Brother Long's expression changed drastically instantly. His eyes widened, and he shouted sharply, "You... how did you know?!"
"Never mind how I know," Lin Fan said calmly. "Right now, your daughter is in my hands."
"What?!" Brother Long's voice turned shrill. "If you dare to lay a finger on my daughter, I'll make your whole family pay with their lives!"
"Brother Long, don't get agitated," Lin Fan said calmly. "I promise that as long as you release my sister, I will return your daughter to you safe and sound."
"You...you're serious?" Brother Long's voice trembled slightly.
“Of course it’s true,” Lin Fan said. “We’re right outside the warehouse now. You can come out and take a look.”
Brother Long hesitated for a moment, but finally gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, I'll go out and take a look!"
He put down the phone and said to his henchmen, "You guys keep a close eye on her. If she runs away, I'll kill you all!"
"Yes, Brother Long!" the underlings replied hastily.
Brother Long carefully opened the warehouse door.
As soon as he stepped outside, he saw Lin Fan and Ye Yuyan standing not far away.
"Lin Fan, you son of a bitch..." Brother Long was about to curse when he suddenly saw a girl standing behind Ye Yuyan.
The girl looked to be only seven or eight years old and was very cute, but her face was filled with fear.
"Daughter!" Brother Long cried out, his voice trembling violently.
"Dad!" The girl saw Brother Long too. She cried out and tried to run to him, but was held tightly by Ye Yuyan's bodyguard.
"Brother Long, do you believe me now?" Lin Fan looked at Brother Long and said slowly.
Brother Long's face turned deathly pale. He stared intently at his daughter, his eyes filled with fear and despair.
"Lin Fan, what... what exactly do you want?" Brother Long's voice was so hoarse that it was almost inaudible.
“It’s simple,” Lin Fan said. “You release my sister, and I’ll release your daughter. We’ll make a fair exchange.”
"Okay...okay..." Brother Long said, trembling, "I'll let go...I'll let go..."
He turned around and shouted at his underlings in the warehouse, "Quickly... release that girl!"
The underlings looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
"Damn it, are you deaf?!" Brother Long roared, "I told you to release them!"
The henchmen then realized what was happening and rushed to Lin Yue's side to untie the ropes binding her.
"Lin Yue, are you alright?" Lin Fan rushed over as soon as he saw Lin Yue being released.
"Brother, I'm fine." Lin Yue shook her head, tears still lingering on her face.
"Okay, it's good that you're alright." Lin Fan hugged Lin Yue tightly, his voice choked with emotion.
"Lin Fan, I've already released her, you...you must release my daughter!" Brother Long said anxiously to Lin Fan.
"Don't rush," Lin Fan said slowly. "We'll exchange the person for the goods."
He gestured for Ye Yuyan to bring Brother Long's daughter over.
"Dad!" the girl cried out again when she saw Brother Long.
“Daughter, don’t be afraid, Dad is here,” Brother Long said with heartache.
Lin Fan and Brother Long walked forward at the same time and exchanged hostages at the warehouse entrance.
"Brother!" Lin Yue hugged Lin Fan tightly.
"Daughter!" Brother Long hugged his daughter tightly.
"Lin Fan, you fucking wait, I'll kill you sooner or later!" After exchanging hostages, Brother Long, holding his daughter, said to Lin Fan through gritted teeth.
"I'm available anytime," Lin Fan replied coldly, without a trace of fear in his eyes.
"Let's go!" Brother Long, carrying his daughter, led his men and left the warehouse without looking back, disappearing into the night.
"Mr. Lin, are we just going to let them go like this?" Old Chen stepped forward and asked somewhat unwillingly.
"Otherwise what?" Lin Fan retorted, his eyes deep. "Our goal today is to save people, not to kill them."
He turned to look at Ye Yuyan, his eyes filled with gratitude: "Yuyan, we owe you so much this time. If it weren't for you, the consequences would have been unimaginable."
"Do we need to say these things between us?" Ye Yuyan smiled slightly, her smile filled with relief.
Lin Fan gave Ye Yuyan a deep look, but said nothing more.
"Lin Yue, let's go home." Lin Fan took Lin Yue's hand and said softly.
"Mmm." Lin Yue nodded obediently.
Lin Fan's home was not a magnificent villa, but an ordinary two-story building.
As night fell, warm yellow lights shone through the windows, adding a touch of coziness to the small building.
Lin Yue clung tightly to Lin Fan's clothes, following him step by step into the house.
"Brother..." Lin Yue said timidly, her voice still trembling, clearly still shaken.
"It's alright, we're home now." Lin Fan gently patted Lin Yue's hand and comforted her softly.
He took off his coat and hung it on the hanger, then turned around, poured a glass of warm water, and handed it to Lin Yue. "Drink some water to calm your nerves."
Lin Yue took the water glass and sipped it slowly, but her eyes kept following Lin Fan.
Tonight's experience was far too dangerous for her; if Lin Fan hadn't arrived in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable. Thinking of this, her eyes reddened slightly again.
Lin Fan noticed Lin Yue's emotional change, sat down beside her, and gently put his arm around her shoulder. "Don't be afraid, it's all over now."
Lin Yue leaned on Lin Fan's shoulder, feeling the warmth emanating from him, and the fear in her heart gradually dissipated. After a while, she looked up and asked curiously, "Brother, who was that pretty lady just now?"
Lin Fan was taken aback, then realized that Lin Yue was referring to Ye Yuyan. He smiled slightly and said in a relaxed tone, "A friend."
"Just friends?" Lin Yue blinked her big eyes and asked with a gossipy look.
Looking at Lin Yue's quirky and mischievous appearance, Lin Fan couldn't help but reach out and pinch her nose. "Little girl, when did you become so gossipy? Stay still, I'll call the doctor over to check you out in a bit."
"No doctor!" Lin Yue grabbed Lin Fan's arm anxiously as soon as she heard that a doctor was to be called. "I'm fine, really fine! Brother, don't go, stay with me, okay?"
Lin Fan's heart softened when he saw Lin Yue's pleading eyes. He knew that after what Lin Yue had gone through, she must be very scared and needed someone to be with her. He sighed helplessly, "Okay, I'll stay with you."
When Lin Yue heard Lin Fan agree to stay, a bright smile immediately appeared on her face, and she was secretly delighted. She hugged Lin Fan's arm tightly, like a kitten that had found a savior.
"Brother, you're so good to me!" Lin Yue's voice was sweet, with a hint of coquetry.
Looking at Lin Yue's dependence on him, Lin Fan felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He reached out and touched Lin Yue's hair, his eyes gentle and doting.
"I'll go get you a blanket." Lin Fan got up and walked towards the bedroom.
Lin Yue sat obediently on the sofa, watching Lin Fan's back, a slight smile playing on her lips.
Lin Fan has always cared about her and treated her like a younger sister.
Her feelings for Lin Fan had long since transcended the bond between siblings.
Lin Fan returned with a blanket and gently covered Lin Yue with it, saying, "Don't catch a cold."
"Thank you, brother." Lin Yue smiled sweetly, her eyes filled with happiness.
Lin Fan sat down beside her, and the two quietly nestled together, enjoying this moment of peace and warmth.
“Brother…” Lin Yue suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.
"Hmm?" Lin Fan responded softly.
"Will you... encounter danger again in the future?" Lin Yue's voice was soft, filled with worry.
Lin Fan was silent for a moment. He knew his identity and situation meant he was destined to face all sorts of dangers. But he didn't want Lin Yue to worry, so he smiled and said, "No, I will protect myself and you."
"Really?" Lin Yue looked up, her eyes filled with anticipation.
"Really." Lin Fan nodded firmly, his eyes firm yet gentle.
Looking into Lin Fan's resolute eyes, Lin Yue's unease gradually dissipated. She believed in Lin Fan, believed that he would protect her, just like today.
"Brother, can you... stay with me forever?" Lin Yue's voice was very soft, almost inaudible.
Lin Fan's heart skipped a beat; he sensed the dependence and longing in Lin Yue's tone.
He gently put his arm around Lin Yue's shoulder and said softly, "I will always be with you and always protect you."
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