Chapter 24: A Familiar Face

At dawn, the city lights flickered like scattered fishing fires, guiding weary travelers home.

Wen Yun’an kept staring at the flickering screen and the persistent beeping from the phone, but no one answered.

Driving his black sedan through the empty streets, his speed was so fast it seemed to tear through the newborn silence.

His heartbeat resonated with the engine’s roar, while the anxious voice of Sister Li echoed in his mind like a wandering ghost, chilling him to the bone.

When he finally arrived home, the familiar and solemn villa appeared even more imposing, tinged with unease.

Sister Li stood at the door, her figure thin and fragile, tears streaking her face, eyes filled with fear and helplessness as if she had just emerged from a nightmare.

“Sir, you’ve finally returned!” Sister Li’s voice quivered with sobs as she gripped Wen Yun’an’s arm tightly, as if he were her only lifeline. “Miss… she’s in trouble. What should we do?”

Wen Yun’an struggled to stay calm, but the anxiety in his eyes betrayed him.

“Sister Li, take your time and tell me exactly what happened.”

Sister Li began to weep as she recounted, “Early this morning, Miss suddenly came downstairs, saying she was hungry and wanted some porridge. I hurried to make it for her, but when I brought the porridge out, a strange man was suddenly in the house. He was sitting in the living room, talking with Miss.”

“I was terrified and went over to eavesdrop, but the man quickly stood up and left. Miss sat on the sofa, her expression oddly vacant. When I asked who he was, tears streamed down her face, and she kept saying, ‘Don’t come near me. Qing’er brought this on herself. She doesn’t want anyone else to get hurt.’ Then she ran out and drove away. I was slow to react, and by the time I realized, she was gone. That’s when I called you.”

Listening to Sister Li’s sobbing, Wen Yun’an frowned deeply, a foreboding sense rising in his heart.

Sister Li followed him, her tear-streaked face glaring starkly in the light.

He gently patted her hand for comfort before swiftly entering the house and heading straight to the surveillance room.

Inside, rows of screens flickered with cold light. Wen Yun’an expertly operated the equipment, pulling up today’s footage. His gaze swept over every detail without missing a thing.

Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared on the screen—He Lingfeng!

The name coiled around his heart like a venomous snake, suffocating him with pain.

He Lingfeng’s arrival was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, sending ripples far and wide.

On the footage, He Lingfeng wore a dark coat, his face stern, eyes radiating an indescribable chill.

He sat on the living room sofa, facing Wen Wan’er.

Wen Wan’er’s complexion was pale, her eyes filled with terror and unease.

Wen Yun’an could not hear what He Lingfeng said, but judging by Wen Wan’er’s reaction, his words were undoubtedly filled with threats and intimidation.

Her body trembled slightly, hands clenched tightly into fists, tears welling in her eyes but never falling.

Suddenly, He Lingfeng stood and turned to leave.

Wen Wan’er remained seated, her expression growing more vacant, as if all her strength had been drained.

Wen Yun’an stared at the surveillance footage, his heart swelling with rage and despair.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, the pain keeping him lucid.

Turning to Sister Li, he said, “Sister Li, call the police immediately and tell them everything.”

At his words, Sister Li nodded quickly, wiped her tears, and hurried to the phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed the emergency number.