Just as a sense of disappointment welled up in her heart, her gaze fell upon the cake that Zhong Yan had bought.

She touched her stomach, took small steps over, and gently opened the box. A sweet aroma wafted into her nostrils. Inside was a cake about four inches in size, topped with a few strawberries. Although it wasn't as good as the ones at home, she couldn't resist the urge to eat it.

Su Yuxi picked up the spoon that was delivered, took a small bite, and put it in her mouth to try it. It was okay; she didn't feel like throwing up.

She pulled out the remote control from under the table, pressed a button, and the TV screen lit up. She intended to use it to cook the cake, but just as she turned it on, she saw a missing person notice being broadcast on TV.

The image shown was of her, still wearing the same clothes: "Now, a breaking news report: A citizen of Country Z, named Su Yuxi, female, went missing on Garris Beach on the xth. She was wearing a white dress when she went missing... If anyone provides any useful information or sees her, please report it to the police immediately. A reward of up to five million may be given upon verification..."

This is like an unexpected windfall; whoever sees it and calls the police will instantly escape poverty and become a millionaire.

Although cameras are not widespread in Country F, the eyes of the people are discerning. Su Yuxi is beautiful and lively, with striking and easily recognizable features. Anyone with eyes can see her and will not be able to let her escape.

That was five million that made them rich overnight.

Su Yuxi frowned, knowing that this was the fake Fu Huaijin trying to mobilize everyone's power to leave her with nowhere to hide.

Zhong Yan leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the television. He had also seen the news broadcast.

Su Yuxi's heart tightened for a moment, and she looked at him warily: "Are you trying to take me to collect the money?"

The temptation of five million is not small. He is so poor, and if there is a chance to make him rich overnight, no one would miss it.

Zhong Yan pursed his thin lips, his eyes showing some displeasure: "I'll earn my own money, I won't use women to exchange for it."

Who does he think he is?

Seeing that he didn't seem to be lying, Su Yuxi couldn't help but awkwardly force a faint smile. She had been judging him by her own petty standards.

Just then, a deafening knocking sound came from outside the door. The knocking was heavy and urgent, as if something urgent had happened, which broke the delicate atmosphere inside the room.

Zhong Yan lowered her gaze, walked over to open the door, and was grabbed by Su Yuxi as she passed by.

He paused slightly, then turned to look at her, puzzled.

Su Yuxi's red lips twitched slightly, but she didn't say anything in the end. She let go of him and let him open the door.

When Zhong Yan opened the door, he was greeted by the beaming face of the old lady next door: "Little Zhong, is the girl you brought back the missing girl from the news? You should take her to the police station right away; you can get five million."

She chattered on and on, constantly craning her neck behind him, her eyes full of gossip and curiosity. That's five million! If we had five million, we could move out of the slums immediately.

Zhong Yan stepped aside to block her prying gaze, her tone calm and indifferent: "She is not."

"I have other things to take care of, don't knock on my door unless it's important." With that, he closed the door, completely cutting her off from his view.

He had a neutral relationship with his neighbors. He had received help from the elderly in the past, but he always repaid kindness twofold. He didn't owe these people anything and didn't need to be subservient to them.

The old lady rolled her eyes at the closed door, annoyed. Kids these days are so greedy. She was just asking a question, and they had to be so secretive about it.

Zhong Yan sat back down on the sofa, thought for a moment, and then asked, "How many people did you meet today?"

"ah?"

"Oh, that old lady who was just outside the door."

"And those black guys from last night."

Zhong Yan understood: "The alley is so dark, and they were drinking last night, so they probably can't see very well."

Su Yuxi shook her head: "No, they came to our door not long after you left today."

Zhong Yan suddenly jumped up from the sofa, her eyes instantly turning tense: "What? Did they do anything to you?"

"No." Su Yuxi's answer was rather vague.

Zhong Yan didn't believe it either; what were those things? He knew them all too well.

He carefully examined Su Yuxi. There were no marks on her exposed skin, and she seemed to be in good spirits, as if she had not been injured. She hadn't said anything when the old lady knocked on the door, so someone must have stopped her.

So what do you plan to do now?

Su Yuxi lowered her eyes, her mind racing. Countless thoughts flashed through her mind. She probably couldn't stay here anymore. In fact, she couldn't stay anywhere with people. Their missing person notice was forcing her to go back. How long could someone without money or connections last outside? Unless she really died at sea as they thought, she would be found within three days.

"Can I borrow your phone again to make another call?"

Zhong Yan handed her the phone without any hesitation.

Su Yuxi quickly found the call log and dialed the number.

The phone, which I thought would never connect, was finally answered on the fifth ring.

However, it wasn't Wan Qianqian's voice that rang out, but Fu Huaijin's... that fake Fu Huaijin.

"Xi Xi?" she called out tentatively during the interview.

Su Yuxi was startled, as if she had heard some terrifying sound. She threw her phone down: she clearly called Qianqian, so how come this weirdo answered?

Hearing this noise, the person on the other end became even more certain that the person making the call was Su Yuxi.

"Xi Xi..."

Where are you? I'll come pick you up and take you home.

Su Yuxi dared not make a sound. In her panic, she quickly picked up her phone and hung up, cutting off the false pleading voice on the other end.

She checked the phone number repeatedly. It was clearly Qianqian's number. How could that bastard have answered it? Could it be that they had kidnapped Qianqian?

Zhong Yan noticed her distress and offered her an explanation: "It's possible that your friend's phone has been monitored, and they intercept all incoming calls from outside."

Su Yuxi blinked, indignant: "It can be like this?"

How could she then notify the Fu family?

Bang bang bang bang, the door was knocked on again, the knocking like drumbeats landing heavily on their hearts.

This time, Su Yuxi ran over quickly. She didn't open the door immediately, but looked outside through the peephole.

"They're police."

"How could it be so fast?"

"Who called the police?"

Su Yuxi was really worried now. She ran back and looked out the window. There were several police cars parked downstairs.

This is only on the second floor; it would be easy to escape if I jumped down.

Zhong Yan didn't quite understand why she was in such a hurry: "If your family is looking for you, and it's not a major conflict, you can go back with them first, and we can discuss things properly later."

Su Yuxi glared at him: "He's not my family. He's trying to kidnap me to threaten others."

She pushed aside Zhong Yan, who was blocking her way, and ran quickly to his room, where there was an open balcony that she could jump down from.

The police outside the gate were getting impatient. Their shouts grew more urgent, and the door was being pounded on loudly. They were ready to break down the door at any moment.