Chapter 105 — Shocking and Unheard-of Events

How wonderful it must be to have money—no matter where you go, you always ride in a luxury car! Lin Xiaowen rubbed her aching ribs, shooting a fierce glare at Cheng Yishu, who was driving, and spoke angrily, “Where on earth are you taking me?”

The streetlights outside the car window weren’t as bright as those in Shanghai; instead, they cast a gentle glow that made one feel drowsy and dreamlike.

“Where? Naturally, to where I live,” Cheng Yishu replied, looking at Lin Xiaowen with an air of casual certainty, as if his answer was obvious.

“Why… why?” Lin Xiaowen swallowed nervously, continuing her protest, “I don’t want to go. Let me out right now! Hurry…”

Her once-white sneakers, now stained black, kicked restlessly. Cheng Yishu interrupted her impatiently, “Quiet down. If you keep thrashing around, I’ll really leave you on the roadside. Listen, this is the border region, you know? Right next to Myanmar… Over there, there aren’t many women, so they often pay high prices to marry Chinese women as concubines. I’ve heard girls often go missing here, rumored to be kidnapped by people from Myanmar. Someone like you isn’t worth much, but even if you were sold to an ordinary family in Myanmar, they could make a small profit.”

Lin Xiaowen’s kicking legs suddenly stilled. She stared at Cheng Yishu, trying to figure out if he was bluffing—but his expression seemed sincere.

Cheng Yishu felt her gaze and gave her a serious look. “I’m not lying. The locals told me all this. I’ve also heard that there are poisonous snakes and large wild animals in these mountains. People often get injured and attacked by beasts. Look at the road—do you see anyone walking alone? Not even grown men dare to…”

“Enough, stop talking!” Lin Xiaowen interrupted, a chill running down her spine, her eyes darting about as if a lion or tiger might suddenly leap through the window.

“So, should I let you out here?” Cheng Yishu eased off the accelerator, pretending to ask her.

“Just… just drive, hurry up!” Lin Xiaowen shrank back, almost wishing she could disappear into the passenger seat.

Cheng Yishu pressed his lips together to suppress a laugh, thinking, ‘So easy to fool—how did she manage to travel so far from Shanghai alone?’ At the same time, worry and tenderness filled him as he glanced at Lin Xiaowen, whose brows were tightly furrowed.

His right hand twitched on the steering wheel, then quietly returned, suppressing the urge to reach out and hold her hand, afraid he might frighten her away…

The hotel where Cheng Yishu was staying was quite far from the hospital, so the film crew, on a temporary break, let him borrow a car to go back and forth to care for Chen Kai.

It was strange—he was a major actor and a star of such stature, yet he personally took care of his agent! Anyone would find it hard to understand; he could easily afford to hire a nurse.

But Cheng Yishu insisted on doing it himself. Even the director and all the key crew members found it incredible.

“Um… How are Da Lingzi and Brother Kai?” Lin Xiaowen finally asked softly after a long silence.

Her worries for Cheng Yishu’s safety had overwhelmed her, but now she remembered the other two she knew and cared for.

“Da Lingzi’s fine, just a few scrapes. She’s at the hospital looking after Brother Kai. He fractured a leg, but it’s not too serious, so don’t worry.”

Lin Xiaowen nodded quietly, then asked, “What about the rest of the crew? I saw the news—many people were injured, and…” She recalled those shocking headlines, her heart pounding, but didn’t want to continue, only pausing before asking, “Is everyone alright?”

Cheng Yishu understood the fear in her voice and comforted her gently, “Don’t worry, everyone’s okay. Director Chen Dan just hurt his arm a bit. A few staff members were trapped for a while, but the rescue teams got them out quickly. Now they’re all recuperating at the People’s Hospital… It won’t be long before filming resumes.”

Lin Xiaowen nodded, finally breathing a sigh of relief. “I wonder which irresponsible media outlet exaggerated things so badly—it made me…” Her voice trailed off, growing softer, but Cheng Yishu found her words increasingly delightful.

“What did it make you do?” Cheng Yishu’s smile curved his brows. “Made you worry, afraid you’d never see me again, so you rushed all the way to Wanting?”

Lin Xiaowen sat upright, her cheeks flushed as she looked out the window. “That’s not it. As if…”

Her denial was soft and murmured, only making her feelings more obvious.

But as long as you’re safe and unharmed, what do my worries and fears matter…

Cheng Yishu remembered Lin Xiaowen’s tendency for carsickness, so he drove smoothly and slowly.

All her accumulated anxiety and mental strain released at once, and soon Lin Xiaowen leaned back, falling into a deep sleep. Greedily, as if she hadn’t slept for ages, tonight she could finally rest soundly beside the one she loved…

Shanghai—

Xia Bin stood uneasily before the desk, facing Si Nan, whose expression was thunderous.

“Still nothing? How could a living person just vanish into thin air?”

Xia Bin lowered his head and replied softly, “Don’t worry, Chief Si. I’ve already assigned extra personnel and notified the police… Besides, the young miss is still here, so I don’t believe Miss Lin would leave without a word.”

Si Nan sprang up, sweeping the ornaments from his desk with a force that sent them clattering loudly.

“I know she’ll come back. I also know she won’t return because of me, but because of Ranran. You don’t need to remind me of that!”

Already furious, Si Nan was even more enraged by Xia Bin’s words.

“I’m sorry, Chief Si… I didn’t mean it like that!” Xia Bin hastily explained.

Ever since Lin Xiaowen and her daughter appeared and moved into Si Nan’s home, his temper had grown more irritable by the day, even losing his composure over minor issues during meetings.

Xia Bin had noticed these changes but didn’t dare comment, pitying those who had served Si Nan for years.

“I don’t care what it takes or how much it costs—you must find her for me!” Si Nan collapsed into his chair, rubbing his brow with a weariness that seeped into his voice. “Send people to Chengdu—her family’s there—ask around near her home. Also, check Hong Kong… We can’t rule out the possibility that the old man sent someone to fetch her…”

Suddenly, a thought struck him; his eyes lit up as he looked at Xia Bin with an alarming intensity.

“Yes, contact the staff at the old estate immediately. See if there’s been any change, especially if anyone new was brought back… The old man’s health is poor, so if Lin Xiaowen was taken to Hong Kong, she’d certainly be brought to the old estate… Also, send someone to check recent flight records for any sign of Lin Xiaowen leaving Shanghai.”

“Yes!” Xia Bin replied with relief, quickly departing.

Si Nan’s heart pounded with dread. If the old man stubbornly believed that Lin Xiaowen—having borne the Si family’s child—was Si Dong’s wife, then the ruthless, twisted elders of the Si family might well commit something truly shocking…