Chapter 931: Something she should know (1/2)

Han Yunxi knew that Willowflower Alley was the most chaotic area of the Three-Way Black Market, a jumble of good and bad beyond the jurisdiction of any major powers. Manager Jin had actually hidden himself in there? How badly was Kangan Private Bank pressuring him? Long Feiye didn’t need the money he owed that much. After some thought, Han Yunxi figured that Long Feiye must be aiming for Manager Jin’s birth origins as well. But there was no time to bother with that now, she had people to rescue.

“Send someone to search over there. Spread word that if he’s willing to return, Myriad Merchant Hall will help him pay off the debt!” Han Yunxi said seriously.

“This…” the head elder hesitated. The Council of Elders were stingy to begin with, to say nothing of the Di Clan’s currently limited funds.

“If the kidnapper was just aiming for Ning Jing, then they could have just killed Mu Linger. Why take her too?” Han Yunxi reasoned.

Only then did the head elder realize the implications. “You mean to say, Manager Jin came to find Mu Linger for revenge?”

“But he has no grudge with Miss Jing!” Fifth Elder cried out. “Why take her as well?”

“There might be more than one kidnapper. This is only a guess, but let’s spread the word for now and see if Manager Jin comes!” Han Yunxi declared.

Without a single clue to aid them, they could only wait for the kidnapper to come knocking on their door while finding ways to investigate potential suspects. In the middle of their talks, the auction hall sent someone to deliver another news of success. It could be counted as a single spot of solace in the middle of all the bad news. The various elders were gratified as their faith and hopes for Han Yunxi increased.

“We can’t delay things with the auction halls and gambling houses, especially with the casino re-opening coming up. Third and Fourth Elder should work together to open them for business as soon as possible! Everything’s going smoothly with the auction halls, so have Second Elder take over that. Fifth Elder, you’ll take charge of Ning Jing’s case. Make sure to keep the Tang Clan Head calm. Head Elder, there’s still been no news from Ning Cheng, so don’t let up on that.” Once Han Yunxi finished delegating tasks, she had much less to worry about. If Fifth Elder was in charge of Ning Jing’s case, his personality would lead him to suspecting Uncle Cheng soon enough.

Everyone went to busy themselves while Han Yunxi immediately sought out Tang Li. At this moment, Tang Li was sitting on Ning Jing’s bed and stroking her pillow, the silken sheets, and breathing in the scent she’d left behind. When Han Yunxi entered, she saw him clutching the blankets beneath his nose. Ever since the big reveal at Medical City, he hadn’t hugged Ning Jing once. He didn’t notice Han Yunxi’s entrance, still lost in his own thoughts and self-reproach.

He’d yielded so far, so why couldn’t he go farther? A few more steps and he would have told her he liked her. Then they wouldn’t have ended up like this.

Han Yunxi approached the bed and saw Tang Li’s pained expression. She remained silent, knowing that words of comfort now would be useless. After a long while, Tang Li finally murmured, “Sister-in-law, how much do I have to yield before I can be together with Ning Jing?” He was willing to do it both for her sake and the Di Clan.

Han Yunxi broke into a bitter smile. She and Long Feiye had been doing their best to walk ahead in their 100 steps. But Tang Li and Ning Jing were stuck yielding to each other instead. Tang Li reletend, while Ning Jing got pregnant. Ning Jing had betrayed Ning Cheng and wanted to escape the Di Clan. Didn’t that count as relenting on her part as well?

“Don’t overthink it. Ning Jing’s very smart. As long as the kidnapper has demands, she’ll change the situation in her favor,” Han Yunxi wasn’t consoling him, but speaking the truth. After that, she told Tang Li about her suspicions of Uncle Cheng and Manager Jin and finished, “I’ve arranged for Fifth Elder to head this matter. You have to keep your cool and cooperate with him.”

Tang Li looked up. “Sister-in-law, I’m afraid...afraid that the baby…”

“Enough!” Han Yunxi cut him off. “Don’t cower here being afraid! At this point, you should find the person first! What’s the use of scaring yourself? If you’re so frightened, why make Ning Jing pregnant in the first place?”

Pregnancy was impossible unless both parties were willing! Would Ning Jing have gotten her baby if Tang LI didn’t bully her first? Her words were ugly and grating on the ears, but only that could wake Tang Li from his stupor. He jabbed himself in the face and rose to his feet. “I’ll go to Willowflower Alley right now! I’m familiar with the roads there!”

Tang Li had gone to Willowflower Alley way back when Long Feiye assumed control of East Origin Hall. He’d have a higher success rate hunting people down than anyone Myriad Merchant Hall sent. Han Yunxi silently exhaled. She could only hope that Manager Jin really did kidnap someone, because all he wanted was money. That was an easy fix. She called back Tang Li as he was on the verge of running out the door.

“Your big brother is at East Origin Hall. If you need help, seek him out. Help me pass on a message as well. Just say...just say that the plan’s changed, and for him to wait a few more days.”

Tang Li doubled back as soon as he heard her words. “Sister-in-law, you guys can do as planned when it comes to the Hundred Poisons Sect. You don’t need to worry about us here.”

Han Yunxi was too lazy to waste words with him beyond gesturing for him to leave. But Tang Li grew obstinate. “Sister-in-law, these are my own matters. I don’t need you and big bro to worry! I won’t drag you guys down!”

Han Yunxi rolled her eyes at him. “You’re overthinking it. Since you’re out, Ning Jing’s matters will be up to you. I want to save that darned girl Mu Linger.”

Tang Li naturally knew she was speaking in a fit of temper, so he grew ruthless as well. “Sister-in-law, you want to delay my big brother because of Mu Linger? And make him wait again? Don’t you know that one more day East and West Qin stands at odds is one less night of sleep for him?! Can’t you consider my brother’s sake once in a while?”