"Boss?!"

Nan Qing's face was filled with disbelief.

Is this still the same boss who doesn't get close to men?

Bai Qingnian was so frightened by her sudden movement that he dared not move.

"What? Can't you understand human language?" Long Qianling glanced coldly at Nan Qing, who immediately nodded in understanding.

"I understand, boss."

Long Qianling nodded in satisfaction and glanced down at Bai Qingnian.

Bai Qingnian tried to break free from her embrace, but Long Qianling held him even tighter.

"Don't move!"

The black sedan disappeared down the road.

...

“It’s all your fault. He only leaves every year. He’s never spent a night alone outside before! As soon as you came back, he left the Bai family and didn’t want me, his father, anymore…”

Wei Zhu held the letter Bai Qingnian had placed on the table in his hand, his eyes red-rimmed, and roared angrily at Bai Shaoheng.

Bai Shaoheng huddled in Bai Yi's arms, his eyes filled with tears.

"Dad! He left on his own, why are you blaming Shaoheng!" Bai Yi looked back at Wei Zhu, her tone full of disapproval.

Dad is really confused. Shaoheng is clearly his biological son, yet he is so biased towards that imposter.

"you……"

Wei Zhu looked at her and saw how protective she was of her son, whom she had just brought home, as if she had just met him.

Why……

Why is this happening...?

She grew up with Niannian. Even though they are not related by blood, their bond is irreplaceable.

Why is she so cold...?

Wei Zhu felt as if her heart was being torn apart.

Bai Shaoheng, nestled in Bai Yi's arms, glanced at Wei Zhu discreetly before quickly looking away, unnoticed by anyone.

Hmph! You old man, I am your biological son, why should that imposter be allowed to live!

As for Bai Qingnian, no one knows which village he's been sold to.

"dad……"

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit awkward, Bai Shaoheng weakly called out to Wei Zhu.

That one word, "Dad," sent Wei Zhu's heart pounding, leaving him stiff with shock.

He knew, of course, that this was his biological son, but all his love was reserved for Niannian…

He knew it wasn't fair to him, but feelings can't be forced.

Why can't we just keep the years going...?

Buzzing—

Bai Yi's phone rang. She picked it up and glanced at it, only to find that it was Ming Yuyin calling. She quickly pressed the answer button and turned on speakerphone.

Ming Yuyin's slightly angry voice came from the phone.

"Bai Yi, how exactly did you take care of Niannian? He was taken away by the people from the Dark Zone!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Yi was so shocked that she stood up from her seat.

"What did you say?!"

"Bai Yi! Don't tell me you don't know? The people in the Dark Zone have already sent word that if you want to protect the Ming family's shipment, you have to give Niannian to them! And do you know where Niannian is right now? She's already been captured and taken to the Dark Zone!"

Ming Yuyin's voice grew louder and louder, and her roar came from the phone, echoing throughout the entire Bai family hall.

Bai Yi was stunned.

Bai Shaoheng was also somewhat surprised. Shouldn't he have been sold to the countryside? How did he end up in the Dark Zone? But that place is a one-way street, so this is even better...

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhu, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but burst into tears.

He was arrested every year...

"Xiaoyin, you said Niannian was arrested, who is it?!" Wei Zhu stepped forward and snatched the phone from Bai Yi's hand, asking Ming Yuyin on the other end in a trembling voice.

Hearing his voice, Ming Yuyin pursed her lips and finally spoke slowly, "Our Ming family originally offered 100 million to have the L mercenary group escort the newly arrived shipment, but... they don't want 100 million. They specifically asked for Niannian, and Niannian is already in their hands..."

“L,L mercenary group…” Wei Zhu’s body trembled, and he staggered back a few steps.

The most feared mercenary group in the Dark Zone...

With him falling into the hands of those people year after year, how could he possibly survive?!

Wei Zhu dared not think about it.

Bai Yi couldn't believe it was true either. Although she was biased towards Bai Shaoheng and felt sorry for his past experiences, she wanted to make it up to him.

However, it would be a lie to say that she had no feelings for Bai Qingnian, after all, she had watched Bai Qingnian grow up.

She didn't want anything to happen to him either.

"I'm sorry... Uncle Wei..." Ming Yuyin's voice was filled with apology.

But Wei Zhu couldn't hear what she said after that, so he threw the phone to the ground.

The phone fell to the ground and shattered into pieces. Wei Zhu strode forward and slapped Bai Yi across the face.

"elder sister!"

Bai Shaoheng's eyes widened, and he quickly stepped forward to grab Bai Yi's hand, his eyes filled with worry.

Bai Yi's head was turned to one side after being hit, and she couldn't recover for a long time.

Her father... actually hit her?!

"Bai Yi! If you hadn't brought him back, how could Niannian have left the Bai family? How could he have been captured by the L mercenary group!" Wei Zhu roared hysterically. As soon as she finished speaking, she collapsed to the ground and burst into tears, covering her face.

Bai Yi covered her face, her eyes vacant.

At this moment, her heart was filled with complex emotions. Was it wrong for her to bring her younger brother home? She only wanted to make amends to her brother; she didn't want anything to happen to Bai Qingnian.

What does his departure have to do with her, and with Shao Heng...?

Why did you hit her?!

"Dad, my sister didn't do anything wrong, why did you hit her? It was my brother who wanted to leave... What does it have to do with my sister!"

Bai Shaoheng shielded Bai Yi behind him, his eyes full of wariness.

She was the only person in the Bai family who stood by his side; how could he possibly let her get hurt?

“You…” Wei Zhu looked at him, hesitant to speak.

Fearing that her father might hurt Bai Shaoheng, Bai Yi quickly pulled him behind her.

"I will find a way to bring him back!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she pulled Bai Shaoheng out of the Bai family villa.

"Save...how can I save you..." Wei Zhu cried and then let out a self-deprecating laugh.

What is the Dark Zone, and what is the L Mercenary Group?

Did she really think it was that simple...?

He wasn't unaware that his wife had mentioned those two places. Even someone as capable as her was so afraid of those places, so what ability did Bai Yi have to rescue Niannian?

No, he had to beg his wife; she should have a way to save Niannian.

On the other side, the Ming family.

Ming Yuyin stared at the disconnected call, her hand falling limply to her side, her brows still tightly furrowed.

Now that the L mercenary group has been mobilized, withdrawing the mission is practically impossible.

Year after year, they have already taken her away, and now she is helpless.

Hopefully nothing unexpected happens every year, she will definitely find a way to rescue him.