“What Aunt Du? I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
For a moment, Du Wanyi panicked, then quickly calmed down and changed her expression. She was inwardly puzzled—why could everyone recognize her so instantly? She had deliberately altered her voice, making it sound no different from a man’s. Yet, she was seen through right away.
Even as a precaution, she had used voice modulation, making her sound exactly like a man. But the moment she opened her mouth, she was exposed from the very first sentence. What was even the point of playing along?!
There was no help for it—Madam’s distinctiveness was simply too high. As soon as she spoke, her true nature practically overflowed. Anyone who couldn’t recognize her would have to be an utter fool.
If the person on the other end had been Dongfang Zhan, he wouldn’t have even needed to hear the first sentence to identify her. He’d know her even if she were reduced to ashes!
“Aunt Du, cut the act. Where are you now? What happened to him?” Dongfang Zhixia’s voice came through the phone, tinged with resignation.
Du Wanyi, who had been trying to bluff her way out, instantly switched gears, a sinister grin spreading across her face. So, after all that, he just wanted her exact location, huh!
In this regard, he was leagues ahead of that cold, stubborn brat of hers—that damn tsundere, that icy idiot...
Look, just look at his initiative. He dropped the pretense the moment he asked.
Ah...
“Bring the ten billion I mentioned just now, or I’ll kill the hostage—I mean it! And finally, I don’t know any ‘kind-hearted Aunt Du’ you’re talking about. But just hearing that name, she sounds like a true hero, an extraordinary woman!”
Right before hanging up, she couldn’t resist boasting about her own famous reputation, indulging in a little self-praise.
Dongfang Zhixia: “...”
Ending the call, Du Wanyi sent the factory’s location, then took a simple screenshot and forwarded it to her wretched loser of a husband.
With a note attached:
“If you don’t come, others will. Ten billion is as good as mine. Go cry about it later!”
It was a taunt and a provocation so fierce it wasn’t just a slap in the face—it was the kind of message that would make Ye Cheng drop dead on the spot if he saw it, especially since she was sending it from his phone.
He’d be dragged down too if this came back to bite him. NO!!!
Stop, Madam! Please, no more! Keep this up, and you’ll disappear!!!
Meanwhile.
In the classroom, at the seat by the window in the very last row, Shen Qinghan narrowed her eyes. She sat motionless, staring at the hostage-taking message sent by that inherently wicked old hag.
Then she glared at the chat history with Dongfang Zhixia. She was already on her way!
“Ring!”
The bell for class rang. The teacher walked in through the front door and clapped her hands habitually, signaling everyone to settle down and start the lesson.
“Alright, everyone, focus up. Class is starting. Today, we’ll be covering...”
“Bang.”
Shen Qinghan stood up, opened the back door, and left.
The rest of the class: “...”
They saw it but pretended not to, keeping their heads down and reading. The teacher simply continued the lesson... Sorry, but with money and power, you really could do whatever you wanted.
Right now, Ye Cheng was the king who danced along the edge of school rules. No one could stop him—he could even eat without paying, probably just charging it to the young lady’s card. Heh...
At the school gate.
“Hmm... That person looks like Wanyi, doesn’t she?”
The Noble Lady studied the figure carefully. Based on the Head Maid’s description, the mental image was still vague, but luckily, there was a clear photo of the motorcycle and the peculiar modus operandi.
Who else but her good best friend had the sheer persistence to pull off such a clean kidnapping and keep staking out the place?
Revenge—everything was for revenge. No wonder she’d found the bed empty beside her this morning.
So, her dear bestie had gone off to be a kidnapper. No wonder, no wonder...
“Ma’am, what should we do now? Should we go rescue him?” The Head Maid’s tone was tinged with urgency.
The Noble Lady didn’t think much of it, merely assuming she was worried about her daughter’s boyfriend being in danger, rather than suspecting anything strange.
“Hmm, not for now. Wanyi is probably just caught up in her fun again. Nothing serious will happen. Xiaoyu, you don’t need to worry about this. Go back. I’ll call Wanyi and see what’s going on.”
Though she said this, the Noble Lady already had a good idea of what was happening.
What else could it be? It had to be about getting revenge for what happened yesterday. She’d been beaten so badly—the Noble Lady had watched it all clearly from the lounge.
Compared to her own Tongtong, this was truly “blow for blow.” If her good bestie’s daughter fought like that, she’d have beaten her to death already.
“Understood, ma’am.”
The call ended. The Head Maid stood at the school gate, glanced at the two papayas she’d just bought from the market, sighed helplessly, got back on her little electric scooter, and continued on her way home.
“Ah...”
...
“Beep, beep, beep...”
“Hehe is calling...”
“Hey, Hehe, what’s up?” Du Wanyi answered in a carefree, loud voice.
“Wanyi, are you doing something very dangerous?” The Noble Lady’s voice was heavy with concern as she tried to persuade her best friend to see reason. Yesterday she’d already been beaten black and blue. Now, within the span of a single night, she was at it again.
Next time, it wouldn’t be something as simple as a shiner to brush off. She’d be beaten to death!
Du Wanyi whistled. “Something dangerous? I don’t know what you’re talking about, Hehe. I’m just out for a stroll. Not doing anything dangerous...”
As she mentioned dangerous things, her gaze finally landed on Ye Cheng. The latter felt a chill run down his spine, sweat pouring from his forehead.
No more, Madam! Stop it—you’re going to disappear!
The Noble Lady: “...”
“Really, Wanyi? Send me your location. I’ll come join you for that stroll.” The Noble Lady pressed further.
“Huh? What? Eat, eat? The signal’s not great here. Okay, let’s talk when I’m home. Gotta go...”
“Beep, beep, beep...”
With a smooth series of quick moves, she cut off the Noble Lady before she could push further, ending the call.
The Noble Lady: “...”
As expected. It really was her good bestie who had done the kidnapping. Ah... she had a feeling that the next time she saw her dear friend, it would most likely be in a hospital bed.
You could get hit but never learn your lesson. You knew you were wrong, admitted it, but never changed. That was Madam!
At the abandoned factory.
“As expected of me. Flawless execution!” Du Wanyi grinned wickedly, hands on her hips, basking in her own brilliance. Ye Cheng, tied to a pillar nearby, could only watch in speechless exasperation.
He struggled a bit, forced the tape off his mouth, and hurriedly spoke.
“Madam, run! If the young lady gets here, we’re both going to be in huge trouble!” Ye Cheng was this close to slapping himself in the head—never mind any side effects at this point.
"Survive first and talk later. If I'd known some Madam was going to move out of nowhere, I'd never have come out even if you beat me to death. I'd rather stay in the courtyard and play chess with Old Master Tang."
"Shut up, you brat. I know what I'm doing!" Du Wanyi's beautiful eyes widened fiercely, as if she would turn you into a pile of bear-shaped cookies if you dared say another word.
Ye Cheng: "..."
Fine, Madam. This is your own death wish. Don't blame me later for not warning you...
About half an hour later, amid anxious waiting, a mismatched sound of footsteps finally echoed through the abandoned factory.
Dongfang Zhixia strode in with arrogant steps. When she saw Du Wanyi wearing a kidnapper's hood with only two eyes and a mouth visible, it struck her as oddly amusing, and she couldn't help but crack a smile.
Dongfang Zhixia: "..."
"Aunt Du, what exactly are you doing? It's class time right now—you're wasting his time." Dongfang Zhixia crossed her arms and frowned.
"What 'Aunt Du'? I'll say it again: I don't know any beautiful, kindhearted 'Aunt Du' you're talking about. I'm a kidnapper, got it? I'm going to slice you up. Understand? Slice you up. Where's my one billion?"
Du Wanyi put on a vicious expression.
Dongfang Zhixia: "..."
"I don't have the money." Dongfang Zhixia rolled her eyes helplessly.
A lousy one billion wasn't something she couldn't give—she wouldn't even flinch at the cost—but the real problem was... who would show up with a whole truckload of cash to pay the ransom?
Checks were even less feasible. Convenient, sure, but redemption was a huge hassle. How would you prove the check's origin or credit credibility?
In Dongfang Zhixia's view, Du Wanyi wasn't stupid enough not to know all this. Asking for money was just a pretext—the real goal was to get her here.
But... what for?
"What? No money? You dare mess with me?!"
Du Wanyi flew into a rage. Then, with a series of thuds, she unleashed a smooth combo of her "Madam Power Punches" on Ye Cheng, who was tied to a concrete pillar nearby.
Ye Cheng's HP: -100, -100, -100...
Ye Cheng: "???"
"Cough... wait, Madam, I have something to say. Why hit me? I didn't mess with you!" Ye Cheng was on the verge of tears.
"Oh, you dare talk back!" Du Wanyi grew angrier and unleashed another smooth combo on Ye Cheng.
Dongfang Zhixia: "..."
What were these two even doing?
Dongfang Zhixia's mouth twitched as she tried to figure out how to end this farce. Suddenly, another set of footsteps came from behind her—light, steady, almost silent.
The second person to arrive: the eldest miss.
When Shen Qinghan walked in, Dongfang Zhixia turned her head at the same moment. Their eyes met.
"You came too?" Dongfang Zhixia raised an eyebrow, as if she now understood what Du Wanyi was up to. Her heart sank... Of course. The biggest headache was always this ridiculous old woman.
Shen Qinghan might keep dragging her feet, stubbornly calling him "classmate" all day long, but Du Wanyi wasn't stupid. She knew that if you don't strike first, you'll never get what you want. Nothing less than a good push would do!
After a brief exchange of glances, Shen Qinghan brushed past Dongfang Zhixia and walked straight toward Ye Cheng, bound to the pillar, and the "kidnapper" Du Wanyi beside him.
"What are you doing? I warn you—don't come any closer, or I'll beat him to death!"
Du Wanyi kept up her vicious act.
Shen Qinghan's pace didn't change; she kept moving forward at the same speed. Du Wanyi grit her teeth and went for it—thud, thud, thud—she unleashed another smooth combo on Ye Cheng, nearly knocking out the dinner he'd eaten yesterday.
Ye Cheng's HP: -100, -100, -100...
Damn it, Madam. Just you wait.
The effect was remarkably clear. Shen Qinghan frowned, and the foot she'd lifted eventually landed back down. She glared coldly at the wicked old woman across from her.
"What do you want?" Shen Qinghan's voice was calm, tinged with a hint of resignation. She never learned her lesson, did she?
"How dare you! I'm just trying to fulfill one tiny wish, and none of you cooperate. I just want to see a bit of 'Little Hanhan.' What's wrong with that? I've done nothing wrong! The world is wrong!"
Ye Cheng: "..."
Shen Qinghan: "..."
Dongfang Zhixia: "..."
It was obvious—her mind was set. She had to do something today, or there was no way this would end peacefully.
"Come over here and kiss him, or give me one billion. That's the ransom!" Du Wanyi laid out her terms.
Shen Qinghan frowned, thought for a moment, and pulled out her phone to initiate a transfer.
Du Wanyi: "???"
Darned loser! Still this stubborn, huh? Fine, you asked for it.
Du Wanyi grit her teeth and turned to Dongfang Zhixia. "Same goes for you. Come over and kiss him, and I'll let him go. Otherwise, one billion!"
Dongfang Zhixia didn't hesitate for a second. She walked straight toward Ye Cheng, tied up there.
Between one billion and one kiss... even an idiot knew which to choose. Besides—she was being coerced. It was a helpless move.
As she passed Shen Qinghan, Shen Qinghan stopped her transfer and grabbed the "paying the ransom" female gorilla.
"What are you doing?" Shen Qinghan stared calmly at Dongfang Zhixia.
Dongfang Zhixia looked puzzled. "I'm rescuing someone. What's the problem? I don't have the money, so I have to use a different payment method."
Shen Qinghan narrowed her eyes. "I do. Wait for me."
Yes, yes, this is it! This is what I wanted to see!
Du Wanyi's nostrils flared as she grew wildly excited, chanting in her head... Fight! Hurry up and fight!
saw a female celebrity tied up and stuffed in the trunk! Little did he know, countless cameras were aimed at him at this moment - this was a new type of reality show. The first randomly selected passerby was caught in less than an hour. But when Xu Moru was selected, things started to take an unexpected turn. "Damn, this isn't how the script goes. This Xu Moru is too bold, he's not following the rules at all." "Crap, is this guy taking it seriously?" "The female celebrity has been scared to tears!"
to panic—he has a system. As long as an investment target dies, he can claim a reward. And since he is immortal, the one thing he has plenty of is time. ... Countless years later. “Immortal Emperor of Longevity? I invested in him.” “Supreme Celestial Venerable? I invested in him.” “Undying Empress? I invested in her.” “...” “Heh. Once they’ve all died, even the Heavenly Dao will have to kneel and call me Dad.”
he colors of other people’s emotions. Light red meant anxiety. Gray meant exhaustion. Orange meant excitement. Yellow... meant repression. At the same time, he could gain unlimited control over one of those colors. Pale cyan: relaxation. Using this ability, he started offering “two-yuan hugs,” spending an afternoon exchanging emotional-color experiences with others. Then came his final female customer of the day— a girl whose emotional color was pure black... —— A week later, Xu Chuan had become skilled at using pale cyan—Relaxation—treating it like a bottle of menthol balm whenever he needed it. That was when he discovered he had unlocked another unlimited emotional color: Purple, the color of fear. So these emotional colors refresh every week? Fine, I take it back—I’ll never call you useless again... —— Much later, after Xu Chuan had accumulated countless emotional abilities, one night, he suddenly found himself inside someone else’s dream. There, he could use the emotional colors he possessed to paint. And in her dream, he painted her a shower of pink shooting stars, spreading across the depths of the night sky...
s the Eldest Princess, renowned for her cold and aloof detachment, became the most docile of lambs, obeying his every command without question. But when the final move was played on the chessboard, as Gu Chenghan seized everything and ascended on the verge of apotheosis, that very Princess suddenly embraced him from behind, her tone carrying a dependence never heard before: "Wait... you haven't yet... commanded me to love you forever." Gu Chenghan froze abruptly. She... hadn't been hypnotized?! ... [The Eldest Princess's Diary] [When my soul was extracted, becoming the sole spectator outside my own shell] [At first, there was overwhelming fury, until I saw] [How he used my sword to effortlessly shatter my inescapable doom] [How he wielded my authority to eradicate fatal conspiracies I had never even detected] [Like a deity, he rescued me from the deep mire I was trapped in] [If not for those annoying vixens, he and I would be a match made in heaven] [I think I am ill, gravely ill] [My deity should belong to me alone] ... "Hypnosis? Oh, it succeeded, my dear Master." "Only this time, it's my turn to hypnotize you."
