Chapter 1950: No Longer Friends

Little Taotie’s hand, reaching out to help, froze midair.

Xiao Lingzhi lifted her head, tear-filled eyes looking at her, full of despair: "I sold them out. Will they, will they kill my grandpa... uuuuu..."

Little Taotie pressed her lips together, her face deathly pale, and subconsciously took a step back.

She knew Xiao Lingzhi was scared, terrified, in despair.

As a good friend, she should have stepped forward to give her a hug, or said something to comfort her.

But in that moment, it was as if she’d lost her voice, lost all strength.

She couldn’t speak, nor could she step up to hold Xiao Lingzhi. Half frightened, she looked toward Hua Jinyan.

What if she had agreed to go on the yacht with Xiao Lingzhi?

What would have happened next?

Hua Jinyan reached out and took Little Taotie’s chubby little hand. He felt that her hand, normally warm, was cold today. He squeezed tighter, wanting to warm her with the heat of his palm.

When he looked at Little Taotie, his gaze was gentle, like the warm sun of early spring; but when he shifted his eyes to Xiao Lingzhi, his expression changed.

It turned stern and icy, tinged with a hint of killing intent.

Xiao Lingzhi shuddered, her eyes dropping as she slowly curled in on herself, hugging her own body tightly. She felt very cold, as if she had fallen into icy seawater—so cold, so cold. She saw Little Taotie, yet... didn’t dare cry for help.

When she had asked Little Taotie, if she and Hua Jinyan fell into the sea, who Little Taotie would save first, it wasn’t out of childish drama; it was because, before asking Little Taotie that question, she had already made her own choice.

Between her grandpa and Little Taotie, she... chose her grandpa.

She didn’t know what answer she was hoping for. In fact, if Little Taotie chose Hua Jinyan, she might actually feel a bit relieved.

Maybe she would smile and say: See, you also chose the one you thought was more important, and it wasn’t me. So... my choice wasn’t wrong either, was it?

Despicably, she wanted to seek a sliver of comfort for her conscience.

She lifted her head and carefully looked toward Little Taotie. The moment their eyes met, Little Taotie quickly averted her gaze.

In that instant, Xiao Lingzhi understood that maybe... she and Little Taotie would never be friends again.

Xiao Lingzhi buried her head deep between her knees, like a turtle hiding in its shell, afraid to come out.

She didn’t know how long she cried, how long she hid, until Little Taotie’s voice came from outside—very soft, very gentle, yet faintly carrying a trace of unfamiliar, distant politeness.

"They found you, but their target is me. That means this danger was caused because of me, and I’ll take responsibility," Little Taotie said calmly. "Xiao Lingzhi, I will rescue your grandpa."

Hua Jinyan grabbed her at once and asked in a low voice, "Where are you going?"

Little Taotie pressed her lips together and said softly, "To the yacht."

"You’re not allowed to go."

"This started because of me. If I don’t go, Xiao Lingzhi’s grandpa will be in danger."

"Then he’ll be in danger. It has nothing to do with you."

"They’re after me. I don’t want anything to happen to Xiao Lingzhi’s grandpa. If something does, I’ll never be at peace for the rest of my life. Huahua, as a person—Head Grandpa said this—the most important thing is to have a clear conscience."

Hua Jinyan’s gaze darkened as he looked at her deeply, his eyes carrying an emotion that had been suppressed for a long time.

Little Taotie gently patted the back of the hand gripping her arm. "Let go of me, let me go."

Hua Jinyan didn’t loosen his grip; instead, he held on even tighter.

"Ow!" Little Taotie muttered, "You’re hurting me."

Hua Jinyan hastily let go.

But Little Taotie suddenly sped off at a run, and when she looked back at him, she flashed a mischievous smile. "Huahua, you fell for it!"