"Dad?!" An An exclaimed in surprise.
He rubbed his face, his expression full of disbelief. He was starting to wonder if he missed Qin Ningyi so much that he was hearing his voice.
"Grandma Yao, did someone just speak?" An An turned and asked impatiently.
Grandma Yao was stunned when An An addressed her by that title. She hadn't recovered from the shock of how An An's father could be here, and how his voice was coming from the security equipment.
Grandma Yao was pulled back to reality by An An's question and nodded, "Yes."
"It's me," Qin Ningyi's voice was gentle and patient as he softly replied to An An, "It's Dad."
"Dad!" An An missed him terribly, "Why did it take you so long to come?!"
Qin Ningyi comforted An An through the equipment and then asked, "Where are you and Grandma Yao?"
An An remembered the purpose of contacting security, "Dad, are you nearby? Hurry and find Mom, she went out alone. Grandma Yao and I are in the laboratory."
"Is the laboratory safe? Did Mom tell you to stay there, right?" Qin Ningyi asked as concisely and clearly as possible.
An An repeatedly affirmed.
"Qin..." Grandma Yao began, unsure how to address him.
"Qin Ningyi, you can just call me Xiao Qin," Qin Ningyi, sensing Grandma Yao's hesitation, introduced himself immediately.
Grandma Yao actually already knew Qin Ningyi's name from An An. Her hesitation was about how to address him, as Qin Ningyi was the CEO of a major corporation, and she wasn't sure if it was appropriate to call him by his name. Qin Ningyi's words immediately improved her impression of him.
As a CEO, possessing billions in assets and still speaking so humbly to an old woman like her, he seemed like a good person, no wonder Huo Ya'tou liked him.
"Xiao Qin, it's like this..." Grandma Yao briefly explained the layout of the place and their current situation.
She didn't know what had happened, but Huo Rou's expression made her feel that the current situation was not right.
Qin Ningyi had already guessed the general situation. He only said softly, "It's okay, I'm outside the door. I've already dealt with the people outside. You stay inside and don't come out. I'll handle A'rou."
After such a long time sending out the signal, only Qin Ningyi had responded. The situation with the guards outside was uncertain, so Grandma Yao could only choose to trust him, "You have to be careful."
An An was worried about Huo Rou's situation and also about Qin Ningyi. His small brow furrowed, unable to relax.
"Be good, An An, Dad will come to pick you up soon."
Qin Ningyi seemed to sense An An's worry and left this message before hanging up the signal. His voice was calm and gentle, and An An's heart was miraculously soothed.
As they were talking, Huo Rou had already reached the backyard wall, hiding behind it and listening to the sounds outside. Shen Feng was constantly sniffing, his tail wagging rapidly.
"I think this person should be in the backyard," a strange voice stated decisively.
Grandpa Nong seemed displeased, "No."
The person chuckled, "Grandpa Nong, we won't force you if you don't cooperate, but don't block other people's fortune. The fate of this guard might be yours."
"The guards have fixed times to confirm the situation, and the people outside will soon notice," Yao Jian said, his voice trembling slightly.
"Brother Han, what joke are you listening to?" A lewd-looking young man laughed eerily, "He really doesn't know his place."
Huo Rou glanced sideways. The person called Brother Han lowered his head and chuckled, "Young man, you're still too naive. Do you think your loud voices just now wouldn't be heard?"
"You..." Yao Jian pointed at his nose, his face filled with grief and disbelief.
"Who?!" Brother Han suddenly turned his head and stared at the backyard entrance.
The fur on Shen Feng's back all stood on end, and he leaned forward slightly, about to rush out.
Huo Rou made a gesture to him and concealed the dagger in her hand, feigning fright as she revealed her face, "Wh-what's wrong?"
She already had an innocent and harmless face, and her delicate appearance made Brother Han lower his guard slightly, but a playful smile flashed in his eyes. "Old man, is this your daughter?"
His words were too flippant, and Grandpa Nong was so angry his beard almost stood on end.
Brother Han didn't expect an answer from Grandpa Nong, and stared directly at Huo Rou, "Little sister, come here."
Huo Rou moved step by step, her peripheral vision scanning all the surrounding cover.
Grandpa Nong looked at her disapprovingly, "Silly girl, why did you come out?"
"I knew it, hiding such a beauty, no wonder you didn't let us search the backyard," Little Zhu pushed the sharp blade in his hand further towards Pan Yue's neck.
Yao Jian was tied up tightly and lay at his feet.
Grandpa Nong saw the ill intentions of Little Zhu and the playful gaze of Brother Han. Just as Brother Han stepped forward and his finger was about to touch Huo Rou's cheek, Grandpa Nong shouted loudly, "This is the person you're looking for!!"
"Huh?" Brother Han stopped and looked at the fair-skinned Huo Rou in front of him, his eyes full of disbelief, "Old man, don't just make something up to fool me, her?"
The kind of person involved in this should have been a rough old man like Grandpa Nong.
"It's her. She's my most capable assistant, and this technological breakthrough was achieved by her finding a feasible method to break through the bottleneck."
Grandpa Nong's sincere expression didn't seem like a lie. Huo Rou nodded, "It's me, what's wrong?"
Her voice was sweet and charming, which made Brother Han's ears tingle, but Grandpa Nong's words were serious, and he had to believe him. If it were really her, then they would have to treat her with respect.
"Little sister," Brother Han smiled, "To break through this technology, how much money will you get?"
Huo Rou looked at him with an uncomprehending expression and said word for word, "No money."
"Tch!" Little Zhu rolled his eyes, "Stingy."
"Do you want to earn more?" Brother Han tempted.
Huo Rou had already gripped the dagger in her hand, and she nodded timidly, with a hint of longing in her eyes, "Yes."
Brother Han burst out laughing, "Old man, at least someone is sensible. I told you not to block other people's fortune."
Grandpa Nong remained unmoved. He didn't believe Huo Rou was the type to sell her country for a few bucks.
While Brother Han was laughing, Huo Rou calculated the distance and suddenly attacked, swinging her dagger at him.
At this distance, she could attack or retreat to protect Grandpa Nong.
The moment Huo Rou swung her hand, a sharp glint flashed in Brother Han's eyes, and his figure moved rapidly.