Chapter 94

Xiaohua, who was slightly plump, was taken aback for a moment, then said in a bad temper, "Old Qiao, you've said this to me countless times, but you always have something come up, making me hope in vain every time. I'll just listen this time! I'll believe you when it really happens."

After saying this, she grabbed the dog leash and hurried the chubby, black-faced Pekingese out of the yard.

Qiao Antian smiled bitterly and quickly walked over to hold her, with a serious look on his face, "This time, I mean it."

Xiaohua looked as if the sun had risen in the west, but still with a hint of suspicion, "So, have you decided when to leave?"

"Right now, immediately. The flight tickets are already booked," Qiao Antian said with a smile.

"Right now? Old Qiao, are you feeling well?" Xiaohua scrutinized him from head to toe, but unintentionally saw several bodyguards who usually followed her husband running in and out of their quarters, hurriedly packing things, which really looked like they were preparing for a long trip, and she was stunned.

"This... this... Does Xiaoyun know?"

"Of course she knows. It was her arrangement. We were both so busy that we forgot to tell you in advance," Qiao Antian explained. Afraid she wouldn't believe him, he took out his phone and dialed directly, speaking to Qiao Yun, "Xiaoyun, tell your mom!"

Xiaohua, confused, took the phone and said, "Xiaoyun, is it really you who arranged for me and your dad to go on a trip?"

"Yes! Mom, just go with Dad! I'll come find you once I finish my work. Mom! Don't miss the flight, I'm in a meeting now, I can't talk much more." Qiao Yun hung up the phone.

Qiao Antian chuckled, "Do you believe it now? Listen to your daughter, pack your things quickly, don't miss the flight."

"Can't understand you two, so strange." Xiaohua said this, but still took the dog back and handed it to the servant.

After the couple returned to their room, they started packing. To be precise, it was Xiaohua who was packing, while Qiao Antian just stood there watching.

When she dragged out a large suitcase and started picking out clothes, he couldn't help but stop her with a mix of laughter and tears, "Forget the clothes. After we land, I'll go shopping with you for new ones. Just pack what you'll need on the flight, and leave the rest. We can buy them there."

Xiaohua immediately pointed at him and demanded, "This is what you said. You must go shopping with me, don't use any excuses to get out of it."

"Since we're going abroad, what could I possibly have to get out of it?" Qiao Antian spread his hands and looked helpless.

"Fine! I'll believe you this time." Xiaohua immediately found a shoulder bag, picked some cosmetics, and packed some jewelry, finishing in a few minutes. She then ran back, looking perfectly transformed, and hugged his arm, smiling, "Done! Let's go!"

As they walked down to the living room, Xiaohua suddenly exclaimed, "I almost forgot the most important thing." She turned and ran into the small hall.

Qiao Antian, speechless, followed her to see what the most important thing was. He saw her in front of her father Qiao Yunong's black-and-white portrait, picking up two white jade balls and bowing to the portrait.

Qiao Antian was stunned for a moment, then looked relieved and also went over to bow. When he saw Xiaohua putting the jade balls into her bag, he couldn't help but ask, "Aren't these the jade balls your father used to play with? What are you going to do with them?"

Xiaohua held up the jade balls mysteriously, "You didn't know! The old man often told me that these jade balls were blessed by a high-ranking monk. If you go on a long trip or move, you must take them with you and never lose them. They can bring good luck and protect you in times of danger. He said a lot, but I can't remember it all. He also told me to tell you if he passed away, saying you would understand one day, but I can't remember the exact words. Anyway, they are blessed by a monk and can bring good luck."

Qiao Antian suddenly had a flash of something in his mind but couldn't quite grasp it. He took the jade balls from Xiaohua and examined them. The two jade balls made of white jade were smooth and spotless. He looked at them in the light but couldn't see anything special.

"Father never believed in ghosts or gods, why would he tell you such superstitious things?" Qiao Antian asked himself and his wife, then gave the jade balls back to her.

"How should I know? Old people can be strange," Xiaohua pouted and put the jade balls into her bag.

After they left the house and walked to the yard, the bodyguards had already packed everything. This time, they would accompany the couple abroad, and Qiao Yun had already arranged the necessary procedures in advance.

Before getting into the car, Qiao Antian looked at the hillside villa and sighed to Xiaohua, "The burden is all on our daughter. I really feel bad! If Xiaoyun were a boy, I would feel better."

"Are you blaming me for not giving you a son? You sowed the seeds, so don't blame me," Xiaohua's face darkened.

"That's not what I meant. Ah! Let's go! Let's go!" Qiao Antian, feeling uneasy, pushed her into the car.

The convoy drove out of the Qiao family's hillside villa, heading straight for the international airport...

In the general manager's office of Minghua Group, Qiao Yun didn't actually go to the meeting; she just said that to her mother, Xiaohua. After hanging up the phone with her father, Qiao Antian, she leaned back in her chair, silent for a while, then took out her phone and dialed a number.

Lin Zixian was lounging in his office, smoking and chatting online. A netizen named "Magnet" had just added him, claiming to be irresistibly sexy. Lin Zixian was trying to verify if she was truly as sexy as she claimed by coaxing her into a video chat, but neither of them had the upper hand.

Lin Zixian, full of fighting spirit, was about to settle the matter when his phone rang. He picked it up and saw the caller was Qiao Yun, which was quite rare. He immediately answered, "President Qiao, what's up?"

"Deputy Minister Lin, come to my office."

"Sure, I'll be right there."

Lin Zixian hung up the phone, quickly typed a message in the chat box: "Magnet, I have something to do now. We'll verify if you're a shemale another day."

He shut down his computer and left the office.

When he arrived at Qiao Yun's office, she was unusually standing and pointed to the chair across the desk, "Please sit."

"Uh... President Qiao, what's up?" Lin Zixian was a bit confused, feeling something was off. Why was she being so polite? It would be better if she had a smile on her face.

After Lin Zixian sat down, Qiao Yun also sat down. They looked at each other across the desk, making Lin Zixian feel uncomfortable.

After a moment, Qiao Yun opened a drawer, took out a piece of paper, placed it on the desk, and gently pushed it to Lin Zixian.

Lin Zixian took the paper and saw it was a check for five million. He was taken aback, "Qiao Yun, what's this?"

Qiao Yun sat straight, looking official, "This is a prepayment of five million. I'll pay you another five million after the job is done."

Lin Zixian looked at the check, then at her, puzzled, "Qiao Yun, can you explain clearly? I don't understand what you mean."

"This was originally my father's idea, but now it's also mine. I need your protection," Qiao Yun said seriously.

"Ha ha!" Lin Zixian flicked the check, shaking his head and smiling, "Haven't I been protecting you all along?"

"This time is different. I need your close protection. To put it simply, from now on, whether it's going to and from work, working, or even eating and sleeping, we need to be together. I need you to provide 24/7 close protection," Qiao Yun paused, "Before he left, my father told me about how you saved him. He believes that with you by my side, the risks I might face can be minimized. After analyzing, I think you are the best choice so far. It won't be long, about a month, at most three months."

Lin Zixian's eyes narrowed slightly, looking at the check in his hand. He slowly took out a cigarette and lit it in front of Qiao Yun, something he wouldn't have done in her office before.

His demeanor changed abruptly, sitting there like a sword about to be drawn, sharp but restrained, with an invisible aura that was intimidating.

After a few puffs, he took out his phone and called Qiao Antian, but the call went to voicemail.

Qiao Yun felt the aura and was slightly moved, but she was used to his unpredictable nature. Seeing him on the phone, she said directly, "If you're calling my father, he probably can't answer. He and my mother are already on a flight to a foreign country."

Lin Zixian hung up the phone and looked at her, smiling faintly, "You've taken such precautions, it seems you really have something big planned, not wanting your parents' safety to affect your decisions... I have no problem protecting you, but I want to know what's going on. For example, why you're moving large sums of money, and what you're planning with Hualing from Tianhai Group."

Qiao Yun was somewhat surprised, "How did you know?"

"Almost every day with you, if I pay attention, it's not hard to find out," Lin Zixian shrugged, pausing, "Actually, you might as well tell me directly. Maybe I can help you in a pinch."

"No need. If you can protect my safety, that's the biggest help you can give me," Qiao Yun shook her head. She didn't want too many people to know what she was planning, as it was a significant matter. Even her mother didn't know. When the time came, everyone would know.

"Since you put it that way, I have nothing to say. But I have one thing to say first. If you don't tell me what's going on now, I will consider it a lack of trust. In the future, if you want me to get involved, I won't, because I don't have the habit of being used as a tool. This is my attitude towards serious matters."

While saying this, Lin Zixian watched her coldly. Qiao Yun showed no reaction. He slowly stood up, flicked the check, put it in his pocket, and put on a lazy smile, "Alright! I'll just be responsible for your safety."