C16 Where Is the Yellow Flower from Yesterday?

It was a tangible sensation. Hu Yang felt his body undergo a transformation; his once taut muscles had unexpectedly softened without him realizing it.

With little effort, Hu Yang managed to curl his legs up, and as he continued his practice, he noticed the Genuine Qi flowing more effortlessly within him.

He quickly popped another spirit pill and delved back into his cultivation technique.

...

Lin Xin staggered home well after three in the morning, intoxicated. Exiting the elevator, she took a nasty fall, her forehead slamming against the wall, blood gushing from the wound.

Her mother, Hsu Lili, opened the door to a startling sight and let out a sharp scream.

Regaining her composure, Hsu Lili pressed a towel to Lin Xin's gashed forehead and began staunching the blood with a cotton swab.

"Good heavens, girl, did you run into a ghost tonight? What happened to you?"

"It's all Hu Yang's fault!" Lin Xin slumped onto the sofa, utterly deflated.

At the mention of that name, Hsu Lili jumped to a conclusion and yelled furiously, "Is this about Hu Yang, the one who brought fake Moutai to our house a couple of days ago to ask for your hand? What did he do to you?"

"I despise him!" Lin Xin whispered, then shut her eyes, refusing to speak further.

Fuming, Hsu Lili's eyes reddened with rage. She waited impatiently for the sun to rise. As Lin Xin awoke groggily, Hsu Lili demanded, "Hu Yang mistreated you last night, didn't he? What did he do? Tell me, and I'll make sure he rots in jail!"

Lin Xin, momentarily confused, felt a sharp pain on her forehead. Touching it, she realized what had happened.

She let out a piercing scream, "My face is destroyed! Ah...Hu Yang, I loathe you!"

"It's just a scratch, though it might scar. It's not the end of the world. Quickly, tell me what actually happened?" Hsu Lili urged, desperate for answers.

"Last night, I went looking for Hu Yang. Mom, you'll never guess who he's living with?" Tears brimmed in Lin Xin's eyes.

"Who?"

"Hsiao Xinya! The pop star who had a concert at Hundred Joy City the other night!"

Hsu Lili was taken aback. "How did they end up together?" she asked urgently, "Are you saying they're already living together?"

"Exactly! I headed over to Hu Yang's rental to retrieve an imported perfume bottle I'd forgotten there days ago. But when I got there, to my shock, I saw Hsiao Xinya! Hu Yang is despicable—he used to feign poverty around me, yet he's loaded. He even gifted Hsiao Xinya a suit of pure gold armor..."

"That doesn't add up. The news last night reported that Hsiao Xinya was kidnapped! How could she possibly be at Hu Yang's place? Are you sure you didn't mistake someone else for her?" Hsu Lili inquired, puzzled.

"Mistake her? Impossible! Bao Yumin was with me, and he saw Hsiao Xinya too. That jerk was so shocked he could barely stand!" Lin Xin spat bitterly.

Hsu Lili furrowed her brow and asked, "So, Hu Yang didn't mistreat you last night?"

"Of course he did! He deceived me and deliberately humiliated me with Hsiao Xinya. I was so devastated I nearly took my own life right then and there! That's why I ended up drinking myself into a stupor and injuring my head. He's going to pay for this!" Lin Xin exclaimed through clenched teeth.

Hsu Lili paused, then suddenly suggested, "Hsiao Xinya is known for her dignity. She's never been involved in any scandals since her debut, and the news confirmed her abduction. Could it be that she's with Hu Yang under duress? Maybe her personal safety is at risk, and she's being coerced into helping Hu Yang undermine you!"

"Could that be? Mom, do you think that's possible?" Lin Xin perked up, asking eagerly.

"Whether it's possible or not, we shouldn't jump to conclusions. Let's report this to the police and hear what they have to say. After all, Hsiao Xinya's kidnapping has already caused a national uproar."

"Okay, let's alert the authorities! I want to witness this fraudster getting arrested!" A fiery resolve for vengeance ignited in Lin Xin's eyes.

...

The sky had just begun to brighten when Hu Yang completed his cultivation practice. After a full night, he sensed significant changes in his body. A considerable amount of black filth had surfaced on his skin, reminiscent of Hsiao Wan's transformation after taking the Rebirth Pills.

After a refreshing shower that washed away the grime, Hu Yang felt invigorated and clear-headed.

Wu La Wu La!

Suddenly, a flurry of urgent police sirens erupted from downstairs. Peering out the window, Hu Yang spotted eight police cars converging on his complex. Within moments, dozens of armed officers had established a cordon below.

Such a dramatic scene – were they after a major criminal?

The wail of the sirens had roused Hsiao Xinya and Wan from their sleep. They scrambled to dress and emerged in a rush.

"Wow, look at all the cops and guns! They're definitely here to nab a villain!" Wan peered excitedly out the window.

A sense of foreboding gripped Hu Yang as he noticed several officers with guns and shields pointed in his direction.

Before long, a portly middle-aged officer arrived downstairs, megaphone in hand, and bellowed, "Attention inside, you're surrounded. Release any hostages and surrender immediately!"

Hu Yang's brow furrowed. The officer's commands seemed directed at him. Wan, equally bewildered, asked, "Where are the hostages?"

Pointing at Hsiao Xinya, Hu Yang's voice was grave, "She might be the one they're after."

Hsiao Xinya's complexion paled, and she remained silent, a realization dawning on her.

Wan, still puzzled, turned to her and inquired, "Then who's the kidnapper?"

"Lee Yuanba! Without him here, they probably think I'm the mastermind," Hu Yang explained with composure.

Wan's surprise was evident. After a brief pause, she urged Hsiao Xinya, "Tell them you're not a hostage!"

Anxiety etched on her face, Hsiao Xinya blurted out, "But what do I say?"

"Just explain to them..."

Her words were cut short by a loud "bang" as the door flew open, and several gun barrels swiftly pointed inside.

The force of the door being kicked open was startling, prompting a shriek from Hsiao Xinya and leaving Wan in shock.

"Hands up!"

All the guns zeroed in on Hu Yang.

His gaze chilled, Hu Yang felt no fear. In the past, such a situation might have paralyzed him with terror, but now, he harbored an odd confidence, as if he could effortlessly disarm the submachine guns trained on him.

Maybe it was just an illusion!

In a flurry of panic, Hsiao Xinya blurted out, "I haven't been kidnapped, you've got it all wrong!"

The armed officers paid no heed to her protests. One of them signaled to Hu Yang with a sharp gesture: "Take him away!"

One cop edged closer to Hu Yang with deliberate, measured steps before swiftly pulling out handcuffs and snapping them onto his wrist.

Hu Yang realized the officer wasn't moving quickly, and a rebellious thought sparked in his mind. He reached out and seized the officer's hand.

The cop's complexion went pale, and in a frantic motion, he lifted his gun, ready to squeeze the trigger.

A surge of anxiety hit Hu Yang. If the conflict escalated, they would surely fire!

With swift action, he grasped the barrel of the gun and deftly redirected it to the side!

Seeing the situation deteriorate, the other policemen charged in, scrambling to seize Hu Yang's arms.