"Yanyan?" Ning Anmiao was taken aback. Thinking of the incident at the bridal shop today when Yin Yiyan was taken away by Gong Ming, her heart couldn't help but tighten. "What happened to her? Is she okay?"
Lu Yan pursed his lips. For a moment, he didn't know how to tell her. He never really fit in when girls were discussing emotional topics.
"You can ask her yourself."
Hearing this, Ning Anmiao gave him a suspicious look, then took out her phone and called Yin Yiyan.
After learning that Gong Ming had almost forced her into bed, Ning Anmiao flew into a rage and ranted into the phone, "I knew it! He's definitely not a good guy!"
Lu Yan, standing beside her, kept silent.
"Since he's been so offensive to you, you should break off all contact with him right away to avoid future trouble," Ning Anmiao said seriously.
By this time, Yin Yiyan had calmed down from her earlier anger. She began to think about all that had happened and felt that something wasn't right, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
"Yeah, I got it. Thanks, Miaomiao," Yin Yiyan replied absent - mindedly, her mind preoccupied with another question.
Why did she feel so familiar with Gong Ming? It was as if they had known each other a long time ago, but there was no trace of the name "Gong Ming" in her memory. Every time she saw him, this feeling grew stronger.
There seemed to be many unspeakable secrets and hidden meanings in his beautiful eyes, which made her feel restless.
After hanging up the phone with Ning Anmiao, she sat in the chair, lost in thought.
Not long after, her phone rang again.
She was in a daze and didn't have time to check the caller ID. Thinking it was Ning Anmiao calling again to remind her to stay away from Gong Ming, she answered it without a second thought.
"Hello, Miss Yin," unexpectedly, a man's voice came from the other end of the phone. "Mr. Gong was out of line just now. He asked me to ask if the promise you made before still stands?"
Listening carefully, she realized it was Gong Ming's driver. Yin Yiyan was a bit surprised. After thinking for a few seconds, she knew he was referring to her promise to help him reject the arranged marriage.
"Why doesn't he tell me himself?" Yin Yiyan retorted calmly. "Whether it's an apology or asking for my help, he should come to me himself. What kind of man hides behind his subordinate?"
The driver was stunned.
Just then, the phone was taken away, and Gong Ming's gentle voice came through the receiver, "I was too hasty. I didn't dare to contact you directly."
"I'm sorry, Miss Yin," Gong Ming's voice was full of sincerity. "I misunderstood you. I promise I won't do this again, okay?"
His tone was gentle, like a boyfriend apologizing to his girlfriend, humble and cautious.
Yin Yiyan didn't answer immediately. She bit her fingernail on her left index finger, hesitating.
In fact, the moment she heard his voice, she had already forgiven him for most of his mistakes. When she heard his sincere apology, she didn't feel as angry anymore.
"I can agree to help you reject the arranged marriage, Mr. Gong," she said slowly in a flat tone. "But before that, I have a question for you."
"Mr. Gong, have we... known each other before?"
The moment she asked the question, her heart started to beat faster. "Or, have you changed your name?"
The receiver was completely quiet. All that could be heard was their clear breathing.
At this moment, Gong Ming was lying on the hospital bed with a drip on the back of his hand. The liquid was slowly flowing into his body through his veins.
He held the phone and was silent for a long time.
"Sort of," Gong Ming replied indifferently. "I changed my name once."
Yin Yiyan's breath caught, and her heart beat even faster. "Then, what was your old name?"
She felt as if the hazy fog in her memory was gradually clearing, revealing the shadow of that person.
Just then, the door of the ward was pushed open, and a nurse walked in. "Mr. Gong, it's time to change the drip."
Yin Yiyan on the other end of the phone heard this and immediately realized that he was in the hospital. She felt an inexplicable sense of nervousness. "You're in the hospital? What happened to you?"
"It's just a minor problem," Gong Ming said in a deep voice into the receiver. "I'll pick you up this Friday to meet the other family."
Saying this, he let out a soft laugh, which sounded extremely nice. "Remember to dress nicely. You need to help me out."
Before she could ask any more questions, the phone was hung up.
Looking at the phone screen, Yin Yiyan closed her eyes and sorted out her thoughts.
She seemed to remember.
When she was a child, Yin Yiyan seemed to have a little follower. He wasn't in good health, and the other kids in the prestigious school always liked to bully him. She couldn't stand it and always came to his rescue.
As time went by, to avoid being bullied, that little follower always stuck by her side. To thank her, he would occasionally invite her to his home for dinner.
She couldn't remember the rest very clearly.
Could Gong Ming be that little follower? She wasn't quite sure.
Yin Yiyan let out a long sigh, sorted out her chaotic thoughts, and walked into the bathroom to take a shower.
She would definitely get to the bottom of it when she met Gong Ming on Friday.
---
In the previous kidnapping case, Jiang Xixi wasn't the mastermind. At most, she had some bad ideas and encouraged the kidnapping gang to capture the girls. Coupled with her good attitude, she wasn't detained for long and was released.
Jiang Zhou had played a role in getting her out.
After this lesson, Jiang Xixi had finally become obedient. Although she still resented Ning Anmiao, she didn't dare to scheme against her anymore.
After her release, Jiang Zhou drove to pick her up.
"Be more obedient from now on and stop causing trouble," Jiang Zhou said seriously while driving, looking at her through the rear - view mirror. "Your brother isn't all - powerful. You should learn your lesson this time."
"Live a good life with Lin Chuluo. Do you hear me?"
Jiang Xixi lowered her head and replied with a soft "um".
During her time in prison, she kept recalling the incident and suddenly noticed a very important point.
It was true that she had contacted the kidnapping gang and asked them to capture Ning Anmiao and Yin Yiyan. But the gang's attitude was very decisive. She hadn't even sent them the photos, yet they seemed to have been well - prepared.
It was as if they would have kidnapped the two girls even if she hadn't made that call.
She felt that she had been used as a pawn.
Who could it be?
"Brother, I want to confess something to you," Jiang Xixi raised her head, her voice a bit hoarse. "Believe it or not, I wasn't the mastermind behind Ning Anmiao's kidnapping."