao Square and seeing nothing else needed her attention, Gu Qiaoqiao took a cab and left.
Qin Yize didnāt come with her; he went to meet Fang Qing, and itās unclear what itās about.
However, when Gu Qiaoqiao returned, Qin Yize had just arrived home.
Fang Qing drove Qin Yizeās car to bring him back, then drove it back to the garage of the troop where Qin Yize was stationed.
By then, it was already sunset.
Despite it being winter, the air seemed frozen by the cold wind, as icicles lined the windowsills. However, the aroma of food drifted from the neighborsā yard, and only then did Gu Qiaoqiao realize she was really hungry.
So just as Qin Yize was about to talk with his young wife, before he could open his mouth, Gu Qiaoqiao looked at him, "Ah Ze, Iām hungry..."
Qin Yize had wanted to discuss his plans with Gu Qiaoqiao, but seeing how hungry she was, he smiled and took Qiaoqiao to the neighborās yard.
After dinner, Gu Qiaoqiao called over Ling Nan, contemplated for a moment, and then said, "Ling Nan, once I return from out of town this time, Iāll take you back to the Imperial Capital."
Ling Nan nodded. In fact, he had been quite vexed recently, feeling that he was not of much use here.
He wasnāt able to help much with Lifeng Security Company, and at Yubao Square, he could only follow Gu Leiās lead.
Therefore, he was pleased when Gu Qiaoqiao said she would take him to the Imperial Capital. Ling Nan had grown taller and more settled in demeanor during this period. He was pleased but replied solemnly, "Sister Qiaoqiao, Iāll wait for you here."
"Alright, during this period, Brother Gu Lei wonāt be going out for antiques collection, so just ensure the safety of these two estates." Gu Qiaoqiao instructed.
"Sister Qiaoqiao, rest assured, leave it to me."
"Be careful yourself, too. Iāll draw you a Spirit Talisman to wear on you, and you should continue learning that boxing technique diligently."
"Sister Qiaoqiao, Iāve been practicing that boxing all along, without any neglect." Ling Nan quickly assured Gu Qiaoqiao of his dedication.
"Good, thatās how it should be." Gu Qiaoqiao smiled.
At that moment, Ling Nan, sitting across from Gu Qiaoqiao, scratched the back of his head, seeming like he wanted to say something but was somewhat hesitant.
Gu Qiaoqiaoās bright eyes twinkled as she teased, "If thereās something, just say it. Why play coy now?"
Ling Nan, embarrassed, chuckled, and after a little more hesitation, he spoke up, "Sister Qiaoqiao, thereās something I want to tell you. I feel that if I could break through the recent level of boxing Iāve been practicing, my power would increase significantly."
"Oh, the boxing has other levels to break through?" Gu Qiaoqiao asked, quite surprised.
"Iām not exactly sure; itās just a feeling. This boxing isnāt just simple boxing; itās like a staircase with many steps. Now Iām on the first step, and I feel that with a bit more effort, I can reach the second step."
Ling Nan described his understanding bit by bit to Gu Qiaoqiao.
Ever since the Mysterious Dragon Box linked the three of them, Gu Qiaoqiao hadnāt noticed any special connection between them, so she never invested much thought into it.
She simply assumed it was an ordinary form of boxing, even Qin Yize had learned it. But now hearing Ling Nanās description, it seemed there were layers to it, like stairs.
Suddenly, Gu Qiaoqiao recalled some books she had occasionally read before. Could it be similar to a Cultivation Technique?
Thinking about this, Gu Qiaoqiao felt a bit embarrassed. To be honest, as the so-called leader, she was like a clueless novice, and the other two were no better.
Sometimes, Gu Qiaoqiao felt the three of them were like headless flies. Of course, in this matter, Xiao Wen was the most capable, although Xiao Wen didnāt help the other two much. She was self-sufficient.
Looking at it now, it truly confirms the saying that the master leads you to the door, but the practice is up to the individual. And this is precisely the case with Ling Nan now.