Chi Ze and the others were outnumbered and two of the traffickers started to chase after Qiao Mei. At this moment, Qiao Mei suddenly b.u.mped into a familiar embrace. This was a smell she would never forget in her life.
"Xia Zhe?" Qiao Mei looked up in surprise.
"I'm sorry that I'm late," Xia Zhe said as he looked at Qiao Mei guiltily.
The people who came with Xia Zhe rushed forward and arrested the human traffickers. Qiao Mei looked up blankly at Xia Zhe for a long time before crying loudly and saying, "Why are you only here now! Why are you only here now… Huh! Why are you only here now!"
Xia Zhe hugged Qiao Mei and the two children tightly and said, "I'm sorry I'm late and caused you to be so scared and worried. I'm sorry…"
Xia Wen arrived later and was very relieved to see that the children were rescued and that Qiao Mei was fine. However, he was curious about how Qiao Mei found this place. It had taken him and Xia Zhe a long time to find the most minor clues. If not for Qiao Mei giving him a call, they probably would not be able to find the children's location until tomorrow!
After Qiao Mei calmed down, Xia Zhe held her hand and led her to the car to go home. Qiao Mei was so tired that she almost dozed off. Xia Zhe wanted to put a coat over her, but the moment he touched her, she immediately sat up and hugged the children tightly as she looked at him in fear. It was only when she saw who it was that she gradually relaxed.
Xia Zhe looked at Qiao Mei with heartache. It looked like Qiao Mei was going to live in a state of fear for a period of time. All of this was his fault. He had clearly promised her to protect her and let the children grow up healthy and happy, but Qiao Mei and the children were still put in danger time and time again.
"I'm sorry… I promise I won't let you go through this again…" Xia Zhe said self-reproachfully.
Qiao Mei had not recovered from what had just happened and she was unable to care about Xia Zhe's emotions at the moment. All she wanted to do now was to hug the two children and feel their breathing, heartbeats and body warmth to confirm that they were really right by her side.
After reaching Xu Lan's house, Qiao Mei rushed to the room upstairs with the two children in her arms. She placed them on the bed and carefully checked them for any injuries. The b.u.t.terfly on her chest felt slightly hot as she touched the children and checked their insides. Fortunately, they were both fine.
"Tuan Tuan, is your throat swollen? It's all Mom's fault. I have let you suffer." Qiao Mei teared silently as she fed the child ginseng juice.
These two children were really sensible. Xia Fan had kept crying loudly in order to save Xia Xing. If they had found the children any later and their vocal cords became damaged, she would never be able to forgive herself for the rest of her life.
"I'm so sorry, Yuan Yuan. Mom didn't protect you well. But it won't happen again. I'll definitely take good care of you. Can you forgive me…" Qiao Mei said sadly.
Xia Fan reached out to touch Qiao Mei's cheek and looked at her with teary eyes. He frowned and started crying again. It was impossible for the two children not to feel frightened. How could they not be afraid?
At that time, they were so scared that those people would do something bad to them. However, Xia Fan was the elder brother and his mother had told him that as the elder brother, he must protect his younger sister and not let her get hurt. No matter how tired he was, he must continue to cry loudly. Before his mother came, he had to protect his younger sister!
After comforting the children, Qiao Mei wiped her tears and walked out of the room. As soon as she went out, she saw Xia Zhe standing uneasily at the door. He behaved like he had done something wrong and stood at the door, not daring to go in.
"Why are you standing here?" Qiao Mei asked gently.
"I… I'm too ashamed to face all of you…" Xia Zhe said self-reproachfully.
Qiao Mei sighed and threw herself into Xia Zhe's arms. Xia Zhe also hugged Qiao Mei back tightly. Chi Ze had called just now and told Xia Zhe about the entire process of Qiao Mei negotiating with the human traffickers. If not for Qiao Mei helping to stall for time, they would not have been able to make it in time.
"This matter is not our fault. It's the fault of the people who kidnapped the children. The children are both asleep. Let's go downstairs to talk." Qiao Mei and Xia Zhe went downstairs hand in hand. Xia Wen, Xia He and Xu Lan were all there.
They all sat together with solemn expressions. Those who did not know better would think that there was a funeral at home! All of them looked so crestfallen.