Inside the luxurious mansion, an atmosphere of opulence permeated the air.
Famous paintings and antiques were visible everywhere, with modern and ancient styles colliding, creating a very special vibe.
"The master awaits you in the study room. Please follow me."
The butler led the way, and the house was much bigger than Yan Dongxu had imagined. Is this how the wealthy lived?
Compared to Liu Xinyu's father, Yan Dongxu's own father seemed understated.
Upon reaching the study room, Yan Dongxu saw a middle-aged man in a white Tang suit sitting on the sofa, sipping tea.
Seeing Yan Dongxu enter, the man stood up to greet him in a hearty manner, "Yan Dongxu, we finally meet. I am Liu Dewang, Liu Xinyu's father."
Yan Dongxu shook his hand, feeling that Liu's attitude towards him was strange.
It was not what he had imagined their meeting would be like.
Logically, Liu should have been displeased with him because of his daughter's situation.
However, Liu greeted him with a warm smile, without a hint of anger, which was quite perplexing.
"Uncle Liu, you were so eager to see me that I was caught off guard. I didn't prepare a gift," said Yan Dongxu politely.
"No, no, no, how could I accept a gift from you? I've actually prepared a gift for you. Don't be offended by it."
Uncle Liu pushed over a wooden box, likely made of rosewood, an expensive material in itself. Yan Dongxu was curious about what was inside.
He used his spatial ability to take a look, and upon seeing the contents, he grew even more puzzled.
Not only did Uncle Liu address him respectfully, but inside the box was a check for one hundred million yuan.
This move left him completely bewildered.
"Uncle Liu, I can't accept this money," said Yan Dongxu calmly.
Uncle Liu's eyes lit up, seeing that Yan Dongxu knew what was inside without opening the box, and his smile grew even broader.
"I was blind before, and I offended you online. Please forgive me. If you don't, I'll kneel down before you," Uncle Liu said apologetically.
Yan Dongxu was genuinely perplexed.
From Uncle Liu's appearance, he seemed to be a disciplined man who maintained a good physique.
Years of experience in high positions had honed an aura of commanding respect without anger.
From his facial features, Uncle Liu did not seem like the kind of person to bow and scrape.
Normally, he should have been calm and reserved, a figure who commanded respect.
"Uncle, just say what you need to say. There's no need to bow and scrape before your junior. It's uncomfortable for both of us," said Yan Dongxu, unable to watch any longer.
He had come prepared for a fierce battle, but Uncle Liu wasn't "fighting" him. Instead, he resorted to bowing and scraping.
This made Yan Dongxu feel uncomfortable, with energy and nowhere to channel it.
Bang!
Uncle Liu suddenly knelt on the ground, his eyes reddening. "Please save my daughter. Save the Liu family."
Yan Dongxu's mind was filled with questions, wondering what was going on.
Was Uncle Liu putting on a performance for him? A tragic drama, perhaps?
He used his spatial ability to help Uncle Liu up. "If you have something to say, just say it directly. Given my relationship with Liu Xinyu, you don't need to go to such lengths."
After standing up, Uncle Liu bowed to him, making a strange hand gesture.
His hands formed the rock sign commonly used by rock musicians, with his palms facing himself and his two thumbs hooked together, pressed against his chest.
Yan Dongxu was familiar with this gesture, as the members of Death Coffin had knelt and made the same gesture towards him that morning when he revealed the Coffin Order.
In an instant, he seemed to understand something!
"Uncle, you're not part of Death Coffin, are you?" Yan Dongxu asked coldly.
Uncle Liu sighed, "Your subordinate greets the Great General."
Yan Dongxu felt speechless, his gaze growing complex.
He remained silent for a while before uttering a single sentence: "Does Liu Xinyu know about this?"
Uncle Liu shook his head. "No. She knows nothing."
Silence fell in the study room.
The two sat on the sofa, Uncle Liu not daring to meet Yan Dongxu's gaze, while Yan Dongxu ignored Uncle Liu.
After about ten minutes, Yan Dongxu finally spoke.
"What did you mean when you said you wanted me to save Liu Xinyu?"
Uncle Liu quickly responded, "One of the Ten Generals of Death Coffin, the iron-faced gentleman Bei Xiao, has set his sights on my daughter. He wants me to give her to him."
"I received word recently, and I truly don't know what to do. I don't want to give my daughter to him – he's a demon."
"But I have no choice. If I don't, the entire Liu family will be wiped out."
Yan Dongxu was hearing the title "the iron-faced gentleman" for the first time.
However, as one of the Ten Generals, Bei Xiao's strength must be formidable.
"When did you join Death Coffin?"
"A long time ago, about ten years back. But I haven't committed any crimes or harmed anyone. I've only helped them with money laundering."
Yan Dongxu scoffed coldly, "You do play the innocent well. But how many lives were lost because of the money you laundered?"
Uncle Liu smiled bitterly. "I know I'm guilty, but at least Xinyu has met you. I can leave with peace of mind."
"I know Death Coffin won't spare me, but I won't implicate Xinyu. Once you help her overcome this ordeal, I'll disappear."
Yan Dongxu shook his head. "What good will your death do? Will it make Xinyu happy? Stop threatening me."
"What makes you think I'll help you? Since you know I'm one of the Ten Generals of Death Coffin, what makes you think I'm a good person?"
Uncle Liu said calmly, "I trust Xinyu's judgment. I admit I initially looked down on you, but when I learned you became one of the Ten Generals this morning, I knew you had the ability to protect Xinyu."
"Even if you don't help me, the iron-faced gentleman won't spare you. He hates it when a woman he desires is with someone else."
Yan Dongxu called Uncle Liu an old fox, admiring how skillfully he played the game of offering gifts first, then threats.
"If that's the case, what was the point of your earlier performance? Were you trying to gain my sympathy?"
Uncle Liu shook his head. "I was merely trying to exchange my last shred of dignity as an old father for my daughter's worry-free future."
Yan Dongxu headed for the exit. "Tell me the deadline the iron-faced gentleman Bei Xiao has given you."
"Tonight, at the Yuehe Hotel. Xinyu has likely already consumed a spiked coffee with a sedative and is being taken to the hotel as we speak."
"You're quite the father! While trying to save your daughter, you're pushing her into the fire pit. I wonder what you would have done if I wasn't here?"
Uncle Liu picked up his teacup and took a sip of the now-cold tea, a flash of determination in his eyes. "I would have fought to the bitter end!"
"Never mind, I'm leaving. If the lone bullet in your teapot holder was for suicide, I advise you to save it."
Yan Dongxu tossed the bullet into the air and crushed it with his spatial ability.
"Don't get too excited. Your punishment hasn't arrived yet." With that, Yan Dongxu's figure vanished instantly.
After he left, there was a knock on the study room door.
"Come in."
The butler entered and asked with his head lowered, "Master, what do we do next? Shall we proceed with the original plan?"
"No need. Call everyone off. If he's going, there shouldn't be a problem."