CHAPTER 198: CHAPTER 198 YI KE, I’M SORRY

An Junxi answered the video call, and when she saw the other party, she collapsed to the ground: "S-second uncle!"

Gu Kuangxia laughed a few times, "My niece-in-law is truly polite, still remembers me as her second uncle." He turned the camera towards the elderly couple.

An Junxi hoarsely called out, "Dad, Mom!"

Mr. An and Mrs. An, thinking they’d never hear their daughter’s voice again, shed tears, "Xi Xi, we don’t know why we were brought here..."

Gu Kuangxia took out a knife, and An Junxi immediately shouted, "Don’t hurt my parents! What exactly do you want?"

As long as her parents remained alive, Gu Kuangxia must be negotiating with Yi Ke, so at least they were still safe.

But An Junxi still couldn’t feel relieved; what Gu Kuangxia wanted, Yi Ke probably couldn’t give!

Such a ruthless person wouldn’t be easily satisfied now that he had the chance to threaten Yi Ke.

Gu Kuangxia said, "It’s very simple. I’ll give you a week to divorce Gu Yikun."

An Junxi’s heart felt like it was being torn apart, asking her to leave him?

She locked herself in the room for however long, and he would wait outside for that long; whenever she encountered any trouble, he would always place her first without rest, loving her with his life. How could she leave him?

Seeing her hesitation, Gu Kuangxia moved the knife towards Mrs. An.

An Junxi cried, "I promise you, just don’t hurt them anymore!"

Gu Kuangxia withdrew the knife, "I have spies everywhere, don’t try anything. If you dare tell Gu Yikun, be prepared to collect your parents’ bodies. I can take their lives in just a few seconds."

Now wasn’t the right time to negotiate with Gu Yikun. Waiting until he was betrayed by the woman he loved most, and then striking him when his defenses were down—that would be much more satisfying.

Gu Kuangxia was delighted at the thought, eager to see the high and mighty President Gu kneeling before him.

An Junxi wiped her tears, "How can you guarantee that you’ll spare my parents after I leave Yi Ke?"

Gu Kuangxia impatiently replied, "Do you think you can negotiate with me? Niece-in-law, your second uncle is not known for his patience."

An Junxi swallowed hard; indeed, she had no leverage to bargain with him. Either she followed his instructions, or her parents would suffer.

Weighing the two options, she had to choose the former.

Her parents had given birth to and raised her; she couldn’t let them die because of her.

Otherwise, she’d never find peace in her life.

As for Yi Ke... without her, he should be able to move on after a while, right?

"Fine, give me a few days. How do I contact you?" This number definitely wouldn’t be reachable again.

Gu Kuangxia said, "No need to contact me. I have a clear grasp on your every move. I’ll find you after your divorce. One more warning, don’t try any tricks."

The call ended abruptly.

An Junxi submerged her head in cold water, almost suffocating before coming up for air.

She wanted to look at the photo again, to find some clues, but the photo wouldn’t open.

Gu Kuangxia was so meticulous, she had no room to resist.

She tidied herself up and walked out to open the room door.

Gu Yikun, who was sitting on the floor outside the door, woke up startled. He stood up, "Xi Xi, are you hungry? You haven’t eaten anything for an entire day and night. Let’s get you something to eat first, okay?"

An Junxi quietly looked at him, her eyes gradually welling up with tears.

His eyes were slightly bloodshot; this man hadn’t slept in who knows how long because of her.

Gu Yikun anxiously said, "Xi Xi, it’s my fault for not finding our parents..."

An Junxi suddenly hugged him tightly, crying in his arms, "Yi Ke, I’m in so much pain."

"I know," Gu Yikun comforted her, "I’m feeling the same way."

An Junxi cherished his embrace, knowing it soon wouldn’t belong to her anymore.

If she left, could she ever return to him?

Gu Yikun took her downstairs to eat. This time An Junxi didn’t refuse. The servant had made porridge, and An Junxi drank a bowl, bringing a slight brightness to Gu Yikun’s face.

He said, "Xi Xi, we haven’t found our parents yet, but I won’t give up. No matter how much manpower or resources it takes, I will find them."

An Junxi didn’t discuss this topic with him. Instead, she said, "Yi Ke, you should eat something too."

Gu Yikun ate a little. His phone rang. He walked aside to answer it. Zha Zhuoxin said, "President, we overlooked something. Second Master might have left the African Continent long ago."

Gu Yikun tightened his grip on the phone, "Any leads?"

Zha Zhuoxin said, "Second Master’s influence runs deep. We just learned he has an insider in the police. After the incident, he jumped into the sea during their pursuit. Our men didn’t witness the jump firsthand. There’s no trace left in the sea, no bodies, and no clues. That’s why I dare to speculate..."

Gu Yikun understood. He had underestimated Second Uncle’s strong foundation in South Africa.

If Second Uncle had left South Africa, where would he hide?

An Junxi went back to her room to call Jin Xiu.

Jin Xiu could have returned home days ago, but too much had happened at home. Gu Yikun hadn’t let him come back, arranging for him to have a private tutor to learn German.

Jin Xiu was unhappy but obediently stayed in the estate to study.

Little did he know that their meeting in the United States would be the last.

When the call connected, a servant summoned Jin Xiu, who was unaware of the events in their homeland. He happily said, "Mommy, did you miss me? Did Grandpa and Grandma bring me souvenirs from their trip?"

An Junxi tried to speak calmly, not revealing a hint of distress, "Not yet, they might play a few more days. How’s your studying going?"

Jin Xiu said, "I can study German back home too. Why won’t Daddy let me come back?"

An Junxi held back her tears and said gently, "Jin Xiu, you love your daddy very much, don’t you?"

"Yes, and I love you too."

An Junxi took a deep breath and continued, "Jin Xiu, if Mommy did something to hurt your daddy, remember what I said today: I will always love you both, truly."

Jin Xiu felt something was off. What was wrong with Mommy today?

He asked, "Mommy, did Daddy bully you?"

"No, your daddy treats me very well. It’s me who doesn’t deserve his kindness."

"Mommy, you can’t say that. Both Daddy and I will always treat you well because you’re my mom!"

An Junxi shed tears, silently saying in her heart, "Jin Xiu, I hope you won’t hate me."

"Jin Xiu, do you remember? Mommy will always love you no matter what happens. Don’t ever forget that sentence."

"I know, Mommy. When I return home, let’s go camping again, okay?"

"We’ll talk about it when you get back. Go to class now."

An Junxi hung up the phone and took out their marriage certificate, hardening her heart before tearing the photo in half.

Yi Ke, I’m sorry!