At this moment.
The police officer, having finished speaking with the people of the Du Family, put away his phone, his face alight with excitement as he came over and said, "Mr. Mu, I've contacted her family. It's cold outside; let's go inside and wait."
He wasn't cold himself, nor was he worried about Mu Jinyu feeling cold—he was afraid that Du Xiaoya would catch a cold from being frozen out here.
Mu Jinyu, watching Du Xiaoya involuntarily tighten his own collar to seek a bit of warmth, nodded and said, "Alright, let's go in and wait."
Having said that, he carried Du Xiaoya and walked towards the police station up ahead.
...
Sitting in the police station and drinking warm tea while waiting for the people of the Du Family to arrive, Mu Jinyu watched the police officer who was pacing back and forth excitedly and then turned to Gu Xiyan, asking,
"Oh right, you just mentioned that there are Four Major Families in River City, you've talked about three, so who's the last one?"
He felt that the Du Family already had a formidable background, but according to Gu Xiyan, they were only considered the second family. So, how fearsome would the first family be?
Gu Xiyan, upon hearing Mu Jinyu's question, paused, then shook his head slightly and said, "I'm not sure either. They're said to be called the Chen Family, but as for what they do, I really have no idea."
"I see."
Mu Jinyu nodded slightly, but deep down, he had a feeling that a family which could remain so low-key and yet overtake the Du's might very well be one of the Martial Arts Families.
Although he could not be certain if his guess was accurate, Mu Jinyu nevertheless found himself interested in the Chen Family.
...
About ten minutes later.
Suddenly, a flurry of hurried footsteps came from outside.
Then, the door to the room where Mu Jinyu and the others were seated was flung open and a group of people streamed in.
The foremost person was a man in his forties with a buzz cut, a stern face, dressed in a well-fitted suit, emanating an imposing aura that suggested authority without even the need for anger.
"Daddy!"
Du Xiaoya, who was held by Mu Jinyu and struggling to stay awake, heard the commotion and sleepily lifted her head. After seeing the middle-aged man, she paused, then rubbed her eyes and cried out in surprise.
After calling out, she could no longer stay snuggled against Mu Jinyu; she jumped down from his lap and ran towards the middle-aged man with her arms wide open.
"Hey, little treasure, are you alright?"
The middle-aged man, seeing Du Xiaoya like this and his eyes full of intense worry dissolving away, shouted with a mix of surprise and joy. He also opened his arms and picked up his beloved daughter, spinning her around with a laugh.
Afterward, he held Du Xiaoya tightly in his arms, unwilling to let go, as if he feared that releasing her would somehow cause her to vanish again.
Ignoring the gazes of others, the man indulged in a moment with his daughter before handing Du Xiaoya to the worried-looking beautiful woman behind him, softly saying, "Take Xiaoya for now, don't let her get hurt again."
"Mm," the beautiful woman responded, also taking Du Xiaoya into her arms, her face filled with emotion and happiness, nearly to the point of tears.
"Mommy," Du Xiaoya also called out to the beautiful woman.
The middle-aged man didn't bother with the mother and daughter, his dignified gaze swept the room. Upon seeing the police officer, he gave a slight nod and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Captain Li."
Then, he turned his attention to Mu Jinyu, and with a rare smile showing on his otherwise serious face, he said, "This must be Mr. Mu who saved our little Xiaoya, right?"
"Hmm," Mu Jinyu gave a slight nod, acknowledging with a sound but not showing too much excitement.
After all, although he thought that the Du Family's background was quite significant and surprising, it wasn't enough to make him feel genuinely alarmed or panic-stricken.
It was Gu Xiyan, who, knowing the identity of the man before her, felt somewhat uneasy and excited.
The middle-aged man, upon seeing Mu Jinyu's calm demeanor, showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes before his smile widened into a gentle one as he said, "I am Xiaoya's father, Du Xiangcheng."
"Hmm," Mu Jinyu nodded, then suddenly spoke up in reprimand, "Next time remember to take good care of your child. Don't let her get kidnapped so easily again. Xiaoya is so young, being in a dark warehouse with several kidnappers, her hands tied up with tape. Do you realize how much harm this could do to her psyche?"
Reprimanded by Mu Jinyu, Du Xiangcheng's expression instantly became somewhat awkward. When had he ever been scolded so frankly since he had reached his position of today?
But indeed, today's incident was due to their negligence, which led to Xiaoya being abducted.
Therefore, facing Mu Jinyu's reproof, he had no rebuttal.
And indeed, Xiaoya had been in the kidnappers' hands for two or three hours, and he didn't know if this had left any lasting trauma on her. It was a matter that filled him with both heartache and regret!
"Yes, yes, you're right. I won't let what happened today happen again."
promised Du Xiangcheng.
The bodyguards and drivers waiting at the door were a bit amazed to hear Du Xiangcheng's words.
Good gracious, someone dared to reprimand Governor Du like this, and he even reacted like a parent chastised by a teacher during a parent-teacher conference.
It was truly an eye-opening sight for them.
After scolding for a bit, Mu Jinyu said, "Alright, it's getting late, and Xiaoya has been returned to your care. It's time for me to leave."
"Big brother, don't go..."
Upon hearing Mu Jinyu was leaving, Du Xiaoya immediately became anxious, turning her head back with her big teary eyes looking at Mu Jinyu, calling out with attachment.
Mu Jinyu walked over, gently touched the top of her little head, and said, "Alright, Xiaoya be good. Don't be afraid. Your family has come for you, and your brother has things to take care of now."
The beautiful woman, holding Du Xiaoya, looked at Mu Jinyu somewhat apologetically and softly coaxed her daughter, "Xiaoya, stop making a fuss, brother has other things to do..."
Only then did Du Xiaoya pout her lips and speak unhappily, "Brother, you must come to visit me more often."
"Hmm," Mu Jinyu responded and then beckoned to Gu Xiyan, "Let's go, what are you still looking at?"
"Oh, oh," Gu Xiyan, who had been slightly dazed, took another glance at Du Xiangcheng before trotting over and taking Mu Jinyu's arm, leaving the room with him.
After they left,
Du Xiangcheng had his wife get Xiaoya to sleep first.
He then turned to the respectful police officer standing aside and asked indifferently, "Captain Li, could you investigate whether the abduction of my daughter was orchestrated by the man just now to stage a rescue drama?"
Upon hearing this, Captain Li hesitated, then shook his head, "That shouldn't be the case."
"Why do you say that?" Du Xiangcheng's eyebrows raised slightly, his voice unconsciously became heavier, and his authority was palpable.
Feeling the pressure, Captain Li began to sweat on his forehead and hurriedly explained, "Because not long ago, one of his friends encountered some trouble, and he had people loudly calling for help on his behalf. The people who came forward for him were none other than the chairman of Xueyin Group, Mei Yinxue, and the head of Xu Group, Xu Tianzheng."