“Yuan Yuan,” Huo Zhixing said in a deep voice, “the family will be here soon. Your maternal grandfather has also made contact with several gangs over there… No matter what happens, don’t be afraid, we’re here for you!”

Huo Jiayuan's heart skipped a beat, and she turned to look at the person beside her.

Meng Yan remained expressionless. Although the phone was old, it did not transmit sound, so even in this small and quiet room, he could not hear what was being said on the other end.

Besides, he kept looking out the window.

It seemed like they were on guard against something.

Huo Jiayuan bit her lip, remembering what he had said—this matter cannot be resolved by calling the police; we must not harm more people.

She didn't understand what this meant, but the situation here must be more complicated than she imagined.

Fortunately, he was there for her during this time, which allowed her to survive in dangerous situations.

But what if the Huo family really sends a large number of people over...?

Huo Jiayuan hesitated for a moment, then whispered to the other end, "Grandpa, I'm not afraid. I've realized how willful I've been and how I've made you worry. I'm so sorry."

"Silly child, what are you saying! Your safety is the most important thing."

"I'm safe now." She chuckled, glancing at Meng Yan. "And I'm doing quite well; someone's taking care of me!"

Meng Yan was taken aback, turned around and looked at her, his expression indescribable.

“So you really don’t need to worry about me.” Huo Jiayuan lowered her voice. “Besides, this is someone else’s territory… Even a powerful dragon can’t suppress a local snake. Grandpa, you should understand this principle.”

"Alright, I won't say any more!" She smiled, her cheerful demeanor returning. "I'll call you on time. I'll hang up now!"

"Hey, Yuan Yuan!" Jiang Mianmian called out hurriedly, "Do you have enough money? Where are you staying now? Is it safe for you?"

"It's safe, very safe!" Huo Jiayuan gently comforted her mother, but the question about money did give her a wake-up call.

All the money she had was indeed gone!

She'd been eating and staying at Meng Yan's house for free these past few days, and hadn't yet experienced what it meant to be penniless. But she couldn't go on like this forever.

She then cautiously looked at Meng Yan.

Then, covering the microphone, she said very softly, "I want to..."

But before she could even open her mouth, the man saw through her intentions. Meng Yan, her face cold, uttered two words as casually as throwing a pebble: "No way!"

"I didn't even say what it was!"

"You want your family to send you money, right?"

Huo Jiayuan was stunned, but the next second she succumbed to Meng Yan's powerful aura.

"Mom, I have money," she said into the phone. "Don't worry, I won't mistreat myself! Okay, this number belongs to someone else, don't call it, just wait for me to contact you!"

She hung up the phone after saying that.

Meng Yan crossed her arms, her eyes slightly narrowed. This little girl isn't completely stupid; she knew to tell her family not to use this number.

So, she should be able to understand why he wouldn't allow her family to send her money.

“Once we get in touch with your family, some things will be out in the open. Although, I’m not sure what they will be,” Meng Yan said in a low voice.

Huo Jiayuan remained silent for a long time, then nodded as if she understood.

Biandu is a special city; it is shrouded in smog, and there are many places where the sun never shines.

One careless step can trigger a chain reaction, much like the butterfly effect.

The consequences were something even Meng Yan couldn't predict.

That's why he prevented her from contacting the outside world, wanting to minimize that possibility.

“But…” Huo Jiayuan lowered her head, “I have no money to spend.”

Meng Yan frowned slightly, about to say that she had food and lodging and that there was nothing else that needed to be paid for, but he swallowed the words back.

Yes, of course she needs money. What woman doesn't need money for food, clothing, shelter, and transportation? Besides, judging from her delicate skin, she must come from a well-off family and was raised in luxury, so her expenses must be even higher...

Meng Yan coughed twice and said calmly, "I have money."

"you……"

"for you."

He took a bank card out of his pocket.

In the instant Huo Jiayuan's mind went blank, he had already slipped the card into her hand.

"Use it if you want," he said casually. "I can easily support you."

Huo Jiayuan gripped the card tightly, the edge of which cut her palm slightly.

However, a smile played on her lips, a sweet feeling welling up inside her.

Are you sure you want me to use it?

"Hmm?" Meng Yan raised an eyebrow. "Don't believe me?"

“Then I really used it.” Huo Jiayuan looked at him. “You probably don’t know what kind of things I usually buy, do you?”

Meng Yan pursed her lips, not in the mood to tease her, put her hands in her pockets, and strode away.

Huo Jiayuan followed behind him with a smile.

As they walked out of the convenience store, Meng Yan reached out and pulled her into his arms. Huo Jiayuan was startled, but after looking around, he whispered to her, "Lower your head and stay close to me."

Huo Jiayuan had no choice but to comply. As they were leaving, the boss gave them a meaningful look and chuckled softly.

It was a long time before she learned what the convenience store was for and what Meng Yan and the owner's identities were—of course, this was several years later.

*

Currently, the Huo family's little princess is still trapped in the border region.

Since she made that phone call at the convenience store, she had become acquainted with the owner, who would greet her promptly around four o'clock every afternoon. As soon as she entered the small shop, the owner would pull down the roller shutter and hang a sign at the entrance that read "Out of town".

She stayed inside and calmly called her family to let them know she was safe.

However, phone calls cannot last too long; each call can only last two or three minutes.

And it was always Meng Yan who accompanied him.

Meng Yan had a competition that day, and Zhao Ashuang accompanied her. After finishing the phone call, she walked out slowly with her head down, looking somewhat downcast.

"What's wrong?" Zhao Ashuang asked with concern.

Huo Jiayuan sighed softly.

She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she felt a deep sense of helplessness. She missed home, her parents, and her younger brother who often caused her trouble. Even though she'd only been separated from her family for a few days, it felt like she'd traveled light-years.

Zhao Ashuang bought her a drink and handed it to her, smiling as she told her that drinking something sweet would make her feel much better.

Huo Jiayuan forced a smile and thanked her softly.

"Come on!" Zhao Ashuang, in her high heels, swayed as she hooked her arm around hers. "It's already afternoon, let me take you to the night market! The night market is just across the street from the shopping street, and if you get tired, we can..."

"Oh dear, I wondered who was going to stroll through the night market, it's you!" Suddenly a sharp voice came from the front.

Huo Jiayuan raised her head, and her sharp voice, accompanied by a sarcastic laugh, vividly illustrated what it means to have the face of a petty person.

"How dare someone who's neither male nor female walk around on the street?"