"Master, this injection has side effects. Should we proceed?" This medication can resist hallucinogenic substances for forty hours. The side effect is that the body will be weak and exhausted for forty hours after.

"How long do the side effects last?"

"Six hours."

"The effect of the medication only lasts until the morning after tomorrow. Is there any way to shorten the duration of the side effects?"

"Huh?"

"I said, is there a way?"

"There is. You need to infuse a high concentration of nutrients. During this period, you may experience dizziness and nausea. Master, why are you in such a hurry? If possible, I can do it for you."

Suddenly, Hu Li's previously calm face turned grim. In a cold voice, he said, "Can you help me with everything?"

"I... I can't... uh, no, there are some things I can't do..." Hu Da broke into a cold sweat, realizing his response was problematic. There were things he wouldn't even dare think about doing.

"Then go take care of it."

"Okay." Hu Da hurriedly left.

After Hu Da left, Hu Li aligned the injection, lifted his arm, and administered it without hesitation.

After drinking some water, Hu Li still felt dizzy for a moment. It was already past 10 PM. Not wanting to worry her, he endured the nausea and returned to the room.

His timing was perfect; Hua Yan, despite feeling sleepy, was still waiting for Hu Li to come back.

"Where have you been? Why are you back so late?"

"Giving instructions to Hu Da."

Noticing something was off with Hu Li's complexion, but seeing no major issues upon closer inspection, she didn't press further since he seemed unwilling to explain.

The next morning, they got up at nine. Hu Li was accompanying Hua Yan for breakfast when his phone rang.

After taking the call, Hu Li's expression changed. Hua Yan asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, let's continue eating before it gets cold." Hu Li replied casually, pouring her more hot milk.

"Is it Cai Cai calling now?" Hua Yan laughed. Judging by the time, it was about when she should be calling.

"Yes, it was her."

"She's quite anxious, but from what people say, isn't she getting along well with Ke Shaozheng?"

"Marriage of convenience. I promise I'll come back intact."

"Stop bragging. You're no longer pure." Hua Yan chuckled.

"You..."

"Alright, I'm done teasing you. Finish your meal and don't keep the lady waiting. Wish you success in rescuing Hu Er."

"Don't worry, I'll bring Hu Er back safely."

After sending Hua Yan back to her room, Hu Li reminded her not to meet with Shangguan Ning alone. Hua Yan agreed readily, though her eyes showed she didn't really mean it. Unfortunately, Hu Li wouldn't know that.

At the designated villa, Hu Da stayed outside while Hu Li went in alone.

The house was clearly lived in. Cai Cai, dressed in casual clothes, looked very relaxed. Hu Li couldn't figure out what she was up to. Her attire didn't suggest she was reminiscing with him, but there was no one else in the house.

"It seems my influence is considerable, getting you here before Hu Bo." Cai Cai said, inviting him to sit, as if meeting an old friend.

"Where is my person? How are they?"

Straight to business, Cai Cai's face darkened for a moment but then she smiled. "I'll give you the person, on the condition that you and I have a pleasant conversation."

"Alright, what do you want to talk about?" Hu Li raised an eyebrow, not pressing her to release the person and quietly waiting for her to speak.

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"I'm getting married to Ke Shaozheng..."

"I heard. Congratulations."

"Is that all you have to say?" Cai Cai sat beside Hu Li, looking at him with reproach and accusation. Suddenly, she noticed something and raised her voice in surprise, "You're married already?"

Hu Li impatiently avoided her hand reaching for his ring, displeased. "It seems you're not here for a sincere negotiation today."

"No, but you've been missing for over half a year, and now you're married? Is it with Hua Yan?"

"Who else would I marry?"

"Yes, besides her, who else would you pay attention to? Even Hu Bo and Hu Mu can't compare to her. Why do you only have eyes for her? Do the rest of us, who have been with you for over thirty years, really annoy you that much?"

"It's others who can't stand Xiao Yan and make trouble for her."

"So, in your mind, everyone else bullies her?"

"You don't need to play word games with me. I'll ask again, where is Hu Er?" Hu Li looked impatiently at Cai Cai. He had always thought women were trouble, and only Hua Yan was special. If it weren't for this woman's interference, he could be with Hua Yan now, enjoying just watching her.

Seeing the look on Hu Li's face, Cai Cai's inner alarm bells rang. She immediately swallowed her words and steadied herself, saying, "You must be thirsty from all this talking. Have some tea."

Hu Li's eyes flashed, then darkened. He lifted the tea cup and took a sip. "Is there anything else you want to talk about?"

Cai Cai's eyes, despite her best efforts to hide it, showed confusion and anxiety. She trembled slightly as she asked, "Aren't you worried I might have drugged you?"

"If I were worried, would it change anything if I didn't drink? Isn't your goal for me to drink it?"

"Uh, are you feeling unwell?" Cai Cai, feeling guilty, asked.

"If I react badly, life for the Ke and Cai families will be very difficult. You wouldn't fare well either, don't you think?"

At that moment, there was a commotion outside the villa. Cai Cai took the opportunity to get up and open the door. "Why are you here?"

Standing at the door was Ke Shaozheng, with a stern expression. "Is there something you can't let me see?" he said as he pushed his way in.

Cai Cai, now clearly flustered, followed behind Ke Shaozheng, thinking this was trouble. If he found out she drugged Hu Li and didn't inform him about Hu Er, who knows what he would think.

But it was too late; Ke Shaozheng had already seen Hu Li sitting in the living room.

"Ah, cousin, I didn't expect you to be here. It seems Cai Cai's influence is indeed impressive." He looked at Cai Cai with a meaningful glance. "Pour me some tea."

Cai Cai, now even more uneasy, hesitated. Ke Shaozheng's face darkened. "Have you become so engrossed with your old flame that you don't even care about me?"

"No... that's not it..." Cai Cai was terrified. The collaboration between the Cai and Ke families against the Hu family was crucial. If Ke Shaozheng discovered there was something in the tea, what would happen then?

Seeing no one else speak, Hu Li said, "There's something in the tea, so of course she wouldn't dare serve it to you."

Ke Shaozheng gave a long, hard look at the uneasy Cai Cai, his face growing even darker. After a moment, he turned his attention away from her and asked Hu Li, "Cousin, what brings you here today? Aunt is looking for you everywhere."

"Nothing much. Just catching up with an old friend after half a year." Hu Li replied calmly. He wondered how Hu Da's task was progressing. It was best not to let Ke Shaozheng know about Hu Er too early, or he would definitely obstruct and use Hu Er as leverage.

"Oh, really? You two must have a good relationship," Ke Shaozheng said without showing any particular emotion. Cai Cai, sitting beside him, felt a deep internal conflict. She was unsure whether to tell Ke Shaozheng about Hu Er. She carefully observed Hu Li, hoping he could resist the drug's effects a bit longer. Otherwise, Ke Shaozheng would surely doubt the truth of what she had previously said.

But Cai Cai's hesitation looked like a silent signal to Ke Shaozheng, who became even more furious. He grabbed Cai Cai and dragged her upstairs, despite her painful struggles.

Hu Li watched their drama without a care. Once they were in a room, he called Hu Da.

"Have you rescued the person?"

"Hu Er has been found. They're currently escorting him out," Hu Da reported.

Hu Li's face relaxed. Without delay, he hung up the phone and, along with Hu Da, headed out to meet those rescuing Hu Er.

By the time Ke Shaozheng and Cai Cai came downstairs, Hu Li was already gone. Simultaneously, in the midst of a chaotic gunfight, someone reported to Cai Cai that Hu Er had been taken away by an unidentified group.

Cai Cai knew it was Hu Li's men who had rescued Hu Er. His calm demeanor while dealing with her had all been a ruse to keep her in check.

Lost in thought, Cai Cai didn't notice she had finished the tea Hu Li had sipped from earlier. Soon, her face flushed, her eyes became misty, and she felt an inexplicable allure. When Ke Shaozheng, now calm, noticed Cai Cai, she was already feverishly unbuttoning her blouse, writhing in discomfort and moaning.

Ke Shaozheng, despite his experience with countless women, was captivated by Cai Cai's sudden seductiveness. Cursing under his breath, he scooped her up and rushed to the bedroom.

Although Cai Cai's mind remained somewhat clear, she tried to push away Ke Shaozheng, who was tearing at her clothes. But her body refused to cooperate. Under Ke Shaozheng's touch, she felt an unbearable itch, like a swarm of ants crawling through her bones.

The separation between her mind and body left Cai Cai unsure whether she was in pain or ecstasy. Her soft whimpers and cries sounded like music to Ke Shaozheng, who was already lost in his lust.

In no time, their clothes were discarded, and just as Cai Cai felt a searing pain below, she experienced an unfamiliar intrusion.

The pain brought her brief clarity. Realizing what they were doing, tears streamed from her eyes. But soon, she was engulfed by the flames of desire again, and the two were left with nothing but primal rhythms.

Meanwhile, Hu Li placed the unconscious Hu Er in another reserved room at the hotel and secretly called Dr. Reed to check Hu Er's condition.

Once everything was arranged, Hu Li saw it was already 5:30 PM. Knowing Hu Er was not in any life-threatening danger and would recover after a few days of rest, Hu Li finally had time to see Hua Yan. But upon returning to their room and not finding her, he called and learned she was downstairs in the tea bar.

She was with none other than the person Hu Li disliked the most, Shangguan Ning. With a dark expression, Hu Li immediately went to find his disobedient lover, thinking of various ways to punish her.

However, when he saw the joy in Hua Yan's eyes the moment she noticed him, the smile on her face made him lose his resolve. The anger he had felt dissipated instantly.