Gu Zheng shook his head. "Zhou Yuanhang managed to stay undercover all this time. He's no ordinary man. His younger brother has military training, and he's as good a fighter as any of you. And his nephew has callused fingers and yellowed nails-he's probably spent years handling gunpowder and explosives! They wouldn't dare expose Song Ning to us so openly without making preparations! We can't risk her life!"
Chen Liang nodded. "I'll make the arrangements! We'll watch their every move!"
Gu Zheng then told Han Xiao, "Have the search team finish searching. Make sure they cover the entire village without arousing suspicion. Also, post men outside the village. When the vehicles arrive, have them stay concealed near the highway. Don't let them enter the village!"
"Yes, sir!"
Song Ning only managed to doze off shortly before dawn.
When she woke, Zhou Yuanhang was still sitting on the floor, leaning against the edge of the bed and watching her with an eerie gaze.
Song Ning's heart lurched, and she silently averted her eyes.
But Zhou Yuanhang suddenly spoke. "Song Ning! I've never truly hurt you! Think about it. Haven't I always protected you ever since we met? Even after you destroyed so much of my hard work, I couldn't bear to lay a finger on you! When Lin Xiaoming wanted to take you hostage, I warned him in no uncertain terms that he could use you, but he couldn't hurt you! Yet he let that man Ding abuse you. He said it was for my own good, that you getting away unscathed every time would raise suspicions and expose my identity... Hmph! Even if it was for my sake, that was unacceptable! He deserved... every bit of his death!"
His voice sounded calm and sincere, but it only made Song Ning's