The Real Heiress Has an Appraisal System

"..." She didn’t accept it. She’d only ever heard of wealthy mothers-in-law handing their daughters-in-law money and telling them to leave their sons.

But this was the first time Gu Shengsheng had ever seen another wealthy family try to hand her money.

"Miss Gu, please don’t misunderstand. The forty million in here is the reward money we promised the police. It’s been ten years, and we finally have a lead on our child."

"But you don’t have to give it to me right now," Gu Shengsheng refused. "You can give it to me when she’s found."

Liu Li shook her head. "That doesn’t matter anymore. No matter what, we’ll find a way to find our daughter."

"If you don’t want a check, we’ll just transfer the money to your account. Miss Gu, it’s no use refusing. The police bureau is vouching for this. If you don’t take it, the money is as good as lost."

"Oh no, that would be such a waste," Gu Shengsheng said with a smile. "I’ll accept it, and I’ll also help look for Yufan’s sister. If we don’t find her, I’ll return the money immediately."

"Okay." She nodded. Liu Li rarely smiled, but now her eyes curved into crescents.

Leaning closer, Gu Shengsheng could see the bloodshot veins in her eyes. She looked exhausted, but her gaze was much clearer, not like the dazed and absent-minded look she had before.

"Mrs. Chen, you seem to be doing much better," Gu Shengsheng said.

"Yes. No matter how much grief I feel, I have to look forward. And Yufan... I’ve already wronged him too much. Thankfully, he is kind and never abandoned me, even when I was insulting him like that. Otherwise, with how paranoid I’ve been all these years, it’s possible he could have just committed suicide."

Thinking about it now still filled her with guilt.

First, her daughter went missing, and the incident with both children was her fault. After her daughter was gone, she placed all the responsibility on her son, verbally abusing him every single day.

What kind of mother is that terrible? It would be only right for Yufan to hate her for the rest of his life.

Liu Li felt like she still hadn’t learned how to be a good mother.

"I remember telling Chen Yufan before that not all mothers love their children, but by the same token, this is your first time being a mother, too."

"He’s an adult now, and he’s understanding. From here on, communication between the two of you is up to you."

At this, Chen Yufan also smiled and said, "Sister Gu, thank you. I’m very happy that my mom is getting a little better now."

"The doctor said it was caused by long-term psychological repression. Now, she just needs to take her medication and undergo treatment at the hospital."

Gu Shengsheng nodded.

Liu Li looked at him and said, "When your sister... if she’s found, you’ll be the only one to take care of her."

In her current state, she would probably have to live in a psychiatric hospital long-term.

Chen Yufan’s voice was gentle, and he smiled at Liu Li like a ray of warm sunshine. "It’s okay, Mom. Just focus on getting better. I’ll take care of my sister, make sure she studies, and I’ll come back to the hospital to be with you on weekends."

"Okay." She smiled, lowering her head.

Just then, Zhang Lianqing stood there holding a file. He said, "Come over here! The family member, and the key witness."

Gu Shengsheng pointed at herself. "The key witness?"

"Yes. You two, come with me. We need to go over the case details."

When Gu Shengsheng and Chen Yufan entered, they saw the conference room was filled with people in uniform. The two of them nervously sat in the back row.

No matter your age, everyone’s a little afraid of police officers. It’s a common ailment.

Zhang Lianqing closed the door and began, "According to the investigation, the man with the floral-tattooed arm who appeared on the dashcam footage was arrested two years ago. He is currently serving time in Rui City Prison."

"Based on all the information from him, on that day ten years ago, approximately 40 children were sold. We’ve managed to trace over ten of them who were officially registered in new households. There are still thirty-some who are unaccounted for."

"Based on our village screening, we’ve identified more than ten possible villages. If we investigate them one by one, it will take a very long time."

Gu Shengsheng timidly raised her hand. Zhang Lianqing smiled. "You can just speak. No need to raise your hand."

’...’ It was because Captain Zhang was so serious. Gu Shengsheng felt like she was back in school.

She said, "Um... can I see the list of villages?"

Gu Shengsheng remembered that when she lived in another dimension, a huge news story about a village had broken that very year—Dahe Village.

All the girls in that village had been trafficked there to be sold as wives, and it had even formed a massive, assembly-line-like business.

When the story broke, it shocked countless netizens. Gu Shengsheng remembered that the police officer who was thanked in the news report seemed to be named Zhang Lianqing.

It was strange. The parallel universe she had lived in was similar to this one, yet also different.

That was why Gu Shengsheng wanted to see the list—to verify if she was mistaken.

Sure enough, when Zhang Lianqing handed her the file, Gu Shengsheng saw the name of that village: Dahe Village.

She pointed to the name and said, "Can we go here?"

"Why?" Zhang Lianqing’s gaze was sharp as he looked at her, sensing something was off.

As for Chen Yufan, he had no idea what was going on and asked, "Why, Sister Gu? Could my sister be here?"

"Just a guess," she lied, reining in her emotions. "I’m just following my sixth sense. A girl’s sixth sense is very accurate."

Then she added nonchalantly, "We have to start investigating from one village anyway, so why not start with Dahe Village?"

"Fine." Zhang Lianqing didn’t object.

What Gu Shengsheng said was true. No matter where they started, it was still a start.

"Let’s go today," Gu Shengsheng added.

Then, someone from the police department’s new media team came over and said, "Miss Gu, while you and Captain Zhang are on the way to the village, you could work with us to film a promotional video."

"The news about you getting forty million from a secondhand car has blown up online. So, by doing this, we can also promote some survival or safety tips."

Gu Shengsheng understood. It was for a good cause anyway, and there was no harm in it. Besides, she usually live-streamed.

She said, "Sure, why not!"

Chen Yufan eagerly volunteered, "Then I’ll film for you."

Captain Zhang had brought along two or three handsome officers, a sight that was pleasing to the eye.

Gu Shengsheng sent a photo from inside the car to her small group chat with Lu Linlin and Yang Jiao.

She also texted Lu Linlin: I’m heading to a village with the police for something. You and Grandma eat without me. If you want company, invite Sister Yang.

Lu Linlin replied instantly: Where is your dignity? Where are your manners? Where are the hotties? And where is the address?

Yang Jiao: Having such a feast without us! I like the one driving. He looks so proper and upright, perfect for dating me.

Gu Shengsheng glanced at Zhang Lianqing and said directly, "Captain Zhang, a friend of mine wants your contact info."

"Not giving it," Zhang Lianqing replied curtly.

"Okay."

She dropped it just as bluntly.

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