Chapter 554: Nianying

"Her name contains the word ’Ying’, the ’heroic’ Ying."

"That child, in my impression, just like her name, carried a sense of heroism."

"When I first met her, she was probably deceived and was begging on the street. But her begging was different from others, while others begged for a meal, she asked for ten meals."

"By ten meals, I mean one per day, totaling ten meals. During the time of these ten meals, she would do any work. If she performed well and was willing to be employed, she would take half the salary each month, using the rest to repay the cost of the ten meals, maintaining this for ten years!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao couldn’t help but show a hint of surprise.

Whether the story was true or false, the literal meaning of the words clearly showed a person who repays gratitude.

In speaking, Huang Zhao’s eyes also revealed deep longing.

"I was touched by her words for begging, sensing a perseverance in her that many people lacked. So, at that time, I was very moved, but I still gave her the choice."

"I said I could help her buy a ticket and some food for the way back. But she refused, saying since the day she left her hometown for Shencheng City, she was already alone."

"Unless one day she could return home in glory, she would never go back!"

"In those years, there were quite a few young men and women like her, everyone holding huge dreams and leaving their hometowns for the city. But everyone had their own story, and from her words, I felt she must have suffered great grievances at home."

"Until later, when she and I became mentor and student, she told me it was her family that forced her to marry a lame man fifteen years older than her from a neighboring village, so she fled. And that year, she was just fifteen."

"After she told me these things, I began to teach her my skills seriously, never hiding any of them. At that time, my own child had no interest in traditional Chinese medicine, and I didn’t want my knowledge to be lost, so I taught her everything."

"Initially, she did not show any apparent talent, even seemed a bit slow. But later she accumulated her knowledge gradually and mastered most of the traditional Chinese medicine skills I taught her."

"Moreover, as time went by, her progress accelerated, and she was showing the potential of becoming a renowned doctor. Even before her disappearance, I had already decided to fully hand over my clinic to her."

"But just the night before I planned to tell her this, she suddenly vanished. I sought help from many, including the police and various people of different backgrounds."

"But there was no trace of her. I even traveled to her hometown myself. When her family knew I was her mentor, they showed no concern for her fate."

"The lame man placed a butcher knife in front of me, saying either I pay to leave or leave my life there. In the end, I took out the five thousand yuan he spent on marrying her and left that cursed place."

At this point, Huang Zhao paused.

It must have been that trip back then which left an indelible mark on him, or perhaps many details disgusted him.

His expression was unpleasant and extremely complicated at that moment.

And hearing this, Chen Xiao vaguely understood the general idea.

He is a detective.

Huang Zhao had something to ask of him, undoubtedly related to the case.

But no one could directly declare that Huang Zhao’s last disciple was already dead.

Only to say that the chances of her being alive were slim.

After pondering briefly, Chen Xiao asked, "In which year did the incident happen?"

"The millennium year."

"00, it’s been six years now."

"Yes, six years. But often I find myself in a daze, as if feeling she is still beside me, endlessly asking, ’Teacher, what does this mean? Teacher, is this prescription correct?’"

While saying this, Huang Zhao couldn’t help but smile.

"So, Elder Huang wants me to go to Shencheng City with you to either find her alive or find her body, is that right?"

Chen Xiao asked, and Huang Zhao replied bitterly, "That’s my thought. I heard you have a special talent for solving long-standing unsolved cases, so I don’t expect to see her alive or dead, just that someone could help investigate."

"Have you discussed this matter with Grandpa Guo?"

"We were talking about it all night."

With Huang Zhao’s answer, Chen Xiao understood Guo Zhengchang’s intention.

The latter seemed to hope Chen Xiao would help Huang Zhao.

Firstly, Huang Zhao came all this way to treat Guo Zhengchang’s illness, which was a personal favor in itself.

Moreover, helping Huang Zhao could strengthen their relationship.

A genuine traditional Chinese medicine doctor, perhaps Guo Zhengchang thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to build a friendship with him.

Thinking this, Chen Xiao felt he should indeed make a trip to Shencheng City.

After all, he was still one of the heads of Dragon Cauldron.

Besides, Guo Qing was now executing the plan against the Qi Family, and perhaps he could assist if he went.

"Elder Huang, after you went to her hometown, were all the things she said true? Her information, family, encounters...?"

Chen Xiao began to ask, and Huang Zhao nodded: "All true!"

"Her last name is Zhu, called Nianying. She has one brother, two sisters, and a younger brother. The two sisters were both married off at fifteen or sixteen. Her elder brother was a local thug in the village, but he was executed during the campaign then."

"So in their parents’ eyes, only the younger brother mattered, and they hardly considered the daughters’ lives. In my opinion, it’s unlikely she’d return home after her disappearance."

"She’s probably still in Shencheng City, and many times an inner voice tells me that she isn’t far from me!"

Huang Zhao expressed his inner thoughts.

After some additional contemplation, Chen Xiao said, "Elder Huang, I’ll keep your words in mind. But before heading to Shencheng City, I’ll need to arrange some matters at home."

Huang Zhao’s face showed joy: "Does that mean Mr. Xiaochen agrees?"

"Yes, since you came all this way after one phone call, it’s only proper to help you in return."

"But I came with a selfish motive too!" Huang Zhao said, somewhat embarrassed.

Chen Xiao replied: "But you did help treat Grandpa Guo and alerted us all, for which I am already grateful."

"Alright then, in any case, I have to thank Mr. Xiaochen."

"My pleasure, let’s prepare to leave for Shencheng City after I sort things out at home. But before we arrive, perhaps you could prepare some things."

Huang Zhao asked, puzzled: "What do I need to prepare?"

"I still need a detailed file on her. Additionally, I need information on the environment of her residence before her disappearance, street surroundings, and road routes."

"Anything related to her, the more detailed, the better!"

Realizing this, Huang Zhao nodded immediately: "Understood, rest assured I’ll have these things well-prepared before we reach Shencheng City!"