CHAPTER 181: CHAPTER 181 ICEBERG OF THE YEAR (6)_1

Shangguan You had already jumped onto the bed to feign sleep while berating herself, carefully regulating her breathing under Huo’s lethal gaze. It wasn’t until the predatory eyes had moved away that she finally exhaled in relief.

"We’re here. Get up." Just as she was about to drift off, Huoyi’s voice rang in her ear. The door was thrust open, revealing Huoyi. His face was as icily remote as Huo’s, but etched with a deeper, cruel ferocity, his eyes glinting with a sinister light.

Confronted with such a Huoyi, Shangguan You sensibly chose to follow Huo. This man merely radiated a deadly aura without any killing intent, making it somewhat safer to be with Huo.

"Let’s go." Huo once again covered Shangguan You’s face with a black cloth, then seized her, leading her away. The two men flanked her, one on each side.

Blasts of sea breeze brought hints of the ocean to her nose and the sound of the wind by the sea to her ears, mixed with the stench of fish and a faintly sweet smell—that of blood.

Though I can’t see, my nose is exceptionally sharp. This place has to be a seaport, perhaps even a private island? It’s night, so the absence of people seems normal. But where exactly is this?

"Get in the car. Stop dawdling." Huoyi pushed Shangguan You, shoving her into the car. Then, with two thuds, the car doors closed, and the vehicle started to move again. Shangguan You’s hands instinctively reached for the black cloth over her eyes. I have to take this blindfold off. I need to see where I am.

"If you want to become blind, go ahead and take it off." Huo’s cold voice halted her hand, and she slowly lowered it.

The sound of the ocean faded as the car drove for about an hour. Suddenly, the air was filled with birdsong and the WHOOSHING noise of wind. With a CREAK, the vehicle stopped.

"You’re back; the master can’t wait any longer. All this time for a little slip of a girl. If it were me, HMPH, I would’ve completed the mission long ago. There was no need for all this delay—utterly incompetent."

"You are a whole half hour late. Be careful when you go in," said two equally frosty voices, one male and one female. One voice sounded gleeful about their misfortune, the other laced with worry.

Blindfolded, Shangguan You listened to their conversation, attempting to guess what was going on, as Huo and Huoyi led her inside.

"Master, Shangguan You has been brought back." The hands supporting her abruptly let go, and Shangguan You clearly heard a crisp THUD—the sound of someone dropping to their knees. What era is this? People still kneel?

"Hmm." A low voice resounded, carrying a dense murderous intent aimed directly at her.

Shangguan You ripped off the black cloth from her eyes and stared at everything before her, utterly stunned.

The night grew heavier, shrouding the entire Shangguan Family in darkness and silence.

Liu Ruoling paced back and forth in the hall, her face etched with worry, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Where on earth have they taken Yu girl? Could she be in harm’s way?

"Ruoling, stop pacing. You’re making me dizzy. Sit down and wait for news," said the Shangguan matriarch, her own face etched with worry as she sat on the sofa. She shook her head watching Liu Ruoling’s restless movements. If this continues, she might faint before Yu girl comes back.

"Sorry, Mom," murmured Liu Ruoling, before running to the door to wait. She was terribly worried, terrified of what might happen to Yu girl. Her face still burned from Huoyi’s slap, but she couldn’t focus on the pain; she only wanted to know how Yu girl was.

"Quiet down! If you don’t want to wait, go to sleep," Shangguan Zhi growled at the matriarch, his already grim face darkening further. He then walked to the main entrance, his expression equally somber, to wait for news.

"Old man, I’m worried about Yu girl too. How could I possibly sleep when she’s not back safely? She’s my granddaughter; of course, I’m concerned for her," the Shangguan matriarch said to Shangguan Zhi’s retreating back. Yu girl’s safety is crucial for the whole family. If what happened a year ago repeats itself, the Shangguan Family will be in peril.

The survival of the Shangguan Family is at stake; how could I possibly sleep? In her heart, the matriarch was also vehemently cursing the mother-daughter pair, Li Wanying and Shangguan Rou.

Liu Ruoling stood at the entrance, peering into the pitch-black night, her eyes wide with desperation, her heart pounding with anxiety.

"Ruoling, Yu girl has Hidden Guards protecting her. She’ll be safe for now."

"Dad, it’s been two hours! Two whole hours! If Yu girl were alright, she would have been rescued by now. But there’s been no news at all. How is she really doing?" Liu Ruoling knew Shangguan Zhi was trying to console her, and himself as well, but it didn’t ease her anxiety. Instead, her worry intensified, her heart leaping into her throat.

"She’ll be fine," Shangguan Zhi said, trying to reassure himself as much as her.

"Yes, our family’s girl will be fine..."

The old man and the younger woman stood at the doorway, comforting themselves, when suddenly a beam of bright light shone directly into their eyes. Two cars sped towards them and, with a SQUEAL of brakes, stopped steadily in front of them.

The car doors swung open, and Shangguan Qing and his son, along with Lan Xuan and Han Yachu, quickly emerged.

"How is it? Where’s Yu girl?" Liu Ruoling rushed forward, her face hopeful. But when she didn’t see the familiar figure, she swayed, her hope draining. They didn’t rescue her.

"You didn’t find her?" Shangguan Zhi staggered as well. He saw the Hidden Guards who had been with Shangguan You emerge from the car behind. The Hidden Guards lost Yu girl? The thought struck Shangguan Zhi like a physical blow. No one knew better than him how formidable the Shangguan Family’s Hidden Guards were. And yet, they lost her? Lost her?