Shen Ning is missing

"Hm." Shen Ning hummed in agreement.

"Shen Ning, listen to me carefully," Yun Xi began firmly. "You didn't tell him why you didn't want a child now, did you?"

"…No," Shen Ning admitted.

"Then he suddenly found those birth control pills, and on top of that, he kept finding you with Mu Chen— laughing and talking." Yun Xi sighed. "I'm not saying you should stop talking to Mu Chen— he's your friend, but can't you see how all this might look to your husband? Put yourself in your husband's shoes for a moment. Wouldn't you feel insecure too? You're telling me that instead of clearing up the misunderstanding that night, you admitted to something you didn't even do? What were you thinking?!"

"I'm not justifying his accusations," Yun Xi continued. "He should've trusted you more. But Shen Ning, you need to understand something— your husband is insecure. He's afraid of losing you. And with how distant you've been, with him suddenly after returning from Venice. He let that fear cloud his judgment."

Shen Ning lowered her head, biting her lower lip. "But shouldn't he trust me a little bit?"

"Of course, he should," Yun Xi replied gently. "But Shen Ning, hasn't he always been the one to swallow his pride first? To apologize, to make up after your arguments?"

Shen Ning's mind flashed back to their past arguments. Qin Yuheng had always been the one to end the fights, pulling her into his arms, whispering apologies no matter who was at fault.

"Then can't you be the one to take the first step this time?" Yun Xi asked.

Shen Ning's hands tightened around her phone as clarity dawned on her. "You're right. I need to talk to him. Thank you, Yun Xi. I'll go now."

Yun Xi smiled on the other end of the line. "Good. Go and fix this. You love him, Shen Ning, and I can tell he loves you too. Don't let your silence drive the wedge deeper between both of you."

"Thank you," Shen Ning repeated, her voice steady now, filled with resolve.

"Hm. Go on."

Shen Ning wasted no time, stepping out of the house. Got into the car from their garage, driving towards his company.

---------

Qin Yuheng returned home, his chest tightened with anticipation. As soon as he parked his car, he rushed inside and headed straight for their bedroom.

"Ah Ning?" he called, his voice echoing through the empty room.

But there was no response.

He checked the bathroom, the piano room, and even the study, but there was no sign of her.

Descending the stairs two at a time, he called out sharply, "Aunt Rong! Where is Ah Ning? Did she leave for college?"

Aunt Rong appeared from the kitchen, frowning. "Young Master, why are you alone? Young Madam left an hour ago to find you at the company."

Qin Yuheng's heart sank. "But she didn't come," he muttered, his voice was low.

He called her but her phone was switched off. He called her again, still the result was same.

He dialed Nine's number, her bodyguard but the call went unanswered.

"Damn it!" he cursed, gripping the phone tightly. "Why isn't he picking up?"

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration, trying to stay calm.

Just then, his phone buzzed in his hand. Nine was calling.

He answered immediately. "Nine! Where is—"

But a stranger's voice interrupted him. "Are you a relative of the owner of this phone? The person is currently in the operating theater at XXX Hospital. Please come quickly."

Without wasting a second, he bolted out of the house and sped towards the hospital.

When he arrived, he asked for Nine and was directed to the operating theatre. Standing outside the operating theater, he called Assistant Wang. "Find out where Ah Ning is. Immediately!"

Then he tried Shen Ning's number again. But still, her number was switched off.

Minutes dragged into hours. It was now 8 p.m. Four excruciating hours, and yet, there was no sign of Shen Ning. Though Nine's operation was successful he was still unconscious.

Suddenly, his phone rang. It was his grandfather.

"Grandpa."

"Where's Xiao Ning?" his grandfather's voice was grave.

Qin Yuheng hesitated, his throat dry. "I... I don't know, Grandpa. I can't find her."

"Come to the old mansion. Now," his grandfather commanded.

"Grandpa, is something wrong? I need to find Ah Ning—"

"Come quickly, Yuheng. You'll understand when you're here."

The call ended abruptly.

Qin Yuheng stared at his phone for a moment before turning on his heel. Whatever was happening, it was serious.

He drove straight to the old mansion, his grip on the wheel so tight it hurt.

The moment he arrived, he rushed inside. The living room was tense and his family members were seated in grim silence.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"I'm asking something." His voice was trembling, his heart was beating wildly.

"If this isn't urgent, I'm leaving. I need to find Ah Ning," he said, turning on his heel.

"Wait." His father's voice stopped him. "Look at this before you leave."

Frowning, Qin Yuheng approached the table. His father handed him a photograph.

His breath caught in his throat as he looked at it.

It was a picture of Shen Ning, a blood-red cross scrawled over her face. The edges of the photo were smeared with something that resembled dried blood.

A hollow laugh escaped him, shaky and forced. "You're joking, right? Ah Ning is hiding here, isn't she? She planned this to prank me. She—"

His laughter died as he noticed the note attached to the photo.

---

The Note...

"The second son of the Qin family, Qin Yuheng, loves his wife so much, doesn't he? Tsk, tsk, tsk... Too bad... I bless them for their next life, because it's not possible in this one. Hahaha."