Chapter 123 — I Know Where She Is

“Can’t get through!” Su Nian furrowed her brows tightly as she put down the phone and looked at Cheng Yishu.

“Are you sure that’s Sinan’s own number?” Cheng Yishu asked in a low voice. “Could it be that he knows it’s your number and is deliberately not answering?”

Su Nian silently shook her head. “Impossible. This number was given to me by Xu Ningning. I’ve never called it before, so it shouldn’t be wrong.”

“No, I have to go back to Shanghai. This is most likely Sinan’s doing. Xiao Wen is probably already on the way back to Shanghai!” Cheng Yishu glanced at Da Lingzi and added, “Pack your things and book the tickets. We’re leaving immediately!”

“At this hour?” Da Lingzi blurted out. “There aren’t any direct flights to Shanghai anymore!”

“Then we’ll transfer flights. It’s fine to take some trouble as long as we get there as soon as possible…” Cheng Yishu hadn’t finished speaking when the door was gently knocked. Though the sound was soft, at this critical and sensitive moment, everyone’s expressions tightened involuntarily as they all turned to the door.

“Knock, knock-knock…”

A clear pattern — one light knock followed by two heavier ones.

Cheng Yishu held his breath and took a quick step to the door, about to open it. Su Nian swiftly stepped in front of him, signaling him to be cautious with a sharp glance, while she pressed herself tightly against the wall.

Seeing their defensive stance, Da Lingzi’s heart also tightened. She grabbed Chen Kai’s arm, trying to keep her breathing steady.

Chen Kai looked down at his still unsteady leg, sighed softly, and patted Da Lingzi’s hand in reassurance.

If the person coming to the door was the kidnapper of Lin Xiaowen, delivering a message, Su Nian would definitely seize them on the spot. Then, whether it was to take them to the police station or to interrogate them harshly about Lin Xiaowen’s whereabouts, it would all be much easier.

Cheng Yishu gave Su Nian a prepared look, took a deep breath, and gently turned the doorknob.

At the same moment, the knocking ceased.

Cheng Yishu saw the man standing outside the door—a tall figure dressed in a black suit, with deep, piercing eyes—that man was Sinan.

Though Cheng Yishu had met Sinan once before, it was a long time ago at a fleeting social event where they exchanged only a brief greeting.

If it weren’t for Lin Xiaowen’s connection prompting Cheng Yishu to scour the internet, digging through every piece of information related to the ‘Si family,’ ‘Sinan,’ and even the ‘Ran Dong Group,’ Cheng Yishu might never have recalled that he had once crossed paths with Sinan.

Sinan stood outside the door, exuding his usual elegance and composure, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he looked at Cheng Yishu.

Looking at Cheng Yishu—who could replace his brother Ran Dong and whom Lin Xiaowen regarded with utter disregard—Sinan suddenly realized that perhaps his defeat wasn’t without cause.

Though Cheng Yishu’s face was dark with gloom, almost dripping with brooding, dressed simply in a white T-shirt and black pants, he couldn’t hide the youthful vitality soaked in sunshine that was innate to him.

Even with his eyebrows furrowed in subtle confusion and mounting anger.

“A friend from afar… won’t you invite me in to sit?” Sinan spoke first, as if greeting an old friend.

Cheng Yishu clenched his teeth silently, watching Sinan’s victorious demeanor, itching to grab him and give him a good beating on the spot.

But now, Cheng Yishu was gradually learning to handle matters calmly and coolly, especially when it came to Lin Xiaowen.

Seeing Cheng Yishu’s expression, Su Nian guessed that the visitor must be someone familiar. She relaxed her posture against the wall a bit and edged closer to the door.

“Sinan?” Su Nian whispered in confusion.

Cheng Yishu took a step back but kept his gaze fixed firmly on Sinan. Sinan smiled and stepped forward, gently closing the door behind him, leaving the room in complete silence.

Da Lingzi and Chen Kai remained quiet like bystanders, and it was Cheng Yishu who finally lost patience and spoke.

“Sinan, right? You came here today to flaunt your victory? Let me tell you, even if you hide Xiaowen, I will find her! And for your repeated illegal detentions of others, I can sue you without hesitation!”

Cheng Yishu pointed accusingly at Sinan, his chest heaving violently, eyes fiercely piercing.

Sinan’s footsteps paused briefly but only for a moment before he continued toward the sofa, unbuttoned his suit jacket with elegant ease, and sat down leisurely.

Every gesture was graceful and decisive—so very Si family.

“So, you think Xiaowen’s disappearance is connected to me?” Sinan said calmly, his expression composed.

“Hmph…”

Cheng Yishu laughed bitterly, furious. “If it wasn’t you, how would you know Xiaowen was missing? If it wasn’t you, how would you know where I live? Aren’t you here just to tell me that you’ve taken Xiaowen away?”

“I did send someone to check your address, which is why I came to Wanting.” Sinan’s smile faded as he continued, “And yes, I’m here because Xiaowen left…”

“On what grounds?”

Cheng Yishu suddenly stepped closer and growled.

“I always thought that once this job was done, the first thing I’d do upon returning to Shanghai was to confront you face to face. Unexpectedly, you brought yourself here. Let me tell you, Xiaowen is my girlfriend, and we’re going to get married. You’d better pack up those ridiculous tricks of yours early!”

“Don’t you think you should listen to what I have to say before you accuse me?” Sinan looked at Cheng Yishu peacefully and continued, “I’ll say it once: I haven’t seen Xiaowen. I didn’t cause her disappearance.”

Cheng Yishu was stunned, a look of horror growing in his eyes. Su Nian frowned and glanced at Chen Kai.

Chen Kai blinked, about to say something when Sinan continued.

“But I think I roughly know where she is now.”

“What do you mean?”

Cheng Yishu’s anger flared as he grabbed Sinan’s collar, almost lifting him off the sofa.

Hearing Sinan’s words, Su Nian’s intuition signaled something was wrong. She knew this was not the time for Cheng Yishu to vent his anger. She hurried forward, pried Cheng Yishu’s hands away, and whispered.

“Let go. Let him finish.”

Cheng Yishu panted heavily, glaring fiercely at Sinan.

“You still say it’s not you? If it’s not you, then how do you know where she is now…”

In the tussle, Sinan’s shirt was crumpled by Cheng Yishu’s grip. Annoyed, Sinan pulled his collar free, lowered his eyes, tidying his clothes as he spoke calmly.

“Although I came here because of Xiaowen, I really haven’t seen her. But when I got off the plane, I received a call—a ransom demand… At first, I thought it was some prank, because I don’t believe anyone would dare threaten me. No one doesn’t know that what I, Sinan, hate most is being threatened!”

“What do you mean ‘your people’?”

Cheng Yishu seized on the sensitive phrase and shouted harshly, “Xiaowen has never had anything to do with you, never!”

Su Nian was overwhelmed with disbelief. Wasn’t this the moment to let him finish speaking?

Chen Kai was speechless. This kid’s immaturity was showing again…