Chapter 196: Sudden Change

I was caught off guard by Xiao Huan’s words for a moment. After all, I wasn’t some veteran of the romantic scene with all sorts of ways to respond. On the contrary, my experience in love was practically that of a novice; aside from my very first relationship with Su Xueyan, there had been nothing else. Although it seemed that several girls liked me, none had actually tried to develop a relationship with me. So, when it came to how to reply to these words, I was truly at a loss.

Xiao Huan continued, saying to me, "Brother Yang Yun, I know you might have someone you like, but I just like you. No matter what, I like you!"

Faced with this confession from Xiao Huan, I actually felt my heart soften, and I wanted to stay and comfort her. But people were waiting for me to return. I hadn’t appeared for so many days; they must be worried sick. They might even think I was dead, as very few people could survive falling into the moat.

I stammered, trying to say something to Xiao Huan, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. However, thinking of the many things I still had to do and the many grudges I had yet to settle, I gritted my teeth and said to her, "Xiao Huan, I’m sorry, I really..."

Before I could finish, Xiao Huan interrupted me directly, saying, "I don’t want to listen, I don’t want to listen!"

Seeing Xiao Huan’s frantic state, I knew she had mostly guessed what I was going to say and knew I was leaving. While I felt a bit sad about her reaction, there was no help for it. After all, I couldn't really do anything with Xiao Huan. She was still so young and probably didn't understand anything, while I was different; I couldn't harm her.

Then, Xiao Huan cried and hugged me, saying, "I don’t want Brother Yang Yun to leave, I don’t want to!"

Hearing Xiao Huan’s desperate crying, I felt terrible inside, so I spoke up to comfort her: "Xiao Huan, don’t be sad. This is your home, and everyone takes very good care of you. I believe you will live very well here in the future. Brother Yang Yun still has things to do, so..."

"No, that’s not it. This isn't my home at all. Only the place where Brother Yang Yun is can be my home. They are all just afraid of me; no one truly cares about me. I live here every day on pins and needles, afraid, terrified that I might die one day. I don’t want to live this kind of life. If I had known that coming out would be like this, I would rather have stayed hidden in the mountains and died with my grandfather!"

"Xiao Huan, don’t be anxious. You are still young; you might just be acting on impulse. Perhaps in a few years, you won’t like me anymore. In a few years, you will understand the true meaning of love!"

"No, I understand, I understand. I’m not young anymore; I’ve always known what I’m doing. If you are going to leave, take me with you. I cannot be separated from Brother Yang Yun!"

I was speechless regarding Xiao Huan. This girl was truly impossible to reason with, and I couldn't be harsh with her. Even if I were, it probably wouldn't work; she looked so pitiful.

I didn't answer her, which meant I didn't want to take her with me. I believed that with Xiao Huan’s understanding, she would grasp that.

The whole night passed in silence. Xiao Huan didn't say a single word to me. I knew she was sulking, but I didn't say anything more about it. I believed she would understand in the future. The next day, I prepared to leave home early. I had been in this place for so long; it was time to prepare to go back.

Just as I was about to leave, someone suddenly rushed in and said to me, "It’s bad, it’s bad!"

"What happened?" I looked at the person who had rushed in in a panic, feeling a bit worried. Just as I was about to leave, could something still go wrong? Hadn't all those matters regarding the Zheng family already been resolved?

"It’s bad, the Young Lady has been kidnapped!" the person who arrived shouted anxiously.

Hearing this, I was shocked. Then, I said in disbelief, "What did you say? Xiao Huan was kidnapped? Who did it? When?"

"I don’t know. The nanny who was cleaning the room said so. As for when she was taken, it’s unclear. She only left this!" After speaking, the person handed me a note. I looked at it and found some words written on it: "If you don't want the eldest young lady of the Zheng family to die, come alone!"

This was clearly written for me. I quickly ran to Xiao Huan’s room and found that she was already gone. There were no signs of a struggle in the room, and I hadn't heard any commotion last night. I felt very self-reproachful. Because the matters regarding Zheng Hong and Zheng Han had been resolved, I hadn't strengthened the security and had let my guard down. I didn't expect a kidnapper to appear at this time.

However, since the other party had kidnapped her, they must have a purpose, and they would definitely contact me.

Sure enough, not long after, my phone rang, and the number calling was Xiao Huan’s. I knew, of course, that it wasn't Xiao Huan; it was obviously the kidnapper.

I took a nervous, deep breath and answered the phone.

"Yang Yun, guess who I am?"

Hearing this voice, I was filled with disbelief. This person was none other than Zheng Han of the Zheng family. Yesterday, this guy had clearly been sent to the authorities, yet today he had come out. It was clear that this guy wanted to use Zheng Huan to threaten me. But I wasn't a member of the Zheng family; what was the point of threatening me? He wanted the Zheng family’s assets, but I couldn't decide the fate of those assets.

"Zheng Han, you actually got out?"

"Heh, Yang Yun, the reason I am like this is all thanks to you. If you hadn't insisted on meddling in our Zheng family’s affairs, the Zheng family would have been in my hands long ago. This is all because of you!"

"What exactly do you want? If you have a problem, come at me. Let Xiao Huan go first!"

"You are very nervous about this little bastard, aren't you? Fine, come over alone tonight. If you dare to tell anyone else, then I can't guarantee that this little bastard will live!"

"Wait a minute, I want to hear Xiao Huan’s voice!"

"Do you think you are qualified to negotiate with me right now?"

"Do you take me for a fool? If I don't hear Xiao Huan’s voice, I won't come!"

"Then that’s up to you. Anyway, I’ve already told you. If you don't come, I’ll just kill the hostage. I’ve already gotten what I wanted anyway, it doesn't matter!"

After speaking, the other party hung up the phone directly. When I called back, it was already unreachable. Honestly, I really didn't dare not to go, because without getting definite news about Xiao Huan, I could only believe she was in his hands, as I couldn't afford to gamble. And what he said just now—that he had already gotten what he wanted—what did that mean? Was he talking about the Zheng family’s industry? Could it be that he had already obtained the Zheng family’s assets? How could that be possible?