You’re not allowed to have feelings for other men

The man curved his lips slightly, his deep, unfathomable black eyes narrowing as he let out a soft hum through his nose. "Hmm?"

"I shouldn't have... improper thoughts about you!" she blurted out, summoning all her courage to say it.

Long Yejue's mood inexplicably improved. He pulled her into his embrace with one swift motion, tightening his grip around her waist. His light-colored eyes lifted slightly. "I don't mind."

"Huh?" She looked at him, flustered.

Every time she faced him, her heart would race uncontrollably.

"I don't mind you having improper thoughts about me," he repeated firmly, adding, "But you can't have them about other men."

"..."

Did she even have the guts to?

"And one more thing—I don't want to hear the name Su Shijie from your mouth again!"

"..."

Oh, dear!

What had she done now?

Had she drunkenly called out that man's name?

Feeling guilty, she stole a glance at him, realizing he wasn't joking. She grew more anxious. "Maybe... maybe I was asleep and said it unconsciously?"

"Even unconsciously, it's not allowed."

His tone grew heavier. He wanted to dominate every corner of her world.

"Don't misunderstand me!" she hastily explained. "If I did call his name, it must've been to curse him out in my dream! Did you hear the insults I threw at him afterward?" She looked at him earnestly, desperate to prove her innocence.

Seeing her like this, Long Yejue felt somewhat appeased. "Fine. I'll trust you for now. Go take a shower. I don't want to sleep next to a drunkard."

"..." Then sleep on the sofa, she thought to herself.

She sighed with relief as he finally let go. Dragging herself to the bathroom, she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror—completely flushed!

Her head swirled with one thought: this man was too dangerous.

The next morning, during breakfast, the entire family gathered at the table. Suddenly, Zhu Wenyi rushed in with her phone, panic written all over her face. "Something's wrong!"

Long Zhenfei raised his eyes, displeased at his eldest daughter-in-law's frantic demeanor. "What's so urgent that you can't say it calmly?"

"Father, Ruoshui didn't come home last night!" Zhu Wenyi's voice trembled. "I've called her phone, but it's turned off."

Didn't come home?

Long Yejue frowned.

Tang Mianmian vaguely remembered seeing her at the Royal Club last night. "We were together last night. How could she not have come home?"

"You were together last night?" Zhu Wenyi's voice rose as she turned urgently to Tang Mianmian. "What time?"

"We drank together at the Royal Club," Tang Mianmian stammered under her intense gaze. "Then I got drunk and don't remember much after that."

"Drunk? You're a married woman. What were you doing in a place like that?" Zhu Wenyi's tone was reproachful, but before she could continue scolding, Long Yejue interrupted.

"I brought her there last night, along with Long Yecheng. We were all at the Royal Club. Ruoshui came with Su Wanru. Have you called Su Wanru?"

"I did. I called her and got no answer! I even called her family, and they said she didn't go home either."

Long Yejue's dark eyes grew colder. Something felt off.

When he left them last night, he'd dropped them off in a busy area. The streets were bustling with people and taxis were easy to find—there shouldn't have been any issues.

Thinking it over, he concluded something wasn't right. "Mom, don't panic. I'll look into this."

Without finishing breakfast, he left the table with his phone.

Tang Mianmian was too anxious to eat and grabbed a sandwich before following him in haste.

The old patriarch of the Long family, his expression dark and brooding, exuded a palpable air of menace. "Who dares mess with someone from the Long family?"

"Grandpa, don't get angry. Big Brother will take care of this," Long Yecheng consoled him.

Long Yecheng had also been at the club last night. Though he had left last and was also quite drunk, he distinctly remembered Ruoshui leaving with Long Yejue.

Outside in the garden, Long Yejue instructed a private investigation agency to look into the matter. Tang Mianmian handed him the sandwich and waited for him to finish the call before asking, "Eat something first. Is there anything I can do to help?"

He accepted the sandwich and instructed her, "Stay home. Don't go anywhere."

"I want to help," she insisted, looking at him with determination.

He studied her for a moment before nodding. "Fine, but you'll follow my lead."

Tang Mianmian nodded vigorously, afraid he'd change his mind.

The two returned to the dining room, where a tense atmosphere lingered. Zhu Wenyi was already in tears, while Long Yecheng tried to comfort the old patriarch, fearing he'd get too worked up.

Long Yejue swept his cold gaze over the family, his expression once again that of the ruthless eldest son of the Long family. "Grandfather, don't worry. If this is a kidnapping, the culprits will call. Their goal is money, not to harm the hostage."

"But what if it's an enemy?" Zhu Wenyi cried.

"I've already started looking into any recent enemies of the Long family. We should have answers soon. For now, keep this matter quiet. The fewer people who know, the better," Long Yejue instructed calmly.

Everyone nodded in agreement. If news of the kidnapping spread, it could affect the Long Group's stock prices.

Tang Mianmian hesitated before asking, "Should we call the police?"

"No!"

"No!"

The family's collective rejection left her awkwardly facing their disdainful glares, feeling a bit foolish.

Zhu Wenyi, emotional and upset, retorted, "If we call the police, what if they kill her? Do you want my daughter to die?"

"Long Yejue called out coldly."

Tang Mianmian bit her lip, not daring to say another word. 

Though she felt a bit wronged, she also realized she had been too naive. She hadn't experienced anything like this before, so her first instinct was to call the police. Surely, that wasn't wrong? 

Perhaps she hadn't considered things from their perspective. Tang Mianmian tried to console herself internally.

Long Yejue reached out and held her hand, then addressed the others. "Until we have any concrete information, none of you are to act recklessly. I will handle this."

Everyone trusted his words. 

Because he was Long Yejue.

Not long after, An Yi arrived with a team and began installing devices that none of the family members could understand. 

The oppressive atmosphere made everyone's nerves tense. 

Until the phone rang.

The sound sent a jolt through everyone in the room. They exchanged looks, too nervous to act. 

Long Yejue raised a hand slightly, calming the tension in the air, and turned to An Yi. 

An Yi made an "OK" gesture, and Long Yejue instructed Xu Quan, "Xu Bo, answer the call. Remember, stall for time." 

Xu Quan nodded. Following An Yi's three-second countdown, he answered the call. "Hello, Long family residence. Who's calling?"

"Long Ruoshui is with me. Bring money to exchange for her!" The hoarse voice on the other end was clearly altered.

"Who… who are you? Why did you kidnap our young miss?" Xu Quan stammered, feigning panic.

"I'll say it again—bring money if you want her back!"

"Wait a moment, I'll get the master to take the call," Xu Quan replied, stalling for time as instructed.

The caller didn't object. Long Fengteng stepped forward, taking the phone on Long Yejue's signal. "I am Long Ruoshui's father. Why have you taken my daughter?"

"Why? For money, of course! Prepare 10 million USD immediately to ransom your daughter!" The kidnapper's demand was outrageously high.

The Long family was the most prominent family in Jiang City. For them, 10 million wasn't an unattainable amount.

"Where should I bring it?" 

"I'll let you know later. And don't call the police, or I'll kill her! Oh, and there's another woman with her—her friend. She'll cost you an additional million."

Another woman? 

Su Wanru! 

Everyone immediately guessed who it was. 

"Money isn't a problem, but you mustn't harm them!" Long Fengteng continued to negotiate. "I need to hear my daughter's voice to make sure she's okay."

"Stop wasting time!" The kidnapper cursed but eventually handed the phone over. Shortly after, Long Ruoshui's tearful voice came through. 

"Father, Father, save me, please save me…"

"Ruoshui…"

Zhu Wenyi immediately burst into tears.

"You have one hour to prepare 11 million USD. I'll call again to tell you where to deliver it." 

"Wait—"

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The call ended abruptly. Despite Long Fengteng's efforts, the kidnapper hung up.

Long Yejue turned to An Yi and the team. "What's the situation?"

"The call was too short to trace the location," the technician replied, causing Zhu Wenyi to wail louder.

Tang Mianmian handed her tissues, trying to comfort her. "Mom, please don't be so upset. The kidnappers want money—they won't hurt Ruoshui."

Zhu Wenyi, who had never liked Tang Mianmian, ignored her entirely. Instead, she turned to glare at Long Yejue, who sat coldly. "Since you were all together last night, why didn't you come back together?"

The man being questioned pressed his lips tightly together. His lack of expression was chilling, exuding an air of danger. 

To Tang Mianmian, he suddenly felt like a stranger.

She couldn't remember much about last night. However, she vaguely recalled Long Ruoshui and Su Wanru getting into a car. Had something happened after that? 

She didn't dare ask.

Long Yejue was already making calls to several banks, instructing them to prepare 11 million USD in cash immediately. 

The entire Long Group was mobilized, and the amount was quickly gathered.

Once An Yi confirmed the money was ready, the phone rang again—precisely one hour later.

Long Fengteng answered this time, ensuring everything was in place. Before he could speak, the kidnapper barked, "Is the money ready?"

Fengteng clenched his fists tightly. 

"Good. Send someone unrelated to the Long family to deliver it."

"How is that possible? Who would volunteer to take the money in this situation?" Fengteng argued.

The kidnapper was indifferent, replying coldly, "Figure it out. Just don't send someone from the Long family, or I'll kill them!"

With gritted teeth, Fengteng reluctantly agreed.

"Have the person deliver the money to 97 Qinghe Road. I'll contact you again there."

Qinghe Road.

Everyone turned to the tracking team, who shook their heads. "The call wasn't made from that location."

Before Long Fengteng could respond, the kidnapper hung up again.

"This is a coordinated group. They're deliberately throwing us off," the technician explained. "This call, like the last one, used a burner phone. There's no information to trace."

Long Zhenfei gripped his teacup tightly, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room. "The question now is, who will deliver the money? The kidnappers clearly planned this meticulously. You're all just sitting ducks."

Long Yejue was deep in thought about who to send. 

Tang Mianmian suddenly stepped forward. "I'll go."