Chapter 513: Ambush on the Road

Chapter 513: Encounter on the Road

The junior nodded eagerly, "Yeah, he stayed for the entire summer vacation! I was at my grandpa's house that summer, playing with him every day. I probably knew him better than even my grandpa. Ask me anything—I’ll tell you."

Yi Yanran paused, "Did he ever mention his background to you?"

"No."

"What about his relationship with Old Mr. Shangguan?"

"Nope."

Ji Ming, who had been listening nearby, couldn’t take it anymore, "Kid, what do you actually know?"

The junior shot Ji Ming a dismissive look and stayed silent.

Yi Yanran glared at Ji Ming in warning before continuing, "Then tell us what you do know. Did he have any unusual habits?"

The junior pondered carefully, "He was always quiet and liked reading medical books, but bookworms are like that—this isn’t strange. The weirdest thing was... Every summer, the boys in our village loved swimming and catching fish in the river, but he never joined. Once, I shoved him into the river to get him to join in, but he punched me! I was about to fight back, but then I saw blood seeping through the back of his pants. I thought he must’ve scraped himself falling in, so I let it go."

Never swimming with the boys, blood on the back of his pants...

Both Yi Yanran and Ji Ming immediately realized the problem!

This "Kai Lun" wasn’t a guy—she was a girl! That’s why she never swam with them, never bathed together, and the blood wasn’t from an injury—it was her period!

This "Kai Lun" was Bai Lan!

The junior still didn’t understand why they were so shocked. "Miss, I don’t know if any of this helps you?"

Oh, it helped—big time.

"Oh, right! When Kai Lun moved away, she dropped a photo of her and a woman at my place. Should I go look for it?"

"Go get it, quick!" Ji Ming blurted out.

The junior looked at Yi Yanran, "Miss, I’ll grab it for you. Wait for me, okay?"

With that, he pushed the car door open and scaled his fence in a flash.

Yi Yanran frowned at Ji Ming, "What’s wrong with you? He’s helping us—can’t you be more polite?"

"Me? Impolite? He should be grateful I let him help!"

Yi Yanran was speechless.

Ji Ming didn’t like how she was defending another guy and sneered, "What, you feel bad for your little junior? Yi Yanran, seriously? You’d seriously go for a kid like him? His family’s nowhere near good enough for a high-class Miss like you!"

Yi Yanran stared at him, stunned.

Then she let out a bitter laugh, "Who I choose to be with is my freedom. But don’t worry, Ji Ming—I have absolutely no intention of climbing up to your level."

"You—"

As the two were locked in tension, the junior hopped back over the fence, beaming as he handed Yi Yanran the photo. "Miss, look."

Yi Yanran skimmed the photo. The person with short hair and a white shirt was indeed Kai Lun. But the woman next to her—who was she?

Yi Yanran turned to Ji Ming, but he just shook his head.

"Yanran, I'm giving this photo to you." The junior looked at Yi Yanran eagerly, fishing for praise. "Yanran, did I come through big time for you guys?"

Yi Yanran smiled. "Yes. What do you want?"

"I don't want anything, but... could you do a duet with me during this year's school anniversary?"

"No!" Ji Ming abruptly pulled the junior out of the car and swiftly shut the door.

Junior: "!!!"

"What are you doing?" Yi Yanran rolled down the window and called out to the junior, "Doing a duet isn't possible, but I can promise to come back to school to watch your performance during the anniversary."

The junior was overjoyed. "You got a deal! You better show up, Senior!"

"Yeah."

On the way back, Ji Ming kept a dark look the entire time.

Yi Yanran was also upset, closing her eyes to rest and ignoring him.

Halfway through the drive, Ji Ming suddenly accelerated. Yi Yanran, who had nearly dozed off, opened her eyes and was fighting nausea. "Slow down."

Ji Ming stared ahead with a dark expression. "We've got a tail."

What?

Yi Yanran turned to look. On the narrow country road, a black Hummer was indeed speeding toward them.

God... What do we do? Yi Yanran's face paled. One hand clutched her queasy stomach while the other gripped the seat. "We're still 15-20 miles from the city. They'll catch up sooner or later."

Ji Ming glanced sideways. "Relax. With me here, nothing will happen to you."

If they couldn't shake them off, then they'd take care of them!

In the next moment, Ji Ming pulled a crazy move—he turned the car around and rammed head-on into the pursuing vehicle.

The other party clearly hadn't anticipated Ji Ming's crazy stunt. Unable to dodge in time, their car got boxed in.

Ji Ming tossed the photo to Yi Yanran, his usual playboy act gone. His blue eyes were dead serious. "The car can still start. Once I get out, drive back yourself. Contact Yun Mu for backup—give her the photo!"

With that, he yanked open the car door.

"Ji Ming!"

Only then did Yi Yanran realize his intention. Instinctively, she reached out to grab him but only caught the edge of his clothes.

Every inch the killer, Ji Ming flung the door open, his dagger already bloodied.

But the other side was packing heat too. Goons poured out of their car, surrounding Ji Ming in an instant.

She froze in terror.

She wanted to help but knew she was just a helpless civilian—she’d just get in the way!

She wasn’t Yun Mu.

How would Yun Mu handle this?

911? No—they're probably bought and paid for.

"Get help, find Yun Mu, yes, find Yun Mu!"

Yi Yanran slammed the car door shut in panic, pulling out her phone to call Yun Mu while fumbling with the ignition.

But as if heaven was deliberately making things difficult for her, Yun Mu wasn't picking up.

Yi Yanran had to keep calling back as the car finally started.

"Hello?"

Finally, Yun Mu answered.

"Yun Mu, it's me!"

Yun Mu heard the panic in her voice right away. "What's wrong? Where's Ji Ming?"

"It's an emergency! Ji Ming—"

Yi Yanran’s gaze darted to the rearview mirror, watching Ji Ming disappearing into the distance just as a fist slammed hard into his face, sending him sprawling!

"Yun Mu, hurry and save Ji Ming!"

With those final words, Yi Yanran jammed on the brakes, threw open the door, and rushed out without hesitation.

As she ran, she saw a man draw a knife from his belt.

The gleaming blade thrust toward Ji Ming, who was still grappling with an attacker.

"Ji Ming, watch out!"