"It's not what you think..." Li Yichen scratched his head, then could only say, "They went off for some secret training to get stronger so they could protect you..."
Of course, he had added that last part himself to make it easier for them to accept.
Sure enough, their eyes lit up at his words.
"Then do you know when they'll be back?" Liu Yuanyuan asked anxiously. Then, blushing again, she added, "I kind of miss him..."
"I'm not sure," Li Yichen said apologetically.
Ever since he had talked them into going for training, he hadn't even checked in on them. He had no idea how those guys were doing.
Seeing their disappointed expressions, he suddenly remembered something and continued, "As it happens, I need to go to their training grounds in the next few days. I'll ask for you when I'm there."
"Thank you so much!" Both women immediately brightened.
Then they glanced at Mo Yurou and the others nearby and said with a smile, "We'll get going, then. We won't interrupt you and your girlfriends."
Watching the two women disappear into the distance, Li Yichen couldn't help shaking his head.
Just then, his phone screen suddenly lit up, and a text from an unknown number popped up.
"We have Yang Weifeng and the other two. If you don't want them dead, you have one minute to come ransom them in the grove behind the school. We won't wait if you're late..."
"Aren't those three supposed to be training with Elder Mo?" Li Yichen frowned. "Could this be a prank?"
Still, whatever the case, he had to take a look.
With that thought, he turned to Ouyang Xuanxuan and the others, who were walking toward him. "Something's come up. I have to go. You should head back early too."