The night before the wedding, meticulous preparations were made, security tightened with over a hundred bodyguards stationed at the venue. Sun Lixia looked at Li Chen with pride. "By this time tomorrow, you’ll be a married man," she remarked warmly.

Li Chen smiled, nodding in agreement. "Yes, Mom."

Li Yanyan chimed in eagerly, "I hope you make grandkids for us to dote on soon."

Li Chen chuckled. "Aunt Yanyan, there’s no rush. Zhang Mei and I are still young."

"It’s always best to have kids early," Li Yanyan insisted, turning her attention to Zhu Fengrui. "You should start thinking about marriage too. You’re not getting any younger."

Zhu Fengrui blushed, caught off guard by the sudden focus on him. "Mom..."

"What? You and Li Xinjie should also get married," Li Yanyan added, her tone playful yet firm.

As Li Chen’s phone rang, the room fell into a tense silence. He quickly answered, his voice filled with concern. "Aunt Lingling?"

Mu Lingling sounded panicked on the other end. "It’s Zhang Mei," she began.

Li Chen’s heart skipped a beat. "What’s wrong? Did something happen to her? Is she okay?" he pressed urgently, his voice rising in anxiety.

The rest of the room’s occupants grew increasingly alarmed at Li Chen’s distress. Sun Lixia’s voice cut through the tension. "What is it, Li Chen?"

Mu Lingling’s voice trembled as she spoke. "Zhang Mei... She left to get a few things, and she hasn’t returned."

Li Chen’s mind raced with worry. "What?" he exclaimed.

"She... She left in the morning, and I’ve been trying to call her, but her phone is off. I’m worried, this is not like her," Mu Lingling explained frantically.

Li Chen’s resolve hardened. "Okay, I’m coming there now," he declared.

Li Yanyan’s voice quivered with concern. "Li Chen, what’s happening?"

Li Chen’s voice was heavy with dread as he delivered the news. "Zhang Mei... She has disappeared," he announced, the words hanging heavily in the air.

Li Xinjie’s eyes widened in shock. "What... Do you think..." he trailed off, unable to voice his fears.

"I’m not sure. I will go there and investigate," Li Chen replied, his mind already racing with possibilities.

"I’m coming with you," Li Xinjie insisted, determined to support his brother.

Li Chen hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "It’s okay, I will handle this. You still need to fully recover," he reasoned, concern for his brother evident in his voice.

Sun Lixia intervened decisively. "Take Shadow and Ren Zirui with you," she instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Li Chen nodded, his resolve steeled. Without wasting another minute, he quickly made his way out the door, his mind consumed with thoughts of finding Zhang Mei and uncovering the truth behind her disappearance.

As Ren Zirui drove, the tension in the car was palpable. Li Chen sat in the back, his mind consumed with worry for Zhang Mei. He desperately hoped for her safe return, but his fears gnawed at him relentlessly. Thoughts raced through his mind, considering every possible scenario: the organization, the transmigrators. He felt a profound sense of guilt, as if he had failed to protect Zhang Mei from the dangers that seemed to follow him wherever he went.

When they reached Zhang Mei’s home, Mu Lingling rushed to Li Chen’s side, her distress evident. "She still hasn’t returned or even called," she informed him urgently.

Li Chen’s heart sank at the news. "Did she take the guard when she left?" he inquired, his voice tinged with concern.

Mu Lingling nodded anxiously. "Yes, but he’s not picking up my calls," she replied, her worry mounting.

"Did she tell you where she was going?" Li Chen pressed further, his mind racing with possibilities.

Mu Lingling shook her head, her worry mirroring his own. "She said she wanted to meet Zhang Meixui to give her a dress for tomorrow," she explained, her voice trembling with concern. "But she didn’t say where they would meet."

Li Chen’s heart clenched with fear for Zhang Mei’s safety. With each passing moment, the sense of urgency grew, driving him to find answers and bring her back home, safe and sound.

Li Chen’s heart pounded with fear as he tried to call Zhang Mei, her phone ringing out. Panic rising, he attempted to reach the guard and driver, but their phones remained unanswered. Just as his worry peaked, his phone rang. He answered hastily, hoping for Zhang Mei’s voice. "Hello?" he uttered anxiously.

Heavy breathing greeted him on the other end, causing his heart to race faster. "Mei, is that you? Are you okay? Where are you?" Li Chen’s voice trembled with concern.

The breathing only intensified, fueling Li Chen’s growing anxiety. "Hello?" he called out again, desperation creeping into his tone.

Suddenly, a woman’s voice, unfamiliar to Li Chen, pierced through the silence. "Hi, Li Chen," she greeted casually. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Li Chen’s brow furrowed in confusion and alarm. "Who is this?" he demanded, his voice tight with apprehension.

There was a brief pause before the woman spoke again, her tone chillingly calm. "If you want to keep her alive, you should come to the old sweet factory downtown," she stated ominously.

Li Chen’s heart dropped, his worst fears confirmed. "Who is this? What have you done with Zhang Mei?" he demanded, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger.

The woman’s response was chilling. "She is okay for now, but that will depend on you," she replied cryptically before abruptly ending the call, leaving Li Chen with a sinking feeling of dread.

"I have to go and find Zhang Mei," Li Chen declared urgently.

Mu Lingling’s eyes widened with concern. "You should call the police, it’s dangerous," she insisted.

Li Chen shook his head, determination etched on his face. "Police will alarm the person who has her. I have to go alone," he explained firmly.

"But..." Mu Lingling began, her worry evident in her voice.

"It’s okay, Aunt Lingling. I will get her home," Li Chen reassured her with a reassuring smile before striding towards the car.

Addressing Ren Zirui, he instructed, "We are going to the old sweet factory downtown."

Ren Zirui nodded, concern etched on his features. "Need extra people?" he offered.

"We will see when we get there," Li Chen replied cryptically.

As Ren Zirui drove towards the factory, Li Chen dialed Sun Lixia’s number, informing her of the situation. "I will send more men your way. Just get her back safely," Sun Lixia promised urgently.

"I have to go alone. I have Shadow and Ren Zirui with me. It will be fine," Li Chen reassured her confidently before ending the call, his determination unwavering as he prepared to face whatever dangers lay ahead in his quest to rescue Zhang Mei.