Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 93

Staring down the dark barrel of the gun, Nianqing shut her eyes in despair.

A gunshot rang out.

Blood blossomed from the head of the gunman. At that critical moment, Will and his team arrived just in time to save Nianqing and Yan Zu.

“Hurry! Qing’er was taken—go after them! They shouldn’t be far!” Will dared not delay and immediately pursued the group that had taken Lan Qing. A fierce battle broke out between both sides. Will hadn’t anticipated their enemy’s firepower to be so overwhelming, and they found themselves outmatched at every turn.

The gunfire soon drew the attention of the police, forcing both parties to retreat. Despite fighting with everything they had, they were unable to rescue Lan Qing. Will took a bullet and, from excessive blood loss, finally collapsed.

“Young Master… I failed you. I let Miss Lan Qing fall into danger. Punish me.”

Jing Xuan gently patted his shoulder. “You did your best. Just focus on resting and healing. I can’t manage without you.”

“Young Master—”

“That’s enough. Get some rest.”

Jing Xuan stood up and straightened her clothes. “How is Miss Nianqing?”

“She’s just shaken. She’s been asking to see you.”

“I’ll go to her now.”

The subordinate hesitated, then added, “Young Master, Iga Jōnin just called…”

“What did he say?”

“He said he’ll come in person to take Miss Nianqing back. He also wants to lead a team himself to rescue Miss Lan Qing.”

“Tch, that old man… always choosing the worst times to make things worse.”

When Jing Xuan entered the room where Nianqing was resting, she was on the phone with Iga Jōnin. Jing Xuan gestured that she wanted to speak to him. Nianqing gently acknowledged her and handed over the phone.

“Uncle.”

The moment Jing Xuan greeted him, the thunderous roar of Iga Jōnin came through the line: “Jing Xuan! I’m warning you—if anything happens to my precious daughters, I don’t care how powerful or influential you are, I’ll use every last breath in my old bones to destroy you!”

“Yes, yes, Uncle, please don’t be angry. I promise I’ll bring Qing back safely. Please, trust me.”

“You have three days! If Lan Qing isn’t back by then, I’ll go myself!”

“Alright, alright. Please calm down. If I fail to ensure their safety, I, Jing Xuan, will answer with my life.”

“Hmph!”

“That old man has such a temper,” Jing Xuan muttered with a smile, handing the phone back to Nianqing. “Any news on Qing’er?”

“Don’t worry, she’ll be found soon. To be honest, both of the women close to me were taken by Jing Cheng. I’m his true target. That means we’ll have news of Qing and Fei’er soon.”

“Then… is there anything I can do to help?”

“There’s nothing you need to do. I’ll have people escort you safely back to Japan. But if you must do something, then please help calm Uncle Jōnin down. Actually, there is one thing you can do.”

“What is it?”

“Call the police.”

________________________________________

At a warehouse in the western suburbs

Lan Qing slowly regained consciousness. The overhead light was so bright she could barely open her eyes. Someone kindly moved the lamp away, softening the glare. Lan Qing murmured a quiet “thank you.”

But when she finally opened her eyes and saw who it was, she gasped in shock.

“Nishikawa Gorō? Why is it you?!”

Nishikawa Gorō gave her a gentle, gentlemanly smile. “Miss Lan Qing, I didn’t expect them to bring you either. But if you promise not to scream or run, I’ll untie you.”

He gestured toward the ropes binding her.

“Don’t scream or run? What do you take me for—a puppy?” Lan Qing snapped. Nishikawa only shrugged and said, “You haven’t agreed yet.”

“Fine, fine. I agree! You’re so persistent.”

“Then I hope Miss Lan Qing will keep her word.”

“Just untie me already, so annoying!”

With a helpless smile, Nishikawa gently loosened the ropes and set them aside. Though his heart ached for Lan Qing, he was also afraid she might alert the others.

“What are you doing here? Don’t tell me you kidnapped me?”

“Of course not. It was my father—on behalf of Mr. Jing Cheng.”

“What? Jing Cheng? Then… he must be planning to—”

“I don’t know what he intends to do. I only know my father is working for him. When Mr. Jing Cheng ordered us to kidnap two girls, I didn’t realize one of them would be you.”

“Two girls? Could the other one be… Fei’er?” Lan Qing murmured, trying to piece things together. “And the other girl, where is she?”

“She’s already been caught. You’re the second.”

“Gorō, I beg you—could you let me go? Or maybe help the other girl escape?”

“I’m sorry, Miss Lan Qing. That’s something I can’t do. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t know where she’s being held. And if I let you go, I’d have no way to explain it.”

He began pacing as he spoke.

“Miss Lan Qing, I really like you. But I know you don’t feel the same. I won’t force you. My father and I… we’ve already fallen too far. There’s no turning back now. All I can do is guarantee your temporary safety.

Beyond that… I’m powerless.”

“Gorō, why would you follow someone like Jing Cheng? He’s done so many terrible things. Do you really think he’ll spare you and your father when this is over? You’re smarter than this!”

“Miss Lan Qing, like I said—we no longer have the luxury of turning back. I understand everything you’re saying. But we’re just trying to survive. Please… just cooperate.”

“Gorō, the fact that you’re even willing to tell me all this proves you’re a good man. Deep down, you don’t want to do this.”

“Miss Lan Qing, don’t pretend you know me. You’re right—I don’t want to do this. But I have no choice. I suggest you save your strength. Maybe you’ll have more energy when you see the person you want to see.

Don’t hope for an escape. You’re smart. You understand. Get some rest.”

With that, Nishikawa Gorō left, his tone tinged with frustration. Lan Qing caught the subtle change—her intuition sharpened.

The Nishikawa and Iga families had been close for generations. She and Gorō had grown up together for a time. Nishikawa Gorō was inherently kind. Even the name given to him by his father, Nishikawa Heiji, showed how much he was loved— Heiji would never allow a stain on his son’s reputation. This situation was far too strange. If this was a trap long in the making, then breaking it would have to start with Gorō.

________________________________________

Not far from where Lan Qing was held, on a fishing boat at the western dock

Qiao Fei sat idly, rubbing an empty bottle with her foot. Her hands were still cuffed behind her back, though she’d found a somewhat comfortable position.

Jing Cheng studied her closely. Even though her face was smudged with dirt and her hair disheveled, her astonishing beauty still shone through.

“You… look just like her,” he said softly.

Fei lifted her bright, clear eyes. “Like who?”

Jing Cheng’s usual harshness faded, replaced with a rare sorrow. After a long pause, he finally replied:

“My sister-in-law. Jing Xuan’s mother.”