Love Assault - Chapter 38

Lin Che had been gone for three days, leaving no trace. No calls, no texts, no location tracking. Yun Xi propped his cheek on his hand, staring at the objects on his desk, muttering angrily, You bastard, Lin Che! You gave me a fake. Are you trying to turn the world upside down?

Lin Che had no intention of turning the world upside down. He was simply whisked into a car the moment he stepped off the plane. Accustomed to this all-too-familiar scenario, he smiled casually, chewing on his glasses as he surveyed his surroundings. Bending low to enter the car and settle into his seat, he looked up and froze.

An elderly man with silver hair sat across from him. As the car began to move slowly, the man offered him a cigar, his wrinkles deepening into a chaotic network of lines with his smile. Lin Che accepted the cigar without hesitation, leisurely lighting it with a match. Amidst the rich aroma, he grinned, holding the cigar between his index and middle fingers as he scratched his slightly itchy forehead with his pinky. His demeanor seemed perfectly fitting for the car’s occupants—a motley crew of thugs, young and old. Tilting his head, he winked at the old man. You must be Eighth Master.

Little niece, I hadn’t even come looking for you yet, and here you are. What a coincidence.

Lin Che exhaled a smoke ring. Indeed, I came specifically to see you. I never expected you’d personally come to fetch me. What an honor.

Let’s cut to the chase. Eighth Master leaned back in his chair, his sharp gaze fixed on Lin Che. I want to know why you sent someone to destroy my shipment. We had an agreement you handle the job, you deal with the people, and the goods are ours. When did the rules of the road change?

If I knew which bastard did this, I wouldn’t have needed to come here.

Really? You seem genuinely unaware of who’s responsible? Eighth Master glanced at Lin Che with feigned disappointment, then shrugged vaguely around the cigar clamped between his teeth. But Jian Dan has already confessed.

Lin Che’s heart skipped a beat. Now it made sense why he hadn’t been able to contact Jian Xiaobai for days—Eighth Master had invited him here. In this territory, even the mightiest dragon couldn’t overpower the local serpent. And Eighth Master wasn’t just any snake he was a colossal python, and a venomous one at that.

Suppressing his growing anxiety, Lin Che spoke calmly. Eighth Master, I’ve lost contact with Jian Dan for days. I don’t know what truly happened. Perhaps there’s been some misunderstanding between us?

A misunderstanding, Eighth Master snorted, narrowing his eyes as he studied Lin Che with keen interest, trying to detect any flaw in her expression. But Lin Che’s face remained earnest and sincere, making her seem utterly incapable of deception. I’m not senile yet, he grinned, revealing a mouthful of gold teeth and chuckling dryly. Niece, to be honest, I don’t care about the goods. The goods are trivial honor is paramount. If I discover Jian Dan truly did this, I won’t hesitate to make a scene.

That won’t happen, Lin Che quickly replied with a forced smile. Jian Dan and I grew up together. She always acts with restraint. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding between you two? She’s stubborn and might have said she did it out of anger, even if she didn’t. After all, she used to have some ties with you. She wouldn’t forget old loyalties, would she?

Eighth Master stared at Lin Che for a long moment, his gaze thoughtful and probing. He knew the ties she referred to were about his seeking refuge with the Jian Family in Canada years ago—a matter that should only be known to key members of the family. Lin Che was no mere bystander, but her bringing this up at such a critical moment seemed like a deliberate hint. But what was she trying to convey?

While the man before him was momentarily stunned, Lin Che exhaled and looked up at Eighth Master. Eighth Master, he continued, though this is our first meeting, I’ve often heard my father speak of you as an exceptionally honorable man. I’ve always held you in high regard and longed for the chance to meet you in person. I never imagined our first encounter would be under such unpleasant circumstances. Still, I trust you wouldn’t rashly attack us younger generation. May I ask how you found Jian Dan?

Now that he’d invoked his father’s name, Eighth Master’s face twitched irregularly twice. With such respectful words already spoken, even if he harbored doubts or dissatisfaction, he couldn’t afford to show it. Jian Si’s influence was too vast even among his own men, he couldn’t be sure if there were Jian Family spies. If he showed the slightest contempt for Lin Che’s words, he’d likely face trouble the very next day.

Yes, this was Jian Si’s power—a vast, dark net ensnaring a motley crew of shrimp soldiers and crab generals.

Lin Che understood this perfectly. She hadn’t wanted to invoke Jian Si’s name, but the situation had escalated to the point where only the Great Buddha could subdue the monster before her. She had no choice but to resort to this desperate gamble. Fortunately, luck was on her side Eighth Master truly feared Jian Si. He remained silent, inwardly calculating Jian Si’s reaction if he harmed Jian Dan. Jian Si had only one precious daughter—even the cruelest tiger wouldn’t devour its cub. No matter how ruthless and cunning he was, he wouldn’t truly want Jian Dan dead. Gritting his teeth, he reluctantly glanced at Lin Che’s smug smile and retorted, I didn’t seek her out. She came looking for me.

Hearing this, Lin Che felt she could guess the truth with near certainty. She nearly choked on her own breath, inwardly cursing, Jian Xiaobai, you bastard! You’re always making trouble! Her eyes nearly bulged with fury.

Chen Mo was leading a summary meeting with her team when her phone started vibrating. They had just apprehended a habitual robber, a case that, while not particularly intense compared to her past experiences, had been exhausting. She sometimes wondered if her extended rest had made her lazy, which was why she insisted on attending this meeting, even though her full participation wasn’t required.

The phone continued to vibrate incessantly in her pocket, showing no signs of stopping. She gestured for Li Zhiyong to continue speaking while she stepped out of the room to answer the call.

The name on the screen surprised her. She pressed the answer button. Hello?

The news from the other end of the line made Chen Mo’s expression turn grave, her face paling visibly. She murmured a few acknowledgments, hung up, and noticed her hands trembling slightly. Instead of returning to the meeting room, she turned and headed to Director Guo’s office. She retrieved the spare key Guo Haitao had instructed her to keep from the fire safety box by the door and unlocked the office.

She strode directly to his massive desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a black box about the size of a pencil case. Her eyes flickered briefly before she hurried out of the room.

The car sped down the highway, the airport sign looming ahead. Chen Mo, wearing a Bluetooth headset, spoke in a steady voice I’ve got the item. It’ll take a while to connect. I probably can’t use it on the plane. Do you think this thing will get through security?

The phone screen lit up, displaying two stark characters Yun Xi.

Yun Xi gripped the phone, her palms sweating, and pressed her lips into a thin line. Don’t worry, just put the device in your pocket. They won’t find it. She paused, as if reluctant to end the call. Chen Mo, this is a personal matter. I hope you won’t put Jian Dan and Lin Che in a difficult position. Unless absolutely necessary, please don’t contact the police, okay?

Chen Mo gripped the steering wheel, her eyes fixed on the road ahead, but her heart pounded in her chest. If they’re truly in danger, I’ll have to seek help from my colleagues. But don’t worry, I’ll play it by ear. If it turns out they’re just being dramatic, I won’t rashly call the police.

Yun Xi exhaled in relief. Thank you, Chen Mo. Just as she was about to hang up, Chen Mo’s voice came through the receiver again Did you ask Director Guo to call me?

Yes. I couldn’t send anyone to investigate myself, and I didn’t dare alert the Jian Family. I had no choice but to call Aunt Li and ask for her advice, Yun Xi said with a bitter smile.

You mean… Lin Zhili knows about this? Chen Mo narrowed her eyes in surprise.

Yes… Yun Xi sighed. This situation is completely beyond my control. Aunt Li can’t return, and the Jian Family can’t send anyone. So, I have no choice but to ask you to find them in her place. Chen Mo, I’m truly sorry for dragging you into this. But if Jian Dan really went to Yunnan to provoke Eighth Master because of what happened to A-Fi six years ago, then you’re not entirely uninvolved. So…

Chen Mo could hear only helplessness and conflict in Yun Xi’s voice. Yet she couldn’t grasp the true danger of Lin Che’s mission—the kind that would make the usually composed Yun Xi’s words tremble with uncertainty. Yun Xi knew Lin Che had acted on the information she had provided, but she couldn’t understand why Lin Che would risk going to Yunnan herself. With her wealth and connections, there was no need for her to put herself in harm’s way. Unless… unless she had concrete evidence that Jian Dan was in Yunnan. But even that didn’t fully explain things. What baffled Yun Xi most was why Lin Zhili, the iron-willed woman she had only met once in America, would immediately ask her to intervene when her daughter was in danger, rather than return herself and mobilize her vast network of influence to rescue Lin Che from the fire. What was she really…?

Her thoughts were in turmoil, yet Yun Xi’s hoarse voice cut through the noise Chen Mo…

Hmm? Chen Mo finally snapped out of her daze. The car had already reached the airport parking lot. She slowly brought the vehicle to a stop, leaned back in her seat, and hummed in response, listening as Yun Xi spoke the words that only deepened her confusion Lin Che… she trusts you implicitly. I hope you can bring her back safely.

Yun Xi hung up, his entire body trembling irregularly. He turned to look at the person sitting behind the office desk and whispered, Aunt Li, I don’t understand…

Lin Zhili swiveled her chair slightly, her eyelids lowered as she murmured, Sara, don’t you know Lin Che’s temperament by now? This trip… she’s determined to take down Eighth Master. Why else would she insist on going herself?