After Time Traveling, I was Forced to Marry a Wealthy Family

Anticipating Mu Ci’s reaction, Gu Huai had already made preparations. He suspected that when Mu Ci woke up, he would find Zheng Xuran missing and then asking him about it. Of course, Gu Huai couldn’t just stay in the mansion waiting to be questioned. So, while Mu Ci was still asleep, Gu Huai quietly left and sought refuge in the company.

At this moment, Gu Huai was calmly conducting a meeting with senior executives. As the technology department discussed newly developed projects, his phone suddenly rang in his pocket.

Without needing to check, Gu Huai knew who it was. He took out his phone, saw the screen displaying “my precious wife”, and sighed with a headache. Passing it to his assistant, he instructed, “Just deal with it.”

The assistant nodded, took the phone, and stepped out to answer the call, “Hello, Mr. Mu.”

Mu Ci’s tone was aggressive, “Who are you? Where is Gu Huai?”

“Mr. Gu is in a meeting. If you have any concerns, I can relay them to me.”

“Zheng Xuran is missing. Please tell him to come back now.”

“…Mr. Mu, you may not understand. Mr. Gu is in a very important meeting, I’m afraid he can’t…”

“Then just tell him that if he doesn’t come back, I will go out to find Zheng Xuran on my own.” Mu Ci held the phone tightly, his expression grim. “Go tell him.”

The assistant awkwardly entered the conference room, whispered to Gu Huai, and then hastily left.

Gu Huai’s expression changed suddenly. He grabbed his phone and exclaimed, “Don’t go out alone! I’ll be there in half an hour!” Afterward, he stuffed the phone into his pocket and directed the assistant, “Keep watch for a while. I’ll be back soon.”

The assistant sat at the head of the conference table, sweating profusely, and stared resentfully at his boss, “Mr. Gu…”

Gu Huai patted his assistant’s shoulder, saying, “I believe you can.”

With those words, he left his assistant behind and walked away without looking back.

.

Mu Ci had been waiting in the living room for a long time. As soon as Gu Huai entered, he said, “Zheng Xuran was taken away.”

“Hmm? That doesn’t seem right,” Gu Huai, who had acting experience, feigned surprise. “The security at the Gu family’s estate is usually very tight. Outsiders shouldn’t be able to enter. Could Zheng Xuran have left on his own?”

“He didn’t answer my calls and his room was in disarray. He wouldn’t have left willingly,” Mu Ci pressed his forehead with worry. “I suspect it’s Jing Zheng.”

Gu Huai sat down beside Mu Ci and rubbed his belly. “It might not necessarily be him. Don’t worry… Did you eat after waking up?”

“Are you involved in this?” Mu Ci’s eyes gleamed like torches.

Gu Huai, adept at acting, shook his head without changing his expression. “This situation caught me off guard. Let’s analyze it. There are three possibilities: Zheng Xuran left on his own, Jing Zheng took him away, or someone else kidnapped him.”

Mu Ci’s serious expression softened slightly as Gu Huai’s analysis sounded clear and logical.

Gu Huai continued, “As you mentioned, the first option seems unlikely. If it’s the second, at least Zheng Xuran’s safety might be assured. But if it’s the third…”

Gu Huai deliberately emphasized, trying to apply pressure on Mu Ci and redirect his suspicion from Jing Zheng. “The third possibility is that my enemies or Jing Zheng’s enemies, kidnapped Zheng Xuran. You know, we’ve made many enemies along the way. Jing Zheng had no vulnerabilities before, but now that he does, it’s likely someone would exploit Zheng Xuran.”

“If that’s the case…” Mu Ci, still inexperienced, found himself swayed by Gu Huai’s words, “It could be very dangerous. I want to see the surveillance from last night!”

Gu Huai was already prepared and simply nodded when suddenly Mu Ci’s phone rang. Excitedly, Mu Ci answered, and Zheng Xuran’s calm voice came through, “Mu Ci, I’m fine. I’m with Jing Zheng.”

Mu Ci’s heart sank while Gu Huai’s heart raced. He silently cursed Jing Zheng, ‘You bastard, you said you’d take him, but you should’ve restricted his movement and communication!’

Now he could only hope Jing Zheng hadn’t revealed his accomplishment yet.

After a brief hesitation, Mu Ci asked softly, “Are you alright? What has Jing Zheng done to you?”

“Nothing yet,” Zheng Xuran’s voice sounded weary. “Mu Ci, there’s no need for you to come for me anymore. This matter will have to be resolved sooner or later. I plan to confront him before leaving… Mu Ci, thank you. I truly consider you a friend.”

Mu Ci was at a loss for words for a moment before responding, “Well you… If Jing Zheng pushes you too far, I’ll still help you, just like you helped me before.”

There was a hint of a smile in Zheng Xuran’s voice. “I didn’t help you with anything back then, and in the end… Never mind. Don’t worry, we’re all adults. I’ll handle this.”

The call ended, leaving Mu Ci feeling heavy-hearted as he looked up at Gu Huai.

Gu Huai suddenly felt guilty. “So… Do you still want to watch the surveillance camera?”

“Look!” Mu Ci said fiercely, “I want to see if you and Jing Zheng are colluding!”