I Became the Rich Second-Generation Villain - Chapter 32: Xu Wang Has Gone Missing

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After finishing her skincare routine, Xu Yun’s colleague invited her out for dinner.

Thinking that their parents had a business engagement that evening, Xu Yun sent Xu Wang a message, asking if he wanted to join her and her colleagues for a meal.

She waited for a while after sending it—but there was no reply.

She assumed he was asleep at home.

Back when he was still in school, during winter and summer breaks, Xu Wang often slept from the afternoon straight through to eight or nine at night. She had long gotten used to his “overseas schedule”—awake at night, asleep during the day—so she didn’t think much of it.

But when she returned home after dinner and pushed open his bedroom door, only to find it empty, something felt off.

She called him several times.

No answer.

Xu Yun started to panic.

She immediately called Wen Yu.

—

Wen Yu had just finished dinner with her parents and was taking a walk in a nearby park.

When her phone rang and she saw Xu Yun’s name, she picked up right away.

“Yuyu, do you know where my brother went?” Xu Yun’s voice was filled with urgency.

Wen Yu froze for a moment. “Xu Wang… he didn’t go back?”

“No! I messaged him this afternoon, but he never replied. I thought he was sleeping at home, but when I got back, he wasn’t in his room. I’ve called him so many times—he’s not answering. When did he leave your place? Do you know where he went?”

Wen Yu went silent.

Her mind flashed back to the afternoon—Xu Wang’s phone had been left on the table, and she had slipped it into her pocket. The clothes she wore were now lying on her bed.

Did he… not find his phone?

Wait…

When she told him to hide on the balcony… she had locked the door.

Her heart dropped.

“Oh no!”

Wen Yu suddenly realized—Xu Wang might still be locked out on the balcony.

Glancing at the time, she saw that more than two hours had already passed since she left home.

“Yunyun… your brother might be locked on my balcony…”

“…What?!”

—

After briefly explaining the situation to her parents, Wen Yu rushed off, saying she had something urgent to deal with.

On the drive back, she quickly filled Xu Yun in on everything that had happened that afternoon.

Hearing that Xu Wang was likely just stuck on the balcony for a few hours, Xu Yun finally let out a breath of relief. At least he was safe.

Wen Yu sped all the way home, anxiety tightening her chest.

She rushed into the elevator and pressed the button for the 15th floor.

Fingerprint unlock.

The door opened.

The apartment was dark and eerily silent.

She slowed her steps as she walked toward the balcony.

The door was still locked.

She opened it and stepped halfway out.

There, slumped against the wall, sat Xu Wang—his body limp, arms hanging at his sides, head tilted back as if his soul had been drained from him.

“Xu Wang…” she called softly.

He slowly turned his head to look at her.

His eyes were dull, his voice filled with grievance.

“Big sis… you finally came back.”

Wen Yu crouched beside him, guilt flooding her chest as she met his lifeless gaze.

“I’m sorry…”

She helped him up by the arm and guided him back into the living room.

Gone was his usual lively energy. He seemed hollow, his voice hoarse as he spoke:

“Big sis… where’s your bathroom?”

Wen Yu pointed in a direction.

He staggered toward it, his steps unsteady.

Watching his back, Wen Yu felt a surge of guilt and loneliness welling up inside her.

In just three hours… he seemed like a completely different person.

The more he suppressed his emotions, the less he complained, the more guilty she felt.

What she didn’t know…

was that Xu Wang was putting on an act.

—

If he had burst out the moment the door opened—relieved, excited to be free—

how could she possibly feel this deeply guilty?

What he wanted… was exactly this effect.

Guilt. Sympathy.

He had been locked outside for hours—first under the blazing sun, then through sunset, watching night fall.

And on top of that, he had taken the blame for such a huge misunderstanding.

If she didn’t feel guilty, wouldn’t all that suffering be for nothing?

This was simply him making the most of the situation—turning it to his advantage, so she would treat him better.

—

Standing in front of the mirror, he looked at himself.

His lips were pale and dry.

“Not miserable enough,” he muttered.

He deliberately messed up his hair even more.

When he stepped out of the bathroom, he walked past Wen Yu without even lifting his eyelids—like he didn’t see her at all.

He went straight to the sofa and collapsed onto it face-first, lying there motionless.

Wen Yu stood where she was, her lips parting slightly—but no words came out.

She didn’t know how to comfort people.

But seeing him like this… her guilt deepened even further.

It was her fault.

She was the one who had left him outside for three hours.

Her fault…

Wen Yu pressed her lips together, her heart in turmoil.

She walked over, crouched beside the sofa, and hesitated for a moment before placing her hand gently on his messy hair, softly stroking it.

Xu Wang instinctively closed his eyes in comfort—

then quickly turned his head away, pretending to be upset, as if he didn’t want anything to do with her.

The movement was silent.

But to Wen Yu, it felt deafening.

He’s blaming me.

Blaming me for locking him outside.

“Xu Wang…” she called softly, her voice gentler than ever before.

“Mm,” he responded faintly.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have locked you on the balcony… shouldn’t have left you out there for so long…”

He didn’t reply.

Didn’t even look at her.

Biting her lip, Wen Yu leaned closer, her voice soft near his ear.

“Are you hungry? I’ll take you out to eat. You can choose anything you want.”

Slowly, Xu Wang turned his head.

Their eyes met.

Their faces were so close their noses were almost touching.

This time… neither of them looked away.

His gaze lowered slightly, still wearing that aggrieved, downcast expression.

His voice was low and heavy.

“Big sis… did you lock me out on purpose? To get back at me… and just pretended to forget?”

Wen Yu’s expression tightened in panic.

“No—I didn’t! I wasn’t trying to get back at you.”

She lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes.

“I thought… you had already gone home.”

Her voice was soft—almost like she was blaming herself.

“I’m fine.”

Wen Yu looked up at him.

He forced a small, reassuring smile.

As if to tell her—

I’m okay. Don’t blame yourself.

But seeing that expression… seeing that he didn’t blame her at all—

only made her feel worse.

Maybe…

she had misunderstood him all along.

—

Just then, her phone rang.

She answered the video call.

On the other end, Xu Yun looked anxious, still without any news of her brother.

“Yuyu, is my brother at your place?”

Wen Yu’s heart sank.

She nodded with difficulty and turned the camera toward Xu Wang.

The siblings locked eyes through the screen.

Seeing his wronged, exhausted appearance, Xu Yun’s heart clenched.

“Little brother, are you okay?”

Xu Wang spoke weakly, as if drained of energy.

“I’m fine… just stayed on the balcony for a bit.”

At those words, Wen Yu’s heart trembled.

He was still blaming her.

And he had every right to.

How… was she supposed to make it up to him?