Chapter Twenty-Two

I thought my refusal had been clear enough, that Lin Qinghan would retreat in the face of it. But I had underestimated her persistence, and the strange twists of fate.

One weekend, Lin Qinghan showed up at Anhe Hall without any warning. She had shed her usual long dress for a practical sports outfit, her face tinged with both apology and anxiety.

“Mr. Jiang, I’m sorry to trouble you. I... I’ve run into some trouble and hope you can help me.”

It turned out that a charity foundation under the Lin family had been sponsoring a Hope Elementary School in the remote mountains outside Haishi. Today was supposed to be her visit, but the bodyguards accompanying her had all fallen ill with food poisoning along the way, leaving her alone. She didn’t dare venture into the mountains by herself, yet couldn’t bear to disappoint the children. In desperation, she had come to me for help.

“I know this request is abrupt, but you’re the only person I can trust,” she pleaded, her eyes sincere.

I looked at her anxious expression, then at Yi Yi, who gazed at me with hopeful eyes. In the end, I nodded.

“All right. I’ll bring Yi Yi with me and we’ll go with you.”

The road to the mountains was rugged and difficult. Lin Qinghan’s sports car was useless here, so we switched to one of the Lin family’s off-road vehicles.

Along the way, she recounted stories of the children, her eyes shining with genuine warmth. I listened quietly, finding a new respect for her. She was not just a sheltered heiress lost in idle romance.

We parked at the foot of the mountain; the rest of the journey had to be made on foot.

The mountain path was slippery, but Yi Yi was thrilled, like a bird released from its cage. I held her hand, steady and sure. Lin Qinghan followed behind, struggling but stubbornly pushing on.

Then, as we rounded a bend, trouble struck.

Several rough-looking men burst from the woods, blocking our way. They were armed with clubs, and their leader—a burly man with a scar on his face—fixed Lin Qinghan with a vicious glare.

“Miss Lin, our boss would like to invite you for tea. Come with us.”

Was this business revenge, or a kidnapping for ransom? I had no time to consider.

Lin Qinghan’s face went pale. Instinctively, she shielded Yi Yi and me behind her. “What do you want? Do you have no respect for the law in broad daylight?”

“The law?” Scarface sneered. “Up here, I am the law! Boys, get them! Knock out the man, don’t worry about the kid, and bring the women!”

Three men rushed us at once.

Lin Qinghan g