Chapter 1 The Next Day

The next day, a little after eight in the morning, the family sat together in Yu Mingyuan and Wen Xiaorou's new house, their faces full of worry as they discussed countermeasures.

Second Aunt Wen Xiaoqing stood in front of the French window, holding a phone and saying to her husband, "Yes, we don't even know where they're holding him. This morning, more than a dozen officers under Lao Wen were summoned, the lowest rank being company commander..."

"Lao Li, what does Anze City say?" Second Aunt's husband asked.

"They don't believe it yet!" Wen Xiaoqing became furious when she mentioned this, "Since the incident, the Yu family hasn't even shown their faces! Yu Mingyuan said he was going to discuss it with his aunt, but he disappeared as soon as he left, without even making a phone call."

Second Aunt's husband was silent for a long while, "If Lao Li and Anze City can't help, then we can only accept it. I'll look for connections here in the First District and try to save my brother's life."

"What are you talking about? Let my brother go to jail?!" Second Aunt asked, her mentality collapsing.

"Listen to me, the Special Intelligence Department..."

"What am I listening to? I don't care what method you use, you must get my brother out!" Second Aunt said, almost crying.

Second Aunt's husband didn't get angry at this moment, nor did he refute her. He just patiently and gently said, "We are family, and I feel the same way you do. I will do my best for my brother's matter, believe me."

Second Aunt had a bad temper, but fortunately, Second Aunt's husband was a man of sophistication and poise. He softly comforted his wife on the phone and suggested that she go to Li Mingsheng or the Yu family to discuss it again.

After hanging up the phone, Wen Xiaoqing lowered her head and wiped the corners of her eyes, turning to Wen Xiaorou and saying, "Call your fiancé and ask him what's going on. Why haven't we heard from him?"

"Okay, okay!" Wen Xiaorou, her eyes red, didn't argue and immediately got up to call Yu Mingyuan.

On the street outside the new house, Yu Mingyuan sat in the car, smoking a cigarette, staring blankly at the wedding house he and Wen Xiaorou had built together, his heart aching.

Inside the car, Yu Mingyuan was extremely conflicted. He slowly took out his phone, his thumb hovering over the screen, looking very hesitant.

"Di Ling Ling!"

A phone rang, it was Wen Xiaorou calling.

"Hello?" Yu Mingyuan expressionlessly pressed the answer button.

"Mingyuan, where are you? Second Aunt's side..."

"I'm at the door, come out for a moment. Come out alone," Yu Mingyuan said in a hoarse voice, "I have something to tell you."

"Okay, okay, wait for me!" Wen Xiaorou felt a sense of security after answering Yu Mingyuan's call and hurried outside.

...

A few minutes later.

Wen Xiaorou, with her hair neatly arranged, rushed out of the house with a haggard face. Seeing Yu Mingyuan's car parked on the street, she immediately ran over as fast as she could.

"Bang!"

Wen Xiaorou yanked open the driver's side door, looked at Yu Mingyuan's face, and her emotions instantly collapsed. She unconsciously hugged him, "Where have you been? Why haven't we heard from you all night?... I really don't know what to do...!"

No matter how strong Wen Xiaorou's personality was, she was still a woman, especially at the point of getting married, she had long regarded Yu Mingyuan as her support and backbone.

Yu Mingyuan hugged her, "Let's talk in the car."

"Okay, okay!" Wen Xiaorou wiped the tears from her eyes and, after a moment, got into the passenger seat.

In the car, Wen Xiaorou adjusted her emotions and said anxiously, "Did you talk to your aunt? Did you talk to Mayor Li?! Second Aunt's idea is, if they can help, then we..."

Yu Mingyuan lowered his head in silence, his ears buzzing, seemingly unable to hear Wen Xiaorou's words.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Wen Xiaorou noticed Yu Mingyuan's abnormality.

Yu Mingyuan turned to look at Wen Xiaorou, looking at her anxious expression and hopeful eyes, and said with clenched fists, "Xiaorou... Xiaorou, I've tried all my connections, but... they can't help."

Wen Xiaorou was stunned for a moment, "Is there no turning point? Even if Second Aunt..."

"Xiaorou, you... you and Second Aunt should return to the First District," Yu Mingyuan interrupted.

Wen Xiaorou didn't understand Yu Mingyuan's meaning for a moment, "...Return to the First District? Did you hear something, is someone else trying to harm me and my mother?"

Yu Mingyuan looked at her and slowly shook his head, "I mean, you shouldn't work in the military anymore. Submit a professional application and have your aunt help you with the discharge procedures, then leave Dragon City."

"What... what do you mean? If I leave, what about you?"

"Xiaorou, I... let's get divorced," Yu Mingyuan said expressionlessly.

When Wen Xiaorou heard this, her face instantly turned pale, as if struck by lightning, and she stared at him in a daze.

"...I thought about it all night, and this is the best way," Yu Mingyuan said in a clear voice, also sitting stiffly in the driver's seat.

"Is... is this your family's intention, or... your own intention?" Wen Xiaorou asked.

"Xiaorou, the Tongji Association wasn't built by me alone, I have to be responsible for everyone," Yu Mingyuan said firmly, "If we continue, it will only..."

Wen Xiaorou stared blankly, tears streaming down her face, and said incredulously, "So... so, in order to prevent your Tongji Association from being implicated, in order to prevent your uncle from being targeted when he enters Dragon City... then you can only cut ties with our family, right?"

Yu Mingyuan looked at her and replied decisively, "Separation is good for both of us. If we maintain our marital relationship, one day in the future..."

"You're so hypocritical!" Wen Xiaorou roared in utter despair.

Yu Mingyuan was silent.

Wen Xiaorou bit her lip, turned her head, and trembled for a full half minute before asking, "Okay, okay, when will we do the procedures?"

"This afternoon, I guess!"

"Okay!" Wen Xiaorou was also a strong woman. She wiped her tears with her arm, opened the door, and walked away.

Yu Mingyuan watched her back, his right hand raised twice, then lowered twice.

"I'll call you this afternoon." Wen Xiaorou closed the car door and strode away.

Five minutes later.

Wen Xiaorou walked into the house.

"Where is he?" Her cousin took the lead in getting up and asking.

Everyone looked at Wen Xiaorou when they heard the sound.

"...He...he won't appear," Wen Xiaorou said with clenched fists, lowering her head in guilt, "We just discussed it and decided to get divorced..."

All the relatives present were stunned when they heard this.

Second Aunt was briefly stunned, "That's normal... after all, your marriage was just a political alliance."

...

Outside Dragon City, in a certain ungoverned area.

Gu Baishun looked at the people Niu Feng had called and bowed deeply, "Thank you!"

Niu Feng waved his hand, "No need for that. My brothers are your brothers!"