125: Who exactly is behind this?

She buried herself in Chen Li's embrace, her arms tightly encircling his waist with such force that it almost made him breathless.

She buried her face deep in his chest, her warm tears silently wetting his lapel.

This hug carried the tremors of surviving a disaster, an endless fear and grievance, and even more, a nearly desperate dependence.

At this moment, any words were pale; only such an all-out hug could express the surging emotions in her heart.

Fearing that if she let go, this hard-won sense of security would vanish; worrying that if she opened her eyes, this warm embrace would just be a dream.

Chen Li was hugged so tightly it hurt; the ribs that had just been hit were still aching, yet he didn't have the slightest thought of breaking free.

He gently patted and stroked Liu Nansheng's back, his palm feeling her slight trembling.

He understood that this seemingly weak girl was relying on him with her whole being, silently expressing her trust and entrustment in him.

The Tricycle slowly stopped at the entrance of the old Residential Complex.

After paying the fare, Chen Li took Liu Nansheng's hand and walked toward the familiar stairwell.

By now, Liu Nansheng was no longer afraid; in its place was the nervousness and shyness of being about to meet her elders.

Standing in the stairwell, her fingers unconsciously tidied the hem of her clothes repeatedly, feeling her palms sweating a little.

Seeing that they were about to enter, she quietly took a deep breath, trying to calm down, but her heartbeat wouldn't listen at all, instead beating even faster.

“Don't be nervous,”

Chen Li noticed her unease and gently squeezed her hand, “My parents are very easygoing; they'll definitely like you.”

“But...”

Liu Nansheng suddenly stopped and grabbed Chen Li's arm, her face full of anxiety:

“Oh no, I just remembered. It's my first time meeting your parents. How can I go in empty-handed? That's so improper!”

The more she thought about it, the more inappropriate it felt, and she started pulling Chen Li back:

“Chen Li, let's go to a nearby Supermarket and buy something now. Fruit is fine, or supplements would work; I can't just go in empty-handed.”

Seeing her cautious and nervous appearance, Chen Li felt a warmth in his heart.

She cared so much about the impression she made on his parents because she valued this relationship so much.

He reached out to pull her into his arms and whispered in her ear: “Really, there's no need. Your presence is the best gift for them.”

Chen Li tightened his grip on her hand, a firm and warm strength coming from his palm.

This subtle action allowed Liu Nansheng's fluttering heart to settle slightly. She took a deep breath,

and following his lead, she stepped for the second time into this home that, while old, was exceptionally warm.

As soon as the door opened, Father Chen and Mother Chen, who were originally sitting on the sofa, immediately stood up, their gazes first sweeping over their son anxiously.

Immediately after, their gazes simultaneously landed on the girl behind him.

At this sight, the couple was both stunned for a moment.

The girl before them was tall and exceptionally beautiful, standing there quietly.

“Hello, Uncle and Auntie,” Liu Nansheng greeted timidly.

“Oh, hello, hello...”

Mother Chen looked Liu Nansheng over with pleasant surprise, for a moment not knowing what to say, “Xiao Li, who is this?”

“Mom, Dad, this is Liu Nansheng, my girlfriend.”

Chen Li introduced her naturally, “You can just call her Xiao Nan.”

“Xiao Nan, come and sit down.”

Mother Chen warmly took Liu Nansheng's hand and led her to the sofa.

Father Chen also hurriedly gave up his seat, their attention completely focused on Liu Nansheng, leaving Chen Li alone at the door.

Chen Li watched this scene, torn between laughter and tears—his parents hadn't even mentioned the kidnapping incident; had he 'fallen from grace' so quickly?

“Come, Xiao Nan, have some fruit.”

The more Mother Chen looked at this gentle girl, the more she liked her, wondering where her son had managed to pick her up.

Feeling Mother Chen's sincere care, it formed a sharp contrast with her cold biological family that only treated her as a cash cow.

“Xiao Li,” Father Chen finally remembered the main business, “what exactly happened today?”

Chen Li still spoke nonchalantly: “It was just a misunderstanding. They got the wrong person. Once we cleared it up on the way, they let us go.”

Fortunately, when they fought earlier, most of the kidnappers' fists had landed on his abdomen and ribs, areas covered by his clothes.

Plus, he had been enduring the discomfort the whole way, deliberately keeping his back straight, so from the outside, his parents couldn't tell at all that he had just been in a scuffle.

“It's good that you're okay. You really scared your father and me.”

Mother Chen said with lingering fear, “In the future, don't go to places with few people at night. I really didn't expect something like this to happen; I thought it only happened in TV dramas.”

Listening to the elders' conversation, Liu Nansheng's heart was filled with guilt.

If it weren't for her, Chen Li wouldn't have encountered such danger. She stole a glance at Chen Li, and her heart couldn't help but tremble, a warm and bittersweet feeling dissolving in her heart.

“Mom, Dad, it was just an accident. We'll be careful in the future,” Chen Li comforted them.

“Alright, the children are tired too. Let them rest early,” Father Chen said, getting up first to return to his room.

Mother Chen smiled understandingly and followed her husband into the bedroom, thoughtfully leaving space for the two young people to be alone.

The living room suddenly became quiet, with warm yellow light spilling over the two of them.

It was late, and after what happened, his parents certainly wouldn't agree to them going out now.

The two could only stay overnight at home, but Liu Nansheng soon encountered an embarrassing problem—she didn't even have a change of clothes.

She sat cramped on the sofa, her fingers unconsciously twisting together, her cheeks heating up slightly as she whispered to Chen Li:

“Chen Li, I... I didn't even bring a change of clothes.”

Chen Li immediately understood and softly reassured her: “Don't worry, I'll go borrow one from my mom. You can make do for one night, okay?”

“Mhm, okay.” Liu Nansheng nodded quickly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Chen Li soon came out of his parents' bedroom with a set of brand-new pajamas: “It just so happens my mom has a set of newly bought pajamas she hasn't worn yet, but...”

He smiled somewhat apologetically, “My mom's Figure is a bit more petite than yours, so it might not fit perfectly.”

“It's fine...”

Liu Nansheng took the pajamas, a blush rising on her face, “Then... I'll go take a shower first.”

Holding the pajamas, she followed Chen Li's guidance to the bathroom.

Chen Li thoughtfully prepared new towels and toiletries for her before gently closing the door.

Returning to the living room, Chen Li finally let out a long sigh of relief and slumped onto the sofa.

Only then did he dare to take off his mask of forced composure.

To avoid worrying his parents and Liu Nansheng, he had been enduring the intense pain throughout his body, not even daring to show anything unusual while walking.

He cautiously lifted the hem of his shirt, and a large area of purplish-blue bruising appeared on his ribs, some parts even swollen.

A light touch made him hiss in pain, fine beads of cold sweat instantly breaking out on his forehead.

“Luckily I didn't let Mom and Dad see...” He rejoiced inwardly, yet couldn't help but frown.

Who exactly is behind this? Leaning back on the sofa, Chen Li carefully recalled the people he had encountered in the past few days.

The kidnappers' target was clearly pointed at Liu Nansheng, which meant the mastermind must be after her.

Then only those two people could have a motive...