Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!

Chapter 365 - 357: The Outcome of the Clash

As the saying goes, "where there’s one, there’s two."

"Sikong Family Master, could it be that you’re eyeing my little assets and manpower?" Cheng Xiaoxiao’s eyes became wary again, as if the other party was here to extort money, but this time it was intentional.

"You’ve got quite the high opinion of yourself for a wildcat."

Sikong Yinlong spoke these words with a seductive smile, sending shivers down one’s spine.

He had that ability.

Realizing he had unintentionally exposed a dangerous aura, making the other party wary again, his expression became even more relaxed, as if he had anticipated this kind of reaction.

"Haha, so what does the Sikong Family Master want after all?"

"I’ve already said, just call me by my name, no need to be so formal." Sikong Yinlong’s temper was becoming better and better.

He smiled unwaveringly, staring at Cheng Xiaoxiao as if he wouldn’t continue speaking unless she changed the way she addressed him.

"You’re the one who’s being formal, Mr. Wildcat or whatever, I really can’t handle that." Cheng Xiaoxiao pursed her lips, as if learning from him, and still getting disliked.

"Hahaha!"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Due to his too joyous laughter, Sikong Yinlong forcibly suppressed his surging blood.

Cheng Xiaoxiao watched him struggling to endure and thought he must be quite injured.

She felt a bit comforted in her heart.

"That’s a term reserved just for me, the closest kind, unshareable."

If it were an ordinary girl hearing these words, eight or nine out of ten would be bubbling with joy inside. Unfortunately, she doesn’t follow the usual path.

"Suit yourself! But, I don’t have a nickname, so it seems unfair to have a one-sided term. I better call you Sikong!"

As for the "wildcat" nickname, she just couldn’t bring herself to say it. Fortunately, this eased the atmosphere a bit, and calling him just by Sikong seemed a suitable compromise.

She didn’t want to sound so close and end up unknowingly falling into a trap someday.

This conversation ended in a mutual charade, with neither probing the other’s bottom line nor persuading the other to follow their path, and they parted on awkward terms.

Dealing with this person consumed too much of Cheng Xiaoxiao’s energy, and as soon as he left, she could no longer hold on and drifted into a muddled sleep.

The Underground City, the meeting hall was now full of people.

Everyone wore solemn expressions and did not speak a word.

Today was already the tenth day of the New Year, and everyone spent it feeling very tense and uneasy.

Because the one who left a message did not manage to come back before the new year.

With no news, and the longer the delay, the more the anxious and uneasy heart could not calm down.

However, today Han Yi sent a message saying that Zhou Yanlan and Cheng Xiaoxiao had some situations, and couldn’t come back temporarily. The specifics were unclear, making them even more worried.

But at least they had some news.

"Er Lang, should we send someone out to search?"

Cheng Yong looked eagerly at Cheng Hao, now that the daughter was not around, all Underground City matters were managed by Cheng Hao.

"But where should we search? Xiao didn’t say anything when she left, and with the weather outside being so bad, it’s impossible for ordinary people to withstand it. Even us who practice martial arts would have a tough time getting out of this mountain."

Cheng Beiniu didn’t want to go out looking, but the outside temperature was too low, and only a very few could withstand the cold.

"I believe the boss will return safely; right now is not the time to search."

Qi Fei expressed his agreement with this view.

Han Xifeng thoughtfully said, "Since Commander Han knows they’re in a situation, he must know the inside story. Why don’t we first send a message to confirm, before making the next move?"

"Xifeng’s right, if we act rashly, we might not retrieve them and lose more people instead — that would be pointless. The Captain is so formidable, she’ll surely turn danger into safety and may just be healing from an injury somewhere, unable to return at the moment."

Fang Zheng felt that calamities last a thousand years, and a character like the Captain couldn’t encounter such a big crisis. Even if there were a major crisis, she could certainly turn the tide and come back safely.

"Yes, yes, don’t scare yourselves too much. Perhaps after some time the Captain will return, and if she finds us dispirited and failing tasks she assigned, that wouldn’t be good."

Lu Jingtian’s disruption lightened the heavy atmosphere considerably. They were worrying unnecessarily, conjuring up the worst outcome in their minds, perhaps the reality wasn’t that bad at all!

Thinking of this, everyone relaxed a bit.

"Second Uncle, concern leads to chaos. You have to believe in Xiaoxiao, she will surely return safely."

Cheng Hao couldn’t help comforting Cheng Yong. Even though he knew his sister wouldn’t delay returning without encountering trouble, he couldn’t say that now.

Given everyone had found an excuse, he could only follow suit.

"Hope so!"

Their comfort didn’t have much effect; Cheng Yong was still full of worry. It was so cold outside, it could freeze a person to death. Could his daughter sleep well, eat her fill, or even be hurt or alone outside?

Seeing Second Uncle’s somber expression, it was clear their words hadn’t gotten through to him and there was little they could do. If Cheng Hao was unsettled, how could his Second Uncle not be?

When Cheng Hao and Cheng Yong returned home one after the other, many of Cheng Xiaoxiao’s concerned friends gathered there.

The crowded hall was especially packed, and the clatter of conversations turned silent as they entered.

The Liu family rose and quickly approached, holding Cheng Hao’s hand. "So? Have you discussed a result? Are we sending someone out to find them?"

"Everyone rest assured, don’t you know Xiaoxiao’s ability? All of us can sleep peacefully because of her protection; can she not take care of herself?

The message from Commander Han said they were injured and needed rest, which is why they couldn’t return immediately, but let’s trust her a little more and focus on safeguarding our home."

"But..."

Liu Juan wanted to say something more, but her son patted the back of her hand. "Mother, would you want Xiaoxiao returning injured and having to brave the severe cold?"

Liu Juan’s eyebrows furrowed, "Don’t say nonsense, of course, I want Xiaoxiao to be well."

"Then it’s settled."

"How is Xiaoxiao hurt, is it serious?" Cheng Chudong’s heart clenched upon hearing his niece was injured.

"Aunt, rest easy. We’ll wait a few more days; we’ve already contacted Commander Han. We’ll decide the next steps once we hear back." Cheng Hao patiently explained.

"That... will have to do."

"If necessary, we’ll send someone then; maybe it’s just a false alarm!"

The children at home were all downcast, keeping silent, especially Brother Jia, whose tears seemed ready to drop!

"Sister, will everything really be okay?"

"Do you think your sister is amazing, Brother Jia?"

Cheng Jia nodded vigorously, "Sister is the most amazing person in the world."

That’s why he was so anxious when she didn’t return.