Freedom?

Lee Han Ping was in a daze. Am I really free? How? He could only remember a loud bang, smoke, loud sounds, a lot of screaming, the blaring alarms and sirens, the blinding light, more gun fire sounds and the smell of freedom. The men that saved him were serious looking and did not speak much. All his questions were answered with either a snort or some unintelligible sound. Finally, he decided to sit back and enjoy the ride. He closed his eyes, anywhere is better than there. To be holed up 20 hours in a dark spacious room, and only allowed 4 hours of sunlight a day. The food was not bad, no physical torture but mentally it was taxing and lonely. He already lost counts of days and he is not even sure what year is it.

To be honest, he don't even remember how he looks like anymore, he haven't looked into a mirror for ages. His caressed his four feet long white beard that has already reached its maximum growth. He is too tired to think of today's bizarre event. His time locked up is spent mostly on trying to keep awake because sleeping is a nightmare. He kept seeing the image of his beloved Yu Ling rushing forward to shield that damn brat. He can't forget those eyes, staring at him while she died protection that brat. Why does she choose everyone else and not him? Why???? Tears fall off his shrunken cheeks. Not much is left from his youthful years and he had not aged gracefully because of his lack of sleep, poor nutrition and lack of sunlight.

The car stopped moving once it arrived at an underground facility. He was told to alight the vehicle. The moment he got down, he was in disbelief, he rubbed his eyes a few times, then he pinched his forearm and yelped in pain. He could not believe his eyes. He suspected his eyes were playing tricks on him. It cannot be. It should not be. He witnessed it himself. No way.

"Long time no see, Ah Ping."

Derek was stunned to hear his father's words. Escaped? Did uncle have the ability to do so? Kidnapped? Saved? This is more like it. Someone deliberately saved uncle. For what purpose? Grudges? He had so many questions yet he have no answer.

"Hello. Are you there?" His father asked anxiously.

"Yes. Everything is so surreal. I can't believe it." He replied.

"You and Jade have to get out from there now. The army has issued a lockdown on the island. Use your ring when you arrive at the airway. The army will escort you out. We have a close relationship to the army because we supply most of their weapons. You will learn all these during your training. Jade has to show her ring as well in order to board the jet. Stay safe. Those people that rescue your uncle should be trying to lie low on the island a few days before they try to escape. We will catch them. Don't worry." Father Lee said. In actual fact, he was panicking. How did they breech the tight security? Just who is pulling all the strings in the dark.

Till now, the matters regarding the assassination attempt on Jade's life has not yet concluded and the investigators keep coming back empty handed. No lead or clue and now this. Yu Ling, why does our son's life have to be so hard? Why can't he lead a more peaceful life. I wish I could protect him and Jade from all this. If I could exchange my life for the sake of his happiness, I would. Yu Ling, life would be more bearable for me if you were here with me. You always know how to calm me down. I really miss you, my love. Thinking of all these stressful matters caused father Lee's chest to tighten slightly. He quickly controlled his breathing and started doing some relaxation exercise. I can't afford to make things worse for Derek and Jade, I need to be strong and hold on.

"Father. Father. Are you alright?" Derek asked fretfully.

"Cough.. cough. Sorry, my mind wandered off for a moment. Where were we?" Father Lee asked trying to keep his emotions at bay.

"I said we are on the way to the airway, we will depart around 5pm and arrived back home 6pm. Stay safe. Make sure you have enough guards and security personnel. Don't go back to City Q first, stay at my place, alright? Me and Jade will move in there as well. Father, can you assign some guards for Chris, April, Jason, Jess and Sarah too. Thanks father."

Derek explained to Jade the situation. Jade received the news calmly. She then made phone calls to Chris, April and Sarah to warn them of the unknown lurking dangers.

Derek gave Jason a call as well. "Jason, my uncle was rescued, yes, the one you have been investigating, just be safe and please tell Jess, don't keep her in the dark, she needs to be vigilant, she is alright but with you around her brain somehow liquefy. Don't asked me how is it possible. You have to fix it because you are obviously the cause. Stay safe my man. Remember, Jess needs to know the danger and be vigilant. I don't want her to be a pawn in any schemes. It would cause you and Jade to be super devastated. Her simple mind would make her an easy target. You need to toughen her up." Derek lectured Jason incessantly.

"Okay, okay, it is rare to see you in this mood and such concern for my woman. If not because of the grave situation at hand, I might have misunderstood your concern and would have flown into a jealousy fit. Okay, okay, I get it, no one can rival your wife in your heart. Okay, okay. don't get all work up. I will be vigilant and keep my woman safe. Okay?" Jason replied while trying to placate the irritated Derek.