On this very night, Qin Ran and Gu Zheng returned from a mission.

Qin Ran had injured his arm, and Gu Zheng, worried, personally took him home.

It was already quite late, and A qing had gone to sleep.

Normally, A qing would wait up for Qin Ran, but now that she’s pregnant and her belly is getting bigger, everything must be focused on the child.

After getting out of the car, Qin Ran thanked Gu Zheng, who shook his head and said it wasn’t necessary. Just as he was turning to leave, Qin Ran called out to him.

Gu Zheng turned around, looked at him in surprise, and asked, "What is it? Anything else?"

Qin Ran shook his head, lit a cigarette, took a drag, and then said, "No... just wanted to ask if you have any news about K recently!"

The last time, Yan Ke had gone with Zhong Jinnan to Moyang Mountain in Qin Ran’s place, and there had been no news ever since. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Qin Ran was raised by Zhong Jinnan from a young age and knew how ruthless the man could be. Although he didn’t want any more ties with Yan Ke, he was still concerned about her being with Zhong Jinnan.

Gu Zheng’s thin lips moved slightly, then he said, "I haven’t been in contact with Yan Ke either... but the people I’ve placed near Moyang Mountain haven’t seen anyone come down from the mountain during this time!"

Qin Ran chuckled and said, "Whether it’s Yan Ke or my foster father, do you think your people would notice if they came down the mountain?"

Gu Zheng frowned. He had to admit that they wouldn’t be able to detect it.

Let alone experts like Zhong Jinnan and Yan Ke, even if it were Mingmei, she would be able to evade his surveillance all the same.

"But R, regardless of K’s current situation, it seems you no longer have the right to inquire, so I’ll give you this advice: Live your life well with A qing, don’t interfere in other matters, and besides, you can’t..."

Qin Ran smiled wryly and nodded, "Indeed, I can’t even stabilize my own affairs now, let alone concern myself with him... forget it, you go ahead, I’ll finish this cigarette and go in."

Gu Zheng acknowledged with a hum, turned around, got in the car, started it, and drove away.

Qin Ran watched the car’s distant figure, gently exhaling puffs of white smoke. In his heart, he couldn’t let it go.

But just like Gu Zheng said, he shouldn’t interfere now, nor does he have the capacity to do so, so at this moment, living his quiet life is most important.

After all, in just a little over three months, he and A qing’s child will be born!

...

Gu Zheng left Qin Ran’s place and drove towards his own home.

It wasn’t a long distance, just over ten minutes by car, but he didn’t look well.

He had been away for a couple of days, out on a mission, and during that time, he had kept that little girl under house arrest, not knowing how she was now.

Or if she was angry with him.

He felt a sense of helplessness, yet when it came to Mingmei, he always felt powerless.

He was a soldier, strong and steadfast, with a duty to the country, the people, and to his identity, for all of which he could live with a clear conscience.

But when it came to Mingmei, he couldn’t.

He didn’t know why. In others’ eyes, he didn’t owe her anything, as he had taken her in and kept her from entering an orphanage.

He gave her a home and endless love.

Yet he just felt like he owed her, as if it was a debt carried over from a past life!

It was at that moment his phone rang. He picked it up and glanced at it, seeing it was Qin Ran, who had just parted ways with him.