Chapter 19 Xie Muhan Has Disappeared

As the college entrance exam approached, the rhythm of revision at school became increasingly intense.

Xie Muhuan attended classes during the day and rushed to the hospital at night, working very hard.

Qu Qingzhi, however, remained anxious and added two more bodyguards to protect him secretly.

Grandma Xu’s second surgery was scheduled for Saturday. The school only had half a day of classes, allowing Xie Muhuan to head to the hospital right after school.

But on Saturday morning, Xie Muhuan didn’t come to school.

Qu Qingzhi stared at the empty seat in the back row, an uneasy feeling creeping into her heart.

“System dog, something must have happened to Xie Muhuan, right?” she silently asked.

【This storyline does not concern you; please do not interfere.】The system replied meticulously.

“By saying that, it means something has happened to him!” Qu Qingzhi sprang to her feet and ran out of the classroom, dialing the bodyguards’ number—

“Is Xie Muhuan at the hospital?”

The bodyguard responded, “We haven’t seen him come out of the ward today.”

Qu Qingzhi’s heart sank. “Go inside and look for him! He might be missing!”

A few minutes later, the bodyguard called her back, reporting, “We can’t find Xie Muhuan. We are now expanding the search area.”

Qu Qingzhi felt a chill run down her spine.

This was bad.

Xie Muhuan was definitely taken away by people hired by Xie Jincheng.

According to the storyline, Xie Muhuan escaped only the day before the college entrance exam.

The book contained some side descriptions of his ordeal—

He was imprisoned on a cruise ship hosting perverted parties.

Those wealthy businessmen with peculiar preferences auctioned him and other boys.

As for the inhumane torture and humiliation he suffered, the book didn’t provide detailed accounts, only vague allusions.

But one thing was clear: after this incident, it was as if a demon took residence in Xie Muhuan’s heart.

“System dog! Come out!” Qu Qingzhi thought increasingly angrily. “What did Xie Muhuan do wrong? He’s never committed any evil deeds; why does he have to endure such inhumane treatment?”

【This world has its own rules, and the power of the storyline cannot be altered by humans.】The system replied in a very official tone.

“I’m going to report this! Maybe the police can find Xie Muhuan!” Qu Qingzhi picked up her phone.

But before she could press the number keys, her hand trembled, an electric shock coursed through her, and the phone clattered to the ground.

【This storyline does not concern you; please do not interfere.】The system repeated this line, adding, 【Otherwise, you will suffer immeasurable electric shock punishment.】

“Damn it!” Qu Qingzhi couldn’t help but curse inwardly.

She was distracted throughout the morning’s review class, and when school finally ended, she rushed to the hospital.

The bodyguard responsible for protecting Xie Muhuan reported sheepishly that they couldn’t find him.

Meanwhile, Grandma Xu was about to be taken into the operating room, and Su Xingye had also arrived, having been ‘helping’ with the payments.

“Qu Qingzhi, you’re here too?” Su Xingye leaned casually against the wall, holding his backpack with one hand, speaking lazily. “Do I not need to act as a cover anymore?”

“No, I won’t show up in front of Grandma Xu,” Qu Qingzhi said, her expression grave as she whispered, “Go tell Grandma Xu that Xie Muhuan is attending a special training session for the college entrance exam with the teacher. The teacher thinks highly of him and believes he can bring glory to the school by getting into Qinghua University, so he’s been too busy to come to the hospital.”

Qu Qingzhi smoothly transferred money to Su Xingye, saying, “Pay Grandma Xu’s post-surgery hospital fees and living expenses for me.”

Su Xingye hesitated before accepting the money, frowning. “Where did you take Xie Muhuan?”

He hadn’t heard anything about any so-called special training sessions at their school.

“He’s missing; I don’t know where he is,” Qu Qingzhi replied honestly.

“What the hell? Missing?” Su Xingye’s brows furrowed as he glared at her. “Did you do something to Xie Muhuan? Are you out of your mind?!”

Qu Qingzhi ignored him and turned to leave.

She couldn’t get involved directly, but she could ask her father, Qu Linze, to investigate Xie Muhuan’s whereabouts; perhaps there was still hope.

Watching her walk away with a “heartless” demeanor, Su Xingye muttered a curse under his breath.

But as he turned around and entered the ward, he immediately brightened up and smiled at Grandma Xu, “Grandma, I’m here to see you. As for Muhuan? Don’t worry, he’s doing fine. You can relax and go into surgery.”