Chapter 132: Taking You Home (2) |
“Wait for me, I’ll take you home soon!”
From downstairs, Liu Changqing’s voice reached Liu Xiazhi’s ears.
Her hands gripped the railing tightly as she momentarily wondered if her hearing had betrayed her.
It sounded like her father’s voice.
She crouched down, peeking through the gaps in the railing to see the ground below.
Liu Changqing stood there.
“Just wait a bit longer. Dad’s coming to get you.”
“Dad!”
Liu Xiazhi froze for a moment before realizing it was truly him, her tone tinged with surprise and joy.
Although unsure why this was the moment, now wasn’t the time to dwell on it.
“Just wait a little while longer.”
“Okay!”
Watching her nod, Liu Changqing smiled and walked toward the door.
A man with an average, slightly unkempt appearance was crouched nearby, fiddling with a variety of odd tools.
Liu Changqing crouched beside him.
“Can you get this lock open?”
“What kind of question is that? You can ask Boss Chen about me. In all my years, there’s no lock I can’t pick!”
His tone turned slightly offended, as if Liu Changqing had insulted his skills.
“No, no, I have full confidence in your abilities. It’s just… can you do it quickly? I don’t think the situation at the door will hold for long.”
“Five seconds, tops!”
With that, the man pulled out a thin piece of wire, inserted it into the keyhole, jiggled it a few times, and twisted.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
With a crisp “click,” he yanked the door handle, and it opened.
Liu Changqing stared, stunned, then turned to the man.
“That’s it?”
“Didn’t you say to be quick?”
“Well… that was a bit too quick.”
“You’re unbelievable…”
Unlike the high-tech locks of his previous life, even the best security doors here were no match for a true craftsman.
Gripping the door handle, Liu Changqing swung it fully open.
The lockpicker packed up his tools, shoved them into his pocket, and glanced at Liu Changqing.
“Job’s done. I’ll be off now. This is a fancy neighborhood. Breaking in like this, the security cameras probably caught you. You’re likely to get busted.”
“Then hurry up and leave.”
“Take care!”
Like a chivalrous hero from a novel, the man dashed off without looking back, vaulting over a one-meter-high hedge with ease.
The commotion between father and daughter had clearly caught Li Wanran’s attention. She descended the stairs in silk pajamas, her expression surprised upon seeing Liu Changqing step inside.
She hesitated for a moment before continuing down to the living room. Sitting on the sofa, she poured herself a cup of tea and took a small sip.
“What you’re doing counts as breaking and entering.”
“For once, I’m surprised to hear you say something reasonable,” Liu Changqing replied calmly.
When he first learned that Li Wanran had taken his daughter, his emotions had been nearly uncontrollable. Now, after some time, he was back in control.
Taking a few steps forward, he asked,
“Though I don’t recall you ever condemning your own repeated intrusions into my home. Classic double standards.”
“……”
“I can’t fathom why you took my daughter. If you’re so desperate for a child, why not have one with Li Chongming? It’s not like you haven’t had kids before.”
Liu Changqing stopped speaking after that, his gaze filled with disdain at Li Wanran’s blank, almost grieving expression. It sickened him.
He turned his attention away from her, scanning the luxurious interior of the house. This wasn’t a house he recognized—likely a recent purchase.
Spotting the stairs, Liu Changqing headed straight for them without hesitation.
“Where are you going?” Li Wanran called out.
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to take my daughter home.”
Without looking back, he continued up the stairs and opened the first door he came across.
Inside wasn’t Liu Xiazhi, but Li Chongming, who sat on the edge of the bed. His expression showed no surprise at Liu Changqing’s arrival.
“So interesting. You send your woman downstairs to check, while you hide in here,” Liu Changqing muttered before closing the door again.
“Xiazhi, which room are you in?” he called out.
“Here! Dad, I’m here!”
Her voice came from a room further down, followed by the sound of small hands knocking on the door, trying to guide him.
Liu Changqing quickened his pace, arriving at the door and twisting the handle. It didn’t budge—locked, just as expected.
“Xiazhi, step away from the door and stay back. I’ll find a way to open it,” he said softly.
“Okay!”
After a moment, her voice came from within.
“Dad, I’ve moved back!”
“Good!”
Liu Changqing stepped back a few paces, took a short running start, and kicked hard at the area near the lock.
“Bang!”
The door, built to a high standard, held firm. If it had been the door at his own house, it would have given way immediately.
Shaking off the ache in his foot, Liu Changqing kicked again. The door bent inward slightly.
Downstairs, Li Wanran sat on the sofa, her hand trembling slightly as she sipped her tea, revealing her inner unease. The loud, relentless banging from upstairs only heightened her fear, but she didn’t dare intervene.
This was the first time she had seen Liu Changqing like this. Even during their last confrontation at his home, he had been furious but still restrained. Now, he seemed calm but terrifyingly resolute.
“Crash!”
With one final kick, the door flew open, slamming against the wall before bouncing back slightly.
Ignoring his aching foot, Liu Changqing pushed the door open and entered.
Liu Xiazhi was crouched by the bed, her small hands covering her ears tightly.
Liu Changqing rushed over, wrapping her in his arms from behind.
Startled at first, Liu Xiazhi turned her head and saw her father’s face. After a brief moment of shock, a bright smile broke across her face.
Throwing her arms around his neck, she clung to him like a little koala.
“Dad!”
She buried her tear-streaked face into his neck, making him feel slightly ticklish.
Supporting her with one arm, Liu Changqing used his free hand to gently wipe her face, holding her up to eye level as he inspected her.
“Your eyes are all swollen from crying.”
“Dad…”
At the sound of his voice, Liu Xiazhi’s tears welled up again, making her eyes shimmer.
Seeing this, Liu Changqing quickly used his thumb to wipe the corners of her eyes.
“Don’t cry. What’s there to cry about? We’re going home now. If you keep crying, your eyes will swell so much you won’t be able to see. Xiazhi doesn’t want that, does she?”
She blinked in confusion before wiping her eyes with her arm, sniffling.
“Okay! No crying!”
“Good girl.”
Smiling, Liu Changqing patted her head and carried her out of the room, heading downstairs.