Hearing Jing Yongli say that everything at home was fine and that the template factory and trading company were developing rapidly, Yang Jian felt much more at ease.
"Yongli, where is Lu Yao? My call to her phone shows it's out of service."
Yang Jian finally asked this crucial question, his heart pounding.
Jing Yongli was silent for a moment and said, "Brother Jian, the day you left, Sister Yao Yao came over once, and then she disappeared. Sister Hui went to her school to find out and learned that she had resigned five days after your accident. Her parents also changed their phone numbers. No one knows where she went, but she's definitely not in Xinhe."
Resigned five days after the accident.
Yang Jian's mind went blank. He had originally planned to give up this relationship because he had no future. Since he loved her, he should let her go and be happy.
He hadn't called her for so long, partly out of safety concerns, but mainly because he wanted to use time to fade his longing for Lu Yao.
But he never expected Lu Yao to be so resolute. To sever ties with him, she left Xinhe in just five days, even giving up her stable teaching job.
At this moment, Yang Jian's heart ached so much he couldn't breathe, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably.
A man doesn't shed tears easily, only when his heart is broken.
Yang Jian loved Lu Yao to the core. He believed Lu Yao loved him too, but this way of breaking up was too cruel.
Jing Yongli, on the phone, could feel his cousin's heartbroken state, so he remained silent, listening to his choked sobs that he was trying hard to control.
Ma Yuan, sitting in the car, saw Yang Jian crying profusely and was stunned. However, he didn't dare to go down and disturb him. Had his sister said something to provoke him?
"Sister, what did you and Brother Yang talk about in the car just now?"
Ma Yuan called Ma Lan.
"We didn't talk about anything, why?"
"Brother Yang just got out of the car and is crying, tears streaming down his face. Did you say something to him?"
"How could that be? He's a grown man, how can he be so fragile? Besides, I didn't say anything harsh to him, just advised him not to get involved with Fang Zhicheng in the underworld. It shouldn't make him this sad."
"Oh, then it must be about something else. I never thought Brother Yang, such a tough and strong person, would have a vulnerable and sad side."
"For a man to cry so much, either something happened to his parents, or he's heartbroken. Ask around later and find out why he's crying. Tell me when you know."
"Why should I tell you, Sister? Do you have a crush on Brother Yang?"
"Don't talk nonsense. I'm just curious. I'm hanging up now."
"Hello, Sister."
Ma Yuan helplessly hung up the phone. He didn't dare to ask Yang Jian what had happened unless Yang Jian was willing to tell him.
"Yongli, take some time to go to my place and tell my parents that I'm doing well outside and that they shouldn't worry. I won't talk to them."
Controlling his emotions, Yang Jian wiped away his tears and prepared to end the call. He felt deeply guilty towards his parents. For the past two years, he had made them worry. This time, he had left without saying goodbye and fled for his life. He really didn't have the courage to speak to them now.
"Don't worry, Brother Jian. We'll take care of things at home. There's one more thing I need to tell you: Wu Laizi is back, and he's surrendered."
"Wu Laizi surrendered? That scumbag. Even if he gets out of jail later, I won't let him off."
"Brother, Sister Hui has already written a letter of understanding for him, and with Hong Xing's connections, Wu Laizi probably won't get a severe sentence."
"What are you saying? My sister forgave him? How is that possible?"
This news was impossible for Yang Jian to accept. Wu Laizi had hurt his sister too deeply. If it weren't for Wei Xia's help, she wouldn't have survived. How could she forgive this heinous devil?
"Brother Jian, don't get agitated. Wu Laizi surrendered as soon as he returned. Hong Xing hired a lawyer to persuade Sister Hui and arranged for people to harass Sister Hui and the two children. Sister Hui, fearing they would harm the children, had no choice but to sign the letter of understanding and only accepted ten thousand yuan in compensation.
Ah Feng and Ah Nan had already gone to Chunfeng Tower, planning to stay there to deal with Hong Xing, and even fought with his men. But Sister Hui signed the letter privately, so they had to return to the template factory."
"Hong Xing again? I'll kill him. Find out if he's in Nanhai right now."
Yang Jian was already extremely depressed, and now he was completely enraged. Nanhai was only sixty or seventy kilometers from Dongjiang, about an hour's drive. He wanted to kill Hong Xing immediately.
"Brother, calm down. It's almost New Year. Hong Xing should be back in Chengguan by now. Even if he's in Nanhai, his influence there is huge. There are many people from Xinhe there. If you go there, you'll easily be recognized, and you can't defeat Hong Xing alone."
"Where is Ah Feng? Is he nearby? I want to talk to him."
"Brother Feng is collecting fish with Uncle Huailin. I'll call him back and have him call you in a moment."
Jing Yongli hung up the phone and immediately notified Ah Feng and the other two to return to the trading company.
Thinking that someone was causing trouble at the factory, Ah Feng rode his motorcycle with Ah Nan and Jun Jun and rushed back to the company within five minutes. Upon hearing that there was news of Yang Jian, the three of them became incredibly excited and urged Jing Yongli to quickly connect the call.
"Brother Jian, where have you been? You've been out of touch for so long. We brothers have missed you."
"Ah Feng, I'm in Dongjiang now, and everything is fine. Yongli has told me about your situation. It's a great fortune that you were able to escape, and thank you for helping me settle things at home."
"Brother Jian, you shouldn't say that. Do we need to say thank you between brothers? It's just a pity that we couldn't take care of Wu Laizi for you, and instead, Sister Hui had to sign the letter of understanding."
"It's not your fault. It's Hong Xing who is too wicked. Dongjiang is not far from Nanhai. I want to take care of him here. Can you come and help me? I've offended some people here, and I feel a bit outnumbered."
"No problem. To be honest, we're not used to staying in the countryside. If it weren't for the relative safety here, we would have left long ago. Now that Xu Zheng has been dealt with, no one dares to cause trouble at the factory anymore. Send us the address, and we'll come tomorrow."
Ah Feng was telling the truth. These city-raised kids were accustomed to the prosperity of the city. To escape, they had to hide in this remote village, which was truly stifling.
"If you leave, will Xu Zheng retaliate against Yongli?"
"Don't worry, I've already warned Xu Zheng. If he dares to touch Yongli, I'll kill his whole family. He doesn't know our background and wouldn't dare to act rashly. Also, Wu Wangchun has promised that he can send people to help anytime if needed, so no one will bother the factory even if we're not here."
"Good, I'll remember this favor from Uncle Wang. Come over soon. There are more opportunities here than in the inland areas. Let's work together and establish a foothold here."
With brothers like Ah Feng to assist, dealing with Fo Ye and Hong Xing would be much easier. Yang Jian tidied up his mood and returned to the car. As he started the engine, he also embarked on another different life.