"He's one of Han Lang's men," Wang Fei said, grabbing Ma Long's arm as if he'd found a lifeline. "Hero, hero, I beg you! Can you save me and get me out of here?"
Ma Long shook off Wang Fei's grip and asked, "Don't rush! Tell me why they're keeping you locked up. And about the rumors of your father being gravely ill, what's really going on?"
Mention of Wang Zizai brought a wave of sorrow to Wang Fei's face. "My father isn't gravely ill; he's dead, killed by them! The Gou family murdered my father to seize my family's assets! And they're keeping me imprisoned because they need to use me to control the entire Wang family!"
Wang Fei pleaded again, "Hero, I beg you to save me! I'm so scared that one day, when they no longer find me useful, they'll kill me too! If you take me out of here, I promise I'll kneel and apologize to Han Lang for my previous offense."
Seeing Wang Fei's earnest plea, Ma Long felt a pang of sympathy. However, he suddenly remembered something and asked, "Right, when I came in, I saw many people in white coats. What were they doing? Are there any other injured people in your family?"
Wang Fei shook his head. "No! Those aren't doctors! They're conducting human experiments in my basement, researching something called... 'ability users'."
"Ability users?"
Hearing those words, Ma Long was shocked. He quickly confirmed, "You mean the Gou family is taking over your family's business to research ability users in your home?"
Seeing Ma Long's astonishment, Wang Fei looked confused. "Yes! Hero, do you know about ability users?"
Ma Long no longer had the time to explain the details about ability users to Wang Fei. If the Gou family had only killed Wang Zizai to annex the Wang family and counter the Han family, it would have been a criminal case, and he could have easily rescued Wang Fei to report it.
However, if the Wang family had become a base for the Gou family to develop ability users, the situation was entirely different.
Setting aside whether his sixth-level Qi cultivation would be enough to safely escort Wang Fei out, even if he could, it would alert the Gou family. If they were tipped off, they would surely move their ability users. Once they went into hiding, not only would they evade legal punishment, but they would also pose a significant threat to Le City, and even the entire Xia Kingdom!
With this thought, Ma Long shook his head and made an excuse for Wang Fei. "I can't! I might not be able to get you out this time. There are dozens of bodyguards outside. If I try to escape with you, we definitely won't make it. You might not survive the night, and I'll be trapped here too!"
Wang Fei panicked. "Then what? Am I just supposed to die here?"
Seeing Wang Fei's despair, Ma Long quickly comforted him. "Don't worry! Once I get out, I'll definitely report this to the authorities. When the police surround this place, they'll catch the Gou family and rescue you and your family! The most important thing now is for you to ensure your own safety. Don't resist them. Just wait patiently, and there's hope!"
Wang Fei's spirits lifted upon hearing this. "Alright, I'll endure a little longer. But you must remember to report this after you get out!"
Ma Long patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, I..."
Just as Ma Long was about to offer more comfort, they heard the mocking laughter of the bodyguards outside.
"Food's here! Hurry up and deliver it to the pampered young master of the Wang family, or he'll throw a tantrum again! Haha..."
"Heh, a tantrum? Boss, you're giving him too much credit. What he does isn't a tantrum, it's more like acting spoiled! Haha..."
The approaching voices made Ma Long and Wang Fei inside the room a little flustered.
At this critical moment, Wang Fei had a flash of inspiration. He told Ma Long to hide while he went to the door, feigning anger and shouting, "Who are you calling spoiled? If you're so brave, don't bring me food! I don't believe it, but if I starve to death, you'll all have to be buried with me!"
The bodyguards were slightly stunned by this sudden outburst. However, they quickly recovered. They knew Wang Fei's timid and cowardly nature, so they didn't take his bold threat seriously.
"Oh, Young Master Wang is finally showing some backbone! But I'm not so sure. Why don't you really go on a hunger strike and show us?"
Wang Fei was so enraged he gritted his teeth. "Fine! You said it! This time, I'd rather die than endure the insults of you lackeys!" He then turned to close the door.
Seeing that Wang Fei wasn't just bluffing, the bodyguards were completely taken aback. Although Wang Fei was confined, his personal freedom wasn't completely restricted because he was crucial for Gou Feng's plan to control the situation. Gou Feng had specifically instructed the bodyguards to treat him well. If they truly angered Wang Fei to the point of a hunger strike and death, thus ruining Gou Feng's plan, it was uncertain whether they would indeed be buried with Wang Fei.
With this in mind, they quickly changed their demeanor and smiled obsequiously at Wang Fei. "Heh heh, why is Young Master Wang so angry? The food is indeed a bit late today. Look, we brothers just started our meal. It's not that we intentionally neglected you!"
Seeing their fawning behavior, Wang Fei felt a surge of satisfaction, thinking, "Finally, I've vented my frustration!" However, he deliberately put on a look of disdain, rolled his eyes at them, snatched the food containers angrily, and then slammed the door shut with a bang!
After being given such a cold shoulder, the bodyguards were naturally displeased, but they dared not show it too much. They only cursed softly at Wang Fei's door.
"Damn it! Once you're no longer useful, just you wait and see how I'll deal with you!"
"Exactly! A mere prisoner dares to be so arrogant. I'll make him kneel and call me 'Daddy'!"
"Calling you 'Daddy' isn't enough! He should at least call you 'Grandpa'!"
"How about 'your ancestor'! Haha..."
They chatted and fantasized, then burst into laughter and went their separate ways.
Once he was sure their footsteps had faded, Ma Long quietly emerged. Wang Fei quickly said to him, "Hero, they're all eating now. Take this opportunity and leave quickly!"
Ma Long nodded and was about to leave when he turned back to Wang Fei. "Remember to eat well and don't get into arguments with them! You must wait for me to come back and save you!"
Wang Fei found his words a little strange, but he nodded firmly. "Don't worry, I'll try my best to navigate this! Be careful when you leave!"
Ma Long smiled and nodded again, then opened the door, darted up to the second floor with a swish, and left the Wang family villa along the same path he came.