NOVEL NEXT Chapter 42 - The One Who Came for Her
Chapter 42: The One Who Came for Her
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The men in black remained silent. They tilted their heads as if taking a deep breath and crushed the poison capsules in their mouths, committing suicide.
Song Xiuyan pursed his thin lips and bent down to search the men in black. He did not find anything that would identify them. Since that was a bust, he turned around and hugged Ding Yao, quickly fleeing the scene.
It took him a second to confirm the deaths of their assailants, after which they departed. Only with Ding Yao in his arms did he realise how fast his heart was hammering in his chest. Fortunately, Ding Yao was fine. He was exceedingly grateful for her help. Her Wolf Repelling Powder had been very effective.
Assassins like those they faced earlier were sacrificial pawns of powerful families; they could not be compared to regular bodyguards. Assassins trained by these powers were often sent on secret missions, and their identities were obscured from the public eye.
In his previous life, Song Xiuyan had been killed by assassins like those he faced earlier. The mysterious power backing those trained killers had sent more than ten black-robed men to silence him permanently. Although they succeeded, he had not made it easy, forcing them to expend all their strength just to kill him.
There could be no doubt in Song Xiuyan’s mind that those black-clothed assassins had come for him. He was not the man he used to be in his previous life. Those who wanted him dead must have lost their patience and sent assassins after his life. Song Xiuyan’s mind drifted to his younger brother and sister still at home, his heart clenching at the thought of anything happening to them.
He immediately picked up Ding Yao, shouldering her on his back, urging, “Hold tight!” In a burst of speed, thanks to Qinggong, Song Xiuyan raced back to the Song family village without pausing for a breath.
Ding Yao held on to Song Xiuyan tightly. He was moving so fast she worried for her safety should she accidentally let go. Her mind replayed the scene of two black-clad men switching targets, giving up on Song Xiuyan and aiming for her instead. Those assassins were probably sent to kill her!
She could not think of any other reason they gave up pursuing Song Xiuyan and set their sights on her. Song Xiuyan did not know of her circumstances, so he would not know those men were after her.
Song Xiuyan heaved a sigh of relief upon returning home and finding his siblings unharmed. The lights were still on in the living room. Song Yang, Song Xue and the others were seated together, waiting for them.
Seeing her older brother carrying Ding Yao, Song Xue dashed over. “Big Brother, Sister-in-law, you’re finally back!”
Song Xiuyan put down Ding Yao. Under the soft lamplight, Ding Yao sized up Song Xiuyan. His clothes were unstained. No one would have known he had fought off two armed men just a while ago.
Song Xiuyan was happy to see his younger siblings safe and sound but could not stop himself from worrying, “Did anything happen while I was out?”
His siblings shook their heads collectively. Song Yang, the second child, said, “Nothing special happened. Though… someone dropped by earlier, bringing a child with them. They were looking for Ding Yao because the child has roundworms.”
“Then why aren’t you all asleep yet?” Song Xiuyan asked.
“We were worried about Ding Yao’s father and what those from Spirit Stone Village are planning; that’s why we’ve been waiting for you to come back. We could not sleep because of the worry,” Song Yang explained, somewhat embarrassed.
Song Xiuyan nodded. “Alright. Now that we’re back, there’s nothing you need to worry about. Ding Yao’s father is fine. The rest of you should be in bed.”
Song Yu, the fourth child, bobbed his head, listening to his older brother’s words, “Okay. We’ll go to bed now. Big Brother, Big Sister Ding Yao, I’ve heated the water for your bath.”
Song Xue, the fifth child, waved her hand happily to say she had helped. “Big Brother, Fourth Brother, heated the water long ago. I think he reheated the water at least five times. He was afraid you wouldn’t have hot water to use when you came back.”
Song Yu blushed, tugging Song Xue’s arm. “Shh!! You’re talking too much!”
This brotherly display touched Ding Yao. She was an orphan in her previous life. Although she grew up in an orphanage with no lack of children, they were not permanent faces, with many coming and going before she could get to know them. Everyone hoped to be adopted by a good family.
Hence, building meaningful relationships with those around her was not easy. Even if she wanted to, the few cliques in the orphanage did not want her. Ding Yao was used to being alone, to be the only one to care for herself.
Through Song Xiuyan and his siblings, Ding Yao felt what it was like to be cared for and loved. It made her feel warm and fuzzy inside.
By the time Ding Yao finished showering, Song Xiuyan had already told Song Yang about the attack and the assassins they encountered. Song Yang’s expression mirrored his older brother’s in a grimace.
Song Xiuyan mulled over their options before suggesting, “Ding Yao, why don’t you visit your uncle, Lin Hu, in the capital?”
After what happened, Song Xiuyan wanted nothing more than to keep Ding Yao safe. As evidenced by the assassins who committed suicide when their ambush failed, they did not care about their lives. These hit men underwent substantial conditioning and were cruel and merciless, killing without batting an eye. Song Xiuyan did not want to endanger Ding Yao further.