Chapter 1055: 1055: Snatching People! (4)

Chapter 1055: Chapter 1055: Snatching People! (4)

Once the first moved, others followed—second, third, until eventually, a whole swarm charged forward.

In no time, they overwhelmed the twelve suited men, pinning them to the ground and tying them up with baggage ropes. Hands bound, feet bound—in mere minutes, they had been tied up like prize hogs.

“…” Watching the whole process, Old Master Duan’s face turned dark.

But that wasn’t the end; over there, the Ruanlin women, led by those close to her age, had surrounded Old Master Duan and started yelling at him.

Accusations of “disgracing your old age” and “utter shamelessness” flew, along with every insult imaginable. Some even spat with fiery disdain, sending flecks of saliva onto his face.

Old Master Duan had spent his life basking in respect and prestige, treated as an honored guest wherever he went. Never once had he endured humiliation such as this—it was enough to make his face so dark it seemed ink could drip from it.

By the time Duan Qianyang arrived, pushed in his wheelchair by Duan Qirui, this was the scene he saw: Old Master Duan surrounded by a mob of women, being berated mercilessly. If you looked closely, you’d spot more than a few spit marks on his face.

Meanwhile, roughly ten meters away, over a dozen men in suits lay on the ground, bound as tightly as dumplings. The spectacle was—you could hardly find words to describe it.

The Ruan Family hadn’t emerged completely unscathed from the chaos, though. The younger Ruan Hao and Ruan Jie bore visible bruises, and Ruan Jianguo’s shirt sleeve had been torn.

Xiu Xi, the youngest, surprisingly came out unhurt, though his face was icy cold as he stood, holding a handkerchief and wiping Jiaojiao’s tears.

Jiaojiao was scared out of her wits. Even though the perpetrators had been subdued, she was still shaken. When she saw Duan Qianyang being wheeled over, she instinctively grabbed Xiu Xi and tried to hide him behind her, as if her petite figure could somehow shield him.

Xiu Xi felt a surge of warmth from her protective gesture. Gently, he squeezed her small, tightly clutching hand and reassured her, “It’s over now. Don’t be afraid.”

Jiaojiao nodded, but seeing him about to head in Duan Qianyang’s direction, her unease deepened, and she refused to let go. Eventually, Xiu Xi had no choice but to grab her hand and lead her over to Duan Qianyang.

The last time they’d seen Duan Qianyang had been over half a month ago, back when he looked like death itself—frail and sickly, as though he didn’t have much time left. But now, he seemed visibly improved. Though his complexion remained pale, the sickly greenish tint had faded, replaced by a rather livable pallor.

Most notably, he was out of bed, even if only seated in a wheelchair.

“Sorry, I mishandled things.” Duan Qianyang offered an apology as he looked at Xiu Xi holding Jiaojiao’s hand.

Since Xiu Xi had arrived in Beidu, Duan Qianyang had been guarding against any tricks from Old Master Duan. The old man had stayed relatively quiet right up through the New Year, and since Duan Qianyang’s health had been improving each day, he’d thought the old patriarch had abandoned his plans to bring Xiu Xi back. He never anticipated he’d strike today, and so violently at that.

“Don’t let there be a next time.” Xiu Xi did not offer a friendly face in response to Duan Qianyang’s apology.

“Understood.” Duan Qianyang nodded, glanced at the watch on his wrist, and said, “It’s getting late; you should get in the car. Leave this to me.”

Xiu Xi cast him one last look, then led Jiaojiao back to the Ruan Family’s side. Ruan Jianguo was busy thanking those who’d helped them. Meanwhile, Ruan Hao’s wrist bore a minor injury, which left Ruanlin and Shu Jiao uneasy.

Ruan Hao reassured them briefly, and in the end, Ruan Jianguo and Ruan Jie personally escorted him to the bus station for his return to school. Only then did the Ruan Family board the inbound train with peace of mind.