Rule them out or confirm them

Both Duan Ting's and Liu Ying's expressions instinctively stiffened at Yang Qing's question, with the latter even edging closer to the two lanterns as if to guard them.

"You mean one of... them?" Duan Ting asked, his tone laced with hesitation and uncertainty as he gestured toward the two lanterns belonging to their Boss and Jiang Hao.

"Yes," Yang Qing replied softly, though inwardly, he was smiling wryly at their reactions.

The way they were looking at him, anyone would think he had just asked them to hand over their child.

"I promise to return it as soon as I've confirmed a few things. It shouldn't take more than two days," Yang Qing added, his voice gentle as he tried to coax them.

His words seemed to do the trick, as the tension in their expressions eased—if only slightly. Even so, Liu Ying still clung tightly to the lanterns, her worry and uncertainty plain to see. In the end, she turned to Duan Ting, silently deferring to his judgment.