When the man’s figure had dwindled to the size of a palm, Ling Yi’s phone rang.
“Brother Yi.”
A subordinate’s grave report came through the phone. “Mandao Island is under heavy bombardment. There are countless dead and wounded on the island.”
Ling Yi’s heart leapt into his throat. “What happened?”
“According to our scans, besides F-315 fighters over Mandao Island, there’s also…”
The voice on the other end paused, then slowly said, “An F-X.”
“…”
Alarm bells blared in Ling Yi’s mind.
The F-X stealth fighter could evade missile interception. Fewer than ten had been produced worldwide. Pei Xiao had one, and the remaining few… as far as Ling Yi knew, had all been bought by other organizations in the underworld.
That meant one of Pei Xiao’s enemies had seized the opportunity to get involved…
But why would these enemies bomb a whole island instead of their weapons depot? What were they after? Were they trying to kill Pei Xiao?
Had someone inside the Lu family teamed up with Pei Xiao’s enemies?
Damn it. Things were bad.
Ling Yi glanced at the figure kneeling before the tombstone in the distance, his expression troubled, then turned back and asked, “What about Miss Wen?”
“The scene is too chaotic. We can’t make anything out clearly from the aerial footage yet, but we can see that the main villa has completely collapsed. The people inside… have very little chance of surviving.”
“…”
The bombardment would last at least several hours. Even if they hadn’t been killed, anyone buried beneath the rubble might not make it out alive.
Ling Yi let out a heavy breath.
Pei Xiao had finally found a bedmate he liked, and now she was gone. What a pity.
“Understood. Keep watching. Report any new developments immediately.”
“Yes.”
After hanging up, Ling Yi heard some of the bodyguards whispering among themselves.
“Hey, Brother, do you know whose grave this is?”
“Tch. You must be new. It’s Pei Xiao’s late mother’s grave. He comes here to pay his respects at this time every year, and he kneels for three whole hours…”
Thud—
A sudden kick struck the bodyguard in the back, sending him pitching forward.
“Do you think you’re entitled to gossip about Pei Xiao?”
Ling Yi spoke, anger held tightly in check.
If any of that accidentally reached their enemies, they’d bomb every inch of soil in this cemetery.
“Brother Yi.”
The bodyguard pushed himself up from the ground and knelt before Ling Yi. “I deserve to die. Please punish me.”
“Go back and take three lashes.”
As he spoke, Ling Yi turned to the other young bodyguard, who was also new. “And you. You’ll take three lashes when you get back, too. In the future, ask less about things you have no business asking about.”
“Yes.”
The young bodyguard lowered his head.
Ling Yi returned to his place and gazed from afar at Boss’s back, unable to decide what to do.
Pei Xiao hated being disturbed most of all at a time like this. Should Ling Yi tell him what was happening?
But what good would that do?
It was only a few planes and ships. Compared with the value of the weapons depot, they were nothing. Even if Master Xiao flew back now, it would take ten hours.
Forget it.
He’d wait until Master Xiao came out.
…
On Mandao Island, artillery fire rained down without pause.
It was as if something had exploded beneath the earth, shaking the ground itself. The horizon glowed golden with firelight.
“Nanny He, this way!”
Wen Yining pulled Nanny He along with one hand and carried her bag in the other as she ran toward an inconspicuous, abandoned pier.
A wooden boat was moored beside it.
After observing the island for the past few days, she’d decided this was the best place to escape. Normally, only one guard patrolled it, but thanks to Pei Xiao’s enemies, there wasn’t a soul in sight now.
Being kept like a canary was bad enough, but there was danger to her life every so often, too. No one could live beside that man.
“Ningning, you go on ahead.”
Nanny He was so exhausted she could barely catch her breath.
They’d barely made it out of the villa before the bombardment started. They’d run for almost half an hour before they could even see the sea.
“Nanny He, I’m not leaving you behind. We’ll go together.”
Wen Yining slowed down and supported her as they ran.
The explosions were deafening. Thick smoke and flames surged into the sky, and a pungent stench hung over the entire island.
Fifty meters to go.
The roar of fighter jet engines was drawing closer.
Boom—
A bomb struck the ground and exploded behind them, reducing countless plants to ash in an instant.
Scorching waves surged around them. The blast sent a rush of air crashing through, flattening everything nearby.
Neither of them could keep their footing. They fell to the ground.
“Nanny He! Are you all right?”
Panicked, Wen Yining tried to get up and check her injuries, but Nanny He yanked her back down and covered her with her own body.
“Look out!”
Another explosion rang in their ears, closer this time.
A wall of scorching air swept over them, so hot it was suffocating, as if it would burn everything to ashes.
Dust billowed, blotting out the sky and moon. The boat ahead seemed veiled behind a gray curtain, its outline blurred.
“Nanny He…”
Wen Yining struggled to get up, but the weight on her back kept her pinned down.
“…”
When there was no answer, Wen Yining panicked. “Nanny He!”
“…”
The only reply was one explosion after another, roaring in her ears like the opening notes of doomsday.
“Nanny He…”
Wen Yining bit down hard on the back of her hand. Tears spilled uncontrollably from her eyes and slid down her pale cheeks.
The world suddenly fell silent.
So silent she could hear her own heart, beating as if it were about to stop.
She didn’t know how much time had passed before the weight pressing down on her gradually eased.
Wen Yining crawled out from beneath Nanny He and pushed herself upright.
“Nanny He…”
She tried to move her.
The woman lying on the ground had already lost consciousness. Dust coated her pinned-up hair, and her face was utterly lifeless.
“Nanny He… please… don’t go…”
Wen Yining choked on her words. Tears streamed from her bloodshot eyes.
Why… why couldn’t they be allowed to live?
Nanny He was such a good person. Why did she have to suffer like this? Why, after taking her daughter away, did they have to take Nanny He, too?
“Ah—”
Wen Yining screamed with all her might.
Anger, hatred, despair… countless needles seemed to pierce her heart.
“Ningning…”
A weak voice suddenly came from in front of her. Wen Yining lowered her head, stunned for a moment. “Nanny He…”
She took her hand. “I’ll get you out of here. We’re leaving right now. My maternal grandfather is an incredible doctor. He can heal you, I know he can…”
As she spoke, Wen Yining stood and tried to drag Nanny He toward the shore, gripping her by the shoulders.
“Ningning…”
Nanny He called her weakly, barely breathing.
Wen Yining let go and knelt down beside her, leaning close and pressing her ear near her face to listen. “What is it, Nanny He?”
The woman on the ground struggled to curve her lips into a faint smile and forced the words out. “Nanny He doesn’t want to leave… You go…”
“No.”
Wen Yining shook her head violently. “No. I’m not leaving.”
“Go live your life…”
Nanny He looked at her, tenderness flowing through her eyes. “If you get the chance, go visit Nannan for me. Jiangbei District, Fuan Cemetery, number 66…”
The voice in Wen Yining’s ear grew fainter.
The woman on the ground slowly closed her eyes, a smile lingering at her lips. Her weathered face was utterly peaceful.
Wen Yining straightened, and a wave of dizziness swept over her. Her vision went black.
…