Aftermath
Tang Qing left, smiling as usual as she said goodbye to Ye Zi and Murong Feng. She advised Murong Feng to rest well and asked Ye Zi to take good care of him, acting like an ordinary good friend. Only in the final glance she exchanged with Murong Feng as she left did she momentarily reveal the intense emotions she had been suppressing. Over the past day and night, her fear, longing, and joy at Murong Feng's safe return were no less than Ye Zi's.
Yet she could only stand aside, smiling as she watched Ye Zi throw herself into Murong Feng's arms crying tears of joy. She could only leave, allowing Ye Zi and Murong Feng to share this sweet moment alone after their ordeal. Heaven knows how much she too wanted to embrace Murong Feng tightly, how much she wanted to stay and quietly enjoy this peaceful, joyful moment with him...
Murong Feng was deeply shaken. The deep and complex emotions contained in that final glance suddenly made his heart ache. Tang Qing's haggard face, her joyful smile, and the loneliness as she left almost made him call out to stop her. But Ye Zi clinging tightly to his arm made him realize that would be inappropriate.
Tang Qing left, and Murong Feng's mood also became low. This feeling was truly unpleasant. Two women who loved him equally, yet he could not give them equal love. He felt deep guilt towards Tang Qing.
Ye Zi at this time was overwhelmed with happiness. For the past day and night, she had barely closed her eyes, with pain and fear tearing at her heart every minute. Finally, Murong Feng had returned safe and sound!
She was like a happy magpie, chirping non-stop about how Tang Qing had comforted her while Murong Feng was away, and how the police officers assigned to protect them had kept them updated on the case's progress.
As she spoke, she began to cry again: "Murong, do you know how much I hated myself then? If I hadn't worked overtime, you would have come to keep me company that night, and you wouldn't have returned home so late and been attacked by those criminals. Even if there was a kidnapping, I could have been kidnapped with you! I'd rather be kidnapped with you than sit at home knowing nothing, imagining the worst, and painfully waiting for news about you! Murong, am I useless?"
Murong Feng lovingly wiped away the tears on her beautiful cheeks and smiled gently: "Silly girl, how could that be? I would never let you be in any danger or suffer any harm. See, I've returned safely, haven't I? I even impressed those police officers; they praised my skills!"
Ye Zi suddenly remembered something and looked at Murong Feng in shock: "Murong, did you... did you really kill one of the kidnappers?"
Murong Feng immediately recalled the image of Ah-Dong lying in a pool of blood, the feeling of the plastic strip piercing his neck so vivid. The spurting blood and Ah-Dong's agonized expression flashed before his eyes like movie scenes. He could almost smell the scent of blood, and a feeling of nausea swept over him.
His face suddenly turned pale, and he waved his hand with a bitter smile: "Ye Zi, let's not talk about this. The important thing is that I've returned safely."
Ye Zi hadn't slept for a day and a night, and now that she was relaxed, she fell into a deep sleep as they embraced and talked.
Murong Feng gazed at Ye Zi's sweet and innocent face in his arms, thinking about her mumbled words just before she fell asleep, feeling a multitude of emotions.
"Murong, I realized I couldn't help at all, unlike Janney. She's so capable. It's fortunate she was with me..."
Hearing Ye Zi's unconscious murmur, Murong Feng recalled Tang Qing's soul-stirring glance as she left, and suddenly felt an impulse.
He gently got out of bed, tucked Ye Zi in, smoothed her scattered hair, and kissed her cheek.
Then he slowly walked up to the rooftop.
The moonlight was cool like water.
Murong Feng dialed Tang Qing's number.
"Janney, I'm sorry for making you worry!" Murong Feng's usual gentle words immediately brought tears to Tang Qing's eyes. "Murong, I was so scared, afraid something might happen to you!" Tang Qing wasn't as strong as she appeared on the surface; even now, recalling the tension and fear, she still felt lingering dread.
"...Janney, I'm sorry, I think... I wronged you tonight..." Murong Feng really didn't know what to say. He had made a mess of the relationship between the three of them. When he was with them separately, he felt in control, but tonight made him realize that it was difficult not to hurt one of them.
Hearing him say this, the grievance in Tang Qing's heart suddenly vanished. She said with a smile in her voice: "Murong, don't say that... What you did was right. Ye Zi was almost driven crazy with worry these past two days. You should spend time with her!"
Murong Feng nodded silently.
"Janney, thank you!"
"Murong, you don't need to thank me!..."
...
Murong Feng had thought that after the kidnapping case was over, everything would return to normal. But he found that things weren't as simple as he had imagined.
He was no longer the ordinary person he used to be, alone in the world. To put it dramatically, after Zhao Nian left him, if he had died in that shabby apartment, it probably would have taken a month before the landlord came to collect the next month's rent for him to be discovered.
At that time, he was like a speck of dust in this society, insignificant...
But now, he carried many responsibilities.
Not to mention the millions in assets in his Swiss bank account.
When the news of his kidnapping broke, people at Harbor Tech, Tom Beijing, Fengxing Wireless, and Ayu Games all panicked. Li Xiangnan could no longer focus on guiding research and development, anxiously waiting for news at the Haidian Branch Police Station. Ouyang Lanruo and Doris, being women, were even more at a loss about what to do. Baozi Xian flew urgently to Beijing to take charge. Liu Xin, who was originally on a business trip in Chengdu, panicked and flew back to Beijing overnight, anxiously waiting for news from the police along with Ding Jun.
Finally, Murong Feng returned safely.
After everyone's heavy hearts were relieved, they naturally became especially concerned about his safety.
"Murong, you're a multi-millionaire now and a famous one at that, unlike before. You need to consider hiring bodyguards! I have a friend in Hong Kong who runs a security company. Most of his security personnel are retired special forces from various countries. Let me introduce you," Baozi Xian persuaded him.
"Feng-zi, you were lucky this time, but what if there's a next time?" This was Liu Xin trying to persuade him.
"Murong, you're wealthy now, and there are always unscrupulous people out there. I can assign a few people to help protect you." This was Guo Guodong's advice.
After this incident, Murong Feng indeed started to pay attention to these aspects that he never needed to consider as an ordinary person before.
This kidnapping incident appeared to end with Murong Feng's easy escape, but Murong Feng was very clear about how dangerous it had been. If those two hadn't seen him as a pampered rich kid and loosened their guard, giving him time to wear through the ropes and find the plastic rod, and if there hadn't been a conflict between the two over dividing the ransom, giving him an opportunity to act, Murong Feng would either be missing a hand now or have been killed...
His wealth might increase even more in the future, and he didn't have the deep-rooted foundation of those long-established wealthy families. If he still wanted to realize his dreams and live freely, he had to strengthen the power around him. Investing and expanding in business was one aspect, and protecting his personal safety and family was equally important.
However, he didn't like the idea of being surrounded by three or four burly men in black sunglasses and suits, like a nouveau riche. After careful consideration, Murong Feng declined Baozi Xian's suggestion.
On the third day after Murong Feng's return, he rented out the "Shang Palace" Chinese restaurant at the Shangri-La Hotel near Zizhuyuan Bridge to host a banquet for Guo Guodong and his brothers, thanking them for their righteous assistance.
After a few rounds of drinks, Guo Guodong was very pleased. Murong Feng's gesture made him, as the leader, look good. Although with his status and power, such a place wasn't impressive to him, it at least showed Murong Feng's sincerity.
He put his arm around Murong Feng's shoulders and laughed: "Murong, you don't know, but my brothers were all talking about you when they got back. Damn, two well-known figures from Hong Kong's underworld tried to kidnap you and failed, with one dead whilst the other fled! Haha, truly befitting someone who could amass millions at such a young age! Come, as your big brother, I still haven't repaid this favor. Let me toast you!"
Murong Feng clinked glasses with him and drank it all in one go, smiling: "Brother Guo, don't say that. It was all luck on my part. If things had gone slightly differently, I'd be left with only one hand now! Thank you and all the brothers for coming to save me. I'm truly grateful! Come, let me toast everyone!" Saying this, he raised his glass again, standing up to toast around the room.
Most of those present had participated in the rescue operation and admired Murong Feng. Seeing his generosity now, they all smiled happily and raised their glasses in unison.
After this toast, Murong Feng sat down, and Guo Guodong, smiling, pointed at Guo Yong sitting next to him and said to Murong Feng: "Murong, do you remember him?" Murong Feng smiled and said: "How could I forget? It's Brother Yong, right? Your knife-throwing skills are admirable!" He recalled Tan Wen's bleeding hand when Guo Yong brought him in. He couldn't imagine how Guo Yong had managed to subdue the gun-wielding Tan Wen with a thrown knife in the dark night.
Guo Yong smiled modestly. Guo Guodong continued: "Murong, I can assign Yong-zi to stay by your side, as your driver and bodyguard, to protect you. What do you think?"
Hearing this, Murong Feng couldn't help but look at Guo Yong, only to see that he too was surprised, clearly unaware of Guo Guodong's plan.
Guo Guodong looked at Guo Yong with deep eyes, and Guo Yong quickly lowered his head in respectful agreement.
Guo Guodong put his other hand on Guo Yong's shoulder, patting it, and said with emotion: "Yong-zi is a retired special forces soldier from the Beijing Military Region Special Forces. Murong, do you know about the 38th Army?"
Murong Feng nodded in surprise: "I know, it's China's most elite Type-A Group Army, known as the 'Long Live Army'!"
Guo Guodong nodded: "Yong-zi is from that army! He's skilled in hand-to-hand combat, firearms, vehicles, everything, and he has exceptional knife-throwing skills. He's my most capable assistant."
Hearing this, Murong Feng waved his hands, saying: "How could that be appropriate, Brother Guo? I'm just an ordinary person, just with some money that might bring some small troubles. Your line of work is much more dangerous than mine. Brother Yong should stay with you!"
Guo Guodong smiled, holding onto Murong Feng's waving hand, and said: "Listen to me. Yong-zi followed me because his family was in trouble back then, and I helped him. He's been following me to repay that debt for almost ten years now. But I've always known he doesn't like this line of work. Now he's long since repaid his debt, and I want to find him a good way out. Murong, you're generous, willing to help even a stranger like me. I believe you're a man of honor. I'll feel at ease with Yong-zi following you."
Murong Feng looked at Guo Yong. Hearing Guo Guodong speak like this, and knowing Guo Yong's character, he was already quite willing. So he said: "What does Brother Yong think about this?"
Guo Yong was silent for a few seconds, and when he raised his head, his eyes were red-rimmed: "Boss Guo... I understand your intentions. I will definitely take good care of Mr. Murong."
Guo Guodong smiled silently, his eyes comforting.
Guo Yong then said to Murong Feng: "Mr. Murong, I'm willing to go with you, as your driver or assistant. As long as I can help you, it's fine. And please don't call me Brother Yong anymore. Just call me Yong-zi like Boss Guo does!"
Murong Feng was delighted. He raised his glass and smiled: "Good, Yong-zi. I'm not one to be coy. From now on, we're our own people. Don't call me Mr. Murong either, just call me Murong. Come, let me toast you!"
Amidst Guo Guodong's hearty laughter, Murong Feng acquired his first personal bodyguard - Guo Yong.
On the fourth day after Murong Feng's return.
At the Haidian Branch of Beijing Public Security Bureau, Murong Feng, accompanied by Guo Yong, Li Xiangnan, Liu Xin, and others, came with a banner to express their gratitude. The city's TV station even sent a production team to follow and film a special report on the aftermath of the kidnapping case.
Murong Feng personally handed over a banner that read "Guardians of the People, Nemesis of Evil" to Zhang Jiabing, the director of the Haidian Branch. He also made a personal donation of 20 million yuan to be used for the construction of a 110 emergency call center, the renewal of patrol cars, and criminal investigation funds.
After this news was broadcast by the TV station, it caused a significant reaction in society. Murong Feng's reputation and prestige rose another level, and more importantly, his relationship with the Haidian Branch and the Municipal Public Security Bureau became much closer!
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the China Youth Entrepreneurs Association both held cocktail parties and dinners to celebrate Murong Feng's safe return. At these events, Murong Feng also gave speeches on current social security situations and the police's rapid response, using his own experience as an example. He spoke on topics such as comprehensive governance of social security and the police-public hotline. Later, he even formed these speeches into proposal reports during the Political Participation and Discussion Committee meeting, which he submitted to the committee.
After this incident, Murong Feng's fame grew even more, and he became the most dazzling new star in Beijing's business circles!