Chapter 127: So Many People Are Looking for Me

The door next door swung open with a "bang," casting warm light into the hallway as a silhouette appeared. Ye Chen, who was just about to sneak into his own home, was startled by the sudden illumination.

He felt like a scoundrel caught creeping home in the dead of night, only to find his wife waiting for him in the living room. *Does Niu Niu’s father do this often? Dammit... why am I thinking about that scum Meng She?*

In the lamplight, the night breeze drifting from outside stirred Ye Shanshan’s loose hair, gently brushing against her exquisitely clear, makeup-free face. His young cohabitant frowned slightly, looking both resentful and relieved. Before Ye Chen could offer an explanation, Ye Shanshan earnestly held out a piece of paper.

The late-returning man hesitated, wondering whether to take it. *Is this... a midnight love confession?*

"I found this while cleaning your room today."

The night air was chilly, and Ye Shanshan, dressed in thin clothing, shivered. Ye Chen quickly closed the door. *You went into my room again? I... what privacy do I even have left!*

Ye Shanshan ushered Ye Chen into his bedroom, her movements as natural and practiced as if she were entering her own room. Ye Chen sat on his small sofa, unfolded the paper with a puzzled expression, and his face instantly paled. He stood up abruptly, gripping the girl’s delicate hand tightly.

"Where did you find this?"

The shy girl was startled by his rough reaction and stared at him blankly. But sensing the anxiety in his eyes, she hurriedly explained:

"It... it was right where you were just sitting. When I was cleaning, there was nothing on the sofa. But after I finished and was getting ready to head to my street stall, I realized I’d left something behind in your room, so I came back in. But... the paper was just there! At first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, but looking back, it really did just appear during that short window. It scared me to death, but I was so curious about what was written on it that I picked it up. But I couldn't understand the content, something about people being at..."

Terrified, the young girl poured out everything in a rush. Faced with a girl who was both timid and overly curious, Ye Chen curled his fingers, suppressing the urge to flick her forehead.

"Next time you encounter something this strange, don't read it—leave the scene immediately!"

Complaints aside, this mysteriously appearing paper was like a withered leaf falling onto a still lake, sending ripples across the surface.

Even the smallest ripple sent shockwaves through Ye Chen’s mind. He paced the small room in circles, clutching the paper and knitting his brows, tracing countless concentric circles with a bewildered Ye Shanshan at the center.

The confused girl watched the thinker. As a proper childhood friend, she was skilled at analyzing his behavior. When she noticed he was fixated on the text and ignoring the sofa entirely, she understood: her concern was the supernatural appearance of the paper, while Ye Chen’s concern was its content.

She had already read it; it was nothing more than an address. She even had a rough idea of the location—a plot of land waiting for demolition and reconstruction at the intersection of the Outer City’s market and residential districts. She had heard people talking about it while working her stall; the area was slated to become the 11th Residential Zone, touted to be the most luxurious living area in the Outer City. Ye Shanshan had even harbored a secret hope—how wonderful it would be if she could live there one day!

Because they were focused on different aspects, their lines of thought were not aligned. Ye Chen, however, was thinking: *This information was meant for me; otherwise, it wouldn’t have appeared in my room. The timing is perfect—exactly when I need to know where the children are being hidden. The sender likely couldn't track me and didn't know I’d bought a new place in the residential district. They chose this cryptic method because they didn't want to show their face.*

As for how they bypassed the locks and windows, Ye Chen figured he could do the same; he wouldn't be surprised if Awakened abilities were involved. Whoever managed to obtain this intelligence was clearly no amateur. But there was a premise: could this be a trap? *No, even if it were, they wouldn't use such a low-level method to distract me or stall for time. Verifying a location is just a matter of making a few calls.*

Ye Chen quickly dismissed his doubts. Regardless of whether this was truly where they were being held, he had to go, and he had to go himself. *And if it is true, then should I...*

Ye Shanshan watched him circle her until she felt dizzy, wanting to tell him to rest. Just then, the communicator in his pocket vibrated. *Who could be calling at this hour?*

The device hummed in his pocket, a sound that felt jarringly loud in the quiet room. It didn't disturb anyone’s sleep, but it interrupted his train of thought.

*My new number—only Jin Yinghui, Zhou Peng, and the siblings You Ya and You Zhi know it. Could it be You Ya? The other little ancestor is standing right here!*

He stopped pacing, feeling guilty, and pulled it out. *Thank goodness, it’s Jin Yinghui.*

They exchanged a glance, both frowning. Based on past experience, a midnight call from the old drunkard usually meant he was drinking. She knew Ye Chen; there was a 99% chance he wouldn't go out for late-night drinks. But if his buddies were drunk and needed help, he wouldn't hesitate to head out. There was also the possibility that a drunk person just wanted someone to talk to. As they liked to say, if you’re drunk and don't send random messages or make calls, you must be incredibly lonely.

"Answer it, see what he wants," Ye Shanshan said, a hint of jealousy in her tone.

Ye Chen wasn't stupid; he caught her drift and had a ready response. "Hello? What’s up? I was just about to turn in." He took the initiative with a code they both understood.

"What time is it? You’re sleeping!"

Before the words faded, an anxious roar came from the other end. It wasn't Old Jin, but his teammate, Chen Bingfeng.

"Why are you with Jin Yinghui?"

"I couldn't reach you! I rushed to your place, but it was empty. The only thing Xu Fan and I could think of was to find Jin Yinghui."

*Too many people looking for me today. Is the aftereffect of being unreachable hitting all at once?*

In the past, his circle was pitifully small, and his contacts were few. However, as his business expanded, his reliance on the communicator had grown. He just hadn't developed the habit of updating his contacts. *I should have called everyone as soon as I got the new device...* Ye Chen silently berated himself.

But Chen Bingfeng’s next sentence caused his expression to shift instantly, and four words rose in his heart: *Imminent and urgent!*