2: Chapter 2 Under the Public Eye

"Sis, I've just been so busy with work lately! I'll come visit you in Nightless City in a little while."

"That sounds great, Sis will be waiting for you. But please, don't be like the last two times!"

"That's definitely not going to happen again. But, I might need to be busy for about another month. I'll definitely come visit you then, my dear big sister."

"Alright, it's a deal. By the way, Little Que Que, why are you calling me at this hour?"

"Sis, it's just that I missed you and wanted to hear your voice."

On the other end of the line, Xu Yue was clearly taken aback for a moment.

Then, she said, "Let me start a video call then."

"No need, I'm about to wash up and head to work."

"Alright then, but don't forget what you just said."

"I won't."

Hanging up the phone, Xu Que couldn't help but sigh.

His sister, Xu Yue, was undeniably stunning—a top-tier beauty, and she had no shortage of suitors.

Yet, she didn't seem interested in any of them. Even at 27, she was still single, and had been since birth.

Xu Que even started to wonder if something was wrong with her!

...

After washing up and tucking the sofa into his Spirit Spring Space, Xu Que returned his key card and left the hotel.

He drew lots, and it was Lin Yutong.

It was fate!

Xu Que headed straight for the hotel where Lin Yutong was staying.

Opportunities to get close to her were rare, and the entrance of the hotel where she was staying was one such chance.

However, this would mean acting in plain sight!

Once done, there would be no turning back!

From this moment on, he would become a walking money-maker!

Meanwhile. At the entrance of the first floor of the Jinghua Hotel.

Two blue police cordon lines had already been set up, and the sides were packed with crowds. They were all fans of Lin Yutong, mostly women, holding their phones, ready to take photos and record videos as soon as Lin Yutong appeared.

Xu Que pushed through the crowd with effort, touching the dagger hidden in his sleeve. His palms were slightly sweaty, and he felt extremely nervous.

It was his first major operation in life, and in plain sight at that; the consequences were easy to imagine.

But... to keep the system, for the Spirit Spring Space and the Triple Physique, he had to take the risk!

If he failed, he would end up singing the prison blues behind bars!

Hoo... haa...

Xu Que took a deep breath, calming his nerves.

This was a matter of life and death; he couldn't afford any mistakes!

Listening to the chattering voices around him, Xu Que gradually calmed down.

"She's coming out! She's coming out!"

"Lin Yutong, I love you!"

"Wife, you look so beautiful..."

"Tongtong, you're the best..."

...

Someone shouted, followed immediately by the continuous cheers of the fans.

Xu Que also looked toward the hotel entrance.

He saw Lin Yutong dressed in red trousers and a black short-sleeved top, with a red mark tattooed between her brows. Her hair was swept up, and she was cradling a Pomeranian in her arms as she walked toward the business van at the end of the cordon.

At this moment, Xu Que no longer felt nervous.

As he watched Lin Yutong draw closer, the cheers of the fans around him seemed to fade away.

"Whoosh~"

Just as Lin Yutong was less than a meter away from Xu Que, he lunged over the cordon, grabbed her slender, fair arm, and pressed the dagger from his sleeve against her snow-white neck.

It happened so suddenly that the staff and the countless fans nearby couldn't react in time.

Lin Yutong was stunned by Xu Que's sudden move. Feeling the cold blade against her neck, she widened her eyes in terror, not daring to move an inch.

"Behave and don't struggle, or I'll kill you!"

Xu Que threatened coldly and dragged Lin Yutong toward the business van.

"Uproar!" The people around reacted instantly, and the scene descended into chaos.

"Holy crap, is someone trying to kidnap my wife?"

"Let Yutong go! Don't you know what you're doing is illegal..."

"Quick... call the police."

"Wife Yutong, I'm coming to save you..."

Several hot-headed youths, eyes blazing with rage, lunged over the cordon, wanting to rush forward to save their goddess.

"Back off, all of you, or I'll kill her right now." Xu Que scanned the crowd with a calm expression and said coldly.

"Everyone step back, don't do anything rash. Be careful, or he might hurt Yutong."

Just then, a man in his forties stopped the three hot-headed youths.

Seeing the three youths retreat, gritting their teeth and eyes burning with fury, Xu Que stood behind Lin Yutong, his left arm locked around her neck and his right hand holding the dagger tightly against her throat. He ducked into the business van and slammed the door shut.

"Drive. Find a secluded place with no one around to stop. If you try anything funny, I'll kill her."

Looking at the driver, who appeared nervous yet carried a hint of admiration, Xu Que threatened him.

"Alright, alright, I'm driving now. Please don't hurt Yutong."

The driver said, starting the car and driving forward.

In the back, since it was a business van, there was some distance between the two seats.

Xu Que moved the dagger away just a little.

If the driver slammed on the brakes, Lin Yutong might end up dead, and his mission would likely fail, leaving his life in shambles!

"Big brother, I... I don't think I've ever offended you, have I? Why are you kidnapping me?"

Seeing the person behind her didn't speak, Lin Yutong continued, "If you let me go now, I can play along and say we were just acting. That way you won't have to face kidnapping charges. How about it, big brother?"

"Shut your mouth. If you dare speak again, I'll slash your face."

Hearing the cold voice of the man behind her, Lin Yutong quickly clamped her mouth shut, not daring to make another sound.

...

At the hotel entrance. Fans and staff were busy calling the police.

Qingluan Film City Police Station.

Listening to the incessant stream of emergency calls on the line, the dispatcher, Lin Momo, grew serious. She quickly stood up and walked toward the station chief's office.

"Xiao Lin, what's the matter? Why the rush?"

Station Chief Liu Qiming looked up, frowning at Lin Momo.

"Chief Liu, we just received numerous reports from the public saying that the celebrity Lin Yutong was kidnapped at the entrance of the Jinghua Hotel, and the suspect drove away with her in her business van."

"What? Someone actually dared to commit a kidnapping on my turf? They must have guts of steel!"

Liu Qiming's expression changed. He stood up abruptly and slammed his palm onto the desk with a loud bang.

Lin Momo couldn't help but shrink back; the station chief was too temperamental!

He was always like this... it scared her to death!

Liu Qiming quickly headed toward the surveillance room.

Nowadays, there were surveillance cameras everywhere on the road. Kidnapping? Heh, they could go sing the prison blues in jail!

Three minutes later, six police cars with sirens wailing left the station, closing in on Xu Que.

On the other side. The business van slowly pulled over on a secluded road.

Watching the driver disappear, Xu Que looked back at the trembling Lin Yutong.

He quickly put away the dagger and covered Lin Yutong's eyes with his hands.

In the next second, both of their figures vanished from inside the van.

"Wee-woo, wee-woo..."

Just as they vanished, the six police cars appeared within sight of the business van.

They quickly surrounded the business van.

"Person inside the vehicle, listen up. We are officers from the Qingluan Film City Police Station. You are completely surrounded, and there is no possibility of escape."

"Our primary mission is to ensure the safety of the hostage. We hope you realize this and do not take any actions that might harm the hostage. We are willing to communicate with you to find a peaceful resolution."

"Now, we demand that you drop your weapon immediately and release the hostage. This is your only correct choice."

"If you cooperate with our operation, release the hostage, and surrender, we will handle your case with leniency according to the law."

After a while, there was no response from inside the van.

Liu Qiming felt a wave of doubt. Could the suspect have already escaped?!

Immediately, he made a signal to "advance," and over a dozen armed officers quickly approached the business van.

"Chief Liu, there's no one in the car. The suspect has escaped."