Lu Jingchen’s gaze fell on the person in the photo, and he came to a conclusion, "If that’s truly the case, he shouldn’t be short of money, so why kidnap Qiaoqiao?"

"I can’t answer that question for you either, after all, I’m not him." Xi Mohan shrugged and continued, "But they do take on some jobs, mainly kidnappings like this, but one thing is certain, they don’t lack money—probably just seeking excitement."

He paused for a moment, then told Lu Jingchen something else he knew, "Perhaps you’re unaware, but the reason this person appeared in An City is reportedly to find his relatives. As to who he’s looking for, that’s unknown. Perhaps he unintentionally took on the job of kidnapping your wife and mother and just went through with it..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingchen’s eyes deepened, his thin lips pressed together without a word.

After a long silence, his voice had a hint of a deep, hoarse rasp as he directly asked, "Is there a way to find out where they’re currently hiding out?"

Xi Mohan raised an eyebrow, "Didn’t you catch some of their people? Didn’t they say anything?"

Lu Jingchen’s expression soured, handing the phone back to Xi Mohan. His gaze fell on the watch on his wrist, rubbing it unconsciously. This watch was a gift from Song Qiao five years ago, one he always wore—no matter how many expensive watches others gifted him, some even hundreds of times better, he still preferred this one.

Once it even stopped after being submerged in water for an entire day and night, probably over a year ago. Because this watch had stopped production after Song Qiao left, he had to exert a lot of effort to get it fixed.

The man’s gaze returned, emphasizing with a deep undertone, "Those people were recently added and are not true insiders. They did tell us about a place they knew, but it turned out to be deserted—a false hideout..."

Xi Mohan understood quickly and remarked, "This is tricky. Even the Federation Bureau and the FBI don’t have much information. If you want to know exactly where that man is, they have to make an appearance themselves."

The waiter soon brought them the dishes they ordered at the bar—probably because there weren’t many customers, the food was served quite swiftly.

Xi Mohan didn’t continue on the topic, instead saying, "Let’s eat first. Afterward, I’ll help you investigate further. Don’t forget your stomach issues—they’re subtly present. Avoid accidentally worsening them into stomach cancer."

Lu Jingchen lifted his gaze, glanced at him faintly, and replied with three words, "Chatterbox."

Yet, he picked up his knife and fork and started eating.

Because what Xi Mohan said was true—if he didn’t eat and take care of himself, Xu Qian and Song Qiao might not return, and he’d be the first to succumb.

After eating, they didn’t linger long in the restaurant and left directly.

As they were about to enter their cars, Xi Mohan called out to Lu Jingchen, who was preparing to get in, and asked, "Jingchen, how is that woman?"

Lu Jingchen halted, turning to look at Xi Mohan. Initially, he hadn’t realized who he was referring to, but when his gaze met Xi Mohan’s, tinged with some awkwardness and embarrassment, he immediately understood.

Thinking for a moment, he honestly replied, "She’s no longer in An City."

Ning Wan indeed was no longer in An City. She left right after they held the press conference, and both he and Song Qiao personally escorted her to the train station, though her exact destination remained unknown to him.

After speaking, Lu Jingchen clearly saw the color drain from Xi Mohan’s face, and his expression grew extremely grim.

He couldn’t help but be startled, instinctively asking, "You don’t even know that woman, so why are you so concerned? Have you fallen for her?"

Xi Mohan, "...No." He hesitated briefly before bluntly denying it.

Then he explained directly, "I already have a girlfriend now, how could I possibly like that woman? Do I look like the sort of guy who’s unfaithful?"

Lu Jingchen glanced at the time, noting that less than forty hours remained of the two days Xu Yan had given him. Before getting into the car, he threw a comment to Xi Mohan, "You seem more like the type who’s emotionally distant."

Even as Lu Jingchen drove away in his black Maybach, Xi Mohan remained standing there without immediately getting into his car.

The driver, who was sitting in the driver’s seat waiting, thought for a moment before cautiously asking, "Sir, are we heading back now?" 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Xi Mohan snapped back to reality, responded with a faint acknowledgment, then opened the car door and got in.

The man turned his head to look out the window, the car started and drove forward. The scenery outside was ostensibly familiar, yet at this moment, Xi Mohan felt an immense sense of loneliness inside.

The emptiness in his heart was apparent.

Previously, when he brought that woman back to the villa, he felt that a part of his heart was filled. But at this moment, with her leaving him, even leaving An City, he felt as though something inside him was missing again.

His mind drifted back, as his phone in his pocket rang. Xi Mohan took it out to see Fang Qing’s phone number, his gaze darkened, and he hung up.

Fang Qing had been increasingly clingy over the past two days, calling four or five times a day. At first, he had the patience to deal with it, but now just seeing her call made him feel deeply irritated.

He didn’t like clingy women; he preferred those who were sensible and obedient.

...

Fang Qing looked at her phone being hung up, her expression just as unhappy. As she was about to call back, a slender, delicate hand held her hand, and a melodious voice came through, "Qing, constantly calling him like this might annoy Young Master Xi. If you call back now, and he’s in a bad mood, he might break up with you."

Fang Qing’s face instantly showed a look of panic upon hearing this, seeking advice, "Then what should I do?"