THEIR WORTH...

"WHAT?!"

Ping shouted, his sharp gaze fixed on one of his men, Emmanuel, who stood stiffly in front of him.

Emmanuel adjusted his posture and repeated himself. "We used the address we got from Shada, sir. Han and his team of four went there, but they said the place seemed empty when they arrived. That's all we heard from them before they were captured."

Ping stood abruptly, his eyes still locked on Emmanuel. "How were they captured?"

Emmanuel shook his head. "We have no idea, sir. All we heard were their screams over the phone, followed by unfamiliar voices giving them orders to come out."

A deep, frustrated sigh escaped Ping's lips. He clasped his hands behind his back and paced the spacious living room.

"What's happening here? How is this job falling apart? A task I thought was simple is turning into a major problem."

It had all seemed straightforward when Mr. Yang Tao called him after finalizing a recent deal. Yang had asked him to track down an ex-investigator from the intelligence agency, someone he needed to find urgently. Without giving it much thought, Ping had forwarded the information to his men without even reading the full details. Days passed without any progress, prompting Ping to finally review the information himself. Within a day, Yibo's location was discovered.

Yet, despite that breakthrough, even Shada—Ping's most trusted man—had taken days to gain access to the house. And now, this seemingly simple job, far less complicated than their usual high-stakes arms deals and kidnappings, was unraveling not once, but twice.

How many times had Ping executed far more dangerous operations flawlessly? And even when there were hiccups, his men handled them without needing his intervention.

Stopping mid-step on the carpet, Ping turned to Emmanuel and, in a cold, clear tone, ordered, "Today, not tomorrow, I want every detail about this Yibo—his entire life, from birth until now."

Emmanuel nodded once and left the room.

Ping remained standing, lost in thought. He didn't know how long he stood there, but his mind was already calculating his next moves. This wasn't just another job gone wrong—it was a potential crack in his carefully built empire. Any failure here could tarnish his reputation with his business partners and give his rivals the leverage they craved.

Mr. Yang Tao wasn't just another client; he was one of Ping's most significant connections. Losing his trust could mean losing countless future deals. Worse, Yang Tao could spread the word, leading others to cut ties with Ping—something that would give his biggest competitor the perfect opportunity to worm into his network.

This wasn't the kind of job Ping could manage from the comfort of his home. It required his direct involvement, just like their most delicate operations.

He let out another deep sigh, his resolve hardening. Whoever this Yibo was, one thing was certain: Yibo's fate was sealed now. He was in Ping's grasp, and there was no escape.

Later that day, Emmanuel returned with a file containing every detail about Yibo's life. As Ping read through it, his determination grew. Yibo wasn't an ordinary man, and it was no surprise the intelligence agency had failed to capture him. But Ping wasn't them. He would find him, and when he did, Yibo would regret ever crossing his path.

:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*

2:45 PM

Shi Lei's Residence.

Xinxui, Shi Lei's mistress, spoke softly as she sat beside him on the couch in their sitting room. The large TV in front of them displayed a news channel, but Shi Lei's mind wasn't on the phone he appeared to be engrossed in. His thoughts were miles away.

Since returning from Guangzhou, where he had met with Mr. Yang Tao about Yibo, who assured him that Ping would continue handling the matter despite the failed attempt to capture the boy, Shi Lei's mind had been restless.

He couldn't relax, not even for a moment. His obsession with capturing Yibo and handing him over to the authorities was the only reason he had kept Peng's case open. His desire for revenge burned fiercely—he wanted to punish Yibo just as harshly as Yibo had betrayed and deceived him.

Adding to his turmoil was the situation with his wife, Qian, who was currently hospitalized. Shi Lei had secretly instructed the doctor who visited her at home to administer an injection that would induce a high fever or leave her weakened for days. His sole reason? To stop her from pursuing her plan to search Xiao Lei's wife—the very foundation of their comfortable life.

But two days after the injection, Qian's condition worsened. She couldn't even sit up, and while Shi Lei initially thought his plan had worked, things took a turn for the worse. She lost her ability to speak, forcing them to rush her to the hospital, where doctors confirmed she had suffered a stroke that left half of her body paralyzed.

Shi Lei was shaken to his core. In a panic, he contacted the doctor, only to be told that the injection had done exactly what he had instructed. Whatever happened afterward was beyond the doctor's responsibility.

There was nothing Shi Lei could do. He couldn't take legal action without exposing his own secrets. So, he resorted to pleading for help, but the doctor's phone had since been unreachable. Every time he called, the line was switched off.

Now, his mind was a whirlwind of calculations and concerns. The weight of everything bore down on him—he hadn't even visited his company since returning, unable to focus on anything else. Ever since Peng's death, his world had been crumbling.

"Honey... what are you thinking about so deeply?"

Xinxui's voice pulled him back to the present. He turned to look at her.

"All these problems won't be solved by worrying, honey. We just need to stay strong and trust that everything will be okay," she said gently, her voice filled with concern.

Shi Lei gazed at her intently, shaking his head unconsciously. She had no idea of the storm raging in his mind. She didn't know the secrets he carried, the weight of the past still haunting him, or the lengths he had gone to in order to keep everything from falling apart.

He didn't respond. Instead, he reached for the glass of lemonade on the coffee table, took a long sip, and didn't stop until the glass was empty. In his mind, one thought was clear—he couldn't afford to make another mistake. He wouldn't let another life slip away because of him.

The sound of a car horn echoed through the sitting room. Xinxui glanced at the window, then turned back to look at him.

"The twins are here. They'll drop me off at the hospital before heading to school. I called Yun earlier—she said A-Dan already left, and they'll be back home soon to freshen up. So, you see, it's not right for the house to be left empty."

He still didn't respond. He simply nodded while setting down the glass of lemonade. She stood up, picking up her phone from the side table.

It wasn't the first time she sensed there were things about Shi Lei she didn't know, but she never cared enough to dig deeper—until now. Life had taken an unexpected turn in their household: first Peng's death, and now Qian's sudden illness.

She had no choice but to start thinking about securing her children's future before things spiraled further out of control.

:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*:-

"Is it them?"

Yibo's voice was calm as he spoke into the phone pressed to his ear. From the other end, he heard a faint sound before Zhan replied.

"Yes, it's all of them. They're all together."

Zhan's voice traveled softly through the line, sinking into Yibo's soul.

Zhan nodded slowly, fully understanding the message. He knew there wasn't much else to say. This call had only happened because Guri had insisted he ask for the rest of his belongings from that house.

Since Yibo first started speaking to Zhan over the phone, it felt like something was pulling them further apart. Zhan barely spoke during their calls—Yibo would ask him questions and receive nothing but short, clipped answers that never led anywhere.

Zhan once told him he rarely used a phone and hardly ever had long conversations on one. So, whenever Yibo called, he often found himself talking alone until the call ended. That's why today felt different—hearing Zhan speak more than just a few words.

Yibo didn't know why it made him so happy, especially when his main concern had always been Zhan's health. But now that Zhan was getting better—able to stand and even walk again—it brought him a sense of relief he hadn't expected.

It was also the first time since bringing Zhan to the house that Guri had helped him walk into the living room to greet Zhan properly. Zhan's face looked more relaxed now, so different from how he had appeared back at the old house. He even smiled, a smile that made his handsome features stand out even more.

Something tightened deep in Yibo's chest. He realized, in that moment, how much he had missed seeing Zhan. He hadn't known it until now. It took everything in him to tear his gaze away as they finished their greetings and Zhan returned inside.

Even now, Yibo admitted to himself that he had grown used to hearing Zhan's voice every day—calling him each morning before heading out, again when he returned, and even during breaks at the office whenever he could find time.

Leaning back against the headboard of his bed, Yibo let out a slow breath. The cool breeze from the balcony door grazed his skin.

"Zhan."

Yibo's voice called his name softly, almost as if he feared someone nearby might hear him.

"Yes," Zhan replied, his voice giving Yibo the confidence to continue speaking.

"I spoke with the detective handling your case. He mentioned there's a file he's looking for, and he's certain the information in it is crucial. So please, stay calm and focus on your recovery, okay? Like I always tell you, everything will work out."

Yibo was sure Zhan nodded before replying, "Thank you so much."

There was a faint clinking sound in the background, something metallic, that Yibo had been hearing since the call began.

"What's that sound I'm hearing?" he asked, curious.

He noticed a slight pause, as if Zhan had swallowed nervously, before answering, "It's a wrist chain… Guri gave it to me earlier."

Yibo's mind briefly drifted, trying to visualize the wrist chain. And then it hit him—oh, it would look stunning on Zhan's delicate, fair wrists.

"What color is it?"

For a moment, it seemed like Zhan wouldn't answer, but then, softly, he replied, "Silver."

"Beautiful… it's a lovely gift," Yibo said, before falling silent. Zhan, too, said nothing.

"Will you keep wearing it until I see you again?" Yibo asked.

And he didn't realized when the words slipped out. Yibo froze, running a hand through his hair in panic. It was said now—there was no taking it back. But luckily, before Zhan could respond, a knock came at Yibo's door. It was Shan Tunan, there for the discussion they had planned. Yibo quickly ended the call, muttering a rushed goodbye before tossing his phone onto the bed.

"By tomorrow, he'll probably be discharged from the hospital," Yibo said as they stood on the balcony, now deep in conversation. "I'm sure he'll talk once he's back home, which is why I insisted they don't put too much pressure on the suspects we caught. If the first one doesn't give us anything, we'll figure out another method."

Shan Tunan nodded in agreement as they stood on the spacious balcony, furnished with three chairs and a small round table in the center. Potted plants lined the edges, adding a touch of green to the space.

The cool breeze brushed over them, calming and refreshing. Shan Tunan added, "At least we made it difficult for him like he does to us. Ending up in the hospital shows how much he pushed himself."

"I believe there's also a meeting tomorrow," Yibo replied. "The head of security is introducing new protocols that everyone needs to follow."

Yibo nodded in acknowledgment, just as his phone, lying on the bed, started ringing.

He quickly turned, grabbed it, and pressed it to his ear. "Hello..."

But if he realized who was calling, he will regretted answering so quickly. Had he known, he wouldn't have picked up at all.

:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

She recalled the question Xu Liang had asked her as he sat across from her, listening intently after hearing everything she had to say.

She nodded firmly, her expression unwavering. "Everything I've told you is the truth, Xu Liang. I'm tired—God knows I'm tired—and you know how hard I've tried. I've been loyal to you all these years, but I can't do this anymore."

He ran a hand through his hair, his eyes still fixed on her.

"Wu Jing… I know everything you've said is true. But I thought, after we had these children…"

She cut him off immediately.

"Do you believe in fate, Xu Liang? Because fate is the only reason we have these children. Without it, they wouldn't exist. So, please, don't bring them into this. Look at our marriage for what it is. I've kept secrets for you that most women wouldn't."

She remembered how his hand had moved anxiously through his hair, his face a clear reflection of stress and helplessness.

"Why now, Wu Jing? Why now, when our life together has finally found its rhythm? Why can't you hold on just a little longer? I swear, there's nothing in this world I wouldn't give you if I had it."

She shook her head softly.

"You've been telling me that for years, Xu Liang. It's the only thing that kept me going in this marriage. Yes, you've done everything to give me a comfortable life, but I've also protected your secret, so much so that even if we part ways now, no one would ever question you. Not even the children—they believe they're yours."

"You think I have no struggles, Xu Liang? That the comfort and wealth you provide have blinded me? Only I know the weight I've carried. For a woman, true happiness comes from intimacy in marriage. You knew you had a problem before we even got married, but you hid it from me until I discovered it on my own. And still, I stayed."

"You know why I didn't tell you back then," he said quietly. "The doctors said there was a possibility… that I might still be able to have children despite everything…"

Wu Jing nodded, cutting him off once again.

"Yes, Xu Liang. And there you have it—three beautiful children. But what about me? Don't I have needs too? Do you think the effort you make, barely once every six months, is enough to fulfill me physically or emotionally?"

This time, Xu Liang had no response. He just stared at her, defeated, the weight of his vulnerability now fully visible. He no longer looked like the renowned lawyer respected even by judges.

"Please, Xu Liang, let me go. Staying with you serves no purpose anymore. You have your children, and with your demanding job, you don't need a wife. I've given you 12 years of loyalty and sacrifice. Let me have the chance to live my own life now, like any other woman."

That was the last thing she said before standing up and leaving his room, leaving Xu Liang behind like a statue—silent, frozen. She didn't even hear him breathe. Every word she had spoken had bound him, paralyzing him completely. There was nothing he could say to defend himself, nothing he could do to hold on to her anymore.

From the very first year of their marriage, when Wu Jing discovered that Xu Liang wasn't a "complete" man, she had secured her leverage. She gained two things from this marriage: financial security and the freedom to be with any man she desired, all while maintaining an image of loyalty to her husband.

So, when she woke up early the next morning, she wasn't surprised to find a fresh document placed neatly on her bedside table after Xu Liang had already left the house. With a calm expression, she picked it up, read through it, and signed her name at the bottom without hesitation.

Beside it, there was a small note with just two lines:

"I'm letting you go, Wu Jing. Thank you for everything you've done for me and my family."

Wu Jing smiled at the memory. His family, she thought with a smirk. Did he really believe those three healthy children were his? She shook her head, adjusting herself comfortably in the car seat. His worries were his own now. She, on the other hand, had her freedom—the freedom that would finally allow her to give all her attention to Yibo.

Wu Jing was certain that, in the past, Yibo had rejected her and blocked every possible way to reach him because of her marriage to his brother. But now that the marriage was over, she was determined to use every means necessary to have him. She didn't care what the world had to say anymore.

Suddenly, the car door opened, and a young man slid into the seat beside her.

"Ma'am, this car isn't even blue. If you tell someone it's blue, they'll see dark blue, not light blue."

Wu Jing turned to look at him, taking in his unkempt appearance.

"How did you even recognize it?"

"Because I saw you inside. Or did you think I'd forget your face?"

They had only met once—the day after she arrived in Guangzhou. She had hired him to steal the phone of Guang, Xu Liang's brother and Yibo's, whom she had identified as her easiest route to Yibo. Her friend Bing had introduced her to various contacts in Guangzhou, including him. They had only met briefly when she gave him the address of Guang's home and workplace. She knew he hadn't forgotten her face—especially since she hadn't paid him in full yet.

Without a word, he pulled a sleek phone from his jacket pocket and handed it to her.

"We removed the password and the SIM card. The guy's a coward—he handed it over without a fight."

Wu Jing smiled with satisfaction as she took the phone, turned it on, and found no obstacles in accessing its contents. She set it aside, opened her handbag, and pulled out a stack of crisp 5000 yuan bills, handing them to him.

"Thank you," she said smoothly.

He counted the money with his eyes, tucked it into his jacket, and left without another word.

Wu Jing scrolled through the long list of contacts on the stolen phone until she found ten numbers labeled "Yibo's." She copied them into her own phone, calling each one. Most didn't go through; some were switched off. But when she reached the ninth number, her heart nearly stopped as it began to ring.

Her pulse raced as Yibo's familiar voice came through the line.

"Hello…"

Without thinking, she squeezed her eyes shut and quickly ended the call.

Mission One complete!

With the first step done, she moved on to the next. Her dream was finally within reach.

What she didn't know was that dreams can be dangerous—they change the desires of the heart in unpredictable ways.

Meanwhile, Yibo stared at his phone, scanning the list of missed calls from unknown numbers. None had any registered information, even with the caller ID app. With a sigh, he removed the SIM card from his phone.

"Who was it?" Shan Tunan's voice called from behind him.

Yibo turned to face him after bending the SIM card between his fingers and tossing it into a small trash bin nearby.

"One of the hospital staff said they gave my number to someone who wanted to reach me, so I thought it was them. But there was no voice when I answered. Don't worry about it… This SIM is useless now."

He dismissed the issue and returned to their conversation. After Shan Tunan left the room, Yibo glanced out the window and saw the doctor who often treated Zhan at home, getting into his car. Acting on impulse, Yibo grabbed his phone and rushed out to stop him.

"The wound has almost healed completely," the doctor informed him as they stood by his car. "The bandages are off now—only a small plaster remains. His body heals quickly."

Something shifted in Yibo's chest at those words, something he couldn't quite name. But whatever it was, it stirred something deep within him.

Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛