Volume One, Chapter Four: To Rescue Her

Xia Xiaoman stood up and picked up the phone. Upon checking, he realized it was his sister’s, and the incoming number was unfamiliar. Knowing his sister was busy with work and couldn’t afford to miss any calls, he didn’t hesitate and answered.

“Yin, come downstairs. I’m waiting for you in the hotel lobby.” As soon as the call connected, Xia Xiaoman heard Zhou Yu’an’s voice before he could say anything.

Xia Xiaoman was taken aback. Yin? Who was this man addressing her so affectionately?

“Who are you?” he asked curiously. “You call my sister Yin. Are you her boyfriend?”

After hearing Xia Xiaoman’s question, Zhou Yu’an paused briefly before replying, “Yes, I am her boyfriend. Where is your sister?”

“Brother-in-law—” Suddenly, Xia Xiaoman’s voice cracked with anguish over the phone, startling Zhou Yu’an.

“Brother-in-law!” Xia Xiaoman cried out desperately, as if finding a true relative. “My sister’s in trouble! She’s been kidnapped!”

Hearing this, Zhou Yu’an was shocked and sternly demanded, “What did you say? Kidnapped? She’s always so well-behaved. Who would kidnap her?”

Xia Xiaoman hesitated. “Brother-in-law, where are you? Let’s meet, and I’ll explain everything.”

“Where are you? I’m coming over now,” Zhou Yu’an said.

Fifteen minutes later, at the entrance of Rouge Alley, Zhou Yu’an stepped out of his luxury car, catching Xia Xiaoman’s full attention.

With a serious expression, Zhou Yu’an said, “Tell me everything in detail.”

Standing before him, Xia Xiaoman looked up at the man—tall, dignified, exuding an extraordinary presence in every move and word. It was clear he was no ordinary person, and a sense of awe welled up inside Xia Xiaoman.

Feeling guilty, he obediently replied, “It’s all my fault! I acted as a guarantor for someone and owed a high-interest loan. I couldn’t pay this month, so they came after me. I called my sister for help, but they kidnapped her and demanded I pay to ransom her.” His voice grew softer towards the end.

After hearing this, Zhou Yu’an studied Xia Xiaoman carefully. The young man looked about twenty-two or twenty-three, somewhat resembling Xia Xiyin, and bore an untainted, innocent air—a good kid overall.

“How much do you owe?” Zhou Yu’an asked, withdrawing his gaze.

Xia Xiaoman rubbed the tip of his nose and braced himself to say, “Six hundred thousand.”

Zhou Yu’an showed no surprise, only sneered slightly, “You’re quite capable and bold, taking on such a huge guarantee.”

“Brother-in-law,” Xia Xiaoman said with deep regret, “I hate myself too. Now my sister’s suffering because of me. What do you think we should do?”

Zhou Yu’an pinched his chin, turning his face from side to side to inspect his injuries, then asked, “Did they hurt your sister?”

Xia Xiaoman sniffed, “No. When she rushed over, she slapped me twice, then those thugs took her away.”

Zhou Yu’an chuckled, released him, and asked, “Which loan company?”

“Hansin Loans.”

After a moment’s thought, Zhou Yu’an signaled his bodyguards and instructed, “Follow him home for now, keep an eye on him.”

“Yes, Mr. Zhou.” The bodyguards nodded and prepared to leave with Xia Xiaoman.

Xia Xiaoman hesitated and anxiously asked, “Brother-in-law, I can tell you’re not an ordinary man, but that’s a huge sum. Are you really going to pay to ransom my sister?”

“What, do you have another plan if I don’t?” Zhou Yu’an retorted irritably.

“No, no, that’s not what I meant,” Xia Xiaoman hurriedly replied.

Then, somewhat forlorn, he added, “I didn’t even know when my sister started dating. She never told me. You two must be really close. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have come so fast.”

Zhou Yu’an said, “You and the bodyguards stay home quietly. I’ll bring your sister back.”

“Brother-in-law, thank you so much,” Xia Xiaoman said gratefully.

Zhou Yu’an gave him a displeased look and, before getting into the car, knocked hard on his head like a scolding.

Xia Xiaoman didn’t dare dodge, rubbed his head, and watched his brother-in-law leave.

On the way, Zhou Yu’an called Guan Hanzhong, one of his men, and arranged to meet at his company.

Hansin Loans Company.

“What wind blew Mr. Zhou here?” Guan Hanzhong joked, greeting him inside.

Seated on the office sofa, Zhou Yu’an glanced around and half-jokingly said, “Haven’t seen you in a few days. Boss Guan’s business is booming, and you’re branching out into more fields.”

Guan Hanzhong clicked his tongue, lit a cigarette, and said, “Speak properly. You come in all mysterious.”

Zhou Yu’an chuckled softly and got to the point: “Did your men kidnap a girl who owes six hundred thousand?”

“How did you know?” Guan Hanzhong was slightly surprised. “No way anyone would find you over this.”

Zhou Yu’an’s face turned serious. “The girl you kidnapped is my girlfriend.”

“Ah? Really?” Guan Hanzhong asked repeatedly in shock. “She’s really your girlfriend?”

“Enough chatter. Take me to her,” Zhou Yu’an stood up impatiently. “Has she been mistreated?”

Guan Hanzhong stood alongside, proudly saying, “She’s been treated well here. You know that.”

“But I have to say, your girlfriend has quite a temper—slapping and making a scene like she’s about to cause a riot,” Guan Hanzhong said helplessly.

Zhou Yu’an smiled knowingly but said nothing.

“When did you start dating? We went out for dinner last week, and you didn’t mention her.”

“She looks good, presentable,” Guan Hanzhong added.

“So, are you serious about her or not?”

Walking to the room where the girl was held, Guan Hanzhong gossiped nonstop. Before Zhou Yu’an entered, he slapped a big hand over Guan’s face and pushed him away.

The room was a suite. Zhou Yu’an closed the door behind him, calling out “Yin” as he moved inside.

The bedroom door creaked open slightly, and Xia Xiyin peeked out.

“Ah! Mr. Zhou!” Seeing him was like finding a lifeline. She hurried out, excitedly asking, “Why are you here?”

Zhou Yu’an grasped her shoulders, scanning her from head to toe with concern. “Did they hurt you?”

Xia Xiyin replied, “No. They just tried to intimidate me, but I made a scene and went crazy, so they didn’t dare do anything.”

She then glanced sideways, guessing, “Mr. Zhou, did you call me? My brother answered and talked to you?”

“That was when it was all noisy. I guess I dropped my phone then,” she added.

Zhou Yu’an praised her, “Smart, you got it right.”

He released her arms and took her hand. “It’s over now. Let’s go.”

Xia Xiyin hesitated and stammered, “So… you did pay off the six hundred thousand for me?”