It's time to test the acting skills
Chu Cheng's promise to Lin Haoyang wasn't made solely out of affection for Lin Yuxi.
It was true that they'd grown up together and had always been courteous and respectful toward each other.
But if Lin Yuxi managed to return alive — with her innocence stained or her reputation damaged — there was no way Chu Cheng wouldn't hold any grudges against her.
As an adopted son of the Chu family, he was indeed overshadowed by the Chu family's only blood heir — Chu Sheng — a sickly young man who had been plagued by illness since birth.
Rumors had long spread outside that Chu Sheng's days were numbered.
But within the Chu family, everyone knew that Chu Father and Chu Mother had spared no expense seeking out miracle doctors across the world.
Recently, they seemed to have finally found a hidden reclusive master capable of curing even the most difficult illnesses.
The Lin family was his best stepping stone.
Right now, Chu Cheng genuinely hoped Lin Yuxi would survive... but if something unexpected happened to her, that wouldn't be so bad either.
If she lost her purity or had her reputation tarnished, the Lin family would feel indebted to him for still marrying her despite everything.
By then, the entire Lin family's power and fortune would be at his fingertips.
Once the old man Lin Haoyang passed away, and his position in the Lin family was secured — he could live however he pleased.
A mere Lin Yuxi could never satisfy his ambitions.
"Alright, go inform your parents," Lin Haoyang said.
Not long after, Chu Cheng returned.
"Uncle Lin, I've already sent my parents away... but... may I..."
"Hmm?"
Chu Cheng lowered his head respectfully and said, "Please let me join the rescue operation."
"I know Brother Lin Yi and Brother Lin Er are skilled, but... I can't just sit and wait. I checked the surveillance room earlier — the kidnappers used a second-hand van to take Yuxi away."
"I've pulled some strings... I should be able to track the van's route and its owner."
Lin Haoyang's sharp eyes lingered on him for a long moment, silently weighing his options.
A kidnapping like this would inevitably stain a woman's reputation.
If Yuxi's fiancé personally led the rescue, it would be the most appropriate solution.
Besides... Chu Cheng's abilities were not to be underestimated — meticulous, composed, and deeply devoted to Yuxi for years.
Letting him take charge was indeed a suitable choice.
"Alright. From now on, you're in command."
" not a single hair on her head must be harmed."
Lin Haoyang handed him his phone.
"The top call... that's the kidnapper's number. See if you can trace the location."
Chu Cheng's eyes flickered.
He took the phone with both hands, his voice steady.
"Yes, Uncle Lin. I promise... I'll bring Yuxi back."
---
Meanwhile
The ropes around Bai Ze's wrists weren't tied too tightly.
He could wiggle his hands a little, but the restriction still made him uncomfortable.
He glanced lazily at Lin Yuxi, who was still unconscious.
Sigh... How long is this girl gonna sleep?
So boring.
Might as well take a nap.
With a heavy yawn, Bai Ze closed his eyes and dozed off.
This newly transmigrated body still hadn't fully adjusted to this world — and the cold, damp environment made him even sleepier.
---
An Hour Later
Lin Yuxi slowly woke up from her drowsy stupor.
Her long eyelashes trembled, her head heavy with lingering dizziness.
Half-lidded eyes struggled to focus as she instinctively tried to stretch her limbs —
Wait...
Her wrists wouldn't move.
A dull panic surged through her chest.
The moment she realized her hands were tied, her half-open eyes snapped wide.
The dim storage room came into focus — peeling walls, piles of discarded junk, and a massive spider crouched in the corner.
Her heart clenched.
"Ah!"
A sharp scream broke through the silence.
"Ah!"
"Ah—"
Bai Ze was abruptly jolted awake.
His brows knitted tightly together before he even opened his eyes, irritation flashing across his face.
"Shut up... shut up... can't you see someone's trying to sleep here?"
His tone was lazy and annoyed, completely out of place for someone tied up in a kidnapping scene.
Lin Yuxi's breath caught in her throat, eyes wide with disbelief.
"You— you... who are you?"
Bai Ze yawned again, finally opening his sleepy eyes.
His gaze swept over her disheveled appearance, the panic in her delicate face, and the loose ropes around her wrists.
A teasing smile played at the corners of his lips.
"Don't panic, big sister."
"We're both kidnapped... fellow sufferers in the same boat."
He leaned lazily against the wall, half-smiling as if the whole situation was just some minor inconvenience.
"Now that you're awake... how about keeping your voice down?"
"You screaming like that — aren't you afraid you'll scare the spider?"
Lin Yuxi's face paled.
"...Spider?"
Her terrified eyes darted back to the corner.
The huge spider she had glimpsed earlier still clung to the wall, its eight legs slowly creeping.
"Ahhhhhh!!!"
Another shrill scream pierced the air.
Bai Ze winced, his temple throbbing.
He closed his eyes again and muttered in annoyance—
"God... please just let her faint again..."
Before the voice rang out, Lin Yuxi hadn't even noticed Bai Ze's presence.
But the moment she heard him speak—
Her screams became even louder.
Lin Yuxi's wide, startled eyes locked onto Bai Ze.
"Ah! Who are you?!"
Bai Ze squinted at her sleepily, still half-dreaming.
Tsk...
If he'd known this woman was such a screamer, he would've stuffed her mouth shut the moment she woke up.
What a pity — such a pretty face, but so noisy.
The harsh light pierced his eyes, making him instinctively try to rub them.
Only then did he remember...
Oh... right.
I'm not the kidnapper here — I'm a fellow victim.
For a moment, Bai Ze's mind quickly weighed two plans—
Plan A: Put on the demeanor of a fearless man — calm, collected, a true gentleman.
Reassure this terrified little lady, find an opportunity to escape before that so-called fiancé Chu Cheng arrives, and pull off a classic hero saving the beauty scenario.
If everything went smoothly... maybe Lin Yuxi would be so touched she'd remember him for life.
Not bad.
But...
Bai Ze glanced at his own thin, pale arms tied behind his back.
The only problem was—
He was a weakling.
With this physique, playing the hero would only make him look like a clown.
Besides, this female lead's combat power probably outclassed him by a mile.
After weighing the pros and cons—
Bai Ze's mind flicked to Plan B —
He suddenly made a decision.
"AHHHHHH!!!"
"AHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
"HELP! HELP ME!!"
A series of high-pitched, ear-splitting screams echoed through the warehouse — loud enough to pierce the ceiling and shatter eardrums.
But this time...
The screams weren't coming from Lin Yuxi.
They were coming from Bai Ze himself.
His eyes widened in terror, long lashes trembling as he stammered out,
"S-Save me! W-Where am I?!"
"Beautiful sister, p-please don't kill me!"
"If you want money — I have money!"
"If you want someone... I-I'll give myself to you!"
His voice was shaking, his expression pitiful — pure human-shaped little white rabbit energy.
"I-I... I have delicate skin and tender flesh... My family is very rich... really rich!"
"I'm... I'm still a virgin! If you really want to do something to me, I absolutely won't resist!"
"Sister, please... don't kill me... I'm begging you..."
The panic, the helplessness, the grievance — Bai Ze's entire body radiated the perfect performance of a frightened little hostage.
Even without any system-gifted skills, as a top-performing arts graduate...
His acting was Oscar-level.
For a few seconds, Lin Yuxi was completely dumbfounded —
She almost believed she had really kidnapped him.
Her lips trembled as she stammered back,
"You... You're not with them?"
Bai Ze's eyes brimmed with tears, his voice trembling,
"W-With who?!"
"I don't even know how I got here!"
"I'm just a poor little virgin... Please, big sister, don't hurt me!"
Lin Yuxi's brain short-circuited on the spot.
This...
This guy...
Wasn't he more scared than her?!