captivity
Su Jibai: Don't worry, I'll have the Su family's people in Y country keep an eye on Ling Ge's movements.
Wenyan: Okay.
That's all we can do. Wen Yan is in an awkward position. His peers Su Jibai and Long Aotian have already been involved in the family business, while although he is now behaving very maturely, his spoiled and arrogant personality is still deeply ingrained in people's minds. The Wen family loves him, but they don't recognize his work ability.
He was in a position of power but had no real authority in the family.
Wen Yan lay down on the bed and let out a soft sigh.
He wouldn't even tell Ling about his investigation in Country Y, which shows how incompetent he is and how useless he is to the family.
Wen Yan stared at the ceiling with her eyes open until midnight.
The calendar jumped from the 29th to the 30th.
He immediately called out, "System!"
The system replied calmly, "Yes."
Wenyan said, "I want to redeem the second surprise."
System: "Okay, what does the host want?"
Wen Ling: "I want to ask if Ling was harmed during her time in Y country."
The system paused, then said with a puzzled look, "This doesn't seem to have anything to do with the plot."
Wen Yan took a deep breath, no longer playing games with it. "Do you really think I don't know anything? This novel world is full of bugs, are you sure you don't want to help me?"
If the system had a physical form, it would have been terrified by Wen Yan's words. After hesitating for a moment, it compromised and said, "Okay."
Wenyan is the best host so far. The plot is almost over, and the system can't guarantee that it can complete the mission smoothly if it changes the host. It's better to turn a blind eye and let both sides benefit.
Wen Yan smiled slightly and said, "It's a pleasure to cooperate with you."
System: "Pleasant to cooperate."
With the system protecting her, Wenling can return home safely. No matter how powerful the villains are, they can't defeat the system, which is like a cheat code.
Half of the morning self-study session had already passed, and Liu Xirou hadn't even finished half a test paper. She stared at the questions in front of her with a melancholy look.
This is unlike Liu Xirou's style.
Wen Yan lowered her voice and asked, "Xi Rou, what's wrong?"
Liu Xirou put down her pen and nervously twisted her fingers. "Achen hasn't contacted me since Friday night. He said before that it was best not to go to his house to see him, and I haven't gone there these past two days."
Wenyan asked, "Did you ask Su Jibai?"
Liu Xirou nodded, "I asked Su this morning, and he said that Achen hasn't contacted him these past two days. He just sent a message to Achen, but I don't know if he's replied yet."
Liu Xirou secretly took out her phone from her bag and looked at the empty message bar, her expression becoming increasingly serious.
Wen Yan comforted him, "He's probably just been busy with family matters these past few days and that's why he hasn't contacted you. Achen will be fine, otherwise how could there have been no word from him..."
Halfway through her sentence, Wen Yan realized something was amiss. Given Long Chen's affection for Liu Xirou, it was impossible for him not to send a single message, even if something had happened at home.
Upon closer reflection, according to the novel's plot, they should have already reached the stage where Long Lingtian forces them apart.
Wen Yan smiled and said, "Don't worry too much. Su Jibai and I will go to Achen's house again this afternoon."
"Okay." Liu Xirou let out a soft breath, her smile bitter. "Thank you."
System: New mission: Rescue Long Chen. Mission successful, points increased by 10.
Wenyan: "Received."
Wen Yan lay on her desk, looking depressed. How was this plot going to proceed?
After class, Wen Yan sat down in Long Chen's seat, nudged Su Jibai next to her, and whispered, "Let's go to Long Chen's house this afternoon."
Su Jibai: "You know?"
"Hmm." Wen Yan picked up his pen and twirled it. "It's time to go through the plot again."
Su Jibai thought about the contents of his dream and said, "Achen was imprisoned by Uncle Long for a long time, and was finally rescued by Achen's mother. We can ask Achen's mother for help."
Wen Yan's eyes lit up; this task was so simple!
Wenyan said, "Let's contact her now."
Su Jibai paused, "I forgot to tell you, Achen's mother divorced Uncle Long ten years ago and now lives abroad."
Wen Yan carefully counted the people who had gone abroad: Zhong Yi, Lin Jiapeng, Ji Weixuan, and Long Aotian's mother, and complained, "Why do they all love going abroad..."
Su Jibai: "I asked my mom for A-Chen's mom's phone number, but I haven't been able to get in touch with her yet."
Wen Yan sighed, "It seems we're really going to have to finish the storyline these next few days."
Su Jibai quietly placed his hand on Wen Yan's hand and gently rubbed it. "Don't worry, I'll be with you."
Wen Yan grasped Su Jibai's finger and smiled.
At the Long family's residence, a black Maybach was parked outside the gate.
Wen Yan unbuckled her seatbelt and looked at the person next to her. "Xi Rou, we're leaving now. Don't worry too much. We'll let you know what's going on later."
"Okay." Liu Xirou forced a smile. "Bye."
Wenyan said, "Uncle, please park the car outside. We'll let you know when we're leaving so you can come in and pick us up."
Driver: "Yes, young master."
Su Jibai and Wen Yan got out of the car. The Long family's butler had already arrived quietly and smiled as he asked the security guard to open the door.
Butler Feng's hair was neatly combed, and he wore a well-pressed black suit with clean white gloves on his hands.
He smiled and said, "Welcome, Young Master Su. Are you here to see our young master?"
Su Jibai: "Yes, Uncle Feng, how is Achen now?"
A hint of melancholy appeared in Butler Feng's eyes. "They've been at home for three days now."
Long Lingtian has kept me locked up at home for three days.
Judging from Butler Feng's expression, Wen Yan and Su Jibai knew that Long Chen's condition was not good. They exchanged a glance and followed Butler Feng to the Long family's living room.
Along the way, Wen Yan stared wide-eyed at the luxurious decorations of the Long family home, especially when she saw the private basketball and tennis courts next to the Long family home, she was so shocked that her jaw almost dropped.
He originally thought the Wen family was already extremely extravagant, but he didn't expect the Long family to be even more so, truly deserving of being the head of the three major families.
Wait a minute, Wen Yan suddenly turned around and stared at the basketball court. Since there was a basketball court at home, why did Long Chen go to the gym next to the school to play basketball by himself?
Was it to create a chance encounter with Liu Xirou?
Wen Yan stood motionless outside the door. Su Jibai asked, "What's wrong?"
"It's alright, we'll talk about it later." Wen Yan followed them.
Upon entering, Long Lingtian sat on the sofa opposite them, sipping tea and watching them with a smile.
Wen Yan and Su Jibai greeted each other politely.
Long Lingtian put down his teacup, his smile unchanged. "You're here to see Achen, right? He's in the room."
Wen Yan and Su Jibai thought they would have to spend a lot of time persuading Long Lingtian to let them go up and visit him, but they didn't expect him to agree so easily.
Long Lingtian leaned back on the sofa, looking at the front door through the floor-to-ceiling windows with a half-smile. He knew that girl was in that car just now, and Su Jibai and Wen Yan hadn't come solely to visit Long Chen, but so what?
What kind of trouble can a few kids who haven't even grown up yet cause?
Butler Feng took out his key from the inside pocket of his suit jacket, and with a "click," he unlocked the door. Then, he heard hurried, heavy footsteps coming from inside. His expression changed, and he pushed Wen Yan and Su Jibai inside. With a bang, the door slammed shut again.
The key turned in the lock, and the door locked again.
Wen Yan and Su Jibai: "..."
Long Chen watched helplessly as the door closed and locked again, even though it was only a step away... He sat down on the carpet in frustration.
Wen Yan couldn't help but chuckle to herself; it turned out that Long Aotian had such a frustrating side.
Su Jibai sat down next to him and said gently, "Achen, Liu Xirou is very worried about you."
Long Chen suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with an urgent light, but it still dimmed. "I also want to go out and tell her, but I..." I'm too weak, too useless. I'm so weak that I can't even get out of this room, so useless that I don't even have the ability to be with the person I like.
Wen Yan took out her phone. "Give her a call."
Long Chen took the phone, looked up, and for the first time sincerely said to Wen Yan, "Thanks."
"beep--"
The call connected, and Liu Xirou's voice came through, "Ayan, how is Achen?"
Long Chen said in a hoarse voice, "Xi Rou, it's me. I'm fine."
Liu Xirou's breath hitched, and she suddenly didn't know what to say. "Mm."
Long Chen: "Xi Rou, don't worry, I will never compromise, I will handle all of this."
"No matter what the future holds, I just want to be with you." Long Chen's eyes were slightly red.
Liu Xirou gripped her phone tightly, her voice slightly choked, "I'll wait for you."
The genuine emotions were palpable, and Wen Yan felt a pang of sadness. She silently leaned on Su Jibai's shoulder, and Su Jibai held her hand tightly.
After the brief call ended, Long Chen felt a little better. He was silent for a moment, then looked at them as if he wanted to discuss a solution, but seeing their lingering affection, he lowered his head again.
Wen Yan coughed, and the two instantly distanced themselves, but Long Chen pretended not to see it.
The room was dark, with the lights off and the windows covered by curtains. It was so dark that Wen Yan noticed Long Chen was covered in injuries.
His forehead was bruised, his mouth was also bruised, his arms were bruised, and his ankles were wrapped in bandages.
Wen Yan was shocked; Long Lingtian had actually beaten his son like this!
Long Chen: "On Friday night, after dinner, my dad asked me to go to the study..."
Long Lingtian, wearing glasses, was working on documents at his desk when Long Chen entered, but he didn't say anything.
Long Chen immediately sensed something was wrong. "Dad, why did you call me here?"
The sound of the pen sliding across the paper was particularly sharp. Long Lingtian said calmly, "Break up with her. I'll send you to study in the US next week. You can use that time to develop your relationship with Zhongyi."
Long Chen instantly flew into a rage, clenching his fists so tightly his knuckles cracked. "Why?"
Long Lingtian shot him a sharp look, "Because you're incompetent."
Suppressing his anger, Long Chen gritted his teeth and said, "You were capable when you were my age?"
Long Lingtian put down his pen, crossed his hands, and said, "I'm more capable than you."
Long Chen saw his own face distorted in Long Lingtian's glasses. He took a deep breath and said, "Let whoever wants to inherit this family inherit it. I don't want it anymore."
He rushed out the door, only to find a row of bodyguards standing outside, surrounding him.
Enraged, Long Chen roared, "Get out of the way!"
He punched the bodyguard who was trying to stop him, but the other bodyguards immediately restrained his fist and pinned him to the ground.
Long Lingtian stood at the study door. "Take the young master to his room and give me your phone."
The bodyguard forcefully pried open Long Chen's fingers, pulled out the phone, and handed it to Long Lingtian.
Long Lingtian took the phone and said to Butler Feng, who was standing next to him, "Lock him up."
Long Chen's forehead veins bulged and his face turned red. He tried desperately to break free from the bodyguard's restraint, but to no avail.
Butler Feng looked on with pity as he watched Long Chen being tied up and taken back to his room, his hand gripping the key until it felt hot.
With his restraints removed, Long Chen couldn't wait to rush out of the room. The door was locked, and no matter how hard he tried to pry it open, it remained firmly shut.
He drew back the curtains, and a large lock was placed on the French windows.
"Bang!" A chair smashed through the French windows, shattering glass everywhere. Long Chen leaped from the second floor and landed on the green belt.
Even with the cushioning, he inevitably twisted his ankle.
Upon hearing the noise, one group of bodyguards rushed upstairs, while another group surrounded the building below.
Upon seeing Long Chen fall, one of the bodyguards immediately called for a doctor, while the other bodyguards surrounded him completely.
Long Lingtian arrived late, his hair disheveled, wearing a silk nightgown, his sharp gaze sweeping over Long Chen.
The bodyguards dispersed, and he walked up to Long Chen, looking down at him condescendingly, "Don't you think about yourself? Don't you think about her?"
Long Chen suddenly looked up, his eyes blazing with fury. "You!"
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