Chapter Twenty-One: A Secret Passage Through Chencang

Shu Zucheng never imagined that at the very moment he was feeling elated in his room, Shu Yiming would suddenly burst in, bringing Ouyang Zhuo along with him.

“A-Ming, what’s going on? Has something happened at home?” Shu Zucheng didn’t suspect anything about himself.

“Uncle, I’m truly sorry, but your adopted son has kidnapped my sister, so this time, I need to borrow you for a bit!” Without waiting for Shu Zucheng to react, Shu Yiming strode forward and delivered a heavy slap to Shu Zucheng’s back.

Shu Zucheng tried to evade, but at this moment, Shu Yiming was consumed by rage and the force that erupted from him was far beyond what Shu Zucheng could resist.

Quickly, Shu Yiming dialed Shu Fang’s number.

“Shu Fang, where are you? Come back for a moment, uncle has something he needs to discuss with you.” Shu Yiming suppressed his emotions, keeping his voice steady.

“Brother? Dad wants me? He hasn’t called me! Where are you now?” Shu Fang’s voice was low, as if he was somewhere he couldn’t speak loudly.

Shu Yiming glanced at Ouyang Zhuo and gave him a meaningful look. Ouyang Zhuo nodded and began to operate swiftly on his computer. This was something technical, beyond Shu Yiming’s understanding, but he knew Ouyang Zhuo could trace Shu Fang’s location through the call, so all he needed to do was stall for time.

“Uncle just had a fall. When I came back, I saw him crawling out of the bathroom.”

“Oh? Really? But you just said he was looking for me. Brother, you’re lying, aren’t you?” Shu Fang let out a cold, sinister laugh.

“Uncle, talk to Shu Fang. He doesn’t believe me—it seems my credibility is still lacking, even he doesn’t trust me,” Shu Yiming said, pressing a knife to Shu Zucheng’s throat.

Shu Zucheng’s face darkened with resignation. “A-Fang, where are you? If you’re not busy, come home for a bit. I can’t walk right now, I need someone to look after me.”

“Oh? Alright. Dad, wait for me. I’ll be there soon, just need to finish up a few things here.” Shu Fang’s brow furrowed tightly as he glanced warily behind him.

“Alright, I’ll wait for you to come home,” Shu Zucheng replied mechanically, sweat streaming down his forehead.

Shu Yiming hung up, anxious. “How about it, Ouyang? Was the call long enough? Did you find the location?”

“Got it. I just sent the info; they’re on their way to rescue her. Don’t worry, it’ll be alright.” Ouyang Zhuo didn’t dare relax, his eyes glued to the screen, monitoring every movement.

However, a faint smile crept onto Shu Zucheng’s lips.

After ending the call, Shu Fang immediately ordered, “Move! We must keep this child alive at all costs! I’m afraid we’ve already been discovered. Take good care of the child—she must not be harmed, she must remain safe and sound!”

With that, Shu Fang let out a cold snort and strode out of the warehouse.

As soon as he left, the two women behind him carried the unconscious Shu Miaoyan out of the warehouse, heading toward a villa on the mountain.

Inside the room, Shu Yiming paced back and forth, glancing anxiously at Ouyang Zhuo’s computer from time to time. Several markers appeared on the screen, all friendly units.

They were converging on a small green dot—the location traced from the phone call.

They’d arrived.

Shu Yiming clutched the hem of his shirt, more nervous than he’d ever been.

Suddenly, a phone rang.

“What? No one’s there? Not a single person? That’s impossible! They were just there!” Ouyang Zhuo was stunned, looking nervously at Shu Yiming, whose face had gone deathly pale.

“What?” Shu Yiming staggered and collapsed to the floor.

“A-Ming, pull yourself together! Things aren’t as bad as they seem. I’ve already sent someone to dig up more information, we’ll have answers soon.” Ouyang Zhuo’s heart ached for him.

But Shu Yiming couldn’t calm down. His mind buzzed with despair. He never imagined that, in this new life, he’d fail so completely.

But suddenly, as if remembering something, Shu Yiming fixed his gaze on Shu Zucheng and said coldly, “Tell me, which is more important: your life or my sister’s? I have nothing to lose—how about we gamble and see whom fate favors!”

Shu Yiming realized that, no matter what, he was being led by the nose. His only option was to risk everything.

“What are you doing? A-Ming, what’s happened? You’ve been acting like a madman since you walked in today. I’ve told you before—choose your friends carefully! Don’t make friends with just anyone. Look at yourself, what have you become?” Shu Zucheng shook his head, glancing at Ouyang Zhuo with a meaningful look, then turned to Shu Yiming with regret.

Shu Yiming ignored him—there was no time left.

Ouyang Zhuo, startled and worried, asked, “A-Ming, what are you doing?”

Shu Yiming didn’t answer. He grabbed a fruit knife, his smile icy, and strode toward Shu Zucheng, seizing him by the collar and dragging him upstairs.

“Uncle, if Miaomiao is gone, I’ll die too—and you’ll come with me!” Shu Yiming’s tone was cold as he dragged Shu Zucheng, moving like a mechanical puppet, to the edge of the balcony.

The sixth floor—a fall from here would be fatal.

“Uncle!” Shu Yiming let out a crazed laugh, climbing onto the railing and dragging Shu Zucheng up as well.

Bound and unable to struggle, Shu Zucheng’s mouth trembled as he sat on the railing.

“A-Ming, what are you doing? Are you insane? Let me down! Somebody help! A-Ming’s gone mad!” Shu Zucheng’s heart pounded with terror.

“Uncle, you can stop pretending. I never exposed you because I was too weak, because I thought I wasn’t your match yet. But now, none of that matters. If Miaomiao is gone, I have nothing left to live for!”

As he spoke, Shu Yiming closed his eyes and tied Shu Zucheng’s rope to himself, preparing to jump.

“Wait!” Shu Zucheng cried out, his body drenched in cold sweat, trembling uncontrollably.

“G-give me the phone—I’ll talk to A-Fang.”

Shu Zucheng never imagined this man truly had no regard for his own life. A moment ago, Shu Yiming had truly meant to jump—the coldness and murderous intent in his eyes sent chills down one’s spine.

If the child was lost, there might still be ways to recover her. But now, Shu Zucheng genuinely feared Shu Yiming would do something insane.

With bloodshot eyes, Shu Yiming pulled out his phone and said icily, “Ten minutes. If I don’t see Miaomiao, I’ll take you with me to the grave. I won’t be fooled by you again.”