Chapter 21: Jiang Yu Must Die Tonight!

Song Yuchu’s eyes showed no fear whatsoever; they even harbored a hint of hostility, and his tone was neither warm nor cold as he spoke: “Mr. He, long time no see.”

He Lian’s eyes narrowed bit by bit.

Apart from Xie Qingzhou, even among those dangerous foreign bandits, very few dared to look him straight in the eye like this. This young man, similar to him in age, actually possessed quite a bit of nerve.

He did not respond, merely shifting his gaze away in a indifferent manner.

Sensing He Lian’s cold shoulder, Song Yuchu suddenly clenched his fists tight.

Fearing that He Lian was offended, Song Xun gave his son a vicious glare in secret before putting on a flattering smile: “Mr. He, passing through this time, how long do you plan to stay?”

This was also what the rest of them wanted to ask—especially Song Xueyan.

If He Lian stayed here any longer, he might act on impulse and take Jiang Yu away.

If that happened, the Song family would be finished!

Though she didn’t know what the older generation was afraid of, the painting scam alone was enough to get her into deep trouble.

He Lian’s eyes flickered, but before he could speak, Zhuang Yumian behind him stepped in and coldly explained first: “Our President still has business in the Western Border and will be departing immediately.”

Song Xueyan breathed a sigh of relief, her posture straightening up slightly.

However, the brothers of the Song family broke out into a cold sweat!

The Western Border…

Could it be… the City of C!

Although there were quite a few cities in the Western Border, a guilty conscience makes a coward of a thief…

Seeing his younger brother turn pale as ash and swallow hard in anxiety, Song Qian carefully probed: “The Western Border?”

He Lian glanced sideways at Zhuang Yumian, seemingly displeased by her intervention. He then turned back and said offhandedly to Song Qian: “It’s nothing. That is not something you need to concern yourselves with.”

These words answered nothing, leaving Song Qian still unable to put his heart at ease.

After all, they had no way to initiate contact with the middleman on their own.

However, pressing further would be akin to practically blurting out their own guilt. He could only pray that those drug traffickers bootlegging the coca plants would stay well hidden and absolutely avoid being caught by this grim reaper before them!

Having sat for half an hour without seeing Jiang Yu come out, He Lian’s patience ran thin. Just as he was about to demand answers, a familiar servant rushed over from the West Courtyard—the one who served Song Xueyan.

“I am so sorry, Mr. He. Miss A-Yu fell asleep right after her bath before her hair was even dried. We couldn’t wake her no matter how hard we tried.”

Her face was filled with apology: “Perhaps she was exhausted from climbing trees. If we wake Miss A-Yu up now, she might catch a cold wind and fall ill; her health has always been delicate.”

Song Xueyan praised the servant inwardly.

As expected of her own person, her words and actions were completely airtight. At this moment, Jiang Yu was likely locked inside the room, calling out to heaven and earth in vain.

Though the servant put it that way, He Lian didn’t believe a word of it.

Zhuang Yumian stared at the man’s side profile, glanced at her phone, and said with a troubled expression: “President, the situation in the Western Border is urgent. We should leave immediately; if we don’t head over now, it will be too late.”

Song Qian, having sharp ears, immediately stood up along with his entourage, effectively ushering the guest out through action.

“Since Mr. He is busy with official duties, you don’t need to worry about our end. Important matters come first.”

He Lian glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, his brow furrowed in a strange expression of disgust.

Who was worried about you old fossils? He was worried that the little fool would be mistreated again!

“President!”

Seeing the man still hesitate, Zhuang Yumian gripped her phone tight, showing a rare moment of composure lost.

The Ministry of National Security had already called three times!

He Lian felt torn inside. Sweeping his gaze over everyone in the Song family, he lightly rapped his clenched fist against the armrest of the chair before finally standing up.

Song Qian’s heart finally settled back into his chest.

Go, leave quickly!

Leave without stopping!

He Lian looked out toward the direction of the South Courtyard once more.

Official duties were pressing.

The situation with the private armed group had always been unique.

He could only order Fifth Squad from the Citadel to dispatch a team nearby to the old residence to protect the little fool first. Once he dealt with those drug traffickers in C City, he would come back to pick her up.

Zhuang Yumian stepped forward: “President, let’s go.”

He Lian responded with a grunt.

The Song brothers hurriedly flanked him left and right, escorting him outward. Pushing down their anxiety with smiles on their faces, they wished they could carry this young master to the gate in a few quick steps and kick him out!

Just as they reached the courtyard gate and He Lian was about to leave, chaotic and light footsteps suddenly came from the garden on the right, squelching softly against the muddy ground after the accumulated rain.

He Lian turned his head, his pupils shrinking.

Inside the fence, Jiang Yu was standing not far away.

Song Qian was also frightened out of his wits.

How… how did she run out again?!

Song Xueyan, bringing up the rear, hurriedly looked at her maid, who was equally bewildered, shaking her head and waving her hands repeatedly in signals.

Her gestures meant that she had locked the door exceptionally tight!

However, with He Lian present, none of them dared to show their shock out in the open.

The man’s gaze was fixed firmly on her.

Jiang Yu’s hair was indeed still wet, the pitch-black strands draping all the way down to her thighs, making her slender frame appear even more frail. She took a step forward, grabbing the fence that was almost taller than her with both hands, staring intently at him.

Zhuang Yumian froze for a second, mentally calculating the available manpower.

A surge of heartache welled up inside He Lian, but he suppressed it, speaking gently and softly: “A-Yu, be good. Go back inside and sleep. It’s cold outside.”

With that, terrified that he might regret it, he took a step forward.

To his surprise, Jiang Yu took a step along with him.

Catching this out of the corner of his eye, He Lian shortened his stride, but he didn’t stop.

Yet with every step he took, Jiang Yu followed with one of her own.

Step for step.

He Lian came to a halt, gritting his teeth bitterly.

Dark clouds rolled heavily above; the damp chill before the rain wrapped around Jiang Yu’s body. She herself resembled a clump of mist—delicate and soft, looking as though she would dissipate at the slightest touch.

Just as he was about to speak, Song Xueyan shouted angrily: “Why aren’t you bringing her back inside to rest?!”

Only then did Song Qian snap out of it, calling for the servants to open the fence gate.

However, a figure beat them to it and leaped over the fence. Song Yuchu stepped onto the wet mud, walked up to Jiang Yu, and without a word, scooped her up into his arms. Glancing sideways at He Lian, he turned and walked away.

Jiang Yu wrapped her arms around his neck, her small face resting on Song Yuchu’s shoulder, staring at He Lian the entire time.

“Hug.”

She extended her slender arms toward He Lian.

The man’s heart trembled, but he saw Song Yuchu adjust his posture to nestle Jiang Yu securely in his arms and quicken his pace. That hazy, small face subsequently faded from He Lian’s field of vision.

The members of the Song family breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Zhuang Yumian said: “President, let’s go.”

He Lian stared at Song Yuchu’s retreating back. Because he held Jiang Yu so tightly against him, He Lian could only see the girl’s arm dangling over his shoulder, swaying limply as if devoid of vitality.

“Let’s go.”

He Lian’s voice was very soft as he led his party away.

The roaring sound of the engine drifted further and further away until it faded completely. Only then did Song Qian pull his neck back. Turning around, he exchanged glances with everyone and said in a low, strained voice: “He Lian has taken a liking to Jiang Yu. He’ll come back.”

Song Xun furrowed his brows deeply: “Big Brother…”

Song Qian also realized the gravity of the situation.

Eight years as President, and He Lian had always been scrupulous in following orders.

Yet today, he dared to disobey orders.

He hesitated.

He had actually hesitated!

If this continued, Jiang Yu would be taken away by him sooner or later. It wasn’t just a matter of Xueyan being in danger; the inheritance wouldn’t be secure either.

Not to mention the matter with the coca plants.

The more frequently He Lian came, the more dangerous the tea plantation business would become!

They absolutely could not let He Lian keep fixating on that lunatic!

Song Qian rallied everyone—relatives and servants alike—their steps hurried as they gave chase after Song Yuchu.

He gnashed his teeth, his eyes bloodshot and wide with rage.

“Hurry up! Jiang Yu must die tonight!”

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