Chapter 820 - 816: Startled

Xu Wenwan stared at the unkempt man behind the receptionist, startled. Right now, Leng Yuan was wearing old clothes. His hair was messy, his appearance haggard, and dark stubble had already sprouted on his chin. It was obvious just how worried he was about Gu Jiaojiao.

Jealousy flared in Xu Wenwan’s heart, but her movements remained incredibly composed. "Eldest Brother Leng, my brother told me everything about your situation. Don’t worry, I can help with Jiaojiao’s matter.

"How about we step outside to talk?"

Leng Yuan glanced at Xu Wenwan. He hesitated slightly but ultimately nodded. The two of them walked outside.

The sky was overcast today, without a single star or the moon in sight. The streets were pitch black. Walking along the road, it was impossible to make out the face of the person beside you if not for the sound of their footsteps. They took a few steps to the side, and Leng Yuan’s figure paused in a patch of deep shadow.

"Can you... really help me?" Leng Yuan’s voice was extremely hoarse, sounding as though he hadn’t had a drop of water in days. Just hearing that voice made one feel terribly thirsty.

Xu Wenwan looked toward him. She could only see his silhouette and couldn’t make out his expression at all, but it didn’t matter. All she wanted was the fortune he carried. "I can help. The man I married is very powerful. To him, Gu Jiaojiao’s matter can be solved with a single word."

Leng Yuan fell silent for a moment, clearly doubting her words. Xu Wenwan hadn’t expected him to believe her so easily anyway. However, she was confident that once he knew who she had married, he would definitely believe her.

"I married into the An Family in the County Town. You should know of the An Family. They are extremely powerful."

A trace of mockery flashed through Leng Yuan’s eyes. Even though Xu Wenwan couldn’t see it, it quickly vanished from his gaze. Then, his hoarse voice sounded. "They are indeed powerful. But why would you help me?"

His tone was filled with deep suspicion, as if reminding Xu Wenwan that they weren’t on good terms.

Xu Wenwan smiled confidently. "I need something from you. As long as you give it to me, I’ll help you save Gu Jiaojiao. How about it?"

"Something? What something?" Leng Yuan’s voice sounded even more parched.

Hearing it made Xu Wenwan frown. She wondered how many days it had been since he last drank water; just listening to him made her own throat feel uncomfortable. To avoid being affected, she couldn’t help but take a step back. "You don’t need to know what it is. All you have to do is agree."

Leng Yuan remained silent for a while before finally speaking. "I agree. However, I will only give it to you after Jiaojiao returns safely."

"No, what if you go back on your word?" Xu Wenwan rejected him outright. What a joke. She was tricking him in the first place. As long as she obtained his fortune, she could reclaim the life that belonged to her. As for Gu Jiaojiao, she had zero intention of saving her.

Leng Yuan frowned, reluctant to agree.

Xu Wenwan quickly added, "Leng Yuan, you simply have no choice. Only by trusting me can Gu Jiaojiao return safely. I shouldn’t need to spell out what will happen to her if I don’t help you!"

Leng Yuan seemed to be caught in a fierce mental battle.

Xu Wenwan continued to entice him. "Don’t worry, this is very simple. It won’t cost you a heavy price. All you have to do is hold out your hand."

Leng Yuan abruptly took a few steps back, his entire body sinking into the darkness. Now, Xu Wenwan couldn’t even make out his silhouette. She took a step forward. "Gu Jiaojiao loves you so much. Don’t you want to save her?"

"I agree." Leng Yuan finally spoke after a few seconds of pause.

The next moment, a hand reached out.