"What, Sheng Qianxue is also in the car?"
"No choice. I don't know why today she insisted on sitting with Sheng Qianling. Kicking her out would likely arouse suspicion and bring unnecessary trouble, so I had to bring them both." Xiao Zhang answered somewhat helplessly.
"Idiot!"
"You brought Sheng Qianxue along too. Now Sheng Corporation won't be able to ignore this. They'll definitely spare no cost to find her. Then we'll be in trouble."
"So what should I do? I already brought her. Can't exactly send her back now." Xiao Zhang didn't like being called an idiot. If not for his gambling addiction, losing his head in the heat of the moment and owing a huge debt, he wouldn't be doing this.
The people who got him to do this only asked him to bring Sheng Qianling to the destination. Then they'd help him pay off his enormous debt and arrange for him to go abroad, guaranteeing the Sheng family wouldn't retaliate against him.
He thought this deal was quite worthwhile. Sheng Qianling was just an illegitimate daughter of the Sheng family—they shouldn't value her too much, right?
He just hadn't expected Sheng Qianxue to be an accident. To keep the plan from being disrupted, he had to bring both together.
"Think of a way to throw her out of the car."
Xiao Zhang frowned. The voice on the other end spoke again, "Hurry up. Find a safe place and throw her out. Don't let anything happen to her. Otherwise, don't think about paying off your debts or going abroad."
"Fine, I get it."
Xiao Zhang held back a fire inside, but there was no way around it. Having walked this path, he could only continue and do as the other required.
"Qianxue, what do we do?" Sheng Qianling's eyes had been red for a while, tears spinning in her eyes several times. Then she noticed Sheng Qianxue sitting calmly in her seat and forcibly held back the tears.
The phone Sheng Qianxue held had already found A-Xin's number from memory and was currently calling. Hearing Sheng Qianling's voice, she turned to glance at her and said quietly, "Stay calm. I'm thinking of a way." Getting Sheng Qianxue's words, Sheng Qianling decided not to cry. Her heart inexplicably calmed somewhat. "Mm." She couldn't help looking at Sheng Qianxue with bright, shining eyes, quietly and obediently waiting for her to think of a solution.
Sheng Qianxue: "..."
Xiao Zhang saw the two weren't struggling or making noise and felt relieved. This was his first time doing something like this. Honestly, his heart was a bit unsteady. However, these two young misses were clearly scared to death—didn't even dare cry out.
He drove the car at ease, looking for a safe place to throw Sheng Qianxue out.
On A-Xin's side, seeing Sheng Qianxue's call, she answered. She didn't speak immediately. When the two usually talked, generally Sheng Qianxue would energetically want to tell her about something. She waited ten seconds, but Sheng Qianxue's voice didn't come through. This made her feel something was wrong. She looked ahead—ten minutes ago, the car Xiao Zhang was driving had already left her car behind.
She didn't make a sound, carefully distinguishing the sounds from the other end. Listening like this, she heard something wrong—light tapping sounds came through, like fingernails tapping on the phone's microphone position. Instantly, only one possibility flashed through her mind: Qianxue was in trouble.
She hung up the phone and began tracking Sheng Qianxue's phone location. At the same time, she told the driver Xiao Liu, "Now follow my directions and change course to another place."
"Miss Ye, what's wrong?" Xiao Liu asked in confusion. "It's already 9:30 now. President Sheng already notified that the meeting is at 10:30. If Miss Ye has something urgent, we might not make it."
"Change direction. Do as I say."
"Okay."
A-Xin's voice revealed an irrefutable authority. Xiao Liu subconsciously answered and followed A-Xin's directions, finding an opportunity to take another road. He recognized this road—driving this way would lead out of the city. He wondered what A-Xin wanted to do, but seeing her stare at her phone with a cold expression, much more serious than usual, he didn't dare ask anything.
After locating the position, A-Xin called Sheng Wenbo. "Xiao Ye, what's wrong?"
"Uncle Sheng, Qianxue and the others might be in trouble. Their current position is rapidly moving toward outside the city. Qianxue called me earlier but didn't speak—she only tapped her phone with her fingernail. That's when I tracked her phone and knew something happened. Currently I don't know the situation. I had Xiao Liu head in that direction. Today's meeting might need to be canceled."
"Uncle Sheng, how to arrange things—you decide. Right now I need to watch the location, so I won't talk more."
Sheng Wenbo hadn't reacted yet when the phone was hung up. After two seconds, he suddenly stood up.
"President Sheng?"
"Today's meeting is canceled."
...
"Miss Qianxue, please get out of the car."
At a remote place where no vehicles were currently passing, Xiao Zhang stopped the car and turned to tell Sheng Qianxue.
Sheng Qianxue paused. "You want me to get out?"
Hearing this, Sheng Qianling subconsciously grabbed Sheng Qianxue's arm, her eyes reddening again. "Qianxue."
"I'm not getting out. If you leave me in this place—no village ahead, no shop behind—how do I get back?" Sheng Qianxue proudly raised her chin. "You're the one who brought me here. I'm not going back." She'd already notified Shorty. That clever little thing would definitely think of a way to rescue her.
The other wanted her out of the car, so this time the target was Sheng Qianling. Though she didn't like Sheng Qianling, she couldn't just ignore her. She'd just gotten lots of dating experience from her—if she really abandoned Sheng Qianling and ran, that wasn't her style. Besides, could she, Sheng Qianxue, be taken wherever someone wanted and thrown out wherever they pleased?
Xiao Zhang had long known this young miss was very willful. He hadn't expected that even now, she could be so willful. Though they weren't on the same side, his heart held some admiration for Sheng Qianxue. Truly worthy of being the legitimate eldest daughter—simply fearless of life and death. However, the other was seriously affecting his mission's success rate. He could only pull out the real thing to intimidate her into getting out.
When Sheng Qianxue had the real thing pointed at her forehead, she compromised. "Fine, I'll get out. I'm getting out, okay?"
"Qianling, don't be afraid. He's putting me out of the car—I can still go report and bring people to save you. Actually this is a good thing." Sheng Qianling was about to cry, but Sheng Qianxue did something surprising—she actually gave her a comforting hug. She even forgot to cry. "Though you're annoying, seeing how unlucky you are, this miss will give you a comforting hug."
The instant Sheng Qianxue released Sheng Qianling, the latter felt a small object slip into her sleeve. At the same time, Sheng Qianxue quietly said two words to her: "Hide it." Hearing these two words, Sheng Qianling subconsciously pinched her sleeve to keep the thing from slipping out. If she guessed correctly, this was a phone. Earlier she'd seen Sheng Qianxue's bag light up but make no sound. The other's hand had been in her bag the whole time—could she have been making a call with the phone on silent?
Her heart pounded as she watched Sheng Qianxue get out of the car carrying her bag.
"Miss Qianxue, please take Miss Qianling's bag with you as well."
Sheng Qianxue looked at Sheng Qianling with some regret. "He's too smart. Knows phones can be tracked. This is cutting off your rescue path. Qianling, you're so unlucky."
Sheng Qianling didn't know whether to cry or laugh. Even at this time, she was still being mocked. She could only silently watch her bag being taken by Sheng Qianxue. She tightly pinched her sleeve, pressing her lips together. This was her life-saving tool.
"Xiao Zhang, I really want to beat you to death." Sheng Qianxue looked at Xiao Zhang holding the real thing and pointed at him cursing. "Don't let me see you in the future. I'll beat you every time I see you."
Xiao Zhang didn't care at all. "Miss Qianxue, bye-bye."
"Miss Qianling, sit tight. Now we're going to the real destination." He looked at Sheng Qianling with her red eyes, slightly regretful. "You've had good luck all these years. Time to be unlucky. As the saying goes, if you come out to mix, sooner or later you have to pay back. Miss Qianling, just consider these years of good fortune ending. Think it through."
"Can't think it through." Sheng Qianling watched the increasingly distant Sheng Qianxue waving goodbye to her, tears suddenly flowing out. "Why are you doing this?"
"That's right, that's the reaction you should have. When encountering danger, cry, pale face, showing fear—that's you. Just now when you were especially calm, I was even worried whether Miss Qianxue had some backup plan. Now it seems bringing her along really wasn't a wise move. Should have thrown her out earlier."
"Why are you doing this, Xiao Zhang? The Sheng family hasn't wronged you."
"Men die for wealth, birds die for food." Xiao Zhang drove in a very good mood. "This is all nonsense. Miss Qianling might as well rest. Next, I don't know what you'll face." Because Sheng Qianxue was thrown out, Xiao Zhang felt relaxed. Before he'd felt somewhat uneasy—sure enough, this unease was about Sheng Qianxue. Now talking with Sheng Qianling, he was especially relaxed. With his knowledge of Sheng Qianling, the other had no way to escape.
Once he brought her before those people, he could successfully withdraw and go abroad to enjoy wonderful times.
Sheng Qianxue pulled out Sheng Qianling's phone from her bag. Because the phone couldn't be unlocked, she was about to dial emergency services when a car sped before her and stopped. It blew a whole cloud of car exhaust on her. She frustratedly patted her flying hair, really wanting to curse. But seeing the person who opened the car door and got out, her eyes brightened. She forcibly held back the cursing words and quickly ran before A-Xin, without a word hugging the person.
Actually she was scared. Being taken to an unfamiliar place, not knowing what was happening or what dangers she'd face—how could she not be nervous? Fortunately Sheng Qianling was beside her. To keep her young miss persona from collapsing, she desperately maintained a calm face. Actually inside she was panicking like crazy. Seeing Sheng Qianling's admiring look—you're so amazing, so impressive—her heart was really both panicked and pleased.
Now thrown out of the car, she was temporarily safe. Seeing A-Xin appear, that tightly wound string inside her suddenly loosened. Her back was covered in cold sweat. Her already fierce heartbeat was pounding so hard her heart nearly jumped out.
"Shorty, I was scared to death." Sheng Qianxue had no intention of releasing A-Xin, hugging tighter and tighter. "I was really scared just now. He actually pointed a gun at me—the same model we encountered abroad before. I recognized it. Almost scared myself to pee. Seeing that thing, I was even annoyed—why did I have such broad experience? If I hadn't seen that gun model before, I might have thought it was a toy."
A-Xin gently patted Sheng Qianxue's back. She could feel the other's fear. Sheng Qianxue said triumphantly, "Shorty, I knew it. When I called you without speaking, you'd definitely discover something happened to me and definitely come find me." Because Shorty had secretly loved her for many years. For someone you secretly love, you'd definitely pay close attention and know her habits.
"How can you be so sure?" A-Xin asked close to her ear.
Hearing this question, Sheng Qianxue's heart beat even faster. "Shorty, I really can't hold it in anymore."
"Hm?" A-Xin was puzzled. Can't hold in what?
Sheng Qianxue released A-Xin. A pair of beautiful eyes looked straight into A-Xin's eyes, saying resentfully, "You blockhead, exactly how many years do you want to make this miss wait?"
"Forget it. This miss will make an exception for you just this once. Just once."
The only time.
Sheng Qianxue grasped A-Xin's hands. "Shorty, after I finish these few sentences, we'll go save Sheng Qianling. Anyway, I gave her my phone—we can track it. The phone is on silent. If she can't hide it well, she's too stupid."
Eavesdropping driver Xiao Liu: "..." He felt something wasn't quite right.
"What do you want to say, Qianxue?" A-Xin opened her phone with one hand. Sure enough, she saw Sheng Qianxue's phone position still moving. She pulled Sheng Qianxue into the car. "Then let's talk while we go."
Sheng Qianxue pulled into the car: "..."
"You're right, get in and talk. Sheng Qianling is still in danger." Sheng Qianxue quickly got in the car. A-Xin handed the phone to Xiao Liu. "Follow the position on here and drive in that direction."
Xiao Liu had already heard A-Xin's phone call earlier, so he knew this was Sheng Qianling's position. He didn't immediately drive but asked, "Miss Ye, should we really drive there?" He thought two girls going there would be useless. Better to go back and wait for news, especially with the very important eldest Miss Sheng here.
"Drive." A-Xin said.
Xiao Liu still hesitated. At this moment Sheng Qianxue couldn't hold back. "Xiao Liu, do as Shorty says. Don't drive and your wages get docked. Drive and you get double this month."
"Okay, Miss Qianxue. I'll drive right away." He was poor. Compared to docked wages, double wages was naturally more tempting.
Sheng Qianxue's cheeks were red as she looked at A-Xin. "Can I say it now?"
"Mm."
Seeing A-Xin's calm appearance, Sheng Qianxue ground her teeth in anger.
Really infuriating, Shorty, forcing this miss to break character.
Because of everything she'd just experienced, she didn't want to wait anymore. She didn't know on life's path how many more times like before there'd be, whether each time the other would throw her out. This world didn't have that much good luck. She'd determined her own heart very early. Because of face, her young miss persona, and because she really wanted Shorty to confess to her, she'd waited until today.
Now she wasn't waiting anymore.
She first hugged A-Xin's waist, brought her mouth to A-Xin's ear, and said vaguely, "Shorty, I like you." For a long time now. You who secretly love this miss—why don't you confess? Are you just waiting for this miss's persona to collapse?
"What did you say, Qianxue? I didn't hear clearly."
"You..." Sheng Qianxue's face was bright red, looking angrily at A-Xin. "You actually weren't listening seriously to me?"
"Qianxue, can you say it again?" In her fury, Sheng Qianxue didn't see the smile in A-Xin's eyes different from before, and the love gradually emerging in those eyes. Hands pinching A-Xin's waist, she said through gritted teeth, "I like you. Did you hear?"
"I heard." A-Xin's voice sounded softly. Her hands embraced Sheng Qianxue's waist. Those eyes full of love looked straight at Sheng Qianxue. The angry Sheng Qianxue also became somewhat dazed from crashing into those eyes. Such a gaze—she'd never seen it in A-Xin's eyes before. So Shorty hid it so deep. Liking her this much yet able to hide it, hiding for so many years.
"What else?" Sheng Qianxue reacted. She'd confessed twice—was the other just going to dismiss her with one "I heard"?
This wasn't fair!
A-Xin's eyes were full of smiles. That sentence "I like you" finally made her understand—she also had very deep love for this soul. Seeing Sheng Qianxue's embarrassed and angry appearance, she didn't plan to tease her anymore. Thinking of the other's strange behavior these years—so she'd been waiting for her confession?
"Qianxue, I like you." She said.
Originally somewhat aggrieved, Sheng Qianxue suddenly laughed aloud. "Really?"
"Really?" She quickly asked a second time.
"Really."
Sheng Qianxue continued asking, beautiful eyes looking at A-Xin. "Then be honest—how long have you liked me?"
"A long, long time." A-Xin could only answer this way. How long she'd liked this soul—she really couldn't count clearly. Each time she slept, it was countless years. She didn't know when she'd started liking this soul. Her memories would only recall her affection when the other expressed feelings to her. As for complete memories, she didn't know when they'd recover. She could slowly wait—wait for the day she fully remembered, what kind of connection they had between them.
Sheng Qianxue got a satisfactory answer. The "long, long time" she thought of was from her high school days. She didn't know the "long, long time" A-Xin spoke of was an uncountable long, long time ago.
"Say again that you like me."
Shorty confessing to her—really pleasing to the eye.
A-Xin satisfied her. "I like you."
Driver Xiao Liu: "..." Shouldn't have heard, shouldn't have heard. What to do now? He could barely grip the steering wheel. President Sheng, Xiao Liu truly had no knowledge of this at all. You found the study companion yourself—doesn't blame Xiao Liu. Xiao Liu's hard of hearing, really didn't hear clearly, not deliberately concealing.
Sheng Qianxue was satisfied. She pushed A-Xin away, her expression returning to normal, and said to Xiao Liu, "Is the position still moving?"
"Yes, Miss Qianxue."
"Then keep up. Hope she can hide it well."
Then she took A-Xin's arm. "Who do you think is doing this?" Thinking today was when her dad was announcing stock allocation, could it be because of this? But why only target Sheng Qianling? If it was really for Sheng family shares, it should be her and Sheng Qianling together. She thought of Jiang Yanxi. Combined with the Jiang family situation, she uncertainly asked, "Could it be Jiang Yanxi?"
"How could it be him?" A-Xin asked back. "Currently besides Uncle Sheng, no one knows how he's allocating shares. From outsiders' perspective, Uncle Sheng would definitely allocate some shares to Sheng Qianling, right?"
Sheng Qianxue pouted. "Given my dad's personality, he really would give her some. Forget it, I don't care about those. The things under his name—he has allocation rights."
"For Jiang Yanxi, he'd love for Sheng Qianling to get shares. How could he kidnap her at this critical moment? Though Jiang Yanxi has many schemes, his affection for Sheng Qianling is also real."
Sheng Qianxue nodded. "I agree with that. I chatted with her." Jiang Yanxi truly sincerely liked Sheng Qianling. Hearing about their dating experience, she wanted to immediately transform into a lemon spirit and sour them to death. Thinking she'd just confirmed her own relationship, her heart felt sweet. She could transform into a honey nest and sweeten them to death.
"Then who is it?" Sheng Qianxue suddenly remembered those bizarre Jiang-surnamed people she'd met recently. "Could it be them? The Jiang family illegitimate children—if anyone doesn't want Sheng Qianling to have shares, it could only be those people. They're currently united against Jiang Yanxi. Really very possible."
"Shorty, give me your phone. I'll contact Jiang Yanxiu. She's close to those illegitimate children. I'll ask if she's related to this. Hope she hasn't gone down the wrong path."
Calling Jiang Yanxiu, Sheng Qianxue directly asked, "Jiang Yanxiu, have you been planning to do anything bad recently?"
"Sheng Qianxue, though I, Jiang Yanxiu, am rather promiscuous, I'm absolutely a law-abiding citizen. Who'd do bad things for no reason? I'm the Jiang family miss. Doing bad things—don't I want to live well anymore?"
"You haven't done anything bad? Today I was nearly kidnapped, but the other party threw me out midway. The target is Sheng Qianling. You're sure it's not you?"
"Only ghosts would do something so brain-dead. I must have eaten too much to kidnap you." Jiang Yanxiu couldn't help cursing. "Wait, what did you say? You were kidnapped and the other targeted Sheng Qianling?"
"Yes, you thought of..." Before Sheng Qianxue could finish asking, the phone was hung up. She looked at A-Xin. "Shouldn't be her. But she might know something."
Jiang Yanxiu hung up and dialed another number, her voice cold. "Did you kidnap Sheng Qianling?"
"Huh, how'd you know? Did the Sheng family call the police?"
"You idiots, what are you doing?" Jiang Yanxiu frustratedly slapped her head. No wonder these idiots combined weren't Jiang Yanxi's match. Sure enough, stupid to death.
"Of course throwing Sheng Qianling into the sea to feed the fish. Once she disappears, Jiang Yanxi has no way to get Sheng family support. Today is the day Sheng Wenbo allocates shares. Once she gets shares, won't Jiang Yanxi be invincible?"
"You..."
"Okay, no time to talk more. We're going to do the deed."
The phone was hung up. Jiang Yanxiu angrily smashed her phone, cursing loudly, "Idiots, idiots!"
"Damn, really a bunch of idiots!"
So infuriating.