From the beginning, Luo Yang had felt that the two people who came looking for Hong Jiaxin harbored ill intentions.
At least now, it had been confirmed that the square-faced man and the long-haired woman had come with malice. As for whether they were Hong Jiaxin's relatives, that remained uncertain.
"Call Hong Jiaxin's father, I want to talk to him," Luo Yang demanded.
The square-faced man and the long-haired woman looked at each other.
Neither of them had ever taken out a mobile phone, nor had any ringtone sounded.
Seeing Luo Yang lift his foot to kick, the square-faced man hurriedly said, "I'll call, I'll call."
He had already broken at least three ribs, and a few more kicks from Luo Yang would injure his organs.
Immediately, the square-faced man took out his mobile phone and dialed.
Upon connecting the call, only to hear the square-faced man say, "We failed, there's a strong fighter here. He wants to speak with Hong Zhong."
Only to hear a man's voice from the other end say, "Wait a moment."
About one minute later, sure enough, Hong Zhong's voice came through.
"May I ask who this is?" Hong Zhong asked.
Luo Yang had spoken to Hong Zhong before and had heard his voice, so he could confirm this was Hong Zhong.
"Uncle Hong, where are you?" Luo Yang asked.
"I'm not at liberty to say," Hong Zhong answered.
"Have they kidnapped you and Auntie?" Luo Yang asked again.
From all indications, the Hong Zhong Couple was in trouble.
But Hong Zhong's reply was very strange.
"No. Xiao Luo, don't concern yourself with my affairs. I'm asking you a favor, take good care of my daughter, don't let anyone take her away," Hong Zhong pleaded.
"Are they threatening you? I'll call the police for you," Luo Yang said.
"There's no need to call the police. This matter is very complicated. It can't be explained in a few words. I feel more at ease knowing Jiaxin is with you. If her mother and I can't come back, please protect Jiaxin for the rest of her life," Hong Zhong said.
His words had the tone of entrusting a child.
"What are their conditions for releasing you and Auntie?" Luo Yang asked.
"You don't need to worry about other things. Just make sure to protect Jiaxin well, and don't let anyone take her away. If I get a chance, I will explain the situation to you clearly. I don't want to deceive you, your opponent is very strong. Your life could be at risk at any moment. It's your choice, if you hand Jiaxin over to someone else to look after, you will be a lot safer," he said.
After saying so much, Hong Zhong actually still hoped Luo Yang would protect Hong Jiaxin.
What the underlying grievances were, Luo Yang had no idea.
Being classmates and friends with Hong Jiaxin, Luo Yang did not want to see her come to harm.
"Uncle Hong, I won't let anyone hurt Jiaxin," Luo Yang said.
"Thank you for that. That's all for now. Let those two go. Don't make it hard on them," Hong Zhong said.
Luo Yang had wanted to ask more questions, but Hong Zhong ended the call.
Luo Yang was in a fog, completely unclear about who the square-faced man and long-haired woman were.
"Why did you kidnap Hong Zhong?" Luo Yang stared at the square-faced man.
"You're mistaken, we didn't kidnap Hong Zhong, he stayed there voluntarily," the square-faced man said coldly.
"What is going on?" Luo Yang asked further.
"It's better if you don't get involved. We can't beat you, but that doesn't mean others can't," the square-faced man said weakly.
"Not talking, huh? Let's see how long you can last!" Luo Yang lifted his foot to kick.
This time, after a few kicks, the square-faced man and the long-haired woman closed their eyes, enduring the pain, without saying another word.
Having heard Hong Zhong plead for the two of them earlier, Luo Yang refrained from striking harder.
Thinking it over, he coldly said, "Better not let me see you again, or it'll be the end of the road for you! Get out!"
The square-faced man was unable to drive, so the long-haired woman helped him into the car, then drove off.
To Luo Yang, these two seemed connected to Mu Tan.
On his way back to the Hongyun Brigade, Luo Yang's thoughts surged.
How to clearly explain everything to Hong Jiaxin was a problem.
Hong Jiaxin was also unaware of the situation, confused like everyone else.
If what the square-faced man said was true, and Hong Zhong hadn't been kidnapped, then the matter was even more bizarre.
Telling Hong Jiaxin might make her disbelieve it.
Unknowingly, they had returned to Qin Piao's house.
The beauties were curious to see Luo Yang return so quickly.
Seeing that he was safe and sound, they were all very relieved.
"Luo Yang, did you see my dad?" Hong Jiaxin asked excitedly.
He had been gone for less than an hour, which showed that the distance was not far.
"No," Luo Yang replied truthfully.
"Then where did you go?" Hong Jiaxin asked, puzzled.
"Sister An, Sister Piao, I need to speak privately with the squad leader for a moment," Luo Yang said.
Then he went downstairs first, and Hong Jiaxin followed him.
Once outside, Hong Jiaxin couldn't wait to ask, "Luo Yang, what on earth happened?"
Luo Yang replied with a wry smile, "I beat up those two guys."
He then told Hong Jiaxin everything that had happened on the road.
After hearing everything, Hong Jiaxin indeed did not believe it.
"How is that possible? Did you talk to my dad over the phone?" Hong Jiaxin asked, frowning.
"Your dad didn't say much, just told me to protect you well and not let anyone take you away," Luo Yang said.
"I don't believe it!"
Tears welled up in Hong Jiaxin's eyes.
Seeing her saddened, Luo Yang stepped closer, took her hand, and comforted her, "Squad leader, when have I ever lied to you?"
Hong Jiaxin, swinging her little pink fists, pounded Luo Yang's chest and complained, "It's all your fault. If it weren't for you, I would have seen my parents. It's all because of you!"
Hong Zhong was likely having very important reasons for not letting his daughter meet him; otherwise, he wouldn't have acted this way.
But Luo Yang couldn't guess what those reasons might be.
"Squad leader, I will take you to see your parents," Luo Yang said as he wrapped his arms around Hong Jiaxin's slender waist.
Hearing this, Hong Jiaxin looked up.
"Now?" Hong Jiaxin asked.
A layer of crystal-clear tears veiled her eyes.
Luo Yang had no idea where Hong Zhong was and couldn't go even if he wanted to.
However, he knew that people would be coming after them.
"Squad leader, let's go after a while. Wait until I've helped you unlock the governor and conception vessels and you've improved your martial arts. Then we'll go, how about that?" Luo Yang said, his left hand around her waist and his right hand gently stroking her soft back.
"No, let's go now!" Hong Jiaxin insisted resolutely.
She couldn't wait even a day longer.
If she were not a strong girl, she would have broken down by now.
"Squad leader, your dad doesn't want you to see him, and if you go now, you will definitely face great danger. If your skills were good, then the two of us would have a chance to rescue your parents. Going now, we might not return at all. That would disappoint your dad," Luo Yang said as he held Hong Jiaxin's pretty face in his hands, their eyes locked.
"Then when can you help me unlock the governor and conception vessels?" Hong Jiaxin asked urgently.
"Not much longer," Luo Yang replied. "Your dad said he is staying there of his own will. He should be safe, and the real targets might be after you."
"Impossible," Hong Jiaxin pouted.
Luo Yang was guessing too and had no evidence to prove that Hong Jiaxin was the target.
After much persuasion, he managed to somewhat calm Hong Jiaxin down.
An Yuying had also come downstairs and stepped outside, seeing Luo Yang holding Hong Jiaxin – she felt jealous.
"Cowboy, Jiaxin, what happened?" An Yuying called out softly.
"Sister An, it's nothing," Luo Yang replied.
He then gently patted Hong Jiaxin's back and said, "Let's go back."
Then, with his arm around Hong Jiaxin's fragrant shoulders, they walked back.
Hong Jiaxin's pretty face blushed and she stepped aside, pushing away Luo Yang's hand not allowing him to hold her.
After all, An Yuying was watching, and Hong Jiaxin felt embarrassed.