Chapter 117: Chapter 117

Early the next morning, Shen You’an returned from his morning run, carrying the breakfast he’d bought.

He lightly knocked on the door next to his.

Normally, Rong Xianning would have obediently opened the door and come out by now.

But today, the room was silent.

Setting down the bun he’d taken a bite out of, Shen You’an frowned and walked over, twisting the door handle to open it.

The quilt was neatly folded, and beside it were two perfectly arranged sets of clothes.

A few comic books were tidily placed on the nightstand.

Other than that, the place was so clean it seemed as though no one had ever lived in it.

On the desk was a piece of paper. Shen You’an walked over and picked it up.

There were only four words written on it, the handwriting delicate and orderly.

"Thank you, goodbye."

The cool early-autumn wind swept in through the window, rustling the white curtains.

The boy had left, quietly and without a sound.

Shen You’an crumpled the note into a ball, threw it into the trash can, and turned away expressionlessly.

It seemed he had found the path he wanted to follow.

"A bunch of useless fools! You can’t even find a teenager! What’s the point of keeping you around?"

Jingzhou, Eternal Century’s CEO office.

Ding Meng unleashed a barrage of insults at her subordinates before pacing angrily around the office, unsatisfied.

"Even the police haven’t found him yet..."

The PR director muttered under her breath.

"You have three more days. If you still can’t find him, all of you can pack up and get out..."

"President Ding..." An assistant ran in excitedly.

"Rong... Rong Xianning is back."

Relief washed over everyone’s faces. Finally, they wouldn’t have to endure President Ding’s temper anymore.

The thin, frail boy walked in with a blank expression.

The kid had been missing for an entire week—a week of chaos and tension for the company, where no one had felt at ease.

So when they saw him, after the initial relief, anger quickly followed.

Ding Meng stared at the boy, confirming he was unharmed. Her eyes burned with fury as she fixed her gaze on him.

Fang Hui, the PR director, pointed at Rong Xianning and scolded him, "Where have you been these past few days? Do you have any idea how much damage your little tantrum has caused the company? Can you take responsibility for it?"

Ding Meng simply observed coldly, with no intention of defending Rong Xianning.

Clearly, she felt she had spoiled him too much, allowing him to get arrogant. He needed to be taught a lesson.

The boy’s frail frame stood upright, his lean face sculpted with exquisite features as cold and resolute as crystalline jade.

His once timid eyes now gleamed with sharp defiance.

"You should familiarize yourselves with criminal law: abducting a minor carries a sentence of five to ten years or life imprisonment. In severe cases, the death penalty is applied, along with confiscation of all assets."

His words were steady and thunderous.

Fang Hui instinctively glanced at Ding Meng. The boy was indeed a minor, and if this escalated, it could be a serious liability for the company.

Ding Meng narrowed her eyes, "Everyone, leave the room."

Soon, only Ding Meng and Rong Xianning remained in the office.

"Aning, what did you mean by your statement just now?" Ding Meng asked softly.

The boy remained unmoved. "Exactly what you heard."

Ding Meng let out a cold laugh. "Oh, I see what you’re trying to pull. Do you realize your parents sold you to me for five million yuan? The contract is here, clear as day."

Ding Meng retrieved a contract from the safe and flung it at Rong Xianning’s face.

Rong Xianning didn’t even glance at it. His eyes grew colder and darker.

"According to the law, biological parents selling their child for illegal profit constitutes child trafficking. They must face criminal charges. And this contract is solid proof."

Ding Meng’s eyes widened in disbelief. "You’re willing to put your parents in prison?"

"The moment they signed that contract, they severed all ties with me."

The boy’s gaze was colder than ancient ice, and his tone carried a chilling indifference that made your skin crawl.

Ding Meng stared at the boy as though seeing him for the first time. In just a week, how could someone change so drastically?

"Aren’t you afraid of public condemnation?"

The boy sneered. "I’ve never done anything wrong, nor have I let anyone down. Why should I care about public judgment? As long as I stay true to myself, don’t preach filial duty to me. They don’t deserve to be called my parents."

Ding Meng was stunned by the boy’s iron resolve. Suddenly, she understood he wasn’t joking—he truly intended to break ties.

"You..." Ding Meng swallowed nervously, her thoughts in disarray.

"What exactly do you want to do?"

"That’s the question I should be asking you. What exactly do you intend to do to me?" The boy demanded coldly.