Wu Pengpeng looked up. After seeing who it was, she tried hard to force a smile, not wanting the other person to worry.
"Uncle Wang." Just these two simple words seemed to tug at some wound, and her brows instantly knitted together.
Uncle Wang looked at her worriedly. "Are you okay? How about I take you to the hospital first?"
Wu Pengpeng shook her head. "No need."
He Qian-shan was still waiting for her at home. She didn't want to worry him.
She smiled at Uncle Wang and tried to look okay. "Just take me home. I want to go home."
Seeing that her mind was made up, Uncle Wang didn't insist anymore. He helped her towards the parking space and reported to her as they walked. "Pengpeng, it's so cold today and it's getting a bit late. I've sent the bodyguards back to rest first."
Wu Pengpeng covered her stomach with one hand and waved the other weakly. "It's okay."
After a pause, she turned to Uncle Wang and smiled. "Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Wang. It's so cold, yet you've been waiting for me for so long."
Uncle Wang's hand that was about to open the car door paused slightly, then he quickly opened the door in one smooth motion. He helped her into the car and gave her a faint smile. "It's my duty."
As soon as she sat in the car, the sudden sense of security made Wu Pengpeng feel much better. She took out her phone and sent a voice message to He Qian-shan, saying that she would be home soon.
Right after the message was sent, the phone ran out of battery and automatically shut down.
Since Wu Pengpeng didn't bring a power bank, she had to hand the phone to the front. "Uncle Wang, could you please help me charge my phone?"
Uncle Wang took the phone and helped her charge it. Then he handed her a thermos cup. "Aunt Tang asked me to bring you the hangover soup. Drink some first."
"Thank you." Wu Pengpeng gave him a grateful smile, took it and drank more than half. Sure enough, her stomach felt much better.
She put the cup down and was about to check if the phone could be turned on now when suddenly a wave of drowsiness hit her.
She blinked her eyes, trying to hold on and reply to He Qian-shan, but her eyelids were so heavy that she had to give up.
"Uncle Wang, I'm so sleepy. I'll take a nap..."
Before she could finish her sentence, her vision went black and she lost consciousness.
After He Qian-shan replied to Wu Pengpeng's message, she didn't reply anymore.
He thought Wu Pengpeng was too tired from the business entertainment, so he didn't bother her anymore and continued to set up the fireworks display.
The castle was covered with snow. To prevent the snow from melting and soaking the bases, which would affect the effect of the fireworks display, he built a raised platform with bricks at each fireworks launching position.
To prepare this gift for Wu Pengpeng, he didn't rely on others. He carried every single brick himself and built every platform with his own hands. He was busy the whole night and even missed dinner.
"Xiao He, have something to eat first!" Aunt Tang took out a bag of bread and a carton of hot milk and walked over to hand them to him.
She could tell that Wu Pengpeng really liked He Qian-shan. Loving the one she loved, she always showed more tolerance to this polite and gentlemanly young man.
Moreover, after the false rumor about Wu Pengpeng being an illegitimate child, she was sure that He Qian-shan really liked Wu Pengpeng, so she fully accepted him in her heart.
He Qian-shan was really a bit hungry, so he wasn't polite anymore. He took the milk and bread and gave Aunt Tang a grateful smile. "Thank you, Aunt Tang. It's cold outside. Go back quickly!"
Aunt Tang guessed that Wu Pengpeng might be coming back soon. She didn't want to be a third wheel here, so she turned around and went back with a smile.
He Qian-shan quickly finished the bread and looked at the time. There were less than half an hour left before Wu Pengpeng got home.
It was just the right time to put the fireworks on the platforms now, so they could be set off directly when she came back.
He quickly moved the fireworks to the fixed platforms. After finishing everything, there were still five minutes left. He stood at the door waiting for Wu Pengpeng. Just imagining the way her eyes would bend when she saw the sky full of fireworks, he couldn't help but curve his lips.
However, five minutes later, the car that should have appeared at the door didn't come. He thought the road was slippery because of the snow and Uncle Wang was driving slowly, so he waited for another five minutes, but the car still didn't come back.
He Qian-shan felt a sudden tightness in his heart. He quickly took out his phone and dialed Wu Pengpeng's number, but the other person's phone was already turned off.
Now he was completely panicked. He rushed back to the castle to find Aunt Tang. "Aunt Tang, could you give me Uncle Wang's phone number?"
Aunt Tang saw him come in and ask her for Uncle Wang's phone number out of the blue, and she couldn't help but feel a bit panicked. "What's going on?"
The situation was still unclear. He Qian-shan was afraid that his concern would make him act rashly and cause misunderstandings.
He didn't want to make the old woman worry, so he gave her a reassuring smile. "It's nothing. Pengpeng's phone is turned off. I just want to ask Uncle Wang how long it will take them to get here so that I can make preparations in advance."
Aunt Tang believed him and had no doubts. She retrieved Uncle Wang's phone number and gave it to him.
He Qian-shan dialed Uncle Wang's phone number. Soon the other person answered, but it was a male voice that had been voice - modulated. "Don't make a sound. If you don't want her to die."
This voice was like a thunderbolt, instantly splitting He Qian-shan's heart and soul. His blood seemed to freeze and was all blocked in his heart, making his heart feel like it was about to explode with pain.
Wu Pengpeng had been kidnapped!
He had been extremely careful and protective, but things still came to this point.
For a moment, regret, self - blame, anger... thousands of emotions welled up in his heart and almost overwhelmed him, but he couldn't fall.
If he was defeated, what would happen to Wu Pengpeng?
He Qian-shan gritted his teeth and stood still for a moment. Then he took a few steps towards the window to put some distance between him and Aunt Tang before calmly saying, "What do you want?"
"Nothing much." This voice was like a hissing snake, coiling and climbing in He Qian-shan's ear. "I just need your help with something."
He Qian-shan gritted his teeth to prevent himself from showing any emotion. "What do you want me to do?"
The other person said "Um" and dragged out a long tone. "I haven't decided yet, but you have to keep your phone on at all times. I'll contact you again."
It seemed that he was about to hang up the phone, but before He Qian-shan could say anything, he heard that disgusting voice again. "Don't let anyone else besides you know about this. Otherwise, you can just wait to collect Miss Wu's body!"
After saying that, the other person hung up the phone. He Qian-shan stood there stiffly, his mind in a complete mess.
Aunt Tang saw that his face was not looking good and walked over to ask. "What's going on?"
"Nothing." He Qian-shan didn't want to worry the old woman, so he gave her a reassuring smile. "You go and rest first. I'll go pick up Pengpeng. You don't have to wait for her. If it's too late, she'll stay at my place."
As soon as he said that and was about to leave, he was grabbed by Aunt Tang. "What on earth is going on?"
Wu Pengpeng never stayed out overnight. Even though she was very close to He Qian-shan during the day, she still went home on time to rest at night. She said that home made her feel at ease and she could only sleep well here.
He Qian-shan's mind was working fast. In an instant, he had come up with an excuse. "It's nothing. Pengpeng had a business entertainment tonight. She drank too much and got into a fight with someone at the next table. She's at the police station now."
Aunt Tang really believed it. The worry on her face turned into scolding. "This child. I told her to drink less, but she just wouldn't listen. How could she get into a fight? Is she hurt? Is it serious?"
He Qian-shan was caught off guard by her rapid - fire questions and could only smile helplessly. "I'm not sure about the details yet. I'll go and check now and tell you later. By the way, Aunt Tang, don't tell Uncle and the others about this."
Aunt Tang quickly urged him. "Okay, then go quickly. Call me as soon as you pick her up."
He Qian-shan nodded and walked towards the parking space with a calm face. He opened the car door and sat in. He tried to start the car as usual, but his hands were shaking. He tried several times but still couldn't start the engine.
Wu Pengpeng. He silently repeated this name in his heart. His heart felt like it was being cut by a knife, and the pain made it hard for him to breathe.
She was the one he treasured like his own life, but now she was in the hands of some scumbag.
He wanted to turn the world upside down to find Wu Pengpeng, but he didn't dare.
He didn't dare to gamble with Wu Pengpeng's life for a moment of peace of mind.
He Qian-shan sat in the car for a long time before finally calming down. He dialed a number.
"Brother Dao, could you help me check a person? I'll send you the information in a text message."