"Hmph, so many people! Aren't you afraid your boss will lose his life?" Huo Rou said coldly. She tossed the rope in her hand aside and placed the scalpel in her palm.
"The boss has his own plans. You can't leave!" They were temporarily assigned by Shen Yuanshu, who had given a strict order that Huo Rou must not leave.
Without further ado, they charged forward.
Chen Guochao, listening to the sounds of fighting from within the walls, was extremely anxious. He tossed his rope over the wall, then rapidly climbed up. When he reached the top, he saw a ground strewn with groaning figures, a flicker of admiration in his eyes.
"I worried for nothing," he said, sitting on the wall and looking at Huo Rou, scratching his head.
Huo Rou stacked two or three of the lighter individuals under the wall, using them as a stepping stone to reach Chen Guochao's outstretched hand. As he grasped Huo Rou's hand, he frowned, "Why is it so cold?"
Huo Rou pulled her hand away and found a spot to jump down.
"Be careful! It's high!" Chen Guochao said, though he knew she was skilled, he still worried.
A small team escorted them out. Not far from the entrance of the golf club, Huo Rou heard Qin Ningyi's voice.
"Enough, any more and they'll die." His voice was sharp and indifferent, not like the one Huo Rou was accustomed to. But a sudden sense of peace washed over her. Samael's poison could be cured, and she could still see him. It was wonderful.
Turning past the bamboo grove, she looked at Qin Ningyi with a smile in her eyes. Qin Ningyi also looked over, as if sensing her presence.
"A Rou!" he exclaimed, rushing over and embracing her. He held her with such force, it felt as though he wanted to meld her into his very bones.
"I'm fine," Huo Rou patted his back. As Qin Ningyi held her, she felt his slight tremor. She whispered softly to comfort him, that she was well, and that they still had a future.
Qin Ningyi's lapse was momentary. He quickly released her and meticulously checked her for any injuries.
"I might be able to accompany you..." Huo Rou said with a smile, wanting to share the good news.
"Huo Rou."
Her words were cut off by another familiar voice. She looked up to see Si Nian's military boots pressing down on Shen Yuanshu, who was covered in blood. Si Nian looked at her with a smile, calling her name. Zhao Wen, standing nearby, stepped back a few paces. He couldn't bear to see the expression on Commander Si's face.
"Si Nian," she said, a smile on her lips. "Long time no see."
Si Nian kicked Shen Yuanshu aside and walked up to Huo Rou. He suddenly opened his arms and embraced her.
"Leaving us behind for so long, a hug shouldn't be too much to ask, right?" His voice was still calm, but the warmth within it was impossible to ignore. Before Qin Ningyi could reach out to stop him, he released Huo Rou.
"It has indeed been a long time..." His tone stretched, a lingering murmur. Huo Rou, uncharacteristically, pursed her lips and smiled sheepishly. She had left so abruptly, leaving no contact information for anyone. Including Si Nian, with whom she had shared life-or-death experiences.
"Comrades?" Qin Ningyi asked, putting his arm around Huo Rou, a smile in his eyes. Si Nian had been at Fenghuo before Qin Ningyi arrived, so if Huo Rou knew him, it was most likely from the Fenghuo Special Forces.
Huo Rou nodded. "Yes."
Si Nian, however, said meaningfully, "More than that?" Seeing the spark in Qin Ningyi's eyes, he smiled knowingly, with no intention of explaining. The victor is king. Qin Ningyi was a formidable opponent, but he didn't believe he would lose.
"Dinner together?" he asked Huo Rou, tilting his head.
Qin Ningyi's grip tightened slightly. He smiled at Huo Rou. "An An is looking for you. I had someone keep an eye on him. Why don't we go pick him up first?"
Huo Rou nodded with a wry smile. "This little fellow is just too smart." An An's appeal was clearly greater.
"I'm sorry, perhaps another day." Huo Rou said, feeling a pang of regret under Si Nian's slightly wounded gaze. This time, however, she didn't forget to exchange contact information with Si Nian.
Chen Guochao remained silent throughout, standing aside with his men. Huo Rou left with Qin Ningyi. Si Nian's smile vanished. He glanced at Chen Guochao and walked over to him.
"What is your relationship with Huo Rou?" he asked abruptly. Chen Guochao looked at him in surprise.
"What?" Chen Guochao didn't particularly want to talk to Si Nian. They had played together as children. But Si Nian had always looked down on him. After they moved away, they lost contact. It wasn't that he was petty; he had even interacted with Si Nian in the line of duty later on, and Si Nian had handled the handover when Stosnov was sent away. Si Nian remained as arrogant as ever, and Chen Guochao couldn't be bothered to engage with him.
Si Nian tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Although you said you were sent by your superiors to rescue her, you were able to contact Huo Rou and pick her up so precisely." He paused, his eyes fixed on Chen Guochao. "Most importantly, when she looked at you, there was no guard in her eyes..."