Chapter 128: You Are Driving Too Slowly, Let Me Take the Wheel!

Chen Muxue did not want to owe Wu Chenghao too many favors, especially regarding financial matters. Determined to keep things separate, she signed the contract with a quick flourish.

"Manager Sun, it’s a pleasure doing business with you!" She handed the document to Sun Hong.

"Old Sun, make sure the shipment goes out tomorrow, you hear me? If you're even a day late, don't blame me for being heartless. Hahaha..." Seeing the contract signed, Wu Chenghao deliberately "threatened" Sun Hong to show off his authority and influence in front of Chen Jianguo and his wife, a smug smile plastered on his face.

"Of course, of course, Young Master Wu, rest assured!" Sun Hong nodded quickly, though he felt a deep sense of resentment. At that moment, he wished more than anything for the fall of the Wu family, so he would no longer be under Wu Chenghao’s thumb and might finally have a chance to get his hands on Chen Muxue.

*Ding!*

Chen Muxue was not one to dawdle. Once the decision to cooperate was made, she acted with efficiency and resolve. Seeing that Sun Hong had also signed, she immediately transferred the three million in payment.

"Manager Chen, a pleasure doing business! I’ll take my leave now—enjoy your meal!" Sun Hong smiled, reaching out to shake Chen Muxue’s hand again, but she merely nodded with a faint smile, showing no intention of reciprocating the gesture.

After Sun Hong left, Chen Jianguo and his wife began to talk at length, singing praises of Wu Chenghao’s capabilities, their faces filled with admiration and satisfaction. Wu Chenghao sat with an arrogant air, feeling immensely pleased with himself. He kept sweeping his gaze over Chen Muxue’s figure, his eyes burning with the certainty that he had everything under his control.

...

Meanwhile.

After rushing to the villa where his mother lived, Su Zheng questioned the domestic staff once more about her disappearance.

They explained that Yu Qiulei had a habit of taking a walk in the residential park every day, but today, she had gone out and never returned. They had no idea exactly when she had gone missing.

Su Zheng decided to head to the park to ask around. Just as he stepped out, he saw Qiao Lan’s car pulling up. It had been many days since he last saw her, and she stepped out of the vehicle.

"Brother Zheng, I heard your mother is missing. What on earth is going on?"

Qiao Lan was the one who had hired the staff at this villa, so when the incident occurred, they had called her immediately. Upon hearing that Su Zheng’s mother had vanished, she had dropped everything and rushed over.

"I don’t know the specifics yet. You go check the residential surveillance footage; I’ll head to the park to see for myself. Let’s split up," Su Zheng said, his expression grim. His mother’s disappearance had left him deeply anxious.

"Understood. Don’t panic, Brother Zheng—Auntie will surely be fine!" Qiao Lan nodded, offered a word of comfort, and headed toward the property management office. She was accompanied by Lao Liu, the same man who had gone to the old Chen family estate with Shen Qingqiang previously. This served to show how seriously Qiao Lan took the matter; she had brought her most capable assistant along.

...

When Su Zheng arrived at the residential park, he intended to question the elderly people who were chatting and walking there, but a call came in from an unknown number.

He frowned, a vague suspicion forming in his mind.

"Speak. Did you take my mother?" Su Zheng asked, getting straight to the point as soon as he answered.

There was a silence on the other end, clearly caught off guard by his directness.

"Twenty minutes. The quarry south of the city."

The voice on the line had been electronically altered, making it impossible to tell if it was a man or a woman. After the brief instruction, they hung up.

A look of icy coldness washed over Su Zheng’s face. As expected, his mother hadn't just wandered off—she had been abducted. This was clearly a premeditated kidnapping, and he was the intended target.

The quarry south of the city was about a thirty-minute drive away. Ordering him to arrive in twenty was a clear attempt to disrupt his plans and leave him no time to prepare. Furthermore, the fact that they didn't seem concerned about him involving the authorities suggested they had their own contingencies.

Anxious for his mother’s safety, Su Zheng chose not to involve the police and instead called Qiao Lan over.

"What?! Auntie was kidnapped? Which bastard is bold enough to do this? Are they tired of living?" Qiao Lan’s pretty face turned ferocious when she heard the news. She immediately turned to Lao Liu behind her and commanded, "Go there at once, rescue Auntie, and break the legs of those bastards. Wait there for Brother Zheng and me to deal with them!"

"Yes!" Lao Liu replied in a low voice, a flicker of bloodlust appearing on his otherwise indifferent face.

However, just as he turned to leave, Su Zheng stopped him.

"We can't alert them. I suspect they feel untouchable, or they wouldn't have been so blatant in summoning me there!" Su Zheng’s brow was furrowed, but he kept his composure. He looked at Qiao Lan and continued, "I don't trust anyone else to go. I called you here because I need your car keys. I’m going myself!"

Qiao Lan was stunned. "You... going alone? Brother Zheng, Lao Liu is skilled. Let him go first to lead the charge and rescue Auntie; it won’t be too late for us to follow!"

Su Zheng shook his head slightly, his face etched with cold killing intent. "No more talk. Give me the keys. I don’t want any accidents!"

"Hmph!"

At this, Lao Liu couldn't help but make a sound. It was clear that Su Zheng’s attitude made him feel slighted. In all his years working for Qiao Lan, he had faced countless dangers and never once failed. To be looked down upon by Su Zheng now left him feeling somewhat bitter. However, after a stern glare from Qiao Lan, he dropped his head and remained silent.

Seeing Su Zheng’s resolve, Qiao Lan thought quickly and agreed, though she insisted on accompanying him. Su Zheng didn't have time to argue and pulled Qiao Lan into the car.

During this process, Qiao Lan gave a subtle gesture to Lao Liu, signaling him to continue with her original orders. She intended to appease Su Zheng for the moment, while Lao Liu drove over at top speed to rescue his mother first. It was better than wasting time arguing over who should leave first. After all, time was life, and a second's delay could mean danger for his mother.

Two cars sped out of the residential area and merged into the traffic. Lao Liu glanced at Qiao Lan’s car in front, slammed his foot on the accelerator, and his car let out a roar like a wild beast. Through skilled maneuvering, he overtook them and accelerated into the flow of traffic.

"You’re driving too slowly. Let me!" Su Zheng was anxious, worried that if Lao Liu went alone, his mother’s safety wouldn't be guaranteed. He frowned at Qiao Lan.

"You drive? You’re joking! Sit tight, I’m accelerating!" Qiao Lan knew Su Zheng was worried, but she also knew he hadn't even earned his driver's license yet. Letting him drive would only make them slower.

"Hey... Brother Zheng, what are you doing?!"

Su Zheng had no time to explain further. He reached over into the driver’s seat, grabbed Qiao Lan’s arm, and lifted her out of the way. At the same time, he shifted himself into the driver's seat.

As he did, the accelerator was released, causing the car to decelerate sharply. Due to the sudden inertia, Su Zheng ended up pinning Qiao Lan against the center console.