"Mr. Lu, in my many years on the force, I've handled countless cases. Based on my professional experience, it's highly likely that Mrs. Lu has already been murdered."
Huang Yu, as a police officer, had the duty and responsibility to warn citizens.
Lu Shiyan clearly didn't want to hear this. The moment he heard the word "murdered," he interrupted impatiently, "Officer Huang, we have no grudge. Do you resent my wife so much that you must repeatedly curse her with such inauspicious words?"
"Mr. Lu, you may have misunderstood. I'm just concerned about Mrs. Lu."
Lu Shiyan gave him a cold glance. "Officer Huang, your son pursued my wife before, didn't he? If this is resentment born from rejection, it would be unworthy of that uniform you wear. You keep saying my wife has been murdered. Tell me, have you received any reports of unidentified female bodies recently?"
Hearing this, Huang Yu's expression shifted slightly. "Well, no, we haven't. Mr. Lu, I was just offering a friendly warning. It's up to you whether you listen or not."
With that, Huang Yu turned and left. Another officer spoke up indignantly, "Captain, why waste your breath? He doesn't appreciate it."
Huang Yu waved his hand. "It's nothing. After all, she's someone that silly boy liked before. If something really happened to her, I'm afraid he'd be heartbroken."
The "silly boy" he referred to was his son, Huang Jue. During university, Huang Jue had pursued me with a frightening intensity, his behavior extreme to the point of threatening suicide to force me into a relationship.
Because of this, I had met Huang Yu once before. Later, for reasons unknown—perhaps something his family said—Huang Jue transferred schools before graduating, and we lost all contact.
Huang Yu said a few more words before changing the subject. A missing person's case had been reported nearby, and they were there to investigate.
I followed Lu Shiyan as he got into his car, looking utterly exhausted. He rubbed his temples, his voice cold as he instructed his assistant, "I don't care what methods you use. Find Su Wan within three days. Also, go to Yuncheng yourself and investigate what exactly is going on there."
"Understood, Mr. Lu."
"Wait." Lu Shiyan suddenly opened his eyes, his voice hesitant. "Also... make inquiries locally. See if there have been any... cases involving women."
"I understand, Mr. Lu. Please don't worry too much. Mrs. Lu is an adult; she'll be fine."
"Hmm."
Ever since returning to the company, Lu Shiyan seemed distracted, even listless.
He even signed a contract wrong, swapping the Party A and Party B names.
During a executive meeting, when a department head reported quarterly profits showing a percentage point loss compared to the last quarter, everyone braced for his scathing criticism. Instead, Lu Shiyan said absently, "You've done well. Keep up the effort next quarter."
Everyone present: ???
"Alright, meeting adjourned."
Lu Shiyan strode out of the conference room, loosening his tie.
Seeing his assistant standing by his desk, he asked directly, "Find anything?"
"Yes. The person renting the apartment in Yuncheng indeed wasn't Mrs. Lu. The young woman is named Su Rui. Here's her photo." The assistant placed the photo on the desk. The girl was young, and her profile did bear some resemblance to me. Coincidentally, she also shared my surname, which had caused the misunderstanding.
Seeing the visual proof, Lu Shiyan let out a sigh of relief.
"Then where is Su Wan?"
The assistant shook his head. "We've checked all transportation records for the relevant period. Apart from that plane ticket she didn't use, she didn't book any travel through any other channels."
"So, she never left. She's still in the city?" Lu Shiyan snorted coldly. "Just as I thought. She just wants to use this method to get everyone's attention! Su Wan, you've truly disappointed me."
The assistant hurriedly interjected, "Mr. Lu, it might not be entirely Mrs. Lu's fault. I've uncovered some troubling news. There have been several cases of missing women recently, both in our city and neighboring ones."
"Missing?" Lu Shiyan's brow furrowed deeply. "How did they go missing?"
"The reasons vary. Some were meeting online friends, some were responding to job ads, some were abducted in alleys without surveillance cameras. There are rumors that..." The assistant lowered his voice.
"Speak," Lu Shiyan commanded harshly.
"Overseas scam operations are becoming more sophisticated. Single women and young girls are easy targets. Did Mrs. Lu mention anyone following her before her disappearance?"
I had told him about this a few days before I vanished.
I remember calling him, his impatient voice coming through the receiver: 'You're Mrs. Lu. Who would dare have the nerve to follow you? The wedding is imminent. Just avoid the Children's Shelter these next few days. If you're really scared, hire more bodyguards. I'm busy here.'
The charity foundation was established last year in Lu Shiyan's name. His influence helped raise tens of millions. The pandemic that swept through the city two years prior left many children orphaned, and the funds were used to support these unfortunate kids.
After my miscarriage, I stepped back from my other work. For the past three months, I'd spent most of my time at the Children's Shelter, caring for those orphans.
He thought I was chauffeured everywhere, that even without bodyguards, I always had a driver. How could anything possibly happen to me? He hadn't taken my concerns seriously at all.
Now, finally, Lu Shiyan recalled his dismissive attitude. "There was such an incident. Are you suggesting she was tricked by scammers? Don't be absurd. Su Wan was raised in a wealthy family. Do you think she'd be fooled by some petty scam? Something like that couldn't possibly happen to her."
"It seems we've all overlooked one place."
A thought seemed to strike him. "Prepare the car! We're going to the Children's Shelter!"
She had poured her heart and soul into that place. Su Wan must be there!
Apart from its inauguration, he hadn't set foot in the Shelter all year. Every time I gave him handicrafts made by the children, he would casually set them aside. This was his first time stepping into the Shelter's courtyard.
The yard was large, mostly filled with playground equipment, with some flowers and plants along the edges.
But he had no mind to appreciate it. He walked in with quick, determined strides.
Ding-ding-ding...
The door curtain, made by the children from seashells, chimed as he pushed through. The sound of children's laughter came from inside.
Lu Shiyan walked faster and faster, his expression growing more agitated.
He saw a woman with her back to him. Reaching out, he grabbed her hand. "Wanwan!"
The woman in the white angora sweater turned around. She had a delicate, lovely face.
It wasn't me.
"Mr... Mr. Lu?"
Lu Shiyan's pupils constricted. His eyes held both the disappointment of finding it wasn't me and the embarrassment of mistaken identity. "My apologies. I mistook you for someone else. You know me?"
The woman smiled gently and graciously. "My name is Fu Xue. I just returned from abroad. I've long heard of the renowned Mr. Lu."
Lu Shiyan then remembered that the third daughter of the Fu family had returned. She was one of the potential marriage candidates Grandpa had selected for his uncle.
Lu Shiyan quickly released her hand. "My apologies, Miss Fu. I mistook you for someone else."
"It's quite alright. May I ask who you mistook me for?"
Lu Shiyan replied flatly, "My wife."