Under the dim streetlights, Yao Jing stepped out of the car. She found herself surrounded by a dark, desolate landscape, with not a single person in sight. She wandered a bit to the left and right, ultimately confirming that there was indeed no one around.
Furrowing her brows slightly, Yao Jing pondered over the recent events. She returned to the car, got into the driver's seat, and started the engine. What was once the vehicle of her kidnappers had now become her mode of transport.
Yao Jing decided not to head straight to the police but instead to return to the site of her earlier car crash. She was deeply worried about Song Siqing's safety.
Upon arriving at the scene, Yao Jing found only a few traffic officers; Song Siqing was nowhere to be found. Parking the car, she approached the officers and quickly explained her situation. Before long, the officers took Yao Jing to the police station.
Meanwhile, in a warehouse somewhere in Haixia City, the kidnappers who had abducted Yao Jing were now hanging from the ceiling, their hands tied behind their backs.
Wu Zhiming and his men stood before them. Wu Zhiming had removed his mask, revealing his face, while Dong Jian had quietly joined him.
"The young mistress is on her way to the police station," Dong Jian reported in a low voice.
Wu Zhiming nodded and turned his gaze to the captives dangling before him.
"Brother, we're all in the same line of work. Maybe there's been a misunderstanding here," said a burly man with a rough face, panic evident in his eyes.
"Do you know who you kidnapped?" Wu Zhiming asked coldly.
"How would I know that? Listen, brother, let's clear up this misunderstanding. We'll take the loss this time. Name your terms, just let us go," the burly man pleaded.
Wu Zhiming shifted his gaze to Tan Lang, who stood nearby, and spoke softly, "Tan Lang, this is your job now. Come see me when you're done."
"Yes, Boss," Tan Lang replied, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light.
Feeling guilty for allowing Yao Jing to be kidnapped under his watch, Tan Lang knew that despite their successful interception of the kidnappers, he still bore significant responsibility. The fate of these captives was now sealed, and it would not be pleasant.
Seeing Tan Lang's expression, the captives suddenly realized they had messed with the wrong people.
"Dong Jian, let's go to the police station," Wu Zhiming said.
"Understood, sir," Dong Jian replied, and the two of them left the warehouse, getting into a black sedan and driving towards the police station.
As they drove, Dong Jian glanced at Wu Zhiming and asked, "Boss, why didn't you reveal yourself to the young mistress? Heroically saving her could have been a great opportunity."
Wu Zhiming looked out the window and said calmly, "She doesn't like seeing me fight."
While Wu Zhiming would not change his ways, he would avoid showing that side of himself in front of Yao Jing if it upset her. Moreover, he didn't want her to see a version of him that was even further removed from who he usually appeared to be.
"Do you have feelings for the young mistress?" Dong Jian inquired with a slight smile.
"Feelings might be too strong a word. I just think she's a very good woman," Wu Zhiming replied.
"I agree. Beautiful women are common, but the young mistress is rare. She would make a suitable lady of the Wu family," Dong Jian remarked.
"Are you referring to *that* lady of the Wu family?" Wu Zhiming asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," Dong Jian nodded affirmatively.
Wu Zhiming smiled faintly and remarked, "Yao Jing must never have imagined that being my wife entails more than just managing the Wu family in Haixia City."
Dong Jian chuckled softly but didn't say much.
The car soon arrived at the police station. Wu Zhiming got out of the car, pushed open the door, and hurried into the station.
Inside, Yao Jing had already finished giving her statement. Zhou Yanqiu and Yao Shanchuan were also present.
"Wu Zhiming, are you even a man? Your wife was kidnapped, and it took you so long to get here?! Were you off with another woman?" Zhou Yanqiu pointed accusingly at Wu Zhiming, visibly upset.
Wu Zhiming remained silent, walked over to Yao Jing, and breathlessly asked, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Yao Jing replied, shaking her head.
"Your wife is truly the most intelligent hostage I've ever seen. If it weren't for her quick thinking, she might have been transferred to another group," remarked one of the police officers.
"Thank goodness you're okay!" Wu Zhiming sighed in relief. "I was far away; I rushed over as soon as I got the call."
"Alright... I need to go to the hospital now. Siqing is there. Let's go together," Yao Jing said.
"Okay," Wu Zhiming nodded.
"Jingjing, which hospital are you going to? You just escaped; you should go home and rest. Didn't Song Siqing say she's fine, just some superficial injuries? There's no need to go see her," Zhou Yanqiu insisted.
"Siqing got hurt because she was protecting me. I have to go see her," Yao Jing replied firmly.
"No, you're not going. Tonight, you're coming home with me. You have no idea how scared I was just now. You're my only daughter, and your brother is studying out of town. If something happened to you, who would we rely on in Haixia City? You must come home with me tonight. I'll cook some noodles and eggs to calm your nerves," Zhou Yanqiu urged.
"I also think it's best you don't go to the hospital. You've just been through a lot; you must be exhausted. Go home and rest. I'll go check on Song Siqing," Wu Zhiming suggested.
"You're going?" Yao Jing looked at Wu Zhiming and after a moment of silence said, "Alright, you go. I'll call Siqing when I get home."
"Alright," Wu Zhiming nodded, then turned to Yao Shanchuan, "Dad, please take Jingjing home."
"Sure, let's go home, Jingjing," Yao Shanchuan agreed.
Yao Jing left with her parents, while Wu Zhiming and Dong Jian drove towards the hospital together.
"Sir, Tan Lang has sent a message. He's managed to get those guys to talk. They were hired by someone named Ah Yong, who works for Yang Sandao. As for their motive, it's still unclear. Ah Yong is one of Yang Sandao's men," Dong Jian reported.
"After we're done at Song Siqing's place, you and I will go find Yang Sandao," Wu Zhiming said calmly. Initially, when Yang Sandao had ordered the hit on him, Wu Zhiming had refrained from retaliating immediately, hoping to uncover who was behind Yang Sandao. But now that Yang Sandao had targeted Yao Jing, waiting was no longer an option. It was time to resolve this tonight.
"What does Tan Lang plan to do with those guys?" Dong Jian inquired.
"He can handle them as he sees fit. Once he's done, have him come find us," Wu Zhiming instructed.
"Understood."
Haixia City Hospital, Inpatient Department.
Dong Jian parked the car downstairs.
Wu Zhiming stepped out of the car and made his way upstairs.
On the fifth floor, he pushed open the door to a certain hospital room.
Inside, Song Siqing lay on the bed with bandages on her head, holding an apple in one hand and a tablet in front of her, completely engrossed in watching TV, unaware of Wu Zhiming's arrival.
Wu Zhiming approached Song Siqing and placed the fruit basket he had brought on the table.
It was only then that Song Siqing noticed someone was there. She looked up at Wu Zhiming in surprise.
"You're here?!" Song Siqing asked incredulously.
"I came to see how you're doing on behalf of Yao Jing. She told me you took quite a beating while protecting her," Wu Zhiming said with a smile.
"A few beatings? From childhood to now, I've fought and schemed against those jealous bitches who spread rumors about Yao Jing. It's nothing," Song Siqing boasted.
"I get the fighting part, but what do you mean by scheming?" Wu Zhiming asked puzzledly.
"Manipulation, plotting, you know, dealing with the jealousy around Yao Jing. She's been beautiful since we were kids, attracting so many admirers. Those girls were just jealous and spread rumors. I've handled all that," Song Siqing explained.
"That must have been tough on you," Wu Zhiming remarked.
"I heard Jingjing went to her parents' place. Is she alright?" Song Siqing asked.
"She's fine. It's actually you who got the worst of it. Just rest here; we'll take care of the medical bills," Wu Zhiming assured her.
"Oh, as long as she's okay," Song Siqing replied.
"Well, I'll be on my way then." Feeling that there wasn't much more to say between him and Song Siqing, Wu Zhiming bid her farewell and turned to leave.
"Don't go!" Song Siqing called out.
Wu Zhiming stopped in his tracks and turned to her. "Is there something else?"
"You've been married to Yao Jing for so many years, and although we've met a few times and had meals together, we've never really talked. It's rare to have the chance tonight, so let's chat?" Song Siqing suggested.
"Chat about what?" Wu Zhiming asked.
"Let's talk about... our love lives," Song Siqing said with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
"Love lives? You're always trying to break up Yao Jing and me. What love life can I discuss with you?" Wu Zhiming chuckled.
"Do you know why I want to break you up?" Song Siqing asked.
"Probably jealous that Yao Jing has such a good husband like me," Wu Zhiming teased.
Song Siqing shook her head and looked deeply at Wu Zhiming. "Every time I see you, my heart aches. Do you know why?"
"Oh? Why?" Wu Zhiming asked.
"Because... my heart is filled with you," Song Siqing confessed.
Wu Zhiming was taken aback for a moment, then replied, "Then you better not have a heart attack."
"You!" Song Siqing glared at Wu Zhiming in frustration. "Are you really that clueless or just pretending?"
"I'm really clueless!" Wu Zhiming said with a grin.
"I mean, I actually like you too, and I've liked you for many years. That's why I wanted you to divorce Yao Jing, so I could have a chance. Do you understand now?!" Song Siqing exclaimed passionately.
"So that's how it is!" Wu Zhiming suddenly realized, then reached out and patted Song Siqing on the shoulder. "Lie down over there."
"Huh?" Song Siqing looked puzzled as she moved aside.
Wu Zhiming lifted the blanket covering Song Siqing and tried to sit on the bed.
"What are you doing?!" Song Siqing panicked, grabbing Wu Zhiming to prevent him from sitting on the bed.
"You said you liked me, right? Carpe diem. Tonight is long, and Yao Jing is back home. No one will catch me. Let's have a good fight here for three hundred rounds. Tomorrow, I'll go divorce Yao Jing!" Wu Zhiming said seriously.
"You!!"