Chapter Forty-One: Heart-Stopping

Yun Yao returned to the training class, and he immediately noticed the empty seat to his right rear.

Because he paid more attention to his studies and spent more time in class, Yun Yao also got to know his classmates. One day, he unexpectedly discovered that a classmate named Wang You hadn't come to class for many days. It seemed that he had disappeared after that day when Wang You begged him.

What's even stranger is that none of the teachers or classmates mentioned this, as if this person had never existed in the training program.

For some reason, Yun Yao felt a chill run down his spine when he recalled Wang You's disheveled and desperate pleas for help that day. He couldn't help but observe Mr. Ji, the other party involved, but he didn't find any clues.

Until this day, after studying in the library for a long time and brushing off several phone calls from the madam, the head of the department, including one call from the madam herself, someone appeared in front of him and blocked his way.

It was the second young master, Xu Zhi, the second person Yun Yao had been hiding from for a long time.

"Yun Yao, Madam sent me to pick you up and take you back," Xu Zhi said bluntly, his eyes deep and his lips curled into his usual nonchalant smirk.

Yun Yao saw that he couldn't avoid it, and since it was indeed late, he had no choice but to get into Xu Zhi's car.

Xu Zhi drove himself there. Yun Yao originally wanted to sit in the back seat, which was farther away from Xu Zhi, but Xu Zhi said, "What? Do you think I'm your driver?" So Yun Yao had no choice but to sit in the front passenger seat.

Unlike his usual playful and persistent manner with Yun Yao, Xu Zhi appeared unusually composed today. Along the way, Xu Zhi asked several questions about Yun Yao's school and training program. Although Yun Yao didn't immediately understand what this second young master was up to, she still answered them one by one.

As the two were talking about school, Yun Yao suddenly remembered his doubts from the past few days and asked Xu Zhi, "Second Young Master, do you remember the day you saw that Wang You?"

"Who?" Xu Zhi looked confused. He frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "Oh, you mean that Wang family kid in your training program?"

Seeing that Xu Zhi still remembered this person, Yun Yao was somewhat pleased; finally, he wasn't the only one who remembered. So, Yun Yao continued, "Wang You hasn't been to class for almost a month, Second Young Master. Do you know what happened to him?"

Xu Zhi's expression turned strange upon hearing this. "What? Yun Yao, do you have connections with that Wang family kid?"

Yun Yao shook his head and recounted the story of Wang Youlai coming to see him that day. Finally, he couldn't help but sigh, "I just felt that he looked very pitiful at that time, as if he had nowhere else to turn."

Xu Zhi chuckled dismissively, saying, "The Wang family was indeed desperate back then. But don't worry, things will get better later..."

He smiled and glanced at Yun Yao, as if he were talking about something insignificant and commonplace, and said lightly, "There will never be a Wang family again, and you will never see that Wang family brat again."

"What do you mean?" Yun Yao looked at Xu Zhi in surprise. The implication in Xu Zhi's words made him suddenly uneasy. "They left the central city?"

Xu Zhi frowned and scoffed, as if explaining this to the innocent and pure beauty Yun Yao would be too much trouble. But after hesitating for a moment, he said, "It's not leaving, it's disappearing completely. The Ji family and the Wang family have been fighting for their interests for many years. This time, the Ji family is naturally going to take advantage of their weakness and kill them. From now on, there will be no more Wang family in this world, and no one will mention them again. It's a matter of the victor taking all, and it's a matter of life and death. This is very common in our circle."

Yun Yao was utterly dumbfounded. He said incredulously, "But, but this is a society governed by law..."

“That’s right. No matter what kind of society it is, the class that controls the vast majority of resources will always find a way to make a person, or even a family, disappear completely and legally.” Xu Zhi said unhurriedly. “Maybe ordinary people can’t do it, but for us, it’s a routine method.”

Yun Yao suddenly felt a chill run through his body, and he understood the hidden meaning in Xu Zhi's words with a start.

The higher you climb, the colder it gets. This is not only because there are countless traps and struggles at the top, but also because those who approach the top can fall to their deaths with a single misstep.

At this moment, Xu Zhi caught a glimpse of Yun Yao's frightened expression out of the corner of his eye, and he couldn't help but laugh, "What, Yun Yao, are you scared? What are you afraid of? You have Madam as your powerful backer. In this world, only others are afraid to offend you. Even the Ji family, which has gained power this time, can be dealt with by Madam with just a word."

Yun Yao glanced at Xu Zhi, and he couldn't help but feel even more flustered, because what he was planning to do now and in the future was very likely to anger his wife and them.

Yun Yao finally understood just how dangerous his actions were. People say that serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; you can't touch a tiger's whiskers. To others, his current behavior was probably seen as foolish and courting death.

And just look at what happened to the Wang family; sometimes death isn't as terrible as death.

Yun Yao suddenly felt a sense of despair. It was as if there was a dangerous fog before his eyes, and what he was facing was such a huge, intricate creature, as deep as an abyss. If he made a wrong move, he would be smashed to pieces. How could he resist or escape? It was like an ant trying to shake a tree.

Throughout the journey, Yun Yao remained silent. Fate was cruel; why did it have to reveal such a heart-wrenching truth to him just when he wanted to fight for his freedom again?

Individual freedom of will is insignificant; it seems that he can only protect himself by going with the flow.

The second young master's car drove into the courtyard in front of Muxiyuan. There were many checkpoints and strict security along the way. Yun Yao looked at everything that she had become accustomed to, but suddenly realized what kind of place she was in.

Such a place could not tolerate his naive and shallow probing. They did not reveal their sharp and terrifying claws only because the lady still indulged him to some extent.

After driving through several gates, the car finally stopped in a quiet and beautiful place. This was the designated parking area for Muxiyuan, and further in was the magnificent residential area of ​​Muxiyuan.

Yun Yao sat in the car, took a deep breath, and just before he was about to open the door, Xu Zhi suddenly grabbed his arm. The usually carefree young man was uncharacteristically serious and solemn. He leaned closer to Yun Yao and said slowly, "Yun Yao, don't do anything that will endanger yourself, okay?"

Yun Yao pulled his arm back, avoiding Xu Zhi's gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about." He tried to open the car door but found it locked.

Yun Yao turned to Xu Zhi and asked, "Second Young Master, what are you trying to do?" The atmosphere inside the car suddenly became heavy and uneasy.

At this moment, Xu Zhi smiled, his expression returning to its usual nonchalant tone. With a slight smile, he said to Yun Yao, "Don't be nervous, Yun Yao. You should have heard that I'm always chivalrous and protective of women, which is why I went to the trouble of reminding you. Many people in your position might be in danger of abusing power and causing trouble, but they would do everything in their power to flatter those who have it all. But you are always special; you've gone against the grain. You're so obedient and don't crave fame or fortune, yet you've chosen a path that's more dangerous than those others."

“You…” Yun Yao was somewhat startled upon hearing this. He believed that he had not shown any obvious flaws in his actions over the past few days, but he never expected that Xu Zhi, with whom he had little interaction, would see through him at a glance.

Xu Zhi looked at Yun Yao's expression and his smile deepened. He said, "Don't underestimate us who grew up in this circle. It's not just me; Ming Xiao probably figured it out too. If Xiao Si didn't have to go to school and couldn't stay in the park all the time, he would probably be able to guess what you're thinking at that age."

Xu Zhi leaned closer to Yun Yao and whispered, "Actually, your actions were too conspicuous among a group of people who are always revolving around the Madam. Even we younger ones noticed it. Guess what the Madam did..."

Yun Yao closed his eyes. He felt as if he had been stripped naked and run around in public, completely exposed. So, was Madam disappointed and angry at his second act of disobedience? Had she already made a decision by sending Xu Zhi to pick him up today?

“Yun Yao, you’re already in the game, how can you get out so easily?” Xu Zhi’s gaze traced Yun Yao’s beautiful face, and he said in a low voice with an ambiguous tone, “Or you could beg me. Although I can’t help you under Madam’s nose, I can always give you some convenience…”

Yun Yao frowned, opened his eyes, looked at Xu Zhi who was approaching, and said in a tone even colder than his expression, "Second Young Master, I am a man. Please stop playing these pranks on me. It's not funny at all."

Xu Zhi's expression froze. He looked Yun Yao up and down, and seeing that Yun Yao's eyes were unwavering, he finally sat back in the driver's seat in a deflated manner. He was a little annoyed and unwilling, but he deliberately pretended to be joking and said, "Yes, I was just joking. I was testing you on behalf of Madam."

Yun Yao looked out the window and said coldly, "Second Young Master, please unlock the car door. I'm going back."

Xu Zhi remained silent for a moment before pressing the unlock button. But before Yun Yao could open the car door, he quickly got out of the car, went around to the passenger seat, and opened the door for Yun Yao himself.

Xu Zhi rested one arm on the car door and made an elegant gesture of invitation like a doorman. He then resumed his usual cheerful attitude towards Yun Yao, "Don't be so easily amused. I'm not really that brave. Come on, please get out of the car."

Yun Yao's previously tense nerves finally relaxed.

The two returned to the Osmanthus Garden. Yun Yao knew that he had to see Madam next. Regardless of whether Xu Zhi's words about seeing through his plans were true or false, exaggerated intimidation or a pre-arranged threat, he felt a sense of unease.

He can only return to his wife's side now.

The one who led him into the abyss was also the only one in that abyss who could protect him.

Yun Yao smiled bitterly. He was still the same fish struggling on land, and no matter how much he struggled, it was all in vain.

His second attempt failed once again, like a moth drawn to a flame, the outcome seemingly predetermined.