Deliberately Approaching
Chapter 232: Fear of Thieves Lurking

Chapter 232: Chapter 232: Fear of Thieves Lurking

In an instant, Tang Mei swiftly extended her arms and embraced Tang Xiaowan, who was sprinting towards her.

Though she had practiced martial arts from a young age and was nimble, she was after all over sixty now, so under the fierce impact, she couldn’t help but take a small step back.

An elderly and a young one had finally met face to face.

Tang Xiaowan had imagined many different scenarios for reuniting with her grandmother, whether it be in secret passageways or a study room, but she had never thought it would be outside Mei Garden, and at such a distance.

As expected, Leng Lingxiao hadn’t lied to her, he kept his word, really accompanying her during the holidays to wait for her grandmother, only the time was earlier, and the place had changed.

Where they were now didn’t matter anymore!

In fact, as long as her grandmother was by her side, to Tang Xiaowan, anywhere could be Qing City Mei Garden, anywhere could also be their home.

"Have you eaten?" Tang Mei asked softly.

Her hand with protruding veins patted Tang Xiaowan’s back repeatedly, as if comforting a child, her eyes full of a mother’s doting indulgence.

Tang Xiaowan shook her head, her body twitching.

At this moment, her tears seemed to be connected to the ocean, streaming out non-stop, quickly wetting Tang Mei’s black printed cheongsam.

"Alright, alright, stop crying."

"Grandma, can you please not leave Tangtang behind again? Can you bring Tangtang with you wherever you go, please?"

Her voice was not loud, but it was mixed with intermittent sobs, and even if Tang Mei had a heart of stone, at this moment, her heart ached terribly.

She didn’t want to treat Tang Xiaowan like this either, but many things were beyond her control.

"Grandma, please?"

Being beseeched again, Tang Mei smiled.

"Alright, good girl, stop crying now."

"So will you slip away again this time, will you leave me behind again?"

"No, never again, I had something to deal with suddenly last week, and I had to take care of it, but it won’t happen again, I promise."

Tang Mei’s words, whether Tang Xiaowan believed them or not, she just kept on crying.

At times nodding, at times biting her lip.

In front of her own grandmother, she was no longer an adult, but a child starved for love.

In the distance, Leng Lingxiao leaned against the car, slowly pulling out a brass lighter. In the flip of a moment, the words "Tangtang" brightly reflected the light.

"Tangtang, I love you."

This sentence, he wasn’t sure how many times he had practiced it, each time just a bit off.

He loved Tang Xiaowan, a love that could give up everything, as long as she was willing to marry him, it wouldn’t be a problem to go to the corners of the world.

"What kind of proposal would be worthy of you?"

Without realizing it, Leng Lingxiao’s mouth curved into a smile, as he began to fidget with the brass lighter in his hand.

He didn’t want to be a third wheel at the pavilion, disturbing Tang Xiaowan and Tang Mei, knowing Tang Xiaowan must have many, many things to tell Tang Mei.

The child starved for love had finally found home.

...

Jin City, Jinyuan Academy.

At this moment, inside building 29, Wang Meijuan, Granny Yu, and Cheng Shi were discussing a white cell phone on the dining table.

It was given away for free with a broadband installation, and had only one number saved, with the contact name "Old Fox."

Who was the Old Fox?

It was the nickname Tang Xiaowan had given to Li Zishen, thinking that he was too inscrutable, always difficult to read, and what was key, he was full of tricks, repeatedly disrupting her plans.

Therefore, when that globally customized edition phone was tossed into the Lotus Pond by Leng Lingxiao, this giveaway phone became Li Zishen’s personal hotline.

"Let’s just answer it," urged Cheng Shi, feeling that this couldn’t be a long-term solution.

"Ugh, how annoying. Trust me on this, missy clearly doesn’t want to deal with him, which is why she left her phone at home. Otherwise, why wouldn’t she give him that number?"

"Mr. Li might kill his way over here." Cheng Shi frowned seriously as he looked at Wang Meijuan.

"Take it, Cheng Shi’s right."

"Granny Yu, how come you’re siding with Cheng Shi too? Why don’t you take the call? As an elder, you carry more weight when you speak."

The phone kept ringing relentlessly, and Granny Yu was more than fed up. Hearing Wang Meijuan say this, she didn’t hesitate to pick up the cell phone.

She didn’t believe it, could a kid in his twenties really turn the world upside down?

Suddenly, the air turned tense, and everything quieted down.

Cheng Shi didn’t seem bothered at all; he just picked up his cup and took a sip of tea, but Wang Meijuan was different. She desperately wanted to eavesdrop on Granny Yu’s conversation.

The call connected immediately, and Li Zishen’s voice came through, deep and anxious.

"Xiao Wan, are you okay? Why haven’t you been answering your phone? Are you feeling unwell or are you mad at me?"

"Hello, Mr. Li."

Li Zishen glanced at the phone screen and frowned, "Is that you, Granny Yu? Where’s Xiao Wan?"

"The young mistress went to sleep after dinner. She said she was too tired today and wanted to rest early. Do you need something? Shall I go upstairs and call her?"

"No, that’s fine."

At this point, Li Zishen’s voice was strong and resolute.

The call was ended, the whole process lasting less than a minute. Granny Yu remained composed.

She and Tang Mei were about the same age; there wasn’t a storm she hadn’t weathered. Lying was, to her, as easy as pie.

But where could the young mistress be?

It was almost nine o’clock. Why hadn’t she called back yet?

"The young mistress really isn’t coming back tonight?"

Cheng Shi nodded and quickly showed Granny Yu the message from Leng Lingxiao.

[Tangtang is with me, do not disturb.]

Well, that’s pretty direct—do not disturb. Looks like the young mistress won’t be coming back for a few days.

Have fun, enjoy yourself, no need to worry.

Granny Yu knew clearly in her heart, so she handed the phone back to Cheng Shi without saying anything and went upstairs. Seeing this, Wang Meijuan quickly followed.

Back in the dining room, Cheng Shi was utterly confused: "What’s going on? Why aren’t they worried at all?"

If they weren’t worried, naturally someone else would be, such as Li Zishen in the group’s office building, who was now assigning a new task to Bai Long.

All bodyguards returned to their stations; immediately resume protection over Jinyuan Academy, as well as Nanjiang Villa.

Just half an hour ago, an incident occurred at Jinyuan Hotel. Twenty tourists from out of town suddenly displayed symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, etc. The duty manager acted decisively, sending the affected guests to a nearby hospital for treatment at the first opportunity and notified Bai Long.

One problem after another. Li Zishen then received a strange phone call.

Yes, it was electronic.

Again, a manipulated voice that couldn’t be traced in terms of address or real identity.

It warned Li Zishen: when the city gates catch fire, the fish in the moat suffer; the karmic debts Li Group had created in the past would eventually manifest on the people most important to them.

Li Zishen wasn’t worried about Wuyou Pavilion and Qingya Garden; his second and third uncles were shrewd people who greatly valued their lives and would surely set everything in order.

What he was concerned about was Nanjiang Villa and Jinyuan Academy; one was home to his mother and brother, the other to Tang Xiaowan.

It’s not the thief who steals that’s scary, but the thief who’s always thinking about it!

Li Zishen pondered the situation and felt there was something fishy. He was just about to contact his good friend Li Weilian when he received another call from Bai Long.

"Brother Shen, a guest seems to have triggered a heart attack; surgery might be necessary."

"The best doctors, make every effort to save them."