Cheng Leyan’s toes were practically digging into the ground; he wished he could just bury himself with the dirt he dug up. “419, I seriously believed in your nonsense!”

419 felt wronged: “I’m an R18 system, my little storage only has these things…”

“Besides, this stuff is really useful, super sturdy, indestructible, almost like a diamond or something. It’s perfect.”

It’s just the shape that’s a bit…

Hmm.

But now’s not the time to get caught up in that.

Cheng Leyan asked, “Where’s Zhuozhuo now?”

419: “The signal keeps moving, I’ll guide you there, hurry, host!”

Because Cheng Leyan’s actions were too shocking, nearby people started screaming. Cheng Leyan quickly said, “My son has been kidnapped by bad guys. That’s why I tried to close the mall doors. Please tell the police for me, I’m going to find my child. I’ll cover all the losses!”

Saying this, he gripped the unknown object and marched briskly in a certain direction, full of courage and determination.

“Zhuozhuo, Zhuozhuo, wait for me!” he shouted in his heart.

Zhuozhuo felt completely exhausted.

A few minutes ago, like a little tail, he was following behind his stepfather, curiously watching the bustling mall. Later, when his stepfather went to help a pregnant woman, he let go of Zhuozhuo’s hand.

He was obediently waiting at the side for his stepfather, but suddenly he was picked up, and someone clamped his legs tightly with their arms, then grabbed his hands, preventing him from moving.

The force was too strong. Zhuozhuo, after all, was just a three-year-old child and couldn’t break free. He struggled desperately, but it was useless, his strength was like an ant trying to shake a tree.

He wanted to scream, he wanted to shout “Help,” he wanted to shout “Cheng Leyan,” he wanted to shout “I don’t know you,” but…

He couldn’t speak, couldn’t make any sound.

That silent cry gathered in his chest, unable to escape his lips.

Fear filled his heart: Who was grabbing him? What did they want? Was it… his stepfather who had found someone to capture him?

Like Brother Gu Qin said, did his stepfather think he was a burden and wanted to sell him off?

Where would he be taken? Would he ever see Dad and Grandma again?

What would they do to him, would they hit him? Would they, like in the short videos Aunt Zhang showed him, break his legs and make him beg on the streets? Would he… die?

His heart grew heavier and heavier.

He watched as the kidnappers holding him rushed toward a side door of the mall. Outside, a motorcycle was parked, and the rider was revving the engine, frequently looking back at them.

Zhuozhuo knew that this vehicle was meant for him.

Breaking through the door meant it would all be over.

He used all his strength to struggle, but as they got closer to the door, despair slowly enclosed him…

However, just as despair was about to drown him completely, a “closing soon” alert sounded, the glass door locked instantly, and a shutter door also came down.

They were trapped inside, separated from the motorcyclist outside.

It was like they were now separated by a wall from another possible future.

At that moment, fate reached a different crossroads.

The surrounding customers were murmuring, and one kidnapper rushed to push the door, shaking it a couple of times. Realizing they couldn’t get out for now, the two of them carrying Zhuozhuo ran back into the mall.

Everywhere was crowded and chaotic. Eventually, the two kidnappers, still holding Zhuozhuo, hid in a bathroom, planning to escape through a window.

The only problem was that the window was locked, and as they tried to figure out how to open it, a loud “bang” was suddenly heard.

Someone kicked open the bathroom door.

That person rushed in against the light, seemingly shrouded in a halo.

In their hand, they wielded a strange yet remarkably mighty item.

The figure was all too familiar—it was his stepfather!

In his stepfather’s hand, wielding that item, looked like a big sword!

The kidnappers were shouting, “If you come closer, we’ll kill the hostage,” but his stepfather ignored them, swinging that “big sword” down hard.

Zhuozhuo instinctively closed his eyes.

In the next second, the hands that held him tightly loosened, and Zhuozhuo fell into a warm embrace.

His nostrils filled with a familiar sweet scent.

He opened his eyes and saw his stepfather.

His stepfather was holding him with one arm, while still brandishing the “big sword,” beating the kidnappers until they lay on the ground, motionless.

Only then did his stepfather breathe a sigh of relief, holding Zhuozhuo tightly against him. “Zhuozhuo, don’t be afraid, it’s okay, baby, it’s okay, stepdad is here to save you. I got you out. It’s all fine now. You’re safe. Don’t be afraid, stepdad’s got you.”

You’re fine.

You’re safe.

Stepdad’s got you.

Zhuozhuo was wrapped in those strong arms, held tightly and warmly.

After several seconds, the little cub fully realized what had happened. He buried his face in Cheng Leyan’s embrace and began to cry silently.

Outside, the police arrived.

—

Even Mama Rong didn’t expect there’d be a day she’d have to bail someone out from the police station.

And that someone was the so-called “daughter-in-law.”

If it were before, she wouldn’t have cared about Cheng Leyan’s fate, but this time, she left an important meeting without hesitation.

Then in a small room at the police station, she saw Zhuozhuo. The little cub was nestled in Cheng Leyan’s arms, eyes swollen from crying, occasionally sniffling, looking utterly terrified. Mama Rong couldn’t help but tear up too.

Cheng Leyan handed her a tissue and said, “Mom, Zhuozhuo’s fine. I checked. Do you want to hold him?”

Mama Rong shook her head, wiped her nose, and said in a gruff voice, “Our signs clash, holding him wouldn’t be good for him.”

Then she turned to Cheng Leyan, awkwardly asking, “You—you’re okay too, right?”

Cheng Leyan smiled, “Don’t worry, Mama, I’m fine. You know I used to play golf—nothing can hurt me.”

Actually, he used to work at a golf course. Now, looking back, he found that the flying big thing was quite handy for hitting people, very effective.

Mama Rong dried her tears, took a deep breath, and tried to restore her usual dignity, “I know everything that’s happened. I’ve brought a team of lawyers, they’re meeting with the police and mall management; I’ll handle all the compensation. Don’t worry, it’s not a big problem.”

“You were protecting Zhuozhuo. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Cheng Leyan’s eyes curved with a smile, “Thanks, Mom. I knew you wouldn’t leave me in the lurch.”

Sweet talk. That’s what Mama Rong thought, but Cheng Leyan’s eyes were like stars, so clean and clear.

Zhuozhuo was nestled in his arms, clinging to Cheng Leyan’s clothes, showing obvious reliance on him.

Cheng Leyan held the little cub tightly, as if shielding him from the entire world.

This scene deeply etched into Mama Rong’s heart.

She was lost in thought: No matter what, when it came to Zhuozhuo, Cheng Leyan was a good person; he had saved Zhuozhuo.

Why did she dislike Cheng Leyan so much before?

Why did she suspect Cheng Leyan was bad, or that he mistreated Zhuozhuo, sending Butler Li to spy on him?

Why did she ever think Cheng Leyan was mentally unstable?

A minute later, two policemen entered, holding an evidence bag. Inside was a rubber version of the flying big thing—large, flying, and unmistakably a big thing.

The policeman, awkward yet professional, asked, “Just to confirm, Mr. Cheng, you said you used this—item to smash the mall’s glass door and take down the two culprits, correct?”

Cheng Leyan: “Yeah, that’s right, exactly this!”

Mama Rong: ………

Cheng Leyan, are you insane?

What the heck is this thing! My eyes are going blind! Why do you carry something like this around?

And, cover Zhuozhuo’s eyes!

Don’t let him see this!

No!!!

The two policemen exchanged a glance, and one jokingly asked, “Really? Just using this thing? Mr. Cheng, how did you do it?”

Mainly because they had checked; it was just a regular rubber item, nothing special, and it shouldn’t have the ability to break a glass door. But surveillance and witnesses confirmed that Cheng Leyan wielded it.

Unbeknownst to them, Cheng Leyan had swapped it using 419, and the indestructible “flying big thing” had returned to the system warehouse, leaving the ordinary version here.

The system had said: [If they don’t ask, don’t tell. If they ask, be surprised.]

So when asked, Cheng Leyan looked amazed, “I don’t know either, I’m shocked too. I guess immense strength creates miracles. The situation was critical then, and for my son, I exploded with an unprecedented little universe. Even I didn’t realize my potential was so great; maybe that’s the power of fatherly love!”

He began to bluff.

Mama Rong’s mouth twitched, the officers were skeptical, but Zhuozhuo listened and felt another pang in his nose.

Stepdad… Stepdad calls him “son,” and stepdad exploded with a little universe for him.

So that’s the power of fatherly love.

The police officer asked again, “Why were you carrying this thing?”

Cheng Leyan replied nonchalantly, “I don’t want to rely only on funds from home, so I thought of starting a business, maybe an intimate products shop or something. This is a sample from our store.”

Mama Rong: …What kind of business is that?

Officer: “Where’d you buy it? Got a link?”

Cheng Leyan: “Bought it from a street stall, paid cash, can’t find the vendor now.”

The police were very suspicious of this “weapon,” but all evidence was there, and they were stuck. They couldn’t resort to extreme measures. Now they were struggling with how to write the report.

He added, “Mr. Cheng, the two suspects suffered multiple skull fractures and are receiving treatment in a hospital. Considering your child was being kidnapped, we preliminarily identify your actions as ‘self-defense.'”

Mama Rong asked urgently, “Who are those fractured individuals? Why did they kidnap our Zhuozhuo?”

The police explained, “The suspects are still unconscious. From their phones, we’ve caught two other suspects. One was waiting at the mall’s side door with a motorcycle, the other a kilometer away ready for transfer. The pregnant woman Mr. Rong helped was genuine, she really fell.

“This was an organized kidnapping. The other two captured suspects confessed they were hired for 200,000, but specific communication was handled by one kidnapper who is now unconscious, so they know little about the details, let alone who hired them.”

Another officer asked, “We’re looking for more clues. Do you have any suspects? Someone with a vested interest, familiar with your daily life—Mr. Cheng, it appeared the kidnappers specifically knew you’d bring the child to this mall today.”

Mama Rong frowned, muttering to herself, “There are plenty with vested interests, even more after money, but few know about Zhuozhuo. Besides—why are you looking at me, Cheng Leyan? What do you want to say?”

Cheng Leyan: “Got something to say.”

He leaned in a bit, looking all mysterious and secretive.

Mama Rong found him baffling but still leaned in to listen, only to hear Cheng Leyan whisper slyly, “There’s a mole, terminate the deal!”

Mama Rong: …feeling an urge to hit him.

But thinking further…

Ah.

A mole.

Cheng Leyan said that, then turned to the officer, “Officer, could you show my mom the kidnapping footage once more?”

The officer then replayed the mall surveillance to Mama Rong. The distance was a bit far, and the clarity wasn’t the best, but it still clearly showed the process of Zhuozhuo being taken away.

Seeing Zhuozhuo struggle filled Mama Rong with grief; Cheng Leyan pointed out, “Look mom, those two kidnappers held Zhuozhuo’s hands and feet to prevent his struggle, but no one covered his mouth. That’s unusual, unless they knew Zhuozhuo couldn’t speak or call for help.”

Mama Rong was suddenly struck.

Zhuozhuo’s identity was special, not Rong Wangzhi’s biological child. Despite her normally not being secretive, they’d never taken Zhuozhuo to any public events.

And hardly anyone knew about Zhuozhuo not speaking. Those aware were remarkably few.

It’s… someone close to Zhuozhuo.

Mama Rong turned pale, “Could it… could it be… him!?”

Cheng Leyan slammed the table, “Mom, you finally got it! It’s her!”

Mama Rong muttered, “Could it really be Butler Li? This happened just a week after he was transferred to you… betray the revolution?”

“No, it’s got to be Aunt Zhang!”