Chapter 130: I Am Also Torn

"I don't know how to explain what you've told me, but at the very least, I am certain in my heart that my uncle would never do such a thing."

Indeed, it is difficult to convince a niece that her uncle would commit such a heinous act for the sake of a formula. Faced with Huang Wanting's defense, Zhang Shen might have been understanding under normal circumstances; after all, he didn't have a bad impression of the young girl. However, because this matter involved Wang Ying, his loyalties were firmly tilted in her favor.

"Do you think we are lying to you?"

Zhang Shen's agitated tone made Jiang Muyun worry that the situation might take a turn for the worse. She tugged at his sleeve and said, "Can you please calm down for a moment? Sister Huang hasn't said anything unreasonable. Just put yourself in her shoes—if someone asked you to believe that I had poisoned someone, how would you react? We need to give Sister Huang time to think."

Under Jiang Muyun's firm persuasion, Zhang Shen managed to restrain his impatience. Seeing his expression soften, Jiang Muyun turned to Huang Wanting. "Sister Huang, don't mind him; he’s just a hothead who loses his cool whenever something happens. I can understand your position, but I have one small request."

"Go ahead," Huang Wanting replied, finding Jiang Muyun’s sincerity much easier to accept.

"I hope that if you have the chance, you will keep a close eye on your uncle, but please ensure your own safety. Too many people have already been dragged into this."

"I will!"

Huang Wanting understood that this was Jiang Muyun's way of looking out for her. While her inner conflict could not change the facts, she was determined to investigate the identity of the culprit herself. Seeing her nod in agreement, Jiang Muyun said, "Take care, Sister Huang. We will wait for your news."

After the two young women exchanged contact information, Jiang Muyun pulled Zhang Shen out of the restaurant.

As soon as they reached the Buick, Mu Qiao hurried out of the car. "Miss, are you alright?"

She insisted that Jiang Muyun spin around so she could check her over. Although she knew Mu Qiao meant well, Jiang Muyun felt no urge to joke; she had no way of knowing if Huang Wanting would report their meeting to Long Si. Given how urgent the situation was and how reckless Zhang Shen had been, she feared the secret would come out sooner or later. For now, she could only hope for the best.

As soon as Mu Qiao exited the vehicle, Wang Ying and Meng Ran jumped out and hurried over to Zhang Shen.

"Zhang Shen, what happened? Did you find the person who poisoned my father?"

"Yes, Brother Zhang, what’s the news?"

Faced with their questioning, Zhang Shen didn't know how to provide the answer they wanted. Just as he was struggling, the quick-witted Jiang Muyun stepped in. "Zhang Shen has been talking until his throat is dry trying to get through to that girl. If you have any questions, just ask me!"

The moment she said this, Zhang Shen felt a wave of relief, his eyes reflecting more than just gratitude. Jiang Muyun, meanwhile, held her head high with a proud air; although she was shorter than Zhang Shen, he suddenly seemed much smaller by comparison.

"Miss Jiang..."

Before Wang Ying could finish, Jiang Muyun interrupted her. "Sister Ying, please don't call me that; it feels so awkward. Why don't you just call me Little Yun'er, like Zhang Shen does?"

Wang Ying didn't refuse, instead replying kindly, "Little Yun'er, please tell me, what is the situation?"

Jiang Muyun knew Wang Ying was desperate for an answer, even though what she had to say might be hard to hear. "Sister Ying, we found the girl and learned some things, but it will take more time to investigate thoroughly. But rest assured, she has promised to keep an eye out for us."

As expected, upon not hearing the definitive answer she craved, Wang Ying’s face fell with disappointment. Seeing this, Jiang Muyun reached out a hand. "Sister Ying, don't lose heart. You must trust us."

For Jiang Muyun, telling them that Huang Wanting had agreed to help was a bit of a stretch. She could only offer comfort, hoping that she wouldn't have to invent any more lies and that, for now, Wang Ying remained unsuspicious. However, a new thought was forming in Jiang Muyun's mind: she had bailed Zhang Shen out of a major predicament, and she would definitely make him pay for it later.

Hearing this, Mu Qiao seemed to grasp the gist of the situation. Seeing the grim expressions on everyone's faces, she said, "It's getting late, and the Miss isn't feeling well. Let me take you all back."

No one objected; although no one wanted this to happen, everyone had done their best. Mu Qiao drove them back to the school, the route now familiar, making the return trip faster than the journey there.

"We're here," Mu Qiao announced.

Zhang Shen stepped out first, followed by Wang Ying and Meng Ran. Just as they were about to bid Jiang Muyun farewell, she suddenly felt a wave of dizziness.

"Miss! Are you alright?" Mu Qiao cried out. Seeing that Jiang Muyun didn't respond, she turned on Zhang Shen, shouting, "Zhang Shen, how are you taking care of the Miss? If anything happens to her, I won't let you off the hook!"

Zhang Shen panicked. To his knowledge, Jiang Muyun had been eating and drinking exactly what he had; how could she suddenly collapse? His first instinct was that the toxins in her body had flared up again. But just as he opened the car door to check her pulse, Mu Qiao unexpectedly roared at him, "What are you doing?"