Chapter 177: Fatal Evidence

Realizing that all escape routes ahead and behind were blocked, the man in black had no choice but to abandon the person in the burlap sack and dash toward the pathless lakeshore.

With a heavy splash, he ripped off his helmet, plunged into the lake, and swam toward the opposite bank.

The lake was vast; trying to chase down and catch the man across those waters was practically impossible.

Watching the figure of the man swimming a smooth freestyle stroke through the darkness of the lake, Lu Yao felt a biting chill run down her spine.

"Fang Xiaoya only fainted from inhaling an anesthetic; she is otherwise fine." Carrying Fang Xiaoya horizontally in his arms, Ye Zehong walked over to Lu Yao and spoke in a soft voice, "I've already called the police, and they will be here shortly. To avoid any further complications, let's get Fang Xiaoya out of here first."

Lu Yao watched the man in black, who was already halfway across, and her heart sank once more.

Just a moment longer, and something terrible would have happened to Fang Xiaoya.

Just a moment longer... and she would have lost her chance to secure the incriminating evidence against Yang Lan and Ye Hua!

Upon returning to their residence...

Shen Qingyin settled Fang Xiaoya into bed, walked out of the room, and lowered her voice. "The poor little girl was having a nightmare just now, crying out 'Mommy, save me.' It was truly heartbreaking to hear."

Lu Yao sighed lightly. "She was imprisoned by Ye Hua not long after she was born, and her entire youth was ruined by him just like that. Yet that damned Ye Hua is currently living better than anyone else."

"Don't worry, Ye Hua's good days are coming to an end too." Shen Qingyin gently patted the back of Lu Yao's hand, offering her a warm and gentle smile.

Lu Yao nodded slightly, then turned her gaze toward Ye Zehong, who stood silently by the edge of the swimming pool, her brow furrowing slightly.

She looked at Shen Qingyin and asked in a voice audible only to the two of them, "Aunt Yin, what's wrong with him?"

"He often falls silent like this when he's deep in thought. I'm already used to it." Shen Qingyin smiled with habitual ease, then let out a yawn. "It's getting late. You two should get some rest early. An old woman like me can't stay up, so I'm off to bed."

Shen Qingyin rose and departed.

Lu Yao hesitated for a few seconds before finally walking up behind Ye Zehong. She wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her body against his back to absorb the warmth radiating from him.

Nuzzling her face against his back, she let out a soft sigh, murmuring, "So warm."

Ye Zehong turned around, guided her hands to wrap around his front, cupped her delicate face, and frowned. "If that man in black had been carrying a gun just now, the consequences would have been unthinkable."

Hearing his self-reproach, Lu Yao pressed her cheek trustingly into his warm palm. Lowering her eyelids, she shook her head. "No, it wouldn't have. With you here, I'm certain to be safe. And with me here, you're certain to be safe too."

Ye Zehong pulled her tightly into his arms, trying to impart every ounce of warmth within his body to her.

"You're right. No matter what happens, I will definitely keep you safe."

Hearing these words, the corners of Lu Yao's lips curved upward in spite of herself.

Resting her face against his shoulder, she gently closed her eyes, savoring this exclusive warmth whose remaining days were numbered.

"It's completely safe here, and nothing more will happen to Fang Xiaoya, but... the same can't be said for Guan Ran's side." Ye Zehong gently stroked her back. "Since Ye Hua's men failed to capture Fang Xiaoya, they certainly won't let the matter rest."

"If Ye Hua had wanted to make a move on Guan Ran, he would have eliminated both Guan Ran and Fang Xiaoya years ago; he wouldn't have waited until today." Lu Yao's eyes fixed on the shimmering ripples of the pool's surface. "He must have enough evidence in his hands to destroy both Ye Hua and Yang Lan. I must get my hands on that evidence!"

Gazing into her watery eyes, Ye Zehong leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Let's hope so."