Chapter 341: Accident
Xu Youyou not only guessed that there had been mutual compromises but also felt that the number of people involved was no fewer than three.
One person took the jade pendant, another placed the address, and a third person ultimately held the key.
She then thought about the distance between Harbor City and Treasure Island and had reason to suspect there was a fourth person holding the password — it was even possible that these four people were unaware of each other’s identities.
If the Li family had been coerced and forced to split things up like this, it would make sense.
Xu Youyou tossed and turned in bed until the middle of the night before she finally fell into a hazy sleep.
Worried about the task, she still woke up very early the next day. However, she felt heavy-headed and light-footed, and her complexion looked terrible.
When Xu Fang saw the boss like this, she became extremely anxious:
“Boss, maybe you should rest here. I can go to the Wu family’s house and bring the item back for you…”
Xu Youyou’s mind was groggy, but ever since her rebirth, she had mostly kept a healthy routine. Though this rare bout of insomnia made her uncomfortable, it wasn’t so bad that she couldn’t handle the task.
“No worries. Since I made an appointment with the old gentleman, I can’t break my word,” Xu Youyou said.
After breakfast, she immediately went to the end of the village road.
However, although it was already eight in the morning, there was no sign of life at the Wu residence. No matter how much she knocked, no one answered.
“Boss, I asked around in the village. Old Mr. Wu is very disciplined. He gets up at six every morning. It’s very rare for him to sleep in,” Xu Fang said.
If they hadn’t seen the old man just last night and confirmed today’s plan several times, Xu Youyou would’ve suspected he had fled during the night.
Xu Fang, knowing how much Xu Youyou valued Mr. Wu, said,
“Boss, maybe we should come back a little later. Maybe he just overslept today.”
Xu Youyou nodded lightly. She was eager to get the safety deposit box but didn’t want to offend the old man by being too impatient.
Just as the group was about to leave, Liu Xiangyi suddenly said:
“What if the old man fell down at home? Isn’t there news all the time about elderly people living alone and having accidents without anyone knowing?”
Hearing this, Xu Youyou’s expression changed drastically:
“Quick! Break down the door and contact the rest of the Wu family!”
Even though Xu Youyou had only met Mr. Wu once, she didn’t want to see a ninety-something-year-old suffer such an accident — especially since her mission was still tied to him.
With so many bodyguards by her side, breaking down a heavy iron door wasn’t difficult. They rushed into the house and immediately found the old man collapsed in the kitchen.
“Boss, I’ll call an ambulance!” Xu Fang said.
Xu Youyou, however, feared they wouldn’t make it in time and decisively said:
“We’ll drive him to the nearest hospital ourselves and meet the ambulance halfway! We have to save time!”
A temporary bodyguard beside her suddenly said:
“I know a bit of first aid. Boss, if you trust me, I can try. But if I can’t save him, the family might blame us…”
Seeing that the old man’s breathing was weak, Xu Youyou didn’t hesitate:
“Do your best to save him! If anything happens and his family wants compensation, I’ll take full responsibility! Everyone here is a witness — I won’t go back on my word!”
Hearing this, the hesitant bodyguard immediately sprang into action.
Watching his professional movements, Xu Youyou relaxed a bit but couldn’t help thinking that once she was out of the beginner phase of missions, even successfully meeting the key figure could still bring unexpected trouble.
In her heart, she kept praying for the old man to survive this crisis.
Under the bodyguard’s emergency treatment, the old man suddenly stirred.
“As long as he’s conscious, there’s still hope. Boss, let’s move him to the car now. Follow my lead carefully. We must avoid causing secondary injuries!” the bodyguard instructed.
Hearing this, Xu Youyou gave him another look. Judging by how he referred to the old man as a “patient,” she suspected he might be a retired medic.
Thanks to his directions, they safely transferred the old man into the car. The ambulance arrived just in time and met up with them on the way.
After they got him into the hospital and after a flurry of activity, the old man’s vital signs finally stabilized.
The doctor couldn’t help but sigh with relief:
“Luckily, you saved him in time. At his age, even a few minutes’ delay could have been fatal.”
Xu Youyou broke out in a cold sweat. If it weren’t for Liu Xiangyi’s sudden remark, she wouldn’t have ordered the door to be broken down. She was also grateful she had hired enough bodyguards and hadn’t dismissed them after returning to Shanghai.
Otherwise, the old man might not have made it.
Mr. Wu’s family arrived quickly. The first person Xu Youyou saw was the old man’s daughter — a woman in her sixties.
Judging by her attire and demeanor, she seemed like a highly educated woman. Despite being of retirement age, she still looked energetic and sharp, her bright eyes free of the cloudiness typical in the elderly. She strongly resembled Mr. Wu.
When the woman saw Xu Youyou, she immediately burst into tears:
“Miss Xu, I don’t even know how to thank you. You saved my father’s life. If there’s anything you need, just say the word.”
Through their conversation, Xu Youyou learned that the woman was a professor at a prestigious local university, which matched her earlier guess — definitely a scholar.
“Ms. Wu, you’re too kind. Saving the old gentleman was purely by chance. I actually came today to retrieve something my family left in his care,” Xu Youyou explained.
Mr. Wu’s great-grandson was standing nearby. Hearing this, the young man’s face filled with confusion:
“My great-grandfather was holding something for your family?”
Xu Youyou casually said:
“Just some things from the previous generation. I’m not exactly sure what.”
A flash of greed crossed the great-grandson’s eyes.
“Words are wind. You say he was holding it for your family, but who’s to say whether it belongs to your family or ours…”
Before he could finish, Ms. Wu smacked him sharply:
“Wu Xiaoguang! Is that any way to speak to your great-grandfather’s savior?”
Wu Xiaoguang, clearly intimidated by his grandaunt, quickly lowered his head:
“Miss Xu, I’m sorry. I spoke thoughtlessly.”
Xu Youyou waved her hand, showing she didn’t mind. She then turned to Ms. Wu, sensing that she probably knew something.
Sure enough, Ms. Wu said:
“Miss Xu, the things my father kept can only be handed over by him personally. We, his children, don’t even know where they are.”
