"Couldn’t find them?!"

This news left Lin Yi completely surprised.

In his perception, with Xiao Bing’s capabilities, handling such a task should have been effortless.

Yet, unexpectedly, she hadn’t found anything either.

This was very strange.

He checked his watch; it was already past five in the afternoon.

Judging by the time, since getting off the plane, more than three hours had passed.

During such a long lapse, anything could happen.

This left Lin Yi feeling even more uncertain.

"Did you check the airport surveillance?"

"Yes, checked it. In the airport surveillance footage, their behavior was normal, but the local surveillance facilities are not so comprehensive; once the car drove away, we couldn’t track it anymore."

"Alright, I understand."

After hanging up Xiao Bing’s call, Lin Yi felt something was amiss.

Things were headed towards the worst-case scenario.

Lin Yi held his phone and checked the flights.

Realizing it was too late timing-wise, he arranged a flight path, preparing to go personally.

Holding his car keys, Lin Yi stepped out and called Xiao Bing again.

"Find a way to contact the higher-ups facing north, have them investigate the people in the photo; if they dare lay a finger on her, then they better prepare for their funeral."

"Lin Bro, are you suspicious that this person was sold off?"

"All signs indicate that this is the only possibility."

"I understand."

After the call, Lin Yi greeted Qi Xianzhao, then drove to the airport.

...

In the taxi.

It’s been over five hours since Chen Yutong disembarked, now nearing eleven at night.

Outside was pitch black, devoid of people, not even a handful of cars on the road.

Zhou Yunxi sat in the car, also feeling somewhat drowsy.

If not for the bumpy road, she’d probably have fallen asleep too.

The driver up front was smoking one cigarette after another to stay awake, even faster than Liu Hong.

"How much longer until we arrive?"

Zhou Yunxi asked, yawning.

"Still three or four hours, probably."

Zhou Yunxi nodded, "Her sister runs a company, worth at least tens of millions. This time we can earn big, plus their family’s two houses. If used well, this opportunity might exceed fifty million at least."

"You made a great contribution this time, maybe you’ll get to set off fireworks."

"Naturally."

"Mm..."

At that moment, they heard a soft moan.

Zhou Yunxi turned her head and saw Chen Yutong awake.

"Where is this!"

Originally a bit groggy, Chen Yutong suddenly awoke.

Seeing the scenery outside, she panicked completely.

In her impression, she should have reached the hotel by now, not still be on the road.

"Just wait a bit, we’re almost there."

Zhou Yunxi’s face was very cold.

To her, at this point, there’s no need for pretense.

Being able to speak to her calmly already accounted for past sentiments.

"The hotel isn’t in the city? We got off the plane past two, and now it’s dark, how could it not be reached."

"The hotel is quite far from the airport, why rush."

"Even if far, we should be there by now; give me my phone, I want to check the time."

Chen Yutong lunged forward, aiming to grab her phone.

"Get lost!"

Zhou Yunxi shoved Chen Yutong hard, her head struck the car door.

Staring wide-eyed, Chen Yutong’s eyes conveyed confusion.

She was far beyond feeling pain, utterly dazed.

Never did she expect her good friend to treat her like this.

"You actually pushed me! What exactly are you trying to do."

"Nothing much, just want you to be obedient, don’t push me to act."

"Stop wasting words with her."

The driver stopped the car, fetched a rope from the trunk, then sat in the back.

"What are you doing?"

The driver said nothing, grabbed Chen Yutong’s arm, intending to tie her up.

"What do you think you’re doing? Let go of me now."

Chen Yutong struggled fiercely, even using her feet.

"Zhou Yunxi, I treated you so well, is this how you repay me!"

"Don’t mention being nice, I only see money; your family is so wealthy, this business deal can easily rake in tens of millions, just think of it as granting me this."

"Bastard, I will kill you."

Slap!

The driver slapped her across the face brutally, leaving blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.

The slap was certainly merciless, leaving Chen Yutong seeing stars, her mind blank, now completely incapable of reacting.

The driver seized her hand, tying her up, while also grabbing tape to gag her.

With Chen Yutong’s freedom restricted, the driver returned to his seat, driving off.

Her freedom compromised, Chen Yutong’s eyes filled with terror.

Only now did she see their true faces.

This Zhou Yunxi person was a fraud.

They’ve kidnapped her!

Chen Yutong began to tremble.

She considered a possibility—could they sell her off? Then engage in scams?

Seated in the car, gazing at the outside scenery, the more Chen Yutong thought, the more plausible it seemed.

If it’s truly this, she’d never return in this lifetime.

Thinking of this, tears involuntarily streamed down Chen Yutong’s face.

Regretting not listening to her sister’s advice to stay away from this Zhou Yunxi.

Now she was under control, utterly incapable of resistance, and nobody knew she’d been taken here.

Just like that, three hours passed consecutively.

At this point, it was already dawn.

Chen Yutong saw lights appear ahead, vague shadows of some buildings in sight.

Yet the tallest was only five or six stories.

The overall atmosphere was ominously dark, chilling at a glance.

Chen Yutong shivered, recalling news she’d seen online.

This was a living hell, entering here meant suffering inhumane torture.

Especially for women, arriving here assured no good outcome.

Twenty-something minutes passed, the vehicle stopped at the entrance of the compound.

The driver alighted, opened the back door, forcibly dragged Chen Yutong out.

Together with Zhou Yunxi, they led her to a room in the building.

Before entering, she heard screams from inside.

Chen Yutong’s hair stood on end, her body weakened.

But neither Zhou Yunxi nor the driver cared about any of this.

They opened the door, took Chen Yutong inside.

The room wasn’t large, around thirty square meters, over twenty men and women crouched inside.

Their expressions numb, filled with fear.

But what terrified Chen Yutong most was a person bound, being beaten severely.

"We brought back someone great this time; so pretty, she’ll definitely make a lot of money."

The speaker held a stick, grinning, giving Chen Yutong a leering look.

"Same old rules, let’s break her in first, then have her work."