The driver nodded subtly and changed his direction at the roundabout, swerving onto a side road. For a moment, it seemed like they had lost the tail, just city lights and traffic accompanying them.
But when they merged onto an isolated stretch of highway, the SUV reappeared—right behind them.
"This is not a coincidence," Ruyi murmured, frowning deeply. After last night's setup, she hadn't expected trouble to be knocking at them so soon.
Suddenly, a second vehicle appeared in front of them—a dark sedan with tinted windows, blocking both lanes.
"It's an ambush," Lu Zhi Hao growled. He pulled something sleek and metallic from a hidden compartment in his bag. It wasn't a firearm. It pulsed faintly with glowing glyphs, etched in strange, ancient lines.
"What's that, dear Father?" Zi Zhen queried, almost amused. This was one of his vans. He and Ting Cheng both knew exactly where the real weapons were hidden, as did Ruyi. But for now, they let their father handle it and shine brightly in this hero's armour.
"It's not from here," Zhi Hao muttered without giving any further information, and they didn't inquire more. "Keep your heads down this minute."
The SUV behind them surged forward to overtake. In one swift move, Zhi Hao cracked the window and threw out a small, black sphere. It beeped once, then erupted into a blinding white cloud.
The SUV swerved, lost in the fog.
The van bolted ahead, slipping past the sedan. For just a second, Ruyi saw a figure standing atop the blocking car. Cloaked in black. Face obscured. Still as a shadow.
Then— it was suddenly gone.
They didn't stop until they reached a tunnel, far from the ambush area.
Zhi Hao's voice broke the silence. "Someone doesn't want us going home."
Ruyi looked at him, eyes sharp. "Or maybe they just wanted us to know—we are being watched and under their radar."
A cold silence settled, heavier than any roadside wind.
After the tunnel, they switched vehicles at a junction. A secondary black car was waiting. The family climbed in, and security closed the gates behind them once they reached the mansion.
Zhi Hao lifted his wife gently, her weight light against him. It seemed like he needed to check her diet.
"Are you okay?" he warmly inquired while gazing at her softly.
"I'm fine. Just tired," she replied, calm as ever. This wasn't new to her, and it's not like she hadn't experienced it.
The boys carried the bags. The guards escorted a team of lawyers inside, heading to the meeting wing.
In the sitting room, Zhi Hao placed Ruyi down, raising her legs up. His mother, emerging from the kitchen, paused.
"Is there a problem? Is she unwell?"
"She's fine, Momma. Just her legs feel heavy. Watch over her—I need to take care of something urgently."
He walked out, leaving her in his mother's care.
The boys settled beside Ruyi, but she narrowed her eyes dangerously.
"Did something happen?"
"Nothing, Grandma. Are you ready for the gala? It's already past 2."
"I'm not going." She sighed, looking at them. "Let me tell the maids to serve you something to eat before going."
The family moved to the dining room. Ruyi heavily groaned and felt exhausted. "I'm not that fragile!" The boys insisted on holding her arms over to the dining room, but she wasn't that weak.
"Don't struggle when we are right here, Momma..." the boys responded in sync. They assisted her to settle into her chair before they sat down.
Just then, two guards entered the sitting area, walking over to the dining area, placing tablets beside the brothers before walking off. They had things to take care of urgently.
Getting their tablets, Ting Cheng immediately began transferring surveillance data to their secure server. Zi Zhen tapped into traffic camera grids.