Chapter 52

"Yu Shi," Qiu Jingxun suddenly raised his voice, his tone filled with displeasure.

Joking aside, he couldn't bear to watch Lu Yushi go to Master Wan's territory alone to snatch someone, especially since Lu Yushi had been at odds with Master Wan just a few hours earlier.

Lu Yushi stopped and waited for him to continue.

“Gu Nan and Wan Yi are friends. Gu Nan can’t possibly get into trouble on Master Wan’s turf,” he said, his gaze shifting to Su Wanting, his expression serious. “Who sent you here to beg for help? How did you get in?”

Sun Qian glanced sideways. Qiu Jingxun was a typical spoiled brat, skilled in all sorts of pleasures, and always preferred to downplay or ignore problems. He had never seen him so stern and harsh.

If Qiu Jingxun hadn't been so mild-mannered, he wouldn't have dared to make a bet with him for fun.

Upon closer examination, the two questions raised in response to the sudden change of attitude are not without merit.

Su Wanting said she saw Gu Nan being taken away by Master Wan's men from afar, which means that Gu Nan had no chance to tell her that he came to Chenyue No. 1 for help. Moreover, Su Wanting didn't even know Gu Nan's name, so there was no reason for Gu Nan to tell Su Wanting that this was President Lu's private residence.

Even if Su Wanting knew that President Lu lived in Chenyue No. 1, the security guards at the entrance were not to be underestimated. They would never let someone in without their knowledge, and the surrounding security was far beyond what a defenseless girl like her could possibly break through.

"say."

Su Wanting was startled, lowering her head and breathing softly. Her master had said that Sister Meng Qing's identity must not be known to others. Even if it could be known, judging from this person's fierce appearance, wouldn't revealing it be like selling Sister Meng Qing out? Sister Meng Qing had kindly reminded her that she could come to Young Master Lu because she saw that she was anxious; she couldn't repay kindness with enmity.

Her mind raced, and she looked up at Lu Yu with eager eyes: "My master said that Young Master Lu is a good person, so I thought I'd come and try my luck."

The voice was aggrieved, and the sound seemed to fall into an abyss, leaving no sound for a long time after it was uttered.

Qiu Jingxun chuckled and walked directly to Su Wanting, looking her up and down. He then glanced at Lu Yushi, but couldn't see anything about him that suggested he was a good person.

"Stop your little schemes, they're useless. You'd better explain how you got in. If you can't..." As he spoke, he pulled the car keys from Lu Yushi's hand. The threatening words were on the tip of his tongue when Lu Yushi took the keys back, glanced down at Su Wanting, and strode towards the door.

"Hey?" Qiu Jingxun called from behind, but before he could finish speaking, the lean figure had already disappeared from sight.

Su Wanting clenched her fists and pressed them against her chest, relieved that Lu Shao was truly a good person. She hoped he arrived in time so her master would be alright.

~

Inside the Wan family's house, Gu Nan rubbed her wrists and stared blankly.

Master Wan sent ten burly men to "invite" her. To ensure everything went smoothly, he even gave her something to smell, so she lost the strength to struggle and was obediently taken into the Wan family mansion and locked in this reception room.

The servants treated her fairly well, providing her with food and drink, but they wouldn't let her leave.

Gu Nan counted on her fingers, regretting her carelessness.

Meng Qing had just mentioned hiring someone to kill Wan Yi to Master Wan, how could Master Wan not retaliate?

He took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and racked his brains for a solution.

A bodyguard's voice came from outside the door: "Master Wan."

Gu Nan's expression froze. She knew she was in the same boat, so as long as Master Wan couldn't find out, she would deny it to the death.

He put down his teacup, leaned back lazily in his chair, raised an eyebrow and stared at the doorway, waiting for it to be pushed open.

Master Wan was not young, but he was still in good health and walked with light and powerful steps. The two men's eyes met in mid-air. Master Wan stood at the door with his hands behind his back, the corners of his mouth turned up and his brows furrowed. However, the smile in his eyes was a beat late. His gaze was like that of a hawk, locking onto its prey for a brief moment.

Gu Nan silently thought to herself, "Who are you trying to scare? Do you think she's Su Wanting?"

"What's up?"

"I feel like I've seen you somewhere before." Master Wan lowered his eyes and frowned in thought.

Gu Nan's throat tightened, but her face remained impassive: "At your age, don't use that kind of line to start a conversation. It sounds like harassment."

"It's just a casual chat, why are you so nervous?" Master Wan slowly sat down opposite her, staring intently at her with a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce through all her lies.

Gu Nan raised an eyebrow: "I'm sick of hearing that. Usually, their next move is to take action. To be honest, I've chopped more hands than there are dishes on this table. Master Wan, you don't want to ruin your old age, do you?"

"Threatening me?" Master Wan's tone was calm, unaware of the unexpected danger, and he finally relaxed his gaze.

"That's one way to think about it."

Master Wan chuckled: "Have you forgotten that I can make you leave this place with just one word?"

"Unfortunately, your bodyguards were probably inexperienced; they dragged me into the car right under the security cameras," Gu Nan said confidently, rubbing her wrist. Before getting in the car, she glanced across the street at Su Wanting, knowing she would likely call the police for her.

"You think I'd believe that?" Master Wan raised an eyebrow with amusement. He had previously sent someone to inquire about Gu Nan, who only said she was full of nonsense. He scoffed at the idea, thinking that a girl like Gu Nan couldn't possibly spout off so much nonsense. But now he believed most of it.

Gu Nan shrugged indifferently: "Then let's wait and see."

Master Wan slowly picked up a bite of food, chewed it gently, and wiped his mouth: "You're not scared at all." Even after being kidnapped, you still have the mood to calmly chat with him.

“How could I not be afraid?” Gu Nan said sarcastically, “I don’t dare to eat any of this food.”

"There's no other way. Having witnessed your abilities, I'm afraid I won't be able to invite Miss Gu without using some tricks."

Gu Nan pouted and said, "Oh, thank you for the compliment."

He rudely kicked the table leg, interrupting Master Wan's attempt to continue eating, and asked, "What do you want?"

He thought to himself, "Is he a reincarnation of a starving ghost? If I had known, I should have spat on that plate. Maybe the effects of the drug would have knocked Master Wan out right here."

Master Wan's lips twitched, he put down his chopsticks, and said seriously, "Xiao Yi doesn't have many close friends, and you are one of them. As long as you don't go too far, I won't make Xiao Yi sad. On the contrary, I will help you whenever you need my help in the future."

His earnest and patient manner made him seem like a father with boundless love.

"Your house must have been built with your own shamelessness," Gu Nan said harshly. "Your two have bullied Wan Yi quite a bit, so what are you pretending to be all lovey-dovey with me for?"

Master Wan narrowed his eyes, his face turning cold: "But if you continue to be so ungrateful, don't blame me for being impolite."

"How are you going to be impolite?" Gu Nan reached under the table, loosened her wrists, and regained some strength. She mentally calculated the time; if Su Wanting had called the police then, they should be here by now.

"Hmph!" Seeing that he couldn't reason with her, Master Wan snorted coldly, stood up, turned his back to the door, and tilted his head slightly. "Then Miss Gu should think it over carefully... Keep an eye on her!"

Gu Nan cursed silently and picked up her chopsticks to eat.

One person gave a fair review: "It tastes good, want some?"

The bodyguards at the door looked at each other, exchanged glances, and shook their heads.

"You really won't eat?"

One of them stepped forward: "Miss Gu, we will not let you go... Young Master, Young Master Shen."

Wan Sizong nodded, walked to the door, tilted his head slightly, and signaled to the bodyguard to close the door.

"Coming over for a free meal?" The door blocked out the bright sunlight, and the shadows of people blocked the light source, casting two dark shadows on the food. Gu Nan sighed; even getting a meal wasn't easy.

"Is this the press release you helped Wanyi publish?" The visitor seemed hostile.

Gu Nan put down her chopsticks, took out a tissue, and slowly wiped her mouth.

Wan Sizong was no match for his father's composure; he raised his hand and overturned the food.

With a "crash," the porcelain shattered into pieces and fell to the ground, the soup spreading around it.

Gu Nan shook her head silently, feeling sorry for the table full of food.

You'd better be sensible.

Shen Ming subtly intervened, using his arm to block the chopsticks that were flying towards Gu Nan.

Gu Nan glanced at Shen Ming unexpectedly, ignoring his smile, and calmly moved her eyes to examine Wan Sizong.

"...Your dad invited me over for dinner, what do you mean by flipping the table? Wasting food is shameful."

Shen Ming's lips twitched. If he hadn't misheard, Master Wan had brought the person over by kidnapping.

"Have you no shame? He invited you over for dinner!"

Gu Nan raised an eyebrow and smiled, then asked, "Otherwise, did he kidnap me?"

"You!" Wan Sizong almost choked on his breath, leaning forward. "I see you won't shed a tear until you see the coffin."

Gu Nan looked up at him with a smile, then scratched her forehead and slowly reminded him, "Lu Yushi has a bad temper. If he finds out that his girlfriend is being bullied... Young Master, your fate might not be so good."

One sentence could intimidate Wan Sizong, but not Shen Ming. Shen Ming happened to be at the Wan family's residence and, upon hearing that Master Wan had kidnapped Gu Nan, he persuaded Wan Sizong to come and release her.

Before he even stepped inside, Gu Nan had completely offended Wan Sizong with just a few words.

Zhou Quan tried to be polite by saying, "Miss Gu, Young Master Wan admires your courage and came here specifically to visit you. He meant no harm. There's no need for you to be so rude right away."

Gu Nan's gaze swept over the idiot, and she moved her lips, but couldn't find the right words to curse him.

Shen Ming thought Gu Nan understood, so he walked over, patted her shoulder, turned his head, and said in a gentle voice, "Apologize to Young Master Wan. He's a magnanimous man and won't hold it against you."

Gu Nan was shocked and stepped back. When did she become so familiar with Shen Ming?

Shen Ming was puzzled and reached out to grab her hand again.

"no."

"What?" Shen Ming lowered his head good-naturedly.

"Master Wan told you to call Lu Yushi 'elder brother,' but I am your sister-in-law. An elder sister-in-law is like a mother, and I am your own mother. How can you be so aroused with your own mother?"

Shen Ming was a beat slow to react after being scolded: "You!"

"If you don't let go now, and your dad comes out, you'll be in trouble."

Wan Sizong sneered: "Young Master Shen, you've misunderstood. They're not interested in this."

The numbness in her body hadn't completely disappeared, and even if it did, there were Wan family members outside the door, so it would take her a lot of effort to leave.

Gu Nan, feigning intimidation, threatened: "If you dare touch a single hair on my head, I'll have Lu Yushi kill you."

"Do you think he knows you're here?" Wan Sizong's eyes were sinister. "By the time he finds out... it will be too late."

"To risk yourself for something so trivial," Gu Nan said with a smile, straightening his collar and fiddling with his fingers, unhurriedly. "Young Master Wan, if you have the guts, then come on."

Wan Sizong hesitated, not daring to step forward. It was indeed not worth angering Lu Yushi over such a trivial matter, but he felt uncomfortable if he didn't vent his anger. He shifted his gaze to the right, glanced at the silver fork on the table, and picked it up in his hand.

He said, slowly and deliberately, "Then you can only pray that Lu Yushi can feel pity for an ugly face."

Gu Nan breathed a sigh of relief; it was just disfigurement.

"Come on if you dare, but I'm just giving you a friendly reminder: if I get hurt even a little bit, you'll have to pay me back a hundredfold."

If Lu Yushi can scare Wan Sizong, that would be best. If not, there are still ways to get revenge.

Shen Ming reached out and grabbed Wan Sizong, warning, "Young Master Wan, don't go too far."

"She brought it on herself."

He stepped forward, his sinister smile growing increasingly unrestrained, his eyes seemingly poisoned as he stared intently at her.

Just as the fork was about to hit his face, the bodyguard knocked on the door.

"Young Master."

"What's up?"

"Young Master Lu is here."

All three were stunned.

After a moment, Gu Nan understood that Wan Yi must have sent someone to spread rumors, and the breath she had been holding in completely relaxed.

There's hope.