Chapter Sixty-Four: Kidnapping

Bang! Gorgeous fireworks blossomed instantly, flames of five or six colors illuminating their faces, reflecting in their eyes—earnest and sincere. At the top of the Empire State Building, the grand display of fireworks enveloped the couple in a sea of blooms, evoking deep affection, romance, and warmth.

“I love you…” The deep, husky voice sent tingles all over her body, leaving her trembling. Her eyes, ears, and heart were all filled with Huo Lingtian. The gentle man she loved was giving her the home she had always dreamed of—a warm haven, someone to shield her from the storms, to accompany her through loneliness and solitude. His heartfelt declaration set her heart ablaze; those three simple words, heavy yet reassuring, anchored her soul. Rong Qing’s lips trembled, shyly forming a few indistinct syllables.

“Sweetheart, what did you say? Louder.” Huo Lingtian encouraged her, his anxious and excited gaze betraying everything he felt.

Flushed with embarrassment, her eyes flickering, Rong Qing finally managed to say, “I… I love you too.”

In the next moment, Huo Lingtian pulled her into his arms, holding her so tightly it was almost suffocating, yet she felt nothing but peace and delight. Like an excited youth, he repeated over and over, “You love me… You love me too… You really love me.” If gossip reporters caught sight of Huo Lingtian, the president of the Huo Corporation, acting so daft and lovesick, the headlines would be sensational.

Meanwhile, the crowd below, drawn by the splendid fireworks lighting up the Empire State Building, grew even more excited as the atmosphere reached its peak. The building’s thirty-odd floors, encased in a shell of bright, transparent metal, gradually lit up, forming a single, shining heart shape of silvery white. It was majestic and awe-inspiring. Then, on the Empire State Building’s giant LED screen, bold words appeared: “Sweetheart, marry me!”

The onlookers stared in amazement at the spectacle of this marriage proposal. Who was this powerful figure who could command the entire Empire State Building for such a display at the city center’s summit? The extravagance, the romance—it was a fairytale come to life, leaving many with tears in their eyes.

Some even began to cheer and shout from below, “Marry him! Marry him! Marry him!” The wave of voices surged upward, echoing all the way to the top floor.

“Oh my god,” Rong Qing murmured, watching the scene spiral out of control, overwhelmed by the clamor below and the man beside her. She was only twenty-four—marriage, such a life-altering decision, wasn’t something she had fully considered.

“Sweetheart, have you decided?” Huo Lingtian, still holding the bewildered little fox in his arms, was determined to seize the moment while she was dazed and enchanted, giving her no room to refuse. From tomorrow on, all of X City would know that the precious “darling” of the Tingchao Pavilion was spoken for—no one would dare covet her again.

Cornered, Rong Qing felt helpless. Never before had such a monumental decision been forced upon her so bluntly. Though she liked Lingtian, it didn’t mean she could commit to such a life-changing choice on the spot. In her panic, she shoved him away and fled without looking back.

What?! Huo Lingtian’s eyes widened in disbelief. Was this… running away? This was not how he’d imagined it. He watched her retreating figure, eyes dark and brooding, though the faintest smile lingered on his lips.

“Ha! Boss, you just got rejected, didn’t you?” Gu Lingfei, Yan Dong, Xing Hao, and Li Mingze leaned against the exit on the side, their figures hidden in the building’s shadow. Witnessing X City’s dream man and perfect idol’s proposal fail, their long-suppressed resentment finally found release—after all, Huo Lingtian had monopolized women’s attention for years.

“Your wife ran off! I told you that stupid proposal guide was useless. If it were up to me, I’d just pack her up and bring her home, never mind her consent—seal the deal first!” Yan Dong cursed, clearly unimpressed by such sappy romantic gestures.

Sure enough, Huo Lingtian stroked his chin, considering the feasibility of that approach. Although things hadn’t gone perfectly, at least he’d forced the little fox to admit her feelings. As long as Rong Qing loved him, there was hope. The proposal could be handled in time.

“All right, you guys clean up these flowers on the top floor—I’m out of here,” Huo Lingtian said, leaving the mess behind as he slipped away.

Rong Qing dashed downstairs, hailed a taxi, and sped back to Meng Lin’s apartment. Clutching her pounding heart, the blush on her face lingered long after. Good grief, the shock was too much—Young Master Huo’s transformation had been far too sudden, leaving her completely at a loss.

Still flustered, Rong Qing sat on the floor, leaning against the sofa with a silly, blissful grin. She thought back to their harmonious three months together. Neither of them was clingy; they didn’t need to be constantly by each other’s side. At work, they focused wholly; at home, she watched melodramatic family dramas while he was busy at his computer. It seemed as if they barely intersected, yet their coexistence was perfectly balanced. There would never be anyone more suited to her; never again would she find a love so cherished, so mutual, so complete. From their initial reluctant coercion to their eventual falling in love, it was a flawless love story—her greatest desire, her long-held dream. Perhaps it had come too suddenly, leaving her flustered and hollow, as if it were all unreal.

Rong Qing accepted this genuine love, but knew it would require time and trials to truly settle.

The previous night, the grand display of flowers at the Empire State Building, the extravagant fireworks, the proposal on the giant screen—videos of the spectacular event had already gone viral online. Rumors abounded: a heavyweight figure in X City had proposed marriage to his beloved, and he was the city’s most eligible bachelor. Others claimed the woman being proposed to was a famous actress—beautiful and elegant. Some had even snapped distant photos of the event, and although the couple in question were blurry, the story swiftly exploded online. The sensation rippled through high society; those watching the tides in X City soon learned the details, and with deliberate leaks, everyone knew what had transpired the night before. One particularly beautiful actress was now off-limits—none of them dared even dream of pursuing her.

Meanwhile, in a small, isolated apartment building overgrown with weeds, smoke curled through the air of a dingy attic. The atmosphere was foul and suffocating. Crumpled newspapers and empty beer cans littered the floor. A large, unkempt man squinted at the black-and-white television, watching the news on repeat. The grainy image of the couple’s embrace stabbed at his heart, filling him with envy, resentment, and a twisted infatuation.

On the floor, a small phone flashed in the darkness. The man curled his lips into a strange smile, pressed the call button, muttered a few guttural words, and once again the world returned to its deathly silence.

Rong Qing hid at home for two or three days before finally returning to work, unable to stay away any longer. The viral “mystery tycoon’s marriage proposal” had left her anxious, but as things calmed down, she felt safe enough to go out.

She wore black high heels, her steps echoing through the deserted, cavernous parking garage. Glancing around, she felt uneasy—the time was not yet nine, and usually cars were coming and going as people arrived for work, but today it was eerily empty. Even the security office lights, normally on at all hours, were dark and silent. The few motion-sensor lights flickered erratically, deepening the sense of unease. Something was wrong.

Clutching her pink handbag and gripping her phone tightly, she walked more cautiously. Suddenly, her back collided with something warm. She spun around, startled.

“It’s you!” Rong Qing’s pupils contracted in terror as fear washed over her. Even with the slowest reaction, she understood the danger. She tried to run, but her vision went black—her body gave out, and she collapsed without warning. Her phone fell, shattering under the man’s vicious stomp.

In the vast, empty parking lot, a man dressed in black, hat pulled low, picked up the unconscious girl and carried her to a waiting van. He tore off his mask for the security camera, flashing a provocative and twisted smile before speeding away with Rong Qing.

At the TV station, Yan Lin called Rong Qing again and again. She’d disappeared or turned off her phone before, but never so irresponsibly, never this unreachable. This wasn’t like her at all. The repeated “The number you have dialed is unavailable” only deepened his anxiety. Damn it! Yan Lin’s heart sank—he immediately called Young Master Huo. Something had happened!

As Yan Lin dialed while heading outside, a production staff member stepped in his way, annoyance clear in his voice. “Why isn’t Rong Qing here yet? We’re about to start recording. Does she have any professionalism at all? Even a minor celebrity dares to act like a diva here?”

“Move,” Yan Lin said, face dark. If something had happened to Rong Qing, things could get much worse. Seeing the staff persist, Yan Lin snapped, “We’re canceling today’s recording. Ding Sheng Entertainment will cover any losses.”

“Hmph, why should Ding Sheng clean up after a minor actress? If you want to play tricks, at least come up with a better excuse,” the producer scoffed, unwilling to be pushed around by a barely-famous actress.

Just then, Yan Lin’s call connected. He said only one thing: “Something’s happened to Rong Qing.” The line went dead.

At that, Yan Lin’s patience vanished. “Get out of my way! If anything happens to her, none of you will be able to afford the consequences!” He glanced around the massive TV station, a sneer on his lips, leaving the staff stunned.

Yan Lin rushed straight to Rong Qing’s apartment. As he arrived, he saw Huo Lingtian approaching, followed by a group of heavily armed men. Huo Lingtian was furious, his face dark as a looming volcano.

Bang! Huo Lingtian landed a heavy punch, knocking Yan Lin to the ground before storming past. The man on the floor wiped the blood from his mouth, got up, and followed.

“Was there anything unusual during your last call with her?” Huo Lingtian carefully checked the route she would have taken. Everything appeared normal—no suspicious traces.

“Rong Qing said she’d arrive at the station by 9:30. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.”

Huo Lingtian arrived at Meng Lin’s apartment, finding the front door locked. One of the armed men installed a small explosive device on the door, and everyone stepped back. With a bang, the secure door was blown open.

Huo Lingtian was the first inside, scanning the furnishings for any sign of disturbance—but nothing had changed. His eyes narrowed; clearly, she’d gone missing after leaving the apartment.

“Boss, these were found in the underground garage—a phone and some security footage.” An aide respectfully presented the items to Huo Lingtian.