Hearing this, Leng Xunze frowned, "You said she was originally going to the beach with you?"
Nan Zhou nodded, "Yes, maybe something delayed her. If Wen Yan knew you were looking for her, she'd definitely be happy."
Leng Xunze's brows slightly lifted, "What did she say to you?"
Nan Zhou then relayed everything Wen Yan had told him about her marriage, saying with a hint of envy, "I can see that she likes you very much. Her eyes always sparkle when she mentions you."
The curve of Leng Xunze's lips widened, "Thank you for saving my wife. As a reward, you can name any condition, and I will agree to it."
Nan Zhou waved his hand, refusing, "We didn't save her for a reward, and I don't need anything."
Leng Xunze said nothing upon seeing this.
Yuan Jiamiao, never one to shy away from stirring the pot, chuckled, "Nan Zhou, so many people want a condition from him and can't get one. Don't refuse so quickly, it might be useful later!"
The group soon arrived at Nan Zhou's home. Just as Nan Zhou was about to refuse again, he turned and saw his mother returning. He smiled and said, "Mom, where did you go? Oh, and let me tell you, these two are Wen Yan's man and friend, and they're looking for Wen Yan."
Hearing this, the woman's expression changed. She stammered, "So you're the young lady's family. Nan Zhou, entertain them. Mom is a bit tired and will go back first."
Nan Zhou felt his mother was acting strangely, but he couldn't quite pinpoint what was wrong. He asked with concern, "Mom, what's wrong? You were fine this morning."
The woman lied, "Maybe I caught a chill. I'll go back now."
Leng Xunze sensed something was off with the woman's complexion. He instructed Yuan Jiamiao, "Go inside and check. Logically, we're almost inside the house, and if Wen Yan were home, she would have come out by now."
Yuan Jiamiao nodded and went into the room. He only found a small package on a wooden cabinet. He then brought the package to Leng Xunze, "Wen Yan is indeed not at home."
Leng Xunze's face suddenly darkened. Nan Zhou, hearing this, asked in surprise, "How could Wen Yan not be in the house? When I went out earlier, Wen Yan said she was going to find me!"
The woman became even more flustered and was about to leave when Leng Xunze stopped her, "Where exactly did Yan Yan go? You should ask your mother."
At these words, Nan Zhou recalled his mother's strange expression and walked up to her, asking, "Mom, did you hide Wen Yan?"
The woman's face was unsightly, and she dared not meet Nan Zhou's eyes. "Nan Zhou, is that how you talk to your mother? That young lady might have just gone out to play. How would I know?"
Nan Zhou, believing his mother wouldn't lie to him, turned to Leng Xunze, "My mom wouldn't lie to me. Let's look around again."
Leng Xunze glared at the woman, "I'll give you one more chance. Tell me where my wife is! Otherwise, even though you saved her, I will make you pay the price!"
The woman, having never experienced such a situation, was completely panicked. Her face turned deathly pale, and she could barely speak coherently, "I... I don't... know..."
Leng Xunze frowned. Yuan Jiamiao, seeing the woman's panicked state, knew that Wen Yan must have been hidden by her.
He looked at the woman and persuaded, "Auntie, Leng Xunze promised your son a condition just now. But if you don't reveal Wen Yan's whereabouts, not only will you not get the condition, but you might also be separated from your son. Think carefully."
The woman's eyes darted around, her palms sweating. Nan Zhou, seeing this, looked at his mother, "Mom, where did you hide Wen Yan? Are you still trying to lie?"
Unable to withstand the pressure from Leng Xunze and Yuan Jiamiao, the woman finally revealed Wen Yan's hiding place.
Leng Xunze glanced coldly at the woman and quickly headed towards the village entrance.
Nan Zhou sighed at his mother and followed with the keys.
The woman felt utterly ashamed and couldn't lift her head.
Yuan Jiamiao walked up to her, "Auntie, it's good that you finally revealed Wen Yan's whereabouts. Otherwise, even I couldn't have protected you."
...
At the village entrance.
Wen Yan sat on a stool, having tried many ways to escape but failing. Initially, she had shouted loudly, but the sound was drowned out by the waves.
She didn't know how long the aunt would keep her here. Thinking of not being able to board that ship, she couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Just then, a familiar voice sounded from outside the door, "Yan Yan, are you inside?"
Wen Yan's eyes flickered. It was Leng Xunze!
Had he come?
She excitedly stood up and walked to the door, shouting, "Leng Xunze, is that you outside?"
Leng Xunze's voice was filled with undisguised excitement, "It's me. Yan Yan, are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Wen Yan heard the man's clear voice and knew it wasn't an illusion.
Leng Xunze continued, "Yan Yan, step back a bit. I'll get you out right now."
She hummed in response.
Just as Leng Xunze was about to kick the door open, Nan Zhou walked up to him and called inside, "Wen Yan, I brought the key."
Wen Yan heard this, "Thank you, Nan Zhou."
Nan Zhou smiled, walked to the door, opened it, and stepped aside.
Seeing the door open, Wen Yan looked up at Leng Xunze's handsome and striking face. Her eyes welled up slightly, and she walked directly forward, throwing herself into his arms, closing her eyes and tightly hugging his waist. "Leng Xunze!"
Leng Xunze wrapped his arms around her slender waist, resting his head on her shoulder, and whispered gently in her ear, "Yan Yan, I'm so glad you're alright."
Wen Yan's nose stung. At this moment, she didn't want to say a word, only to hold him tightly.
After a moment of embrace, Wen Yan suddenly remembered something. She pulled away from his embrace and walked out of the room. Seeing Nan Zhou smiling at her, she smiled back, "Thank you, Nan Zhou."
Nan Zhou looked at the man with a powerful aura standing beside Wen Yan and felt a pang of envy. He smiled and said, "Wen Yan, I wish you happiness."
Wen Yan nodded and replied, "Nan Zhou, you're very kind. Thank you for your help during this time. When you have time, come to the capital, and I'll host you warmly."
Nan Zhou's heart was filled with bitterness, "Perhaps I will. Also, I apologize on behalf of my mother."
Saying this, he turned away.
He wished he could keep Wen Yan by his side, but he knew that if he used such methods to make her stay, she wouldn't be happy, and he would be heartbroken.
Wen Yan understood the aunt's actions. Now that Nan Zhou had reunited them, she smiled, "Nan Zhou, tell the aunt thank you for her hospitality."
Nan Zhou called back without turning, "Thank you."
After Nan Zhou left, Leng Xunze took her hand and looked at her with eyes full of love, "Yan Yan, let's go back."
Wen Yan clasped his hand and smiled at him, "Okay."
She felt that after experiencing this incident, her love for him had deepened even further.