The estate’s main building was roughly one kilometer away from here, a distance well within the range of a sniper rifle.
Turning back and crouching down to part the underbrush, Gan Yuan found some fresh footprints on the grass without much effort.
It seemed she hadn’t been mistaken, someone must have been spying on the estate just before she hurried over.
The flash of light she had seen was likely the reflection from binoculars or something similar, like a sniper scope. Recalling the assassination attempt at the hotel, Gan Yuan’s brows immediately knotted.
The evidence before her eyes clearly indicated that someone wanted to harm Huangfu Jue.
She cursed under her breath, her fists clenching at her sides.
Was this a second assassination attempt after the failure at the hotel, or had he offended someone else...
"Mommy... Mommy... It’s time to eat... where are you..."
From a distance, Gan Tang’s voice calling her could be heard. Gan Yuan glanced around and quickly walked out of the woods.
"What were you doing in the woods?"
The little one eyed the woods behind her suspiciously.
"Just taking a walk," she shrugged her shoulders, "Let’s go, it’s time to eat."
Walking into the main building with one hand on the little one’s shoulder, she looked around once more. Noticing nothing unusual, she turned her gaze back.
As they reached the dining room and sat down to enjoy lunch, her fingers wrapped around the utensils, and she found herself lost in thought.
It was very likely a second attack, after the previous assassination attempt. So much hate, but who could it be...
Huangfu Jue, oh Huangfu Jue, why is danger always lurking around you?
"Mommy!" The little one called several times without response and then raised his voice.
Gan Yuan snapped back to reality, "What is it?"
Gan Tang nodded toward the spoon in her hand, "Your soup."
She raised the spoon to her mouth only to find it empty, her preoccupation with her thoughts having made her forget to fill it.
Across from her, the youngster chanted with a shake of his head.
"When I toast the wine, the broth has no taste. My belt has loosened yet no regrets do I face, for her I waste away in a haggard state..."
"It’s ’intense joy’, not ’broth’!" she corrected.
The little one curved his lips mischievously, "I know, but you have broth, right?"
"You little rascal." Realizing he was teasing her, Gan Yuan shot him a sideways glare, "No talking during meals!"
Gan Tang bowed his head and continued sipping his soup. She spooned some soup into her mouth and, recalling the recent events, her brow furrowed again.
After the meal, she took Gan Tang for a walk on the grass and then sent the little one back to his room for a nap. As she stood up to draw the curtains, she noticed the woods across again.
A thought struck her, and she quickly left the youngster’s room, heading to Huangfu Jue’s master bedroom.
Indeed, looking out from his window, she was directly in line with the woods where she had found the footprints earlier.
If he were on the balcony at night, the assailant could easily kill him from that angle.
Staring at the woods, she fell into deep contemplation again.
That night, when Huangfu Jue returned, it was already late. He climbed the stairs lightly, thinking that the mother and son were likely asleep. But upon entering the bedroom, he saw Gan Yuan sitting on the sofa.
His blue eyes lit up, and he strode over. Before she had a chance to stand, he reached out and pulled her into his embrace.