Abducted Marriage-Fatal Sinking

Chapter 119 Shooting
"Uncle, I understand, but I should share weal and woe with him as husband and wife, and don't give up lightly, just because I'm afraid that my uncle, aunt, and you will be wronged."

"We can't be wronged. Anyway, we don't have many chances to meet each other. It's okay to listen to what she said. Oh, forget it. Since you and A-Qian are married, your aunt and I are naturally looking forward to seeing you. Okay, let’s follow what your mother-in-law wants to say about the marriage, and it’s okay if you don’t do it, what’s important is that you and A-Qian live happily and harmoniously, and these ostentatious things are not important.” Xia Minghuang held Xiaoli’s hand, marriage is not for Whose, not for face.

Zhou Ru also has no objection, if it is like what Shen Qingwan said, it would be better not to do it, and this is what we are talking about now, and there will be more troublesome things in the next one, and it will definitely be troublesome, and she really can't understand Shen Qingwan. She looks high and high, as if the whole world is rubbish except for her, it might as well be like this, with less contact and less conflict with everyone.

"How can we not do it, such a big event, our Xiaoli married into a wealthy family, of course we have to make a big deal, let the whole world know about this happy event." Xia Mingyue said anxiously, not doing it in her hometown It doesn't matter, it has to be done in city B. She is still waiting for this opportunity to let her daughter Xiaoying find a good husband's family.

"As long as Xiaoli is willing, why are you in a hurry?" Zhou Rudao, she can still guess Xia Mingyue's thoughts, even if there is a wedding banquet, the protagonist should be Xiaoli, not Zheng Xiaoying, just don't show embarrassment in front of others up.

"Uncle, don't worry, since I married Xiaoli, I won't let her be wronged." Bai Yiqian took Xiaoli's hand and made a promise. It will be fine when she accepts Xiaoli in the future.

Xia Minghuang patted him on the shoulder: "I handed over our daughter to you, you have to treat her well, if you make her sad, I will definitely take her away."

Bai Yiqian nodded slightly, he knew it was a loving father's advice, he was grateful that when everyone abandoned Xia Xiaoli, Xia Minghuang was willing to give Xiaoli a place to stay, and poured his father's love into her, relying on In this regard, he should respect Xia Minghuang.

"Uncle, we will send you back to the hotel to rest."

"No need to send it back, we can just go back by ourselves, isn't there a taxi, you don't need to take it back and forth, what a bother." Xia Minghuang and Zhou Ru walked out.

Xiaoli stood in the same place sadly. Is uncle angry? It's not that she wants to cling to the rich and powerful people, but she really can't let go of Bai Yiqian. Bai Yiqian gave her a dream home. How can life be satisfactory? Even if there are some difficulties, she shouldn't give up easily, she wants to be with Bai Yiqian, forever and ever!The marriage is their own, and the life is also their own. There is no reason for Shen Qingwan not to like it, and she will give up her own happiness.

Xia Mingyue was still unwilling to leave, so she pulled Bai Yiqian and said earnestly: "Master Bai, do you really plan to hold a wedding banquet? How important is it to a woman to get married once in a lifetime? Don't you men know how to marry?" I understand, even if you don't think about yourself, you should think about Xiao Li."

Bai Yiqian pulled out his hand, a little indifferent. He respected Xia Minghuang because Xia Minghuang raised Xia Xiaoli. As for the others, is it necessary for him to take care of them?

Bai Yiqian looked at Xiaoli, he didn't care if he had a wedding or not, he naturally didn't want to be looked at like a monkey, but women seemed to value this very much, if Xia Xiaoli wanted to do it, he would do it too Have a good time.

"Then don't do it." If it's only done in City B and not in her hometown, it seems like she really looks down on her hometown, and uncle and aunt will feel uncomfortable, so just don't do it, everyone will save trouble!What's more, she also felt that it was just a formality, and she didn't care about it at all.

"Xiaoli, why are you so stupid? This is a major event in your life. Which girl wants to get married in a good way? Your aunt and I are not as lucky as you. I married such a good husband. If I am like you Yes, there must be a wedding of the century, where all the celebrities and dignitaries are invited together, as beautiful as it is..." Xia Mingyue gestured, her tone a little anxious, if she didn't do it, her good plan would be in vain. Her daughter doesn't need anything else now, only an opportunity is missing, as long as Xia Xiaoli is willing to grant her this opportunity, she will definitely repay Xiaoli when she becomes rich in the future.

"Auntie, you don't need to talk about it. We have already decided not to do it. It's just a formality. It's not so important." She is still studying now, so there is really no need to be so public.

Xia Mingyue wanted to persuade her again, but seeing that they were all losing interest, she was an aunt, and her words would not be of much use, so she said directly to Bai Yiqian: "It's okay if you don't do it, but Master Bai, I can't help you." I have to ask you one thing. You have seen our Xiaoying before. I am not boasting. My daughter is a very good girl. She is beautiful and hard-working. You have some friends in the business world. Also introduce to your cousin."

"Auntie..." Xiaoli dissatisfied, how old is Xiaoying, and Bai Yiqian is not a matchmaker, she doesn't care about the occasion, Bai Yiqian treats people coldly, and she expects him to introduce her, don't even think about it What's more, what kind of personality is Zheng Xiaoying, she is a cousin, sometimes she is a little annoying to look at, not to mention how high-sighted those young masters are, how could they like her?
"Xiaoli, you are kind in every possible way now, but you don't forget the well digger when you drink water, and you have to think more about your sister." Xia Mingyue didn't like Xia Xiaoli like this, so she climbed up A wealthy family, as if she was afraid that others would also climb up to her. Xiaoying was none other than her own cousin.

"Let's go." Bai Yiqian impatiently took Xiaoli's hand and walked outside. Some people always think that others should do anything for her, and it is wrong if they don't do it. Bai Yiqian didn't see anyone in the mall. However, there are many people who are shameless and shameless, and it is useless to reason with her. Now he understands the meaning of the saying that like a mother, like a daughter.

Bai Yiqian pulled Xiaoli into the car, Xia Mingyue chased him for a few steps but didn't catch up, and stood behind and shouted: "Master Bai, you must remember, pay more attention to see if there is any suitable for our family." Xiaoying's." She is not afraid of losing face, face is nothing, money is king, and money is face, when her daughter marries into a rich family in the future, who would dare to laugh at her, flatter her and flatter her? It's too late.

"Your aunt is really weird. Just like your cousin, do you expect someone to like you?" Bai Yiqian sarcastically said, he was telling the truth. He learned to take off his clothes at a young age and slip into a man's quilt. If he has any good character, if he wants to harm someone, he can introduce Zheng Xiaoying to that person.

Originally, it was nothing to say this normally, and Xia Xiaoli also felt it deeply, but today's situation is wrong, Shen Qingwan just said that to her elders like that, from head to toe there are three words of contempt, Shen Qingwan Qingwan is her mother-in-law, so it's okay to look down on her, but why should she look down on the Xia family couple who raised her, if she is richer, or if she is not an official wife, she is more dignified, Xiao Li is already angry, Bai Yiqian's words can be heard Her ears have also become harsh, as if she despises her family like her mother.

"Yes, my family members are all from the countryside, and if they can't be on the stage, they are naturally not worthy of your noble upper class." Xiaoli said angrily.

"Why are you losing your temper at me?" Bai Yiqian said calmly while driving the car, he felt that Xiaoli's temper was getting bigger and bigger, he just said it casually, is it worth getting so angry?
"You look down on me and my family just like your mother. Yes, you are noble. Don't you just come from a better background? I also want to be worthy of you and make your mother like me. Is this up to me? Why do you look down on people, why did your mother ruin my family?"

"Why is it getting here again, I didn't say I look down on you guys." Bai Yiqian was depressed enough today, the thing Bai Yiqian hates most about Xia Xiaoli is that he is too sensitive and has too much self-esteem, which makes him look down on her every now and then Going up, he usually talks like this, and there is no other meaning, so she doesn't have to think so much.

"That's what you mean. When you went to our house, you didn't even drink a glass of water. How is your attitude towards my family different from your mother's now?"

"Okay, what is there in your family that deserves my respect? Are you annoyed by holding on to this all day long? It's a fact that your family is incompetent. You..." Bai Yiqian spoke carefreely, but he didn't see Xiao Li His face was getting darker.

"I want to get out of the car." Xiaoli said coldly, Bai Yiqian is like this, he never speaks with regard to other people's feelings, sometimes she feels that Bai Yiqian and his mother's personality are actually somewhat similar, it is worthy of being born in the same family of.

Bai Yiqian didn't stop, and continued to drive: "It's still far from home, what car should I get off?"

"I'm going to get out of the car." Seeing that he didn't stop, Xiao Li went straight to find the car door, scared Bai Yiqian, and quickly stopped the car.

"Do you want to court death?" Bai Yiqian roared, also a little angry, quarrels are quarrels, how can you make fun of your life?

Xia Xiaoli ignored him, opened the car door and went down, of course she wasn't joking with her own life, otherwise Bai Yiqian would definitely not have parked the car, she doesn't want to be in the same space with him now.

Bai Yiqian patted the steering wheel resentfully, and showed him his face. This little girl became more and more tempered. This woman really can't be petted. She pushed her nose on her face as soon as she petted her. She was lawless. When she said goodbye, she dared to show him face. When she saw him, she was like a mouse seeing a cat. She didn't dare to say anything when he said one thing. Unfortunately, those days are gone forever.

In Bai Yiqian's heart, he has become more and more inferior. It is obvious that she is making trouble for no reason, and he has to coax her. Alas, who told him that he is reluctant to let her go all the way back? If he feels distressed, he has to lower his position. This is Xia Xiaoli, if it were someone else, he would let her die.

"Don't be angry, let me say something wrong, your family has abilities, you have unique abilities." Bai Yiqian got out of the car and held her back. A man who married a wife is so pitiful.

"Don't be so fake, you don't have to worry about me, I'll go back by myself." Xia Xiaoli didn't know why he was so angry today, a fire just burned up like this, and he couldn't stop it.

"You have to stop losing your temper, Xia Xiaoli, I don't have time to coax you like this." Bai Yiqian is not a good-tempered person, the main reason is that no one dares to show him face, and he has developed this temperament over time , he doesn't need to coax others, someone will naturally bring what he wants to him, for Xia Xiaoli, he already has too many exceptions and specials, he likes her and is willing to spoil her, but not too much .

"No one asked you to coax me, I don't want to look at you now, you go, leave me alone."

Bai Yiqian looked at her sullenly, really wanted to leave her here, if he wanted to leave, he really didn't have time to coax her.

When Bai Yiqian was about to leave, he suddenly noticed a red mark between her eyebrows, and frowned, as if suddenly remembering something, he suddenly hugged Xiaoli and turned away.

"What are you doing?" Xiaoli was inexplicably hugged by him. Yibai Yiqian's personality is mostly to turn around and leave. Why did he turn around and hug her? Xiaoli was puzzled, but found that Bai Yiqian put most of his weight on her On her body, Xiaoli hugged him instinctively, but his heart was sticky and wet, Xiaoli's heart trembled, he shook his hand, raised his hand, his eyes were bloodshot.

"Bai Yiqian, Bai Yiqian..." Xiao Li felt like his feet were going limp, and called him loudly, but he couldn't hear Bai Yiqian's reply. His weight was on Xiao Li's body, and Xiao Li's thin body couldn't support him. Picking him up, the two of them slid to the ground.

An army green figure flew over, stood in front of the two of them, held a pistol in his hand, and drove towards the building neatly. The sound of the silenced gun did not shake anyone, and passers-by did not even notice it. .

The black figure moved away from the top floor facing the building, and disappeared in an instant.

"Bai Yiqian, don't scare me..." Xiao Li hugged him, frightened into disbelief. It's not like she's never seen someone kill someone before. The scene was even more horrific and bloody when someone cut off someone's hands and feet in front of her. What happened to Yiqian, what happened to the person she loves the most, it felt different, a strong fear hit her heart, she had never been so afraid, even if she was taken away by the bad guys at the beginning, in that kind of cruel Under the circumstances, she had never been so afraid before, she couldn't imagine that if something happened to Bai Yiqian...it was all her fault, why did she quarrel with Bai Yiqian, some quarreled and nothing happened.

"Don't be afraid, I'll send him to the hospital right away, call the police." The man in army green quickly picked up Bai Yiqian. Bai Yiqian is a big man. Although he is not fat, he is certainly not light, but a man can Pick him up easily.

When Xiaoli stood up, her legs were still a little weak, but she didn't care, and chased after him. The man carried Bai Yiqian into his military vehicle, and Xiaoli quickly got in too. Why did Xiaoli not dare to kill her if someone wanted to kill her? Hand over Bai Yiqian easily to anyone, no matter where she goes, she will go with her.

"Don't panic, calm down, he'll be fine, I'll take him to the hospital right away." The man slammed on the gas pedal, stepping on the speed as fast as possible, he didn't even care about running a red light, but he still didn't forget to comfort Xia Xiao Leave.

"Xiao Li..." Bai Yiqian called out in a low voice, but his eyes did not open.

"I'm here," Xiaoli held his hand tightly, "I'm fine, don't scare me, don't be fine, wake up, I won't quarrel with you, Bai Yiqian..." Xiaoli's tears The drops fell on Bai Yiqian's face, she didn't know where he was shot, she didn't dare to touch or move, why is this damn hospital so far away?

Bai Yiqian felt that she was crying, he wanted her not to cry, and wanted to help her dry her tears, but his hands were heavy and he couldn't lift his eyelids.

The man saw the two people behind him through the rearview mirror, and he was anxious, wishing he could hurry up. Finally, he saw the hospital. Before the car stopped completely, the man jumped out of the car, opened the back door, and picked up Bai Yiqian rushed in, and Xiaoli followed quickly.

The man was wearing a military uniform, and he was holding a bleeding man, which frightened many people in the hospital. Everyone flashed, and the doctors in the hospital ran out quickly.

"The patient needs to be sent to the operating room immediately, please wait." The doctors entered the operating room and stopped Xiao Li who wanted to follow.

The man stopped Xiao Li and said softly: "The doctor will definitely save him, just wait patiently."

"How can I be patient, he is inside now, how can I be patient?" Xiao Li staggered, almost fainted, the man helped her in time, and helped her to sit on the bench in the corridor.

"He's going to be fine, right? It's definitely going to be fine, it's definitely not going to happen." Xiao Li is now in a hurry to go to the doctor, and she just wants to hear a definite answer, how did this happen, why did this happen, All right, who wants to kill her?
"Yes, nothing will happen. Mr. Bai is auspicious." The man said, but his face was very heavy. He saw that the place where he was shot was very close to his heart. I'm afraid...

Xiao Li closed his eyes and covered them with his hands, but tears flowed from between his fingers. He bled a lot, a lot of blood...

The man raised his head, wanting to pat her on the back and comfort her, but finally withdrew his hand.

Time passed by every minute and every second, the more Xiao Li waited, the more anxious and frightened he was, he grabbed the man's hand: "Why is it so long, is it..." No, nothing happened to Bai Yiqian, she would rather get shot herself than him accident.

"Don't think about it, the doctor will definitely try his best to save him, we have to trust the doctor." People like Bai Yiqian shouldn't die so easily, right?

'Deng Deng', the sound of chaotic footsteps came, and Shen Qingwan trotted over with the support of Bai Xue and Bai Ying.

"What's going on, what's going on, why is it so easy to get shot, what about A-Qian, where is A-Qian?" Shen Qingwan pointed at Xiao Li, pulled her up from the chair, and asked in a voice.

"What about my brother, what about my brother, you pay me my brother..." Bai Xue rushed up like crazy, shaking Xia Xiaoli vigorously.

"I don't know, and I don't know why someone shot at me. He was trying to save me, Yiqian..." Xiao Li shook off Bai Xue and rushed to the door of the operating room, but the door was locked tightly. She doesn't know what's going on inside, she can't see anything, Bai Yiqian's life or death is uncertain inside, but she can only stand here helpless, she doesn't want him to save her, she would rather lie inside by herself.

"To save you?" Bai Xue took a step back, then rushed up suddenly, dragging Xia Xiaoli desperately, "Why is it not you but my brother who is lying in there? Why don't you die? The person inside is you, and it's all because of you that my brother is like this, you bastard, my brother will not do well after marrying you. You go, you get out of here..." Xia Xiaoli is not qualified to wait Here, what is Xia Xiaoli?She should be the first person my brother saw when he woke up.

"I'm not leaving, I'm going to wait for him, I'm going to wait for him." Xiao Li refused to leave desperately, her voice changed from crying, she won't leave, she must hear the news that Bai Yiqian is fine.

Shen Qingwan looked on coldly, with tears on her face, she couldn't care much about it now, she only wanted her son to come out safely.

"Bai Xue, don't be like this, why can't Xiaoli be here, she is brother's wife, she is the most qualified to wait here." Bai Ying ran to pull Bai Xue away.

"She's not qualified, she's not qualified, it's her who caused my brother." Bai Xue still shook Xia Xiaoli relentlessly, what kind of wife was she.

Xiao Li was dizzy from being shaken by her, his footsteps were unsteady, and when he closed his eyes, he was plunged into darkness.

"Xiaoli..." Bai Ying said in shock.

The man strode over, hugged Xiaoli across his waist, and ran to the side.

Bai Ying chased after a few steps, hesitating which way to go, and then thinking about her brother's mother and Bai Xue, and the man didn't know who the man was, so how could he let Xiao Li be led by him? Let's go, after thinking about it, Bai Ying decided to chase after her.

Blood, another piece of blood, so much, flowed all over the ground, the blood filled Xiaoli's eyes red, she saw herself stabbing a knife into the man's stomach with her own hands, the blood splashed on her face like this, Flowing into her mouth, the smell of blood was so disgusting. After so many years, she still remembered the smell, which made people want to vomit. The man looked at her with hatred and resentment...

She just stared blankly like this, but suddenly that man turned into Bai Yiqian, he was bleeding all over his body, so much blood came out from his body, she clutched his wound, but the blood continued flow, flow continuously...

"Yiqian..." Xiao Li screamed, and sat up suddenly from the bed, his face was covered with sweat, his face was even paler, even the color between his lips was white, the whole person seemed to have no human color.

"Xiao Li." Bai Ying's face appeared in front of her eyes.

"Bo Ying, what's wrong with your brother, Bo Ying..." Xiao Li grabbed Bai Ying's hand, his eyes were full of hope, like a drowning person who desperately needs someone to come and rescue her.

Bai Ying looked at her, but forgot to answer for a moment.

Xiaoli's tears were already streaming down, Bai Ying didn't speak, does it mean... no, Bai Yiqian won't die, how could he die, they just got married, they still have a long time to go The way to go, how could he just let her go?

Bai Ying was frightened by her, she had known Xiao Li for so long, but she had never seen her cry, so she frantically wiped away her tears.

"Don't cry, you can't cry now, my brother is fine, he is out of danger, and he is sent to the intensive care unit, my mother has invited the best doctor from the general military hospital, you don't have to worry. "Bai Ying really felt that her mother was exaggerating. She left the entire hospital floor empty and left her brother to live alone. She said that she was afraid of getting infected by germs, so she even invited doctors from the military region. Instead, the doctors here became assistants. .

Xiao Li stopped crying, the tears were still on his face, the corners of his mouth were slightly raised, he didn't know whether to cry or laugh: "You didn't lie to me?"

"How dare I talk nonsense about such a big matter."

Xiao Li opened the bed and was about to get out of bed, but Bai Ying held her down: "Where are you going, you can't move around now, take care of yourself."

"I'm going to see your brother, you let me go." Xiaoli ignored Bai Ying's obstruction, and got out of bed, and felt dizzy again when she stood up, it was Bai Ying who supported her so that she would not fall fall.

"Don't be in a hurry, okay, I'll help you over there now, be careful not to fall." Bai Ying knew that if she wasn't allowed to go, she would definitely not feel at ease.

In the intensive care unit, Bai Yiqian had an oxygen tube inserted into his body, his face was as pale as snow, his eyes were tightly closed, if one ignored his expression, it would be as if he had fallen asleep, so peaceful and peaceful.

Xiao Li held his hand, and his eyes turned red again: "Why isn't he still asleep?"

"He just received anesthesia, so naturally he didn't fall asleep so fast. The doctor said that my brother is out of danger, so he will be fine." Bai Ying comforted, feeling extremely thrilling in his heart. Just now the doctor said that the bullet hit the When she was in a heart attack, she almost fainted from fright, but fortunately her brother survived, and it is lucky that he is fine, as for this matter, it is better not to tell Xiaoli, lest she cannot bear it.

Xiao Li nodded slightly, and put Bai Yiqian's hand on his face: "You must wake up quickly."

Xiao Li just stayed like this, refusing to leave, so Bai Ying had no choice but to persuade: "Xiao Li, you are also weak, you should go back to the ward and take a good rest. Mom and I will take care of you here, don't worry, brother If I wake up, I'll tell you right away, okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm going to wait for him to wake up." She still has a lot to say to him, she will never quarrel with him again, nothing is as important as Bai Yiqian's life.

"Go and rest." Shen Qingwan said, Xiao Li was wondering why Shen Qingwan treated her so pleasantly, didn't she always hate her, and Shen Qingwan's next sentence solved her doubts, "You Even if you don't care about the big one, you have to take care of the little one."

"Small one?" What do you mean?Why didn't she understand.

"Look, I'm so happy, didn't I tell you, you're pregnant." Bai Ying said happily, Xiaoli's happy event finally dispelled everyone's worries, and her brother's life was saved, it was finally a good thing.

"Hua, pregnant? Me?" Xiao Li pointed at himself, surprised.She is pregnant?She is actually pregnant, at this time?
Shen Qingwan was very speechless to Xiao Li's words, it wasn't her, is there anyone else here, Bai Ying and Bai Xue are both unmarried girls of Yunying, and she is at this age, so it is possible that she can still be old Can't produce pearls?

Bai Xue was cutting fruit, and listening to Xia Xiaoli's excited and joyful voice, she accidentally scratched her finger, blood dripped out, Bai Xue put her finger into her mouth, sucked the blood away, her eyes slightly Flash, but I don't know what to think.

"Yiqian, did you hear, our child, we have a child." Xiao Li shed tears of joy, holding Bai Yiqian's hand in one hand, and stroking her stomach with the other. Life, right there, is the continuation of their life.

Bai Ying also shed tears. Their family is about to welcome a new life. With this child, I believe that mother will not embarrass Xiaoli anymore, and brother will be very happy. Maybe even his illness will heal faster. .

Because Xia Xiaoli is pregnant, she should not stay in the ward for too long. Even if she didn't want to, she was sent to her own ward. Because of the shooting incident, and Xiaoli's body is weak, the fetus is a little unstable. Get more bed rest.

There was a shooting incident on the street, and the person who was shot was the boss of a dignified multinational company. The situation is serious, because the incident happened in City G. Bai Yiqian's third uncle, Bai Gaoguan, put pressure on the public security organs below, and must act as soon as possible Find the murderer.

The police rushed to the scene immediately to investigate the situation, but found nothing. From the bullets taken from Bai Yiqian's body, it can be judged that the gun used was TAC-50, and judging from the range, it required a very professional sniper It can only be done, and the police preliminarily concluded that a business competitor hired someone to shoot him.

Xiao Li was startled when she heard the news. She always thought that the person was going to kill, but she didn't think that the person that person intended to kill was Bai Yiqian. Good, but what kind of bloody hatred needs to be hated enough to hire someone to kill?
Bai Yiqian had just finished the operation and was still in a coma. The police had no way to record a statement to her and had to ask Xia Xiaoli who was there at the time.

"Mrs. Bai, please explain the situation at that time in detail."

Xiao Li told the story from the beginning to the end, but it was too chaotic at that time, Bai Yiqian was shot, she only cared about Bai Yiqian and did not look at the surrounding environment, the clues she provided were really limited.

"Mrs. Bai, you mean, after Mr. Bai was shot, a man appeared to save you and sent you to the hospital?" The police sensitively grasped that there was another witness who was able to snipe at the incident. To save someone when his hand is hurting a killer, this man must not be an ordinary person, and the timing of his appearance is too coincidental.

"Yes."

"Mrs. Bai, please describe the appearance of that man. Do you recognize him? Where is he now?"

Xiao Li thought about it carefully, but suddenly realized that he seemed to have forgotten to look at the man's face: "I, I was only focused on looking at my husband at the time, and didn't look at the man's face, but... the voice sounded familiar, Maybe I know him." After she woke up from a coma, she didn't see the man again, she didn't thank him well, thanks to her, otherwise she really didn't know what to do at that time.

The two policemen looked at each other, and there was no difference between saying this and not saying it.

"Xiao Li, brother is awake." Bai Yingxing hurried in, pulled Xiao Li and ran away.

"Really?" Xiaoli's face was full of brilliance, thank God, finally woke up.

This book was first published by Xiaoxiang Academy, please do not reprint!

(End of this chapter)