Running against the downpour, a strange sense of oppression settled upon Yang Yi, a feeling that intensified sharply when he heard that Xia Shiyun was looking for him. In less than a moment, he reached the large tree he often frequented. He scanned the surroundings but found no sign of Xia Shiyun, which made his heart tighten further.

“Classmate Xia, Classmate...” Before Yang Yi could finish calling out, he seemed to notice something. Near the base of the tree, he bent down and picked up a folded note skewered by a dagger. Although dampened by the rain, the handwriting was still legible. Based on how deeply the dagger was plunged, Yang Yi judged that the person who planted it was definitely no ordinary individual. He unfolded the note...

“If you do not arrive at the designated warehouse ruins before two o’clock, I will slaughter Xia Shiyun’s entire family.” Just an address. Yes, only an address.

But this single location was enough to ignite a fierce glint in Yang Yi’s eyes. A chilling aura radiated from him involuntarily. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number, saying, “Three minutes. Bring thirty Black God Guards to the entrance of First High School…”

After hanging up, Yang Yi swiftly raced toward the entrance of First High School, a sense of urgency gripping him. Xia Shiyun was the first woman to stir a possessive desire within him, and he absolutely would not allow anyone to harm her. This wasn't just the protective instinct of a scoundrel, but the righteous fury of a man who harbored affection. Yang Yi had once declared: The young master may not be good at much, but he cannot stand to see the woman he likes get hurt. Damn it, if anyone dares to touch my woman, I’ll help them ‘strengthen their spleen and stomach’.

Meanwhile, on the other side of A City, in a deserted warehouse district.

“Young Master, we have captured her entire family,” a burly middle-aged man stated to a youth.

“Oh?” The youth hummed an acknowledgement, a shadow of malice crossing his face. “Have you lured that brat here yet?”

“Rest assured, Young Master, he will definitely come. We’ve left the note there. There are only five minutes left until two o’clock,” the middle-aged man replied expressionlessly.

“Good, very good!” the youth responded. He glanced at the man and added, “Go tell your brothers to stay sharp. If this goes smoothly, there will certainly be rewards for you all.”

“That would be excellent; thank you, Young Master Ling.” Hearing the youth’s words, the previously expressionless middle-aged man broke into a slight smile. This youth, indeed, was Ling Bin. These middle-aged men were hired muscle from elsewhere, most of them desperate outlaws.

After the man walked away, an unfathomable, strange light flickered in Ling Bin’s eyes as he muttered to himself, “Once you’ve done my bidding, your reward will be a nice long stay in prison. Haha, I’ll still have use for you later.”

“Big Brother, are we really doing this for him? He’s the son of the Police Chief.” After the middle-aged man stepped out, a rather thin young man rushed up to him.

“Hmph. We just do the job, take the money, and leave. What’s there to fear? Never mind if he’s the Police Chief’s son. If he tries any tricks, we’ll just kill him. Then we can extort a hefty sum from that Chief father of his. Isn’t that a win-win?” the middle-aged man retorted.

“Young Master!” Feng Shi called out upon seeing Yang Yi.

“A City Warehouse Ruins.” Yang Yi wasted no words. His expression was incredibly grim, a demonic smile curling his lips. The icy aura emanating from him made Feng Shi sense something was gravely wrong, so he asked no further questions and immediately got into the driver’s seat.

A black sedan, followed by six vans, created a rather peculiar scene. In a modern city, convoys of vehicles are common, but maintaining such synchronized order and tacit understanding was rare in A City.

“Three minutes. I want you to investigate a girl named Xia Shiyun. I want to know everything about her,” Yang Yi said, his voice slightly unnerving.

“Yes!” Feng Shi acknowledged, driving with one hand while pulling out his phone with the other. After making a quick call and relaying Yang Yi’s instructions, he handed the phone over.

Ling Bin, if you dare to step out of line, don’t blame me for bringing ruin upon your entire lineage, Yang Yi thought with a cold sneer. Yes, Yang Yi was certain that the only person brazen enough to openly challenge him like this was Ling Bin, the youth he had offended yesterday. Moreover, kidnapping Xia Shiyun—he couldn't imagine anyone else doing such a thing.

One minute.

Two minutes.

Three minutes passed, and the phone rang exactly on time. This showed that the Black God Gang’s intelligence network was truly national-level; in just three minutes, they had dug up a person’s entire background. Yang Yi pressed the answer button, the demonic cold smile still fixed on his face. “Speak!”

“Yes, Xia Shiyun…” the voice on the other end replied with utmost respect upon hearing Yang Yi’s tone.

Xia Shiyun studies at First High School. She has two elderly parents and a younger brother. Her family runs a small diner—a small business, entirely ordinary people, possessing no special background… As Yang Yi listened to Xia Shiyun’s profile, an inexplicable, sharp chill flashed in his eyes. He had never imagined her family was so common. He had suspected she might be the pampered daughter of some major corporation. Furthermore, driven by a desire not to disappoint her parents, Xia Shiyun studied diligently, striving to enter a prestigious university, which explained why she was rarely seen at First High School.

After hearing the data, Yang Yi hung up the phone. A mix of relief, worry, and cold, sharp anger filled him. He was relieved that choosing Xia Shiyun was the right decision, worried about whether she was being harmed at that moment, and furious at Ling Bin’s actions. Clearly, Yang Yi was now completely resolved: Xia Shiyun was the woman he must possess. Body and soul, he would make Xia Shiyun the pride of his entire life.

[Note: Don't forget to favorite this! Brothers, please bear with us; a major payoff is coming soon. Let's charge!]