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Chapter278
"This is supposedly an orphanage? If I didn't know any better, I'd think it's a palace," Cheng Suyan joked, garnering agreement from the live stream's audience.
"It certainly doesn’t look like an orphanage."
"If the Zhu family can afford it, what's wrong with building such a luxurious orphanage? It's not like it’s your money."
"I've been there before. It truly is a beautiful place. The children inside are indeed orphans, quite pitiable. Seems like some people are just creating issues out of nothing."
Zhou You had earlier listened to Shao Qi's allegations about the Zhu family. His emotions fluctuated greatly. Now, walking on this pristine plaza, his anger surged. Though he hasn’t witnessed what Shao Qi described, this place evoked an unsettling feeling. His heightened senses made the discomfort all the more pronounced.
"Why isn't there a single soul?" Li Yunxi pushed open the grand doors, her voice echoing throughout the grand hall.
Shao Qi and Zhou You exchanged glances, both breaking into smiles. Their strategy seemed to be working, but for how long?
"Spread out and search for anything unusual," commanded Shao Qi. As the group dispersed, Cheng Suyan, holding her phone, exclaimed, "Don’t split up! I only have one phone; who should I follow?" Even so, she hurriedly trailed Zhou You.
Chapter 142: The Orphanage (Part I)
Given Shao Qi and Zhou You’s popularity, the live stream was flooded with viewers, all eager to see what this group intended to do.
"It seems they are targeting the Zhu family." Many in the city, particularly those allied with the Zhu faction, were nervous. These outsiders were clearly hostile, arriving with a penchant for violence. They did not seem timid in the slightest.
Zhou Yichen switched to a computer for a clearer view. He saw Zhou You and friends enter the main gate of the orphanage. Though only a fraction was visible, it was enough to stun the viewers.
"Is this really an orphanage?"
"It’s so opulent! Most villas can’t match this, can they?"
"To the one who claimed to have visited this orphanage earlier, come forward. Is this truly the Zhu family's orphanage?"
"It's empty inside, where are the people from the orphanage?" Cheng Suyan asked curiously, echoing the questions posed by the audience in the live broadcast.
Shao Qi led the way from the front door to the back, while Zhuo Hao escorted Miao Miao to the second floor. Long Qian and Qin Lifeng inspected the front and back yards, leaving Li Yunxi outside as a lookout in case the Zhu family's guards returned.
Shao Qi kicked open the back door, revealing a long corridor leading to another building. As they walked through, they found the interiors resembling a luxury hotel. Each room was opulently furnished, hardly looking like accommodations for orphans.
"I'm shocked. Is this really an orphanage? Even General Zhu might not live this luxuriously!"
"I have a bad feeling about this."
"So do I."
Zhou Huajin had just downloaded a few videos from the Star Network forum, given to him by a friend from the Jiangnan base. When the friend learned that Zhou You was his son, he was stunned into silence. Afterwards, he showed Zhou Huajin extreme respect, admiring and congratulating him, leaving him quite bewildered.
These videos were the ones shared on the forum for him to download, suggesting that after watching, he'd realize just how remarkable his son was.
Zhou Huajin had no doubts about Zhou You's abilities, but he assumed they were not combat-related and were instead based on other skills Zhou You had learned.
Clicking on one video, Zhou Huajin saw Zhou You teaching a class. It was the most complete recording of Zhou You at the Jiangnan base. Even though there were only three lessons, the citizens of Jiangnan base considered them invaluable, often rewatching them.
After watching a part of it, Zhou Huajin recognized Zhou You's genuine talent. He saved the video to watch later and also to show to Zhou Yichen, considering it a rare educational resource.
Approaching Zhou Yichen, he saw on the screen Zhou You turning a corner, followed closely by Shao Qi. From his every move, it was evident that he was a soldier. Zhou Huajin deduced that the death of the Zhu family wasn't a result of his impulsiveness.
"Yichen, maybe you should go home. This might not be over soon, and it isn't safe for you here," Zhou Huajin said, worried that Zhu Rongwei might return and take them hostage.
But Zhou Yichen refused, "If something happens, I can help. I'm a martial artist now."
Su Tinger served tea and snacks to the father and son duo. Hearing Zhou Yichen, he smiled, "Young Master Zhou is indeed impressive. But you're still young and have much to learn. Let the adults handle this."
Zhou Yichen asked dismissively, "What level of expert is that man? I bet he's not even as good as me, right?"
Knowing he was referring to Zhou You, Su Tinger hesitated to deflate his pride but defended, "As for Mr. Zhou, well, he is certainly the best there is."
Both Zhou Yichen and Zhou Huajin found that hard to believe, thinking Su Tinger was joking. Zhou Huajin, watching the live broadcast, said with concern, "Do you know why they went to the Zhu family's orphanage?"
Su Tinger shrugged, "I'm not sure, but I guess we'll all find out soon."
Zhou You had searched every room on the first floor without finding anyone. However, upon reaching the second floor, he heard some noise. Whispering to Shao Qi, he said, "It seems to be coming from the room at the end of the corridor."
Shao Qi nodded, cautioning, "Be careful."
They quickly approached the door, pressing their ears to it, detecting sounds of pain from within. They positioned themselves on either side of the door, and with one push, a foul stench filled the air.