Could the man I met today, so full of tricks, be behind another conspiracy? Xia Mian forced herself to stay calm and took out her phone to dial Song Juan, but there was only a cold mechanical tone. Xia Mian glanced at the unfamiliar number in her call log again. After Hu Lai and Hu Yuan moved into the Song Family, they left her contact details, and their names were saved in her phone. Now Hu Lai was using an unfamiliar number to contact her—was it an abrupt incident, or was someone deliberately luring her into a trap? "Is there something wrong?" Lu Zechuan’s deep voice came through, reviving Xia Mian’s senses. "Indeed, there are some issues," Xia Mian pursed her lips, "but it’s alright." In the face of true power, all the schemes and intrigues are just farcical dramas. "Yes, regardless of whether someone is deliberately leading us there, since Aunt is in danger, we should go," Lu Zechuan’s gaze was profound, and his tone reassuring. Song Juan was the person Xia Mian cared about the most. It was because of his matter that Xia Mian stayed at the Lu Family, making her neglectful of Song Juan. If something really happens to Song Juan, there might be no future for him and Xia Mian... Xia Mian nodded, "Hmm." Xia Mian did not leave Lu Zechuan alone at the Lu Family. After that man’s appearance, Lu Zechuan became a living target, constantly watched. A slight mistake would cost him his life. It felt more reassuring to have him by her side. As they spoke, the two of them stepped out the door. Lu Zhenqing was standing under the gazebo in front of the villa, pondering how to obtain a vial of Lu Zechuan’s blood. When he turned around, he saw Lu Zechuan and Xia Mian quickly leaving. Suddenly, Lu Zhenqing felt overwhelmed. That Xia girl is sticking to Lu Zechuan like glue, making it tricky for him to make a move! Lu Zhenqing was frustrated, his mind was also on Shen Man, so he took out his phone and tried calling Shen Man again. But unfortunately, it still couldn’t get through. Lu Zhenqing sighed; if he said he wasn’t worried, it would be a lie. When Shen Man was taken away, she was in such a weak state, she might just die out there, and he might not even see her one last time! Lu Zhenqing couldn’t sit still any longer; he got up and rushed out as well. Since he didn’t know where Shen Man was, he might as well follow Lu Zechuan. He couldn’t believe it; if he kept an eye on Lu Zechuan all day long, he still wouldn’t be able to get a vial of his blood! Xia Mian drove straight to the mall Hu Lai mentioned. As she reached the entrance, she saw Hu Lai pacing anxiously like an ant on a hot pan. Seeing Xia Mian, Hu Lai instantly looked like he had found a savior, "Miss Xia!" Xia Mian kept a calm face, "How did my mom disappear? Who did she have contact with before she disappeared? Tell me slowly." Hu Lai pursed his lips, frowning as if deep in thought, "We were accompanying ma’am to the mall, and she wanted to go to the restroom, so we waited outside. We waited for about an hour, but ma’am didn’t come out. In a panic, we asked another lady to check inside..." "But when the lady came out, she told us there was no one inside!" As Hu Lai spoke, his head hung low in guilt, "Miss Xia, it’s my fault, I didn’t take good care of ma’am!" Hearing Hu Lai recount the whole incident, Xia Mian squinted her eyes slightly. Lu Zechuan also furrowed his brows lightly. "Where’s Hu Yuan?" Lu Zechuan asked in a deep voice. He had assigned the Hu brothers, Hu Yuan and Hu Lai, to protect Song Juan openly, and had also arranged Ying, Ji, and Sha to protect her in secret. Now with only Hu Lai in the open, where were the other four people? "Big brother went to look for clues nearby," Hu Lai said solemnly, "I’m here waiting for Miss Xia." Xia Mian gave a faint nod and turned to look at Lu Zechuan. They exchanged a glance, understanding each other’s thoughts. Ying, Ji, and Sha were bodyguards he had placed in secret, with fighting skills above Hu Yuan and Hu Lai. Unless necessary, he wouldn’t actively contact the three. "Incompetence means you won’t need to stay at the Lu Family anymore!" Lu Zechuan raised his eyes, fixing them on Hu Lai. Hu Lai shuddered, "Young Master, please give me a chance to redeem myself!" Lu Zechuan didn’t speak, and Hu Lai’s voice carried a sob, "Young Master, if you give me a chance to make up for my mistakes, I’m willing to do anything!" No sooner had Hu Lai spoken, he suddenly lunged at Lu Zechuan. Hu Lai was burly; if he managed to tackle Lu Zechuan, he was likely to roll down the stone steps. However, it seemed Lu Zechuan was prepared. As Hu Lai rushed over, he lifted his foot and kicked toward Hu Lai’s stomach. The kick was powerful, catching Hu Lai off guard, causing him to roll away like a ball. As soon as Hu Lai’s body hit the ground, he turned into a shadow and darted toward the corner of the mall. Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan exchanged a glance and quickly chased after it. This Hu Lai is not the real Hu Lai. When the imposter Hu Lai calmly recounted Song Juan’s disappearance, they both sensed something was wrong. The real Hu Lai was a jokester, but the previous Hu Lai resembled a puppet, with every word seeming like a rehearsed script. They chased and chased, only to end up in a small alley behind the mall. The alley was dimly lit, littered with trash, reeking of stench. Black cats roamed by the piles of garbage, tails raised high, their green eyes eerily glowing in the dim surroundings. Lu Zechuan frowned as soon as he arrived. The environment here made him uncomfortable, as if his soul was affected by it and wanting to leave his body. Xia Mian noticed Lu Zechuan’s discomfort and placed her pale hand on his shoulder, "Soul, come!!" Those two simple words contained a power that guided the Divine Soul, instantly clearing Lu Zechuan’s mind. Xia Mian’s expression turned extremely serious, confirming her suspicion. Song Juan’s kidnapping was merely a ruse; the real target was Lu Zechuan. The black cats strutted around, their fur bristling, backs arched, tails high, circling cautiously in front of Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan. Xia Mian took a step back. "The earlier Hu Lai was a fake; where is the real Hu Lai?" Xia Mian couldn’t help but show a trace of concern. Lu Zechuan narrowed his eyes slightly, his thin lips parting, "Don’t worry, he’s not as simple-minded as he appears." The Lu Family employed capable people, and those who seemed a bit clumsy or naive would surely have their talents. Xia Mian nodded, her gaze falling once again on the group of black cats. Black cats had an aura that attracted evil spirits, and now, a group of them had gathered here. What exactly was that man practicing—Taoist Techniques, or something more sinister? Xia Mian had barely entertained this thought when the leading black cat suddenly leaped, claws sharp as daggers, aiming straight for Xia Mian’s face.