Gu Zhenzhen returned to her room, paced restlessly for a while, then picked up her phone and went into the bathroom to make a call.
After hanging up, she immediately dialed Gu Miaomiao's number again. "Miaomiao?"
"Hey, sis, do you want me to buy you something?" It was quite noisy and lively on the other end.
Gu Zhenzhen took a breath and said with a smile, "Miaomiao, haven't you always wanted to go to H City to see the ice sculptures? There's a huge ice lantern exhibition there now. A friend of mine is going too. He's about to get to the airport. Do you want to go with him? He's a very interesting and knowledgeable person. You'll definitely have a great time with him showing you around."
"I want to see! I want to see! But Grandpa and the others will definitely not agree!"
"It's okay. Just tell them you're going to stay at a classmate's house for a few days, and don't tell them. Besides, you'll be back in Z City soon. It's up to you to decide; you can go next year too. It's just that my friend is a really rare companion, and there might not be such a large ice lantern exhibition next year. If you're sure you don't want to go, I'll have my friend go on his own."
"Ah! Wait, let me think, let me think." Gu Miaomiao paced around in circles, muttering to herself, then suddenly slapped her thigh. "Sister, I'll go!"
"Okay, I'll tell him. Don't come back, just head straight to the airport. There are only two tickets left, I've booked them for you online. I'll send you my friend's number right away..."
With the Huo and Gu families forming a marriage alliance, they will ultimately choose Gu Miaomiao. Who will care about her, an orphan? Even if Miaomiao is her sister, she won't so easily give up Huo Qingfeng to her—impossible!
Gu Zhenzhen clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms, causing a slight stinging pain. Looking out the window, she slowly narrowed her eyes.
Brother Huo, you're mine!
"..."
Huo Qingfeng wasn't surprised that his phone was taken away. He was capable of snatching it from his father, but he couldn't bring himself to actually fight him to the death. Even though his father was no match for him.
"Qingfeng." Yang Ziyun pushed open the door and entered, seeing her son drawing something on paper. "What are you doing?"
Huo Qingfeng didn't stop drawing, nor did he turn around. He simply replied, "Doodle." He was drawing a floor plan of the Ziyun Capital. He was the one who designed the defense system here. Now, dealing with what he designed was a piece of cake.
Yang Ziyun sat down on the edge of the bed, looked at her son who was engrossed in his work, and sighed. "Qingfeng, are you blaming us?"
"Do you care?" Huo Qingfeng glanced at her indifferently, then lowered his head to continue drawing.
Yang Ziyun stared at him in disbelief, seemingly not expecting her son to say such a thing. "How could we not care? You are our son. Parents always have the same heart for their children; everything we do is for your own good!"
“Not all.” Huo Qingfeng finally put down his pen and looked at his mother. “You do what’s best for me in your own way, while also hoping that my existence will bring you more benefits and make you more prestigious. So, you don’t care whether this is what I want or whether I’m happy. Then why should you care what I think?”
His tone was calm, without the slightest hint of aggressiveness.
Yang Ziyun felt as if a knife had pierced her heart. It wasn't that she didn't love her child; she genuinely cared for him. "Qingfeng, are you trying to make me rip my heart out for you to see? Do you really think love is everything?"
This child was born into such a family and his life has always been smooth sailing, so he can't understand how painful it is to live without those privileged circumstances. He naively believes that as long as there is love, everything else can be ignored. In reality, life is far more complex than that.
"Mom, I'm thirty-two, not twelve. I know exactly what I want. I know you mean well, but that's based on the life you want, not mine. Do you think a man who's been through thick and thin would consider love everything?" If you've ever brushed with death, you'll understand that only living is everything.
"However, if I must have a woman by my side for the rest of my life, that person can only be Ruoke. Otherwise, I would rather spend it alone."
"What about the career you built up amidst gunfire? Is it really that unimportant?" Yang Ziyun had always admired her son's perseverance, but now, for the first time, she was deeply troubled by it.
Huo Qingfeng smiled slightly and nodded. "It's important, and Ruoke is also important. In fact, these two things are not in conflict; it's you who have forced them into a conflicting position. If I have to choose, then I choose Ruoke."
Yang Ziyun couldn't help but sigh. This stubbornness was just like his father's. No matter where it was used, it was a sharp blade. But if used in the wrong place, that blade could be pointed right at his own heart!
"If you want to save your future, you must break up with Ruoke and marry into the Gu family. Cang Weiwo's power is not to be underestimated. Only by using the power of both the Huo and Gu families to protect you can you be absolutely sure of success. I think Zhenzhen is more gentle and mature, and perhaps more suitable for you. What do you think?"
Once he marries Zhenzhen or Miaomiao, he'll naturally discover how good his wife is and gradually let go of the past. Feelings are cultivated slowly; all it takes is time.
Huo Qingfeng didn't want to discuss this issue any further; they wouldn't understand. Besides, he was very busy. "Mom, you can leave now. I have nothing more to say."
"Mom understands. Unless that person is Ruoke, you won't get married, right?"
"Hmm." Huo Qingfeng replied with a single word, then focused on his work again. He needed to complete his research on the breakthrough point in Ziyun Capital as soon as possible, and he also needed to study the floor plan of the Fengyun Gang headquarters. The Fengyun Gang wasn't solely under Cang Weiwo's control, so Cang Weiwo had more ties to him than he did!
Yang Ziyun sat for a while longer, then sighed and went out. As soon as she closed the door, she pulled a listening device from the top of her bra. Looking at the device in her hand, she smiled smugly.
After his mother left, Huo Qingfeng put down his pen, turned to look at the closed door, and thought: If possible, I hope you have learned to trust me.
...
Ling Ruoke picked up her books and was about to go to class when she received a call from her kindergarten teacher saying that Fu'an had been kidnapped by a stranger. She was so frightened that she almost lost her mind.
He immediately called Scarface. "All our men have been injured and kidnapped. We're still investigating who did it."
Ling Ruoke hung up the phone, paused for a moment, threw down her book, and ran towards the door. As she ran, she dialed the number she didn't want to dial. She knew it must be Cang Weiwo!
"Ruo Ke, you miss me." Cang Weiwo's voice was smiling, as if she was in a good mood.
He had always liked to hold her in the palm of his hand, watching her struggle but unable to escape, leaving her only with despair.
"If you dare to hurt Fu'an, I will never let you get away with it!" she threatened instinctively. But as soon as she finished speaking, she realized her threat was completely ineffective; she couldn't possibly harm a single hair on Cang Weiwo's head!
Sure enough, Cang Wei chuckled softly and said, "Ruo Ke, I'm curious how you're going to keep me from leaving." His Ruo Ke was always so innocent, stirring up the evil within these wicked people.
"What do you want?" Ling Ruoke gripped her phone so tightly she almost crushed it. All color drained from her face. If something happened to Fu'an, she didn't know how to face Qingfeng. If something happened to Fu'an, would they still have a future?
Cang Weiwo let out another low laugh, which resonated in Ruoke's heart through the phone's vibration. "Ruoke, I love it when you're obedient. There's a black car across the street, see it? Get in that car, and you'll see me and that child. Ruoke, I'll wait for you. Don't keep me waiting too long, I'm not very patient."
Ling Ruoke held her phone, listening to the busy tone, then fell silent. Taking a deep breath, she stepped across the street.
"Sister-in-law!" Someone immediately jumped out and stopped her.
Ling Ruoke knew these were people sent by Xuan Yuanqi to protect her. She was about to speak to them when she remembered that only speaking to Xuan Yuanqi would be effective. So, she hurriedly dialed Xuan Yuanqi's number. "Fu'an has been taken away by Cang Weiwo, I need to see him!"
“Sister-in-law, Broken Blade asked me to protect your safety. I’ve already lost Fu’an, and if I lose you too, he’ll kill me. I’ll find a way to bring the child back. Don’t walk into a trap. You should know that once you leave, Cang Wei won’t let you come back so easily.”
“Xuanyuan Qi, I can't put Fu'an in danger. Cang Wei's target is me; only if I appear will he stop harming Fu'an. Right now, I only care about Fu'an's safety; I can't worry about anything else.” At this moment, she understood even more clearly how Qingfeng felt about being forced to return to B City. You really have no other choice!
There was a moment of silence on the other end. "Alright. If this is your choice, then I agree. Don't worry, I will send people to follow you and rescue you as soon as possible. Don't make any rash moves; wait for my people to appear."
"good!"
Ling Ruoke got into the car, and it immediately sped off. She stared blankly out the window; the streets were ablaze with red, a festive sight. The New Year was only about a month away, but the atmosphere was already incredibly festive.
Looking back on previous Chinese New Year celebrations, although the three of us weren't particularly lively, we were still very happy. We would usually visit relatives and friends in the first few days, and then go on a family trip to take many beautiful photos.
After her parents passed away, she lived alone in the large house, watching the Spring Festival Gala. The house was quiet; there was no one to talk to. She watched, silently shedding tears. Until Cang Wei returned, embracing another woman…
She had thought she could have a lively New Year this year. She had even planned to invite Qingfeng's soldiers. She would cook lots and lots of delicious dishes so they could eat to their hearts' content. But now it seemed uncertain whether Qingfeng would even be able to come back for the New Year…
Ling Ruoke couldn't control the loneliness and sorrow welling up inside her. Since marrying Cang Weiwo, she had forgotten what happiness was. Qingfeng was like a ray of sunshine in her gloomy sky—intense, but always overshadowed by the many shadows.
I don't know how much time passed before the car finally stopped.
Ling Ruoke snapped out of her daze, pushed open the car door and got out, only to find that this wasn't the same place as last time. She followed the person leading the way inside, worried about Xiao Fu'an, but not afraid.
As soon as I entered, I saw Cang Weiwo sitting on the sofa, her legs crossed with her right leg propped up, her hands resting on the armrests. A slight smile played on her lips as she watched her walk in.
Ling Ruoke felt like she was sending a lamb to the slaughter. "Where's Fu'an? I need to see him immediately!"
Cang Weiwo slightly raised her chin. "Well, she's asleep."
Ling Ruoke then noticed the sofa on the other side, and sure enough, Xiao Fu'an was lying there. She rushed over and put her finger under his nose. Feeling his breath, she finally felt relieved.
Cang Wei's gaze was fixed on her, and then the smile on his lips slowly widened. His Ruoke was becoming more and more alluring. But her nature remained so innocent and naive.
Ling Ruoke examined the child's body, checking for injuries, and finally found only bruises on his wrists, indicating he had been gripped forcefully. Thankfully, he wasn't hurt!
"Ah—" she suddenly cried out, because Cang Weiwo reached under her armpit and pulled her up with a forceful lift.
Cang Wei turned her around, wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her close to him. Looking at her wide, panicked eyes, he almost touched her lips and said, "Ruo Ke, what do you think our child will be like?"
"That's your child, what does it have to do with me! Even if all the men in the world died, I wouldn't have a child with you!" she said through gritted teeth, as if she wanted to bite him.
Cang Wei smiled dismissively. "If Ruo Ke were to have a child, it would definitely be Ruo Ke's." If he were to have a child in this life, it would surely be Ruo Ke's. It was an obsession, an obsession he himself couldn't understand.
"You're dreaming!" Ling Ruoke broke free from his arm, wishing she could spit in his face.
Cang Wei didn't argue with her; he just smiled faintly, giving off a confident vibe.
"You forced me here, what do you want?" Every time Ling Ruoke saw Cang Weiwo smile like that, she felt a sense of futile despair. She hated that smile, like a wolf watching its prey struggle helplessly beneath its claws!
Cang Wei took a step forward, startling Ruo Ke, who stumbled backward and almost fell. But he reached out and caught her around the waist with one arm. "The Huo and Gu families are about to be united by marriage; Huo Qingfeng is going to marry a daughter of the Gu family. So I want to see when my Ruo Ke plans to return to my side?"
This time, Ling Ruoke didn't refute it, because she was shocked by the news of a marriage alliance between the Huo and Gu families. The Huo and Gu families really were going to form a marriage alliance? Qingfeng was going to marry Gu Zhenzhen or Gu Miaomiao? This… no, this can't be true! "You're talking nonsense, I won't believe it!"
"It's okay, you'll see their engagement soon. I wonder if you'll still be able to say so loudly that you don't believe it then!" He smiled, lowered his head and kissed her slightly parted lips, then released her.
"Of course I can! I'll never believe it! I know what kind of person Qingfeng is, he wouldn't betray me!"
“He will. Because I will force him to give you up, because I want you. And the Huo family will force him to marry into the Gu family, because if they want to protect Huo Qingfeng’s future, they must clarify the rumors. The best way is to marry the Gu family’s daughter.”
"No matter what you say, I won't believe you!" Ling Ruoke said firmly, but she didn't realize that her breathing had become rapid. She knew that Cang Weiwo was telling the truth. Qingfeng was facing unimaginable pressure; it was like he was carrying a mountain on his back! No matter how resolute he was, how long could he carry such a mountain?
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