After leaving the lounge, Su Chunchun wore a despondent expression as she walked straight through the lobby and toward the exit. 

 

She knew there were surveillance cameras everywhere, and once Chen Liang informed Han Xiping of the truth, he would surely come looking for her.

 

But Chen Liang... Do you think it's that simple to move on to the next world?

 

Impossible…

 

When Su Chunchun’s gaze fell over Tang Zi, she intentionally disdainfully scrutinized her from top to bottom before turning away.

 

Tang Zi took the bait, feeling a surge of anger by her ever-mocking gaze. Aren’t they both the same? Aren’t they both relying on men’s influence just for their personal gains?

 

She was quick to observe Su Chunchun’s appearance with red and swollen lips. Her body stiffened; she was obviously ravaged over by someone. She then watched the girl turn her back on her and leave; and unconsciously, she began to follow after her steps.

 

After Su Chunchun walked out of the hall, she deliberately chose the most secluded path. From behind, she could vaguely sense someone trailing after her.

 

She initially thought it was Tang Zi; but when the hand covered her nose and mouth with a cloth soaked in sedatives, she realized that the texture was more in line with a man’s hand.

 

…

 

Chen Liang's gaze fell on the ring in Han Xiping's hands, and suddenly his pupils contracted. He raised an eyebrow before chuckling lightly. “It seems that you already know.”

 

Han Xiping was quick to pick up his usual reaction. He grabbed his collar, roughly interrogating him with narrowed eyes. “Know what?” he coldly queried.

 

Unfazed by his violent actions, Chen Liang just threw a quick glance at Han Xiping, sneering at him for his idiocy. "What do you mean by what? Don’t tell me that even at this point of time, you still haven’t figured it out? Or perhaps you did, but you just don't want to admit it?"

 

Han Xiping stiffened all over. He didn’t speak for a long time.

 

Seeing him frozen in silence, Chen Liang could not help but coldly sneer at him with a hint of indifference in his eyes. 

 

He continued to spite him, "Did you really think that Su Chunchun left you because she was greedy for money? Or the night you were attacked by a group of gangsters was only a chance of bad luck? …Don’t the methods of influential families seem familiar to you? With your sudden string of misfortune, have you never suspected anything?”

 

"Or perhaps, it’s because you have never really trusted her?"

 

Chen Liang’s indifferent words were like heavy hammers pounding on his heart, one by one. Han Xiping raised his hand and clutched his chest, feeling his heart ache unbearably. 

 

His voice was dry as he murmured to himself. "Why... why didn't she tell me..?" 

 

Chen Liang sneered at him. His gaze revealed an emotion of indifference and ruthlessness for the man before him. 

 

"At that time, Teacher didn't put me in her eyes. The more she tried to refuse my advances, the more I wanted to claim her. But she only cared about you the most; and so I used you to threaten her. The teacher is then naturally obedient afterwards."

 

Han Xiping's heart ached even more. He clenched his fist as he quietly murmured to himself, “Just now, I said so many excessive things to Chunchun… I didn’t really mean it…”

 

"I only wanted her to stay with me," he whispered.

 

"Oh, I would also like to mention that at the previous party, I actually found her outside in the pouring rain. I wonder if she was only delirious from the fever, but even after it subsided, her whole demeanor was still off. If I hadn’t been slightly interested in her at that time, she would have been long gone. Oh, and she was so skinny back then! It took me a long time for her to regain some of her weight. Otherwise, I would have found it uncomfortable to hold her.”

 

Chen Liang looked calm as if savoring the other person's pained expression. "You should be glad that I have lost interest in her and told you these things; otherwise, you would still remain in the dark..."

 

Han Xiping's eyes were bloodshot. He raised his hand to punch the man on the face. "Chen Liang!"

 

"I will make you pay!"

 

He was so angry that he was gasping for breath. He spoke each word with a vicious tone, no longer showing any trace of elegance.

 

Right after hitting Chen Liang, Han Xiping straightened his clothes. He then hurriedly left the room to chase after his woman.

 

"Chunchun..."

 

He had to find her. He had to explain. If she didn’t forgive him…

 

He suddenly thought of Su Chunchun's appearance earlier. Perceiving her dull and lifeless gaze, he thought that she was just playing some tricks, but… A surge of remorse came over him, almost engulfing him in this bitterness.

 

He hated Chen Liang, but he hated himself more.

 

【 Beep! 90% of the main quest has been completed. Once the two leads are able to reconcile, the host can finally leave the world. 】

 

Earlier, when Han Xiping gave him a punch, he deliberately did not protect himself. Currently, he was just lying quietly on the ground. His cheeks were swollen and stinging. It was painful, but it still couldn't compare to the ache he was feeling in his heart right at this moment.

 

Every word he said earlier actually hurt more. It felt like someone was holding a jagged knife, endlessly cutting his heart on and on. And yet, despite the flesh being blurred into a messy mass, it was still unable to sever any pieces of it, leaving only its shredded remains dangling in its wake.  

 

【 Beep! Beep! Beep! Warning! The host's emotions are detected to be currently unstable! Please adjust it as soon as possible and continue with the task. Continual instability might only easily lead the host to be consumed by the virtual space and get lost in it! 】

 

The sound of the system brought Chen Liang back to his senses. He raised his hand and roughly rubbed his chest as if trying to alleviate the pain in his heart. He then took a deep breath.

 

【 I'm alright 】He looked up at the ceiling. He smiled, yet he felt like crying. 

 

【 Sure enough, if she stays with Han Xiping for a while, she will eventually regain her senses. Now that their misunderstanding has been cleared up, Han Xiping should have found her by now… 】

 

However, after a while, the door was kicked open again.

 

With the loud "bang," it was evident from how the door was violently slammed open to show how angry the newcomer was.

 

Han Xiping marched towards him, grabbing the man from the ground. 

 

Looking at the man's pathetic state, he suppressed the hatred in his heart from leaking out. He took a deep breath as he instead focused on the more important matter.

 

“Where did you hide Su Chunchun?!”

 

Upon hearing this, Chen Liang, who had been unresponsive, couldn’t help but slowly pull out a smirk from his blank expression. Then he spoke as if he had no care. "Hide her? Why would I hide her? Didn't I say that I had already lost interest in her?! And besides, it was you who had driven her away in the first place, Young Master Han! And this place is yours, right? How far can she go? There are only two roads accessible to this place. As long as you have your people taking these two roads, then you might be able to find her. It should take less than ten minutes.”

 

"—you think I don't know that?! I have sent out people, but there are still no traces of her..." Han Xiping angrily disrupted him, but his face quickly paled the next moment he realized it.

 

Chen Liang was also taken aback. He shook Xiping's hands off as he composed himself. His eyes were suddenly cold. "You mean to say that she suddenly went missing?!"

 

Han Xiping took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. "Only private cars can enter the property. Chunchun couldn’t have taken a taxi, so it’s impossible for her to leave so quickly. She must have been taken inside by someone, so there weren't any traces discovered.” He was gripping his hands so hard that blue veins were beginning to pop out on the back of his hand.

 

Han Xiping seemed to suddenly realize something as he unconsciously blurted out "surveillance!" In a hurry, he immediately strode out despite Chen Liang still being inside the room.

 

Chen Liang knew that Xiping was going to check the security cameras. He controlled his raging frustration as he instead asked the system directly.

 

 【 What happened? Why didn't you inform me of this situation earlier? Where is she now? 】

 

【 Host, this situation wasn't included in the script. Something must have accidentally triggered it. Since it wasn't part of the story, the system couldn't also foretell how this situation would develop. 】

 

Chen Liang's heart was thrown into panic. Even the system didn't know where this plot was heading to. 

 

He hastily strode out. 【 Find the position of the Female Lead. I need to go there immediately. 】

 

【 Host, friendly reminder! Your mission was nearing its completion. You already played your part. At this point in time, it’s better for you to let the Male Lead search for the Female Lead instead. 】

 

Chen Liang had already gotten into his car. Seeing that the system was trying to stop him, his expression was cold. 【 Activate the universal locator. Locate the Female Lead's location. 】

 

【 Universal locator activated, deducting 500 points. Du du du —! The Female Lead is currently inside a car which is heading straight towards the abandoned warehouse in the outskirts of the city. It is expected to arrive in 15 minutes. Here is the shortest route available for the host. It is expected to arrive in the destination for about 40 minutes. 】

 

Chen Liang's look was impassive. He stepped hard on the gas pedal, and the car immediately flew out like an arrow released from the string.