Chapter 34 King vs. King, Helping Each Other
The office door closed gently, shutting out the sounds from the corridor outside and, as if shutting out the thrilling conflict just now, Ran Yian was the only one left in the huge office, with the mess on the floor and the lingering smell of gunpowder in the air.
Ran Yian slumped back into his office chair, exhausted, as if all the strength in his body had been drained.
The sharpness and defensiveness he had shown when facing Liao Feng just now receded like the tide, revealing the cold and rugged reefs underneath, which were deeper and heavier real emotions.
Anger welled up first. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got! Why did Liao Feng treat him like that? He was interrogating him like a criminal! What had Ran Yian done wrong? Was it a sin to stop loving someone? Did being loved mean you had an obligation to return the love? Why should he bear all the responsibility for Xu Nuoyan's choice? The feeling of being blamed, of being forced into a corner, made him feel suffocated and almost exploded.
But then, cracks appeared in the shell of anger that he had been holding up, and guilt and anxiety rushed in like cold sea water, drowning him in an instant.
Yes...Xu Nuoyan. The Xu Nuoyan who had stars in her eyes when she looked at him, the Xu Nuoyan who gave everything for him, even lost herself.
That... Xu Nuoyan, who completely disappeared and might even do something extreme because of his two cold messages.
If... If something really happened to Xu Nuoyan...
This thought was like an icy poisonous snake, suddenly wrapping around his heart and suffocating him.
Then he will never be able to rest in peace in his life.
No matter how many reasons he had, no matter how he told himself that "feelings cannot be forced", it could not change the fact: he was the last straw that broke Xu Nuoyan's back.
He closed his eyes, and what appeared before his eyes was not Liao Feng's furious face, but the empty house when he left Xu Nuoyan's house for the last time.
At that time, he felt relieved, but now thinking about it, it was clearly a signal of destruction, and he had sent the fuse with his own hands.
A huge feeling of powerlessness and panic gripped him. What should he do? What could he do?
Like Liao Feng, would he mobilize everyone to look for her? But with what identity would he do that? And what would he say once he found her? Would he continue to repeat the hurtful "I don't love you"?
Or, just wait and pray that Xu Yan won't do anything stupid?
Every choice made him feel extremely difficult and painful.
He had never realized as clearly as he did at this moment that the relationship between him and Xu Nuoyan was no longer a simple question of love or not, but an emotional debt so heavy that he might never be able to repay it.
This relationship, which he thought was over long ago, never really let him go. It bound him tightly again in a crueler and heavier way.
Ran Yian sat alone in the chaotic office, the sunlight streaming through the window onto his pale face, yet it brought no warmth. He felt as if he had been abandoned on a deserted island, surrounded by the icy waters of guilt and unease, boundless and with nowhere to escape.
In the top-floor office of Chuangyu Group, Liao Feng was knocking on the wooden table. The dark brown paint of the wood reflected his face. If Xu Nuoyan really wanted to leave, then he would definitely not stay in the city, and would probably go abroad, but which country he would go to was also a question.
He didn't like crowded places, nor was he a fan of mountains and rivers. The fox really made him speechless. It was determined to beat him up if it found him and Song Xuexi. He could go anywhere to relax, but he couldn't leave quietly.
At this time, the front desk called, "Mr. Liao, there is a foreigner looking for you, his name is Kirill." When Liao Feng heard this name, his brows furrowed.
Kirill? The foreigner who had messed up Li Mingyuan? Why did he come to see him? Although he was full of doubts and was already worried about Xu Nuoyan's matter, he still suppressed his temper and asked the front desk to let him in.
After a while, the office door opened. Kirill, a tall figure, walked in. He was still wearing his casual clothes, which seemed out of place in this city. His face was a little tired, but his deep eyes revealed an unquestionable determination and... an urgent need for help.
"Mr. Liao." Kirill's pronunciation still had a thick accent, but his tone was direct, and he omitted all the pleasantries. "Excuse me for disturbing you. I can't find Mingyuan. He blocked all my contact information and refused to see me. I know that you are his most important friends."
Liao Feng leaned back in his chair, looked at him, and said in a not very enthusiastic tone: "So? Mr. Kirill, let me remind you that I am his ex." He is in a mess himself now and has no time to care about other people's emotional disputes.
Kirill took a step forward, put his hands on Liao Feng's dark brown desk, leaned forward slightly, and looked at Liao Feng with burning eyes: "I know you are in bigger trouble now. You are looking for Dr. Xu, right?" He ignored Liao Feng's next sentence.
Liao Feng's eyes instantly became sharp, with a vigilant look: "How do you know? And you speak so fluently." He heard Song Xuexi and Xu Nuoyan say that Kirill did not speak the same language last time, but now he heard that it was not the same.
"I have my own way." Kirill didn't answer directly. Perhaps he had inquired through certain channels, or perhaps it was his keen intuition. "Mr. Liao, we can make a deal."
"Deal?" Liao Feng raised his eyebrows.
"Yes." Kirill's voice was low and firm. "You helped me win back Yuan. In return, I will help you find Xu Nuoyan."
Liao Feng almost sneered: "You? How did you find it? I mobilized all my resources and it was like looking for a needle in a haystack..."
Kirill interrupted him, a glint of almost feral confidence in his eyes: "Your method and Miss Song's method are conventional methods. My method... is different. In my country, and even further afield, I know some friends who are... not so 'conventional'. They find people in their own ways and networks, and it's usually quick and quiet."
He added meaningfully, "Especially when someone wants to completely disappear, they often need money, a new identity, and the ability to avoid official scrutiny. And I happen to be more familiar with the workings of this underground world than you are."
These words silenced Liao Feng. He stared at Kirill, assessing the truthfulness of his words.
Indeed, if Xu Nuoyan is determined to hide, there may really be little hope by taking conventional means.
The "other force" represented by Kirill, although operating in a gray area, may be the only shortcut now.
In order to find Xu Nuoyan, Liao Feng doesn't care what method he uses.
The office fell into a brief silence, with only the silent contest and eye contact between the two men.
Finally, Liao Feng spoke slowly, his voice regaining its usual calmness and decisiveness: "Tell me about your plan. How will you help me find him? Also, how can I be sure you're not lying to me?"
Kirill gave a determined smile. "I'll prove my ability to you first. Give me some of the doctor's last personal belongings, or his exact date of birth and full name. My friends need these to establish a 'connection.' Within 24 hours, I'll give you a general direction."
He paused and looked at Liao Feng: "As for lying to you? Mr. Liao, my target is Yuan. Only if I help you find someone, will you really help me. I understand this principle."
Liao Feng leaned back in the large leather chair, his fingers unconsciously stroking the smooth table top, and his sharp golden eyes examined Kirill back and forth several times like a scanner.
The atmosphere in the office became particularly solemn due to his silence. Finally, he slowly spoke, his voice low and cold, carrying an unquestionable pressure:
"Mr. Kirill," he said, using a very formal address, clearly drawing a line between the two. "I don't care what methods you have, or what 'friends' you have. I can give you a chance."
He changed the subject, his eyes suddenly becoming extremely dangerous, like a lion stalking its prey: "But you have to listen carefully. This is my place. You'd better be as capable as you say."
He leaned forward slightly, feeling a strong sense of oppression. "If I find out you're just wasting my time, or worse, using this to do something..."
Liao Feng didn't finish his words, but the unfinished meaning was more frightening than any direct threat.
Kirill had no doubt that if he failed or deceived him, let alone pursuing Li Mingyuan, he might not be able to leave the country safely.
Kirill met his gaze, the frivolous smile on his face faded, replaced by a serious look. He nodded. "I understand. Mr. Liao, I'm not foolish enough to challenge your authority on your turf. I only want Li Mingyuan. Finding Dr. Xu is the only way to achieve my goal. I won't joke about this."
"That's better," Liao Feng said coldly. He pressed the intercom button and instructed the assistant outside, "Bring in the spare suitcase I left in the lounge. Yes, the gray one."
After a while, the assistant came in carrying a small gray suitcase. It was a spare case that Xu Nuoyan had left with Liao Feng when he went abroad to attend a medical seminar. It probably contained a few personal clothes and some daily necessities that he hadn't had time to pack.
Liao Feng pointed to the box and said to Kirill, "This is Yanyan's stuff. See for yourself what you need. Remember, you only have 24 hours. I want a definite direction, not a vague guess."
His attitude is clear: I give you opportunities and tools, but I am also putting shackles and a countdown on you.
Kirill said nothing more and opened the box neatly. He did not rummage through it randomly, but scanned the items inside with a sharp eye, and finally picked out a cotton T-shirt that looked like the most commonly worn one, and a comb that might have been used, from the pile of clothes.
"That's enough." Kirill carefully put the two things away. "Keep your phone open, Mr. Liao. I'll contact you as soon as I have any news."
After saying that, he nodded slightly at Liao Feng, then turned around and left the office without any hesitation.
Kirill smiled disdainfully as he walked out of the office. Liao Feng's authority was limited to this place. It was Kirill who had all the powers. It didn't matter that Liao Feng was four years older than him or that he was Li Mingyuan's ex. He didn't think he couldn't beat Liao Feng. It was just that he needed Liao Feng's help now. He seemed to have no idea how to pursue Li Mingyuan. He had been studying the language hard these days and he also knew what he meant when he called Li Mingyuan a "bitch" last time.
So he needs Liao Feng's help. To put it nicely, Liao Feng is good at chasing people, to put it bluntly, he is a PUA person and a hooligan. Kirill looks down on these methods but he also needs them.
At night, Ruan Xingfeng was staring at the computer in a daze in the villa. Liao Feng pushed the door open and came in, and saw that all his fatigue disappeared. He walked over, hugged Ruan Xingfeng's waist and buried his head in his neck. Ruan Xingfeng was startled and quickly turned off the computer. He looked down and saw that Liao Feng was still hugging him.
He breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. At least no one saw it, otherwise he wouldn't know how to explain it. He hugged Liao Feng back and patted his back. Now that Xu Nuoyan was missing, he was busy and overwhelmed. He also had to be responsible for the company's affairs. The Lion Clan was always looking for him, and all the pressure was directed at him.
At least Ruan Xingfeng is by his side, otherwise he would really collapse. Liao Feng kissed Ruan Xingfeng's neck and thought to himself, Ruan Xingfeng was a little absent-minded. He wanted to leave Liao Feng, but now was not the time. They had a contract, and Liao Feng was in this state. If he left like this, Liao Feng would never let him go.
"Sir, you look very tired. Let me pour you some water." He still didn't like Liao Feng getting close to him as much as he did during that time.
Although he hugged him yesterday to save Ran Yian, he took three full body baths when he got home. He couldn't understand why. Liao Feng had obviously done nothing wrong, but he just wanted to leave.
Liao Feng loves him, but this kind of love is too suffocating for him. It seems that everyone tells him that he is Liao Feng's accessory. Liao Feng gives him everything if he wants to, and gives him nothing if he doesn't want to. He doesn't like this passive state. Fu Hangxing says that he has changed and is no longer as cowardly as before.
Looking at his back, Liao Feng's eyes were full of love. His little deer was very beautiful, with eyes like spring water. It was about the same height as him, and had a gentle personality. He liked it no matter how he looked at it.
When the 24 hours were up, Kirill showed up at the company on time. Liao Feng was already waiting for him in the office. Kirill walked in slowly, sat opposite him and took a sip of coffee.
"Let's get down to business," Liao Feng couldn't stand him like this. Liao Feng was impatient, and Kirill saw it, so he gave him the information without keeping him in suspense. It was an island at the southern end of the ocean, where they were conducting experiments.
After reading it, Liao Feng rubbed his temples. If this was the case, he could understand. Xu Nuoyan was returning to his parents' career and was ready to do what he really wanted to do. This was good.
"Okay, Mr. Liao, I've found what you wanted. Now it's your turn to help me." He gave Liao Feng enough time to be in a daze. Now it was his turn. He had to finish and leave here quickly. His work in China needed him, and his parents kept calling him to urge him to go back.
Coming back to his senses, he nodded and asked, "Then tell me, what did you do, and what did you do to make up for it?" Kirill was speechless for a moment. If he told the truth, Liao Feng would not help him and would most likely beat him up. He didn't want to go through so much trouble.
He just said that he loved to play, and added that he was young and ignorant, so the only way to make amends was to kneel down and apologize.
"You used such a useless way of apology?" He felt that Kirill was not telling the truth, but he was too lazy to ask in detail. He would only teach Kirill how to do it. As for whether to reconcile or not, the decision was up to Li Mingyuan.
Kirill touched his nose and chose not to speak. Kneeling down to apologize was the most sincere and useful thing for him, but it seemed to be of no use to Li Mingyuan.
"Don't take your face too seriously. He is not your subordinate and will not give you face." His few words left Kirill speechless.
"Oh, then what do you say I should do?" He felt unhappy about being taught a lesson, and he didn't come here to listen to Liao Feng's teachings.
"Mr. Kirill, I know you are very anxious, but you have to give me some time to think." Li Mingyuan is not so easy to fool. If you want to pursue him with money, that is impossible. No matter how much Kirill gives him to buy things, Li Mingyuan can return it double.
Coming by force? That was even more impossible. If Kirill dared to touch Li Mingyuan, the Li family would not let Kirill go, and Liao Feng himself would be dragged into it.
Suddenly he thought of something. Li Mingyuan had recently taken charge of the Li family's business in the country, and the Wen family of the Lion Clan was not on good terms with Li Mingyuan.
Although the Wen family is nothing compared to the Li family, Li Mingyuan has just entered the business circle and this family is a headache for him. What's more, the Tiger Clan and the Lion Clan don't get along well, and the current Lion Clan leader hates the current Tiger Clan leader, Song Xuexi.
After listening to his method, Kirill felt that Liao Feng was just playing tricks on him. This was not helping him to pursue Li Mingyuan, but was just making the two of them go their separate ways.
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