Ambushing Cosmog from the Start
Chapter 42

Chapter 42: The Li Family’s Downfall

When Chen Nian agreed to her request, Nan Xiyue was overjoyed.

She affectionately wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a warm embrace, and gently ruffled his hair.

“You really are my sweet boy, Nian,” she said happily. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of these little ones.”

“By the way, have you and Qinli eaten yet? Let me cook something for you—”

“No need, Auntie,” Chen Nian interrupted. “We already ate outside.”

Before he could finish, his phone rang.

He pulled it out—Jiang Shuying was calling.

As soon as he answered, her voice came through, soft and sweet.

“Chen Nian, where are you? I miss you…”

Huh? A girl’s voice? And she sounds young?

Nan Qinli’s ears perked up like an alert little rabbit.

But before she could eavesdrop further, Nan Xiyue tapped her head lightly.

“Your brother’s on a call. Don’t snoop.”

“Mom… Brother Chen Nian isn’t an outsider! He wouldn’t hide anything from me!” Qinli pouted.

Meanwhile, Chen Nian had already ended the call.

……

“Qinli, Auntie, I need to meet a classmate for something. I’ll head out now. I’ll leave the two Cosmog here—they love to play around, so keep an eye on them.”

“Got it,” Nan Xiyue nodded. “Go ahead if you have business to handle.”

“Let me walk you out—”

“No need, Auntie. It’s not far.”

“Return, Dragonite. Return, Zoro—”

After recalling his two Pokémon, Chen Nian gave the Cosmog a few reminders.

Nan Qinli, however, followed him to the door, her curiosity bubbling over.

“Brother Chen Nian… was that a girl on the phone just now? Why is she calling you out so late?”

Seeing her adorable, jealous expression, Chen Nian couldn’t resist teasing her. He booped her nose and grinned.

“A guy and a girl meeting this late? Obviously, it’s a date. What else could it be?”

“Wha—?!”

Qinli’s reaction was instant—like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on.

“No! You can’t go!”

“Or—I’m coming with you!”

“I absolutely forbid you from dating another girl! Forbid it!”

“Qinli does not approve!”

Oops. Played myself.

Realizing he’d poked the hornet’s nest, Chen Nian quickly backtracked with an apologetic smile.

“Ah, Qinli, I was just joking! My classmate called me to discuss graduation paperwork. There’ll be a bunch of other people there—it’s not a date!”

“And… do you really not trust me? Would I ever sneak around behind your back?”

……

Only then did Qinli’s pout soften into a reluctant smile.

“Okay… I believe you, Brother Chen Nian!”

“But you have to be careful, okay? If it’s too late, you can stay at our place tonight. I’ll even prepare your bed for you!”

“We’ll see. If it’s late, I’ll just go home. Anyway, I’d better get going. Bye, Qinli!”

“Wait! You forgot something!”

Before he could leave, Qinli—clad in her fluffy bunny slippers—hurried after him.

She closed her eyes, her face tilted up expectantly.

Chen Nian chuckled and obliged, pressing a light kiss to her soft, fair cheek.

Satisfied, Qinli beamed and finally let him go.

“Okay! I’ll head back now!”

……

After leaving the neighborhood, Chen Nian hailed a taxi and headed straight to the café where Jiang Shuying was waiting.

There she stood at the entrance—wearing a stylish school uniform, black thigh-high socks, and polished leather shoes, her playful aura unmistakable.

The moment she spotted Chen Nian, she lit up and dashed over, looping her arm through his.

“Darling~ Did you miss me?”

“We just saw each other this morning. What’s there to miss?”

Shuying rolled her eyes at his typical “clueless guy” response but didn’t push it.

They settled into a private booth, and Chen Nian cut straight to the point.

“So, what’s the situation with your family? Do I need to step in?”

The moment he asked, Shuying’s expression turned strange.

“Chen Nian… something huge happened in our city.”

“Something huge?”

Her tone made him lean in. “What is it?”

“The Li family… was attacked by unknown assailants.”

“Every single one of their Pokémon was stolen. As for the people—the family head has vanished. The rest are either dead or critically injured. The only survivor is Li Shanhe, but he’s in the ICU right now. The doctors say… he might end up in a vegetative state.”

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