Gu Lili had no way of knowing what awaited her, but she was certain of one thing—if these people were after her, she would not allow anyone else to die because of her.
If Gu Xichen were to perish on her account, how could she ever face her master?
Nine minutes later, her car came to a halt in front of the Illusion Teahouse in the scenic lakeside district.
At this hour, the teahouse was still open.
She stepped out of the vehicle and slowly made her way inside.
At the entrance stood a middle-aged man with a perpetual smile. His voice was identical to the one on the phone.
"Gu Lili, you're quite the elusive guest. The master awaits you in Room Tian."
Gu Lili cast him a cold, cutting glance and stepped over the threshold. The moment she entered, the door behind her closed with a heavy thud. As soon as she reached the private room labeled Tian, every light in the teahouse went dark.
Staring into the thick blackness, Gu Lili pressed her lips together and spoke sharply, "What sort of charade is this?"
"Sit. Quietly."
The voice was unfamiliar, masculine, and laced with a magnetic calm.
She advanced further into the room. Once her eyes had somewhat adjusted to the darkness, she followed the voice to a sofa and took a seat.
"No lights? What, afraid I'll recognize your face? Where is Gu Xichen?"
"The moment you stepped through that door, he was released."
Relief stirred faintly in her chest.
"I don't know who you are. What do you want from me?"
"It matters little whether you know me. I, however, know you. Gu Lili, wife of Long Yubei."
His tone remained composed and deliberate. "I'm not here for anything complicated. I simply wish to invite you to stay on my territory for a while."
"Not interested."
"That's not for you to decide."
The man gave a quiet command—"Take her."
Gu Lili instantly sensed the sudden gusts from behind. With swift precision, she pivoted and landed a powerful kick on one of the attackers. Even in the dark, she moved with practiced ease.
The two bodyguards were clearly no match for her. Surprised, the man raised a tranquilizer gun and fired with expert accuracy—he wore night vision goggles and his aim was mercilessly precise. The dart struck the center of Gu Lili's back.
The sedative took hold fast. Her consciousness ebbed away rapidly, and her body crumpled to the floor with a dull thud.
"Move."
Almost as soon as Gu Lili was taken, Long Yubei arrived with his men.
Her phone was already unreachable.
When they stormed the teahouse, it was completely deserted.
His expression turned ashen, grim and dangerous. He quickly deduced the existence of a secret passage within the premises.
"Search the place," he ordered.
Tang Qingli led a meticulous search through every inch of the teahouse.
Nearly an hour passed before they finally discovered a hidden tunnel—its craftsmanship recent and cunning.
Following the passage led them to a mountain trail. The sheer distance suggested it stretched far.
By now, Gu Lili could have been taken anywhere.
"Young Master, this tunnel appears freshly dug—clearly premeditated."
Long Yubei remained silent. Gu Lili, raised in the mountains, had never crossed paths with powerful enemies. For someone to go to such lengths to abduct her, the real target could only be him.
But who?
When Gu Lili awoke, the sight before her brought to life a nightmare she had once dreamt.
She was truly locked inside a massive iron cage. The only mercy was the absence of the snakes that had plagued her dream.
She lifted her gaze, scanning her surroundings. Not a single soul. There was no one she could call for help.
She tried to move, but her limbs were limp and powerless.
It felt as if her muscles had been melted by some sinister drug.
She could only lie there, helpless. Gu Lili had no idea what she had done to offend this mysterious captor, for him to torment her like this.
With a sharp metallic click, the basement door swung open.
A man wearing a mask descended slowly. He was dressed in pale blue, his steps leisurely and indifferent.