Chapter 158: The Strange He Ping!
Chapter 158: The Strange He Ping!
Tang Chen drove home feeling refreshed and cheerful. He had been busy going out earlier and had promised Yang Mi that he would go out with her after returning home.
Just as he was about to enter the house, Tang Chen’s mobile phone rang. He took it out and saw it was an unfamiliar number. Puzzled, Tang Chen answered. He said, “Hello. Who is this?”
On the other end of the phone was a timid woman’s voice: “Hello, is this Tang Chen?”
Tang Chen was slightly stunned; he didn’t seem to recognize this woman’s voice. He uttered an “Ah,” and said, “Yes, this is Tang Chen. Who are you?”
The other person obviously sighed in relief, then continued, “Hello, Tang Chen. My name is Xu Fang. I am He Ping’s girlfriend.”
He Ping’s girlfriend? Tang Chen racked his brain. Then he remembered that he seemed to have a subordinate named He Ping who had very low presence. Since she was his subordinate’s partner, that made her his younger sister-in-law. He said with a laugh, “So you’re He Ping’s girlfriend. What do you need from me?”
Xu Fang explained, “It’s like this, Tang Chen. He Ping told me you are his Boss. He went to find you this morning, saying he had something to discuss with you. But I haven’t been able to reach him on his mobile phone, so I wanted to ask if he has arrived yet?”
Tang Chen felt very strange and said, “No, I haven’t seen He Ping at all. Also, that guy didn’t tell me he was coming to see me.”
Xu Fang said somewhat uneasily, “But that doesn’t make sense. He left in the morning, and it’s almost past 10 o’clock now. He should have arrived long ago. Why haven’t you seen him?”
Tang Chen laughed and said, “This Young Master went out this morning and only just returned home. I’ll ask my wife if she saw He Ping come by, and then I’ll call you back.”
Xu Fang uttered an “Mm.” respectfully and said, “Then I’ll trouble you, Young Master Tang.”
Tang Chen grunted in acknowledgment, hung up the phone, put his mobile phone in his pocket, then pushed the door open and went inside, calling out at the same time, “Wife, I’m back.”
“You’re back. I was so bored.” Yang Mi hurriedly ran out of the room, barefoot, and rushed over to hug Tang Chen.
Because she was at home, Yang Mi was only wearing a pink nightgown. Her fair, smooth skin was faintly visible through the semi-sheer fabric.
Tang Chen rubbed Yang Mi’s hair. The fragrance from her body also stimulated his nose, and his big brother immediately stood up, pressing right against Yang Mi’s lower abdomen.
“Ah, pervert!” Yang Mi, who had long been ‘developed’ by Tang Chen, naturally knew what that was. She pushed Tang Chen away, her face flushed bright red. “You’re thinking about naughty things in broad daylight, you jerk.”
Tang Chen grinned, taking such words as praise. He walked over, hugged Yang Mi, and as they moved toward the sofa, he laughed, “It’s not my fault. Your figure is so tempting. If I didn’t have any reaction, that would be disrespectful to you.”
Yang Mi felt a tickle in her heart from Tang Chen’s sweet talk, then she giggled and wrapped her arms around Tang Chen’s waist. Tilting her face up, she asked, “Tang Chen, where are we going to play today?”
Tang Chen was about to answer when he suddenly remembered Xu Fang’s matter. So he looked questioningly at Yang Mi and said softly, “By the way, Yang Mi, did He Ping come looking for me after I left?”
Yang Mi had met He Ping before at her place last time, so Tang Chen could ask directly.
Yang Mi scratched her little head, thought for a moment, and said, “No, he didn’t. Why do you ask? Is something going on?”
Tang Chen said “Oh,” and smiled casually: “It’s nothing. He Ping’s girlfriend called me, asking if He Ping had come to see me. Probably nothing major. I’ll call Fang Wenxin later.”
Yang Mi didn’t take it to heart either, murmured “Mm,” and then remembered something. She said to Tang Chen, “Wait a moment, I’ll go change clothes before we go out.”
Tang Chen gently patted her little bottom and said, “Go on, I’ll wait for you here.” Yang Mi nodded and walked away, swaying her little bottom.
Tang Chen smiled contentedly, then sat on the sofa. He first took a sip of water from the coffee table, then called Yu Tianyi, intending to ask about He Ping. But no matter how many times he tried, He Ping’s mobile phone couldn’t be reached.
Tang Chen found it very strange. This kind of unreachable phone situation had never happened before. What was going on? Had something happened to Yu Tianyi and the others?
After thinking about it, Tang Chen also felt it was somewhat odd. Just then, Yang Mi came out. Tang Chen went up to her and told her about the situation. After discussing it, the two decided to first go to the hospital to see if something had happened.
When they arrived at the hospital, Tang Chen followed Yang Mi to the front of the ward. They found that a few brothers from the Zhongmen Society were still guarding there. As soon as they saw Tang Chen and the other arrive, they quickly bowed and said, “Hello, Young Master Tang. Hello, Sister-in-law.”
Tang Chen grunted in acknowledgment and said to one of them, “Where is Yu Tianyi? Why couldn’t this Young Master get through to him on the phone?”
One brother said, “Reporting to Young Master Tang, Brother Yu received a call from home. It seemed something happened, so Brother Yu asked us to guard here while he went back home.”
So that’s what happened. Tang Chen nodded and didn’t inquire further. He then said, “What about He Ping? Why isn’t that guy here either?”
The brothers looked at each other, each indicating they didn’t know where He Ping had gone.
Since Tang Chen couldn’t get specific details, he dismissed the idea of pressing further. He thought to himself that if absolutely necessary, he could have the System search to see if it could find him.
After entering the ward to check on Fang Wenxin’s condition, Tang Chen left the hospital with Yang Mi. Once outside the hospital doors, Tang Chen and Yang Mi walked to the Extravagant Battle Car, planning to go out and relax together. Just then, a skinny figure got out of a taxi not far away and walked toward the hospital.
“He Ping?” Tang Chen froze, stopping his motion to open the car door. With sharp eyes, he recognized this person as the He Ping he had been looking for.
“Oh, Young Master Tang.” He Ping didn’t look very well mentally; he had heavy dark circles under his eyes and walked somewhat unsteadily.
Tang Chen, holding Yang Mi’s small hand, gently walked over. Then he said to He Ping with concern, “He Ping, where have you been? Your girlfriend is looking everywhere for you. Where the hell did you go?”
He Ping walked up to Tang Chen and then said, “It’s nothing. I went out for some matters. Everything is settled now. Are you and Sister-in-law planning to leave here, Young Master Tang?”
Tang Chen grunted. Suddenly he felt something was off. That wasn’t right; He Ping’s words were a bit strange. Clearly, Xu Fang said he had come to find him, but this guy said he had gone out for some matters. Was one of them lying? And why would they lie?
“Tang Chen, be careful!” Yang Mi cried out in alarm. Then a glint of blade light flashed. Tang Chen was pulled aside directly by Yang Mi. The dagger in He Ping’s hand sank deeply into Yang Mi’s abdomen. Blood dripped onto the ground, and Yang Mi’s abdomen was instantly stained red.
“Yang Mi!” Tang Chen roared furiously. With one hand, he forcefully grabbed He Ping’s dagger, broke it on the spot with a strong pull, then first laid Yang Mi down on the ground. After that, he kicked directly toward He Ping’s chest.
Bang!
He Ping’s reaction was more agile than Tang Chen had imagined. He directly blocked Tang Chen’s kick with his own hands, then staggered back several steps.
“He Ping, you’re seeking death! Why did you attack this Young Master!” Tang Chen snarled, his eyes bloodshot. He Ping had actually attacked him! Yang Mi was injured saving him! What was going on!
He Ping didn’t answer. A flicker of panic flashed in his eyes as he tried to turn and run. How could Tang Chen let him escape? He had hurt his woman right in front of him. If he let him run away, what face would he have left to live?
“I’ll kill you!” Tang Chen’s mind was clouded by rage. He didn’t care if the other was his subordinate anymore. He launched a flying kick aimed at He Ping’s head. Although He Ping had his back to him while fleeing, it was as if this guy had eyes on his back. He agilely ducked, then threw a punch toward Tang Chen’s chest.
Tang Chen took his punch, then pulled his arm toward himself. He delivered a heavy kick to He Ping’s waist, wrapped his arms around He Ping’s waist, lifted his entire body upside down, and slammed his head hard into the ground.