CHAPTER 81 — War
Bai Xia wasn't acting out of kindness—anyone who thought that didn't understand her at all. Her heart didn't soften because of Bai Ling, or because of guilt, or even pity.
No.
She was thinking of her father.
She could already imagine how his face would fall if he learned that his niece had been arrested because of her. Bai Ling had helped their family many times in the past. Even if the girl was becoming more annoying and reckless by the day, their fathers' relationship ran deep. And Bai Xia… she never forgot favors, nor the weight of family ties.
So she swallowed her irritation, stepped forward, and spoke calmly to the officers.
"Officers, please… is there a way we can resolve this privately?"
Li Guyan snapped her head toward her, disbelief twisting her expression into something sharp and offended.
"You're still defending them after what they did? Are you dumb?" Disappointment dripped from every word. "I know you're not stupid, Bai Xia, so what are you doing? I am never letting them go for this."
Bai Xia didn't flinch. She simply turned, bowed deeply, and spoke with quiet steadiness.
"Please. I saved your life, Guyan. You know I'm not a fool. I'm only thinking of my family. She's my cousin. If she gets arrested and I stand here doing nothing… my father and uncle will be heartbroken."
Her voice didn't shake, but it carried something heavy—responsibility.
Li Guyan hesitated.
These were the same people who had almost cost her her life today. The same ones who mocked her, hurt her, humiliated her. Yet standing beside her was the girl who dragged her from death's door, still asking—no, pleading—for restraint.
Guyan clenched her jaw. The conflict was almost visible on her face.
After a long moment, she exhaled.
"Bai Xia… if you want this, then fine. I'll let them go." Her tone cooled, eyes narrowing. "Only this once."
The meaning behind her words was sharp and obvious.
She wouldn't touch them today.
Tomorrow… that was a different story.
Bai Xia understood perfectly.
"Thank you. I'll leave first. I'm sorry for everything today."
"It's fine," Su Yin replied, waving her hand dismissively. "We'll call for our driver."
Bai Xia turned without waiting for another word. Her gaze locked on Bai Gin, who froze under the coldness in her eyes. There was nothing soft or forgiving in that stare—only clear warning and a touch of barely contained fury.
"Follow me."
She didn't spare Shang Shan a single glance. She simply walked away.
Bai Gin hurried after her, heart pounding. With every step, dread grew heavier. What if Bai Xia reported everything to her father? What would happen to their new house? To the job her father fought so hard to get? To the plans they'd only just begun to enjoy?
She stood outside the car like an obedient servant, not daring to breathe too loudly.
Inside, Bai Xia activated her skill.
Light of Judgement.
A faint glow surrounded Bai Gin's head.
Red.
Bai Xia exhaled slowly.
At least it wasn't black.
If it had been black… Bai Gin wouldn't be walking away today.
"Bai Gin," she said quietly, "today's incident will not go unpunished."
Bai Gin opened her mouth, wanting to explain, to beg, to defend herself. But the car door slammed shut, and Bai Xia's vehicle sped away before she could say anything at all.
Silence filled the car.
Stella drove without a word, her mechanical precision flawless, her presence calm—but empty. Even though she could hold basic conversations now, she still wasn't human. No warmth. No emotion. No comfort.
Bai Xia tried once, earlier, to chat with her. It felt like talking to a wall. So she gave up.
Her thoughts drifted back to the red glow over Bai Gin's head.
Trouble.
Selfishness.
A growing resentment.
Not enough to eliminate her.
But enough to watch carefully.
The car slowed to a stop at the villa. Stella stepped out and silently began unloading the shopping bags.
As Bai Xia walked inside, she heard something—low, broken, and trembling.
Crying.
Her steps quickened. She pushed open the door and froze.
Chu Sun was on the floor, knees bent, face buried in her hands. Her eyes were swollen, red from crying too long. Beside her, Bai Xuan held her shoulders, patting and whispering soft words that clearly weren't helping.
The room felt suffocating.
"Mum? Sister? What happened?"
The moment Chu Sun heard Bai Xia's voice, her head shot up. Hope—desperate, fragile hope—flickered in her wet eyes. She didn't know why, but something deep inside her believed Bai Xia would fix whatever was wrong.
She reached for her daughter's hand with trembling fingers.
"Xia'er… it's Bai Yang and Bai Xin…"
Her voice cracked.
"They… they've been kidnapped."
The world seemed to freeze.
For a heartbeat, Bai Xia didn't breathe. Didn't move. Didn't blink.
Then her gaze sharpened like a blade.
"What?"
Chu Sun burst into fresh tears. Bai Xuan tried to steady her mother again, but she herself was shaking.
"We tried calling them for hours," Bai Xuan said, voice tight. "The last location their phones pinged was near the old factory district… but then everything went dark."
Chu Sun grabbed Bai Xia's sleeve, sobbing harder.
"Xia'er… my babies… someone took them—someone took your siblings!"
Bai Xia felt something cold spread through her chest.
Kidnapped.
Bai Yang, who always acted cool but still hid candy under his pillow.
Bai Xin, who clung to her sleeve every morning before school.
Her jaw tightened until it hurt.
"Tell me everything," she said, her voice calm—too calm.
Bai Xuan explained between shaky breaths.
This morning, the siblings left for school like normal. Everything seemed fine. Then messages stopped. Calls went unanswered. A stranger picked up Bai Xuan's call and laughed before hanging up. The school reported the children never arrived. And then a photo was sent to the house—blurred, but unmistakably showing both siblings tied up.
No demand for ransom.
No explanation.
No name.
Just a threat.
Bai Xia's fingers curled slowly at her sides.
Someone dared.
Someone really dared.
Her pulse remained steady, controlled, but something dark flickered beneath her calm expression. A warning. A storm.
She knelt down and wiped her mother's tears gently.
"Mum. I will bring them back."
Chu Sun shook her head frantically. "Xia'er, it's dangerous—"
"I said," Bai Xia repeated, softer yet unshakable, "I will bring them back."
No one in the room doubted her.
Not for a second.
Bai Xia stood, pulling out her phone. Stella stepped into the room with the last set of bags, but froze when she saw Bai Xia's expression.
"Stella," Bai Xia said quietly, "prepare the car."
"Yes, Miss Xia."
Bai Xuan stood up quickly. "Xia'er, wait! Are you going alone?"
Bai Xia paused only long enough to reply:
"They took my family."
Her eyes darkened.
"They won't survive if I don't go."
And with that, she walked out of the room—silent, composed, and radiating a cold determination that made even the walls feel colder.
Whoever kidnapped her siblings…
They had just declared war.