Song Qiao opened the car door and got out. Those people had already walked straight up to Chu Munan and respectfully called out, "Young Master Chu."

Song Qiao instantly understood, looking at those people, they should all be the individuals Chu Munan had contacted before, and they also knew him.

Chu Munan responded with a sound and then spoke, "Tonight, there’s something I need your help with. I assume your boss has already told you."

One of the men, who seemed to be the leader, stepped forward without any expression on his face—perhaps he’s just naturally serious—and said directly, "Ready to follow Young Master Chu’s orders."

...

Lu Jingchen only drove back to the villa after dropping Lu Tianming off at the Lu Family Mansion. However, upon returning to the villa, he didn’t see Song Qiao. The quilt in the bedroom was slightly disordered. He stood at the door, observing the quietness of the room and knitted his brows tightly. Then suddenly, as if realizing something, he swiftly turned and walked outside.

He took out the phone from his pocket and directly dialed Song Qiao’s number, but no one answered.

Immediately, the panic and fear began to spread from his heart, the man hurriedly descended the stairs, stepping out while continually trying Song Qiao’s phone number. But still, there was no answer.

Lu Jingchen felt a rush of panic; this time, he directly dialed his subordinate’s number, "Find out where Madam is right away."

The other party agreed promptly.

Not long after hanging up, Lu Jingchen received a text on his phone with a coordinate address.

Lu Jingchen placed his finger on the phone screen, enlarging the view, and as his gaze fell on the address, his brows furrowed.

West Suburb?

Why would Song Qiao be there?

Suddenly recalling the incident where his mother was kidnapped, it was clearly premeditated for a long time. He and Lu Tianming hadn’t yet received ransom calls, indicating that the other party’s motives weren’t simple.

If Song Qiao is not at home at this time but went to the West Suburb, Lu Jingchen immediately understood the target of all this was... Qiaoqiao.

Instantly panic arose in his heart; he was extremely worried Song Qiao might be in danger. He quickly hastened his steps outside, while repeatedly dialing Song Qiao’s phone.

Meanwhile, Song Qiao did not have her phone with her; it was left in the car.

The other party had just called her, requesting her to change the meeting location, which was still in the West Suburb, though not at the abandoned factory.

Chu Munan followed by Song Qiao’s side, directly walking towards an abandoned stadium not far away. It wasn’t very far from the abandoned factory, situated nearby, with some residential buildings around, but this area was bought a few years ago for development, which was still delayed for unknown reasons.

Song Qiao had clearly informed the other party that her timid nature would easily lead to a heart attack if she went out alone in the middle of the night, so she brought someone with her.

The opposing side, realizing it wasn’t Lu Jingchen, didn’t object. Clearly, they didn’t mind Chu Munan and were only wary of Lu Jingchen.

Those who were arranged for Chu Munan didn’t stick closely by them, but Song Qiao knew they were definitely nearby, secretly protecting them.

Chu Munan walked closely by Song Qiao’s side, his sharp gaze scanning around, and then he spoke to Song Qiao, "Qiaoqiao, remember, no matter what happens next, the first thing you need to do is protect yourself, got it?"

Song Qiao looked at the man beside her, feeling a sour sensation in her nose, suddenly wanting to cry.

Chu Munan has always been so good to her. She never thought her actions back then would lead a man to protect her like this.

This made her feel at a loss.

She actually understood very well that she and Chu Munan were fated without fortune.

Without nodding or responding, she bit her lip.

Chu Munan didn’t hear Song Qiao’s reply and turned to look at her, asking again, "Qiaoqiao, did you hear what I said?"

Their eyes met for a moment, Song Qiao immediately looked away, her tone a bit dull, "I heard."

She didn’t want Chu Munan to notice anything was off.

Perhaps because it’s too dark, Chu Munan didn’t notice her strangeness, asking in return, "Then what did I say?"

Song Qiao paused, then repeated what Chu Munan had just said, "Qiaoqiao, remember, no matter what happens next, the first thing you need to do is protect yourself, got it?"

Word for word.

Chu Munan, "..." There’s nothing wrong with that.

But why did he feel something odd when she repeated it?

Stopping in his tracks, Chu Munan directly grabbed Song Qiao’s arm, turning her to face him, cupping her face, their eyes meeting immediately.

"Qiaoqiao, you have to remember my words. If you encounter danger, protect yourself. You still have Huanhuan and Wangshu, and Lu Jingchen..."

"What about you?" Before Chu Munan finished, Song Qiao interrupted him, asking directly, her tone slightly emotional, questioning, "What about you? You want me to protect myself but do you intend to face danger? This whole thing is my issue, I didn’t want to involve you, Chu Munan... What about you? If there’s danger, do you plan to take it head-on?"

Will you protect yourself?

She didn’t ask this directly because from Chu Munan’s words, she had already inferred the complexity of the situation; the opposing party was undoubtedly formidable, the danger level uncertain, but it was definite that they would face danger soon.

Chu Munan paused, then said, "I will protect myself too, Qiaoqiao, don’t you have faith in my skills?"

Song Qiao, hearing his words, felt her nose getting more sour, fixed her gaze on him, then finally spoke in a muffled tone, "Chu Munan, you know that soon danger will come, I know if anything happens you’ll surely shield me. I’m not asking for much now, just hoping you won’t get hurt, can you promise me?"