Li Chen, Xu Zhonhao, and Tang Ziyi had just completed their rigorous training session in the park when Li Chen’s phone rang. He answered without even checking the caller ID and said, "Hello?"

A sinister voice on the other end spoke, "Sounds like you’re sitting comfortably at home."

Li Chen’s expression shifted as he asked, "Who is this?"

The voice continued, "If you want to see your girlfriend alive, you’ll need to come to this address."

Li Chen, growing more alarmed, pressed for answers. "Wait, who are you?"

The voice identified itself, "This is Cao Heping. Remember me? I promised to come for you after you punched me."

Realization struck Li Chen, and he jumped to his feet, his voice filled with rage and concern. "What have you done to Zhang Mei?"

Cao Heping replied tauntingly, "For now, I haven’t done anything. But I can’t guarantee her safety if you don’t show up alone at the provided address within an hour. No police, and you must come alone."

Li Chen, seething with anger, said, "Send me the address. I’ll be there. I swear, if you touch her..."

Cao Heping interrupted with a mocking tone, "What will you do? You don’t know who you’re dealing with."

Frustrated and fearful for Zhang Mei, Li Chen hung up the call. His friends, Xu Zhonhao and Tang Ziyi, immediately inquired about the situation. Li Chen explained the kidnapping and the kidnapper’s demands.

Tang Ziyi insisted on coming along to help, saying, "I’m not helpless. I want to help Sister Mei too."

Li Chen hesitated, but he eventually made a decision. "You stay here, Tang Ziyi. Xu Zhonhao, you can accompany me, but you must stay in the car."

Xu Zhonhao didn’t argue with Li Chen’s decision; instead, he prepared himself mentally, ready for whatever might occur during the dangerous mission to rescue Zhang Mei.

Meanwhile, Zhang Mei woke up from the sedative she was injected with, and this time she woke up in a different room. It was brightly lit and she was tied up with handcuffs in a big bed that had red sheets. She looked around and at the table nearby was things that scared her to death: whips, different sizes of dildos. Everything screamed BDSM and Zhang Mei knew that she was about to face hell if no one came to her rescue today.

Cao Heping walked in slowly and his eyes locked on Zhang Mei.

Zhang Mei tried to maintain her composure despite the fear coursing through her. She firmly said, "Stay away from me."

Cao Heping, dressed in a black robe, paid no heed to her plea. His bare chest revealed a hairy disposition, and he took a few steps closer. Cao Heping coldly retorted, "If only you had agreed to be mine, we wouldn’t be here right now."

As he moved towards a table, he casually picked up a whip, playing with it in his hands. His lustful eyes locked onto Zhang Mei, making her feel a deep sense of disgust and discomfort.

Cao Heping sneered, "I’ve called your little boyfriend. He sounded very angry. Do you think he will enjoy the show I have for him tonight?"

Zhang Mei, feeling a mix of anger and fear, responded, "I told you to keep Li Chen out of this!"

Cao Heping seemed unfazed as he retorted, "Well, unfortunately, the only woman I ever listened to was my mother."

Zhang Mei couldn’t contain herself and said with a trace of bitterness, "She gave birth to a monster; I hope she can see that."

Cao Heping, incensed, roared angrily, "Stop, woman!"

Zhang Mei tried to mask her fear with laughter and retorted, "What, did I touch a sore spot?"

Cao Heping’s eyes blazed with anger, and he yelled, "Stop talking!"

Turning to one of the men outside, he ordered, "Give me my phone."

Once he had the phone in his hands, Cao Heping began working on it. As he moved closer to Zhang Mei, he sinisterly added, "Since we’re speaking of mothers..."

He then showed Zhang Mei a chilling clip. The footage portrayed her mother in her hospital bed, and it appeared as if it had been taken from a CCTV camera. This sight sent shivers down Zhang Mei’s spine, making her feel as though her soul was leaving her body.

Meanwhile, Li Chen and Xu Zhonhao arrived at the old abandoned warehouse. Li Chen said, "Stay here. If I’m not out in an hour, call the police." Xu Zhonhao said, "Sure."

Li Chen took a deep breath. Before he walked in, the God of War suddenly said in his head, "Let me handle this." Li Chen said, "But..."

"You’re too soft," the God of War said.

Li Chen sighed and gave in. Suddenly, the God of War fully took over Li Chen’s body, and a cold smirk appeared on his face.

Li Chen walked into the building. At the door, he saw two men standing there, as if waiting for him. The men moved closer to him, and one of them said, "Who are you?"

Li Chen said, "Your boss requested my presence."

The men exchanged glances and opened the door. Li Chen followed the two men deep into the warehouse. One of them said, "Stay here." Li Chen stood there with one of the men while the other walked into a room.

Xu Zhonhao, feeling a strong sense of responsibility and determination, had made up his mind not to let Li Chen face danger alone. As Li Chen was taken away with the two men, Xu Zhonhao quietly got out of the car, glanced around the area, and couldn’t help but smirk to himself.

In a low mutter, he said, "Sorry, Li Chen. Can’t let you face this danger alone. My boss would kill me if she found out."

With silent steps and an air of stealth, Xu Zhonhao made his way to the rear of the warehouse. He effortlessly jumped the fence and seemingly disappeared into thin air. To the untrained eye, there was no sign of a person’s presence, even though it was broad daylight. Xu Zhonhao was putting his assassin skills to good use.

As Cao Heping continued his taunting, reveling in the discomfort he was causing Zhang Mei by mentioning her mother, a sudden interruption occurred. A man entered the room and whispered a few words to Cao Heping. Hearing the news, Cao Heping chuckled and commented, "Well, well, Zhang Mei, it seems like your boyfriend is finally here. I have to say, he was quite fast. I gave him an hour, and it took him only 30 minutes."

Cao Heping then turned to the man who had brought the message and instructed him, "Please invite our guest in. Let’s not be so rude."

The man nodded and responded, "Yes, sir," before swiftly leaving to carry out Cao Heping’s orders. The tension in the room grew as they all awaited the arrival of Li Chen.

Moments later, the door swung open, and Li Chen walked into the dimly lit room. He was met with the disturbing sight of Zhang Mei, cuffed to the bed, her face marked by fear and distress. The sense of helplessness gnawed at his heart, but he had to stay composed for her sake.

Cao Heping, still wearing his wicked smirk, greeted Li Chen sarcastically, "Ah, Li Chen, the hero arrives! You came quicker than I expected. I was starting to wonder if you’d chicken out."

Li Chen’s face remained stern as he retorted, "Enough games, Cao Heping. Let her go now."

Zhang Mei’s eyes widened with a mix of relief and disbelief as she watched Li Chen stride into the room, determined and unafraid. She had hoped he would come, but seeing him there filled her with a renewed sense of hope and determination.

Cao Heping, on the other hand, seemed unimpressed. He stood up from his chair and took a few steps toward Li Chen, sizing him up. "You seem quite confident, my friend. But remember, I have the upper hand here. If you want your precious girlfriend to stay intact, you’ll do as I say."

Li Chen clenched his fists but knew he had to tread carefully. "What do you want, Cao Heping?"

Cao Heping’s grin widened, and he gestured to a nearby chair, taunting, "Sit, Li Chen, and I’ll explain everything."

Li Chen hesitated but eventually took a seat, his eyes never leaving Zhang Mei. She knew Li Chen was doing his best to protect her, and she whispered softly, "Li Chen, just do as he says. Don’t worry about me."

Cao Heping chuckled, pleased with the display of submission. "Good. Now, let me lay out the terms. If you want your girlfriend unharmed, you will help me with a little job. Something that only you can do. And if you’re successful, she goes free."

Li Chen clenched his jaw, realizing he had little choice. For Zhang Mei’s safety, he had to cooperate, at least for now. He reluctantly nodded, signaling his agreement.

Zhang Mei, although terrified for Li Chen’s safety, couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride as she watched him take control of the situation. She had faith that they would get through this ordeal together.