Bai Qingnian, supporting her aching body, sat up from the bed and looked down at her body.

Her fair, jade-like skin was covered with the marks left by Long Qianling.

Bai Qingnian shakily got out of bed, went into the bathroom to wash up, and then opened the door and went out.

To his surprise, there wasn't a single person in the entire villa.

He went to the kitchen, grabbed a piece of bread, and started eating. After looking around, his gaze finally settled on the tightly closed door.

I wonder if anyone is outside...

Bai Qingnian felt a chill run down his spine when he recalled Long Qianling's crazed state. He wanted to leave, he wanted to run away...

Bai Qingnian quickly finished the bread in his hand, but still couldn't resist stepping towards the door.

Bai Qingnian gently pushed open the door, peeked out and looked around. After making sure no one was there, she tiptoed out.

However, what he didn't notice was that on the balcony not far behind him, Long Qianling was silently watching his every move.

"Boss, are you really just going to let him go like that?" Nan Qing asked, standing next to him.

She could clearly feel the coldness emanating from her boss; her boss clearly didn't want Young Master Bai to leave.

"Have someone follow him secretly until he leaves the dark zone," Long Qianling ordered coldly.

He said those words and then turned and left.

"I understand," Nan Qing sighed as she watched her departing figure.

The boss has really changed; before, no one could leave the Dark Zone alive.

...

Three hours later, Bai Qingnian got out of the Didi car with a pounding heart. Looking up at the bustling city center, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He actually came out!

Ming Yuyin and her group, who had been keeping a close eye on the situation in the dark zone, immediately set out as soon as they heard some rumors and quickly found Bai Qingnian in the city center.

"Year after year!"

Ming Yuyin got out of the black luxury car, strode up to Bai Qingnian, and grabbed his shoulder to examine him.

"Are you hurt anywhere? Did that woman do anything to you?"

Bai Qingnian stiffened when asked the question, pursed her lips, but did not answer any of her questions.

"Niannian! My son!"

Before Ming Yuyin could even get a word out about Bai Qingnian, a middle-aged man jumped out of a black luxury car on the other side. Wei Zhu's eyes welled up with tears, and she quickly ran to Bai Qingnian and pulled her into her arms.

His heart finally calmed down when he felt the warmth of his body.

"dad……"

When Bai Qingnian saw Wei Zhu, a wave of grievance washed over her, and she burst into tears in his arms.

Bai Shaoheng and Bai Yi stood not far away, watching this scene of fatherly love and filial piety, and felt very uncomfortable.

Bai Yi felt guilty, while Bai Shaoheng felt jealous and angry.

How did he manage to come back alive from the Dark Zone?!

Why!

Bai Shaoheng clenched his teeth so tightly that his fingers dug into his palms, and faint beads of blood oozed out.

Wei Zhu raised her hand and gently patted Bai Qingnian's back, her voice choked with emotion yet exceptionally tender.

"Alright, alright, my dear Niannian, it's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."

"Dad...me"

Bai Qingnian stepped out of his embrace, raised her hand to wipe away her tears, and wanted to tell Wei Zhu what had happened to her in the L mercenary group.

But when they glanced around, they noticed that there were several other people standing next to them, including Ming Yuyin.

This isn't a place where people are easy to talk to...

Wei Zhu naturally understood his expression, reached out and pulled Bai Qingnian over, then turned to Ming Yuyin and said, "Xiaoyin, Niannian just got back, so I'll take him home first. You can come to the Bai family to see him in a couple of days."

Ming Yuyin glanced at Bai Qingnian, whose eyes were red from crying, with a pang of heartache, and nodded.

"Niannian, I'll come see you again in a couple of days."

Bai Qingnian didn't know how to face Ming Yuyin, so she just nodded calmly.

Wei Zhu then led Bai Qingnian into the Bai family's car, while Bai Yi and Bai Shaoheng got into another car belonging to the Bai family. The two luxury cars quickly disappeared into the brightly lit streets.

...

L Mercenary Group.

On the golden screen, the scene of the Bai family's car disappearing down the street was displayed.

Long Qianling raised his hand and waved, and the golden light screen disappeared.

He raised his hand and touched his brow, feeling a slight headache.

She suddenly felt a little regretful. The task of awakening Bai Qingnian was not as easy as she had imagined. How exactly could she awaken him?

...

The Bai family.

Bai Qingnian sat with her head down next to Wei Zhu, while Bai Fengfu sat opposite her with a cold expression.

Bai Fengfu's eyes sharpened as she sized up Bai Qingnian, demanding, "Fool! Do you know how much your running away from home has cost our Bai family?!"

Bai Qingnian gently bit his lip, remaining silent with his head down. His heart was filled with grievance and helplessness.

He didn't want the Bai family to suffer losses, nor did he want to be kidnapped...

Wei Zhu quickly interjected, "My lady, the child has just returned, don't be so fierce."

Bai Fengfu glanced coldly at Wei Zhu, "It's all because you spoiled him!"

At this moment, Bai Shaoheng weakly spoke up, "Mom, please don't be angry. My brother didn't do it on purpose. If it weren't for me... he wouldn't have been unhappy, and that's why he ran away from home in anger..."

After Bai Shaoheng finished speaking, he lowered his head and wiped away his tears.

"Shaoheng, don't cry, it's not your fault." Bai Yi, sitting next to him, felt heartbroken seeing her younger brother crying.

Bai Fengfu merely glanced at the two siblings, then looked at Bai Qingnian and asked coldly, "How did you get out?!"

Bai Qingnian looked up cautiously at Bai Fengfu and replied, "I came out by myself..."

"You came out on your own? Do you know what kind of place that is? Do you think a man like you could come out of that place unscathed?" Bai Fengfu's voice was even colder.

Bai Qingnian trembled in fright, and Wei Zhu immediately shielded her behind him, saying, "My lady, why are you being so fierce? Isn't it enough that Nian Nian can come back safe and sound?"

"What do you know?"

"I……"

"Alright, Mom and Dad, stop arguing. The Ming family has already sent people to secretly monitor those people in the Dark Zone. Since Nian Nian has been able to return safely, I believe we'll have results soon." Bai Yi really didn't want to see them arguing anymore, so she quickly interrupted.

Bai Fengfu snorted coldly, "It had better be that way." She turned and went back to her room, leaving Bai Qingnian and the others behind.

Bai Yi stood up, walked to his side, patted his shoulder, and said in a rare gentle tone, "It's good that you're back. You can't be so willful anymore."

Seeing Bai Qingnian nod obediently, a strange emotion flashed through his heart.

Sigh, he's still the younger brother she watched grow up. It would be a lie to say she doesn't care.