"Ruan Ruan, sweetie, this uncle is my friend. Don't be scared. He'll take good care of you."
Huo Rou comforted Ruan Ruan and then asked Qiao Yushan, "Xiao Shan, where are you in Ningzhong City right now?"
"Master, you even know I'm in Ningzhong City?" Qiao Yushan's surprise was evident in his voice. "There's a batch of good raw stones here, and I came to pick some. I was planning to go to Yuchang City today, and then come see you and An An tomorrow."
With Huo Rou's words, Ruan Ruan no longer resisted Uncle Liu's approach. Uncle Liu spent a long time checking her pulse, his expression evolving from a frown to increasingly bright eyes.
"Young Master, the pulse indicates that the sedative in her body has decreased and is no longer life-threatening. I've never seen such a constitution before!"
Uncle Liu's excitement was written all over his face. Huo Rou, hearing from the phone that Ruan Ruan was out of danger, felt relieved.
Ruan Ruan only learned that the substance that made them sleep so quickly was called a sedative after hearing Uncle Liu's words. She tilted her head and thought, "I woke up quite early, actually. I woke up in the car, and An An Gege was still asleep, so I didn't dare to speak. I kept nudging him, and only then did he wake up."
Huo Rou, hearing her mention this, asked, "You were already awake when you were in the car?"
If An An had been conscious, he should have done something.
Perhaps he would have left her a clue.
Ruan Ruan nodded, then realized she was on the phone with Huo Rou. She replied, "Yes, Aunt Huo. An An Gege secretly opened his eyes and looked for a long time, and told me not to speak either."
"Later, we were taken to a place, and it was very dark. They took off An An Gege's watch and then left."
Hearing this, Huo Rou and Qin Ning understood why they couldn't find them by following the GPS.
They hadn't brought An An this way at all. Those words were deliberately meant to mislead them.
"And then? Did An An say anything to you?" Huo Rou's voice came through the phone, sounding rather grave.
"An An Gege gave me the necklace while they were out. He said that Aunt Huo would be able to find me by the necklace."
"I didn't want it. An An Gege said that since they so easily took his watch, they would definitely be watching him closely. If the necklace was on me, it would be less likely for them to take it."
"As a result, they separated me and An An Gege when they came back."
Ruan Ruan's mood became very low as she spoke. If they hadn't been separated, if An An hadn't given her the necklace, then An An would have been the one found now, wouldn't he?
She asked dejectedly, "Aunt Huo, did I harm An An Gege?"
"No, Ruan Ruan, An An was right. If the necklace had been on An An, I wouldn't even have found you now."
"Do you remember anything you saw on the way when you and An An were in the car?" Huo Rou asked. "You can tell me anything you remember, so I can find An An faster."
"An An Gege said that the car we were in was driving very fast, but based on the time, we should still be in the city. We passed a very tall building with long ribbons hanging on it, like they were selling houses," Ruan Ruan recalled what An An had told her and recounted it word for word to Huo Rou.
"An An Gege said that the light wasn't very bright when they opened the door, so it might have been in a basement or an abandoned warehouse. The signal was poor here, which is why they had to go out for a long time to contact others."
"Right, An An Gege also said that if Aunt Huo finds me, tell you not to worry. He still has the gift from Uncle Lingxiao, and he will find a way to leave a message."
Ruan Ruan thought for a moment after she finished, "It seems there's nothing else."
"Thank you, Ruan Ruan. What you've told me is very helpful. I'll go find An An. You stay with Uncle Qiao with peace of mind."
"Xiao Shan, bring Ruan Ruan with you when you come back," Huo Rou instructed.
"Don't worry, Master. I always handle your matters with utmost seriousness," Qiao Yushan chuckled softly. He could hear the relaxation in Huo Rou's voice. He was finally able to help Huo Rou.
The call ended. Qiao Yushan picked up his phone to search for nearby hospitals.
Since Huo Rou valued her so much, he should treat her well. He'd take her for a comprehensive check-up before they left.
"Little Ruan Ruan, I'll take you to the hospital for a full physical to make sure you're okay, and then we'll head back to Yuchang City."
"Okay, Uncle Xiao Shan. Thank you," Ruan Ruan sat there obediently, waiting for him to search for information.
Hearing this address, Qiao Yushan suddenly laughed.
"An An calls me that too. You're really good friends with him."
Uncle Liu was holding a cup and was about to get water for Ruan Ruan when the door to the hotel suite was suddenly kicked open with a bang, and several people barged in.
Uncle Liu quickly left the inner room, locked the door, and ran out.
The bodyguards in the reception hall heard the noise and immediately stood up, stepping forward to meet them.
The two groups were evenly matched, and a standoff ensued.
"Who are you people?" Uncle Liu's demeanor changed, and he asked loudly.
A woman walked out from behind the group. She was dressed in black, with a stern face. As her red lips parted, her voice was icy, "Sending so many people to deal with a child..."
Uncle Liu was gradually losing ground. He put on a stern face, unwilling to back down. "Who exactly are you people? The Zhao family will not let this matter go. If you dare to harm my young master, I will fight you to the death."
"I'll say it again, give me back my daughter." Ruan Su took a step back and said coldly, "Hand her over."
Daughter?
Uncle Liu was stunned. In this moment of surprise, Ling Xiao seized the opportunity and kicked him. Uncle Liu was forced to fight with him.
"Quick, go in and find my daughter!" Ling Xiao shouted to Ruan Su.