Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
It was the DK Organization attacking them.
However, there was no turning back now and An Xiaoning had been successfully brought to a safe ground.
As soon as they landed, she heard him grunt in pain. Clearly, his calf had yet to recover completely.
An Xiaoning held onto him, and a lump formed in her throat as she asked, “Qingyan, what do we do now? I wonder how the children are doing now.”
“He’s after us, not the children. His purpose for kidnapping the children is just so he could threaten us. He won’t touch the children before he kills us. After all, if the children were to die, he would lose his trump card. I’ve already received a text message from Xihou Jiaping.”
“What did he say?”
“He said that he wants me to give up my life in exchange for the children being released. Which means that by coming here, not only will you be unable to see the children, you’d also be losing your life.”
“I know. I know that it won’t be easy to rescue the children, but I don’t have another option,” she said.
“Weren’t we already certain of that when they were kidnapped? I only agreed to let you come because I wanted to verify if he’s still in S Nation. Otherwise, why would I want you to make this wasted trip?” he said, staring at her.
“He’s indeed not in M Nation.”
“I’ve already verified that. I left the estate via the secret passageway in the cellar. Apart from a few people, everyone else thinks that I’m still in Wei Ni Estate. Xihou Jiaping is still after me right now. He must still be in S Nation. As long as he’s in S Nation, there’d be no escape for him.”
An Xiaoning did not understand what he meant at all. “Why is there no escape for him as long as he’s in S Nation?”
“Xiaoning, do you remember what day it is tomorrow?”
“It’s the 15th of July, Yiheng’s and my birthday…”
“Correct…”
“What does that have to do with him?”
He held her hand and interlocked fingers with her. “You’ll find out when the time comes.”
—
“Sis Erlan, just what’s going on? Why has Cousin gone missing again?” Xiao Yue asked.
“He has something important to handle,” said Fang Erlan, who had no idea what was going on either. She only knew that Xiao Chenyang had appeared extremely austere after reading a text message and left in a hurry.
The studio transferred the two bodyguards to her again.
“What important matter is it? He’s gone again after leaving all of a sudden last time,” said Xiao Yue, who was in low spirits because she could not see him.
“I’m not too sure either.”
“Didn’t Cousin tell you? He couldn’t have gone for a matchmaking session, could he?” Xiao Yue asked in puzzlement.
“Matchmaking session? I don’t think so,” Fang Erlan said firmly.
“Sis Erlan, you must know where he lives, then.”
Fang Erlan said, “He lives in A City… with me. Don’t you already know that?”
“I meant his own home.”
“His own home… I’m not too sure.”
“Why are you so unsure about everything…? Cousin seems to know everything about you but you barely know anything about him,” remarked a bewildered Xiao Yue.
“I’ll go take a nap in the van. Wake me up at two o’clock.”
“Okay.”
Once she got inside the nanny van, she dialed Xiao Chenyang’s number.
The call went through, and his ringtone was a melancholic melody.
It exuded a classic vibe.
Xiao Chenyang answered a short while later.
“What is it?” he answered coldly.
She could tell what his mood was from the way he sounded.
“Are you feeling out of sorts?” she asked.
“What’s the matter?” he asked, knowing clearly that she wouldn’t call him unless something had happened.
“Nothing…”
“Focus on filming, take your meals regularly, and get sufficient sleep. Don’t open the door to strangers at night, men in particular.”
He emphasized on the last sentence.
Fang Erlan answered, “Got it.”
After ending the call, Fang Erlan let out a huge sigh and reclined the seat in a bid to lie down.
She heard a sound coming from the window, and she cocked her head sideways to see that it was Yan Ge.
She opened the door to let him in.
“What are you doing alone in the car?”
“I’m planning to take a short nap.”
“Did you not sleep well last night? You seem to be unwell,” he said, staring at her.
“I had a night of dreams. I haven’t been getting any quality sleep lately.”
“If my mother had said anything to you, don’t take her words to heart. Her bark is worse than her bite,” said Yan Ge.
“Auntie didn’t say anything to me. We’re getting along fine. However, she wanted me to replace my bodyguard. I really can’t do that,” Fang Erlan said with a faint smile.
“I’ve already explained that to her, rest assured. Why isn’t he around?”
“He has something to handle.”
“Erlan, just who is he? Could you tell me?” Yan Ge asked.
Shaking her head, Fang Erlan said, “I only know a little about him. There are many things that I’m unaware of.”
“Tell me everything that you know, then, so that I can prepare myself mentally.”
“I can’t, but he’s not a vile character.”
“Frankly speaking, I’ve already gotten someone to check on him. However, I didn’t manage to find out anything at all. It seems like he really just popped up out of nowhere. Clearly, he’s been keeping his information highly confidential.”
“He showed up in my life all of a sudden too.” Fang Erlan kicked her shoes off and placed her feet against the seat in front of her. She continued, “I still don’t get just what his reasons are…”
Why did he do this to me…?
It seems as if he had targeted me.
“Which one matters more to you, your career or your family?”
Fang Erlan turned to look at him and answered, “Family, of course. However, career is just as important. What’s the point of living if you can’t be with the person whom you fancy? Likewise, where’s the meaning in life if you can’t do what you like?”
“Would you be willing to give up your career for the sake of that person whom you fancy, then?”
“Can’t that person and my career co-exist?”
Yan Ge reclined his seat and lied down. Staring at her, he said, “I want to hear the truth. Would you be willing?”
“I shall answer you truthfully, then. If I’m willing to give up my career for that person, that person must mean more to me than my life does.”
Yan Ge smiled and did not probe any further, because he did not wish to know if he meant more to her than her life did.
Noticing that he was not saying anything, Fang Erlan wrapped her arm around his waist and leaned closer toward him. “Unless I want to quit the showbiz industry out of my own accord, I wouldn’t leave. Anyone who compels me to give up my career is so despicable.”
“…”
—
After cruising on the ocean for a long while, the ship finally arrived at Mingshan Island at dusk.
