Chapter Fifty-One Kidnapping
"They should have arrived by now. My dad is going to pick them up, but the train might be delayed. Don't worry, they'll probably be here soon."
"Okay." She felt a pang of anxiety; her right eyelid had been twitching since morning. It should be nothing serious, but it just didn't feel right.
"I'll go out and take a look."
"Mom, I'll go with you."
The mother and daughter couldn't stay still any longer, so they turned around and went to the courtyard gate. Shu Yao kept glancing at the time on her wrist, and He Xin started to feel restless as well.
"Mom, my right eyelid keeps twitching."
"..." Shu Yao didn't speak, her eyes already filled with anxiety. She couldn't help but look forward, retracing her steps to search.
"Mom, Mom, don't worry. Maybe..."
Tangtang was trying to comfort her mother when she saw her father's car return. She immediately pointed and smiled, "Look, he's back!"
Just as Shu Yao was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the car stopped in front of her, and Su Xiangdong opened the car door, looking flustered. "Are the two children back?"
Shu Yao's heart, which had just settled, jumped again: "No."
“What’s going on? The train arrived two minutes early, and I waited at the exit until everyone had left, but I couldn’t find the two children. I looked again, but I couldn’t find them anywhere.”
Shu Yao panicked completely; something must have happened. The twins were already in their early twenties and were very reliable. Even if they encountered some unexpected situation on the way, they would definitely inform the family first. Or one of them would go to do something while the other came back to let them know; they would never disappear without a trace like this.
"Contact their workplace, their classmates, or colleagues to confirm whether they boarded the bus."
"Okay." Su Xiangdong rushed back because he didn't have these contact methods on him. The family of three quickly went home, found the phone number, and called the two children's workplaces. Tangtang made a few calls, and finally hung up the receiver dejectedly.
"How is it?" the couple asked anxiously in unison.
“Their workplace was on holiday, so they both left. My sister’s colleague said that she had mentioned before that she had already bought train tickets to go home with her brother. My brother’s classmate also confirmed this, saying that he helped them buy sleeper berths and delivered them to the train station.”
"Call the police." Shu Yao practically spat out those two words through gritted teeth. Something had happened, something definitely had happened.
The family of three immediately called the police, and based on the clues they provided, the police began to help make contact. "It takes 24 hours to file a case for an adult to go missing, but we will contact Kyoto first to help with the search. Please don't worry, the child may have encountered some emergency, and they may be in a hurry to deal with it and haven't had time to tell you."
Su Xiangdong has already begun to look for connections; he contacted the Kyoto Public Security Bureau through a comrade-in-arms. Several friends have also begun to help with the search.
"Wife, where are you going?" Shu Yao turned and went out, and he hurriedly followed after her, asking as he did so.
"Find Sun Yaozu."
This is definitely related to him, absolutely. The two kids are too old to do something so reckless. Even if something happened, they should have tried to contact their family. Otherwise, this sudden disappearance is something neither of them ever did when they were children.
Su Xiangdong didn't ask any more questions, and the family of three drove back quickly. The gate of the Sun family next door in the alley was locked, and Shu Yao began to knock on the door anxiously.
"Sun Yaozu, are you there? Come out here."
Su Xiangdong also joined in banging on the door, both of them frantic. "Sun Yaozu, you get out here! Did you take He Yi and He Xu away? Get out here right now! If you dare touch a hair on their heads, I'll kill you!"
Tangtang was also extremely anxious, standing on tiptoe trying to peek through the courtyard wall. "Sun Shuyin, are you home? Come out, I need to talk to you."
The family of three was banging on the door frantically, and the neighbors, hearing the noise, all gathered around. "Hey, stop banging, they're probably not home."
Shu Yao and her husband turned around and looked anxiously at the person who had delivered the message. Aunt Hao didn't put on airs and told them what she knew.
“Shuyin locked the door and went out early this morning. I ran into her while I was buying groceries and asked her about it. She said her father wasn’t home and she was carrying a suitcase herself. It seems like she’s going on a long trip.”
Did she say where she was going?
“I asked her, but she didn’t say.”
Tangtang's eyes darted around: "I'll go find her and see if she's with her classmate, or if her classmate knows anything about the situation."
"Walk."
Su Xiangdong drove his car, and the three of them began searching house to house for their friends and classmates. But after searching everywhere, they found nothing. Sun Shuyin had been deeply affected by this and had basically cut off contact with everyone; no one knew anything about her current situation.
"What...what should we do?"
——
At this moment, a van carrying people was already traveling from north to south along the highway, and soon arrived at the coastal port city. The brother and sister inside the van woke up, equally terrified. After the van came to a stop, the door was opened from the outside.
At the train station, a pregnant woman asked the two men for help. In the instant they came into close contact, they smelled something and instantly lost consciousness. When they woke up, they were in this van. Their hands and feet were tied, but they could still speak.
"Sun Yaozu, what are you doing?" He Xu asked angrily, not expecting that it was Sun Yaozu who was behind it.
"Don't rush, get off the bus first, and we can talk slowly."
The two were taken off the car and into a small house not far from the sea. They struggled fiercely, so Sun Yaozu ordered them to be tied to chairs.
"Sun Yaozu!" He Xu, though a man, was furious. He was worried about himself, but even more so about his sister. "What exactly do you want?"
"Sun Yaozu, this is a crime, you'll go to jail!" He Yi said anxiously. She had already smelled the salty sea breeze and heard the sound of the waves. What if this guy took them abroad? How worried their parents must be at home.
"Calm down. When can you two talk things out peacefully, then we can discuss it again."
Sun Yaozu locked them both in the room and then turned off the lights. It was pitch black and they couldn't see anything; He Yi was so anxious she was about to cry.
"Brother, what should we do?"
He Xu was equally panicked. Both were children from ordinary families, and had never experienced anything like this before. But he was a boy, and he repeatedly took deep breaths to calm himself. At times like this, he had to set an example for his sister, to give her courage.
"Don't be afraid, your brother is here."
"Brother, do you think Mom and Dad know we're missing?"
"You should know by now. Don't be afraid, your parents will definitely come looking for us."
"What if Sun Yaozu takes us abroad?"
"It's okay, we can find a chance to come back even if we go abroad."
The brother and sister subconsciously felt that Sun Yaozu wasn't after their lives; otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths to travel such a long distance. They were flustered, but not overly fearful.
"Let's all calm down and listen to what he has to say."
"Hmm." He Yi understood too; her brother was going to use a delaying tactic.
Unsure if anyone was listening outside, the brother and sister didn't say much. After their conversation, they sat quietly to relax, needing to conserve their energy before attempting to escape.
The brother and sister quieted down completely, and soon someone brought them food and water. Their hands were untied while they were under guard, and they were allowed to use the toilet and eat and drink their fill.
"We want to see Sun Yaozu."
"Wait a moment, Master Sun is busy with other matters right now."
The title "Hall Master" left the brother and sister completely bewildered. Who exactly was Sun Yaozu, and why did he seem so extraordinary now?
"If you can fall asleep, then take a nap." Recharge your energy and wait for the right time.
"Okay," He Yi replied softly to her brother; the twins were of one mind.
They weren't tied to chairs again; instead, their hands and feet were bound and they were thrown onto a pile of dry grass on the ground. It was prickly, but at least it was clean.
————
They were looking for an opportunity to escape, while Shu Yao was frantic with worry. Although Su Xiangdong had used all his connections, and her older brother had also negotiated with the investment promotion department, the operation was swift because the incident involved foreign investment.
“Someone saw them at the train station, but then they disappeared.”
"The train conductor didn't remember them, and the people in the carriage where their tickets were also unrecognizable. Our initial assessment is that they most likely didn't board the train. These two are quite good-looking; if they had boarded, it's impossible that no one would remember them."
"So, the two children went missing at the train station?" Su Xiangdong asked, barely managing to stay calm, a red blister appearing on his lip from his anxiety.
"Yes. That's how it seems for now. Don't worry, we'll expand the scope of our investigation."
Not long after this message was delivered to them, another message arrived. "Your father's people provided a lead, and our anti-drug colleagues gave us information. A truck belonging to foreign forces left Kyoto, then changed vehicles midway, heading towards the coast. We suspect that your twins might be on that truck."
"Then, then hurry up and chase after them!" Su Xiangdong had already stood up and was anxiously reaching for his car keys. "Let's go, let's go now."
"Don't worry, we've already notified the local police. We'll be heading there tonight, so you don't need to come, right?"
“No,” Shu Yao’s hands trembled slightly, trying hard to control them. “We have to go.”
They followed the police to their destination. The road conditions weren't as good as in later years, so even the best cars couldn't go very fast. Su Xiangdong was exhausted, so Tangtang and his uncle took turns driving.
"Dad, did you hear that? They said it was a message from our colleagues in the anti-drug squad."
Su Xiangdong nodded: "I heard you."
Shu Chengjing gripped the steering wheel: "It might be Sun Yaozu. He had contact with the CCP while he was abroad, and his rise to power in recent years is inseparable from that."
Shu Yao gritted her teeth in anger: "You bastard. If you want to die, just go die already. Why are you dragging my child down with you?"
"Don't be afraid." Su Xiangdong held her hand. "The children should be safe for now. Sun Yaozu is just daydreaming again about kidnapping them."
Shu Chengjing nodded: "Yes, little sister, don't be afraid. Even if the mainland police can't control him, and Sun Yaozu has left the country, I still have ways to bring him out."
Shu Yao nodded. In foreign countries, money makes things easier. Her father and brother had been operating overseas for many years and had no shortage of connections and money. Even if Sun Yaozu ran away with the two children, they would definitely be able to find him.
She steadied herself, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes to rest. She'd been too tense today; her whole body was still trembling slightly. She couldn't stay like this; she had to calm down. Next, she might still have to negotiate with that bastard Sun Yaozu.
While the convoy was in urgent pursuit, Sun Yaozu dealt with his own affairs. After learning that the two children were not arguing, he finally appeared at the small house.
Hearing the noise, the brother and sister opened their eyes abruptly, with He Xu standing in front of his sister. The room was illuminated by a flashlight, allowing them to see the situation clearly.
"..." This time, He Xu didn't speak, but instead met his gaze with questioning eyes. What exactly do you want?
Sun Yaozu waved his hand, and a woman behind him went over and pulled He Yi up. He Xu, who had been calm before, panicked this time and tried to stop her, but her hands and feet were tied and she was powerless.
"Sun Yaozu, what are you trying to do?"
"Shh." Sun Yaozu made a shushing gesture. "Don't worry, I won't lay a finger on her. Please be patient, I have something to say to you."
He Xu watched as his sister was being controlled by the woman and stood on the other side, but she didn't seem to be harmed. He tried to calm himself down, and after his sister nodded, he turned his gaze back to Sun Yaozu.
What are you going to do?
"Untie his hands." At Sun Yaozu's signal, He Xu's hands were freed once more. He sat on the haystack, rubbing his wrists, which were numb and aching from being bound. Before he could ask any more questions, a document was handed to him. He instinctively took it.
"What is this?" What was Sun Yaozu showing him now? "All in English?"
"I know you understand English and have already passed the CET-6. Take a closer look and we'll talk after you've finished reading."
Normally, only English majors would study this in depth, but thanks to Shu Yao's foresight, both siblings passed the CET-6 (College English Test Band 6). Su Hexu looked down at the document and saw her name on it.
This is a genetic testing report. According to the description, it belongs to him and Sun Yaozu. The final results show that, based on the latest genetic testing, their genes match by more than 99.9%, confirming a biological father-son relationship.
"What do you mean?" He closed the file, his eyes calm. He seemed completely unaffected by the news, and his attitude towards Sun Yaozu remained the same as before.
“I got your blood sample from abroad; it’s a comparison of our memories. You don’t have to believe me, but you have to believe in science. Your parents might lie to you for their own selfish reasons, but scientific instruments won’t.”
He Xu's lips curled into a mocking smile. "So what? So you orchestrated that car accident, right?"
"That's why I am your biological father." Sun Yaozu stated the result solemnly, his restrained gaze filled with anticipation. His son, the flesh and blood of the Sun family, he had to get him back. Otherwise, how could his parents rest in peace in the afterlife?
He Xu maintained his disdainful expression. "No matter where you got this report or what the result is, it means nothing to me. I've said it before, I only have one father. My father's name is Su Xiangdong, my surname is Su, and I am a descendant of the Su family."
"You are my son."
"No." He Xu spoke firmly, his voice calm and emotionless. It was as if he were stating a fact, his resounding reply a resounding rebuttal.
"I've already said it, you don't need to give me this kind of thing. Whether it's real or fake, it's useless to me. My father is Su Xiangdong, and that will never change."
Sun Yaozu was speechless and took a step back, staring at his son with utter confusion. In his past life, this boy was closer to his mother. Whenever he and Shu Yao had a disagreement, the two children would unhesitatingly side with their mother. But that was because they favored their mother more; it didn't mean they disowned him as their father. They still cared about him in daily life.
But now, this kid has said this for who knows how many times. The psychiatric report is right in front of him, yet he remains so stubborn.
“I am your biological father, the one to whom blood is thicker than water. In your heart, am I not as important as Su Xiangdong, your adoptive father?”
"I only have one father, and that is my dad, Su Xiangdong." He Xu reiterated, making it very clear. "Father, Dad, whatever that title may be, it is only Su Xiangdong. Don't mention adoptive father to me, that's my dad, my biological dad."
"He Xu," Sun Yaozu's eyes were bloodshot, and he could no longer distinguish what kind of emotion he was experiencing. Was it anger, shame, helplessness, or a gnashing of hatred?
"Whether you admit it or not, you are my son, and my blood flows in your veins. This is an unchangeable fact."
"No matter what you say, I am Su Hexu, and my father is Su Xiangdong. Yiyi and I are my father's children. Our names are Su Hexu and Su Heyi. The phrase 'the wheat and the rice meet, we know and love each other' represents my father's deep affection for my mother."
Sun Yaozu staggered backward, never expecting that in this second life, his son's eloquence was even better than in his previous one. Calm and composed, he remained unfazed no matter what Sun Yaozu said. He repeatedly refuted Sun Yaozu's words, inflicting heavy blows on Sun Yaozu's heart time and time again.
It felt as if a gaping hole had been torn in his chest, letting in a rush of cold air. His body was chilled, as if his blood had frozen. He shifted his gaze to his daughter beside him, and meeting her eyes, her words were just as sharp as knives.
"We are the fruit of our parents' love, and we have met and pledged our love to each other."
Okay, following He Xu, He Yi delivered the perfect finishing blow. The siblings had already discussed it when he first pointed it out, and had mentally prepared themselves for it long ago.
If, by any chance, they really are Sun Yaozu's children, then Mom has made a mistake. She has always considered them her father's children and deeply resents Sun Yaozu. The shock she would feel upon learning they are Sun Yaozu's children would be immense.
Faced with the choice between their biological father and protecting their mother, the siblings unhesitatingly chose to protect her. Sun Yaozu, even if you presented a genetic testing report, or even a blood test on the spot, we wouldn't accept it. We only have one father, and that is Su Xiangdong.
Sun Yaozu felt a sweet, metallic taste in his throat, and as he tried to press it down, his lips were already tinged with blood. His eyes were bloodshot, and his whole body was trembling slightly.
It was as if someone had been pierced by a thousand arrows, the pain so intense that they were numb. Their eyes were filled with disbelief, and they felt as if they were about to bite their teeth off.
Even so, the two children remained unmoved and didn't utter a single soft word. "We are not your children. Even if you produce a report like this, it has no effect on us."
We were born from our mother's womb after ten months, and raised by our father with every bite of food and every drop of water. When we were little, we looked for our father when we were sick, hungry, or sleepy. It was our father who taught us to speak and walk, so how could we possibly consider you our father?
He Xu stared at him for a long time in a deep voice, then spoke gently: "Kidnapping is illegal. If you release us now, we will let bygones be bygones. All these years of grudges will be wiped clean, and we will not mention this to anyone."
He Yi understood what her brother meant and immediately chimed in, "That's right. You and my mother are a thing of the past, just forget about it. It's not too late for you to let us go now, otherwise, when the police arrive, your crime will be very real."
He Xu chimed in, "You're middle-aged now, you don't want to spend the rest of your life in jail, do you? Release us now, and we'll keep our word."
"Ha ha……"
Sun Yaozu, enraged, laughed in a mocking tone, first with unrestrained arrogance, then tears streamed down his face, his laughter filled with sorrow. He, Sun Yaozu, reborn, had ended up like this. He thought the genetic testing report would turn things around, but instead, he was met with utter despair.
In his past life, he lived in a villa, drove a car, and had a wife and children at home. He also had a lover who understood him well for many years, and she even gave birth to a "daughter" for him. He was truly a man with many wives and children.
A "successful" man like him, starting over, found himself all alone. His wife was gone, his children disowned him, his lover became his enemy, and the so-called daughter wasn't even his. How could he accept this outcome? How could he have ended up in such a miserable state?
Seeing his expression, He Xu silently stepped in front of his sister. The siblings had been raised equally by their parents, but growing up in this era, they knew very well that in the eyes of someone like Sun Yaozu, boys held more weight. Therefore, He Xu always protected his sister, fearing that this man would harm her.
"No matter what happens, stay behind me and wait for Mom and Dad to rescue us."
He Yi nodded. As a girl, she had heard too many stories of male chauvinism growing up. Although she had never experienced it firsthand, she understood how worthless girls were in the eyes of these people. That's why she had always kept a low profile, always assisting her brother when it came to Sun Yaozu.
"Brother, has he gone crazy?"
"It's good that they're crazy, let's find a chance to run away."
"Master," came a report from outside the door at that moment, "it's time to board the ship."
Sun Yaozu stopped laughing, gritted his teeth, and glanced at the two of them. "Take them onto the boat."
“Sun Yaozu, realize your mistake and don’t ruin yourself.” He Xu advised him, “This is the mainland. Even if you leave here, you still have to abide by the law. This is a crime. You can’t do this.”
“Crime?” Sun Yaozu laughed heartily. “Still young.”
The two siblings were being led away by his men, and no matter what they said, the men wouldn't listen. Sun Yaozu's face was cold, his eyes filled with a do-or-die mentality. He had already gone all in.
Once he was abroad, he believed he had the ability and means to win his son back. His daughter wasn't much use, but she was still his flesh and blood. And she was also a potential point of entry; girls are soft-hearted. Once his daughter acknowledged him, his son would definitely consider his sister's feelings.
The brother and sister were led out of the house and were about to board a ship at the dock. They were very anxious, but their hands were tied and they could not resist.
"Sun Yaozu, let us leave right now!" He Yi shouted angrily. She didn't want to leave her hometown and her parents. If she were taken away from the country, her parents would be frantic with worry.
Sun Yaozu remained unmoved and silent, seemingly busy with other things on the other side. He Xu watched as his sister boarded the ship, her face streaked with tears. He sat closer to her, leaning close to her ear.
"Don't be afraid. If we get out, we'll change our strategy. Don't panic. As long as he doesn't want to kill us, everything else is negotiable."
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