As soon as Shi Weichong received the phone call, he immediately found Lian Jun and told him about Xu Jie sneaking out of the hospital. Although he didn't want to admit it, at this critical moment, anyone could tell that something fishy was going on with Xu Jie suddenly disappearing from the hospital.

"Thoroughly investigate Xu Jie's whereabouts and her social activities during this period of time. Don't let any clues slip by," Lian Jun ordered Number One, then looked at Shi Weichong and said coldly, "Even if Shi Jinlai comes to plead with me, I won't easily let go of your mother. You and the Xu family better be prepared, because I'm not a good person."

After speaking, he waved his hand at Number Three on the side, letting him push him away. When Shi Weichong's expression changed, he took a step forward to chase after them, but was stopped by Number Five who was waiting on the side.

"Stop. Until we receive news from Shi Jin, please rest in the lounge," Number Five said.

Fei Yujing, who had followed closely behind, frowned and asked, "What do you mean? Are you trying to detain us, Number Five?"

Number Five looked at him with a blank expression and replied, "We are just temporarily restricting your movements. You don't understand the rules of the underworld, and your actions could cause trouble for everyone. So please be patient and wait, and don't interfere with the rescue."

Fei Yujing's expression sank when he heard the words, as he was indeed thinking of a way to save people. He remembered the violent conflicts he had witnessed between organizations in L country. Although he was somewhat unwilling, he had to admit that the methods of criminal organisations were indeed far different from those of ordinary people. His small amount of energy was simply not enough to face the destruction.

"Can you guarantee that he will be safely brought back?" he asked, suppressing his anger.

Number Five nodded and replied, "Yes. Based on the current clues, it seems that Shi Jin was abducted by the criminal organization invited by Xu Jie. There are not many criminal organisations in B city that dare to lay hands on Shi Jin and have such high efficiency in capturing people. It will be easy to investigate, and Shi Jin's value is definitely greater alive than dead. Therefore, conservatively estimating, Shi Jin will be absolutely safe within the next 24 hours."

Standing at the back, Li Jiuzheng couldn't help but take a step forward and said, "Did the person who went out with Xiao Jin definitely see who kidnapped him? I know many excellent doctors, I can help to invite more..."

"Sorry," Number Five interrupted him, not leaving any room for discussion. "On top of Xu Jie, all of you are under suspicion of attacking Shi Jin. Before Shi Jin is safely returned, I won't let you interfere with any rescue-related matters. Wait for news, goodbye."

After speaking, he signaled for his followers to come forward and "escort" Fei Yujing and the others back to the rest area, then turned around and left.

Fei Yujing and Li Jiuzheng's expressions turned sour. Shi Weichong looked like he was about to collapse, squatting down and pressing his forehead with his hand. He muttered, "If I was more careful..."

"What's the use of being careful?" Fei Yujing looked down at him, unable to bear his current state. "Your mother wants to harm him. Even if you tie her up, she'll still find a way. Get up, saving Shi Jin is more important now. That Number Five just now was talking nonsense about his safety being guaranteed for now. Your mother has probably gone to meet the people who captured Shi Jin. Think about what your mother would do to him if she saw him."

Upon hearing this, Shi Weichong's body stiffened and his hands clenched tightly. Li Jiuzheng's expression suddenly turned pale as he said, "Last time Xu Jie asked Xu Chuan to place an order with the criminal organization, the requirements for the job were 'disfigurement, finger amputation, and if they want to kill, they must first torture him enough.' If Xu Jie sees Xiao Jin..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere immediately became even more tense.

Fei Yujing took out his phone to call his contacts, Shi Weichong also stood up from the ground and picked up his phone to call Xu Jie and the Xu family, trying to gather as much information as possible. Li Jiuzheng also quickly took out his phone, wanting to get several senior brothers who were currently in B city to rush to the hospital where Number Two was located.

However, before they could make any calls, they were interrupted one by one by the Number Five who was standing by their side.

"Don't mess with Young Master Jun's affairs," he snatched Li Jiuzheng's phone and hung up the call he had just made, warning coldly, "The situation in City B is complicated. Who knows if the people you are looking for have connections with hostile forces? If you continue to act recklessly, don't blame me for being impolite to you."

What he said was not impossible. Fei Yujing and the others had changing expressions, but in the end, they all reluctantly put down their phones.

It was Fei Yujing who calmed down first and said, "Let's wait for news. Although I don't want to admit it, it is indeed more reliable for us to let Lian Jun lead the rescue mission than for us to act on our own." Under the protection of the guards from Number Five, the three of them returned to the lounge and each found a corner to sit in, quietly waiting. Shi Weichong sat with his head down, his expression unclear. Fei Yujing looked at him for a while, then frowned and looked away.

In this situation, no one could comfort anyone.

In the next hour, Rong Zhouzhong and Xiang Aoting also arrived at the club one after another, and they too were forced to stay in the lounge to rest, unable to go anywhere.

"Are we just going to wait here forever?" Rong Zhouzhong was so angry he wanted to kick the door. His eyes caught sight of Shi Weichong sitting in the corner and he couldn't help but lean over and grab his collar.

With a black face, he said, "How did you watch your mother? Shi Jin made it very clear, how could you let your mother actually lay a hand on him? If I had known this would happen, I would have warned Shi Jin not to have any contact with you!"

"Third brother!" Xiang Aoting stepped forward and held Rong Zhouzhong back, advising, "Let's calm down a bit. Big brother has already been through a lot. This isn't entirely his fault..."

"Then who should we blame?" Rong Zhouzhong pushed his hand away and said, "Is this also Shi Jin's fault? Blaming him for going out to buy groceries when he had nothing else to do? According to your logic, are we going to blame everything on him again?"

His words were poisonous, hitting every sore spot. Fei Yujing's face darkened and he said, "Third Brother, calm down! We are all equally responsible, and you have no right to blame anyone. Sit down and stop making a scene."

Rong Zhouzhong's expression stiffened at his words, and he irritably found the nearest sofa to sit on.

Shi Weichong was released from Fei Yujing's grip and sat back on the sofa, still lowering his head. His emotions were dark and his hands slowly clenched - if something really happened to Shi Jin... if...

In the study, Lian Jun watched the surveillance footage in the lounge and tapped the armrest of his wheelchair. "How's the situation in Warehouse No. 1?" he asked.

Number One flipped through the information on his phone and replied, "The warehouse has been fully set up. Shi Jin is getting familiar with the environment. Xu Jie will arrive there in about half an hour. Allowing for the time she spends negotiating with the Tarantula, she will confront Shi Jin in about 45 minutes."

Forty-five minutes, plus the time Shi Jin spends alone stimulating Xu Jie... Lian Jun's hand on the armrest stopped. "Half an hour from now, notify Shi Weichong and his team that Shi Jin has been found and take them to Warehouse No. 1," he said.

Number One nodded and turned to make the arrangements. Lian Jun looked back at the surveillance footage on his computer, watching the solemn Shi family brothers with a slight smirk on his lips. He only hoped that this time, Shi Jin could have some fun.

......

The Warehouse No. 1 was not actually a real warehouse, but rather a deserted factory that had been abandoned. Shi Jin had never known that there was such a desolate and hidden place in the suburbs of B City. As he followed Lu Shan inside, he looked around curiously.

Lu Shan noticed his expression and deliberately said, "Aren't you afraid that I'm actually trying to trap Lian Jun and plan to use your life to threaten him?"

... Shi Jin looked at her and honestly replied, "Don't worry, I know you don't want to harm me. Plus, half of the people who are lying in ambush here are from Annihilation, so you wouldn't dare to harm me." Most importantly, when he got closer to Lu Shan, his progress bar didn't increase, but instead decreased a bit. This proved that Lu Shan was his survival factor and would protect him when he was in danger.

"I really don't like you young people who are so sly and cunning." Lu Shan snorted coldly when she realized she didn't scare him. She led him to the deepest part of the factory, to a large warehouse, and said, "Go lie down in the middle, tear your clothes a bit, make yourself look disheveled. When you're ready, I'll have someone bring Xu Jie here."

Shi Jin cooperated fully and lay down, rolling around to cover himself in dust. He messed up his hair and asked Lu Shan, "Is this enough?"

These movements were damn natural and skilled.

Lu Shan's face twitched as she waved her hand in frustration, signaling for her trusted subordinates to tie Shi Jin up with a rope. Then she turned and left.

......

Shi Jin lay on the ground, resting with his eyes closed. He asked Xiao Si in his mind, "Is there a buff that can make me look like a girl? It doesn't have to be too convincing, just enough to make Xu Jie occasionally mistake me for Yun Jin."

Xiao Si was quiet for a moment, seemingly searching for data, before replying, "There is such a buff, but it has side effects. This buff changes your appearance and has a confusing effect, which will put pressure on your body in a short period of time. After the buff disappears, you will feel uncomfortable for a while."

"It's okay, I can handle the after-effects," said Shi Jin optimistically. Then he thought of something and asked, "Wait, how long do the after-effects last? I have to report to school and complete military training soon. Will it affect me?"

Xiao Si calculated the time and replied, "It won't affect you. The after-effects will last for a maximum of three days, and the symptoms will gradually decrease."

Upon hearing this, Shi Jin felt relieved and quieted down, waiting for Xu Jie to arrive.

He didn't know how long he had been lying there when he heard the sound of high heels tapping on the ground. The Tarantula personnel who had been chatting and relaxing immediately stood up and dutifully guarded Shi Jin, looking like they were on watch duty.

The warehouse was dimly lit. Shi Jin opened his eyes and peered through the gap between the guards' positions. He saw a woman in a long dress and a man of medium build standing at the warehouse door, talking.

"I brought you here today just to check the goods. It's not safe here, so we have to transfer him again. Don't touch him today, or it will be troublesome for me to deal with," said the man of medium build. He sounded like the leader from Tarantula who had previously negotiated business with Xu Jie in City B.

Xu Jie couldn't wait any longer and replied casually, "I know." She took a step closer to Shi Jin.

The person guarding Shi Jin moved aside, revealing Shi Jin's figure.

Their eyes met. One was towering above, while the other was lying in a sorry state. The situation looked very unfriendly towards Shi Jin.

"Hello there, wild seed," Xu Jie greeted with a satisfied smile as she looked at Shi Jin from a certain angle. She kicked his body with the tip of her shoe and taunted, "Didn't you say that if I dared to touch you again, you would take my life? How come you're the one in such a sorry state now? Where's the cripple you've been hanging around with? Couldn't he protect you?"

Xiao Si was fuming with anger, saying: "She called my baby a cripple! I'm going to hit her!"

"Stay calm and be ready to buff me at any time." Although Shi Jin was a bit angry, he managed to calm down and comforted Xiao Si, and struggled to sit up.

He looked up at Xu Jie and grinned brightly, "It's really you. I knew you wouldn't give in so easily. Xu Jie, does your son know about your little tricks? Let me guess...he definitely doesn't. So what if I look a little pathetic now? Once this is over, you'll be the one truly isolated and abandoned."

Xu Jie's smile disappeared as she watched Shi Jin's confident expression. Suddenly, she pulled out a folding fruit knife from her pocket and lunged at him, cursing, "You bastard, shut your stinking mouth!"

Xiao Si screamed, "Run, Jin Jin! The bar is on the death line!"

With a calm mind, Shi Jin rolled on the ground to avoid Xu Jie's flawed attack. The rope on his leg had somehow loosened, so he took the opportunity to kick Xu Jie. She was wearing high heels and stumbled from the kick, falling to the ground with her fruit knife dropping to the side.

The leader of the Tarantula gang saw what happened and approached with a stern face. He ordered his men to re-tie Shi Jin and then roughly pulled Xu Jie up by the arm, slapping her across the face.

He coldly reminded her, "I warned you before, don't think just because you're a customer that I won't do anything to you. If you cause trouble, I'll make sure you come in standing up and leave lying down! Someone search her thoroughly and see if she's carrying any other weapons!"

One of the Tarantula's subordinates standing behind him immediately responded and approached Xu Jie, searching her up and down before finding a small, sharp eyebrow razor on her person.

"Get off me! Don't you dare touch me with your filthy hands! Get off!" Xu Jie had never experienced such humiliation before and struggled frantically.

The leader sneered and slapped her again, saying, "Filthy hands? Do you think someone like you, an old hag with wicked thoughts, would be considered anything clean in our eyes? If you dare to ignore my warning again, I'll cut off your ears!"

Xu Jie was so angry that her body trembled after being insulted and threatened by him. She wanted to explode, but she was afraid of his intimidating aura and didn't dare to show off her power. She had to swallow her anger and force out an ugly smile, saying, "I couldn't help it... Move aside, I want to inspect the goods."

The person in charge frowned at her, watching her carefully to make sure she had calmed down before gesturing for his subordinates to let her go and step aside.

Xu Jie touched her face, which had been slapped twice, and turned around with a hateful look in her eyes, staring at Shi Jin, who had been tied up again on the ground. Shi Jin was practically dying of laughter at the spectacular performance of Lu Shan's subordinates.

When Xu Jie looked over, he didn't even try to hide his schadenfreude and laughed, "What's going on? How come you as a client can be even less popular than me, someone who's been kidnapped? Look at you, and then look at me. Who's more miserable now?"

Xu Jie's expression twisted, and she couldn't help but take a step forward and raise her hand, wanting to slap Shi Jin.

"Hmph!" The person in charge snorted heavily.

Xu Jie's body stiffened, and she turned her head to give him a resentful look before reluctantly lowering her hand.

Upon seeing the situation, Shi Jin laughed. But as he continued to laugh, his expression slowly faded and he coolly said, "You asked why the person who 'backs' me didn't protect me? You're wrong. He has always been protecting me. The people from the Tarantula gang dare not lay a finger on me because I have such a boyfriend. And you, even though you spent money, ended up being the one who suffered. Why is that?

"Admit it, Xu Jie, you have been losing to me all along. Everything you schemed for, my mother can obtain just by smiling at my father. Everything you fought for your son, I can snatch away just by telling my father I want it. Even though my father has passed away and you seem to have won, if I tell Shi Weichong that you're in the wrong, he can come and argue with you and even return Ruihang's shares.

"I mean, do you ever feel like you've failed at life?"

"Shut up!" Xu Jie's expression twisted as he spoke, and she wanted to step forward.

The person standing in front of Shi Jin immediately reached out and stopped Xu Jie, warning her with a look.

Unable to bear it any longer, Xu Jie pushed them away and said, "Whose side are you on? Do you still want Ruihang's shares? Is this how you do things after taking money?"

"They are certainly helping for their own interests. Whoever can give them benefits, they will help. On the other hand, whoever damages their interests will suffer." Without waiting for the leader of the Tarantula to speak, Shi Jin spoke up and looked at Xu Jie, saying, "What is the value of your shares in Ruihang? As long as I am here, what does Tarantula want from Lian Jun that they cannot get? I can even offer the entire Ruihang to them directly. Xu Jie, I advise you not to think too highly of yourself. As long as I offer enough benefits, I can even turn around and let them kill you."

Xu Jie's body trembled with fear and shock. She looked at the Tarantula subordinate blocking her way, took a step back, and turned to the leader standing behind her, saying, "You can't do business without integrity..."

"The kid's right. Whoever benefits me, I'll help them. So I advise you to be honest. The principles of the people in the underworld are not so reliable," the leader said coldly, not giving Xu Jie any face.

Xu Jie's face turned pale. She looked back at Shi Jin, gritted her teeth, and suddenly calmed down again. "When are you planning to carry out the second transfer?" she asked.

Huh? She's calm again?

Shi Jin was a little surprised and a little bored.

The leader looked at the time and replied, "One hour later, we need to clear the retreat route."

One hour, she can still wait. Xu Jie slowed down her tone and asked, "Can I stay here and wait for the transfer?"

The leader nodded, "Of course you can, but you can't mess around."

"I know," Xu Jie replied, then looked at Shi Jin and calmly smiled as she tidied up her messy hair and clothes. "I won't lay a hand on you, I just want to have a good chat with you."

Seeing her smile, Shi Jin checked the time and smiled too, saying, "Great, I also want to chat with you." He then had Xiao Si buff him up.

Xu Jie suddenly felt a bit dizzy and saw Shi Jin's figure slowly fading away, turning into the appearance of Yun Jin. Her heart skipped a beat, but when she looked again, Shi Jin was still Shi Jin.

She furrowed her brows, wondering if she was hallucinating from exhaustion.

......

The leader from the Tarantula left, leaving Shi Jin sitting on the ground and Xu Jie in a chair, along with a few guards who stayed in the warehouse with them.

Shi Jin spoke first, asking, "What do you want to talk about?" Xu Jie crossed her legs and flicked her hair before saying, "How about we talk about your mother's death?"

"Sure," Shi Jin didn't lose his cool as Xu Jie had expected. Instead, he smiled warmly and asked, "Since we're talking about it, why don't I have my mom come out and reminisce with you?"

Xu Jie's expression froze, her legs uncrossed, and as she looked at Shi Jin, she seemed to see Yun Jin's shadow staring straight at her. She held her breath, her legs almost giving out as she forced a smile and said, "Don't try to play tricks on me. It's the modern era, no one falls for these childish games anymore."

"What kind of trickery could I play? Are you not someone who jokes around?" replied Shi Jin, suppressing the discomfort from the buff on his body. Thinking of the death of the original owner's mother, the malice in his heart suddenly couldn't be stopped.

He asked in a low voice, "Xu Jie, after you bribed the nurse who took care of my mother, did you never find out where she went? Are you not afraid that she will suddenly appear in your midnight dreams and expose all the ugly things you did in the past?"

Xu Jie's heart pounded as she looked at Shi Jin in disbelief. She spoke harshly, "What do you know?"

"What do I know?" Shi Jin asked back, raising his chin to look at her. He suppressed all his emotions and replied coldly, "I know all the ugly things you've done. Xu Jie, do you know what it feels like to be in despair?"

......

On the highway not far from Warehouse No. 1, the five brothers of the Shi family sat in the middle of a van, anxiously watching as Number One and his team got off one by one with their equipment.

Rong Zhouzhong looked at Lian Jun sitting across from him and asked, "Are we just going to sit here and watch?"

"This isn't a movie, it's reality. If you want to go down there and risk your life, be my guest," Lian Jun replied coldly. After Number Five also got off the van, he ordered Number Nine to close the door.

The voices of Number One and his team reporting the situation outside the van came through the communication device, and soon the sound of gunfire erupted. Except for Fei Yujing and Xiang Aoting, the Shi brothers who had never seen a violent confrontation between organizations frowned.

Gunshots, screams, orderly commands, explosions... No one spoke inside the car. Rong Zhouzhong and the others stared fixedly at the abandoned factory not far away, where it seemed that a fire had started. The thought of Shi Jin possibly being inside made their expressions increasingly grim. Was this the dangerous world that Shi Jin lived in?

Meanwhile, Shi Weichong also gazed in that direction, his eyes dark and brooding.