Futile Devices Scans

The DS research team had always coveted a particular genuinely anti-cancer substance discovered by the Gu Corporation’s research team. If they could obtain it, they would be able to defeat Dr. James’s team, publish the research first, and become the first to reap the rewards.

However, the DS team had no idea that Wang Ning’an had already discovered their objective. They knew even less that he had already identified the people they had planted within the Gu Corporation, along with the forces collaborating with them. The reason everything progressed so smoothly was largely thanks to Old Madam Gu.

Previously, Wang Ning’an had believed that Old Madam Gu was simply trapped in the past and unable to move on. He thought she might harbor resentment, but surely she had not completely abandoned her conscience. In the end, he had underestimated her determination. In order to exact revenge, she had even gone so far as to cooperate with outsiders against her own country.

Originally, Wang Ning’an had intended to let her off lightly out of consideration for her age. But after learning that she remained utterly unrepentant, he changed his mind. Some people would never admit their mistakes unless they suffered consequences. He had already given her a chance. Since she had no intention of cherishing it, there was no reason for him to show mercy.

The person attempting to steal the anti-cancer research data was caught red-handed by people arranged by Wang Ning’an. From that arrest, several major figures were exposed. They were all individuals planted inside the Gu Corporation by the DS team and its collaborators, including certain shareholders.

The state also attached tremendous importance to this research. If successful, it would benefit not only the nation’s citizens but people all around the world. However, from the perspective of national leaders, the discovery had to bear the name of China and be introduced to the world as a Chinese achievement. As soon as news reached higher authorities, all of those involved were immediately taken into custody.

Only then did the DS team realize they had already fallen into their enemies’ trap. Stealing classified national research was no ordinary international incident.

With the state stepping in, progress moved even more smoothly than Wang Ning’an had anticipated. The domestic force colluding with the DS team was quickly uprooted. Meanwhile, the DS headquarters was already overwhelmed by attacks from Dr. James’s research institute and could barely protect itself. In the end, even the DS team’s influence within the Gu Corporation was exposed and eliminated. The hidden dangers within the Gu Corporation were finally eradicated.

Afterward, Gu Shouzhuo decided to step back and formally hand the Gu Corporation over to Wang Ning’an.

Before that could happen, however, Wang Ning’an still had one final problem to resolve.

At the Gu family estate, the person being questioned this time was not Gu Ping, but Old Madam Gu. She sat there holding a string of Buddhist prayer beads, seemingly unaffected by the oppressive atmosphere filling the living room.

“You helped the Mu family scheme against the Gu Corporation back then. Out of respect for our forty or fifty years of marriage, I chose not to pursue the matter. Why did you still help outsiders target the Gu Corporation?” Gu Shouzhuo asked heavily, looking at the woman who had been his wife for nearly fifty years. For the first time, he felt that he had never truly known her.

Old Madam Gu remained expressionless and silent.

Wang Ning’an reached over and held Gu Shouzhuo’s hand.

“Grandfather, she only ever blames others for her mistakes. She has never sincerely reflected on herself. A person like that deserves neither sympathy nor forgiveness.”

“I’ve never felt that I wronged her. Everything I could give her, I gave. Yet all I received in return was betrayal. It truly chills my heart.” Gu Shouzhuo simply could not understand how she had become this way.

“What Grandfather doesn’t understand, I can explain,” Wang Ning’an suddenly said.

Gu Shouzhuo froze slightly.

“What do you mean?”

Wang Ning’an’s cold gaze shifted toward Old Madam Gu.

“More than fifty years ago, the reason my grandmother disappeared had a great deal to do with this Old Madam Gu. In order to marry you, she orchestrated those events and eventually became Mrs. Gu herself.

“What she never expected was that the sins she committed in her youth would eventually be repaid through her own son.

“And the Mu family as well.

“All of it was retribution.”

Snap.

The string of prayer beads in Old Madam Gu’s hand suddenly broke.

The beads scattered across the floor, rolling in every direction.

For the first time, the indifferent mask she had worn for so long completely shattered. She glared at Wang Ning’an with venomous hatred.

“What Ning’an said—is it true?” Gu Shouzhuo asked in disbelief.

The events in question had occurred over fifty years ago. Never once had he imagined that the disappearance of his fiancée could be connected to the woman who later became his wife.

“That’s right. I did it.”

Her voice was hoarse with hatred.

Knowing she could no longer hide the truth, Old Madam Gu finally spoke openly. She had already lost completely. At this point, there was nothing left to conceal.

“Why?”

“Because I wasn’t willing to accept it.”

She stared at them bitterly.

“I spent so much effort arranging everything just to marry you. I thought I would finally live a happy life.

“But Heaven was cruel.

“It took away my son. It took away my family.

“It left me alone, with no one but myself and my wounds.

“If I couldn’t have happiness, why should any of you?”

The grief of losing her son and the loss of her family had twisted her into a bitter, resentful person. Hatred became the only thing sustaining her life. All the resentment she had accumulated over decades was directed toward Wang Ning’an. By making others suffer, she hoped to restore some sense of balance to herself.

It was a deeply distorted mindset.

Gu Shouzhuo had never imagined that after all these years of practicing Buddhism, she had never once reflected on herself. After destroying his fiancée’s life, she now wanted to destroy his grandson’s as well.

A profound sadness filled him.

He truly had never understood the woman he had spent his life with.

Yet no matter how much affection remained between them, he could not ignore what she had done.

Not when his grandson was involved.

“Since that is the case, you can spend the rest of your life in a retirement home,” he said at last.

“I no longer expect you to reflect on your actions.

“You’ve enjoyed enough comfort over the years.

“It’s time to take responsibility for what you’ve done.”

Although retirement homes were places where the elderly lived out their remaining years, the one Old Madam Gu would be sent to was not a comfortable place. If she was truly being held accountable for her past actions, she certainly would not be allowed to enjoy a peaceful retirement. Gu Shouzhuo was doing this not only for himself but also to provide an answer to the fiancée he had lost and to his son and grandson.

The savage expression on Old Madam Gu’s face gradually faded, returning to calmness.

She appeared unconcerned by the decision.

Perhaps she still believed that Gu Shouzhuo retained some affection for her.

What she did not know was that a peaceful and comfortable life was no longer possible.

Because Wang Ning’an had no intention of letting her off so easily.

After leaving the estate, Wang Ning’an looked up at the blue sky and drifting white clouds overhead. He felt an urge to stretch. With everything finally over, the burden on his shoulders seemed to have disappeared.

To celebrate the removal of every obstacle, Zheng Jingen invited everyone out that evening. Since it was a rare opportunity to relax, Wang Ning’an agreed.

Wang Ning’an was generally a serious person. The noisy atmosphere of bars had never suited him, so he rarely visited such places. When he arrived outside the bar that evening, he could already hear the thunderous music and commotion inside before reaching the entrance. He frowned slightly in discomfort.

The bar was crowded.

As Wang Ning’an made his way through the crowd, he brushed shoulders with numerous people. At one point, he bumped into a man who seemed to say something to him, but Wang Ning’an ignored it.

Fortunately, Zheng Jingen had reserved a private room. Once inside, the noise from outside was completely shut out.

Not many people had attended the celebration. Wang Cheng had originally wanted to come, but his grandfather had cornered him again. Recently, whenever nothing important was happening, both his grandfather and great-grandfather would urge him to hurry up and arrange a surrogate child.

“Next time we have a celebration, I think we should pick somewhere quieter,” Wang Ning’an said sincerely after sitting down.

The moment Zheng Jingen heard that, he knew Wang Ning’an disliked the atmosphere. Handing him a glass of alcohol, he smiled.

“That’s a very good suggestion. I’ll consider it.”

Wang Ning’an frowned instead of accepting it.

“I still have to drive home.”

“It’s a celebration. Let yourself relax for once,” Zheng Jingen said, pushing the glass into his hand before he could refuse. “If you get drunk, I guarantee I’ll get you home safely.”

“Fine.”

Not wanting to ruin Zheng Jingen’s good mood, Wang Ning’an accepted. The alcohol content was low enough that one glass would not affect him.

Meanwhile, Luo Sheng had selected a song with absurdly high notes and was howling into the microphone. After finishing, he noticed that the two of them were still sitting in a corner drinking and talking, so he wandered over and casually draped half his body onto Wang Ning’an.

“Hey, what’s with you two? Didn’t we come out to have fun—”

Before he could finish, Zheng Jingen abruptly stood up and pulled him away.

“Ning’an doesn’t like people getting too close to him.”

“How do you know that?” Luo Sheng immediately asked.

Without even raising an eyebrow, Zheng Jingen replied,

“He’s a germaphobe.”

Luo Sheng froze before finally processing the statement.

Then he pointed at him in outrage.

“You—you—you mean I’m dirty?”

“I never said that,” Zheng Jingen replied smoothly. “You came to that conclusion yourself.”

“Good grief, Zheng Jingen! And you claim that wasn’t what you meant? You’ve completely forgotten your friends once a handsome face showed up!”

Zheng Jingen immediately frowned.

“You’re using the wrong phrase. If I really forgot my friends because of a pretty face, you would’ve been abandoned in some forgotten corner hundreds of years ago.”

Realizing there was no point arguing further—and knowing it was somewhat inappropriate to say such things in front of Wang Ning’an—Luo Sheng finally retreated.

Zheng Jingen turned back to Wang Ning’an.

“He misspoke. Don’t pay attention to him.”

Wang Ning’an nodded.

Truthfully, he had not thought much of it.

About half an hour later, Luo Sheng noticed they were running low on drinks and called for more. The waiter who arrived was not the previous one. When Luo Sheng casually asked about it, the waiter explained that the earlier server had been called away and the manager had sent him instead.

This waiter was particularly attentive.

After setting down the drinks, he even helped refill everyone’s glasses.

Wang Ning’an no longer wanted alcohol. He had already consumed two or three glasses, and the alcohol was beginning to affect him. Without touching his face, he could already tell it had turned red.

He requested a glass of ice water from the waiter.

The waiter quickly brought it.

However, after finishing the water, Wang Ning’an realized that instead of cooling down, his body felt even hotter.

“What’s wrong?”

Noticing the change in him, Zheng Jingen immediately set down his drink.

Wang Ning’an’s face was flushed.

“I feel hot.”

Zheng Jingen’s expression changed instantly.

He grabbed the glass Wang Ning’an had just used. There was still some ice water remaining. Looking carefully, he noticed tiny granules at the bottom.

Immediately, he called Luo Sheng over and whispered several instructions into his ear.

Then he helped Wang Ning’an to his feet and left the bar without delay.

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