Chapter 124 A single glance sent him into a panic.

Gan Xiaoxing's kidnapping was something Shao Muyan had expected.

"The bandits she hired used to make a living by fishing. They were very good swimmers, which is why they were able to stay submerged in the sea for so long."

Shao Muyan told Yu Yan about what they had found out: "The gang consists of five people. The leader is called Liao Jie. He used to be a sailor and had committed crimes. After he got out, his wife ran away with someone else, and his child went missing. In order to find his child and to make a living, he went astray with some people from his hometown. They are in the business of taking money to solve problems for others. They are greedy and love money more than anything. Gan Xiaoxing wanted to go back on her word and not give them the money afterward, so it's certain that they would turn against her."

Yu Yan never expected that he could find out so much in just three days.

After a moment of silence, Yu Yan said, "Then our actions are tantamount to using someone else to do our dirty work."

Shao Muyan suddenly looked up.

He was indeed using someone else to do his dirty work, but he never expected Yu Yan to say "we".

Shao Muyan smiled gently, "I thought you would disagree with my approach."

Yu Yan replied, "In fact, we just did nothing and quietly waited for Gan Xiaoxing to reap what she sowed."

It's simply about respecting other people's fate.

"Uncle Yan, don't think of me as too kind."

Yu Yan said calmly, "Gan Xiaoxing has committed many evil deeds and has repeatedly put me in unjust situations. This time she almost killed me. I can't forgive her, and I won't let her off easily."

Her expression remained calm and composed, but Shao Muyan saw a sharp edge that was no longer concealed on her face.

He could clearly sense the changes in Yu Yan.

Indeed, when people are on the verge of life and death, they will always gain some insights, and it is only natural for them to change.

But no matter how she changes, she is still herself, and in his eyes she is the same.

—

Nearly half of the 24 hours have passed.

Xiang Jingheng went to the hospital.

No matter what happened between him and Gan Xiaoxing, he still had to come to see Chairman Gan, who was having such a big heart surgery.

The two families were old friends, and the Gan family had done the Xiang family a favor. When Xiang Jingheng was young, he encountered a danger and was saved by Gan's father. Xiang Jingheng always remembered this.

That's why he let Gan Xiaoxing get close to him, and over the years he's helped her clean up a lot of messes.

Actually, it's all because of Chairman Gan's influence.

Chairman Gan survived, but his heart was severely damaged and he is still in critical condition. It is very likely that he will never be able to stand up again.

"Uncle Gan".

As the man emerged from the operating room, he stepped forward towards Jing Heng, his hand grasped by Chairman Gan. He struggled to open his cloudy eyes, unable to speak, but his meaning was clear.

Xiang Jingheng's heart sank, but he held his hand and said, "Don't worry, I will save her."

Reassured by his words, Chairman Gan released his grip.

The person was admitted to the intensive care unit.

Gan Tai wept uncontrollably.

Xiang Jingheng saw the photo of Gan Xiaoxing sent by the kidnappers on the phone that Gan Tai handed him. His eyelids twitched and his eyes turned completely black.

But he heard the true voice in his heart: He only has himself to blame!

...

Five million was delivered to the designated location in the last half hour of the countdown.

Ten minutes later, a sack was thrown out.

He was carried into the car by two bodyguards.

The bag was opened, revealing a bloodied face, which startled the bodyguards.

He shakily reached out and checked her breath; she was still alive.

Gan Xiaoxing was taken to the hospital.

The moment Gan Tai saw her daughter, she let out a heart-wrenching scream that pierced the sky before her vision went black and she fainted.

Xiang Jingheng did not linger at the hospital. He sat in the car and glanced at the hospital from a distance before saying to the driver, "Let's go."

Mei Nan sat to the side and asked softly, "Aren't you going in to take a look?"

"There's nothing to see." Xiang Jingheng said indifferently. "I've done everything I could. From now on, she and I have absolutely nothing to do with each other."

The thought that Xiang Chu and Yu Yan almost lost their lives at Gan Xiaoxing's hands made Xiang Jingheng want to tear her apart.

He couldn't bring himself to do it, so someone else did it for him. What else could he say?

"Those river bandits shouldn't be let off either."

Mei Nan hummed in agreement. "I've already made arrangements. Let them enjoy themselves for a few days. Once they lower their guard, their good days will be over."

“But,” she looked at Xiang Jingheng, “once those river bandits are caught, the story of falling into the water can’t be covered up. We’ve already filed a report with the police station; should we withdraw it?”

"We will not withdraw."

Xiang Jingheng's voice was cold: "Don't you want an explanation?"

Mei Nan lowered her eyes slightly, "I was afraid of putting you in a difficult position..."

"I won't make things difficult for you." Xiang Jingheng showed no mercy to Gan Xiaoxing. "I have to clear Yu Yan's name."

Mei Nan was slightly taken aback, and a bitter smile immediately appeared on her lips.

So it was for Yu Yan.

—

Yu Yan was discharged from the hospital.

Xiang Jingheng couldn't find out anything about Yu Yan, but he was still worried about her, so he sent someone to wait at the hospital entrance and call him as soon as they saw her come out.

Upon receiving the call, Xiang Jingheng hurriedly ended the meeting and went downstairs.

There was no time to go to the hospital, so he told the driver to head directly to Lin'an Road.

On the bus, Xiang Jingheng felt parched and unusually nervous.

He wanted to talk to Yu Yan; he missed her terribly!

Looking back now, it's clear that since Yu Yan returned to China, they've had so many opportunities to have a good conversation, yet they never really got along well, and each time it ended on a sour note.

Ultimately, it's his problem; he can't control his emotions and comes across as aggressive.

Xiang Jingheng kept reflecting on the situation and urging the driver to hurry up. The driver took a shortcut and surprisingly arrived at the research family compound on Lin'an Road a little earlier than Yu Yan and the others.

The driver dared not get too close to the gate; the security here was too tight, with cameras all around and guards watching like wolves, making it impossible for anyone to cross the line.

"Mr. Xiang, you're here." The driver called out softly. Xiang Jingheng watched the car gradually come into view, his heart pounding in his chest.

His palms were sweaty, and his long, strong fingers gripped his knees so tightly they hurt.

Xiang Jingheng got out of the car.

To show his sincerity, he personally waited at the door.

"Third Master, there's someone at the door. It looks like President Xiang from Xiang's Technology."

The lead car and the tail car surrounded the Rolls-Royce that Shao Muyan and Yu Yan were riding in. The bodyguard in the lead car reported to the middle car via walkie-talkie.

Shao Muyan looked over, his eyes narrowed, and it was Xiang Jingheng.

He brought a lot of bodyguards today, making a big show of it, just to keep an eye on Xiang Jingheng.

Unexpectedly, he didn't go to the hospital but came directly to the family compound.

They're incredibly bold and shameless.

Mrs. Shao craned her neck, "Let me see, where?"

Shao Muyan and Yu Yan sat side by side and moved at the same time.

"Yu Yan."

"Uncle Yan."

The two spoke at the same time.

After exchanging a glance, Shao Muyan said, "I'll get out of the car and send him away."

Before Shao Muyan could move, Madam Shao took the initiative, rolling up her sleeves. "I'll do it!"

"No need, Aunt Qiu."

Yu Yan pulled Mrs. Shao aside, not wanting the Shao family to get involved in her and the Xiang family's affairs, and said to the driver, "Let's go straight in."

Xiang Jingheng recognized the conspicuous "京" (Beijing) license plate as belonging to the Shao family's fleet.

Secretly surprised, the Shao family made such a grand gesture just to pick up Yu Yan from the hospital, which showed how much they valued her.

Xiang Jingheng clenched his fist, waiting for the car to stop so that Yu Yan could get out and he could have a proper talk with her.

Unexpectedly, the people in the car simply rolled down the window, exchanged a few words with the security guard, registered, and then drove in, without any intention of getting out.

Seeing the train about to pass in front of him, Xiang Jingheng disregarded the danger and stopped it, forcing the driver to stop.

"Third Master!"

The car swayed, and Shao Muyan and Yu Yan both reached out to brace themselves against their seats, their brows furrowing as they looked at the figures appearing in the windshield.

Xiang Jingheng banged on the car window, and Shao Muyan rolled it down. Just as Xiang Jingheng was about to speak, Yu Yan's cold and sharp gaze swept over him.

With just one glance, Xiang Jingheng's army was thrown into chaos and utterly routed.