Half an hour later.
Lu Jingnian’s subordinates reported that Nurse Li and the two children had been found on the east coast.
They immediately drove over.
When they arrived, they saw Nurse Li sitting on the shore, holding one of the children in her hand.
The twins saw Sister Wang and cried out loudly:
“Mom!”
“Mom!”
Tears streamed down Sister Wang’s face as she rushed forward.
She had taken just two steps when Nurse Li shouted sharply:
“Don’t come closer! One more step and I’ll push them into the sea.”
Sister Wang froze, too afraid to advance.
Behind them, the sea churned violently.
Xiang Wanwan frowned; she hadn’t expected Nurse Li to be so extreme—unable to get what she wanted, she would destroy everything.
Moreover, it was Chen De who had wronged her—what did the two children have to do with it?
Previously, Wanwan had felt a trace of sympathy for her, but now she could only think that “the pitiful often have things to be hated about.”
Lu Jingnian placed his hands on Wanwan’s shoulders from behind and said softly:
“Don’t worry. The children will be fine.”
If anyone else said this, Wanwan might have treated it as mere comfort.
But coming from Lu Jingnian, she felt inexplicably reassured. She trusted that he would save the twins.
Chen De was filled with anger. Did this Li Qin even know what she was doing?
She actually dared to take his children!
“Li Qin, release my sons immediately! Do you want to see if you can stay on this island?”
Xiang Wanwan shot Chen De a glance.
What an idiot!
She’s holding hostages—why provoke her?
If she pushed the children into the sea, what would he do?
As expected, Li Qin burst into laughter:
“Hahaha, believe me? How could I not! No need to wait—I can’t stay on this island anymore.”
“Chen De, it’s all your fault. People on the island have been pointing fingers at me. I even lost my job.”
“When I first came here, I had no one. You said you’d take care of me, so I ignored titles, your marriage, and your child, and stayed with you.”
“But you? After that ugly woman came, you wanted to leave me and allowed them to humiliate me.”
“Since I can’t survive, then none of us should.”
She spoke frantically, tugging at the children toward the shore.
The twins cried out in fear.
Sister Wang, sobbing uncontrollably, fell to her knees and pleaded:
“I’ll leave! Give me the children and I’ll leave immediately. Chen De is yours!”
“Yours? Haha, I wouldn’t want him even if you sent him!”
Li Qin laughed even more wildly, tugging at the children relentlessly.
Xiang Wanwan took two steps forward and softly persuaded:
“Li Qin, you’re still young. You have decades of life ahead. If you can’t survive here, we can move somewhere else, right?”
“Across from this island, there’s a bigger world. Why commit an illegal act for a man?”
“If you truly harm the children, not just you, even your family will be affected. Why do it?”
As she spoke, she inched closer.
Her hands stayed behind her back, signaling Chen De and Lu Jingnian to gradually approach Li Qin from both sides, preparing to rescue the children.
Li Qin was momentarily stunned by Wanwan’s words.
Sensing her influence, Wanwan continued:
“Chen De is just an old, ugly man. Once you leave this island, with your looks, any man could be yours.”
“No! You’re lying! I can’t get out!”
Li Qin suddenly became agitated.
Xiang Wanwan stepped forward slowly and comforted her:
“Yes, you can! I’ll have Lu Jingnian send a boat for you. He’s the commander; his word is law!”
Li Qin’s face showed a glimmer of hope, and her grip loosened slightly.
At that moment, Chen De and Lu Jingnian lunged from both sides, grabbing the twins’ hands. A gentle pull and the children were safely in their arms, away from Li Qin.
Li Qin realized too late, and due to the sudden pull, she lost balance and began to topple toward the water.
Xiang Wanwan, relieved the children were safe, hadn’t noticed her movement.
As everyone focused on the children, a “splash” sounded.
Li Qin grabbed Wanwan’s sleeve. Before Wanwan could even cry out, they both fell into the sea together.
Hearing the sound, Lu Jingnian turned immediately. The spot where Wanwan had stood was empty.
His heart sank. Without thinking, his body reacted first—he leapt into the sea.
With a splash, Sister Wang, still rejoicing over the children’s rescue, saw the figure pass by. When she recognized it, blood rushed to her head.
She staggered to the shore, staring at the turbulent waves, fear consuming her.
Sister Wang cried out:
“Wanwan!”
Wanwan must be safe—otherwise, she would never find peace.
Chen De followed, standing at the shore, shouting:
“Commander!”
The icy seawater soaked Lu Jingnian instantly, but the chill didn’t compare to the panic in his chest.
His eyes scoured the waves for that familiar figure.
His mind went blank, with only one thought—she must be safe.
Suddenly, he felt his thigh tugged. Diving down, he saw Wanwan struggling in the water.
He wrapped his arms around her slim waist, bringing her to the surface.
“Mm! Thank goodness, she’s alive.”
Wanwan gasped for air, relief flooding her heart.
Luckily, she could swim—otherwise, the waves might have swept her away.
Her back pressed tightly against Lu Jingnian’s chest. His arms circled her waist, steadily guiding her to shore.
He said nothing, lips tightly pressed, eyes still showing fear and relief.
Thankfully, she was safe!
He couldn’t imagine losing her—just the thought made his heart stop for a beat.
On shore, Sister Wang and the children were safe. A tense heart finally eased.
Lu Jingnian carried Wanwan to solid ground, then suddenly scooped her up in his arms.
She looked at him:
“I can walk myself. I’m fine!”
He frowned, speaking coldly:
“Don’t move.”
Seeing his serious expression, Wanwan obeyed, letting him carry her to the car.
Sister Wang watched their affection and smiled faintly.
Good!
Looking at her two children, joy overflowed her heart.
Chen De followed, glancing back at the sea.
“You reap what you sow.”
The first thing Wanwan did upon returning home was to shower.
After being soaked in icy seawater, she shivered all over.
When she stepped out of the bathroom in dry clothes, she saw Lu Jingnian standing at the door, expressionless, watching her.
“Why are you still home?”
It was early; by usual schedule, he hadn’t finished work yet.
She had thought he’d returned after the children were safe—didn’t expect him to still be here.
Lu Jingnian’s tone was serious, slightly stern:
“From now on, always prioritize your safety, understand?”
“Ah? Oh… understood,” Wanwan replied instinctively.
Seeing her nonchalant expression, anger surged in him.
He stepped forward, pinning her against the wall with his arm, looming over her.
Wanwan’s heart raced at his sudden move.
What was he going to do?
Then Lu Jingnian’s other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her into his embrace.
The warmth of his hand through her thin clothes made her cheeks flush.
He looked at her in his arms—red lips, wide eyes staring at him.
He chuckled softly:
“Wear more. You just came out of the sea—don’t catch a cold.”
Then he let go and walked out.
Wanwan stared at his back, stunned.
Just like that?
Nothing more?
What was she expecting?
Had she forgotten that Lu Jingnian was… lacking in certain areas?
A tiny disappointment rose in her heart. She turned and went to her room, diving straight under the covers.