Upon learning that Mu Bai had taken people to the Ji residence, Zhan Mohan and Zhan Yichen immediately flew to Country Y after handling all affairs.
As dusk settled, they had already secretly entered Country Y's borders. To avoid alarming the enemy, their movements were covert. They didn't go directly to the Ji residence to rescue the hostages but instead checked into a hotel.
They were not yet familiar with the local situation. The goal of the rescue was success, not to get themselves trapped as well. Everything had to be planned carefully.
The two men were restless, pacing in the room, waiting for Fang Xun to return from investigating the Ji residence's information.
Zhan Yichen complained, "Fang Xun should have investigated these matters before we even came. Isn't going now delaying the rescue? What if Lin Jing and the others encounter any danger?"
Seeing his impatience, Zhan Mohan felt the same anxiety, but he had to explain, "Fang Xun did prepare. However, Ji Tong's influence here is not to be underestimated. Much of the information is difficult to obtain. We had no choice but to wait until we arrived to investigate personally."
Upon hearing this, Zhan Yichen had nothing more to say and could only wait for Fang Xun's return.
However, if they were already apprehensive about Ji Tong's influence here, they had already lost half the battle. This rescue operation would certainly not be smooth.
The two waited until deep into the night before Fang Xun returned, looking weary. Seeing his grim expression, Zhan Mohan had a premonition.
"Mr. Zhan, I've investigated. Ji Tong's identity here is more than just the wealthy businessman we knew. That is merely his public persona. In reality, he controls seventy percent of Country Y's underworld. The mountainside villa where the Ji residence is located is the most dangerous area in the Chinese district, heavily guarded. It would be as difficult as ascending to heaven for us to get in with our current numbers."
Zhan Mohan knew Fang Xun wasn't exaggerating or undermining their morale. From the moment they couldn't find information about the Ji residence, he had already suspected Ji Tong's identity was unusual. He was either a high-ranking official or involved in the underworld. People from other social strata wouldn't be so difficult to investigate.
The current problem was that it was already incredibly difficult to enter the Ji residence. Their desire to rescue someone seemed even more like a fantasy.
Seeing their troubled faces, Fang Xun continued, "However, I also discovered some news: Old Master Ji, Ji Tong's grandfather, will be celebrating his ninetieth birthday in a couple of days. Many guests from both the underworld and legitimate society will attend the banquet at the mountainside villa. This might be an opportunity."
This was indeed an opportunity. Zhan Mohan immediately decided to attend the banquet. "Go arrange for people to prepare thoroughly. We cannot bring too many people to the banquet. Also, it's possible you obtaining this information was intentionally revealed by Ji Tong. Since he took Yu Meng, he knew I would pursue him. His target has always been me. He will want to see me at the birthday banquet."
Rather than calling it Old Master Ji's ninetieth birthday, it was more like a Hongmen Banquet designed for the Zhan family. From their previous encounters, Ji Tong's goals were clear: to end Zhan Mohan's life.
Zhan Mohan knew that if he didn't go, Ji Tong would be disappointed.
It was only that Wei Yu Meng's days would be difficult for the next few days. However, he guessed that Ji Tong wouldn't endanger Wei Yu Meng's life, as she was his only leverage. He wouldn't use her easily unless absolutely necessary.
At this point, he had to endure the temporary pain and consider the bigger picture, forcing himself to inconvenience Wei Yu Meng for two days.
Wei Yu Meng was indeed having a difficult time. She had to face Jiang Siyu's drug withdrawal symptoms from time to time. However, it seemed no one had looked after them these past few days. Since Feng Shiming's disturbance last time, the cellar door had not been opened again.
Jiang Siyu had gone through withdrawal many times and could only endure it. However, the process was long. Besides collapsing and self-harming, she became aggressive. If her limbs weren't chained, and Wei Yu Meng wasn't able to move freely to find a corner to hide, Wei Yu Meng would have likely been beaten to death by her, let alone tormented by Feng Shiming.
Perhaps due to the prolonged lack of food, Jiang Siyu grew weaker and could no longer cause much trouble. She mostly lay on the ground, moaning and enduring the agony.
After she recovered slightly, Wei Yu Meng would drag her to lean against the wall. However, neither of them had any food. Wei Yu Meng was also starving to the point of seeing stars and couldn't help her much.
When she recovered, she would say a few words to Wei Yu Meng, "Perhaps after enduring these few times, my addiction will lessen."
Wei Yu Meng didn't think so. Each withdrawal was so taxing. In an environment without water or food, the cost of survival would greatly increase.
She couldn't help but ask, "Why has no one come to bring us anything? Do they really intend to let us perish here?"
She guessed that the reason Feng Shiming only threatened her and didn't truly harm her was because she knew Zhan Mohan would pursue her. Therefore, they would definitely not let her starve to death here.
But two days had passed. Not only had no food been sent, but not even a sip of water. If this continued, she would die of thirst if not starvation.
Jiang Siyu had been imprisoned longer and knew some things. She told Wei Yu Meng about Old Master Ji's upcoming ninetieth birthday.
"Everyone here, from top to bottom, is preparing for the birthday banquet. Naturally, no one remembers us. Feng Shiming also doesn't have time to bother us."
As she spoke, she asked Wei Yu Meng for something, "Do you have a hairpin? Give me one."
Wei Yu Meng, not understanding, took off a simple hairpin from her head and handed it to her, "What do you need this for? You're not planning to dress up, are you?"
"Of course not," Jiang Siyu fumbled and straightened the hairpin, "This might be able to open the locks on me. When the banquet starts tomorrow, many people will be here. If I can open these locks, I might have a chance to escape."
As she spoke, she seemed to realize something and added, "You can come with me if you want, but you must keep it a secret and help me. If you get caught, you cannot implicate me."
Wei Yu Meng thought of Mu Linjing's family still trapped here. She couldn't just leave. So, she refused her.
Jiang Siyu chuckled upon hearing this, "You're being foolish at a time like this. By staying here, can you save Mu Linjing? You'll only be captured again. Besides, if you can escape, Mohan will have one less worry, which will allow him to deal with Ji Tong more freely and rescue the Mu family."