Chapter 29 Cousin’s Forcible Seizure of You (End)

Chapter 29: When the Cousin Takes What He Wants (End)

So, you've been kidnapped. Now what?

Lou Han had just gone out for a bit. He was conscious the whole time he was being kidnapped, his mouth gagged.

He was tied up in a cleared-out space in the center of a warehouse.

The warehouse was in the middle of nowhere. It used to be a chemical plant.

A couple of guys were having a smoke.

September or not, the heat was brutal, and the day was sweltering.

Several rough-looking guys, dressed like slobs, stood at the entrance. They’d taken off their hats to fan themselves and didn't even bother to hide their faces.

Just from that, Lou Han knew they weren't planning on letting him walk out of here; they probably wanted his life.

But they didn't act immediately.

Judging by how Lou Yihua had arranged things...

It was clear this wasn't just a simple kidnapping.

Soon, Lou Yihua entered from outside.

He looked exactly as Lou Han had expected.

He’d lost an arm.

He seemed even more unhinged than before.

Lou Yihua called his men together and ripped the tape off Lou Han's mouth.

He looked at Lou Han, giving him a once-over from head to toe, taking in every detail.

Then, a hard look came into his eyes. He was an impulsive man, but days on the run like a rat had forced him to learn some patience.

Lou Han was the one tied up, yet he only showed slight panic. Whether it was his refined attire, his handsome face, or every minute detail of his appearance, he looked way more put-together than Lou Yihua.

Lou Yihua held out his one good hand and laughed, his expression like he was holding something back.

"Long time no see, nephew. Are you surprised to see me? Take a good look at what's become of your uncle."

Lou Han finally could speak, managing a look of confused fear.

He frowned, as if wanting to reason with Lou Yihua but not daring to provoke him. "Un-uncle, I didn't know you'd been through so much, but I've never done anything to you. Why are you doing this?!"

...Such a "white lotus" (innocent victim) line. Lou Han's delivery faltered for a second.

The system had just said that a plot directive suddenly appeared in its program, instructing Lou Han to say that.

Lou Han: "?"

The system scratched its head, "It fits the NPC persona better; after all, that's how you acted in front of Lou Yihua before."

Hearing Lou Han's words, Lou Yihua's expression remained unchanged. Lou Han thought to himself, *He's definitely determined to kill me.*

Because he saw a cold, murderous glint deep in Lou Yihua's eyes.

"Ah, nephew," Lou Yihua sneered. "I just wanted to meet you, to catch up, that's all."

"Uncle, you should let me go now," Lou Han said, seeming to bite back his anger.

Lou Yihua stared at Lou Han and gave a strange smile. "Why are you still putting on an act? I really misjudged you."

"..." Lou Han, hands tied behind his back, struggled visibly against the chair.

He froze for a second when he heard that.

"Uncle, what do you mean by that?"

"It seems Xi Jingqi was right back then. You really should take over the Lou family. You have the capability. Such a waste."

Lou Yihua circled around Lou Han, slapping his knee and laughing derangedly.

Lou Han worked with high-tech products. His original world was far more advanced than this one, and he had never forgotten his education.

So, the company he and Lou Zimin founded independently was built around a line of high-tech products.

Judging by their current achievements, they'd carved out a huge slice of the market for themselves.

It wouldn't be surprising if they became industry giants in the future.

Recently, many had tried to acquire them, but Lou Han never agreed. When buyouts failed, some tried to invest, but Lou Han still refused.

He had a clear vision and was highly ambitious.

Lou Yihua laughed until he cried; the rough man actually had tears of laughter in his eyes.

"I really misjudged you back then. You're quite clever, the best businessman among us Lous. You're a predator just like me, yet I treated you like a kid I could push around."

Lou Han's expression, however, became very calm, as if his cover was blown.

"So you still dare play dumb with me!"

Lou Yihua gnashed his teeth. "Why didn't I see what you were really up to before, Lou Han?"

He finally showed his true colors:

"Damn it, you agreed back then to help me get rid of Xi Jingqi. And then, while your uncle was suffering and my company was driven bankrupt by that bastard, you little brat were living the high life! Your company is about to go public, and Xi Jingqi actually let you off!"

"He didn't kill me directly but made me live like a rat in the gutter. These days, whenever his men found me, they made my life hell. I was constantly on the run."

Lou Han brushed off the first part of the speech and feigned curiosity about the rest:

"But uncle, haven't you heard the news?"

Lou Han: "Xi Jingqi is under investigation. His people can't act now. Fourth Aunt is in charge."

"What kind of person is Xi Jingqi!" Lou Yihua roared, furious.

"He appears to be under congressional investigation because he's currently in a power struggle with another big shot in Congress."

"He's been laying low precisely to secretly bring the other guy down. That person fell from power yesterday!"

"He'll be back on top any day now. Do you think he'll let me off?!"

"Actually, among so many people, you're the craftiest one of all. Even Xi Jingqi was probably someone you deliberately snared, Lou Han. Ah, Lou Han, you're so young, yet you have too many tricks up your sleeve."

"You're a man—have you no shame? Or should I say that as a member of the Lou family, you're the one who most resembles the old man?"

"If I could do it all over again, I would have killed you long ago."

"Now the entire Lou family is suffering, and a century-old legacy is on the verge of ruin, yet you and Lou Zimin are doing just fine."

"Lou Zimin is even riding your coattails; because of you, Xi Jingqi hasn't targeted him. So now you're thriving, while I'm suffering like a rat in the gutter."

Lou Han watched Lou Yihua calmly.

Lou Yihua detested this expression the most—it reminded him of Lou Yun.

That woman always looked at him with that expression, as if he were an idiot.

Lou Han truly had moves.

And he was still young; his future held endless possibilities.

Lou Yihua revealed a twisted smile. "Pity... today, you and Xi Jingqi will die by my hand."

"Did you think I didn't know you made that last phone call to notify Xi Jingqi?"

Lou Yihua said, "I was planning to use you to lure him out anyway. This works out perfectly—I don't even have to notify him myself!"

Lou Han thought that Lou Yihua was still a tough customer.

These people had clearly drilled this many times.

After blowing off steam with his rant, Lou Yihua didn't waste time arguing further. He signaled with his eyes.

Lou Han's mouth was once again covered by one of the men.

Lou Yihua quickly looked at the person beside him. The thug took out a phone, its screen showing an ongoing call.

"Hurry up, answer it," came a rough command. The phone was pressed against Lou Han's ear.

Xi Jingqi's voice came through the phone: "What do you want?"

Hearing this dignified male voice, everyone in the warehouse sneered.

They were waiting for him to die at their hands, along with his little lover.

These were all men who lived on the edge. Having fled with Lou Yihua because of him, everyone couldn't wait to see such a big shot die here.

"Those of you around him, don't touch Lou Han. Lou Yihua is at the end of his rope. If you're willing to switch sides, I can offer a much higher price."

Lou Yihua furiously ended the call. This man who had always held himself above him still dared to try and control the situation even now.

"Don't listen to him. Kill him, and we'll have leverage. Once I get the Lou family's money and his rivals' funds, I won't shortchange you."

The others murmured in agreement.

Lou Yihua glared at Lou Han again.

"You think Xi Jingqi is any good? He's an outsider with a grudge against our family. In the end, he just used family rules to punish me. You won't fare any better."

"I've already sent him the location. Just wait for him to come and die with you. Uncle will let you be a pair of doomed lovebirds—better than turning on each other later."

Uttering such sarcastic words, framing Lou Han and Xi Jingqi—each with their own hidden agendas—as true love, Lou Yihua found it particularly amusing.

Just waiting... to finally kill Xi Jingqi!

Lou Yihua was utterly floored. Xi Jingqi had actually come alone for Lou Han.

Xi Jingqi...

The warehouse had only one door; Lou Yihua wasn't worried about anyone else sneaking in.

In the center of the warehouse.

Lou Yihua had someone untie Lou Han's hands, then he took out a gun and jammed it against him!

He forced Lou Han to walk forward.

His expression was utterly ruthless. "It seems you really do like him. But you'd better not come any closer. I still think this might be a trick."

"His life is in my hands. If you want to save him, exchange yourself for him!"

Everyone saw an extremely tall man with an overwhelming presence.

Xi Jingqi stood there, obeying Lou Yihua's words, not moving at all.

He slowly raised his hands to show he had no weapons.

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife.

Lou Yihua couldn't help but mock, growling, "You dealt with those people in Congress, but dying here is your fate."

"One last thing you should know." Lou Yihua tilted his head slightly, looking at Lou Han, who was almost completely shielding him from Xi Jingqi.

Lou Yihua probably thought his nephew was about to die and intended to tell him one final truth before he went.

"You wanted to find someone to help you get the Lou family's assets before, right? Someone named Wang."

Lou Yihua sneered sarcastically, "You probably still don't know—this person was sent by Xi Jingqi. He's been scheming against you all along."

But contrary to Lou Yihua's expectations, Lou Han's expression remained perfectly calm.

Lou Yihua simply assumed he was scared out of his mind and barked a laugh.

He remembered the first day in this world.

The Lou family was still shrouded in an illusion of harmony.

Now they stood at a crossroads for everyone's fate.

Being held at gunpoint is terrifying, so Lou Yihua never expected Lou Han to make a grab for the gun.

Lou Yihua instinctively tried to pull the trigger.

The instant Lou Han moved, Xi Jingqi's raised hands changed their motion.

The gun drawn from behind his waist was faster. Xi Jingqi's bullet pierced Lou Yihua's hand, fired from a distance but landing squarely.

Others have heroes saving beauties, but for Lou Han...

It's his wife saving him. Hmm, pretty good.

The bullet whizzed past Lou Han.

Lou Yihua's face was frozen, his eyes wide open.

Lou Han turned his head to see Xi Jingqi holding a gun, his expression stony.

As if in a daze, Lou Han heard his phone ringing—it was his employees from the past few days.

"President Han, President Han, could you come to the office?"

"President Han, I have a big deal here that requires your presence. Would that work for you?"

"President Han, I've followed up with President Chen. He wants to meet you. Do you have time this afternoon?"

Too many, too many.

There were too many calls for Lou Han.

Lou Yihua collapsed in a pool of blood. His gaze remained fixed only on the nearest person—Lou Han.

With his last ounce of strength, he still tried to force out a mocking smile, his voice growing weaker. "I'm laughing at how foolish you are... You're still so young. Your future holds many possibilities."

He couldn't say the rest.

His breathing stopped.

The bullet had struck him squarely in the forehead, so death was instantaneous.

The mockery abruptly ceased, giving his words a new meaning, as if he still wanted to drive a wedge between Lou Han and Xi Jingqi at the last moment.

His unspoken thoughts were probably known only to himself: But that's just what you think... Someone like Xi Jingqi won't let you be your own person. Your future, your career—they will ultimately be stifled by him.

He will rise through the ranks in Congress, and all he needs is an obedient, docile, obscure lover.

Do you think you'll have the last laugh?

He doubted whether Lou Han truly loved Xi Jingqi, but a young person who puts so much effort into building his own career...

He must be unwilling to live an ordinary life in someone else's shadow.

So Lou Yihua waited for one of them to join him in hell.

In hell.

Xi Jingqi's expression appeared cold and hard. Still holding the gun, he responded to Lou Yihua's unfinished words:

"No, his future holds only one possibility—to stay by my side."

Presumably, Lou Yihua didn't know that Xi Jingqi never makes a move without being prepared. His men are elite operatives; they had already entered through the warehouse windows dozens of meters high.

These small fry in the warehouse were nothing to Xi Jingqi's people and were quickly subdued once again.

Xi Jingqi's men closed in from all sides.

Lou Han stood beside Xi Jingqi, a perfect match.

And surprisingly, his presence was not overshadowed.

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Hmm. Perhaps Lou Yihua didn't know that Lou Han actually enjoys a laid-back life.

In such a life, Lou Han actually has a lot of fun.

—End of the First Mini-World—

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Author's Note: There are still two short epilogues for the first world coming up!! They'll cover daily life and follow-ups on certain plot points. If you feel there's anything else that needs to be added, feel free to tell me~ [Please]