Chapter 715: A Million Times for You (77)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

If the other party had demanded money, they would unquestionably have agreed to give it in exchange for her. But at present, this wasn’t the case.

Tuoba Gucheng also knew that if he were to allow such an exchange, it would be difficult to capture these people again.

With the whole world fighting against such extremist organizations, S Nation could not set a precedent over this.

He sat there silently for about two hours.

But still, he could not think of a solution to this.

He wanted to save this woman. But this time around, it seemed more difficult than ever.

As the leader of the nation, he needed to be responsible not only toward a single citizen but also toward thousands of others.

The moment he makes a compromise with Pei Yi, it would mean that in the future, people will be more daring to carry out such cases like that of An Xiaoning’s this time around.

Lin s.h.i.+s.h.i.+ entered the room. She knew well and clear how difficult of a spot he was placed in. “Honey, although saving my sister is important, I’m more unwilling to make you into a person disloyal toward the nation. If a leader of the nation makes the citizens disappointed, he will become the greatest enemy. With this issue becoming a hot topic of discussion online, the other party has intentionally used this method to put you in a spot. From the big picture, I believe our nation’s citizens will understand you. If you really compromise and get my sister back in exchange, then any citizen of our nation can become a target to be threatened. My sister may also become a hostage a second time. My sister should be extremely clear about this. I’m sure she won’t blame you.”

Tuoba Gucheng looked up at her. “Do you know what this means? If the negotiation is unsuccessful, there’s a high possibility that she will be shot dead by those people, just to demonstrate their strength.”

Lin s.h.i.+s.h.i.+’s eyes faltered. “If those people had held her hostage like that, I believe it’s because of the relations.h.i.+p she has with the Jin and Lin families, as well as the fact that I’m your wife. That’s why things have become like this. If we compromise this time, then next time, they may hold other people related to you hostage. If they don’t succeed this time, they’ll know your temper and naturally not do such things again.”

“The DK Organization has people all over the globe, and the amount of people they have is ma.s.sive. They also have such firm beliefs as well. Right now, we don’t even know where exactly in R Nation she has been brought to. Only if we catch Xu Baizhi will we gain more understanding about this. However, at this critical moment, Xu Baizhi just had to hide overseas, making us unable to catch her anytime soon. The deadline they’ve given us is three days.” He appeared to be struggling with many emotions. “If I could, I would not want any citizen of my nation to suffer any harm. I don’t want to receive news of An Xiaoning having suffered a cruel death overseas.”

Lin s.h.i.+s.h.i.+ was not in any better state either. Something that even Tuoba Gucheng could not handle, she was even more helpless about.

“Honey, n.o.body wants such a thing to happen. Sister Xiaoning has saved my life before. I don’t want this to happen as well. During the cabinet meeting, n.o.body, including my father and Uncle Jin, approved of this. From the point of view of a bystander, it’s better to give up the chance to negotiate to minimize our losses. You just got appointed to this position and don’t have a stable foundation yet, you can’t let such an incident make the people lose faith in you. Everyone wants to see the government’s stand on this issue, but more than this, they want to see if the government can secure the safety of the majority of the citizens. No one wants to see their own country give in to the threat from an insidious force.”

“I suppose your stand is the same as those ministers?”

Lin s.h.i.+s.h.i.+ nodded. “Yes. As compared to my G.o.dsister, you are more important to me.”

Tuoba Gucheng gazed at her, but there was no hint of him being moved from his eyes. He let out a huge sigh. “You go and rest first. I’ll go to sleep later.”

“Okay.”

Tuoba Gucheng watched as she walked out the door, a wave of sadness overwhelming him.

Her bright and charming face popped up in his mind, but it appeared blurry, as if there was a thick layer of snow covering it. It was so cold he could not feel a tinge of warmth at all.

It made this night feel even colder than it was.

—

After seeing the news online, Ji Yu tried to call An Xiaoning, but his calls never went through.

He was in a frantic state as well.

Despite panicking, he had no solution in mind at all.

He had just come back from a mission that night. Without even sleeping, he went straight to the Jin residence at daybreak to understand the situation.

Seeing him here, Madam Jin knew what he came to ask about.

“Is the Commander-in-chief at home?”

Madam Jin shook her head. “No, he’s at B City now.”

“The thing about Ms. An…”

Madam Jin let out a huge sigh. “The terrorist group made a demand toward our country to ask for the release of their group’s members in exchange for Xiaoning. At yesterday’s cabinet meeting, this was objected to. There’s not much hope left already, they’re only giving us three days.”

Ji Yu was highly alarmed, and his face turned solemn. “That means… Ms. An will most probably…”

“This is not something that can be settled with money. If the other party actually wanted money, this will have been so much easier to handle. I think the odds are against us. Thinking about it is just upsetting.” Madam Jin’s eyes watered. “Xiaoning is a good child.”

When Ji Yu came out from the Jin residence, his face was gloomy.

He was completely helpless about this matter.

Something that his country had no way of handling was even more impossible for him given his limited power.

In such a short time, something as unexpected as this happening was simply heartbreaking.

He raised his head and looked up at the overcast sky, his gaze turning dull.

Thinking about the time he spent with her — watching a movie, fis.h.i.+ng on the ice at Luo Er Lake, playing pool and eating supper — all these scenes were like a fishbone that p.r.i.c.ked at his throat.

He would not be able to find another woman like that for the rest of his life. It would be a great pity.

—

Tuoba Rui had been waiting in anxiety for his son’s decision. However, Tuoba Gucheng did not give him an answer in person.

On Pei Yi’s side, they only gave them three days to decide.

As one day and another had pa.s.sed, it was already the third day.

Tuoba Rui could not sit still anymore and went to find Tuoba Gucheng directly. He told him loud and clear, “Agree to their condition and get An Xiaoning back in exchange.”

s.h.i.+ Xiaoyu had been closely watching her husband’s every move. Realizing that he had gone to find their son, she hurriedly arrived as well and entered the room hearing what he had said. She frowned tightly and retorted, “No way! If the terrorist group members were released, they will pose a greater threat to society. Gucheng has just taken his position as President, do you want the people to see a president that will only compromise to others’ demands?!”

“s.h.i.+ Xiaoyu, you get out!” Tuoba Rui glared at her coldly. “Get out!”

“Tuoba Rui, why should I get out?” s.h.i.+ Xiaoyu looked at her son earnestly. “Gucheng, you absolutely can’t ruin an important matter because of an insignificant woman. You should look at the big picture. The cabinet didn’t approve it either. If you listen to your father, those ministers will have something against you inside. That will not be good for you. Moreover, when we arrested these few terrorist group members, how many soldiers on our side were lost? Aren’t those lives human lives too?”

Tuoba Rui’s eyes reddened. He could obviously see that his wife was going against him. With such a rare opportunity to get rid of the thorn in her flesh, she would definitely not miss it.

He could feel the last bit of affection he had left for his wife rapidly declining.

With his hand clenched tightly, he found that the rage in his heart could not be smoothed.

As he could not allow it to be released, he could only forcefully suppress it. He wanted to say something, but anything that may come out felt extremely devoid of power.