Chapter 113: On the Verge of Eruption — Includes a bonus update for 4,700 diamonds.

Fu Yuxing did not say a word, nor did he give the person on the other end of the line a chance to offer further explanation, before hanging up the phone.

The car continued toward the airport. The atmosphere inside had grown noticeably gloomier. Lei Sen drove with focused intensity, occasionally stealing a glance at Fu Yuxing in the rearview mirror. At that moment, Fu Yuxing’s face was devoid of expression. He held his phone, staring out the window, the corners of his mouth turned slightly downward, lost in thought.

The car entered the airport and pulled into a spot in front of the domestic terminal. Lei Sen checked the time and said, "Unless something unexpected happens, they should be deplaning soon."

"Something unexpected happened," Fu Yuxing replied in a flat tone.

Lei Sen paused, recalling the brief call Fu Yuxing had taken on the road. No wonder the atmosphere had shifted afterward. He turned to look at him. "Then... what should we do next?"

Fu Yuxing’s thin lips were pressed into a straight line, and he remained silent. Lei Sen did not press further; after watching him for a while, he turned back around and asked no more.

The airport was crowded, bustling with people coming and going. The interior of the car felt like a world apart from the chaos outside. As the minutes ticked by, Lei Sen felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles, not daring to move. He wanted to drink some water, but he feared the sound would disturb his boss, so he held back.

After an hour of silent waiting, Fu Yuxing finally spoke. "Pinghua Peak."

"Understood."

On the way back, Fu Yuxing made two phone calls. The car traveled at high speed, and it was nearly dusk by the time they reached Pinghua Peak. The temple was located at the summit; one had to take a cable car part of the way, and after that, there was still a long trek on foot.

His doctor had advised him to rest more and walk less. Lei Sen hesitated and suggested, "Mr. Fu, perhaps we should stay at the villa at the foot of the mountain for the night. The cable cars have stopped running at this hour."

For once, Fu Yuxing agreed to his suggestion.

He dropped him off at the villa. Built nestled among the mountain forests, it was a property Fu Yuxing had acquired and developed when he first became an apprentice. It was small and secluded. Usually empty, he hired someone from a nearby village to clean it once a week, keeping it reasonably tidy. As the weather grew colder, the mountain air became even more biting.

Lei Sen turned on the heat, and Fu Yuxing sat down on the sofa. No sooner had he sat down than a call came in from Liang Yusheng.

"Uncle."

"The doctor said you were discharged. Where are you? Why didn't you tell me when you left?"

Fu Yuxing said, "I am at Pinghua Peak. You needn't worry."

Liang Yusheng was silent for a moment before saying, "Why would you go there in your condition? Come home. While you're recovering, you can spend more time with Xiaobao. He’s been looking for his father every single day."

"Mm," he replied perfunctorily.

Liang Yusheng sighed to himself. He didn't say much more, just offered a few words of caution before ending the call.

Liang Xi stood beside him and asked, "Where is he?"

"He went to Pinghua Peak."

"Oh." Liang Xi nodded in realization. "Since he has his own plans, let him be. If he doesn't want to come home, we can't force him; we’ll just have to let nature take its course. Dad, you have a dinner engagement tonight. You need to take care of your own health as well."

"Don't worry." He patted her shoulder, gave her a lingering look, and then the two left the hospital together, dropping her off at home first.

Liang Yusheng intended to check on Xiaobao before heading out, but he discovered that both the child and his nanny were nowhere to be found. He immediately sent people to search and pulled the villa’s surveillance footage. However, the system had been struck by a virus that afternoon and had been paralyzed for hours, only coming back online half an hour before they arrived. Consequently, the entire afternoon was a blank, and they had no idea what had transpired in the house.

Xiaobao had vanished during that window.

Liang Xi looked at the head of security and asked, "How is it such a coincidence that the virus hit at exactly this time? Even if the surveillance was down, you people were guarding the gates. You should have at least seen cars coming and going, right? Two living people—did they just vanish into thin air?"

Liang Yusheng summoned everyone in the villa. After the housekeeper finished the headcount, it was confirmed that, in addition to Xiaobao and his nanny, two servants were also missing. They were not new employees.

Liang Yusheng used his connections to search for Xiaobao’s whereabouts through the police department’s "Sky Eye" surveillance network. But the person who took them seemed intimately familiar with their routines; even with the network, there was no trace of the child. The culprit appeared to have bypassed all cameras or had used disguises, leaving them with no leads.

At a total loss, it wasn't until the next day that he called Fu Yuxing to inform him of the situation. To his surprise, Fu Yuxing showed no shock or urgency. Instead, he comforted Liang Yusheng, telling him not to worry.

Fu Yuxing remained at the villa at the foot of Pinghua Peak. Lei Sen stayed by his side, taking charge of his daily needs. Because the location was remote, meals were a challenge. Fortunately, there was a nearby village. Every morning, Lei Sen would get up early to buy breakfast and had paid a villager known for good cooking to prepare their meals, as he, a rough man, had no such skills.

Fortunately, Fu Yuxing was not picky; as long as the food wasn't inedible, he would eat it. Still, it wasn't something he could manage with much finesse, and a man simply lacks the attentiveness of a woman.

As he sat nearby, peeling an apple, Lei Sen looked at him and said softly, "Mr. Fu, shall I find a housekeeper for you? I’m afraid I’m not taking good care of you."

Fu Yuxing was sitting on a single-seat sofa, a laptop beside him. He stared at the screen, not hearing a word of what Lei Sen said. His statement sank like a stone into the ocean, eliciting no reaction.

Lei Sen finished peeling the apple, cut it into slices, placed them on a plate, and handed it over. "Mr. Fu, have some fruit."

Fu Yuxing glanced at it, took a piece, and put it in his mouth. "What did you say just now?"

"I said, should we find a housekeeper? I’m a rough guy, and I’m worried I’m not caring for you properly." Lei Sen wiped his hands and sat on a small stool nearby.

"No need. You are taking good care of me, and it won't be much longer anyway."

Lei Sen raised his eyebrows but said nothing more.

...

In Macau, at a certain casino, Li Ting sat in a VIP room, playing high-stakes poker with three wealthy business tycoons. He was on a winning streak, and the chips were piled high in front of him.

The woman beside him poured him a drink and said, "Mr. Li’s luck is exploding today."

Li Ting squeezed her chest and stuffed two chips into her dress. "It's your merit. This color you're wearing brings me luck."

The woman’s eyes curved into a smile as she kissed his cheek.

Just as the game was in full swing, the door to the private room opened. Li Ting glanced over, then motioned for the dealer to continue.

"Is Mr. Li having a good time?"

"Having a wonderful time."

Yuan Yujun stood to the side, observing without interrupting them.

Li Ting won this round as well. The other three men, their chip stacks depleted, hung their heads in frustration and waved the game off. Yuan Yujun signaled for people to escort them out—they were VIPs, after all, and had to be treated with care.

Once they had gone, Yuan Yujun sat down opposite Li Ting. Li Ting took a cigarette, and the woman beside him lit it. Once lit, he waved his hand, and the woman retreated discreetly.

He took a drag and sipped his drink. "Well?"

"Successfully obtained."

"Then we should have a drink to celebrate."

"Celebration can wait. While the others haven't arrived yet, I want to talk to you in detail, Mr. Li."

Li Ting crossed his legs and blew smoke toward the ceiling. "Talk about what? We already negotiated everything at the start. You wanted the person, I wanted the money. Don't tell me you’ve changed your mind and want to swallow the whole company?"

"My brother warned me. My son has been left a cripple and will never be able to care for himself again. All of this was caused by Fu Yuxing and Lin Wanbai. I am determined to have Fu Yuxing's hands and feet. As for the company in his hands, I don't want it all, but I want a piece of the pie. That is compensation for my son, his economic source for the future. As for Lin Wanbai, my son still likes her, so I won't mind her. I will let her be my daughter-in-law. You cannot touch the Lin Group."

Li Ting curled his lips, playing with a chip. "I think you’re getting old, and your brain isn't working as well as it used to. I have no objection to you taking the person, but there is no room for negotiation regarding the equity. Why can't I touch the Lin Group? I can touch it quite legitimately. My woman is the second miss of the Lin family; in a way, I am already part of the Lin Group. If Fu Yuxing is gone, it is only natural that I should manage it."

"Why shouldn't I touch it? Could it be that the rumors outside are true? That Yuan Qirong has been usurped by his subordinates? And that’s why you can’t stay in the Yuan family and are looking for an exit strategy?" He looked at Yuan Yujun, his eyes filled with probing curiosity.

Yuan Yujun smiled, ignoring the question, and said, "Fine. I don't want the Fu Group. Give me the Lin Group."

Li Ting smoked the last of his cigarette, shrugged, and said, "As I said, you can have the person. Don't think about anything else, or you’ll end up with neither."

Yuan Yujun’s expression didn't change, but her eyes darkened.

Silence fell over the room. After a moment of stalemate, a knock sounded at the door. Li Ting answered, and his subordinate entered, whispering, "Miss Lin’s performance is over. Are you going there, or is she coming here?"

"I’ll go to her." He crushed the cigarette butt. "Everything here is settled, and I’ve had enough gambling for today. Let’s go."

He stood up, brushed off imaginary dust, waved at Yuan Yujun, and said, "See you, Second Sister Yuan."

Yuan Yujun pressed her lips together, gestured for him to leave, and had someone escort him out. Only after he left did her composure crack. She pressed a hand to her forehead, unsure of what to do next.

Li Ting exited the casino to find his car waiting. Once inside, he told his subordinate, "Keep an eye on the Yuan family. It seems the gossip isn't just hearsay. The Yuan family might be facing a shake-up soon."

"Yes."

Li Ting went to the opera house. Lin Yao had a performance there today. She had finished long ago and was waiting in the dressing room. Zhou Lin and her assistant accompanied her, while Lin Yao played on her phone, intensely focused.

Over the past two years, by following Li Ting, she had gained an apartment, a sports car, a cabinet full of jewelry, and a monthly allowance of 200,000. After the scars on her face healed, he even let her return to the stage to dance. If Li Ting didn't have so many other women around, Lin Yao would occasionally wonder if his kindness counted as true love, and at first, she had been truly touched.

Later, she realized he treated every woman this way, and that small spark of emotion vanished. Having been hurt by Fu Yuxing, she no longer dared to give any man her true heart. She simply maintained her position, understood what she was to Li Ting, and avoided losing herself.

She didn't fight for anything. In the last two years, she wasn't the only woman by his side. She occasionally heard of them tearing each other apart in private, only to have it blow up in Li Ting's face. Like the celebrity he had been fond of recently—she was arrogant, and after causing a scene, Li Ting kicked her to the curb without a shred of dignity. He didn't even give her a breakup fee.

Li Ting hated women who fought for favor and bickered with each other. Lin Yao saw it all and took it to heart. She vowed never to make that mistake; even if someone came to pick a fight, she would endure it, yield, and smile.

As the sky darkened, Lin Yao finally moved her attention away from her game because she was hungry. She checked the time—it was nearly seven. She put her phone away, sat up straight, and asked, "Is Mr. Li still coming?"

The assistant had gone out to check on Zhou Lin’s orders. In the room, it was just the mother and daughter. Zhou Lin looked at her and said, "It’s this late; he probably won't come. He’s been getting cooler toward you lately."

The latter part of the sentence sounded like a warning.

Lin Yao raised her eyebrows, unconcerned. "It's been two years; it's normal for him to get bored." She smiled, considering where to eat. "Mom, is there anything you want to eat?"

Zhou Lin looked at her, then glanced back at the door, leaned in, and whispered, "Are you not even a little worried? Your father is still counting on him..."

Lin Yao searched for famous restaurants in Macau on her phone and said coldly, "Tell him to stop dreaming. We should just live comfortably while we can. If he keeps stirring up trouble, we won't even have this life of ease. Isn't losing one leg enough for him? Mom, don't just do whatever he says. We aren't relying on him to live; he’s relying on us. He should be the one listening to us!"

"Putting your father aside, what about you? What are you really thinking? Li Ting’s mind is hard to fathom. He has so many women, but I think he still cares for you. I heard others say you’re the longest-lasting woman he’s had."

Lin Yao laughed. "Mom, how can you believe the flattery people tell you? How could I be the longest-lasting? Don't think about these things. The idea of me being his wife—don't even dream about it. It’s impossible. I see things clearly now. Men have no heart. Even if they do, it’s only for a moment. After a while, it's all the same. Are there few women around him who want to be his legal wife? Those who bore his children—don't they all want to be his only legal wife? But what’s the result? He wants the children but not the mothers. He only acknowledges the children later if they show promise; if they’re mediocre, he doesn't acknowledge them at all."

"Mom, I’ve thought it through. I don't have other choices, so I’ll just follow him. When he gets bored and gives me a breakup fee, we’ll immigrate abroad."

She had clearly mapped out her future and was living it day by day.

Zhou Lin looked at her with a heavy heart. "If it weren't for Fu Yuxing, you wouldn't have been reduced to being someone’s mistress. You were the daughter of the Lin family. If your father had won that year..."

"Don't talk about the past. No good man dwells on past glory. I don't want to talk about the past, and I certainly don't want to hear the name Fu Yuxing ever again."

As she finished, the assistant entered, and they stopped talking.

The assistant said, "Mr. Li was coming, but he got a call on the way and changed his route."

Zhou Lin asked, "Where did he go?"

Lin Yao pulled her and said, "Fine, let’s find a place to eat and go back to the hotel."

Zhou Lin thought about it and realized Li Ting had several other lovers in Macau. Surely some little vixen had called him away. Lin Yao had just expressed her stance, and Zhou Lin felt angry again. "He promised! How can he go back on his word? Letting us wait for so long."

Lin Yao glared at her, coughed, and said, "You can go off duty. I want to have dinner alone with my mom tonight."

"Yes."

The assistant packed up and left. Once gone, Lin Yao said, "Don't say these things in front of Tao Qi. She is Li Ting's person. Anything we say here will get back to him. Say less. Isn't it better that he didn't come? We can eat alone without anyone bothering us."

Zhou Lin slapped her own mouth. "Right, right. I misspoke. Where should we eat?"

Lin Yao showed her her phone. "Here, this looks pretty good."

"Let’s go."

When they reached the entrance, the driver was already waiting. After dinner, Lin Yao wanted to go shopping, but Zhou Lin urged her to return. Lin Yao had no choice but to go back to the hotel. They had arrived at the perfect time; no sooner had she arrived than Li Ting walked in.

Lin Yao had just taken off her coat and turned to see him, looking surprised. "You're here."

She immediately went over to take his coat, saying nothing. Li Ting noticed the surprise in her eyes. "I promised to see your performance, but something came up and I couldn't make it. I let you eat by yourself, and I was worried you’d be angry if I didn't come back tonight."

He lifted her chin as he spoke.

Lin Yao gave a shy smile. "I know you’ve been busy lately. I wouldn't be angry. In your eyes, am I that petty?"

"What did you eat tonight?"

"Western food with Mom. I found a restaurant online; the reviews were glowing, but it wasn't very good. It was all fame and environment."

"So, are you full?"

She shook her head. "No."

"Change your clothes and come eat with me." He pressed his hands on her shoulders, smiling.

Lin Yao was actually quite tired, but how could she refuse? She changed into casual clothes and went out with him. Li Ting was also dressed casually. After leaving the hotel, he didn't call for the driver or the bodyguards. He walked two blocks with her, found a random tea restaurant, and ordered two set meals.

The place was quite crowded. The hygiene looked average; Li Ting usually frequented high-end establishments, so bringing her here was a surprise. Lin Yao secretly looked at him. He seemed very at ease and even greeted the proprietress, whom he seemed to know.

Lin Yao looked at the proprietress, who appeared to be in her forties. Seeing her looking back, Lin Yao gave a polite smile.

After a while, the proprietress brought a bottle of beer and patted Li Ting. "You’ve made it big; it’s hard to see you nowadays."

Li Ting propped his chin on his hand and laughed.

The proprietress added, "Finally willing to settle down? Is this your wife?"

Lin Yao lowered her eyes, looking shy, and remained silent.

Li Ting said, "Not yet."

"Will she be later?"

"Who can say what will happen in the future."

"You’re not young anymore. Now that you’re a big boss, you shouldn't be messing around like this. You should find a woman to manage your household."

Li Ting chuckled noncommittally. The proprietress sat for a moment, exchanged a few pleasantries, and went back to work.

Li Ting poured himself a beer, looked at her, and said, "When I first started out, I worked here. I was penniless then, and the owners were very kind to me."

Lin Yao smiled, not knowing what to say.

Li Ting said nothing more and began to eat when the food arrived. The portions were generous and smelled delicious. It was the first time Lin Yao had seen him eat with such gusto. She had ordered a bowl of noodles, but after one bite, she stopped; she was very strict with her diet because she had performances this month and couldn't just eat anything.

Li Ting finished his meal, saw her picking at her noodles with her chopsticks, scoffed, and gestured, "Give it here."

She hesitated, but Li Ting reached over, took the bowl, and began to eat. "Can't waste food."

Seeing him eat the noodles she had touched, Lin Yao’s heart skipped a beat. She smiled. "You’re in a very good mood today?"

"It’s alright." He finished all the noodles, looked up at her, and said, "Fu Yuxing."

The moment those three words were uttered, Lin Yao froze, her expression stiffening. But she quickly regained her composure, looked him in the eye, and asked with a puzzled expression, "What?"

"You shouldn't have forgotten this person, right?"

Lin Yao laughed softly. "Why would I remember him? He treated me that way—why would I remember him? Even if I did, I’d hope he’d die sooner."

"There’s an opportunity."

"Hmm?"

Lin Yao hadn't heard clearly; the restaurant was noisy, and he had spoken softly. She really hadn't caught it.

Li Ting took a sip of soup, put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and looked at her. "I said, you have an opportunity. A chance to take revenge on him, it just depends on whether you have the heart."

Lin Yao blinked, still not understanding.

Seeing her look like a ditz, he thought it was quite cute. He reached out and patted her head. "You’ll know soon enough."

...

Lu Peng and Liang Zhixia arrived in Macau. According to leads, the person had been brought here. The two checked into a hotel and waited for an opportunity. Liang Zhixia suddenly remembered that Fu Yanchuan’s mother was from Macau. After the Fu family fell, Yuan Yujun had taken Fu Miao and Fu Yanchuan to Macau.

Since then, there had been no news of Fu Yanchuan. It was rumored that when he left, he was already crippled, though she didn't know if it was true. Thinking of this, Liang Zhixia immediately told Lu Peng, "Can you contact him?"

"Why?"

"I suspect that the person who kidnapped Xiaobai might be him. Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that she was sent to Macau?"

Lu Peng took a sip of water.

Liang Zhixia said, "He might also be trying to save Xiaobai. He always liked her."

He slanted a look at her. "Lin Wanbai sure has a lot of suitors."

"Of course she does."

He turned to face her and smiled. "So, you’re looking for him—what do you intend to do?"

"What do you mean, what do I intend to do? If it really was him..." She stopped mid-sentence, her mind racing.

Lu Peng narrowed his eyes, arms crossed, waiting for her to continue.

Liang Zhixia’s eyes darted around, and she immediately said, "I mean, if he really kidnapped her, I’ll go find out, and then we can get her back from him. If he’s the one who saved her, it would be even easier to handle."

He walked over and tapped her forehead with his finger. "Don't forget what you said before."

Liang Zhixia coughed. "I won't forget! Don't worry, I’m a very loyal person! I said I’d help you, so I will, but I can't guarantee the results. If Xiaobai still doesn't like you in the end, you can't blame me."

"I won't blame you."

Just as her smile appeared, Lu Peng added, "Who else would I blame?"

Her smile stiffened, looking awkward.

He opened his hand, covered her face, and gently pushed her onto the bed.

Lu Peng was capable; by the next day, he had found Fu Yanchuan's address and contact information. Liang Zhixia immediately made a call. She dialed three times, and it wasn't until the fourth that it went through. Liang Zhixia didn't speak immediately, holding the phone and listening carefully.

After a few seconds, a man’s voice came through slowly, sounding somewhat weary and hoarse. "Hello, who is this?"

"Is this Mr. Fu Yanchuan?" she asked, intentionally sharpening her voice to test him.

"Yes."

"Fu Yanchuan!" Liang Zhixia suppressed her excitement. "It’s Liang Zhixia."

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds before he said, "How did you get my number?"

"Never mind that. I want to meet you. I want to talk to you about Xiaobai."

Another few seconds of silence. "Fine, but you need to come to my house."

"Okay!"

Fu Yanchuan gave her the address. Liang Zhixia went over that afternoon. Lu Peng had intended to follow, but after arriving in Macau, he had other business, so they acted separately. He arranged for two subordinates to follow her to ensure her safety.

Fu Yanchuan lived in a villa halfway up the mountain, which was relatively easy to find. Upon arrival, she called him. After waiting at the gate for ten minutes, a servant came out to open the door and brought her in.

Aside from Liang Zhixia, the two bodyguards were blocked outside. They had wanted to force their way in, but at Liang Zhixia’s urging, they stood at the door, letting her go in alone.

Inside, the servant took her up the elevator to the third floor. The entire third floor was Fu Yanchuan’s private space. He was sitting by the window, looking no different from usual.

"Young Master, Miss Liang is here."

The servant left to pour tea. Once the servant was gone, Liang Zhixia eagerly walked toward him. Seeing him, she paused slightly. As their eyes met, she immediately sensed that Fu Yanchuan had changed; his gaze was cold, and his demeanor was deeply gloomy.

Liang Zhixia was stunned and instinctively took a step back, her spine hitting the floor-to-ceiling window. Startled, she looked back, gave a forced laugh, and turned around, her expression returning to normal. "Long time no see."

Fu Yanchuan looked at her, his expression unchanged, nodding slightly. "Long time no see." He noticed the panic hidden in her eyes and lifted his chin. "Sit wherever you like. No need to be formal."

Liang Zhixia glanced at his hands and feet, then sat down and coughed. After much deliberation, she didn't ask about his condition and went straight to the point. "I followed Xiaobai here. She was kidnapped, and the person who took her brought her here, so I followed. Then I thought of you, thinking that your mother had some influence in Macau, and I wondered if the person behind this might be you."

"Why would you think it was me?"

She pressed her lips together. "I don't know if you know Xiaobai’s current situation. She was completely placed under house arrest by Fu Yuxing. I went to great lengths to see her once and discovered she had lost her memories. Back then, back then she jumped off a building."

Fu Yanchuan’s brows twitched slightly.

"Anyway, I just wanted to ask if it was you who saved Xiaobai."

Fu Yanchuan was silent for a while, thinking of what Yuan Yujun had said the night before. After a long time, he said, "What if it was me who saved her, and what if it wasn't? What is your purpose?"

"My purpose is simple: I want her to be well. If she was saved by you, I would feel a bit more at ease. If it was someone else, I’m worried. So, was it you?"

"Wait for my news."

Liang Zhixia left the villa and encountered Fu Miao at the gate. She was driving back, and when she saw her, she stopped the car, rolled down the window, and greeted her. "Liang Zhixia?"

She squinted at her, saying nothing.

Fu Miao stopped the car, took off her sunglasses, looked her up and down, and laughed. "It really is you."

"Hello."

"What are you doing here?" She glanced at the villa, as if realizing something. "Are you looking for my brother? What do you want with my brother?"

Liang Zhixia didn't speak; she had no intention of engaging with her.

Fu Miao saw the two people following her and raised an eyebrow. "It’s about Lin Wanbai, isn't it? What’s the use of looking for my brother? My brother is a cripple now; he can’t help you."

"I have business to attend to. I’m leaving."

"I know about Lin Wanbai." She leaned against the car door, arms crossed, her eyes filled with a faint, smug smile.

Liang Zhixia didn't stop, walking straight away. Even if she knew, she didn't want to deal with her. Now it seemed that if Lin Wanbai had really fallen into Fu Yanchuan’s hands, it wasn't a good thing.

...

"The person is already in Macau."

Fu Yuxing looked at the tracker on his computer screen and said, "How many groups are there?"

"Four groups in total."

He raised an eyebrow slightly. He knew it.

The person on the other end continued, "The Macau Yuan family, Li Ting, the Tianhe Society, and Lu Peng from Longning."

"When will they move?"

"It’s imminent."

"Xiaobai is not to be harmed in the slightest. If she loses a single hair, I will hold you responsible."

"Yes."

After hanging up, Fu Yuxing stood up. Lei Sen immediately stepped forward to support him. He pushed him away and entered his room with his cane. Lei Sen followed to the door, not daring to step inside, just peering in.

Fu Yuxing was changing his clothes, back to the door. Probably sensing him there, he said, "You know what to do about the company, right?"

"Yes."

"And the child?"

"The child has already been sent to the old monk."

"Good."

He finished changing and walked out slowly. "Arrange a plane. I am going to Macau."

"You are going? But..."

"If I don't go, how will I get them to take the bait? They’re waiting for me."

Lei Sen frowned. "But your foot."

"It doesn't matter. Just make the arrangements."

...

The news that Fu Yuxing was going to Macau quickly reached Macau. Lin Wanbai was jolted awake. She had been locked in a crate of moderate size, containing several bottles of water and a few chocolate bars, as if specifically for her to survive. Throughout the process, she could feel herself being moved and lifted, sometimes roughly, as if she were an object. She wanted to scream, but found she couldn't make a sound.

She seemed to have lost her voice.

She could only beat the crate, hoping someone would discover her. But it was useless.

The crate was thrown to the ground again. This time, she hit her head—a heavy blow. In that instant, many images flashed through her mind—every image was of her and Fu Yuxing. For a moment, she could feel the love she had for Fu Yuxing in those memories.

However, after that brief moment, she blacked out.

When she woke up again, she was no longer in the crate. She was tied to a wire bed, her eyes covered, seeing nothing. The surroundings were very quiet. Her throat still couldn't produce a sound, so she could only struggle, making a little noise.

After a while, she heard footsteps. "Be quiet!"

It was a man’s voice, loud, with very poor Mandarin.

She immediately shut her mouth, terrified. She didn't know where she was, let alone who these people were or what they would do to her. The man didn't do anything to her; after scolding her, he walked away.

After a while, the footsteps returned, coming toward her. Lin Wanbai involuntarily tensed up. A moment later, she felt something poked into her mouth, and the man said, "Drink."

She took a sip. Warm water entered her throat, and she immediately felt much better. She quickly took a few more gulps. But after finishing, she realized her carelessness. How could she drink the water these people gave her? Maybe it was tainted.

After feeding her water, the man fed her food. She refused to eat, so he forced it down her throat, nearly choking her to death.

The man said, "Don't worry, the food and water are clean."

She moved her hands and opened her mouth, still unable to speak. She wanted to ask about Auntie Rong, but the man didn't understand. Seeing her open her mouth, he shoved a spoonful of rice in.

After several repetitions, Lin Wanbai finally gave up and ate obediently. She was indeed hungry; she didn't know how many days she hadn't eaten. She finished the box of rice, and the man gave her some more water before leaving.

She lay on the bed, thinking a lot—about what these people wanted. Money? Her body? She remembered Auntie Rong saying that Fu Yuxing had many enemies. If she fell into their hands, would she survive? Even if she did, wouldn't they torture her?

Thinking of this, she began to fear again.

She had to find a way to escape, but she couldn't make a sound. How could she run? How could she express herself? It was impossible.

She pricked up her ears, listening to the surroundings. It was very quiet. The people who kidnapped her didn't even speak. In such a silent space, Lin Wanbai’s fear continued to expand.

...

Fu Yuxing arrived in Macau. No sooner had he left the airport than several men in black suits walked toward him. Fu Yuxing only had two bodyguards, who immediately blocked them.

The men only blocked his path, doing nothing else. After a while, someone approached and said to Fu Yuxing, "Mr. Fu, our Mr. Li invites you."

This was Meng Changdong, Li Ting’s most capable assistant. He gestured politely, smiling, appearing friendly.

Fu Yuxing nodded. "Since Mr. Li is so polite, naturally I will go."

"Please."

Fu Yuxing followed Meng Changdong outside the airport. A car was already waiting. Meng Changdong opened the door for him and sat in the car with him. Li Ting’s main power was in Macau and Hong Kong; this was his territory.

Meng Changdong didn't expect him to come alone.

The car drove along, taking a detour past Macau’s famous buildings. Meng Changdong introduced them as if he were taking him on a sightseeing tour. Fu Yuxing patiently played along.

They circled for over an hour before finally heading to meet Li Ting. That hour was Meng Changdong’s test—to see if Fu Yuxing had secretly arranged for backup. He didn't believe he would come alone without preparation. After all, arriving here was like walking into a tiger’s den.

However, there were no anomalies.

Meng Changdong said, "Mr. Fu is a man of courage."

"How so?"

Meng Changdong glanced at him, smiled without a word, and glanced at his foot. "Mr. Fu’s foot hasn't recovered? Should I introduce a doctor to you? I guarantee it will recover as good as new within a few months."

"No need. My foot is a chronic ailment; there is only one medicine that can cure it, and it just so happens that this medicine is now in Mr. Li’s hands. That is why I must see Mr. Li as soon as possible."

Meng Changdong laughed and said no more.

The car slowly drove out of the city. Half an hour later, they entered the mountains and finally stopped in front of a villa. Many people were standing at the entrance. After the car stopped, someone opened the door. Meng Changdong stepped out, walked around, and personally opened the door for Fu Yuxing.

He first took out his cane and then reached out to help him.