It was as if Lu Xingyan couldn't hear his words at all. She was staring at Han Xukun with wide eyes. This time it wasn't a dream. She was awake and whatever happened in her dream was something that would never happen because of how she changed the events.

  She felt a warm hand held hers which made her eyes unconsciously travel to it. Han Xukun was holding her hand. It felt strange for her since her dream, she felt like he was someone important to her. Strange because right now, she couldn't help but trust him and leave everything in his hand. It felt strange on how safe she felt just because of his warm hold.

  Continuous gunshots were heard coming from different places and instead of being scared, it was strange that she felt calm as she followed her companions out of the place. She couldn't take her eyes off from Han Xukun's broad back as she followed behind him.

  "Xingyan!"

  She was only able to break her stare from the man's back when she heard a familiar deep voice. She turned her head towards the owner of the voice and there, she saw her father.

  "Dad!" She pulled her hand away from Han Xukun's hand and rush to her father, glomping on him.

  Lu Yifeng caught his daughter in his arms and wrapped his arms around her, embracing her warmly.

  This time she couldn't stop her tears from forming in her eyes. Her body unconsciously trembled as she sobbed. She knew that he would come and save her. She tried her best to remain calm, showing no weakness to the people around her that's why right now, that fa?ade fell the moment she came into her father's embrace.

  Her father gently stroked her hair as he comforted her and reassured her, "Everything's going to be fine now."

  Their reunion was interrupted when one of Han Xukun's men approached them, "sir, we have caught everyone. Murong Wei and his men have been restrained."

  He turned to look at the father and daughter duo, "I will take care of the situation here. Li Rui here will take you to my place. You will be safe there."

  Lu Yifeng nodded and brought his daughter to the car that was prepared for them.

  …


  Inside the car…


  "Are you hurt anywhere?" Lu Yifeng asked. Despite his strong features, the worry in his eyes was seen.

  "I'm fine, dad…" She was resting her head on her father's shoulder with her arms wrapped on his side, hugging him. "Thank you for coming," she whispered, closing her eyes.

  "Of course, I will. You're my daughter." That was a no-brainer. His son, Lu Mello wanted to come but he didn't allow him since he still has his exams to attend. Lu Yifeng alone was enough to get her.

  "Will my friends be alright?" She wasn't able to even say goodbye to them before she left which made her feel bad. It can't be helped; she didn't want to leave her father's side the moment she got to him. She was like a kitten who would never leave their parent's side after getting in trouble.

  "Don't worry, all the hostages will be sent back to their homes. Han Xukun is responsible for that." He pulled out his phone from his pocket. "I promised your mother that I will call her the moment I have you," he paused and looked at her before he continued, "do you want to talk with her?"

  Lu Xingyan nodded, leaning away and straightening her back, "yes. We need to let mom and others know that I'm safe."

  He smiled a bit when he saw how m?tur? she was. She wasn't shivering and crying anymore unlike earlier when he first saw her. He could see that she was able to calm down at once instead of being traumatized. His daughter wasn't weak after all.

  After dialing his wife, the moment the call went through, he heard her worried voice on the other line, "is Xiao Xing safe?"

  "Yes, she's with me. She's safe."

  "Is she fine? She's not hurt is she?"

  The call was on speaker so Lu Xingyan was able to hear her mother. With a helpless smile plastered on her lips, she answered instead of her father, "mom, I'm alright. I'm not hurt."

  Upon hearing her voice, her mother became quiet, and instead, soft sobs were heard on the other side, "t-thank goodness… you're fine… you're fine…"

  Hearing her mother's trembling voice suddenly made Lu Xingyan want to cry as well but she held back her tears this time and cleared her throat from the lump she felt, "I'll be home soon mom… I can't wait to see you…"

  Lu Yifeng quietly watched as his daughter conversed with his wife. He could clearly see how much the child was trying her best not to cry. The tears that formed in her eyes refused to fall. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and reached it out to her which made her turn to him this time. He didn't say a word but his gentle gaze was enough to tell her that it was alright to cry, after all, it was only normal for parents to always worry for their children.

  Lu Xingyan quietly accepted the handkerchief and the moment she did, her tears fell. Her sobs were shortly heard and even Xia Meilin who was on the other side of the call heard her daughter's soft cry which only made her regret not going there.

  "It's alright, sweetie… you're safe now, right? You're with your dad so nothing will happen to you anymore. Also, we'll be seeing each other soon so don't cry, baby…"

  Lu Xingyan's lips trembled as she felt another lump in her throat, giving her a hard time speaking.

  Lu Yifeng patted her head before he finally spoke to his wife, "you should get some sleep now, Meilin……" It has been days since his wife was having a hard time sleeping so now that their daughter was found safe, he knew that it would give her relief, finally giving peace in her mind.