Chapter 718 Double Suicide
Ning Ran was stumped. Despite the life-threatening circumstances, Poker Face is still as snarky as ever.
“The sun is shining brightly outside now. Would I burst into flames the moment I get out of the car before I even have the opportunity to jump into the lake?” Ning Ran asked.
“That’s not going to happen. There’s no material in this world that can ignite under such low temperatures,” Nan Chen refuted her.
“I’m not so sure about that, as Livingsfill is situated in the highlands. We might not ignite at normal altitude, but the same might not apply here. What if it really happens?” Ning Ran argued.
Her point did make sense to Nan Chen. As his specialty was economics and not chemistry, he figured that Ning Ran’s concern might actually be valid.
“Don’t worry. I know what to do. There’s no way I’m going to let you catch fire. By the way, do you know how to swim?” Nan Chen asked.
Ning Ran instantly knew what was on his mind. “Are you planning to drive the car into the water so that we don’t have to get out?”
“Yes, unless you have a better idea?” Nan Chen threw the question back at her.
Ning Ran answered candidly, “No, I’ll do as you say. It’s just that we don’t know how deep the water is.”
“That’s why I’m asking you whether you know how to swim.”
“A little…”
“What does that even mean? Do you know or not?”
“I roughly do, but I haven’t swum in a long time, so I don’t know how far I can go.” Ning Ran finally provided a precise answer.
“That’ll suffice.”
In the midst of their conversation, they had arrived by the pond. It was naturally formed from water that gathered in a land depression due to the area being surrounded by mountains. From its murky color, it was obvious that the water wasn’t clean.
Meanwhile, Qiao Zhan had caught up to them in his car. However, he kept his distance at Nan Chen’s instruction.
After circling the area, the latter found a spot that looked shallow and gradually drove their car into the water.
The sight caused both Nan Xing and Qiao Zhan to exclaim in shock.
“What’s my brother doing? Are they attempting a double suicide? What’s going on?” Nan Xing yelled.
Although Qiao Zhan was equally clueless, he didn’t believe the couple was trying to kill themselves, as he found no reason for them to do so.
“I think Madam is in some form of danger, and Sir Chen is trying to protect her. At the same time, we’re not allowed to go near them,” Qiao Zhan speculated.
“That makes sense, but what is it that’s threatening her life? She wasn’t doing anything dangerous other than filming.” Nan Xing was puzzled.
“I’m just as baffled as you are, but since Sir Chen has asked us not to go any closer, we better listen to him.”
“However, their car is already entering the water. If we don’t save them, are we supposed to watch them drown?” Nan Xing anxiously asked.
“We really can’t go near them. This is an order from Sir Chen that we have to obey. He must have his reasons for doing this.”
As a former soldier, Qiao Zhan was used to following orders without question.
“No, I have to check on them.”
Unable to contain his emotions, Nan Xing insisted on getting out of the car but was quickly restrained by Qiao Zhan.
In the midst of their struggle, Nan Chen had already opened the car door and pulled Ning Ran out.
The water wasn’t deep, as it had only reached Nan Chen’s neck.
Nonetheless, the same couldn’t be said for Ning Ran due to the fact that she was much shorter than him.
When her feet touched the muddy bottom, the water had already covered her head.
Wrapping his arms around her waist, Nan Chen pulled her from the water with brute strength and popped her head out of the surface.
Still concerned that her head was covered by flammable material, he gave it a vigorous scrub.
Ning Ran, swallowing two gulps of dirty water in the process, began coughing her lungs out.
“That should be enough. I don’t think it will combust anymore.” Nan Chen sighed as he dragged Ning Ran back to shore. By then, their car had sunk entirely into the water.
At Nan Chen’s cue, Qiao Zhan ran up to his side. “Sir Chen, what on earth happened?”
Not in the mood to explain, Nan Chen waved his hand, signaling Qiao Zhan to bring his car over.
“Chen, for a moment there, I thought both of you were going to commit suicide. It turns out that you’re just taking a bath. You had me scared sh*tless!” Nan Xing exclaimed.
Nan Chen shot him a glare. “Why don’t you take one too?”
Nan Xing waved his hands frantically. “No, no. It’s fine. I’ve showered in the morning.”
“Get someone to bring you another car, as I’ll be taking yours. While I check into a hotel, have a change of clothes sent over,” Nan Chen instructed.
“Chen, the hotel might not be willing to accept you given the way you look. Also, if someone shares a photo of you in your current condition on the internet, it would spark a huge controversy. I think it’s better for you to return to the inn to change,” Nan Xing suggested.
“No, we’ll frighten the children if we do so,” Nan Chen disagreed.
“But going to a hotel isn’t appropriate either, as you can’t avoid having your picture taken.”
Nan Chen felt that his words made sense. “In that case, we’ll wait in the car while you get us our clothes.”
“There’s no need to. Let me borrow your phone. I’ll give Lu Jingyuan a call, and we’ll head over to her villa. It’ll be easier that way,” Ning Ran interjected.
Ning Ran had concerns of her own. As a lady, she felt it inappropriate to have Qiao Zhan and Nan Xing retrieve her clothes for her.
If they didn’t get her undergarments, she would still feel uncomfortable being all wet inside, while getting them to do so was something she couldn’t accept.
Therefore, heading to Lu Jingyuan’s home would give Ning Ran ready access to female clothing once she had showered.
Nan Chen agreed after pondering upon it. “In that case, I’ll send you over to Ms. Lu’s home first.”
Upon their arrival, Nan Chen didn’t get out of the car, as he had no intention of going in there.
He, too, had concerns of his own. Firstly, it was rude to arrive as a guest in his current condition. Secondly, he was mindful of his own reputation.
He didn’t care for his appearance in front of Qiao Zhan and his brother, but to look so messy in the presence of someone from the opposite sex was something he couldn’t tolerate. After all, he was the CEO of Nan Chen, and his image had to be maintained accordingly.
Ning Ran naturally knew of his concerns but didn’t see it as a problem, as he could easily change in the car.
“I’m going up now. Pick me up later.”
“Remember to get a hot shower and change into dry clothes. Otherwise, you’ll catch a cold,” Nan Chen reminded.
“I know, you too. Now, go.” Ning Ran waved her hand.
Even though it was already noon, Lu Jingyuan—who had just gotten out of bed—was shocked to see the drenched Ning Ran when she opened the door.
“I need to take a shower and borrow some of your clothes.”
Without further questions, Lu Jingyuan immediately agreed, “All right. Come on in. I’ll find you something to wear while you shower.”
Upon entering the bathroom, Ning Ran took off her costume and soaked herself in the water. When she saw the water turn yellow, it became evident that there was a strange substance on her earlier.
Feeling much better after her bath, she dried her hair and put on the clothes Lu Jingyuan had brought her.
As both ladies were similar in stature, Lu Jingyuan’s clothes fit Ning Ran perfectly.
Now that the danger had passed, Ning Ran finally felt her knees wobble. Thinking about it still sent a shiver down her spine.
