Attention Sir, I Have Your Heart Handcuffed!-Chapter 657 - 490, Epilogue 17: Awkwardly Drawing Closer (Second Update)

Chapter 657: 490, Epilogue 17: Awkwardly Drawing Closer (Second Update)

He thought, maybe Xiang Yuan traveled all the way to China to seek him as a mentor, an illogical action, perhaps arranged by Xiang Jingsheng behind the scenes? Maybe Xiang Jingsheng couldn’t let go of that past affection, so hoped his son could reconnect with their daughter?

Thus, before accepting Xiang Yuan as a student, Shi Haoran hesitated for a long time, testing Xiang Yuan many times, and finally agreeing.

Thinking now, if Xiang Yuan really risked his safety to search for Nian Nian for her rescue, then after saving them, he might consider entrusting Nian Nian to Xiang Yuan.

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Xiang Yuan’s outstanding appearance and unique aura indeed played a significant role; Shi Haoran inquired along the way, and the roadside shops and vendors all remembered Xiang Yuan, pointing Shi Haoran in the direction he went.

Following the trail, the car eventually reached the small village where Gu Yong once took Shi Nian. Afterward, they completely lost track of Xiang Yuan.

Shi Haoran returned to the village to inquire further.

The village was relatively isolated, and the villagers were tight-lipped, making it hard to make progress.

Shi Haoran decided to stay at a farmhouse that rented out rooms.

After settling in, he treated the village as a base, visiting nearby small convenience stores, restaurants, and grain and oil shops.

No matter where the suspect took the daughter, they needed to eat and buy daily necessities.

Considering their profile, he believed the suspects wouldn’t dare return to the city center to shop at large supermarkets. Instead, they’d choose smaller shops within driving distance.

Once identifying a shop they frequented, he could calculate travel time and narrow down possible hiding spots.

He visited each small shop discreetly, slowing his pace methodically. Without transportation in the village, he walked initially, squatting by the roadside to carefully study the map and surrounding terrain.

At the police station, he conducted a basic investigation with the officers, mapping isolated buildings within the city. He marked suspicious hiding places in red.

Every time he approached a shop, he meticulously calculated whether there were any isolated buildings marked in red nearby, considering distance and transportation.

He believed, despite the many isolated buildings and scattered shops, cross-referencing these intersecting lines would reveal the answer!

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The waiting process was indeed as long as Tang Yanqing had anticipated.

Gu Yong followed TV reports daily, telling him the latest news each day. Shi Haoran indeed disappeared from TV screens. Given the media’s focus on Shi Haoran, if he were still at the police station, the reporters wouldn’t miss him.

Gu Yong clapped and laughed, "Little brother, it seems your diversion strategy succeeded again."

Yet, Tang Yanqing couldn’t laugh; he lowered his head, clenching his fingers quietly.

He could imagine how isolated and desperate Shi Haoran’s situation was now. He could hardly bear it, yet had no choice.

Gu Yong patted Tang Yanqing’s shoulder, "Now I understand why you said this waiting time would be long. It’s part of your plan, little brother. Because the longer the process, the greater the pressure Shi Haoran bears, making his hope more elusive... Even if he finds us eventually, his psyche would have collapsed, making him easily defeated then."

Tang Yanqing raised his eyes at Gu Yong, "When did you become so smart?"

Gu Yong chuckled awkwardly, watching Tang Yanqing leave.

Of course, he didn’t figure it out himself; he shared Tang Yanqing’s plan online with "Smiling Face," who told him this.

Feeling quite pleased now, Gu Yong could glean insights from both strategists, not worrying about either one deceiving him. Only when "Smiling Face" confirmed Tang Yanqing’s plan did he execute; he also used "Smiling Face’s" perspective to verify whether Tang Yanqing had conflicting intentions.

There was one thing that always puzzled Gu Yong. He couldn’t understand why "Smiling Face" insisted each time on not mistreating Shi Nian. She had to be well-fed and housed, with even toiletries replaced daily to treat her as a guest rather than a hostage.

Moreover, "Smiling Face" emphasized from the beginning not to give Shi Nian Banxia. Apart from preventing her from seeing in the darkness, Shi Nian’s circumstances were quite well-off.

Due to "Smiling Face’s" odd attitude towards Shi Nian, Gu Yong felt cautious, unwilling to disclose everything to "Smiling Face," keeping Tang Yanqing’s existence a secret from "Smiling Face" thus far.

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In the darkness, Shi Nian clearly sensed Tang Yanqing’s low spirits.

So she racked her brains, sharing interesting stories and anecdotes from her life to talk continuously.

With him, she felt like a lone storyteller on stage, talking incessantly while he was in the dark below the stage, unseen in reaction.

Disheartened, she stopped speaking, hesitating to go to the restroom.

Everyone needs to use the toilet, a common act. Though she could go "stoically," she was embarrassed by the sound. Each time, she held back, avoiding going if possible, and if she had to, she did it cautiously, even opening the tap to cloak her sounds.

In the darkness, Tang Yanqing became increasingly adept, using his hearing, smell, and even intuition to discern her state.

As she suddenly became coy, he knew she wanted to use the restroom again.

He felt the awkwardness, thinking of her every uneasy expression, unable to help but smile.

Shi Nian detected his breathing change, knowing he was smiling in the dark again.

Deathly silence on this matter became a tacit agreement of sorts; though not as shy as at first, the embarrassment remained.

Resolute, she decided to act boldly, walking past without concern. Yet, as she passed him, he suddenly grabbed her arm, stuffing some tissues into her hand.

Her face flushed instantly.

He gave her tissues? Did he think she always lacked them while using the toilet?

But there were ample toilet papers in the restroom; she had felt the mirror cabinet storing sufficient tissues and towels...

He sighed, wanting to speak but unable, helplessly writing on her palm: Paper, into water.

Shi Nian’s first reaction was ticklish, instinctively twisting to withdraw her hand, chuckling quietly.

She found it hard to understand his writing.

Frustrated, he stood, grabbing her wrist, guiding her to the restroom, and feeling for the toilet.

Shi Nian was mortified, pushing him away, "Hey, what are you trying to do?"

He ignored her, bringing the tissues over and dropping them in the water.

But in the darkness, Shi Nian couldn’t know what he was doing, and tissues in water were soft and silent, leaving her clueless.

Covering her flushed face, she feigned a groan, "Do you think it’s a competition to use the toilet? Don’t you know ’ladies first’? Besides, even if it’s pitch black and I can’t see anything, we can’t use it together!"

She intended a carefree tone to ease the awkwardness, though inside she felt intensely embarrassed.

Uncomprehending, she couldn’t reconcile with his usually cultured nature, leading to such toilet disputes...

Listening, he raised his brows repeatedly, shrugging helplessly, then pushing her towards the toilet before hastily leaving, ensuring the restroom door closed properly.

Standing outside, he touched his face only to realize it was also flushed.

Taking a deep breath, he purposely walked heavily away from the restroom door and returned to the sofa.

Inside, Shi Nian heard him, relaxing to sit down.

Initially cautious... yet this time, no sounds emerged!

Amazed, she suddenly realized he might have entered deliberately to help!

Successfully completing her silent restroom visit, Shi Nian exited, blushing, to thank him. Although he couldn’t speak, she sensed him silently smiling in the dark. Perhaps even his gaze was teasing.

Honestly... so embarrassing.

For a long time afterward, she ignored him, unable to escape the embarrassment, huddling in a sofa corner, hugging her knees, hiding her flushed face.

Feeling increasingly that their interactions were growing subtler and more complex.

Even such a personal matter like using the toilet often involved couples sharing... but she had already reached this point with him.

Their relationship seemingly leaped forward due to such awkward moments, faster than imaginable, leaving her somewhat panicked.