Jinshan Villa, fourth-floor fitness room.
Leng Lingxiao was doing pull-ups, sweat streaming down in rivulets, as if every drop of blood was boiling, every muscle burning.
The room spanned roughly 200 square meters, decorated in a minimalist style. The space was entirely filled with exercise equipment, devoid of any trace of entertainment or leisure, to the point where not even a chair could be found.
Even though Leng Lingxiao’s speech always carried a lazy undertone, unlike Li Zishen’s chilly demeanor, belonging to that intoxicatingly wicked sort, his daily routine workouts never ceased.
Suddenly, the solid wood double doors were flung open.
Zhao Renjie came striding in with a worried expression, slowing his pace midway and eventually stopping three meters away from Leng Lingxiao.
He did not knock. This was the second time.
The last time was when Leng Lingxiao went abroad to Y Country on business, and Zhao Renjie had rashly stormed in just because on that night, Tang Xiaowan had been attacked by a masked assailant in Qing City Mei Garden.
Unfortunately, by the time Leng Lingxiao hurried back home, the unconscious Tang Xiaowan had already been taken away to Jin City Li Garden by Li Zishen.
"Master, Lady Tang... she’s missing."
Leng Lingxiao roared, "Missing? What do you mean missing? Can’t you speak clearly, even though she’s grown up?"
At this moment, his mind felt completely empty.
As for what was said or done, it all seemed unconscious. Even breathing became difficult, and his heart clenched in pain.
"Master, we just got news that Li Garden has deployed all their bodyguards to secretly search for Lady Tang. Bai Long and Chen Xin have also ceased all operations, each leading a team to different locations..."
Before Zhao Renjie could finish speaking, Leng Lingxiao quickly grabbed his phone, ready to call Tang Xiaowan.
"Where is Li Zishen?"
Before the call could be made, Leng Lingxiao suddenly gave a devilish smile, "Don’t know? Where is the car he often drives, has it left Li Garden?"
"Towards Wuyou Pavilion direction, he might suspect that it’s his second uncle Li Wanshan’s doing, so..."
"You go on with your tasks, leave this matter be."
Zhao Renjie was very surprised, stepping forward and asking quietly, "Master, what about Lady Tang... we’re not searching for her?"
"The meeting with Tangtang... he probably already knows of it and is testing my reaction. If my guess is right, Tangtang should be with him now, perfectly safe."
"But what if... it’s not him, but..."
Zhao Renjie dared not continue, but he also felt compelled to remind Leng Lingxiao, so he stopped midway through his sentence.
Leng Lingxiao certainly got the hint!
"No, he wouldn’t go that far. Tangtang won’t be harmed; she’s definitely with Li Zishen."
"Yes, Master, I was overthinking it. Then I shall... make my exit." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
After Zhao Renjie left, Leng Lingxiao simply sat down on the floor and unscrewed a large bottle of mineral water, guzzling it down.
Glugging down most of the bottle...
Jin City University, east gate.
Inside a black sedan, Tang Xiaowan was eating shumai and looking at Li Zishen.
The man sat poised, with a steadfast gaze.
Gray dress shirt, gray tie, all bespoke. Even the buttons on the shirt were made of diamond, exuding a refined air of elegance and nobility.
Tang Xiaowan seriously wondered if Li Zishen was here for a beauty contest, specifically to rival Leng Lingxiao.
"He won’t come. It’s so late now; if you don’t let me out of the car, I’m going to be late."
Li Zishen’s lips curved slightly, "He won’t."
What now? Is it that he won’t come, or I won’t be late?
Suddenly playing word games when there’s nothing better to do?
Boring, self-righteous, vain!
"Mr. Li, don’t you realize how... childish your behavior is? May I ask how old are you this year? 25 or 15? Surely you’re not... 5 years old?"
"Are the shumai enough? Can you get full from them?"
He answered her question seriously, which made Tang Xiaowan feel even more that Li Zishen was being childish.
"Ah, forget it, have it your way then. If I’m late, you’re responsible for smoothing it over, just make sure I don’t lose any school credits."
"What’s there to fear? Don’t you often skip classes?"
That one sentence rendered Tang Xiaowan utterly speechless, leaving her no choice but to continue eating the shumai and drinking the yogurt.