Chapter 81: Stepping Out for Some Fresh Air

Back home, Xu Ruizhi sat alone on the sofa, lost in thought.

“Mom, what happened to little sister?”

“She was kidnapped,” Xu Ruizhi replied, her expression dazed.

“Where’s Dad? Did you tell Grandma? Who kidnapped her?” Shen Zhujun asked anxiously, “And did you call the police?”

Xu Ruizhi finally looked up. “How could I dare call the police? If something happens to Youlin, what am I supposed to do? And your useless father—he’s vanished, I’ve been searching for him all day to no avail!”

“So what do we do?” Shen Zhujun was beside herself, utterly helpless.

Chen Yu touched his nose. Someone actually dared to kidnap his sister-in-law—truly audacious.

“What kind of people were they?” Shen Zhujun pressed.

“I don’t know. On the way back after failing to find your father, a group suddenly rushed out, dragged her into a van, and took her away!”

“We should tell Grandma, let her take charge and help rescue little sister!”

“Grandma’s too old, what can she do? Besides, no one knows who those people are. I’m just waiting for their call. If it’s about money, even if I have to sell everything, I’ll ransom Youlin back.”

“What if it’s not about money?” Chen Yu interjected.

Xu Ruizhi glared at him angrily. “It’s all your fault, you bring nothing but bad luck. Ever since you joined the Shen family, nothing has gone right. Your useless father-in-law is off gallivanting, probably led astray by you, and now Youlin’s in trouble. Yet you still stand here making snide remarks! Zhujun, what kind of husband did you marry?”

As she spoke, tears streamed down Xu Ruizhi’s face, as if every misfortune was caused by this son-in-law.

Shen Zhujun shot an angry look at Chen Yu. “If you can’t say anything helpful, just keep quiet!”

Chen Yu spread his hands helplessly. He’d only spoken the truth, but it had provoked such a reaction from the pair. Shaking his head, he retreated to his room.

Of course, he wouldn’t ignore the matter—after all, that girl was his sister-in-law, and he couldn’t just stand by.

Back in his room, he dialed Zuo Hongshan’s number. In Jiangcheng, there was probably no one more capable of handling this.

“Master Shan, sorry to disturb you,” he began.

“Mr. Chen, you’re too polite. I didn’t want to bother you, which is why I haven’t reached out. Now that you’re finally contacting me, I’m honored!” On the other end, Zuo Hongshan sounded surprised and even a little anxious—after all, Chen Yu was no longer the man he used to be.

“Enough with the pleasantries. You must know I’m living at the Shen house now. My sister-in-law has been abducted, I don’t know by whom. Help me investigate.”

“Rest assured, Mr. Chen. Your affairs are mine as well. I’ll have my people look into it immediately and get you an answer within the hour!”

Chen Yu hesitated for a moment, then finally asked, “Did Qianhui go abroad?”

Zuo Hongshan seemed taken aback. “You already know? Yes, Qianhui wanted a change of environment for university, so I arranged for her to study overseas. I apologize for not informing you.”

“That’s fine. A change might be good for her. If she gets in touch, please send her my regards.”

“Thank you, Mr. Chen. It means a lot that you still remember her—she’ll be pleased. As for your request, I’ll have an answer for you in an hour!”

After hanging up, Chen Yu went back downstairs, intending to comfort Shen Zhujun and her mother, but seeing them huddled together in tears, he shook his head. It was pointless—any attempt at consolation would only invite another tirade.

Shen Zhujun looked up at him. “Do you know where my father went?”

Chen Yu shook his head. “He’s a grown man, how would I know? Why do you keep asking me? You don’t think I hid him, do you?”

Shen Zhujun bit her lip. “He usually likes to hang around you. Didn’t he mention anywhere he might go, or take you someplace?”

Chen Yu was taken aback by the question, but he didn’t blame her—her sister abducted, father missing; her anxiety was understandable.

He couldn’t help but recall the odd father and son who’d visited earlier. Could his father-in-law really have gone to that Jiang Island with them? But without confirmation, he kept silent, sitting quietly on the sofa, waiting for Zuo Hongshan’s call.

Xu Ruizhi, her face streaked with tears, seemed too distraught to blame him further, repeatedly checking her phone for any incoming calls.

After some time, the phone rang.

Mother and daughter startled, each grabbing their phones only to realize it wasn’t theirs. Disappointed, they turned to Chen Yu, whose phone was ringing.

He answered—it was Zuo Hongshan. Chen Yu listened silently to the report, then hung up.

His expression cold, he stood and said to the two women, “I’m going out. Don’t worry about Youlin—she’ll be home soon.”

Without waiting for their reaction, he left.

Xu Ruizhi watched him go, unable to contain her outburst. “What kind of son-in-law runs out when there’s trouble, leaving the house without a single man? What if those criminals come here?”

Shen Zhujun, however, was struck by the change in Chen Yu’s demeanor. It was as if he’d become a different person right before her eyes. Could he be going to rescue Youlin? She remembered his impressive skills—perhaps he really could. But how did he know where Youlin was being held? She was left puzzled.

As Chen Yu stepped out of the Shen house, a car was waiting for him.

Inside was Zuo Hongshan.

“Mr. Chen, there’s no need for you to act personally. I’ve already sent Akun ahead, and I believe we’ll have her back soon.”

“Very well, let’s go have some tea. I wanted to get some air anyway—once this is resolved, I’ll return.” Chen Yu trusted Jiang Kun’s abilities.

“Of course, Mr. Chen.” He waved to the driver. “To Dragon Phoenix Teahouse!”

Meanwhile, in an abandoned factory on the outskirts, the lights blazed.

Shen Youlin was tied to a chair, her mouth sealed with tape.

Terrified, she stared at the burly men smoking nearby, her heart pounding.

A man with a cane, his leg wrapped tightly in bandages, hobbled over with a look of hatred, then ripped the tape from her mouth.

“Fang Kai—it’s you! What happened to your leg?” Shen Youlin gasped, shocked, frightened by the malice in his eyes.

“Thanks to you, Shen Youlin!” Fang Kai snarled. “If it weren’t for you, would I be like this?”

“Fang Kai, did you have them kidnap me?”

“I called you countless times and you wouldn’t answer. Trying to dump me, huh? I spent so much money on you—did you think you could leave so easily? And my leg broke because of you. Who else should I settle accounts with?”

Shen Youlin forced herself to remain calm. “What happened, Fang Kai? How is your leg my fault?”

“How is it not? If not for you, I wouldn’t have offended that Mr. Chen. If not for him, my leg wouldn’t be broken!”

“Wait, I don’t understand. Who is this Mr. Chen? Why would he break your leg?” Shen Youlin tried to muster a smile.

Smack!

Fang Kai slapped her hard.

“I may not be able to do anything to Mr. Chen, but I can do plenty to you!”

After the slap, he sneered viciously, “Now I’ll let you taste humiliation, and I’ll record the whole thing, then post it online. Let everyone feast their eyes on the Second Miss Shen’s unbridled beauty—ha ha ha…”