Planned kidnapping

This mansion didn't belong to the Bai family. It was an unnamed property that Bai Ze had recently acquired through certain means.

Since he'd just bought it, the house hadn't been properly cleaned, leaving the storage room cluttered with discarded items, dust everywhere, and cobwebs hanging in the corners.

With great gentlemanly grace, Bai Ze carefully wiped a tile leaning against the wall until it was spotless.

Then, very graciously, he placed Lin Yuxi... on the dirty tile right next to the clean one.

Uh... the clean one was for himself — bending down to clean was too troublesome, and with his frail health, it wasn't good for him to exert himself.

Da Niu and Xiao Niu walked in. "Young Master, we've brought the ropes."

Bai Ze nodded. "Mm."

He glanced at Lin Yuxi. "How long will the drug last?"

Da Niu replied, "About three more hours before she wakes up."

"Alright, I'll give you a few instructions now."

As he spoke, Bai Ze began tying Lin Yuxi up again with the ropes.

"You're going to tie me up too — hands and feet. Then, within the next two hours, seal every window in this house with iron bars. Weld them tight — not even a fly should be able to get in. Drive ten wooden stakes outside the door."

While talking, Bai Ze had already finished tying Lin Yuxi. He turned to the two and continued,

"Before that, remove anything in this room that has traces of me. Don't leave a single item behind. Wipe down all fingerprints and footprints."

According to Bai Ze's instructions, the entire house would be sealed from the inside out, making it absolutely impossible to escape.

Xiao Niu, puzzled, asked, "Young Master... when should we come back?"

Bai Ze replied calmly, "Don't come back. And don't ask what I'm going to do — just follow orders."

In his mind, there were less than eleven hours before Chu Cheng would arrive. He would definitely find a way to break in.

Bai Ze clasped his hands behind his back. "Tie me up."

Da Niu and Xiao Niu had no idea what Bai Ze's plan was, but they could only obey. They loosely tied the ropes around him — even gentler than when they'd tied Lin Yuxi — afraid they might accidentally hurt their young master.

"When you return to the Bai family, announce to the outside world that today, the young master of the Bai family was kidnapped while admiring the scenery in the back garden... and has now been missing for three hours."

"The kidnapper demanded 300 million and said they would call again in 24 hours to reveal the transaction location. If anyone dares to call the police... they'll tear the hostage apart."

"But..." Da Niu paused, "Who will make this call? Wouldn't this alarm Mr. and Mrs. Bai?"

Nonsense. Bai Ze deliberately chose a late timing to make the whole situation look like a genuine kidnapping. By the time those eleven hours passed, Chu Cheng would have already arrived — there would be no need to make the call at all.

Bai Ze's voice was calm. "Don't ask too much. If they find out, then so be it — just spread the news."

He continued, "Then buy a disposable phone and call the Lin family. Tell them Lin Yuxi is in your hands, and demand 300 million. You'll notify them of the trade location in 24 hours."

"But—"

Bai Ze frowned. "Shh. Stop talking. Leave some food in the kitchen, then you can go. Just make sure you get everything done properly — don't screw this up."

The two stopped questioning, bowed slightly, and said in unison, "Understood, Young Master."

Bai Ze leaned against the wall. The storage room had no windows, only a blinding white fluorescent light illuminating his face. He squinted, glancing meaningfully at the woman beside him.

Her face was expressionless, like a lifeless but stunning porcelain doll. Under the harsh light, her fair skin was flawless — not even a single pore visible.

He whispered, "Sister, now we're both hostages... does this count as sharing hardships together?"

Before this, Bai Ze wasn't entirely sure whether what he was doing was right or wrong — but in the next second, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind, confirming he was absolutely right.

[Ding! The host has altered the storyline. Villain Luck +500.]

[Ding! The host has altered the storyline. Villain Points +500.]

He summoned his character panel with a thought.

[Host: Bai Ze]

[Age: 19]

[Appearance: 101]

[Combat Power: 20]

[Villain Luck: 0]

[Villain Points: 500]

[Items: None]

[Skills: Insight Eye (Beginner)]

---

Nightfall

In the Lin family's villa, the reception hall was brightly lit.

The head of the Lin family — Lin Haoyang — sat in the middle of a white European-style sofa, dressed in a sharp black suit. His stern face carried a natural authority.

"Where is Xi'er? I haven't seen her for hours. The family banquet is about to begin — how could she be so reckless? Go and call her back immediately!"

Lin Haoyang sipped his tea, speaking to the butler.

The butler replied, "Miss should be feeding the stray cats at the warehouse. She goes there every day."

Lin Yuxi was known for her compassion. Ever since she found a group of stray cats near the warehouse, she'd been going there daily to feed them. At first, she'd wanted to bring them home, but the wild kittens were too skittish to follow her. So she gave up and simply kept showing up, bringing food on time...

Bang!

Lin Haoyang slammed his palm on the sofa. His voice was sharp, "Nonsense! Doesn't she know what day it is? How can she still have the heart to feed cats?"

Tonight, the Chu family would also be attending.

The Lin and Chu families had always enjoyed a close relationship. Moreover, Lin Yuxi and Chu Cheng were childhood sweethearts — both families intended to strengthen their bond through marriage.

Although Chu Cheng was an adopted son, the Chu family was a prominent clan with vast wealth. They had only one blood heir — Chu Sheng.

Chu Sheng was born frail, carrying a congenital illness from the womb. He couldn't even get out of bed without help. Over the years, they'd consulted every famous doctor, tried countless traditional remedies, and exhausted both Chinese and Western medicine... but his condition only worsened. The boy was practically hollowed out by all the treatments — no one knew when he might meet his maker.

That left Chu Cheng as the future heir of the Chu family. Not only was he diligent, but he excelled in every field.

Lin Haoyang had always approved of him.

Tonight's so-called family banquet was actually a disguised engagement dinner for Lin Yuxi and Chu Cheng.

Yet with everyone already seated... the bride-to-be was nowhere to be found.

Lin Haoyang was still fuming when the sudden ringing of the telephone interrupted his thoughts.

He glanced at the unfamiliar number flashing on the screen.

Already in a foul mood, he picked up the call without much patience and barked into the receiver, "Hello? Who is this?"

A voice, processed through a voice changer, came through cold and mechanical.

"You don't need to know who I am. All you need to know is that your daughter is in my hands. If you want her back safe and sound, prepare 300 million in cash. In 24 hours, I'll call again to inform you of the transaction location."

"Oh, and you'd better not try anything foolish like calling the police... otherwise, we can't guarantee your daughter's safety. She is... quite beautiful."

Beep—beep—beep...

The call ended before Lin Haoyang could say a word.

His fingers trembled slightly as he held the phone.

Lin Haoyang, once a legendary soldier king, had retired to the business world after leaving the battlefield — wielding his extensive network of connections to build an empire.

Lin Corporation's industries spanned across the country, making Lin Haoyang a powerful and renowned figure.

More importantly, he had established Luochuan City's largest security group, not only raking in wealth but also recruiting countless retired soldiers, special forces operatives, and mercenaries.

The Lin family's security business was famous far and wide. From celebrity performances to high-stakes business negotiations, anyone who sought absolute protection would always choose Lin Security — not once had they ever made a mistake.

Yet now...

The man who built this security empire — who prided himself on protecting others — had failed to protect his own daughter.

It was nothing short of a humiliation.

Lin Haoyang clutched his chest, struggling to catch his breath.

The butler, having overheard parts of the call, quickly stepped forward with a small bottle.

"Master, please take two heart pills... don't hurt yourself."

Lin Haoyang swallowed the pills and sat silently for a long moment before the pain in his chest finally eased.

No matter how formidable he'd once been, age was catching up — and his heart could no longer withstand such blows.

"...Should we call the police?" the butler asked cautiously.

Lin Haoyang waved his hand. "No. The kidnapper said if we involve the police, they'll kill her. I won't gamble with my daughter's life."

But in his heart, shame burned hotter than anger.

A daughter of the Lin family... kidnapped from under their own roof.

If word got out, the Lin family's reputation would be ruined.

A security group that couldn't even protect its own family — who would ever trust them again?

Business would plummet.

It was a disaster.

It was his own fault.

On any other day, there would have been at least a dozen bodyguards stationed around the house — but tonight was supposed to be a joyful occasion.

He'd wanted to avoid making the engagement dinner feel too oppressive, so he'd dismissed the guards...

He never thought he'd be giving criminals the perfect opportunity to strike.

"Summon Lin Yi and Lin Er," Lin Haoyang ordered coldly.

The butler nodded. "Yes, Master."

Lin Yi and Lin Er were Lin Haoyang's most trusted bodyguards — they'd followed him for many years and were the best among his men.

If anyone could bring Yuxi back, it was them.

Before the butler could leave, a tall figure appeared at the door.

The man had sharp, chiseled features, a high nose bridge, and a strong, broad-shouldered frame.

It was Chu Cheng — the adopted son of the Chu family.

His expression was tense, and his voice trembled slightly.

"Uncle Lin... Xi'er... she..."

He hadn't meant to eavesdrop.

While searching the villa for Lin Yuxi, he'd overheard bits of the conversation — and the worry in his heart drove him to barge in without thinking.

After all, even though their engagement hadn't been officially announced, everyone knew that he was the Lin family's future son-in-law.

Lin Haoyang was in no mood to scold him for his lack of manners.

He sighed heavily. "Yes... Xi'er has been kidnapped. I've already recalled Lin Yi and Lin Er to handle it."

"They're experienced... don't worry too much. As for the engagement... we'll discuss it when Xi'er returns."

Chu Cheng's fists clenched at his sides.

"Uncle Lin... the engagement doesn't matter right now. Xi'er's safety comes first."

"I'll inform my parents that Yuxi is unwell, and the engagement will be postponed. I'll stay here tonight... to help in whatever way I can."

He paused, then said in a low voice, "Even if... something terrible happens to her... I will never abandon her."

His words were steady and sincere, but Lin Haoyang's heart clenched tighter.

Even if something terrible happened...

He didn't want to think about that possibility.

Yet, in the depths of his heart, he knew...

If Yuxi fell into the hands of those monsters — how could she ever come out unscathed?