He was panicked and anxious, shouting her name as he suddenly woke from the dream.
Rong Shaoze struggled to sit up, gasping for breath, his clothes soaked with sweat.
Assured that it was just a dream, he calmed himself for two seconds, then got out of bed and dialed Xu Yao’s phone.
"Handle the Phoenix matter for now, I’m planning to go to Rome."
A groggy Xu Yao was jolted awake by the call, "What did you say? You’re going to Rome?"
"Correct, I’m leaving everything here to you, make sure to catch them off guard!"
"Are you sure you won’t have a problem by yourself?"
"I’m certain." He had to go to Rome; staying here every day would drive him insane.
Xu Yao’s voice was low as he warned, "Do you realize you’re walking into the dragon’s den? What if something happens to you?"
The man’s lips curved slightly, his eyes full of confidence, yet he still said, "If Xinlan and I both die, I’m trusting you with Xiaocong and Phoenix."
Xu Yao fell silent, then after a long while, he said faintly, "Go ahead."
After hanging up, Shaoze packed his things and went into Xiaocong’s room.
The little guy was sleeping restlessly, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.
Did he also dream about his mom?
Rong Shaoze touched his head and whispered softly, "Daddy is going to find Mommy, be good at home, okay?"
Not good at sentimental words, he paused, then could only kiss the child’s forehead before standing up to leave.
The door closed, Xiaocong opened his eyes, his teeth tightly biting his lips, struggling to hold back the tears welling up.
He would be good, waiting for Mommy and Daddy to come home soon.
He would also practice diligently to become stronger; then he could protect Mommy and Daddy in the future.
Since that day, Qiao Yiyang disappeared for two days before he appeared again.
Upon seeing him, Lin Xinlan was on full alert.
Qiao Yiyang was too lazy to explain anything; he only knew that he wanted her, whether it was her body or her heart.
His purpose was clear; he just needed to achieve his goal.
"Xinlan, come to the hospital with me," he said, extending his hand toward her with a smile.
Lin Xinlan frowned slightly, asking coolly, "Why go to the hospital? What tricks are you playing now?"
"Isn’t there a contraceptive ring installed inside you? That thing is not good for your body. Let’s go to the hospital and take it out."
His words sounded like they were out of concern for her.
But she understood his meaning.
Did he want to remove the contraceptive ring inside her so she could get pregnant?
"No need, the doctor said it does no harm to the body, there’s no need to remove it."
"What a doctor says isn’t necessarily true," Qiao Yiyang said gently.
"I don’t want to remove it, having surgery now will cause more harm to my body! If you really care about my well-being, then don’t persuade me."
The man’s eyes turned sharp, his voice coldening, "Xinlan, be obedient, come to the hospital with me."
His gaze and expression were coercing her.
Lin Xinlan clenched her hands tightly, silent, not moving.
"Otherwise, I’ll call the doctor here," Qiao Yiyang said indifferently.
"...Fine, I’ll go to the hospital with you." She could only compromise; aside from compromising, there was nothing she could do.
What Lin Xinlan hated most was being threatened and forced by others.
Rong Shaoze had done this to her before, and now there was an additional Qiao Yiyang.
The only difference was, she could fall in love with Rong Shaoze, but she would never love Qiao Yiyang.