The moment the delivery man saw what was happening, his eyes widened in disbelief.
His hand trembled slightly as he quickly read the van's number plate and typed it into his phone.
Without wasting another second, he called Ah Yan, his voice breathless and urgent.
"Bro! I just saw Lin Yue! Someone took her—forced her into a van near the station! The number plate is ******! They went toward the eastern outskirts!"
Ah Yan didn't even reply.
His heart dropped.
His hands tightened on the handlebar of his scooter, and without hesitation, he turned the ignition and sped off, weaving through traffic like a shadow chasing light.
---
Lin Yue's head pounded like a drum, and her vision was blurry when she slowly opened her eyes.
Her body felt stiff and heavy.
She tried to move but realized her arms were tied tightly behind her back, her ankles bound to the legs of a rusty metal chair.
Panic surged through her chest.
Her eyes darted around, trying to make sense of her surroundings.
Cold, cracked concrete walls, shattered windows letting in dusty rays of light... it was an abandoned warehouse.
Isolated.
Forgotten.
Fear wrapped around her heart like a vice.
"Who… who hates me this much?" she muttered under her breath, trying to wriggle out of the ropes.
But whoever tied her had done a meticulous job.
A very good job.
The rope dug into her skin, burning slightly every time she moved.
Then the heavy metallic door creaked open.
A tall, scruffy man with a cruel smirk stepped in. He looked at her with eyes that gleamed with malice and mockery.
"Well, well. Sleeping Beauty's awake," he drawled, taking out a cigarette and lighting it casually.
The smoke curled around his face as he walked toward her.
"Who are you?" Lin Yue snapped, masking her fear behind her sharp tone. "What do you want?"
He chuckled, blowing a cloud of smoke into the air. "Doesn't matter who I am. I'm just here for the job."
Three other men followed him in.
They looked rough, with scars and crude tattoos on their arms.
They looked like total outlaws.
Their eyes raked over her hungrily.
"If the boss hadn't told us not to touch her yet, I'd have already had some fun," one muttered, smirking.
"She's got a mouth, though. Might be wild," another added with a nasty laugh.
Lin Yue's stomach twisted in disgust.
Her eyes searched desperately for anything—any chance to escape.
Just as her fear started spiraling, the door opened again.
Her blood froze.
There he was.
Lin Chengbi.
Her father.
Or the man who had raised her and claimed to be.
He walked in with heavy steps, face twisted with hatred and bitterness.
The moment she laid eyes on him, something in her heart cracked.
Her voice was hoarse. "Lin Chengbi… What are you doing here?"
He sneered, stepping closer. "Don't call me that like you don't know why you're here."
She glared at him. "You're insane."
"I'm in debt," he snapped. "Three hundred thousand. Those bastards are going to kill me if I don't pay up."
Her voice trembled in disbelief. "So you kidnap me?"
He barked a dry laugh. "You always had money. Always giving excuses. Now you're going to help your family whether you like it or not."
"Family?" Lin Yue spat. "You treat me like a dog. You sold everything I had. You beat me. Now you want me to save you?"
His eyes flared with rage. "I raised you! You owe me! If you don't give me the money… I'll let the boss have you."
She stared at him, heart pounding. Her hands clenched behind her back. "I don't have that kind of money."
He didn't believe her. "Don't lie! You live in the city, you've got a job. I know you got savings!"
Just then, as her eyes frantically scanned the room, she caught sight of something—or someone—hidden in the shadowy corner.
Ah Yan.
He was crouched behind a stack of broken crates, barely visible.
Their eyes met.
He gave her a single signal: stay quiet.
She blinked, masking her shock, then turned back to Lin Chengbi. "Even if I had the money… I would never give it to you."
"You ungrateful brat—"
SLAP!
His hand struck her hard across the face, and her head snapped to the side.
The sting spread across her cheek as tears welled in her eyes.
"You'll regret that," he hissed.
Suddenly, a blur of motion zipped past her.
One—two—three—four!
In a flash, the four thugs were on the floor, unconscious.
Lin Chengbi's eyes widened as Ah Yan emerged from the shadows like a vengeful spirit.
His eyes were dark, unreadable. His steps slow and heavy, like each one carried silent fury.
"Who the hell—" Lin Chengbi started, but before he could finish, Ah Yan's fist connected with his stomach.
BAM!
The older man doubled over, coughing violently.
Another punch to the face sent him sprawling to the ground.
Ah Yan raised his fist again, his face blank—expressionless—but his eyes burned with rage.
Just as he was about to deliver another hit, Lin Yue cried out, "Ah Yan! Stop!"
His fist froze mid-air. He turned, breathing heavily, then rushed to her side.
He knelt down and quickly untied the ropes.
The moment her arms were free, she threw herself into his chest, her whole body trembling.
He wrapped his arms around her, gently patting her back. "It's okay. I'm here. You're safe now."
Her voice shook. "He was going to sell me… just for money."
Ah Yan's eyes flickered toward Lin Chengbi, who was now groaning on the floor, blood trickling from his nose.
"You're not human," Lin Yue whispered coldly, stepping back to face her so-called father.
Her voice was no longer shaking—it was calm, deadly cold.
"This is the last time. If anything like this happens again, I will call the police. I don't care about the past. I don't care if we shared a roof. You're nothing to me now."
Lin Chengbi looked at her, stunned. For once, he was speechless.
Ah Yan held her hand and they walked out of the warehouse together.
The wind outside was sharp, but it felt cleaner—freer.
As they neared the scooter, Lin Yue staggered.
Her knees buckled and her vision spun.
"Lin Yue!" Ah Yan caught her just in time, his arms going around her as she slumped forward.
She had fainted.
And Ah Yan's heart clenched in fear as he gently picked her up.
Why did his heart ache so much?
---