Using the Iron Gall in his hands, Xu Xiangbei and Zuo Mu swung back to the ground like they were on a swing. Except for a tiny bit of hair and clothes singed by the explosion’s fire, they were unhurt.

In the distance, there was the sound of sirens, both police and fire trucks.

Watching a four-story building before them being blown apart and reduced to ashes in the blink of an eye, Xu Xiangbei and Zuo Mu felt a lingering fear.

Back at Purple Gold Villa, Xu Xiangbei took a hot shower, soaking in the warm bathtub. The streams of warm water felt like countless tiny hands caressing his body, making him feel as comfortable as a spring breeze.

The bathroom door sounded, followed by Gu Xinyan’s voice: "Someone’s looking for you."

Xu Xiangbei grinned cheekily: "I’m showering right now, the bathroom door’s unlocked, can you bring me a bathrobe?"

Knowing Xu Xiangbei was being unserious again, Gu Xinyan laughed and said, "Sure, I’ll bring you a bathrobe."

Xu Xiangbei, sipping champagne, was just plotting how to scare Gu Xinyan when she walked in, relishing the thought of her screams as a form of thrill. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

However, when the bathroom door opened, it was Shen Congru, looking anxious as he rushed in, handing Xu Xiangbei a bathrobe, and standing by the tub: "Dr. Xu, hurry up and get out, there’s something I need to tell you."

Hearing Gu Xinyan’s snicker from outside, Xu Xiangbei smirked bitterly at Shen Congru: "Alright, out you go, I’ll get dressed and come out right away."

Shen Congru showed no intention of leaving the bathroom, forcing Xu Xiangbei to shoo him out again.

When Xu Xiangbei dressed and returned to the living room, he found Shen Congru pacing back and forth in front of the couch, not having touched the glass of red wine on the coffee table, and was clearly agitated like a cat on a hot tin roof.

Xu Xiangbei poured himself a glass of Bordeaux, added some ice cubes, swirled the amber liquid, and asked in confusion: "What’s the matter, Young Master Shen? Is there something urgent?"

Shen Congru stomped his foot: "Something big happened, something big!"

Xu Xiangbei gently took Shen Congru’s pulse, feeling its rapid beat, which clearly indicated his excitement and elevated blood pressure, prompting Xu to seat Shen on the couch.

Gu Xinyan shared the sentiment with Xu Xiangbei. Since he wasn’t drinking alcohol, she handed him a glass of ice water, and Shen Congru drank it all in one gulp.

Shen Congru wore a face of gloom: "My sister’s been kidnapped. What should I do?"

Xu Xiangbei emptied his glass and asked in puzzlement: "Ah, is it Chu Xiaoran? Didn’t she go to Jiangcheng University? How could she be kidnapped?"

Shen Congru began recounting: "It all started a few days ago at the Star of the Ocean exhibition. A band of robbers broke into the museum trying to steal the Heart of the Ocean, but you stopped them, and the police arrested them all. Do you remember?"

Xu Xiangbei grinned with a hint of pride: "Of course, at the time, you said if it weren’t for me, your diamond would be gone. You even gave me a five million reward."

Hearing about the reward, Gu Xinyan shot a disdainful look at Xu Xiangbei, who laughed awkwardly: "People die for money, and birds die for food; we’re all ordinary people who need to eat, right? It’d be silly not to take the payment."

"The group didn’t just stop there. While I was holding an exhibition in Yanjing, I received a message saying my sister had been kidnapped by them and that to save her, I had to exchange the Heart of the Ocean. I thought it was a joke at first but then found out it wasn’t — they sent a video; my sister’s really been kidnapped, she didn’t even show up at Jiangcheng University. To redeem my sister, they demand the Heart of the Ocean."

Xu Xiangbei sighed helplessly: "Since the kidnappers are so direct, you can only use the Heart of the Ocean to save your sister then."

Shen Congru started pacing again, anxious: "But the Heart of the Ocean isn’t mine; it belongs to Mr. Calia. How can I use someone else’s property to save my sister? And Mr. Calia isn’t an ordinary man — anyone daring to touch his stuff is only asking for trouble. Dr. Xu, my good brother, can you help me come up with a plan?"

"Can’t we report it to the police?"

"Of course not. They said if I report to the police, they’ll kill her. You’ve met those guys too; they’re desperados and know no fear. They mean what they say."

Xu Xiangbei pondered for a moment: "Here’s the thing, why don’t you call Mr. Calia and explain the situation. We’ll first use the gem to trade for your sister, and once she’s safe, we’ll seize the diamond back. What do you think?"

Shen Congru hesitated: "But, I’m not that familiar with Mr. Calia, and the gem was borrowed by my dad. I still have to let him know about this matter. I’ve been trying to keep it hidden from him because I fear he’ll report it to the police; my dad is too impulsive. Knowing this won’t help save my sister."

"Since you’re not familiar with Mr. Calia, let me call him. I think he should still remember me."

Shen Congru was elated: "That would be great! I knew your relationship with Mr. Calia wasn’t ordinary."

"Actually, I’m not too familiar with him either, but I saved his life once, so he trusts me more."

Xu Xiangbei dialed Mr. Calia’s number and explained the situation in detail.

Mr. Calia was generous: "Though the diamond is valuable, it’s still just a material possession, incomparable to life. You can use the Heart of the Ocean to save Miss Chu, but do ensure it is returned to me intact. I trust you can handle that."

Feeling the trust from Mr. Calia, Xu Xiangbei smiled: "Thank you, Mr. Calia. I promise, on my honor, to return the Heart of the Ocean to you safe and sound."

"Alright, I appreciate your straightforwardness. Would you like any assistance from me?"

"There’s no need; I can handle this small matter. Once everything’s resolved, you can help me tidy up the loose ends."

"Haha, good, feel free to ask if any help is needed."

Xu Xiangbei had Mr. Calia on speakerphone so Shen Congru could hear everything clearly. Upon hearing Mr. Calia agree to use the diamond to trade for Chu Xiaoran, he was overjoyed.

"Mr. Calia is truly a good person. The kidnappers left an email address. I’ll send them an email now, stating the time and place for the exchange."

After Shen Congru sent the email, the kidnappers called.

The voice on the phone was clearly altered with a voice changer, sounding like a robotic electronic voice: "Tomorrow at noon, trade at the East City Overpass."

Shen Congru urgently yelled into the phone: "Let me hear my sister’s voice. Let her speak. I need to know she’s alright."

The kidnappers seemed startled by Shen Congru’s agitated voice, even Xu Xiangbei and Gu Xinyan, who were watching, were taken aback; the usually gentle and refined Shen Congru was particularly agitated today.

It seemed the kidnapping of his sister had driven his emotions to the brink of collapsing.