Guan Yiling was caught in a dilemma, torn between two choices.
Should she make the call?
Or not?
In the end, she gritted her teeth, put away her phone, snapped the SIM card in half, and tossed it into the toilet.
With a loud flush, it was swept clean away.
She took a deep breath, adjusted her expression in the mirror, then opened the door and walked calmly back to the living room, sitting down beside Qin Lin.
“Ah Lin…”
“Hmm?” The man was focused on his laptop, working through the financial paperwork for the $100 million.
The matriarch, who should’ve been handling this herself, had gone back to her room to rest, accompanied by Han Yunru.
Guan Yiling said, “I’ve thought it over and over, and I still think something’s not right.”
Qin Lin frowned and turned to her. “What’s not right?”
“Having an eighteen-year-old girl single-handedly handle something this major… are we sure that’s really safe?”
“I thought we already agreed to trust Yueyue. Why are you—”
“I’m not trying to make things difficult for her, or expressing dissatisfaction with Sister Han, or showing jealousy over your past. It’s none of that! I’m speaking as someone with sound judgment, objectively. Leaving a kidnapping case to an inexperienced young girl? That’s absurd.”
“Think about it—so far, all the intel we’ve had came straight from Jiang Fuyue’s mouth. We have no way to verify anything. What if she’s lying? We’d just be following blindly. Isn’t that… risky?”
“I don’t know why the old lady trusts her so much. Maybe because Jiang Fuyue is her biological granddaughter? Or maybe it’s just that she’s old and no longer as clear-minded as she used to be.”
“You’re a Qin, your father’s biological son. I’m his daughter-in-law. Are we really going to just sit here, placing all our hope on someone else, doing nothing and waiting like fools for an unknown outcome?”
Qin Lin’s eyes flickered, uncertain.
After years of marriage, Guan Yiling could tell with one look that he was wavering.
Now she just needed to give that final push—
“We should do what we can. Let Jiang Fuyue do things her way, and we take our own route. We don’t interfere with each other but aim for the same goal. Isn’t that double the safety? Even if our efforts don’t work out, it won’t affect her plan. Don’t you think that makes sense?”
Qin Lin was completely swayed.
“But… we don’t really have any good options, do we?”
Guan Yiling thought for a moment. “…We already know the kidnappers are in the Shapu District. Even if Yueyue says they’ve moved, they’re likely still in that area. Coincidentally, I have a friend from college who lives there—he’s local and his family’s got some influence. Should I call him and see what he knows?”
Qin Lin asked, “Can you trust him? If there’s even a small slip-up, it could alert the kidnappers. Unless we’re absolutely sure, we can’t take risks.”
“He’s trustworthy. Very discreet, and a decent person. I really think it’s okay.”
Qin Lin hesitated for a moment.
Guan Yiling’s heart was pounding like a drum.
Finally—
Qin Lin relented. “Alright, call him now. But be subtle. Don’t say too much all at once.”
“I’m not great with that kind of tact. Why don’t you talk instead?”
“Fine.”
Perfect. Even if they got caught, it wouldn’t trace back to her—Qin Lin would be the one who made the call. He wouldn’t harm his own father, would he?
Guan Yiling smiled, opened her contacts, found someone labeled “Pati,” and tapped to call…
Come on—
As long as the other end picked up, they’d understand her signal from Qin Lin’s words. As for what to do next and how to clean up the aftermath, her contact would have a plan.
As long as they escaped, she wouldn’t be dragged down with them.
She could continue being the Qin family’s wealthy daughter-in-law, living her life of luxury.
But unfortunately…
Less than a second after she hit dial, a hand suddenly shot out, snatched the phone, and immediately hit “End Call.”
The call didn’t even connect—it was stillborn.
“What are you doing?!” Guan Yiling exploded in anger, her eyes practically shooting daggers at Jiang Fuyue. “Is this how you were raised? Just snatching people’s phones?!”
“Auntie Guan seems awfully upset. Why is that? Just because I took your phone? Or because… the call didn’t go through, and you’re disappointed?”
Jiang Fuyue’s tone was calm and smiling, a complete contrast to Guan Yiling’s furious state.
Guan Yiling froze, like someone had dumped ice water over her, instantly sobering her up.
“…Sorry, I lost my temper just now. But your behavior really startled me.”
“Oh?” Jiang Fuyue murmured, “That already scared you? Then I guess Auntie Guan’s nerves aren’t too strong. Or maybe… the situation’s too big, and even your strong nerves can’t handle it anymore?”
“We can discuss psychological topics later. For now, please return my phone.”
But before the word “return” was even out, she was already reaching for it.
Jiang Fuyue took a step back, lifting the phone out of reach.
“What are you doing?” Guan Yiling’s gaze darkened, tension rising.
“Nothing. Just stopping you from leaking information.”
She said it so casually, like it was no big deal.
