"Are you serious?" a lazy voice drifted over.
"That's the person who broke into BDD at such a young age." The familiar foreign voice spoke again.
Following that was a rustling sound, and the signal was cut.
Huo Rou let out a breath, "Giles."
"It was Giles." she repeated, looking at the disappearing GPS dot on the laptop. It was almost certain now that An'an had been kidnapped by Giles and his group.
Qin Ningyi understood. He rolled down the window and said to the police cars outside, "The signal is lost. Please surround this entire area."
"Yes, Young Master Qin." The person in the co-pilot seat of the police car nodded in agreement, relaying the orders through their walkie-talkie.
Wang Haozhuo's call came in at the opportune moment, "Sister Huo, we checked the airport again. There's someone here who looks a lot like the other child you mentioned."
Huo Rou's brow furrowed tightly. So An'an and Ruan Ruan were in two different locations?
"Is anyone following them?" Huo Rou asked.
Qin Ningyi, hearing her question, turned his head to look at her, his eyes questioning.
"They're going to Ningzhong City. We don't have anyone there currently. We've arranged for people to get there as soon as possible, but it will likely be after they've landed."
"Okay, I understand."
After Huo Rou hung up, she asked Qin Ningyi, "Do you know anyone in Ningzhong City?"
"They split up, and one of them was taken there?" Qin Ningyi cut to the chase.
"It's likely Ruan Ruan," Huo Rou nodded, her expression grim. The kidnapping of two children was already a terrifying event.
Now that they were separated, the two children must be even more scared. Ruan Ruan was so young, she didn't know what would happen to her after being separated from An'an.
Giles was definitely after her. She should have handled her identity better. Letting Giles follow her to China so easily, and now endangering An'an and Ruan Ruan.
Huo Rou felt extremely guilty.
With the signal lost, everyone searched aimlessly in the open suburban area.
This area was sparsely populated, so there were no dense surveillance cameras or signal coverage.
Searching for a needle in a haystack, how agonizing it was.
"Don't blame yourself, and don't worry. Ningzhong City is easy to handle." The car could go no further as the road ended. Qin Ningyi stopped the car and gently comforted Huo Rou.
"I'll call my uncle. He can help there."
"How about you go to Ningzhong City? I'll search here, and you go there. We'll split up." Huo Rou looked at the jungle ahead. If Giles was really hiding in there, going in now would be like walking into a trap.
If possible, she wanted to ensure Qin Ningyi's safety. If he went to Ningzhong City, Elder Jiang's people would have arrived, and with them protecting Qin Ningyi, she wouldn't have to worry about him.
"No, I can't leave you alone," Qin Ningyi said sternly. "I told you, I'll make arrangements over there. Are you trying to shake me off? If so, why don't you go to Ningzhong City, and I'll arrange a plane immediately."
"Qin Ningyi, stop messing around." Huo Rou frowned. In this situation, she couldn't afford to be distracted by taking care of someone else. Although Qin Ningyi grew up in a military compound, he'd been in business for so many years, how much skill could he possibly retain?
The two of them were at an impasse regarding who should go where.
"In any case, don't think about shaking me off and going on a dangerous mission alone. It's impossible!" Qin Ningyi's face turned dark, which was rare.
He held Huo Rou's hand, preventing her from acting rashly, and with his other hand, he called Qin Nishui.
"I was just thinking of calling you when you called."
Qin Nishui was about to say something, but Qin Ningyi interrupted him, "Uncle, help me with something."
"Ah? That's perfect, I need your help too." Qin Nishui heard the tension in his voice and asked without delay, "What is it?"
"A little girl, about three or four years old, has been kidnapped and might have landed in Ningzhong City. Could you help me look for her?"
"Your daughter?"
"A friend's." Qin Ningyi concisely described Ruan Ruan's appearance.
"Okay, I'll send people to set up checkpoints now." Qin Nishui agreed after listening. "However, in exchange, you have to help me with my matter. I'll tell you after the person is delivered back to you."
"Okay, thank you, Uncle." As Qin Ningyi finished his call, Huo Rou's phone rang again.
It was Wang Qian. "Huo Rou, have you found them?"
Wang Qian had been left far behind and could only call to inquire about the situation.
"We have some clues. Ruan Ruan and An'an have been separated."
Hearing Wang Qian's voice, Huo Rou felt even more guilty.
Wang Qian had trusted them enough to leave Ruan Ruan at their house to play with An'an. Now, because of her, both children were in danger.
"Ah? Separated? Where did they go?" Wang Qian's voice became anxious. If the two children were together, they could at least ease each other's tension.
Now they were separated.
"An'an's necklace might have been given to Ruan Ruan, and she's currently on a flight to Ningzhong City."
Huo Rou relayed Ruan Ruan's information to Wang Qian, who exclaimed in surprise, "Ningzhong City? Susu is in Ningzhong City!"
"She just called me, and I accidentally let it slip..."
Hearing that Ruan Ruan's mother was in Ningzhong City, Huo Rou suddenly remembered that person.
"I understand. I'll contact someone to keep her steady. The people who kidnapped An'an and Ruan Ruan are likely my enemies. Tell Ruan Su to be careful and try not to go near them."
After giving her instructions, Huo Rou hung up and called Ling Xiao.
That guy had mentioned seeing the child's mother last time. So, where Ruan Su was, he would surely be.
With Ling Xiao there, she could let go of many worries.
"Ling Xiao, are you with Ruan Su right now?"
Ling Xiao leaned against the bathroom door, listening to the sound of water inside, and let out a roguish smile. "Little darling, you're being too controlling."
"Stop joking, this is serious." Huo Rou asked.
"She's taking a bath." Ling Xiao took a few steps away from the bathroom door, his teasing fading as his eyebrows furrowed in seriousness. "What's wrong?"
"An'an and Ruan Ruan have been kidnapped, and Ruan Ruan might have been taken to Ningzhong City."
"The other party is after me. Ruan Ruan should be safe for now. Don't let Ruan Su come into contact with them. BDD from country M is not to be trifled with."
"Someone dares to kidnap my daughter? Is country M tired of living lately?" Ling Xiao's voice deepened with anger.
"I've sent people to Ningzhong City. If you don't have enough manpower, you can use them." She glanced towards the depths of the jungle. She had no other choice now. Giles was here. Even if it was a diversion, she had to settle things with Giles.
"I'm sorry." She was silent for a moment, the words spoken with great weight. "Because of me, Ruan Ruan has encountered this situation."