Chapter 58: An Unexpected Incident

Yuan Xiaoying and Liu Jingye thus established a romantic relationship. Though brief, it was more dazzling than many people's lifetime experiences.

This was Liu Jingye's first time falling in love. The overwhelming happiness swept him up like a tidal wave, leaving him somewhat bewildered. He clung to his girlfriend like a little boy, always asking for kisses.

No sooner had Yuan Xiaoying left than he began to miss her. At the same time, Wei Xiaorou’s beautiful yet sorrowful face suddenly floated before his eyes.

“I wonder how she’s doing?” Liu Jingye murmured to himself. “She should be living in a new city with her parents now, probably never returning to the city that brought her so much fear and danger.”

Though he and Yuan Xiaoying had become physically intimate, neither had made any promises. It felt like a transaction—money handed over, goods received, and nothing left owed.

“Ha, thinking about all this won’t help. Let things take their course.” Liu Jingye dispelled the chaotic thoughts in his mind, took a drag on his cigarette, and started watching TV.

The television station broadcasted Huang Xing’s photo, calling on citizens to stay alert and provide any clues.

Liu Jingye truly felt a bit uneasy. Organizations like the Imperial Tide, with years of experience, surely had their own methods for survival. Not long ago, Huang Xing had even hired assassins to target Wei Xiaorou; who knows, perhaps he now had experts protecting him.

“Yuan Xiaoying, that silly girl, loves acting tough. She knows Huang Xing well, so she’ll definitely be at the forefront.” The more Liu Jingye thought about it, the more uneasy he became. Rather than sitting at home waiting, he might as well go out and search; perhaps he could find Huang Xing before anyone else.

Just as he stood up, his phone suddenly rang. It was his second aunt calling. He immediately remembered what his father had said—he’d already asked his second aunt to introduce him to someone, and a candidate had been found; they were arranging a time to meet.

“Hello, Second Aunt,” Liu Jingye answered the phone warmly.

“You brat, don’t try that with me.” His second aunt’s temper was remarkably similar to his father’s. “The girl I’ve found for you this time is top-notch. You’re not allowed to nitpick anymore.”

Liu Jingye wiped the cold sweat from his brow and hurriedly agreed.

“You don’t need to humor me,” his second aunt continued. “Let me tell you, this girl is truly rare—she’s skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, a master of every instrument, and versed in poetry and literature…”

“Sounds like the top courtesan from an old brothel,” Liu Jingye muttered.

“What did you say?” His second aunt was about to explode, so Liu Jingye quickly interrupted. She went on, “You’re the only heir of our Liu family. We’re counting on you to carry on the lineage, so take this seriously. The girl is quite busy lately. I’ve already given her your phone number and photo, so if she contacts you, the rest is up to you. I have other matters to attend to. Take care.”

His second aunt finished in a whirlwind and hung up, leaving Liu Jingye utterly confused. She had given his information to the girl, but he knew nothing about her.

What kind of woman could be so accomplished—versed in every art, every skill, every craft? It really did sound like a madam introducing a star courtesan.

In truth, the girls in ancient brothels had higher standards. Modern girls don’t pay much attention to temperament or skill, relying solely on their natural assets, supplemented by a few simple tricks.

Liu Jingye tidied himself up and took his old companion out, hoping to find Huang Xing ahead of the others, feeling like a hunter stalking his prey in the city.

He hadn’t walked far when his phone rang again, this time from an unfamiliar number. Liu Jingye wondered, “Could it be the girl from the match calling?”

He wasn’t interested in blind dates but wanted to do right by his second aunt. He answered the call, and a sweet female voice greeted him, “Hello, sir. Are you the owner of this number?”

“Hmm, the voice is pleasant—soft and melodious, sweet in tone.” Liu Jingye smiled and replied, “Yes, that’s me.”

“Oh, hello. We’re from XXX Company, conducting a market survey. May we take a few minutes of your time to ask some questions?” The caller spoke gently.

Liu Jingye immediately frowned. Such calls usually aim to steal personal information, but he worried that it might be the match girl, disguising her inquiry to avoid embarrassment.

He agreed, and the caller promptly asked, “May I ask your surname?”

Liu Jingye smiled lightly, “My surname is Fu.”

“And your given name?”

“Just one character—Qin. As in ‘bestowed.’”

“Oh, Mr. Fu Qin, hello, I…” The caller suddenly stalled, then swore, “You got me!” and hung up.

Liu Jingye headed out, walking aimlessly while analyzing possible escape routes for Huang Xing.

“The police have officially issued a warrant. His photo is broadcasted through TV and the internet—everyone knows him now. It’s impossible for him to escape openly,” Liu Jingye thought. “The docks and boats controlled by their organization have all been seized by the police. Even if there are other smugglers, they wouldn’t dare help him in these circumstances.”

So his only option is to hide, to lay low incognito. The most dangerous place is the safest. Maybe he’ll disguise himself and slip away.

But even knowing his likely methods, in a sea of people, where would one look?

Liu Jingye suddenly felt a sense of helplessness, wandering aimlessly until he unknowingly entered the city center. It was the morning rush hour, with cars and people bustling everywhere.

Suddenly, Liu Jingye stopped in his tracks. Ever since entering the city, he felt as though someone was following him. He looked around but found nothing suspicious.

Liu Jingye trusted his instincts. But he sensed no hostility or danger, so he paid it little mind.

At that moment, sharp, piercing car horns blared incessantly from the busy street. Honking was prohibited here.

He turned to see a seven or eight-year-old boy sprinting across the road, running against traffic in the vehicle lane. An approaching car wasn’t moving fast, but the boy appeared suddenly. The driver slammed the brakes, but momentum carried the car forward.

The car was about to hit the boy, who was oblivious, still running desperately.

The driver was terrified, and the pedestrians nearby were stunned.

In the nick of time, Liu Jingye let out a low growl as all his strength surged forth. Like a bolt of lightning, he rushed forward at incredible speed.

In an instant, he reached the boy, dove forward, sliding parallel to the ground, scooping the child into his arms with one hand while propelling himself off the pavement with the other. With a graceful side flip, he narrowly avoided the car.

But just then, another car barreled straight toward them from behind—faster this time, as the driver couldn’t see what was happening ahead.

Liu Jingye, holding the boy, had barely steadied himself when the second car approached rapidly. Without panic, he pushed off with his legs, leaping into the air.

He soared over the car’s hood, landing on the bonnet, then rolled smoothly onto the windshield.

The car surged forward, Liu Jingye’s body rolled backward, dissipating the force of the impact. Still holding the child, he rolled onto the roof, then off the rear trunk, landing steadily on the ground, unscathed.

His entire movement flowed like water, completed in one seamless motion, defeating both time and death.

He carried the child to the roadside, and the tense crowd erupted into applause. In a nearby alley, a camera lens flashed furiously.

Liu Jingye released the little boy, who was so frightened he’d wet his pants. Liu Jingye smiled wryly, “It’s all right now. Remember, don’t run around in the future.”

As Liu Jingye stood to leave, the boy suddenly grabbed his hand and burst into tears. Liu Jingye thought the child was just scared and comforted him, “All right, you’re a brave boy. Don’t cry. Are you heading to school or home to find your parents?”

The child kept crying, drawing the attention of a nearby traffic officer, who ran over. Liu Jingye said, “Look, the policeman is here.”

The boy immediately cried out, “Officer, my classmates have been kidnapped!”

Liu Jingye smiled helplessly, about to explain that he wasn’t a policeman, but then stopped, staring at the child’s panicked face. He hurriedly asked, “What did you say? Kidnapped?”

The boy nodded, wiping away tears. “I slipped off the school bus because I needed the restroom. The bus drove away, but my classmates told me that an uncle in a baseball cap got on the bus, carrying a gun, and he was really mean. Xiao Hua was so scared she cried.”

“How do you know this?” Liu Jingye didn’t believe the child would lie, especially when it involved his beloved Xiao Hua, but it still sounded exaggerated.

The boy took out a toy walkie-talkie from his pocket—only effective at close range, meant for children, but now it was proving useful.

Liu Jingye took the walkie-talkie and motioned for the boy to ask about their situation. The boy spoke quietly, “Xiao Ming, Xiao Ming, how are you all?”

A faint voice replied, “We’re still safe. The bad guy is sitting in the middle aisle smoking, but the bus isn’t heading for the school. I recognize this road—it goes to the zoo. My parents brought me here before. Xiao Qiang, hurry and call the police.”

“What does the person on the bus look like?” Liu Jingye asked, “I’m a police officer.”

Xiao Ming immediately replied, “Officer, please save us! The bad guy is wearing a baseball cap, has a big, bushy beard, and is smoking cigars—so strong it’s choking us.”

“Cigars?” Liu Jingye was taken aback. Would a kidnapper smoke cigars? He quickly asked, “How many of them are there?”

“Just the one bad guy,” Xiao Ming confirmed.

But Liu Jingye felt that couldn’t be right. If there was only one, why would he sit in the aisle smoking rather than hold the driver hostage?

There was only one possibility—the driver was his accomplice.

A cigar-smoking, bearded man; a school bus driver who let a stranger on board. Hmph, Huang Xing, is it really you? To escape, you’d even lay hands on children—you must be tired of living!