That same night, Jiang Fuyue instructed Niu Rui to narrow the surveillance area from all of Nanyue down to just Shapu.
Niu Rui: “Already figured it out that fast?”
Jiang Fuyue: “Mm. Keep a close eye on the forested breeding zones, especially the ones near ironworks factories.”
“Got it.”
After hanging up, Jiang Fuyue immediately dialed another number—
“Uncle Liu, how’s the prep over in Nanyue?”
“The group’s personnel stationed there are ready and standing by.”
“Good. First, send someone to scout Shapu. The moment Niu Rui gets any updates, I want you notified immediately.”
Liu Jinzhong: “Has the negotiator been decided?”
“The other side is insisting on a cross-border wire transfer.”
“That raises a red flag for space accounts. We have to guard against them taking the money and killing the hostage.”
That was precisely what Jiang Fuyue was worried about.
“I plan to send Yan Zhixing to handle things on the ground. Uncle Liu, talk to him first—don’t force him. Give me his answer tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
The next day, before Liu Jinzhong could respond, Guan Yiling showed up instead.
“Sister Han, sorry,” the woman wore a bright rose-colored coat, her makeup flawless and her smile radiant, “I hate to disturb you so early in the morning.”
Though things had gotten unpleasant yesterday, it’s hard to turn away someone who comes smiling and apologetic. Since she came on her own initiative, Han Yunru naturally didn’t hold a grudge.
“No worries. We’re all up already—you’re not disturbing. Come in.”
Guan Yiling changed into slippers and walked toward the living room—just in time to bump into Qin Lin, who was calling Han Yunru for breakfast.
“Little Ru, everything’s set, you—”
His voice suddenly cut off.
His brows furrowed slightly. “What are you doing here?”
Guan Yiling kept smiling. “Ah Lin…”
Seeing this, Han Yunru tactfully stepped into the dining room, giving the two some space.
“I’m sorry about yesterday—I was being immature. After you left, I couldn’t sleep all night in the hotel.”
Qin Lin said nothing, hands in his pockets.
Guan Yiling stepped closer, her voice soft and warm: “I’ve thought it over. When it comes to Dad, I really shouldn’t have argued with a younger person. I said a few inappropriate things… But Ah Lin, have you considered why I reacted so strongly? It’s because I’m scared something might happen to Dad…”
She was smart—start with an apology, appeal to emotion, slowly soften his stance.
Sure enough, Qin Lin’s expression eased a bit, though he still didn’t speak.
Unfazed, her voice grew even gentler, like spring wind: “And about you and Sister Han…”
His eyes immediately sharpened.
She pretended not to notice, continuing: “I know, I was being too sensitive. But I couldn’t help it…”
Her voice trembled slightly, hinting at tears she stubbornly suppressed. “If not for a twist of fate all those years ago, the one standing beside you now would’ve been her—not me. Do you know how that feels? It’s like…”
She paused.
“…like I stole someone else’s happiness, and now the heavens are punishing me—leaving me with nothing. I’m anxious, scared, panicked. I overthink, I say the wrong things. I know this only pushes you further away, makes me look awful… but I just can’t control it…”
There was a flicker of emotion in Qin Lin’s eyes.
“Sometimes I think… maybe if I didn’t love you so much, it wouldn’t hurt so bad. The Buddha says, ‘From love arises sorrow, from love arises fear.’ It’s because I care too much… I’m terrified of losing you.”
“…Yiling.” The man finally spoke, wiping away her tears with a sigh. “Little Ru and I were over long ago. We each have our own families now—happy and peaceful. You don’t need to overthink.”
“I’m sorry—I should’ve trusted you.”
“Alright. Since we’ve cleared things up, let it go. Later, apologize to Little Ru and Yueyue, and let this be done. We’re still family.”
Guan Yiling’s smile froze for a split second, but she quickly recovered. She leaned against his chest and nodded softly. “Of course. That’s why I came today—to apologize to them in person.”
“Mm. You’ve always been sensible.”
Qin Lin led her to the dining room, where Guan Yiling immediately apologized to Han Yunru and Jiang Fuyue.
“Sister Han, I was out of line yesterday. I embarrassed myself.”
Han Yunru responded with a warm smile: “We’re all family—no need for that. I was a bit impulsive too. Don’t take it to heart.”
Then it was Jiang Fuyue’s turn.
“Yueyue, I was rash yesterday. I shouldn’t have doubted you. This was our responsibility from the start, and you offered to help, but I was… ungrateful. Truly…”
The apology sounded sincere, but the ending felt off. A grown adult saying she was “ungrateful” in front of a junior? That kind of self-flagellation only served to put Jiang Fuyue on a pedestal—like she was arrogant and looked down on others.
Qin Lin was just about to speak when Jiang Fuyue beat him to it—
“Yesterday we both spoke based on our own views. You had your position, I had mine. It wasn’t about right or wrong—no need for apologies.”
“But…” Guan Yiling tried to continue.
Jiang Fuyue cut in, “Ten minutes ago, I received news. We’ve confirmed the kidnappers’ location in Nanyue. To avoid tipping them off, my people are only watching from the perimeter—no direct contact yet.”
“What?! You’ve already found them?!” Guan Yiling exclaimed, shocked.
How could they have figured it out overnight?
Qin Lin was just as stunned: “Really? How’s Dad?”
Jiang Fuyue: “Grandpa Qin is safe for now. The kidnappers haven’t harmed him.”
Shi Qingzhi’s eyes lit up, and she finally relaxed: “Thank goodness… Thank goodness…”
Jiang Da and Han Yunru exchanged a glance and smiled in unison.
“What now? Should we call the police, get Huaxia’s side to coordinate with the Nanyue authorities for a raid?”
Before Jiang Fuyue could answer, Guan Yiling cut in: “No—that won’t work!”
Everyone looked at her oddly.
“I-I mean, just like Yueyue said yesterday—once the police get involved, if the kidnappers notice, the consequences could be severe. We can’t risk Dad’s life.”
The old lady nodded.
She wasn’t worried about money. She just feared Old Qin wouldn’t come back. If anything happened to Qin Yuancheng, all the money in the world would be worthless to her.
Qin Lin agreed too.
Jiang Fuyue glanced at Guan Yiling. She didn’t avoid the look—her expression was filled with anxiety. Genuinely emotional.
“Good,” Jiang Fuyue said with a small smile, “because I agree.”
Guan Yiling gave her a slight smile in return.
Jiang Fuyue looked away and continued: “Joint operations between two national police forces require multiple layers of approval. In practice, there are many hurdles—like language barriers—that can’t be solved in a short time.”
Shi Qingzhi: “Then what do we do? Launch a private rescue?”
Qin Lin shook his head: “Not realistic. First, we don’t have the right connections. Second, even if we hire mercenaries, we don’t have enough time to assemble a proper team.”
“Yueyue?” The old lady had clearly placed all her hopes on Jiang Fuyue.
But Qin Lin still had his doubts. Even if she knew Professor Lake, that didn’t prove she could outmaneuver a gang of violent kidnappers.
“I’ve thought about it,” he said, “and I’ve decided—I’m going to Nanyue myself!”
“Then what?” Jiang Fuyue asked. “Once you’re there, what’s your plan?”
Qin Lin was caught off guard.
“…I’ll negotiate with the kidnappers.”
“How? Pay for his release?”
That was exactly his plan.
As long as he was there and they got the money, surely the kidnappers would release Qin Yuancheng.
Jiang Fuyue laughed coldly, her tone sharp: “Naïve.”
Qin Lin scowled.
Han Yunru chimed in: “Yueyue, explain properly to your Uncle Qin.”
“Let me put it this way—there’s no chance the kidnappers will meet with you face-to-face.”
Qin Lin: “But in the recording, they never specified the method of exchange. The ‘space account’ theory is just a guess. Even if it’s true, we can negotiate.”
Jiang Fuyue wanted to hit him with another “naïve,” but out of respect for the elders, she held back.
Instead, she snorted: “Go ahead and try.”
Qin Lin: “Fine—I will!”
Jiang Fuyue sneered.
At that moment, the old lady’s phone rang—an overseas call.
Jiang Fuyue tilted her chin: “Didn’t you want to try? Be my guest.”
Qin Lin clenched his teeth. He couldn’t believe that after all his years, he still couldn’t see things more clearly than an eighteen-year-old girl.
Qin Lin’s ego is about to take a hit.
