Chapter 123: Compromise? Yu City

I grabbed Wang Yazhuo and the little girl by the hands and dashed toward the ticket gate. Looking back, I saw the men freeze in shock for a split second before shoving through the crowd to pursue us. Fortunately, we were faster. Once we cleared the gate, we sprinted onto the platform.

The train was already preparing to depart. I hoisted the little girl aboard, then grabbed Wang Yazhuo’s hand and pulled her up as well. It wasn't until the doors hissed shut and the train began to glide forward that we finally breathed a sigh of relief. Wang Yazhuo and the little girl were delighted; Wang Yazhuo picked the child up, and the little one nestled her head against Wang Yazhuo’s chest with great affection.

Wang Yazhuo’s tears had turned into a smile. She looked at me, saying nothing, simply beaming. I had to admit, she looked even more beautiful when she smiled. Though she was happy, I grew anxious. I couldn't understand why I had suddenly acted on impulse and brought her along.

But it was done, and there was no turning back. I immediately called Luo Feng. As expected, the background was chaotic. Luo Feng asked in disbelief what the hell I was doing, explaining that after Wang Jianming received the news, he had flown into a rage. Both sides had drawn their guns; had it not been for a shred of sanity remaining in Wang Jianming, a shootout would have already erupted.

I sighed. "The plan has changed, and I’ve caused you trouble. Put Wang Jianming on the phone; I need to speak with him directly."

My mind was a mess. When Wang Jianming took the phone, his roar nearly shattered my eardrum. I hesitated, unsure of what to say. At that moment, Wang Yazhuo gestured for me to hand her the phone. I had no choice but to comply.

She took the phone and walked to a secluded part of the carriage, preventing me from following. I had no idea what she said to him. I waited patiently, prepared for the worst—that I would have to reveal that we knew his plans, using the fact that he was running out of time to force him into a stalemate.

It was a risky leverage; it might keep him in check until his plan was complete, but by taking Wang Yazhuo, I had burned my bridges. Once Wang Jianming no longer needed Luo Feng and decided to get rid of him, he might not dare to kill him outright, but he would certainly make life miserable for him. Luo Feng would have to fend off both the police and Wang Jianming, and he would likely be unable to stay in Beijing. Furthermore, Wang Jianming feared Luo Feng, not me; just because he wouldn't kill Luo Feng didn't mean he wouldn't come after me.

"Brother Fang Han, did I cause trouble again?" the little girl asked, tugging at my trousers.

She looked up with a childlike sense of guilt. At this point, blaming her was useless; I could only blame myself for not considering her presence when I told Luo Feng I would return Wang Yazhuo. I sighed, gently ruffled her hair, and told her everything was fine.

Wang Yazhuo spent over ten minutes on the phone with Wang Jianming. Soon, the train would enter a tunnel, and the signal would be lost. I worried about Luo Feng; there was no guarantee that Wang Jianming wouldn't lose his temper and take action regardless.

Just as my anxiety peaked, Wang Yazhuo returned and handed me the phone, saying Wang Jianming wanted a word. I held it to my ear, and to my surprise, the rage was gone from his voice.

"Fang Han, if anything happens to Yazhuo, I will tear you limb from limb."

I could hardly believe my ears; it seemed he had compromised. I didn't answer, so he repeated, "Do you understand?"

I regained my composure. "Master Ming, I’m curious why your attitude has shifted so quickly."

Wang Jianming’s voice was cold. "Don’t ask so many questions. Yazhuo can stay by your side for now, but if you dare to do anything to her or put her in danger, don't expect to remain in this world." He paused. "Furthermore, you had better pray that Luo Feng helps me finish our collaboration. Otherwise..."

He hung up without finishing the sentence. Despite my lingering doubts, I knew he had truly compromised, at least until his plans were realized. We stood up, and Wang Yazhuo, still holding the little girl, found our seats.

Wang Yazhuo had bought her ticket from someone else and had even traded seats to sit with us. Throughout the journey, she and the little girl played and chatted, both of them incredibly happy. I didn't ask, and she didn't seem inclined to tell me what she had said to her father.

I knew his change of heart had to be because of her. After a long while, I couldn't help myself and asked what had happened. Wang Yazhuo just smiled. "Why ask so much? Isn't it better that everything is fine?"

She had no intention of telling me, seemingly afraid that I might abandon her again. She pointedly remarked that as long as she was safe, Wang Jianming would not move against us. The implication was clear: if I left her behind, she would be in danger, and then no one could protect us.

She looked at me for a moment and chuckled. "Fang Han, is this your first time kidnapping someone? It’s so cold out, yet your head is covered in sweat."

I reflexively wiped my forehead; indeed, I was sweating. It was impossible not to be nervous, as this concerned not only my safety but also Luo Feng’s survival. I took a deep breath and stopped talking to her, though she kept trying to strike up conversations.

Most of what she said went in one ear and out the other, but one thing she said was true: having her with us wasn't entirely without benefit. She claimed that if she ever encountered the arsonist from back then, she would recognize him immediately. That was the only silver lining I could find.

Though Wang Jianming had compromised, he was clearly unhappy about it. He might not act against us for now, but he would certainly have us followed, waiting for the right opportunity to snatch her back. Even though Chongqing and Beijing were over a thousand kilometers apart, with his resources, his eyes were likely everywhere.

My unease grew. The warnings from Xiaomei and the anonymous source echoed in my mind; the trip to Chongqing would likely be fraught with danger.

Having gone without rest for too long, I slept for a great deal of the train ride. Finally, after two days, the journey ended. It was Wang Yazhuo’s first time traveling so far, and she was exhausted by the time we disembarked.

It often rains in Chongqing, and a heavy downpour greeted us. We found a large hotel near the station and checked in. I had received a significant sum of money from Zhou Sheng’s father; he was a man of his word and had transferred the funds the day after I solved the case for him. I didn't hold back; this was my first time having my own substantial capital, independent of Luo Feng, and I knew I would need it.

Compared to a cheap guesthouse, a hotel was much safer. Wang Yazhuo’s room was right next to mine. That night, after she showered, she knocked on my door and entered. She asked what my plans were in Chongqing and where we would go.

I gave her a cold look. "I have business here. I agreed to let you follow me, but you are not to cause any trouble."

I didn't trust her temperament at all. When she asked what my business was, a single icy glare from me made her shut her mouth. As she left, she grumbled that I was the first person besides Wang Jianming who dared to speak to her like that.

After she left, the little girl lay down beside me and murmured, "Brother Fang Han, don’t be so mean to Sister Yazhuo. She’s a good person."

I shook my head helplessly. Then, the little girl said something that left me speechless: "Can we call Sister Yazhuo over to sleep? I want to sleep with both of you."