Chapter 3: The First Escape

The group headed toward the Civil Affairs Bureau. Ji Chen held her hand, followed closely by four bodyguards. As they neared the entrance, she still couldn’t find an opportunity to slip away.

“What are you looking at?” Ji Chen asked, noticing her glancing back repeatedly.

“We’re just going to get our marriage certificate; we don’t need so many people tagging along. It’s kind of embarrassing,” she said, stamping her foot and pouting in an irresistibly charming way.

She had just checked her reflection—her face was truly flawless, pale as fresh snow, like a blooming peach blossom in spring. Her eyes were large and bright, shining like exquisite obsidian, deep and spirited with a flicker of shimmering light. Her lips were full and sensual, like ripe cherries, vivid and tempting. She was truly a stunning beauty.

“They’re here to protect you. It would be better if they weren’t even here,” Ji Chen replied.

“But I want to take some sweet, loving pictures with you later. It’s awkward having them standing right behind us. I just don’t like them trailing us,” Jiang Wan Ning said in a voice dripping with saccharine sweetness, though she cursed inwardly.

Ji Chen suddenly fixed her with a deep, penetrating gaze.

“W-what’s wrong?” she asked, feeling uneasy under his intense stare, as if at any moment he might order her dragged back to the operating room.

“Nothing. It’s just that you haven’t talked to me like this for a long time.” She used to find it annoying, but now she missed it terribly. Ever since Wan Wan appeared, Jiang Wan Ning was either crying her eyes out or glaring coldly at him. It seemed ages since they had a proper conversation.

He didn’t know why it was like this. Whenever he saw Wan Wan, he lost control, his eyes and heart only seeing her, no one else.

Jiang Wan Ning exhaled deeply, relieved she hadn’t been discovered again.

“Okay, okay, tell them to leave.”

Ji Chen nodded to the four bodyguards, who then stationed themselves at the door.

Still guarding her, after all.

Jiang Wan Ning was displeased but didn’t dare press further, fearing it might backfire.

The clerk warmly greeted them and led them to the VIP room.

Jiang Wan Ning had lived eighteen years without knowing that the Civil Affairs Bureau had both VIP and regular sections. Marx once said that the existence of privileged classes is a burden to civilized society and should be abolished.

She watched Ji Chen hand over their IDs and household registration book to the clerk, feeling a flicker of doubt. All their documents were in Ji Chen’s hands. What about her parents? According to the story’s background, the supporting female lead’s family wasn’t poor either. So why did no one come to save her when she was being killed by kidney removal?

“These two documents, please sign here,” the young clerk said with a professional smile.

Jiang Wan Ning held the pen but couldn’t bring herself to sign.

This wasn’t just a marriage signature—it was a matter of life and death!

Ji Chen quickly signed, then turned to see Jiang Wan Ning fidgeting nervously, as if sitting on pins and needles.

He covered her small hand with his large one, gently pressing it down on the paper.

“You must be so happy, right? Look, your hand is trembling from excitement.”

His tender smile looked more like a warning to Jiang Wan Ning.

She cast a pleading glance at the clerk, as if to say, “Beautiful miss, do you see? He’s threatening me—please call the police!”

Her eyes spoke volumes.

“Miss Jiang, what’s wrong with your eyes? We have eye drops here if you need some.”

Great, now she was batting her lashes at a blind person.

“Ouch, my stomach hurts. I need to go to the restroom.”

Since ancient times, the restroom escape has been the best option. When Emperor Gaozu of Han fled to save the Han dynasty, if he could do it, so could she—ancient wisdom must be learned.

“Why does your stomach hurt now? I’ll call the doctor.”

Did he think the doctor was his servant who could be summoned at will?

Well, it turned out he really could call a doctor on the spot. After all, in this story, doctors, butlers, and bodyguards were all tools.

“I, um, got my period. I just need to go to the restroom and take care of it.”

Ji Chen hesitated, then nodded and loosened his grip.

Thankfully, he didn’t say something ridiculous like he could come take care of her himself, or else she would have puked blood right there.

The clerk led the way.

“Miss Jiang, the restroom is just inside.”

“You’re coming with me.”

“?”

“I’m afraid of the dark,” she said with a serious expression.

Jiang Wan Ning pushed him inside. From behind, they looked like they were arm in arm.

Once inside, Jiang Wan Ning locked the restroom door.

“Miss, do you have a phone? Please help me call the police. I was kidnapped by him; he wants to take my kidney.”

“What?” The clerk’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Don’t say anything else. Just help me call the police. Or better yet, lend me your phone.” Jiang Wan Ning’s palms were sweaty, and she kept a wary eye on the door.

The longer she stayed, the more suspicious Ji Chen would become. She had to act fast.

“We’re not allowed to carry phones during work hours; they’re all locked in a cabinet. I have to go get it.”

“You won’t betray me, will you?”

The clerk squeezed her hand tightly. “If you’re truly being forced, I will definitely call the police for you. The badge I wear represents justice and solemnity. The law cannot be trampled. Anyone who dares cross the line will be punished.”

Jiang Wan Ning felt she saw a radiant light of justice shining from the clerk, filled with noble righteousness.

The light of justice shone upon the earth...

“Mm,” Jiang Wan Ning nodded firmly, holding the clerk’s hand tightly.

Once the clerk left, she opened the restroom window.

Did they think she was a three-year-old child? Judging by how they fawned and flattered Ji Chen earlier, saying such sweet things—once they left, they could easily sell her out.

The window was on the second floor, about three meters high. Based on her limited high school knowledge, as long as she didn’t land headfirst, the worst injury would be broken legs, but not death.

Not jumping meant death by kidney removal.

Jumping meant possible injuries, but survival.

She decisively jumped.

“Ni–ning…” Ji Chen opened the door and caught only the fading shadow of Jiang Wan Ning resolutely leaping down without looking back.

She’d expected injuries, and at worst, a one-percent chance of death, but she hadn’t expected to land on someone.

“Ouch…” a man groaned.

“Sorry, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Why did you jump down from above? You’re still young—don’t be reckless. The important thing is to check for bystanders before jumping. Hitting someone isn’t good.”

The man looked up; his features were exquisitely sculpted, with brows like dark ink, a high nose bridging his face like a mountain peak, lips beautifully contoured like flower petals, rosy and soft, with a faint smile that exuded an irresistible charm.

But unfortunately, he also had a mouth.

“Brother, I’m being chased. Please take me to the police station.”

Calling the police might not be reliable; Ji Chen’s influence was vast, and he could easily bribe the authorities. Only at the police station would she be truly safe.

In the vast clear sky, he wouldn’t dare cause trouble at the police station, right?

The man glanced up at the window.

“Get in the car.”

A luxury car was parked by the roadside. It was clear the man had just stepped out when she fell on him.

“Ni–ning, come back!” Ji Chen shouted.

Like hell she would.

Jiang Wan Ning nimbly scrambled into the car.

“Don’t trust him!”