Gu Nianzhi couldn’t help herself and asked Reinitz, “You look wealthy. How could you allow Mother Hannah to stay at such a place?”
Reinitz stopped his car and turned to look at her. “Which place? You feel that that place isn’t good?”
Pouting, Gu Nianzhi replied, “It’s too secluded. There’s neither telephone nor network for internet connection. How can anyone stay there?”
Reinitz laughed. “Internet is something that people came up with within the past two decades, and you feel that humans cannot live without it already? So everyone could die 20 years ago?”
It sounded logical. Gu Nianzhi found herself speechless. It was rare that someone actually made her dumbfounded, and she did not feel too happy about it. She followed Reinitz into his home without a word.
This house looked looked like an old castle from the outside, but it had an unexpectedly modern interior. French windows faced the backyard. There was a white leather sofa against the wall in the living room. Some plush carpets had been placed in the middle of the living room on maroon-colored cherry wood flooring, and a huge grand piano was next to the French windows.
All the lights in the house were embedded. Only a lotus-shaped chandelier hung in the middle of the dining room. The light seeped through countless petals and poured onto the dining table.
Reinitz led Gu Nianzhi up the stairs. “Your room is on the second level.”
Gu Nianzhi followed him into the bedroom and realized that it was the master bedroom. The room had been refurbished, but it still had a neat and fresh design style. It had probably been Reinitz’s room in the past. When he was silent, he gave people the impression that he was cold and aloof, somewhat like the designs he preferred.
Gu Nianzhi was unwilling to stay in Reinitz’s bedroom and shook her head. “Let me stay in the guest room. This is the master bedroom. It’s not suitable for me to stay here.”
Reinitz looked at her, and his crystal blue eyes revealed a little bit of hope and yearning. Falling silent for a while, he said, “Cereus, Als said that you have to be my… direct relative in order to be able to stay with me, so that I can protect you.”
Gu Nianzhi raised her eyebrows. “…And?”
He took out a little golden box from his pocket. Upon opening it, there was a pear-shaped diamond ring of at least three carats. It had an almost perfect cut and clarity, and it sparkled like rainbows the moment sunlight landed on it. That was the best way to know if a diamond had good clarity.
Gu Nianzhi took a step back. “Reinitz, what are you doing?”
Reinitz walked to her side and held her hand. “It will just be to lie to Als. Just give in for a while and be my fiancé.” With that, he took the ring out and put it onto Gu Nianzhi’s left ring finger. This was a proposal ring, and it showed that this lady was already taken.
Gu Nianzhi removed the ring hastily. “I thought this was just a trick? Why did you do it for real? I will not do this!”
Reinitz looked at her and shook his head. “Who said that it was for real?”
“The ring…” Gu Nianzhi opened her palm and displayed the ring. She was so fair that the ring was almost camouflaged when it was placed there.
Reinitz lowered his head and took the ring from her. His warm fingers brushed against Gu Nianzhi’s palm. Gu Nianzhi did not feel anything special, but Reinitz felt suffocated. He put the ring on for her again and said gently, “…Only a tool.”
Gu Nianzhi then understood. She looked at him suspiciously still but did not remove it again. This is just a cover-up plan, anyway. When I’m not so closely watched, I will be able to contact the people from my country. But when will brother Xiong and the guys return from their mission? What about Huo Shao? And Professor He? He should have returned from his home, shouldn’t he?
Gu Nianzhi remembered that he had mentioned that he would only go back for a fortnight at most. Now that she calculated, it had been about two weeks. He Zhichu had gone home due to his father’s illness. Gu Nianzhi tried calling him, but it didn’t go through. His father should be okay now, right? Even if he had to go through a surgery, it should have already been done, and he would already have been back? I can call him now, can’t I? But she didn’t even have a phone with her, so how could she call? At most, Professor He would realize that her phone wasn’t within the network range. He would be worried, wouldn’t he?
With those thoughts, Gu Nianzhi did not sleep well the first night she was in Reinitz’s house. It seemed like she had a nightmare. However, she did not scream nor cry. She just ran in the dark and hid whenever she could. There was someone chasing her, and they were fast. No matter how she tried, she wasn’t able to shake the person off…
After that, she ran too quickly and fell on the floor. Then, she woke up. When she woke up in an unfamiliar room, she forgot about her dream totally. She looked at the time on her watch and realized that it was only four o’clock in the morning. Therefore, she went back to sleep. When she woke up again, it was already almost noon. Reinitz did not wake her up. He only got the chef to prepare lunch and waited for her to wake up for it.
Gu Nianzhi sat down at the dining table and asked casually, “Do you have wifi here, Reinitz? I’m bored. Can I use the internet please?”
Reinitz opened a set of newspapers and shook his head. “No, I don’t. I don’t have computers here, either.”
Gu Nianzhi was speechless.
“That’s ridiculous! You can even surf the net in prison!” Gu Nianzhi refused to cooperate anymore. She threw her cutlery away and snapped, “Just lock me up in prison. Tell Als that I’m willing to be put in prison, as long as I get to use the computer.”
Reinitz closed the newspapers and looked at her curiously. “Is internet really so important to you? You really want to pass time, or… are you trying to use the opportunity to contact someone? Don’t take Als’s words to heart.”
Of course, both were true. However, Gu Nianzhi would never admit to the second guess. Brows furrowed, Gu Nianzhi said, “Even if I were to contact anyone, would you guys not know? How could there be secrets online? Would I even be that stupid?”
Reinitz thought about it briefly and smiled. “Then what would you like to see? I have my phone. I can surf the web and read it to you.”
Gu Nianzhi was really speechless. Rolling her eyes, she sat beside Reinitz and said pretentiously, “Reinitz, have you tried this sausage before? It’s really yummy. It tastes like what Mother Hannah made.” She took a piece of sausage and fed Reinitz.
Reinitz had never experienced such hospitality from Gu Nianzhi. Even though he knew that she had a motive, he couldn’t help but open his mouth to take the piece of sausage. Gu Nianzhi looked pleased. She fed him more food and continued feeding him bread. Even though there was only bread and sausage, Reinitz was sold. His clear blue eyes looked at Gu Nianzhi, and he could not bear to leave her.
Gu Nianzhi looked away awkwardly and pulled on the corners of his shirt. “There, Reinitz. Can’t you just lend me your phone? I’m just going to go online to read some news, especially the case that I was in charge of. I’ve told you before that I am a lawyer and am helping someone with a case. I cannot give up halfway. I promised that I would put the person behind bars!”
Reinitz took out his phone and unlocked it. “Which case? Can we get it online?” After being silent for a while, he asked again, “Your name is Gu Nianzhi isn’t it?” He said “Gu Nianzhi” in Chinese. It actually sounded really accurate, like he had practiced it over and over again.
Gu Nianzhi blinked. “…Um, yes. I thought you knew it some time ago already? Didn’t Als tell you?”
“I want you to tell me personally.” Reinitz looked at her with eyes full of love. “I don’t believe what he said, but as long as it comes from you, I’ll trust it.”
Gu Nianzhi fell silent. She looked away awkwardly, not knowing what to say. “Um, yes… But my Christian name is indeed Cereus.”
Reinitz raised his eyebrows in surprise. This was something that they did not know. He had thought that Cereus was a made up name to cover up her identity.
“Fine, don’t be like that. The case that I was working on, I don’t believe Als has not told you about it.” Gu Nianzhi rested her head on her hand and looked at Reinitz from the dining table. “I really want to finish this up. It’s the case involving Seth—the person who has been trying to get me killed.”
Reinitz looked at her and contemplated if she was still lying to him. This girl is really clever… He searched for the case on Li Haiqing and selected some news to read for her. “…Due the Seth’s escape, the court has not released a final statement for him.” Then, he continued, “You’re merely one of the lawyers from the plaintiff’s team for this case. Now that you’re not there, your colleagues will follow up with it.”
“I filed a civil lawsuit against them, too,” Gu Nianzhi said gloomily. “If I’m not there, I’m worried that that family will get away with this.”
Reinitz continued looking at the article and chuckled. “Asking for one billion Euros’ compensation? Very bold, very smart.”
Gu Nianzhi returned to her seat. She understood that Reinitz would never lend her his phone. No matter what she did, she wouldn’t be able to get her hands on it.
Picking up her utensils, she began eating her lunch. Gu Nianzhi decided to change her tack on Reinitz. She began asking questions about the relationship between Reinitz and Als. “Reinitz, why do you listen to Als so much? How is he able to command you? You’re neither a government employee nor soldier. He’s going against the law by doing that to you. I’m a foreigner. If he did anything to me and my country did not protect me, I would just be taken advantage of and not be able to bring justice to light. However, you’re different. You’re a German, a citizen of Germany. If he dared to do anything to you, you could sue him in military court and send him to military prison!”
Reinitz stopped looking at his phone and looked at Gu Nianzhi fixedly. He seemed to be encouraging her. “Go on.”
Gu Nianzhi batted her eyelashes slightly. “You know, as I’m a lawyer, and a rather successful one, if you want to sue him, I could represent you at no charge. I guarantee that he’ll lose the case hands down!”
Reinitz shook his head. He leaned forward and whispered, “Cereus, that’s what I like about you—you’re able to talk nonsensical things with anyone. It’s breathtaking.”
Gu Nianzhi was dumbfounded. What the hell?! Did she just get looked down upon?! Gu Nianzhi rolled her eyes and knew that she was unable to make Reinitz and Als fight with each other.
“Cereus, do you know which organization Als’s FIA used to be?” Reinitz felt that it was necessary to fill Gu Nianzhi in on the details. Otherwise, she would still be trying to pick on Als, and she’d get into really deep trouble.
“Which?” Gu Nianzhi poured some condensed milk into her oatmeal and realized that it was too sweet.
“The Geheime Staatspolizei.”
Gu Nianzhi trembled and looked at Reinitz, incredulous. “Are you serious?”
“Geheime Staatspolizei” was German. It meant “Secret Police.” It was set up in the past when Germany was extremely corrupt, and they were a group of people who were the best at arresting people.
“That organization still exists?!”
“The Geheime Staatspolizei doesn’t, of course.” Reinitz shrugged. “However, their people were inherited by the FIA. Therefore, be careful around them.”
Gu Nianzhi fell silent. She knew that Reinitz was trying to tell her something.
He knew what she meant just now. That was why he wanted to remind her to not try and make them fight with each other, because Als could do way more than she could imagine.
“…Als allowed you to stay with me because we have been friends for a very long time. But please don’t think that he will let you go.” It seemed like Reinitz was scaring her, because he was worried that this daring girl would think of many crazy ideas and piss them off. He was worried that they might use extreme measures on her.
Gu Nianzhi turned pale and looked around. So, Als can know what is happening around here, too? Who would tell him? Those guards at the door? Or the cooks in the kitchen? Or the cleaners? Or was it the gardener?
Now that Reinitz had told her this, she knew she wouldn’t be able to get the service crew to help her pass messages to the outside. The only person she could trust would be herself. She didn’t even dare to trust Reinitz. It was clear that he and Als had a strong relationship. However, if she were to just sit there and do nothing everyday, she would be better off dead. She lowered her head sadly and began crying. Gu Nianzhi quickly took the handkerchief on the table and wiped her face.
Reinitz was taken aback. Eventually, he gave in. “I’ll ask Als tomorrow if he would be okay with me having internet here.”
Gu Nianzhi almost passed out from surprise. His place really has no wireless internet connection! How on earth would any homes have no wireless network these days?!
…
Gu Nianzhi hugged her knees and sat on the balcony in the living room. The diamond studs on her perfect earlobes reflected the light that shined on them, making them look like little suns. She looked at the beautifully trimmed garden and thought repeatedly about her chances of escape.
Reinitz brought a cup of coffee over, sat somewhere around her, and began reading his newspaper. Gu Nianzhi looked over and began looking at him properly. “Reinitz, how did you get to know Als? Did you tell him that I’m here?” They sounded like friends. Close friends. How could someone who was close friends with the FIA be a normal person? You’ve got to be kidding me… Gu Nianzhi was unhappy to be treated like a fool, but she did not dare to say so out loud.
Reinitz did not even look up. “Would you believe me if I told you that we got to know each other by pure coincidence? They were looking for you and found you. That was how they knew that you were with me. Als was an orphan as well. We grew up in the same orphanage.”
“I thought you got adopted by Mother Hannah?”
“Yes, but that was when I was 12 years old. Als was adopted when he was ten. We were already big boys then and the best of friends. After that, we met each other again in college and became schoolmates.” Reinitz told her everything in detail.
It wasn’t hard for Gu Nianzhi to imagine their relationship—two boys who were best pals lost contact after being adopted and met again a few years later in college. Obviously, they would have become closer.
“…After that, he joined the army. He managed to excel, and was promoted time and again within short periods of time. After I graduated, I became a software engineer and started a few small companies. After I sold them, I had a little bit of good fortune.”
After Reinitz was done talking, he looked up from the newspaper and showed a pair of stunningly smiling eyes. “Curious girl, any more questions?”
Gu Nianzhi did not know what to say. She turned around and faced the window. “Get the internet connection up quickly. I’m moldering from boredom.”
Reinitz looked at her, full of thoughts. She had been nothing but obedient for the past few days and did not have any extremely disturbing behavior. However, she sat in front of the windows and looked outside on a daily basis. He could not understand what was on her mind.
Who would be happy when they were captured and locked up? However… Reinitz shook his head and thought that perhaps it was time for other methods. She was a flower that would only bloom when grown in the wilderness. She wasn’t one to be grown in a greenhouse.
After that, Reinitz went out often. He said that he was preparing for his new venture. Gu Nianzhi did not fully believe him, but there was nothing else she could do. Moreover, did it matter whether she believed him or not?
Als would pop by occasionally to visit Reinitz. Whenever he was there, Gu Nianzhi would never leave the room. She did not wish to see nor speak to him. In her eyes, he was the prison guard who would pop by to check on her every now and then.
After the internet connection was up, Gu Nianzhi surfed for a bit and realized immediately that it was a connection that was heavily supervised. She did not even dare to contact Yin Shixiong and the guys, because the moment she did, she would expose them.
It was only then that she realized that she could only read some silly nothings even when she had an internet connection. She could at most follow up on Li Haiqing’s case. As for Seth, who had escaped, there was still no news of him.
…
“What did you say?! That woman has gone missing?! She even castrated Seth?!” Anger could be felt from the voice of the round-faced, long-haired woman over the phone. “Are you all stupid?! Useless! Trash! Don’t tell me that even after giving you so many resources, including the Copernicus Global Satellite Navigation system, you still lost her!”
“Boss, it wasn’t us! This woman had help in the Alps! There was a man who was amazing. He rode a motorcycle and headed off with her. Our bikes could not catch up with him. After that, we fell off the mountain and lost a few of our guys!”
“‘Help?’ How could she have help in the Alps?!” The woman laughed in anger. She was certain that Gu Nianzhi’s biggest help was Huo Shaoheng. He was still stuck in America due to her tricks. “Don’t give me nonsense just because you want to escape responsibility!”
