Chapter 111: Call for Help

However, Xiao Ran’s plan didn’t differ much from Su Xiaobai’s. Ultimately, Ye Xuan and the Yang Family were bound to turn against each other.

"This is indeed a great idea. I’ll make the arrangements right now," Su Xiaobai said with a wicked smile. He called over a nearby waiter, crooking a finger at him. "It’s getting late. Go deliver a change of clothes to Miss Lin."

The waiter respectfully agreed and withdrew. Meanwhile, Xiao Ran called Yang Jie, ordering him to bring Yang Bingyu to the ship immediately.

At that moment, Lin Aoxue was locked inside Xiao Ran’s private quarters. Aside from peering out through a small circular window, she had absolutely no way to contact the outside world. Just as she was racking her brain for an escape plan, a sudden knock echoed on the door.

"Miss Lin, Young Master Xiao asked me to bring you a change of clothes," the waiter’s voice drifted through the door.

Her eyes darted around as a plan formed in her mind. Lin Aoxue opened the door and let him in. Just as the waiter set the clothes down and turned to leave, she let out a sudden, "OUCH!" Her legs gave out, and she collapsed into his arms.

"Miss Lin, what’s wrong?" With a soft, fragrant beauty suddenly in his embrace, the waiter’s nerves instantly pulled taut. He held her carefully, swallowing hard as he asked with a dry mouth.

"I think I’m a little seasick. Could you help me to the bed?" Lin Aoxue rubbed her temples, feigning a fragile and helpless demeanor.

How could the waiter withstand such temptation? His eyes went completely glassy. Tightening his grip around her slightly, he helped her toward the bed.

"It’s so stuffy in here. I can barely catch my breath." Sitting on the edge of the mattress, Lin Aoxue fanned herself with her hand. She crossed her beautiful legs, striking a seductive pose that perfectly accentuated her figure. As she spoke, she ran her fingers through her hair, watching the waiter out of the corner of her eye.

The man’s eyes were shining, staring fixedly at her like a starving wolf.

"Sir, my chest feels so tight. Could you help me rub it to ease my breathing?" Lin Aoxue offered a bewitching smile, looking up at him pleadingly.

"Yes! Of course! I’ll help you right now!" With such a stunning beauty actively inviting him, the waiter lost all self-control. He nodded frantically and pushed Lin Aoxue down onto the sheets.

"Hey gorgeous, I’m coming to help you—" Before he could even finish the sentence, the waiter felt a sudden, dull ache in the back of his head. His body swayed before he blacked out, collapsing on top of her.

Lin Aoxue shoved his shoulder to confirm he was dead to the world before finally setting down the heavy crystal ashtray in her hand. Pushing his dead weight off her, she fished the phone out of his pocket and hurried into the bathroom to call Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan had just stepped out of the shower when he heard his phone ringing. Seeing an unknown number, he hesitated and meant to reject the call, but accidentally tapped the answer button instead.

"Ye Xuan! Come save me!"

Just as he was about to hang up, a familiar voice drifted through the receiver. He froze for a second or two before his heart leaped into his throat.

"Xue’er, what’s wrong? What happened? Where are you right now?"

Hearing Ye Xuan’s voice, Lin Aoxue’s terrified heart finally found a shred of security. Her nose tingled, and her voice instantly choked with sobs. "I’m on the Yang Family’s luxury cruise ship! I’ve been locked up by Xiao Ran. Please, hurry and save me!"

Ye Xuan’s grip on the phone instantly tightened, and his breathing changed. He hadn’t expected Xiao Ran to lay a hand on Lin Aoxue yet again. He cursed internally, "He is dead meat!" A thick, icy glint shot from his eyes as murderous intent surged in his heart.

"Xue’er, find a place to hide for now. I’m coming to get you right away!" Since Lin Aoxue could call him for help, it meant she was safe for the time being. Ye Xuan did his best to soothe her, then quickly threw on his clothes and headed out the door.

Meanwhile, Lin Aoxue tucked the phone away and carefully slipped out of the room. The cruise ship was enormous. Even if Xiao Ran was practically omnipotent, he couldn’t possibly monitor every single corner. She sneaked into the staff locker room first, changed into an employee uniform, and then made her way to the ship’s five-star restaurant, hiding in the back kitchen.

She thought she had escaped Xiao Ran’s control, completely unaware that every single one of her moves was being watched by someone else.

After receiving Xiao Ran’s call earlier, Yang Jie couldn’t figure out why he suddenly wanted Yang Bingyu. Still, he obeyed the order. First, he already harbored a deep grudge against Yang Bingyu; even if Xiao Ran wanted to do something to her, he wouldn’t try to stop it. Second, Xiao Ran was not someone he could afford to offend. Let alone a single Yang Bingyu, even if Xiao Ran wanted the entire Yang Family, it wouldn’t be a difficult feat for him. Rather than offending Xiao Ran over Yang Bingyu, it was better to just go with the flow and grant his wish.

The clock had already struck midnight.

Yang Bingyu was sound asleep, but she was ruthlessly woken up by Yang Jie.

"Yang Jie, are you sick in the head? Why are you waking me up in the middle of the night?" Yang Bingyu furrowed her brows, glaring at him with extreme displeasure.

Looking at Yang Bingyu in her spaghetti-strap nightgown, Yang Jie’s gaze wavered. He thought to himself, "This woman actually has quite a nice figure. No wonder Xiao Ran isn’t satisfied with just Lin Aoxue and wants me to bring her over too."

"What are you staring at? Get out if you don’t have anything to say. I need to sleep." Seeing Yang Jie staring at her in silence, Yang Bingyu pulled the blanket up defensively. Although she and Yang Jie were siblings, there was no guarantee this man wouldn’t do something worse than a beast.

"Get dressed. Young Master Xiao wants to see you." Seeing her so on guard, Yang Jie reined in his gaze. He curled his lips and spoke indifferently.

Yang Bingyu furrowed her brows even deeper, her face full of suspicion. She wondered, "Why does Xiao Ran want to see me?"

"Don’t look at me, I have no idea why he wants to see you either. Just come with me. He’s not someone we can afford to cross." After saying that, Yang Jie turned around and walked out of the room. He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he might end up committing a crime.

Yang Bingyu sat on the bed and pondered for a moment before finally getting up to get ready. The Yang Family and the Xiao Family were about to collaborate soon, so offending Xiao Ran would indeed be unwise. Moreover, she could use this opportunity to properly test his intentions. She figured, "If the Xiao Family is truly sincere about the partnership, it would indeed be a great choice for the Yang Family. But if Xiao Ran is harboring ulterior motives, I can stop his schemes before it’s too late."