The reporter, however, didn't give her any chance to refuse, saying in a pressing manner, "You have no right to refuse because the person who wants to see you is..."

Ning Xiaoxiao's eyes widened with shock. Just as the reporter's lips started to form a name, she felt a sharp pain in the back of her neck and subsequently lost consciousness.

"Hmm…"

When she opened her eyes again, she found herself lying on a warm, soft bed, so comfortable that she wanted to stretch lazily.

However, when she tried moving her body, she found herself unable to.

"!!!"

Suddenly her mind cleared up, and with a rising sense of horror, she noticed that she was bound to the bed in a spread-eagle position!

Moreover, she was only wearing a thin undergarment!

"???"

She wanted someone to tell her what exactly had happened!

Ning Xiaoxiao took in a sharp breath, calming her mind as she took in her surroundings. She was in an unfamiliar room, the window revealing a boundary-less, faintly blue sea that was undeniably beautiful.

But where exactly was this place!

"Hey, is anyone there!" Ning Xiaoxiao raised her voice and called towards the doorway.

The fact that she was stripped and abandoned in an unfamiliar place inevitably made her heart pounding.

It was utterly quiet all around, only increasing her agitation as she struggled intensely. "Who are you people, what do you want, let me out!"

Her limbs were tightly shackled, remaining motionless regardless of her struggle. Instead, due to her intense struggles, her wrists and ankles were rubbed raw, surfacing crimson streaks of blood.

"It hurts!"

Ning Xiaoxiao moaned in pain, the large bed she was on tumbling into disarray with her movements, yet showing no signs of collapsing.

Knowing that struggling was futile, she stopped and started shouting at the door instead, "Please, let me out! We can discuss whatever matters you might have!"

However, regardless of her crying, cursing, there was no response from the other side of the door, as if the whole world had abandoned her.

Ning Xiaoxiao gasped for breath, tears slipping down her cheek, her pale face frightful and lonely.

She stopped screaming, her bid room falling into silence once more. All she could hear was the sound of waves from the window and the rustling sound of wind.

After crying and making a fuss for a long time, Ning Xiaoxiao's strength depleted along with her tears.

All she can do was sob quietly.

Just when she was on the verge of despair, there was a faint sound from the door.

Ning Xiaoxiao was startled, she stopped sobbing and stared at the door like a frightened animal.

The large door was finally slowly pushed open, and a tall man appeared in front of Ning Xiaoxiao.

The man was handsome and young, the bright sunshine cast upon his distinct profile, casting a shadow on his aquiline nose, making him look like an invincible deity from a myth.

"Have you had enough?" He muttered, his thin lips barely moving.

She recognized the voice which made her eyes widen, it was the same voice she had heard on the phone that morning...

"What exactly are you trying to do?" Ning Xiaoxiao's voice trembled. She could hardly recognize it as her own.

The man, with his long legs, gradually approached her.

Against the sunlight, he seemed dizzily mesmerizing. Yet, Ning Xiaoxiao felt a chilling sensation rising within her.

"Isn't that a question I should be asking you?" The man spoke indifferently. "You've been creating chaos for so long, it's enough. Can you hand over my child now?"

This subject had been mentioned too many times; all Ning Xiaoxiao felt was fatigue. "You're embarrassing me like this in public, aren't you just waiting for me to lose face? Once this news gets out, my reputation will be ruined. Is that what you want?"

The man's face turned icy. "I don't care what you'll end up looking like. I just want my child."

"You..." Ning Xiaoxiao was left speechless.

"Where is my child?" The man continued to press her.

Ning Xiaoxiao retorted, "Are you blind or simply brainless? How many times do I have to say, this is the first time I'm meeting you. Where could I possibly produce a child!"

The man's gaze became increasingly cold. Standing by the window, he looked down at her disdainfully. "First time meeting me? You really have a talent for lying."

Ning Xiaoxiao felt uncomfortable under his gaze, almost completely naked. She could only plead, "Could you give me some space to put on my clothes?"

The man remained indifferent, "Why do you need to get dressed?"

"Don't you think this is weird?" Ning Xiaoxiao choked on her words, "What kind of fetish do you have, enjoying a chat while having the other person stripped bare?"

The man curled his lips into a sardonic smile, his face appearing even more aloof.

"If you give me my child, you are free to leave right away, and I won't lay a finger on you."

Ning Xiaoxiao was almost to the point of spitting blood, "Where exactly do you want me to procure a child out of thin air for you?"

The man, clearly enduring his patience, said, "Ning Xiaoxiao, don't test my patience."

Ning Xiaoxiao, feeling utterly absurd, retorted, "Who is testing whose patience? You intentionally mentioned those things in front of my boyfriend and classmates, leaving me no room to argue."

"I have no idea where you got my personal information, but you've seriously invaded my privacy, not to mention kidnapped me, infringing on my personal freedom."

Ning Xiaoxiao grew angrier the more she spoke, "Do you have any idea that I can take you to court at any time?"

"And sue me?" The man gave a laugh that suggested he thought this was a joke, "If you're capable of it, feel free at any time."

"Sadly, I’m afraid you might end up dying halfway before you even set foot in the courthouse."

His voice was sinister and low, the underlying ruthlessness sending a chill down Ning Xiaoxiao's spine and made her break out in goosebumps.

Only then did she belatedly realize that she had annoyed someone she shouldn't have.

Looking at the man's bold and unabashed face, uncontainable terror welled up from within her, "You better not do anything rash."

Noticing her fear, the man softened his tones slightly, "I have no intention of hurting you, it wouldn't mean anything to me. I only want to get my child back."

Swallowing, Ning Xiaoxiao timidly asked, "Do... do you love children a lot?"

Tilting his head, he replied, "No."

"Then why do you..."

Ning Xiaoxiao had thought that the man had been suffering from some sort of delusion and had been convinced he had a child because of his great affection for children. But seeing how he mentioned his "child", without any affection at all, only made her even more confused.

The man closed his eyes briefly, saying, "Xiao Ning, I've given you several opportunities already. Do you really take me for a philanthropist?"

"I've explained many times, I don't know you, nor have I had a child. If I had, I would've given it to you already, rather than being subjected to your coercion here!" Xiao Ning was very indignant.

The man narrowed his eyes, with a hint of impatience flashing within, "I say you have our child. Naturally, I have my proof. There's no need for you to argue."

"I'm not arguing, I...."

Xiao Ning's words trailed off as the knife suddenly pointed at her heart caused her to instantly fall silent.

"You-you-you, don't act rashly..." Xiao Ning immediately stiffened.

Looking at the sharp dagger with its cold gleam, the mere touch of it against her skin evoked a bone-chilling feeling.

Tears uncontrollably slid down her cheeks, splashed across her dagger-tip chest, shimmering in the light.

"You still have the audacity to cry?" The man gently wiped the blade across her skin, seemingly savoring the sensation.

Xiao Ning, barely holding back a sob said, "Are you some kind of a pervert?"

The man furrowed his brows, held the dagger up vertically, pushing it against her heart, and asked, "Do you know who I am?"

The strength seemed to have drained from Xiao Ning's body, and she could only unconsciously shake her head, saying, "I don't know you."

"My name is Fu Lanqing." His arrogant demeanor suddenly came surging forward.

Xiao Ning felt as though a thunderbolt had exploded in her head, leaving her completely disoriented.

Fu Lanqing!

The CEO of Fu Corporation!

A household name, no one living in this city would not recognize it.

Fu Lanching lowered his eyelids, playing with the dagger in his hand, appearing somewhat careless.

"I…." Ning Xiaoxiao finally regained her voice after a long time, "Why did you bring me here, when have I ever offended you?"

"Heh," Fu Lanching chuckled lightly, "You have not offended me, you just happened to be useful at this time."

Ning Xiaoxiao: "......"

"Mr. Fu, I know you are not a bad person, if I ever offended you before, I'm truly sorry," said Ning Xiaoxiao submissively.

"I am just a small character, usually I do not have any contact with people like Mr. Fu, so I may inadvertently cause misunderstanding, but your actions are beyond my comprehension," she continued.

Ning Xiaoxiao's forbearance made Fu Lanching feel slightly amused. He raised his eyebrows and asked, "Oh? What have you done wrong?"

"..." Ning Xiaoxiao was speechless, she knew the saying, discretion is the better part of valor, hence she was begging for mercy in a low voice to this man.

However,

She genuinely had no idea where she went wrong!

"Mr. Fu," Ning Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, forcing out a smile, "If there is anything I did wrongly before or I offended you in any way, I would appreciate any feedback."

"You want me to tell you?" There was no emotion detected in Fu Lanching’s voice, "Unfortunately, I don't have time for that."

Ning Xiaoxiao: I'll bear with this!

"Regardless, I apologize to Mr. Fu." Ning Xiaoxiao, suppressing her indignation, said, "I hope Mr. Fu will let bygones be bygones, give me a break, and stop making things difficult for me."

Fu Lanching: "I've never had the intention to make things hard for you, nor do I have the time."

Ning Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up: "Then..."