Elder Guan’s face was etched with regret.
Yao Yan nodded politely at the old man. “Since your inquiry seems to be satisfied, Little Sister and I will go upstairs now.”
“All right.”
Elder Guan turned on his heel and walked back toward Yao Rong.
He was barely a few steps away when something else occurred to him. He whirled around and called out to Yao Tangagain. “Wait!”
And once again, Yao Tangpaused, her eyebrows twitching in annoyance.
She cast a sideways glance at Yao Yanand gestured subtly at him.
He easily understood the message, and he intercepted the old man yet again. “Is there anything else?”
Elder Guan was staring atYao Tangwith a glint in his eyes.
“Little Girl,” he said with a sly smile. “I also find your glasses to be rather tasteful. Can you take them off for a moment and let me inspect them? I’d like to get one of those for my granddaughter as well.”
He was brimming with excitement, even more so than before. This time, he was almost positive that this girl was indeed Yao Tang.
Yao Tang was speechless.
Roughly three seconds later, she nodded casually. “Sure.”
……
The situation didn’t allow her to hesitate for even a split second. If she did, it would only fuel Elder Guan’s suspicions.
She for her glasses, but just before she took them off, she tapped the backside of her ear with her index finger, releasing a chip that latched onto her skin.
Her movements were quick and efficient.
Before Elder Guancould say another word,Yao Tanghad already taken off her glasses and was handing them to him.
Of course, the old man didn’t care for the spectacles. Instead, he studied Yao Tang’s face directly.
To his dismay, her appearance didn’t change at all. She was still the same plain, ordinary girl he had faced a while ago.
Elder Guan was dealt with a second, much greater blow of disappointment.
Perhaps he was becoming too desperate that he was starting to delude himself. Why would he even insist on his idea that the girl in front of him was Yao Tang?
As for the girl in question, she was struggling not to let her nerves show. After disengaging the chip, she only had 30 seconds before its effects expired. If she failed to escape within the allotted time, her true face would be revealed.
Seven seconds left…
Six seconds left…
Five seconds…
Still, Elder Guanwas persistently observing her, as if he was expecting flowers to bloom on her face any minute now.
Yao Tang’s hands clenched at her sides. She had to do something.
Just then, a phone rang, breaking the tension. It was Elder Guan’s. He immediately fished it out of his pocket.
No one could hear what was said on the other end, but the old man hurriedly returned Yao Tang’s glasses and headed out the door.
The moment he turned away, Yao Tang’s face reverted to its original form.
By that time, Elder Guan’s attention was focused solely on the conversation he was having. He didn’t even spare them another glance.
He gripped the device tighter as he listened to the other party.
“We found a young girl wearing the same clothes as in the photo you provided…”
When Elder Guanfinally stepped out of the house,Yao Tangheaved a sigh of relief.
When she turned around, however, she was met by Yao Yan’s piercing gaze.
She involuntarily took a step back, her guilty conscience prickling her. “I’m exhausted, Big Brother. I’ll go to my bedroom now and get some rest.”
It was all she could do not to give in to her instincts and run upstairs.
She hadn’t even taken a step when Yao Yanstretched out his arm and placed his hand on her shoulder.
Trapped, Yao Tangcould only offer him a bitter smile.
Thankfully, Yao Rongchose that moment to ask, “Little Yan, Little Tang, what are you two still doing there? And is it just me, or did Little Tang’s appearance change just now? Am I seeing things?”
After a brief pause, he added, “And why was Elder Guanacting so weird around you?”
Yao Yan smiled at his father. “You must be tired, too, Dad. You should rest for a bit. I’ll have the doctor come over tomorrow to check on you. It can’t be good to be seeing things that aren’t real.”
When he saw that Yao Rongwas about to protest,Yao Yanspoke again. “Haven’t I been telling you all this time to prioritize your health over everything else? You haven’t been sleeping properly lately, have you? Do you want us to strap you to the bed and force you to rest?”
Yao Rong instantly shut his mouth and sat back down on the sofa, looking dejected.
“Let’s go,” Yao Yansaid toYao Tang.
There was nothing else she could do now.
She let him lead the way to the study on the second floor.
