Searching for Treasures in the Clouds

Chapter 439 Mom, go participate!

Just after dealing with Deng Huairou, Yu Ru received more good news: Lan Youde was dead.

She and Yun Jixing were making desserts together in the kitchen, chatting as they worked. Yun Jixing told her the news.

Yu Ru lowered her head and carefully kneaded the dough, asking, "How did he suddenly die? Did the organ transplant fail?"

"He didn't receive an organ transplant because he was infected with an unknown virus. The virus suddenly broke out while he was hospitalized. All anti-shock, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral treatments failed. The cause was unknown, and the disease progressed too quickly. He died before formal resuscitation efforts even began. It's said that his death was gruesome," Yun Jixing replied.

"Did Yun Jianyue inject him with something? He's really amazing. I wonder if that virus is contagious. If it is..." Yu Ru's expression was somewhat solemn, "...not to mention a local area, the entire country of China will fall."

"Yes, the hospital found that he was in this condition because of a viral infection, and immediately activated the most urgent plan, isolating him. Everyone who had been in contact with him was tested, and so far no one else has been found to be infected."

"That's good. Then... Jiang Jianming is the only one still alive in power in Jiangcheng. He said he wanted to possess someone else's body last time, did he?"

"Not yet. His method is a heretical one, requiring a person who died a violent death to guide the way. Originally, they found the soul of someone who died a violent death and kept it in one place, waiting for the time to begin the ritual. But Shanren secretly performed a ritual to release that soul. Without a ghost of a wronged death disturbing the remaining three souls and seven spirits of the body to be possessed, Jiang Jianming's soul couldn't enter, so the possession was put on hold. During this period of postponement, the body they chose for possession died completely and became useless. They are still looking for a new body."

After thinking for a moment, Yun Jixing continued, "According to Shanren, there are quite a few conditions that the person being possessed must meet, and it will not succeed if even one condition is not met. The person must be a living person born in the Yin hour, with an empty destiny and a floating primordial spirit, or someone whose lifespan is the same as the person being possessed. This person must also be chronically ill, with unstable three souls and wandering seven spirits, and without ancestral blessings, protective amulets, or religious protection."

"That sounds like a very rare find, one in a million."

“Yes, that’s right.” Yun Jixing turned his head and suddenly changed the subject, “Aru, would you like some sesame paste stewed with milk? I think there are still some sesame seeds left, let’s eat them while we can, they’ll be more fragrant.”

Yu Ru nodded. "Okay."

Mountain City, Yuan Family

An elderly man sat slightly back on a handcrafted Italian leather sofa in the center of the living room. His shoulders and back were neither hunched nor stooped, but rather thin, like an old tree trunk that had stood for decades through wind and rain. His hair was completely white, neatly combed, not a single strand out of place. His face was deeply lined, his cheekbones sharp, and his still somewhat bright eyes were closed, a pipe held in his hand as he smoked. There was a faint, white old gun scar on the web of his thumb, and his ring finger was missing more than half, so the way he held the pipe resembled a delicate, orchid-like gesture.

The elderly man was listening to the person next to him report on the work situation and give instructions on what to investigate.

After listening, he remained silent for a long time before speaking. His voice was low, somewhat hoarse, and carried the cold, hard tone of someone accustomed to a high position who could decide life and death with a single word. "Is there only one half-dead Jiang Jianming left of that old spider den in Jiangcheng? Are the others definitely all dead?"

"Yes, sir."

"Unfortunately, although Lan Youde was stupid and greedy, his low moral standards made him a useful tool. How did he die?"

"He died from a viral infection. According to investigators, the virus broke out rapidly in his body, and he died before there was any chance to save him."

"Oh? What virus is it? And how did you get infected?"

"Reporting to your Excellency, it is an unidentified virus that has not yet been named. As for the cause of infection... our spies have not been able to trace the source. However, according to their reports, Lan Youde has consumed unconventional liquids such as feces, semen, human flesh, blood, and various human remains. He also has a very promiscuous sex life and has even engaged in bestiality. Therefore, he likely contracted the virus while engaging in these activities."

Yuan Wanli curled his lip. "He really was a scoundrel. Alright, he's dead, so be it. No need to worry about him anymore. Send people to the southern cities to see who else is suitable to take their place. Report back to me immediately if you find a target. Jiangcheng, we finally managed to corrupt it, we can't let it become a clean place again."

"Yes, sir."

"Step down," Yuan Wanli waved his hand.

The person beside him immediately bowed and stepped back.

……

Days passed peacefully, and before they knew it, it was June, Wen Zhuomo's birthday. The old man had been subtly probing Yu Ru's intentions for a long time, hoping she would attend the birthday banquet. She neither agreed nor refused outright, but simply played coy with him.

Yu Ru actually wanted to visit him, but her childhood experience at his house was truly unpleasant. Just thinking about seeing that idiot Wen Nachuan at her birthday party made her a little angry, so she didn't really want to go.

Yu Ru was painting in her studio, while Shan Ci sat on the easel watching her.

"Shanci, I didn't go to Grandma's birthday party last time, and I'm not going to Grandpa Wen's birthday party this time either. What do you think?"

“I think… um, Mom, I think you should go.” Shan Ci said.

"reason."

"Of course I'll go back and slap them in the face, especially that Wen Nachuan. I have to show off in front of him. Back then, they ignored you, but now they can't even look up to you. (^o^) I really hope that Mom will go back as Niohuru Yuru and amaze everyone with her secret."

Yu Ru paused for a few seconds while drawing, then continued. "I don't know what to do there. Actually, I feel a bit awkward going in this capacity. Of the Wen family, only Grandpa and Grandma Wen and Grandma Zhang are close to me."

"Oh dear, Mom. How can you be so insecure even with your status and position? Who cares who's close to you? You're the highest-ranking person, and they all have to respect you. The Wen family is quite a famous family. When Grandpa Wen celebrates his birthday, he'll definitely invite a lot of social elites. Hehe, when those social elites see you and recognize you, they'll quickly and respectfully come up to shake your hand, smiling and greeting you, saying, 'Master Yu, I've heard so much about you.' But when Wen Nachuan sees this, he'll be furious. He never expected that the person he treats with such respect would act like a grandson in front of you. Hahahaha (*??╰╯`?)?" Shan Ci let out a villainous laugh.

Yu Ru smiled helplessly, "I'll think about it. Grandma Zhang is retiring this year. She told me yesterday that she plans to pack her things and go home to quit after attending Grandpa Wen's birthday banquet. If that's the case, I still want to go and bring Grandma Zhang back to our house to stay for a while."

After getting her own cell phone, she maintained contact with Zhang Wenshu and sent her 20,000 yuan a month for living expenses. To her, Zhang Wenshu held the same place as Wen Zhuomo, and her heart seemed to lean more towards her. Wen Zhuomo's kindness to her was that she gained early exposure to high society, broadened her horizons, and even inspired her painting. Zhang Wenshu's kindness, however, was something that time couldn't wait for.

She injured her bones from heavy labor as a child and suffered from malnutrition. Xu Shenwei, the housekeeper, managed the household poorly, and the food she prepared was worse than pig slop. Logically, she shouldn't have grown to her current height; even with her family's good genes, she couldn't possibly be 1.68 meters tall. It's all thanks to Zhang Wenshu's care and attention.

When she was little, she was thin and small, so Zhang Wenshu always used her own money to prepare special meals for her, giving her lots of nutritional supplements. Later, as they became closer, she treated her like a substitute for her own grandson, treating her even better. Seeing that after half a year of care, she was still much smaller than her peers, she took her to have a bone age X-ray and growth hormone tests to find out the reason for her stunted growth. It was discovered that heavy physical labor had damaged her bone growth mechanism and affected her endocrine hormones. She immediately took intervention measures; otherwise, she would probably be a dwarf now.

In addition, when her baby teeth were falling out, Zhang Wenshu kept a close eye on her, taking her to have them pulled as soon as they became loose, making sure the teeth didn't grow in the wrong way. During her time at the Wen family's house, she would urge her to brush her teeth properly every night to prevent them from rotting.

Her current height and neat, clean teeth are all thanks to Zhang Wenshu, a benefit she has enjoyed throughout her life. As a child, she didn't understand, but she would obediently follow her instructions. Now that she's grown up, she realizes how admirable Zhang Wenshu's act of protecting her teeth and height truly was.