C8 The 8th Chapter: Total Seal

Tang Xueqi's face went pale. "What? The money came from Director Zhang?!"

"Of course. Who else but Director Zhang?" Wang Yulan shot back.

She paused, shocked. "The money's already been transferred?"

"Mhm."

Wang Yulan's voice brightened. "See how earnest Director Zhang is? Stop wasting your time with that jerk. Bring him to Director Zhang, pronto."

"Understood..." With a look of turmoil, Tang Xueqi ended the call and gave Luo Yun a long, hard look, then chuckled at herself.

Indeed, she knew all too well what Luo Yun was worth.

His pockets were as empty as his expression. The fortune his parents had left was nearly frittered away by Luo Yun in his foolishness.

Despite her taking the reins of the company and doing everything to salvage it, her efforts were in vain.

How could he possibly have a secret account to move such an enormous sum of money?

Sighing, Tang Xueqi murmured, "Let's go."

Luo Yun nodded, trailing after Tang Xueqi out of the bank and into the car.

Silent and somber, Tang Xueqi merged onto the highway.

Why did she still feel so gloomy, even with money in hand?

Women are so complicated!

Luo Yun lamented internally.

Shortly after, Luo Yun furrowed his brow. "This isn't the way home."

"We're heading to the airport."

"What for?"

"I'm sending you away. I've bought your plane ticket already. If we delay, it might be too late." Tang Xueqi explained with patience.

"But didn't you say if I could come up with a hundred million, I'd stay in Yunhai?" Luo Yun's frown deepened.

Women are fickle, after all!

"You think you can come up with a hundred million?" Tang Xueqi kept her speed steady, her tone grave. "Quit joking. Where would you find a hundred million? Mom already called me. The money was from Zhang Tinglei. His condition for sending it was that I hand you over to him!"

"And yet you're still sending me away?"

Luo Yun was at a loss. "Why can't you just trust me?"

"I don't want to fight," Tang Xueqi inhaled deeply, "Can't you make things easier for me? Just leave quietly, okay? You've broken Director Zhang's ribs, and now he's specifically asked for you. Do you realize what that means? By tomorrow morning, you could be a 'tragic accident' making headlines!"

The Zhang family was synonymous with power and influence in Yunhai City!

Seeing the grave look on Tang Xueqi's face, it was clear she was genuinely afraid.

Luo Yun's heart softened. "If he's specifically asking for me, why not just hand me over and let me go?"

"And what about you? Will he let you off the hook after I'm gone?"

"Don't concern yourself with my affairs," Tang Xueqi replied icily.

Luo Yun let out a chuckle and fell silent.

...

At the Southern Territory's highest command center.

The internet expert known as 'Worm' suddenly shouted, leaping from his chair: "He's alive! The boss isn't dead! His ID has shown up in Yunhai City! He's withdrawn money from the bank! The boss is currently in Yunhai!"

Cheers erupted across the room, filled with tens of thousands of computers at the bustling monitoring headquarters.

'Worm' couldn't sit still for another second. "I request to head to Yunhai immediately to rendezvous with the boss!"

"Granted!"

A military plane took off under the cover of night and landed at Yunhai Airport.

Inside Yunhai Airport.

Tang Xueqi questioned the staff urgently, "Why close the airport? I've already bought my ticket, why the sudden shutdown?"

"Apologies, ma'am. We regret the inconvenience caused by this unexpected situation."

"How long will it be closed?" Tang Xueqi pressed.

"Please await further notice."

Upon learning of the flight delay, Tang Xueqi's face tensed, and she became restless. "This is a big problem. Zhang Tinglei is so determined to catch you that he's used his influence to shut down the airport! What do we do now?"

"Oh? Zhang Tinglei has the power to close an airport?" Luo Yun smirked.

The Zhang family's clout in Yunhai was clearly excessive.

It was time for a shake-up.

Seeing Luo Yun still able to smile, Tang Xueqi's anger flared. "How can you still laugh? If we can't fly out, Zhang Tinglei will surely send people to hunt you down! Aren't you scared at all?"

"Are you worried about me?" Luo Yun inquired.

"We're on the verge of divorce; why would I worry about you?" Tang Xueqi, already on edge and infuriated by Luo Yun's teasing, snapped, "If we manage to get out of this, you'd better keep a low profile from now on! If you continue this reckless behavior, no one will be able to save you!"

"Oh, I understand," Luo Yun responded noncommittally.

In the midst of their conversation, a sudden shout erupted from behind them: "There they are! They're trying to make a run for it!"

A man clad in a sleek black suit pointed at Luo Yun and swiftly gave chase.

Tang Xueqi grabbed Luo Yun's arm and urged, "Run!"

Luo Yun arched an eyebrow, his gaze falling on Tang Xueqi's soft, pale hand gripping his. In his past life, his hands were more accustomed to gripping guns and firing weapons. This was the first time a girl had ever taken hold of him in such a way. It felt odd... but he shook off the feeling.

They hadn't made it far when a phalanx of bodyguards caught up and encircled them.

The lead bodyguard spoke into his earpiece, "Director Zhang, we've cornered them. They were indeed attempting to flee!"

"Bring them back! I'll flay him myself!" Zhang Tinglei seethed through clenched teeth.

Tang Xueqi's complexion blanched as she shielded Luo Yun with her body. "What do you think you're doing in broad daylight? Leave now, or I'm calling security!"

The bodyguard chuckled derisively. "Go ahead, call them."

It was as if he'd heard the punchline to a joke, his face twisted in mockery. "You really don't understand the influence of the Zhang's, do you? You could scream your lungs out today, and still, no one would lift a finger to help you!"

"Someone help!"

Tang Xueqi cried out.

Two security guards were within earshot, yet they remained as unresponsive as statues, not even casting a glance in their direction.

The head bodyguard smirked. "See? I'd advise you to come quietly. It'll be better for everyone. Otherwise, things could get ugly, and nobody wants that."

Tang Xueqi shivered, her resolve firm. "You're not taking him! I'll go with you myself!"

A pair of young women who had just finished at the ticket counter passed by, one of them scoffing, "Is that guy even a man? Hiding behind a dainty girl after stirring up trouble! What a spineless wonder!"

"Exactly! Men these days are becoming such pushovers! What a pathetic sight!" Her friend chimed in before raising her voice to Tang Xueqi, "Honey, you're drop-dead gorgeous. Why waste your time on a wimp like that? He's not fit to stand by your side!"

Tang Xueqi's complexion was ashen, yet she stood her ground without flinching.

The chief bodyguard, noticing Tang Xueqi's unwavering resolve to protect Luo Yun, a glint of malice flickered in his eyes. "Miss Tang, if you're so set on this course, then don't hold it against us for getting rough!"

With those words, he lunged forward, his hand slicing through the air towards Tang Xueqi's delicate neck.

Luo Yun's eyes narrowed in response.

Before the bodyguard chief could even touch the ground, Luo Yun's hands were already in motion, swiftly tapping the bodyguard's joints.

The bodyguard let out a startled cry as he lost his balance and crashed to the ground!

He hadn't even had a chance to register what Luo Yun had done before his arms went numb, their joints expertly dislocated.

Such incredible speed!

The bystanders gasped in awe at the display, "Incredible!"

The waiting foreign tourists were wide-eyed with astonishment, shouting in English, "Chinese Kung Fu!"

Applause roared through the crowd like thunder.

Seeing their leader bested, the remaining bodyguards' expressions turned grim, and they charged at Luo Yun in unison!

"Stop!" A voice called out from the back of the crowd.

It was none other than 'the worm,' who had just exited the airport.

He had witnessed Luo Yun's swift joint dislocation. As a subordinate who had been dislocated himself for a mere disagreement, that fluid motion had etched itself into his psyche as a haunting memory.

He couldn't possibly be mistaken; this was his boss!

But how had his boss's face changed?

With a furrowed brow, the worm made his way through the crowd to confront the bodyguards. "What's happening here?!"

"This is a private matter, kid. Stay out of it... Ah!"

The scolding bodyguard didn't get to finish his sentence before the worm raised his hand, and with a crisp snap, the bodyguard's wrist was dislocated in an instant!

The move was a mirror image of Luo Yun's technique!

Luo Yun and the worm exchanged a knowing smile.

He had been sure that once he took the money, the kid would follow.