Shen Yihan had just returned from overtime work when he received a call from Shen Ji'an, his brow furrowing tightly.
His worst fear had come true!
Huo Tingshen was not someone to be trifled with.
"I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it."
After hanging up with Shen Ji'an, Shen Yihan immediately tried calling Lin Mo.
Several attempts went unanswered—either the line was busy or simply disconnected.
Huo Tingshen’s people had even confiscated his sister’s phone!
Fidgeting with the Buddhist beads on his right wrist, he dialed Jiang Tang.
"Find Huo Tingshen’s contact details for me right away and send them over."
Though both were based in Jingbei, the Huo family belonged to an old-money circle of their own.
Shen Yihan wasn’t familiar with Huo Tingshen.
Jiang Tang worked quickly, sending the number along with a message: [President Shen, what’s going on?]
Shen Yihan had no time to reply. He dialed the number immediately.
The line rang for a while before someone picked up.
Shen Yihan spoke without delay: "President Huo, this is Shen Yihan. I heard you’ve taken my sister."
The voice on the other end sounded puzzled. "Your sister?"
Shen Yihan’s heart clenched. "Yes. Regarding the incident the other day, I apologize on her behalf. Please tell me where she is so I can bring her back and personally make amends."
A dry chuckle.
Click.
Huo Tingshen hung up after a single, dismissive laugh—typical of old-money arrogance.
Shen Yihan immediately redialed, only to be rejected instantly.
His heart sank completely.
Huo Tingshen wasn’t giving him even the slightest bit of face!
Looking back, their actions that day had indeed been out of line—technically trespassing.
But when his sister was involved, he’d follow her anywhere.
The question now was: what to do?
In all of Jingbei, only one person stood on equal footing with Huo Tingshen.
Xie Guanyan.
Huo Corporation and SS Capital were the twin titans of the city, and even Huo Tingshen would hesitate before crossing Xie Guanyan.
But Xie was currently on a business trip in Europe.
His sister had mentioned it casually that morning when he dropped her off at school.
Still, even a phone call from Xie Guanyan would carry weight.
Without hesitation, Shen Yihan sent a WeChat message:
[Mr. Xie, my sister has been taken by Huo Tingshen. She offended him over a misunderstanding. Could you intervene with a call to mediate?]
The time difference between Europe and China made it uncertain whether Xie would see the message promptly.
Shen Yihan then called Jiang Tang again. "Get me Xie Guanyan’s number, now!"
Jiang Tang delivered swiftly, adding: [What’s happening, President Shen? Is it about Lin Mo?]
Again, Shen Yihan ignored the question and dialed Xie Guanyan’s number.
After a few rings, the call connected.
"Mr. Xie, this is Shen Yihan. My sister—"
A calm, composed voice cut in. "I saw your message."
Hearing Xie Guanyan’s voice inexplicably eased Shen Yihan’s anxiety.
Perhaps this was the reassurance that came from true power.
His sister was strong in spirit, but Xie Guanyan? His strength lay in undeniable influence.
"Could you make the call?" Shen Yihan’s breathing was heavy, his fingers restless around the beads on his wrist.
Xie Guanyan’s fondness for his sister was no secret.
But standing against the Huo family for her sake—what would it cost him?
Would he even be willing?
"I’m on my way," Xie Guanyan said.
Shen Yihan’s eyes widened. "What? But you’re in Europe—"
The line went dead before he could finish.
Shen Yihan didn’t dwell on it. Cutting trips short wasn’t unheard of.
He rushed to the garage instead of waiting at home.
His sister was likely at Huo Residence.
Gripping his phone tightly, Shen Yihan’s gaze darkened with resolve.
If anything happened to her, Huo Tingshen would pay—no matter how powerful he was.
Just as he got into the car, Jiang Tang called again.
"President Shen, what’s going on?"
Shen Yihan didn’t hold back. "Huo Tingshen took my sister."
Jiang Tang frowned. "What happened?"
As Shen Yihan started the engine, he summarized the situation.
Jiang Tang was already out the door. "I’m coming too!"
Huo Residence
Huo Tingshen, soaking his feet, reopened Zhao Ziling’s WeChat messages, his brow furrowed.
Zhao Ziling seemed unusually invested in this Lin Mo.
Why?
Their interaction that day had clearly been an act.
They shouldn’t have any real connection.
Yet Zhao Ziling was begging him—pleading—for this girl’s sake.
She was prideful, temperamental, and had never changed over the years.
She’d made plenty of mistakes, but never groveled like this—voice trembling, on the verge of tears.
This was a woman who’d rather apologize with her chin held high!
She’d called repeatedly, but he ignored her.
Did she think he had no pride?
And then Shen Yihan called, claiming Lin Mo was his sister.
The man was visibly older than Lin Mo—how could he say that with a straight face?
Even the butler was useless, taking this long to bring her in.
His usual bedtime was approaching!
The phone rang again—the butler this time.
"Young Master, we’ve brought her. Where should we take her?"
Huo Tingshen lifted his feet from the basin. "The study."
The butler added, "A car followed us. We shook them off, but they might still find their way here."
He’d spotted Zhao Ziling’s sister among them.
Huo Tingshen dried his feet, his tone icy. "Double the guards at the front and side gates. If even one person gets through tonight, you’re all finished."
The butler stammered, "Understood."
The taxi had lost sight of the car ahead, and Uncle Fang scratched his head in frustration.
Zhao Zixin said, "They’re heading to Huo Residence. Let’s go straight there."
The taxi stopped near the estate.
Shen Ji'an paid the fare before Uncle Fang could.
This time, the guards didn’t approach immediately, as if bracing for something.
The four of them marched forward undaunted.
The night wind swept Shen Ji'an’s long bangs aside, revealing eyes sharp as a predator’s.
Zhao Zixin’s short hair fluttered, her gaze unwavering.
Uncle Fang and Zhang Shuo matched their intensity.
To the guards, however, they looked like a ragtag group: a punk, a tomboy, a bald middle-aged man, and a heavyset guy.
One guard would’ve been enough.
Why the need for a dozen?
But then—
A Bentley pulled up, and a tall man with Buddhist beads stepped out.
Next, a black Mercedes arrived, and a cold-faced woman emerged.
Then a Lamborghini screeched to a halt.
A woman with long, wavy hair climbed out.
The original four turned at the sound.
"Second Brother!"
"Sis! They took my goddess inside!"
Zhao Ziling had guessed they’d bring Lin Mo here. Now it was confirmed.
Her heels clicked against the pavement as she strode toward the guards.
"Move."
The bodyguards were momentarily unsure whether to let the madam in upon her return.
"Madam, please wait a moment. I need to make a call to confirm."
