308— Abducted
The event hall they were using didn't have the hotel floors in the same building. Rather, it was in a separate building hundred of metres away.
Pei Yueran thought for a moment and proposed that both of them go home straight away instead, since they were about to leave the event anyway. Besides, she didn't want to be separated from Li Chuanmo.
But Madam Jiu insisted that it was her fault and she wanted to make up for it anyway she could.
Qiao Mingran thought for a moment and nodded, then turned to convince the Li couple. It would not do for them to leave just like that and not come back. People would talk.
Besides, Gao Dilin had just sent a message that he was on his way. As much as she didn't like him, it was important that her daughter get all the acknowledgement she deserved, not to mention that if he showed up to acknowledge her publicly, less tongues would wag.
Pei Yueran sighed and looked at her husband, not happy about the arrangement. Li Chuanmo said, "Then I'll go with them and wait in the car, while someone brings over a change of clothes for me."
His idea sounded agreeable to everyone, so it was settled.
Qiao Mingran looked around. Gao Zhipeng was talking to his longtime friend and business partner. Gao Tingxiu was on a phone call, and judging by the serious look on her face, she was probably talking about work. Gao Tinghua was nowhere to be seen.
She sighed. They were all unreliable ah!
She turned to them again, "You all wait a moment, I'll just go and inform my husband."
Pei Yueran and Madam Jiu nodded, and Qiao Mingran left. A short while later, she returned, talking to someone on the phone and telling him to get a change of clothes for Li Chuanmo and send to the hotel entrance.
She ended the call and said apologetically, "I have to stay and oversee the party. Since your uncle is coming, I also have to wait for him. And your adoptive mother as well, I can't leave her alone with your immature sister and brother."
Pei Yueran nodded, "Then we'll be back soon. Please explain to her for us."
Qiao Mingran nodded, and the trio left, walking quickly to Madam Jiu's car. Once in, they were quickly driven to the hotel entrance.
Pei Yueran wanted to say something, but Li Chuanmo shook his head discreetly. Madam Jiu was a variable they weren't expecting, and it was yet to be seen if she was a friend or foe.
So Pei Yueran only waved before hurrying away.
Changing their clothes didn't take as much time as usual, because Pei Yueran was in a hurry to go back.
Seeing her fast movements, Madam Jiu said, "Are you in a hurry to see him?"
Pei Yueran nodded slightly as she zipped up the black dinner gown she had changed into. Offhandedly, she was thinking that if she didn't have to wear dinner gowns for the next ten years, it would still be too soon.
Madam Jiu smiled as she commented, "You must love him a lot."
Pei Yueran simply said, "I do."
"Are you planning to get married?" Madam Jiu asked curiously.
Pei Yueran didn't comment. She didn't think it was her business.
"A lot of hearts are destined to be broken in the Capital then." Madam Jiu mused without waiting for her to speak.
"I'm done." Pei Yueran said as she headed for the door.
Madam Jiu nodded. Anyway, she had gotten the information Gao Lanmei asked her to get. It wasn't hard at all to be honest.
Anyone that wasn't blind could see how much they liked each other. Most likely they were getting married soon, if they weren't already.
Thinking of how handsomely she would be rewarded, she smiled. Gao Lanmei was always very generous.
Just as she moved towards the door, a voice came from the direction of the bathroom, "Going somewhere?"
Pei Yueran's heart thudded in her ribcage. They had finally come!
Madam Jiu turned with annoyance to scold the person that was inside their room without permission, but she froze in fear when she came face to face with the muzzle of a gun.
"What-what do you want? I-I don't have money on me n-now...."
Madam Jiu prattled on, but the armed assailant wasn't very interested in what she had to say. With his gaze still fixed on Pei Yueran, he took out a taser gun and jabbed the shivering Madam Jiu. Just like that, she slumped, convulsing.
"Ready to go?" He asked the calm-looking Pei Yueran.
"What makes you think I'd willingly go with you? My husband is downstairs, and there's a banquet going on just beside this building." She said, her voice even.
Only she knew how badly her palms were sweating. Because she had his full attention, she couldn't even move her gaze to send an SOS message through her smartwatch. She was afraid that he would notice it and destroy it.
The man was surprised by her calm, but he didn't have the time or patience to be impressed. They didn't have much time left. He knew that someone may come looking for the two women at any moment.
So he took out his phone and showed her a picture. "Won't you want her hale and hearty?"
It was a picture of Director Zhou, seated with her eyes closed. Pei Yueran's heart tightened.
"You have her in your custody?" She asked, her voice obviously lower.
The man nodded. The person in charge of capturing her sent him the picture some minutes ago, which meant that part of the operation was settled.
Pei Yueran took a deep breath, "Would you let her go if I follow you?"
"Of course." The man said with an annoying smile.
"Fine. Then lead the way." She said, stepping away from the door.
"Not so fast." In a split second, he had reached her side. He quickly taped her mouth, blindfolded her and tied her hands.
"Let's go."
He escorted Pei Yueran out, cautiously taking twists and turns, causing Pei Yueran to stumble severally.
But she wasn't as panicked as she was earlier. The more dangerous the situation, the calmer she strived to be.
Now, she could only hope that Li Chuanmo would notice quickly that something was amiss.
She hated being in this kind of situation, a damsel in distress that needed saving, but since it was her current reality, she was going to be coolheaded to the end.
She had to be.