As Elder Mr. Yao spoke these words, a group of bodyguards rushed in from outside, surrounding Fu Yan Ting and Yan Xi.
Fu Yan Ting and Yan Xi wanted to leave but couldn't break free, finding themselves completely trapped.
Fu Yan Ting, still calm and composed, looked at Elder Mr. Yao and asked, "Mr. Yao, what do you mean by this?"
"Mr. Fu, as I said from the beginning, it won't be that easy for you to just leave. Xi Xi is part of the Yao family. You want to take her away without my permission? I should be asking you, what do you mean?"
Upon hearing Elder Mr. Yao's words, Fu Yan Ting knew that Elder Mr. Yao was doing this intentionally. Even if Fu Yan Ting did as Elder Mr. Yao wished, he wouldn't let him off.
After all, Fu Yan Ting had already uncovered his shocking secret.
To ensure his secret remained buried, Elder Mr. Yao was determined to eliminate him.
Yan Xi, standing beside Fu Yan Ting, turned extremely pale upon hearing Elder Mr. Yao's statement.
Yan Xi knew he wouldn't let them go. He was deliberately playing the familial card in front of Fu Yan Ting, trying to make him give up voluntarily.
Yan Xi tightly gripped Fu Yan Ting's hand.
Fu Yan Ting felt Yan Xi's hand was ice-cold, and he knew she was terrified.
Fu Yan Ting softly whispered into Yan Xi's ear, "Don't worry, no matter what happens, I'm here."
Hearing Fu Yan Ting's voice, and with her arm linked through his, Yan Xi felt a sense of security.
It felt as though, no matter what happened, as long as Fu Yan Ting was there, she would be safe.
Elder Mr. Yao did not interrupt, standing quietly and watching Yan Xi and Fu Yan Ting display their affection.
Fu Yan Ting coughed twice. From a distance, Fu Yan Ting's men appeared, surrounding Elder Mr. Yao's compound completely.
Elder Mr. Yao narrowed his eyes. These were special forces soldiers. He had always known Fu Yan Ting was capable, otherwise, he wouldn't have reached his current position at such a young age, earning everyone's respect.
But Elder Mr. Yao hadn't expected Fu Yan Ting to have such influence that he could enlist special forces.
"Fu Yan Ting, what do you mean by this? Aren't you worried Xi Xi will blame you later?"
"I won't blame you. You don't have to treat me as a Yao family member. I don't want to be the pampered daughter of the Yao family either," Yan Xi quickly interjected.
Fu Yan Ting looked at Elder Mr. Yao with a defiant yet seemingly helpless expression. "Mr. Yao, you know Xi Xi's temper is bad. I don't dare not listen to her words."
"Xi Xi, come here. I have something to tell you."
Yan Xi instinctively recoiled. She knew in her heart that Elder Mr. Yao wouldn't say anything good to her. Knowing that Elder Mr. Yao was the reason Yao Wan Qi had become deranged, Yan Xi had no good impression of him.
She didn't want any further interaction with him.
Therefore, when Elder Mr. Yao called out to Yan Xi, Yan Xi's natural inclination was to resist.
Fu Yan Ting said to Yan Xi, "Xi Xi, it's okay. I'll be right here waiting for you. He wouldn't dare do anything to you."
Hearing Fu Yan Ting's words, Yan Xi finally walked towards Elder Mr. Yao.
Elder Mr. Yao examined Yan Xi and said, "Xi Xi, please try to persuade Fu Yan Ting. No matter what, we are all family. Isn't it making a spectacle of ourselves doing this?"
Recalling Yao Wan Qi's previous ordeal, Yan Xi was furious. She looked at Elder Mr. Yao and asked sarcastically, "Are our family's spectacles not enough yet? If you've forgotten what you've done, I can help you recall it one by one."
Elder Mr. Yao narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Yan Xi. He wondered who had given Yan Xi the courage to speak to him in such a tone.
"Xi Xi, he is your maternal grandfather. How can you speak to him like that?" Yao Wan Qi stepped forward, took Yan Xi's hand, and earnestly persuaded her.
Yan Xi angrily shook off Yao Wan Qi's hand and scoffed, "Stop pretending. You are not the real Yao Wan Qi. Where the real Yao Wan Qi went, you don't need me to remind you; I'm sure you know better than I do."
Yao Wan Qi glanced at Elder Mr. Yao, who was furious. He looked at Yan Xi and retorted sarcastically, "I see you've really grown wings. Do you think with Fu Yan Ting's protection, you can disregard us? Yan Xi, you will regret this in the future."
Whether she would regret it in the future, Yan Xi didn't know. But at this moment, Yan Xi truly regretted coming to Kyoto and acknowledging Yao Wan Qi.
If Yan Xi hadn't acknowledged Yao Wan Qi, perhaps none of this would have happened.
Thinking of this, Yan Xi regretted it even more.
Yan Xi held Fu Yan Ting's hand and softly said, "I want to go home."
Fu Yan Ting understood that the home Yan Xi referred to was his home in Yan Cheng.
Without asking too many questions, Fu Yan Ting told Yan Xi, "Okay, I'll take you home."
With that, he took Yan Xi's hand and turned to leave.
But in the next moment, they were blocked by Elder Mr. Yao's men.
Fu Yan Ting raised an eyebrow. Though he didn't speak, his displeasure was evident.
Yan Xi was furious, staring at Elder Mr. Yao. Elder Mr. Yao walked up to Yan Xi, examined her, and knowing how much Yan Xi cared about Xiang Jing Chen, deliberately said in front of Yan Xi, "Yan Xi, are you really not going to care about Xiang Jing Chen's life or death?"
"You are truly a devil."
Hearing Elder Mr. Yao's words, Yan Xi became even more enraged.
Yan Xi knew very well that Elder Mr. Yao was a man of his word. If he dared to threaten Yan Xi, he must have been prepared. In his heart, he would sacrifice anyone, regardless of their life or death.
Xiang Jing Chen had treated the Yao family well over the years. Yan Xi truly couldn't understand how Elder Mr. Yao could bear to harm Xiang Jing Chen.
"Yan Xi, you're a smart person. I believe you know what to do," Elder Mr. Yao said with a smile as he studied Yan Xi.
Indeed, Elder Mr. Yao knew perfectly well that Yan Xi couldn't abandon Xiang Jing Chen's fate, which was why he dared to threaten Yan Xi this way.
Yan Xi looked up at Fu Yan Ting. Although Yan Xi knew this would be unfair to Fu Yan Ting, she had no other choice.
Yan Xi couldn't ignore Xiang Jing Chen's life or death.
After all, Xiang Jing Chen had been held hostage by Elder Mr. Yao because of her and Yao Wan Qi.
Now, Yan Xi didn't even know where Xiang Jing Chen was being held. How could she abandon him and leave?
Yan Xi couldn't be so selfish as to disregard Xiang Jing Chen's feelings.