Chapter 319 Consequences
He practically roared it out, his hands gripping the corner of the table so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
Qiao Wanyin felt a chill in her heart, as if someone had poured a bucket of ice water on her face, freezing her blood.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down and not let the tears fall.
“Li An, of course I’ve considered the risks.”
She spoke slowly and deliberately, her voice soft yet firm, "She has only one chance. And—"
"And what?"
Fu Lian sneered, a sarcastic smile curving his lips. "Besides, she's young, looks harmless, and easy to trust, right? So you used her? Qingqing, I really didn't expect you to do this."
He never imagined that his wife, who was always meticulous and calm in the face of adversity, would lose her temper at such a crucial moment.
The woman who stood by him through thick and thin, enduring countless setbacks, would actually push her own sister into a pit of fire.
This isn't like her at all.
These words were like a needle, piercing straight into Qiao Wanyin's heart, sharp and precise, causing her so much pain that she could barely stand.
Her eyes stung, her vision blurred instantly, and tears welled up in her eyes.
But she gritted her teeth and stubbornly raised her head, refusing to let the tears fall.
"Fu Li'an, do you think I'd be happy to let her take this risk?"
She cannot reveal her identity as a time traveler, nor can she let anyone know the future.
This loneliness and pain can only be swallowed alone.
"You can't gamble with human lives!"
Fu Lian slammed his fist against the wall with a dull thud that seemed to shake the entire room.
His hand quickly turned red, with faint traces of blood seeping out, but he was completely unaware.
"She's my younger sister! One of the closest people to me in this world! As her older brother, I must protect her! No matter the cost!"
Qiao Wanyin clenched her teeth, almost making a grinding sound, as she desperately suppressed the soreness and grievance welling up in her eyes, refusing to let the tears fall.
She stared at Fu Lian and asked, word by word, "Then tell me, who is suitable to go? You? Or me, this pregnant woman with a big belly who could give birth at any moment? Which one do you think is more realistic?"
Fu Lian was momentarily speechless. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down, and although his mouth was open, he couldn't make a sound.
His lips trembled slightly, and his eyes darted around, clearly cornered by his wife's question.
The room was eerily quiet; even the ticking of the clock seemed exceptionally clear.
The air seemed to freeze, pressing down on everyone's chests and making it hard to breathe.
Qiao Wanyin could see clearly the struggle in her husband's eyes rising and falling like the tide—he felt sorry for her, yet he couldn't deny the reality before him, but she couldn't back down, and she absolutely couldn't back down.
This was not just a risky choice, but a life-or-death moment concerning the fate of both families.
This is the last chance to save the Song family and the Fu family.
If you hesitate any longer, everything will be irreversible.
"Brother, sister-in-law, stop arguing."
A voice suddenly came from the doorway, soft and slightly choked, yet exceptionally clear and firm.
Fu Maihe stood at the door, wearing a plain beige sweater, her hands tightly gripping the hem of the sweater.
Her eyes were red-rimmed, and there were still traces of tears at the corners of her eyes. It was clear that she had heard every word of the argument that had just taken in.
“Wheat…”
Fu Li'an turned around abruptly, his voice instantly becoming hoarse, as if something had gripped his throat tightly.
Fu Maihe stepped in without hesitation, her steps light yet unusually steady.
She reached out and gently closed the door, making a soft "click" sound, as if shutting out the outside world.
"I wanted to go myself."
She stood in front of her brother, her tone calm but undeniable, "My sister-in-law was just giving me advice; she didn't force me."
"I know."
Qiao Wanyin keenly noticed that Fu Li'an's gaze had changed.
At first came anger, like lava before a volcanic eruption, scorching reason;
Then came shock; his pupils contracted sharply, as if he couldn't believe his sister had planned so meticulously. His fingers unconsciously rubbed the edge of the watch, as if calculating the time.
Their eyes never left Fu Maihe's figure for a moment; even a turn or a gesture was enough to stir their hearts.
At that moment, the air seemed to freeze, and even the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves became exceptionally jarring.
They knew that every second that followed could determine the success or failure of the entire plan.
"That's great! I just got a new book and I was just about to show it to you."
Fu Maihe replied with a smile, "Then I'll be at your house in an hour."
Zheng Xiaowen's cheerful voice came from the other end of the phone, tinged with barely concealed excitement.
Fu Maihe smiled, her tone soft and natural, as if she had truly come only to share an interesting novel.
As she said this, she tilted her head slightly, as if afraid that someone would notice her misbehavior, her tone carrying just the right amount of playfulness and intimacy.
"Okay, okay!"
She continued, "I can't wait to see what kind of book it is. Is it one of those adventure stories? You said you liked that kind of thing last time."
As she spoke, she held the phone closer to ensure the sound was clear, while secretly winking at Fu Lian in the distance—a pre-arranged signal indicating that everything was going smoothly.
As soon as she hung up the phone, she let out a long sigh: "Xiaowen said her parents weren't home, and she was all alone in the house."
Fu Maihe looked down at the black screen of his phone and finally relaxed his tense shoulders.
She raised her hand and rubbed her temples. The phone call she had just made, though brief, had exhausted all her acting skills.
She carefully considered every word, afraid of revealing even the slightest abnormality.
At that moment, the sunlight shone on her face, reflecting a faint sheen of sweat.
She added softly, "Her mother went to a charity gala preparation meeting, and her father went to the company to handle an emergency. They probably won't be back suddenly."
These words were both a report and a self-affirmation—the opportunity was once in a lifetime and must not be missed.
Fu Lian nodded: "This couldn't be better."
His voice was low and calm, unlike his anxious and uneasy tone just now.
He knew that now was not the time to hesitate, but the best time to act.
He quickly scanned the surroundings, making sure there were no suspicious people or vehicles before slowly speaking: "Remember, stay for no more than forty minutes. After that, people outside will start to get suspicious. And if you notice anything suspicious, leave immediately."
After he finished speaking, he took out a small silver USB flash drive from his pocket and put it into Fu Maihe's palm. "If you can get into the study, plug this into his computer—whether it works or not, you must exit it immediately."
Qiao Wanyin straightened her collar and said softly, "Don't be nervous, just act like you're visiting your best friend's house. If you feel uncomfortable, find an excuse to leave immediately."
Her fingertips trembled slightly, but she tried her best to remain calm, as gentle and meticulous as a mother tidying up her daughter's clothes before she went out.
She even reached out to smooth out the wrinkles on Fu Maihe's skirt and whispered some instructions.
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