It was five-thirty in the afternoon, and the sky was already getting dark.

The four members of the two families gathered around the stove, watching television, ready to welcome the Spring Festival Gala. The Spring Festival Gala is a program that Chinese people must watch, a tradition that has been observed every year. It is also an important event accompanying everyone through Chinese New Year's Eve.

Mrs. Lin and Nuo Xiaoxi's mother whispered to each other, while Nuo Xiaoxi herself nestled on Lin Chuan's thigh for a little nap. Lin Chuan, on the other hand, was glued to the TV, which was currently showing a mishmash of commercials—truth be told, he really wanted to make a phone call to Tang Yumeng to send his regards.

Lin Chuan knew that Tang Yumeng was alone in Jiangbei City at the moment, and suddenly realized how little he knew about her: not where she was from, nor her background. He didn't even know who her parents were or where her home was.

Beep beep beep...

Suddenly, his cellphone in his pocket started ringing urgently.

Lin Chuan quickly pulled out the phone, thinking it might be Tang Yumeng, but to his surprise, it was Zhou Kai on the other end of the line.

"Zhou Kai, what's up?" Lin Chuan asked.

"Brother Chuan, something bad has happened," Zhou Kai anxiously shouted from the other end.

"What happened?" Lin Chuan whispered back calmly, "Don't panic, take it slow."

"It's Liu Cheng," Zhou Kai said anxiously, "some guys took him away this afternoon. A group of people bagged Liu Cheng up in a sack and then forcibly took him away. The people who took Liu Cheng left a message, telling us to bring three hundred thousand to the provincial city for his ransom."

"Okay, drive over to my house. We'll discuss it outside," Lin Chuan immediately nodded, mentioning these things over the phone was not suitable. At this moment, Nuo Xiaoxi was eavesdropping with ears pricked up like a rabbit. If she found out, it would definitely cause her worry.

"Got it," Zhou Kai immediately agreed.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Chuan smiled awkwardly and said, "Mom, I... I've got something to attend to and need to step out."

"Where would you be going on New Year's Eve?" Mrs. Lin asked, puzzled.

"Zhou Kai is looking for him," Nuo Xiaoxi interjected.

"Alright then, go ahead," Mrs. Lin nodded and reminded Lin Chuan before he left, "Don't stay out too late, you shouldn't spend the night outside on Chinese New Year's Eve."

"Okay," Lin Chuan nodded.

Nuo Xiaoxi followed him all the way to the door. Lin Chuan suddenly stopped, turned his head, and said to Nuo Xiaoxi, "If I don't make it back tonight, please convince my mom for me."

"Brother Lin, you must come back," Nuo Xiaoxi urged hastily.

"Don't worry," Lin Chuan nodded.

After saying this, Lin Chuan trod across the icy road and left. Soon, two sets of car headlights raced from the depths of the factory. An old Jeep came speeding toward him.

Screech...

The car stopped in front of Lin Chuan, already three men inside. Zhou Kai was driving, with Lu Dapao and Huang Bo on the back seat, all looking restless. Seeing Lin Chuan, Lu Dapao hurriedly opened the door. Lin Chuan got in and asked, "What's going on?"

"Brother Chuan," Zhou Kai stepped on the gas pedal and said, "this matter is frustrating."

"Talk," said Lin Chuan, nodding.

"Liu Cheng is a guy who was released from prison not too long ago," Zhou Kai clenched his teeth and continued, "He was sentenced to five years for robbery. The mobile phones he got last time were from a heist he pulled off six years ago."

"Is it related to this incident?" Lin Chuan asked.

"Yeah," Zhou Kai nodded and explained, "The victim of Liu Cheng's robbery was a street thug, who at the time was a minor gangster well-known for being a troublemaker. Liu Cheng robbed his goods, causing him a big loss. But with Liu Cheng in prison, he couldn't do anything. Six years later, the guy has made a name for himself, owning several bars in the provincial city with a gang under his control. He might not be as influential as Mr. Hu and the Thirteen Grand Protectors, but he's not far off. Now that Liu Cheng is out, he's come after him. There, they've kidnapped Liu Cheng, left a message for us to bring three hundred thousand to the provincial city for his ransom, or else they'll break both of Liu Cheng's arms."

Lin Chuan squinted his eyes while Lu Dapao quickly offered him a cigarette.

Lin Chuan took the cigarette and inhaled deeply.

"Brother Chuan, Liu Cheng is our brother, after all," Lu Dapao urged hastily, "We can't just sit by and do nothing."

"Right, right, right," Huang Bo nodded and said, "I, I, I... we've got to go save him."

Zhou Kai looked at Lin Chuan and said, "Brother Chuanzi, give me a word."

"You're already here, what's the hesitation?" Lin Chuan smiled and said, "Since we're brothers, we naturally can't just ignore it."

"Brother Chuanzi, I knew you wouldn't stand idly by," Zhou Kai said excitedly.

Liu Cheng is Zhou Kai's friend, as well as his brother. Even if Lin Chuan didn't go this time, Zhou Kai would probably drag Lu Dapao and Huang Bo along with him. Lin Chuan understood this, so he had no reason to refuse. Besides, Liu Cheng had already joined Feixiang Transport Company and become a member of it, and had also recognized him as his boss, so he had even less reason to stand by and do nothing.

Today is Chinese New Year's Eve, a traditional festival for Chinese people.

Zhou Kai and the others, however, spent it in the car, with Lu Dapao jokingly saying, "This is my first time spending New Year's Eve away from home."

"No kidding," Huang Bo laughed. "Same for me, right?"

Zhou Kai gave them a disdainful look and then said, "We are on an important mission this time. If you feel it's delaying your New Year celebration, you can get off now, and I'll go with Brother Chuan."

"Bullshit, what the hell are you talking about?" Lu Dapao glared at Zhou Kai and said angrily, "We are just curious, why did you go off the handle?"

The group bantered all the way. The drive from Jiangbei City to the provincial capital took only about two hours. They dashed through the journey, and around seven-thirty in the evening, they arrived in the provincial capital. As the economic powerhouse of Jiang Province, the provincial capital had a lot of car traffic, and on New Year's Eve, there was a huge crowd of people. Many were celebrating the New Year on the streets, and some intended to stay out all night, waiting for the midnight fireworks along the East River banks, welcoming their New Year in this manner.

Exiting the highway, the car quickly entered the city area.

"Did they say where to find them, or where to wait for someone?" Lin Chuan asked.

"No!" Zhou Kai shook his head and said, "I'll call them right now and ask about the situation."

Afterward, Zhou Kai immediately dialed the other party's phone number.

After a brief conversation, Zhou Kai hung up the phone. His face was grave as he said, "Chuanzi, they want us to drive to the front of the provincial opera house. They'll send someone to negotiate with us."

"Why at the front of the provincial opera house?" Lin Chuan was surprised.

"I don't know." Zhou Kai shook his head.

"No matter, let's head over first," Lin Chuan nodded and said.

Zhou Kai immediately pressed on the accelerator and continued driving. They headed straight for the provincial opera house at high speed and arrived in the blink of an eye. Only upon arrival did they realize how immense the place was, but they still found the grand entrance to the provincial opera house.

The provincial opera house was a huge rose-shaped construction, looking very beautiful from afar. It was said that from a bird's-eye view, one could see a blossoming rose. At the grand entrance of the provincial opera house, there was a vast open space. Many cars were parked in front. The entrance of the opera house was tall and majestic, with over a hundred steps resembling those leading to a royal palace. There were three doors at the entrance; the central one was a massive, five-meter-tall door, flanked by two side doors around three meters in height. On regular days, the opera house only opened the side doors, reserving the central door for holidays and festivals.

Today being New Year's Eve, the grand doors of the provincial opera house were open. Many drove to the opera house, where, it was rumored, a spectacular song and dance play was to be held that evening. Many art enthusiasts and fans of the genre flocked to the opera house to attend.

Lin Chuan and his group parked their car near the side entrance, and they jumped out of the car.

"Damn it, now I understand why they chose this place," Zhou Kai said through clenched teeth.

"Why?" Lu Dapao asked.

"It's crowded with cars and people here," Zhou Kai said with a sneer. "The other side is obviously afraid of us, so they picked a place like this. If a fight breaks out, they can flee in all directions, and we, being fewer in number, won't be able to chase them."

"Makes sense," Huang Bo nodded.

Leaning against the car hood and holding a cigarette at his lips, Lin Chuan took a deep drag. If the other side chose this location, it wouldn't be for the reasons Zhou Kai mentioned. Perhaps there was another meaning or maybe this location was just closer to their territory. Or perhaps, being a landmark building, it was just easier to spot. After all, he and Zhou Kai had come over from Jiangbei City, and if they needed to find a place, this landmark would obviously be easier to locate.

Zhou Kai and the others huddled together, discussing. Lin Chuan, meanwhile, closed his eyes in contemplation.

Suddenly, the voices of Zhou Kai and his group ceased. The noise that had been so contentious ended abruptly. It was as if they had vanished into thin air. Lin Chuan, curious, opened his eyes, thinking they had noticed something. However, Lin Chuan saw that their expressions were one of gawking astonishment, and they seemed to all look in unison towards one spot. Lin Chuan curiously looked in that direction.

About ten meters away, a black BMW X5. A man in white clothing jumped out of the driver's seat. Then, walking around the car hood, he hurried to the passenger side and opened the door. From the passenger seat emerged a woman dressed in a blue evening gown, her hair coiffed up high, her neck wrapped with a fur scarf for warmth.

"Brother Chuan, isn't that Secretary Tang?" Zhou Kai exclaimed incredulously: "What... what is she doing here?"

"Yeah, why is Secretary Tang here?" Lu Dapao was also surprised and said, "Could it be that man is Secretary Tang's boyfriend?"

"This... this is too..." Huang Bo finally couldn't finish his sentence, for he could see that Lin Chuan's face seemed somewhat off.

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