Meanwhile in the study...
Father Yan sat on the chair swiveling silently as he stared at a photograph. On it was the side view of a woman. She was dressed in basketball training clothes and she seemed to be dunking the ball. She also seemed to be happy and cheerful. However, as Father Yan stared at the photograph, his mood was very oppressing.
"Ranran, I'm confused. If you were here, I'd have been able to handle any problems with your advice. But the more I think about it, I feel as though I'm an awful father. My children don't get long and I don't understand them at all."
He sighed, his gaze lost as he fiddled with the photograph. "I don't know what to do with our son. You've always been one to encourage people to go for their dreams. Should I just let him do what he wants?"
Afterwards, he leaned back, his expression shrouded with worry.
In a dark basement which seemed to be an underground garage, two burly men stood staring at the crowd of people cheering as they watched two wrestlers fighting in the ring.
The man in front suddenly asked. He see med to be the leader. "How is it? Did he agree?"
"No. He said our group is illegal."
The man snorted. "Illegal? What in the world is not illegal?"
"What should we do, boss? Lin He and his crew are coming soon. None of our fighters can withstand that brute from Tokyo."
The man turned to his subordinate, giving him a screwed smile. "Kidnap him. Collect the picture of him which Seven took this morning. According to what he found, he is meeting someone at the convenience store in Ginjiang. He is putting on blue shirt and a black windbreaker."
"Yes, boss."
"Good. I want him here by nightfall."
Yan Nuan walked down the stairs feeling overwhelmed. She was immensely confused. As she reached the last step, she saw Yan Li sitting on the chair with a worried expression. She gave a smile and walked up to him.
"Brother, are you okay? It seems daddy is really angry?"
Yan Nuan revealed a fake smile and ruffled his hair. "It's nothing. Go to the dining room. I think food is being served."
Yan Li nodded and proceeded to leave. "Okay."
Yan Nuan watched as he left before walking back towards the foyer. As she wore her shoes and was about to step out, the butler appeared.
"Young master, are you going somewhere? Aren't you going to eat?"
Yan Nuan turned towards him and shook her head. "No. I've got some things to do."
The butler revealed an understanding expression. "Ok, then. Shall I get the driver to take you there?"
"No," Yan Nuan replied, and walked out of the gates. The moment she stepped onto the streets, cold air gushed into the streets bringing along with droplets of white snow. The villa was located in a secluded estate and there were hardly people outside thus with the falling snow landing on the houses, it looked even more lonely and silent. She pulled on her gloves tighter and began to walk forward. The road was clear and there was hardly any movement. However, occasionally, a few people would pass by her.
She silently walked, treading on the snow without an expression but her mind was in turmoil.
Many people thought she was cold and aloof however she wasn't. It was just that she had a one track mind. In her past life, she didn't have her own plans. She grew up only to train and defend the country. She was simple minded and didn't need to worry about trivial things like the civilians.
She had no family. She also didn't have much interpersonal relationships and the only two people she was ever close with was the Emperor and Han Qing. Moreover, the Emperor also had his own issues and she could remember that it was during the time when he was till a prince and she wasn't a shadow guard were they extremely close. As for Han Qing, they were mostly together like glue. They also trained together as well, so, she developed trust for her. Her lifestyle was usually simple. Eat, train, defend the country and sleep. Thus, when she suddenly found herself in another era, she wasn't affected. It was only a change in environment. She only had to figure out how to survive.
However, she hadn't thought of a problem. She was constant minded and thus, couldn't adapt to having other relations. Having to deal with the things left by the previous host. Because she felt that men and women shouldn't be too close, she broke up with her girlfriends. She also didn't keep up with the previous host group of friends. She who supposedly couldn't fight suddenly beat up four boys.
No wonder her father was suspicious. If it wasn't because she gave him an excuse and he trusted her, she would have been exposed.
Yan Nuan walked forward solemnly, the slowly calming wind breezing past her and blowing her windbreaker. She pulled the windbreaker and buttoned it up. As she trudged forward, she realized she was already out of the estate. She was standing in front of a convenience store, deliberating whether to sit on the bench placed outside or return home.
"Bro Yan?"
She heard someone say just as she was about to take a seat. The voice sounded doubtful as though the person wasn't sure whether she was the one or not. Yan Nuan turned towards the direction of the voice. To her surprise, Yi Han from Class Seven was standing there.
Upon seeing that she was really the one, he approached her.
"Brother Yan."
Yan Nuan nodded and replied, "Yi Han."
He glanced at the convenience store.
"You're here to buy something?"
"Nope," Yan Nuan replied and shook her head negatively. "Just wanted to take a stroll."
"Ok."
He walked beside her and Yan Nuan decided not to sit anymore since there was someone else with her. She glanced at him. "I'm still going forward. Are you coming along?"
"Of course," he replied excitedly and they walked out.
For a few minutes, they walked in silence. Until he suddenly turned to her and asked, "Is something bothering you, Brother Yan?"
Yan Nuan turned to him. "Why do you ask?"
He shrugged.
"I don't know. You seem strange?"
Yan Nuan paused. Was he suspecting something?"
"What seems strange about me?"
"I don't know too. But, I've been having that feeling since you declined when I informed you about the fight with Chinese High."
Yan Nuan stared at him with scrutinizing gaze. "So, you think I'm strange just because of that?"
He shook his head. "No. Brother Yan, you spend more time with us more than anyone else. Even your family. I know you well. Even though, you might suddenly change your mind about something or become suddenly aggressive you're not a bad person."
He paused and shifted on one leg uncomfortably.
"It feels weird saying these. But, I know you'll never leave people you consider your brothers in the lurch."
His gaze was on her and as Yan Nuan stared at him, it felt as though he could see through her and knew she wasn't Yan Yehan. Although, she couldn't blame him. Being a leader of a squad herself, she knew how important 'bro code' was. She must have seemed suspicious suddenly breaking ties with them.
She looked away and clutched her fists silently. "So, do you hate me for that?"
He looked at her in surprise. "Brother Yan..."
"I knew it. You were strange."
Yan Nuan gave a small smile. "Just pulling your leg."
He looked at her doubtfully but a part of him seemed to relax.
"You've become gentle in a span of two weeks?" he suddenly asked. "Anyway, I don't know if I like this part of you or not."
"Why not?"
He shrugged. "I'm used to the roguish Bro Yan. Everyone knows you're protective but it doesn't change the kind of wicked thoughts that run through your mind.
Yan Nuan looked around. They were already far from the estate and considering that she wasn't familiar with the environment, she decided to return home.
"I'm going back," she said to Yi Han and he nodded in approval. Immediately, they turned back and walked towards the estate. They soon reached the convenience store and Hi Han turned to look at her.
"Do you care for a bottle of warm water?"
Yan Nuan smiled and nodded appreciatively. He immediately turned around and walked into the convenience store. Yan Nuan watched his retreating back before taking a seat on the bench. On the ground beside the bench, a bunch of metal rids were placed on one another.
She sat silently, staring into the cold night, the street lights illuminating the store from a distance. But being the observant someone she was, she frowned. Nothing could be ever so perfect. And just as she thought, the street lights suddenly went off. The street was immediately thrown into blackout. Yan Nuan hurriedly felt for one of the rods in the ground. She could sense a strong intent of danger.
But despite how fast she reacted, someone suddenly seized her from behind. Judging from the strength and palm size, it seemed to be a man. He must have been waiting behind her for sometime just to overpower her immediately the light goes off.
A piece of cloth covered her nose tightly and a strange, sweet smell entered her nostrils. She had no idea what it was but she knew it couldn't be anything good. She hurriedly grabbed the man's arms and tried to flip him. However, she suddenly felt her knees going weak. Her body went soft and she felt the strength in her vital joints leave her body.
But, she was stubborn…. Although, she couldn't lift her body or fight back, she didn't lose consciousness and held onto her mental strength tightly. All she hoped was for Yi Han to at least come out of the convenience store. However, she knew that wasn't going to happen when she was dragged away and shuffled into a car.