Chapter 299 Crisis Emerges

Seeing Zhou Wanqin take away the box of "love tiramisu" with a serious face, Liu Ruyan felt a bit embarrassed, a flush of awkwardness rising on her face.

She cleared her throat and stiffly changed the subject, her gaze drifting around, avoiding looking at Jiang Jing:

"Um... Jiang Jing, do you... have no plans today? Are you free?" Her tone carried a hint of imperceptible anticipation, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her skirt.

Seeing how Liu Ruyan wanted to invite him but couldn't quite lower her pride as Miss Liu, Jiang Jing found it quite amusing.

He was originally waiting for Yan Shuyao's invitation, so he actually had nothing going on.

Looking at Liu Ruyan's slightly expectant gaze, he answered very directly:

"I don't have anything right now, but..." He paused and said frankly, "I promised someone else that I would accompany her for the next two days."

Liu Ruyan's heart tightened slightly, but she feigned indifference on the surface.

She took a sip of the water Zhou Wanqin had just poured for her and asked, seemingly casually, "Oh? Who is it? Your schedule seems quite packed." However, her slightly perked ears betrayed her concern.

"It's the host who interviewed me last time, Yan Shuyao." Jiang Jing didn't hide anything and spoke directly.

He felt there was no need to hide such things; being open and honest would save him a lot of trouble.

Hearing that it was that intellectual and beautiful female host, Liu Ruyan felt an inexplicable sense of relief, but at the same time, a tiny bit of annoyance.

However, she was very pleased with Jiang Jing's honesty; at least he hadn't made up excuses to lie to her.

What annoyed her, though, was that Jiang Jing actually hadn't declined the host's invitation!

This made Miss Liu feel a little dissatisfied.

She set down her water glass, walked over to Jiang Jing, and naturally reached out to grab his arm, gently shaking it a few times.

Her tone carried a hint of coquettishness that she herself hadn't even realized:

"Since she hasn't asked you out yet, accompany me today first..."

This contrast of being slightly coquettish yet a little awkward was something Jiang Jing found incredibly rare and endearing.

He hadn't expected this haughty Miss Liu to have such a cute side.

He enjoyed the feeling for a few seconds, then graciously nodded:

"Alright, seeing how sincere you are, I will reluctantly accompany Miss Liu for another day."

"What do you mean reluctantly?!" Liu Ruyan immediately protested, giving him a light punch.

But a bright smile instantly blossomed on her face. "Then it's a deal! Today we'll go to..."

She enthusiastically began planning their itinerary for the day, as if the little interlude with the dessert had never happened.

And so, the two of them happily went out to play again.

Liu Ruyan seemed to have completely let go of her baggage, taking Jiang Jing to some interesting shops she had personally discovered, tasting authentic hutong snacks, and even going to a niche concert together.

The atmosphere between them was relaxed and harmonious, and the smile on Liu Ruyan's face was more genuine and radiant than in the previous days.

However, beneath this harmonious and pleasant facade, a hidden crisis was quietly approaching like a venomous snake.

In an inconspicuous, dark corner, a middle-aged man, dressed ordinarily and with a face that would easily blend into a crowd, was nodding continuously while listening to a voice on his phone.

His eyes were cloudy, but at this moment, they flickered with an unusual fanaticism.

"Target confirmed. He is with the daughter of the Liu family." On the other end of the phone was a synthesized voice speaking fluent foreign language.

"Remember, stage an accident. It must look like an unfortunate traffic accident. Act quickly, and someone will take care of your family once it's done."

"Everything you do is for your family to have a better future!"

"Hai! Understood!" The middle-aged man lowered his voice, responding fanatically in his mother tongue, his face twisting slightly with excitement.

He hung up the phone, a flash of ruthlessness and determination crossing his eyes.

He quickly changed into an even more inconspicuous jacket, put on a baseball cap, and stepped out of his hiding place.

In the parking lot, a seemingly ordinary black sedan had been professionally modified inside, with its engine and suspension optimized for instantaneous explosive power.

Even the windshield was bulletproof.

The man got into the driver's seat and started the car. The vehicle glided like a ghost into the bustling flow of traffic in the Imperial Capital.

Following the instructions, he drove toward the target area.

Before long, his gaze locked onto Jiang Jing and Liu Ruyan not far ahead, who were standing at the entrance of an open cultural and creative park, seemingly preparing to cross the street.

Zhou Wanqin and Lin Hong, as usual, remained vigilant, following slightly behind on either side.

Looking at the incredibly young newly appointed Academician of Dragon Country, a cruel smile appeared on the middle-aged man's lips.

He licked his somewhat chapped lips, his eyes like those of a hungry wolf locking onto its prey.

"The genius of Dragon Country... ends here!"

He cursed softly in his mother tongue and slammed the accelerator all the way to the floor!

"Vroom—!!!"

The specially modified engine let out a low, violent roar. The black sedan, which had been smoothly following the traffic flow, suddenly burst forward with astonishing speed like a runaway horse!

The tires screeched violently against the ground, making a piercing sound.

The car body, like a streak of black lightning carrying an unstoppable force, charged madly straight toward Jiang Jing and his group, who were about to cross the street!

The distance closed in an instant!

"Watch out!"

"Jiang Jing!"

Zhou Wanqin and Lin Hong's alarmed cries rang out almost simultaneously. Their reactions were incredibly fast as they tried to rush forward and push Jiang Jing and Liu Ruyan out of the way.

But the car was too fast!

It was too sudden!

The black front of the car reflected a cold gleam in the sunlight, rapidly approaching everyone with the sharp screech of tires.

After the two women pulled Jiang Jing away, the angle of the car's front shifted, actually aiming at Jiang Jing once again!

It seemed his target was very clear—he was coming straight for Jiang Jing.

Lin Hong instantly deduced his intention, her eyes turning as cold as knives.

She and Zhou Wanqin made their choice almost simultaneously. While continuing to shield Jiang Jing and Liu Ruyan as they backed away, their other hands reached into their waists like lightning, drawing their compact handguns!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The crisp gunshots instantly shattered the tranquility of the block.

Without the slightest hesitation, the two women fired a rapid succession of shots aimed at the driver's cabin.

They were the elite of the elite, with extremely precise marksmanship; almost all the bullets hit the windshield directly in front of the driver's seat.

But to their alarm, the bullets hitting the glass only left a few white marks and cobweb-like cracks, failing to penetrate it.

"Bulletproof glass!" Zhou Wanqin's heart sank.

This was absolutely no ordinary accident.

This was a meticulously planned, targeted assassination!