Chapter 68: Danger

Chapter 68: In Peril

Liu Erxing rushed ashore, eager to embrace Yun Fan, who was equally exhilarated. But Yun Fan turned from him, facing the cameras instead.

"Wen Zhaofu, Mr. Zhaofu! Did you see that? First place!" Yun Fan waved his drumsticks, shouting with glee.

Watching this scene unfold on the big screen, Wen Zhaofu couldn't suppress his laughter, nor the deep affection welling up within him.

"I saw it, I saw it," Wen Zhaofu responded loudly, his usual composure momentarily forgotten.

Shi Ning seized the opportunity, capturing the moment on his phone, intending to use it as prime material for his old friend's future wedding.

Wen Zhaofu didn't shy away from the cameras; instead, he wished to preserve every possible memory of his time with Yun Fan. He didn't take their future for granted, believing every single moment was profoundly precious.

The commotion eventually subsided. Shi Ning, allowing no one else to interfere, accompanied Wen Zhaofu to the edge of the crowd to await Yun Fan. Regarding Wen Zhaofu's impending surgery, Shi Ning appeared even more anxious, often needing the patient himself to console the doctor.

"Whatever the outcome, I can accept it," Wen Zhaofu said gently. "Xiao Yun feels the same; he won't blame you."

"That won't do. I insist on being at the head table, to see you two standing together, hale and hearty," Shi Ning declared firmly.

As they chatted, time seemed to fly by. But when the parking lot emptied and Yun Fan still hadn't appeared, Wen Zhaofu's heart tightened with a premonition. He pulled out his phone, dialing Liu Erxing first, not Yun Fan.

"Liu Erxing, where's Yun Fan?" Wen Zhaofu asked, hearing a clamor on the other end.

"He was just here..." Liu Erxing's voice faltered, then rose sharply. "Where is Yun Fan?!"

Wen Zhaofu's face instantly darkened. He couldn't control his racing heart, relying on reason to steady his emotions as best he could.

"Shi Ning, Xiao Yun might be in danger. Get me back to Wen Residence quickly," Wen Zhaofu said, his eyes clouded with worry.

Without further questions, Shi Ning focused on driving at top speed. Wen Zhaofu rapidly mentally outlined what needed to be done, making his first call to Zu Hua.

Upon hearing the news, Zu Hua was incensed, exclaiming how such a thing could happen in this day and age. The Wen family would not tolerate it. She instructed Wen Zhaofu to come to Taiping Qingshui Residence immediately, insisting on personally overseeing the matter.

The past kidnapping of Wen Zhaofu had haunted Zu Hua for a lifetime. Now, with history repeating itself, she absolutely forbade any harm from befalling Yun Fan again.

While others might question why Wen Zhaofu, who always relied on himself, chose to seek help this time, Shi Ning understood. Some wounds remained on Wen Zhaofu's legs, while others were etched in his heart.

It was precisely because he knew he might not find the best solution alone that, amidst his anxiety and worry, he rationally called Zu Hua.

At Taiping Qingshui Residence, members of the third branch of the family had gathered. As the sound of Wen Zhaofu's wheelchair echoed, all eyes turned toward him. Their expressions showed no curiosity or doubt, only a readiness for battle.

Wen Zhaofu understood: before his return, Zu Hua had already briefed everyone present.

Yun Fan was immensely important to Wen Zhaofu, and today's incident would be treated with the utmost seriousness.

"Big brother!!"

Wen Haochen burst from behind the crowd, tears and snot streaming down his face, throwing himself at Wen Zhaofu's feet and kneeling on the floor, disheveled.

"Get up, stop crying," Wen Zhaofu raised his voice, his tone firm. "No more blubbering! The sky isn't falling!"

"But Yun Fan, Yun Fan is missing!" Wen Haochen clung to Wen Zhaofu's legs. "What if... what if his legs are broken too? No, big brother, save Yun Fan! Save him, and I won't fight you for him."

"Wen Haochen!" Zu Hua's voice rang out from the center of the crowd as she slammed the table. "Stop causing trouble. Zhaofu is already in enough pain."

Wen Zhaofu closed his eyes briefly, then waved a dismissive hand. An Liwen rushed over and dragged her brother away.

"Grandfathers, uncles, and aunts, I..." Wen Zhaofu rarely found himself at a loss for words. "I need Xiao Yun back safe and sound."

*

It was cold, so cold. Yun Fan curled up, trying to open his eyes but finding himself unable.

"Zhaofu, I'm cold..." Yun Fan murmured.

Earlier, when he slept beside Wen Zhaofu, the air conditioning had been set too low. Wen Zhaofu held him tightly, refusing to adjust the temperature.

After Yun Fan saw through this little trick, Wen Zhaofu blushed and had to raise the temperature.

"If you want to hug me, just say so. No need for excuses," Yun Fan had said, pouncing on Wen Zhaofu with bright eyes.

But now, no one was there to hold Yun Fan or cover him with a blanket. Only the gnawing cold answered his calls.

A similar chill settled in Wen Zhaofu's heart as he anxiously awaited news. The Wen family had mobilized all resources to search for Yun Fan.

They had acted quickly, and there was no indication yet that Yun Fan had been taken out of Hong Kong. As long as he remained in the city, the Wen family had a way to handle the situation.

But time was running out. Faced with the unknown and the dangers Yun Fan might be encountering, Wen Zhaofu couldn't remain calm.

Shi Ning stayed, worried about Wen Zhaofu's health. In all his years knowing Wen Zhaofu, he had never seen him so tense.

Wen Zhaofu clenched his fists, occasionally closing his eyes. His gaze, usually steady, now seemed scattered and unfocused. He couldn't find a bearing, unsure what he could even do.

Memories of his kidnapping years ago felt distant, yet now Wen Zhaofu found it hard to breathe, his heart clenched, his back tight, his body rigid.

"Zhaofu! Zhaofu!" Shi Ning patted Wen Zhaofu's arm, trying to bring him back to his senses. "Yun Fan hasn't been found yet. You can't collapse."

"Yeah..." Wen Zhaofu opened his eyes abruptly, sighing in pain. "Sorry, I lost my composure."

Shi Ning pushed Wen Zhaofu's wheelchair over to Zu Hua. Seeing his pale face, Zu Hua widened her eyes in shock. Shi Ning shook his head, and she remained silent.

After a long moment, Zu Hua spoke: "Zhaofu, Zu Hua will protect Yun Fan."

Wen Zhaofu looked at her, wanting to say many things but ultimately staying silent. In that moment, only Yun Fan standing safely before him could bring any comfort.

For the first time in years, Wen Qichang saw anxiety and helplessness on his eldest son's face. He started to ask questions but was interrupted by his wife, An Qishan.

Now was not the time to clarify the relationship between Yun Fan and Wen Zhaofu. Even the old steward didn't dare bring it up.

If certain truths were revealed now, Wen Zhaofu might snap.

Soon, Cheng Yu and Liu Erxing also returned. Cheng Yu's face was grim, his eyes reproachful as he looked at Wen Zhaofu. Liu Erxing pulled him back, shaking his head.

"Zhaofu, any news?" Liu Erxing asked.

Wen Zhaofu glanced at them, pointing to the nearby sofa. "I'm reviewing who I've recently offended. If you have any ideas, feel free to share."

"So you know this happened because of you," Cheng Yu said coldly.

"Yes, I am to blame, and I'll take full responsibility," Wen Zhaofu replied wearily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "After we find Yun Fan, I'll marry him and protect him forever."

"You!"

"Zhaofu!"

Cheng Yu and Liu Erxing blurted out at the same time, thoroughly shocked. They knew Wen Zhaofu meant every word, and it scared them.

But now wasn't the time to argue. Wen Zhaofu was too clever, even choosing this moment to declare his intentions.

"Shi Ning, these two men." Wen Zhaofu pulled up a photo and pointed, "They've seen Yun Fan. Find them. Now."

"If anything happens to Xiao Yun, they won't make it out of Hong Kong alive."

*

It hurt so much, his head felt like it was exploding. Yun Fan thrashed weakly, unable to break free. His wrists were tied, his mouth gagged, and his stomach was both bloated and stinging.

Slowly, he opened his eyes, but everything was a white blur. After a closer look, he realized this must be an industrial freezer.

Oh god, is this really where a transmigration cannon fodder should end up? Did the author really need to arrange such an elaborate scenario for a minor character like me?

Save me, someone please save me. Yun Fan opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

Just as Yun Fan was struggling, a voice came through a speaker: "Stay put! Just wait here to die. No one will ever find you."

Listen to that arrogance! Yun Fan really wanted to "tsk" in disgust, but he couldn't make a sound.

In those few short seconds, Yun Fan recalled that this was the voice of one of the lackeys of the "traitors" he and Wen Zhaofu had caught in Lion City.

They actually managed to escape?

Yun Fan thought, then you're done for. If Wen Zhaofu catches you, no one's begging will save you this time.

Before passing out again, Yun Fan hazily thought, Mr. Zhaofu, you need to hurry. I'm so cold...

"Hold them." Wen Zhaofu suppressed the trembling in his fingers and pointed at the cold storage door. "Shi Ning, get in there and get Xiao Yun out now."

"You..." Shi Ning glanced at Wen Zhaofu sitting in his wheelchair.

"Go. I won't get in the way." Wen Zhaofu nodded slightly.

Shi Ning rushed into the cold storage and scooped up the unconscious Yun Fan. He moved so fast that he was just a blur for Wen Zhaofu.

Seeing Yun Fan's lifeless hand, Wen Zhaofu's eyes immediately reddened, but he bit his lip tightly and looked at Shi Ning, who turned back. His voice trembled, "Please... save him."

"Don't worry, leave it to me." Shi Ning couldn't bear to see his old friend like this and quickly left.

"What about those two?" Wen Zhaofu suddenly set both feet on the ground and pulled a cane from a hidden compartment.

"They're in the warehouse, Zhaofu?!" Liu Erxing finished tying them up and came out, staring in shock as Wen Zhaofu stood up.

Wen Zhaofu grunted "Hn." and walked step by step toward the warehouse. He was slow, but he kept moving forward. Liu Erxing stood frozen in place, too stunned to react, until Wen Zhaofu turned his head and gave him a cold glare. Only then did Liu Erxing jog over to catch up.

"You... can walk?" Liu Erxing asked.

Wen Zhaofu smiled faintly, "Just learned."

Entering the warehouse, Wen Zhaofu looked at the two men tied together. He had seen them in Lion City—they were the traitors' lackeys he and Yun Fan had captured. He paused for a moment, then said coldly, "Old Liang vouched for them, and I spared their lives. This is the thanks I get?"

Liu Erxing noticed Wen Zhaofu was struggling to stand and moved to support his arm, but Wen Zhaofu shrugged him off harshly.

"Ha, Wen Zhaofu, if it weren't for you, our families would still be intact! Now I want you to know what it feels like to lose someone. Huh? You can actually walk?"

Wen Zhaofu let out a cold laugh, suppressing the rage burning in his chest, and walked closer to the two men. He raised his cane.

With a "whoosh," Liu Erxing heard a heavy "thud," followed by a scream. That's it, that leg's shattered.

"Which hand hit Yun Fan?" Wen Zhaofu raised his voice, demanding sharply.

"N-no one..."

"No one?" Wen Zhaofu wasn't buying it and raised his cane again.

Another strike landed, and Liu Erxing winced, his own hand throbbing in sympathy. He thought Cheng Yu was lucky not to have come along, or he might have fainted from witnessing Wen Zhaofu's ruthless side.

"Talk! Who hit Yun Fan!" Wen Zhaofu's eyes were red, the cane now his most powerful weapon.

Liu Erxing felt he hadn't seen everything—he never imagined Wen Zhaofu could be this fierce when enraged.

Screams filled the air, but Liu Erxing didn't try to stop Wen Zhaofu. Instead, he cracked his knuckles and joined the fray. He had taken a few combat classes before—now was the time to practice on real people.

The sky was completely dark as Wen Zhaofu and Liu Erxing walked out of the warehouse. The scattered lights were too faint to illuminate anything.

"This time, do what needs to be done." Wen Zhaofu said wearily.

"Xiao Yun..." Just mentioning the name brought a pang to his heart. "To the hospital, now."

-----------------------

Author's note: Oh please, Xiao Yun, please be okay.