When the driver returned, he was ready to accept whatever punishment that was going to be meted out.
He raised his head. “I noticed that his actions seem to be manipulated by his female companion.”
“How do you know?” Shen Peichuan asked.
The driver recalled when his family was kidnapped and he met Zong Yungan the first time, it was the woman who spoke most of the time
“I’m not lying,” the driver swore.
Shen Peichuan walked over. “Do you think it’s true?”
He hardly knew Zong Yungan. If the woman were the mastermind, the matter would be easier to deal with. But if Zong Yungan had harbored such ambitions for a long time, then the issue would be more complex.
Zong Jinghao lowered his gaze to hide his emotions. Zong Yungan has always stayed grounded. It is unlikely that he really intended to stake his claim on the assets, as he has stayed out of trouble for far too long. Besides, what use are the assets to him given his advanced age and the fact that he doesn’t have children? Furthermore, it’s not like he needs the money anyway.
All this time, he has been living his life happily and didn’t seem to be faking it.
Therefore, this change must have been triggered externally as it didn’t seem like a plot that was hatched a long time ago. If he had been planning this for decades, it would have been an extremely stupid plot.
“Do we still have time?” Shen Peichuan asked.
Zong Jinghao looked at the driver and asked, “Have you been to their place?”
He knew Zong Yungan had many houses. However, since they didn’t keep in contact, he never took any notice of them. Hence, to investigate every single house now would be too time-consuming.
The driver nodded as he intended to redeem himself. “I know. I can take you there.”
Shen Peichuan asked warily, “Since you know where he is, won’t he have moved?”
“From their perspective, I am a traitor. Hence, they expect me to have fled and never imagined that I would return. I will take you to where they are,” the driver offered.
Shen Peichuan felt the plan would work and suggested to Zong Jinghao, “Later at night, I’ll lead some men to find the baby.”
“Peichuan, before that, send two good men to the villa first.” He was worried about Lin Xinyan and the children. If she returned, she would find out that the baby was gone and be devastated. Hence, he sent her to the villa on purpose to hide it from her.
“Where’s the baby?” Zhuang Zijin suddenly barged in.
She was by Cheng Yuwen’s side the whole time. When she returned with Aunt Yu, she heard that Lin Xinyan and the children had been sent to the villa. Hence, they split up with one headed to the villa while the other was to stay here. As she was out the whole day, the first thing she did when she returned was to look for the baby but couldn’t find him.
Sang Yu bit her lip as tears welled up in her eyes. “The… baby… is not…”
“I sent someone with the baby to the villa.” Zong Jinghao stood up and declared. “I’ll be heading over in a while too.”
It wasn’t his intention to hide it from them. But given how sensitive the timing was, he was worried they couldn’t take it.
Since all Zong Yungan wanted was the family’s assets, he wouldn’t harm the baby until he got his hands on them. Hence, the baby was safe for the time being.
“Okay.” Zhuang Zijin didn’t give it too much thought as she turned to leave.
After informing them that he will make the necessary arrangements, Shen Peichuan sent Sang Yu home.
At night, he had his men in place and the driver led them to Zong Yungan’s private residence. It was built in a secluded area but the location was very good.
As building technology was very advanced now, so was the security system. The moment they stepped into the compound, the burglar alarm was tripped.
Shen Peichuan had no choice but to retreat with his men.
It now seemed close to impossible to sneak in without being noticed. Furthermore, they have alerted the target of their incursion.
“Although there’s an alarm, there aren’t many people inside. We can still storm the place,” the driver suggested as he was confident of his own skills.
Shen Peichuan replied calmly. “We don’t know whether the baby is inside. What if we enter but can’t find him, wouldn’t it put him in further danger? If they move him, it will be even more difficult to locate him.”
Zong Jinghao weighed their options and decided, “We have already alerted them anyway. So, let’s just continue with the plan.”
If the baby were inside, the breach would have alerted the kidnappers. They would then try to move the baby for fear of being found out. Hence, as long as they watched the place, they would be able to find further clues. However, if the baby weren’t inside, it would only cause the kidnappers to increase their vigilance.
“I’ll keep watch here.” Shen Peichuan suggested.
With Shen Peichuan personally keeping watch, Zong Jinghao’s mind was put at ease.
“I’ll stay back too.” The driver insisted on redeeming himself.
By not saying a word, Zong Jinghao gave his implicit permission. He turned around and headed for the car.
The moment he started the engine and was about to drive off, his phone rang. Su Zhan had called to inform him that Lin Xinyan was having a fever.
From the moment she came back, she lay down to rest. Qin Ya had found out about her fever when she noticed that something was wrong.
Zong Jinghao acknowledged, “I understand.”
After ending the call, he drove to the villa.
As the roads were not lit, he solely depended on his car lights. Hence, it took him a long time before reaching the villa.
At the entrance, the guards sent by Shen Peichuan were stationed there. Once Zong Jinghao went in, Su Zhan stood up from the sofa. “She’s upstairs. Qin Ya just gave her some medicine.”
Zong Jinghao nodded and asked, “What about the two children?”
“Qin Ya is sleeping with them.” Su Zhan replied.
“It’s late, you should rest too.” Just as he spoke, he headed upstairs.
When he opened the room door, the lights were off so it was pitch black inside. That night, the moon was hidden by the clouds, and he could barely see a thing. Hence, he turned on the lights.
Despite the click from the switch, Lin Xinyan wasn’t awoken by the sound as she was in deep slumber.
He tip-toed towards the bedside and used his hand to feel her forehead. Perhaps the medicine had not taken effect as it was still burning hot.
He sat down by the bed and looked at her.
Just over the last few days, her face had become haggard-looking. If she knew that the baby was gone, it would devastate her further.
He took out his phone again and sent a message to Shen Peichuan, telling him to arrange for his men to watch Zong Yungan and his female companion.
Regardless of whether they could find the baby tomorrow, he would try his very best.
