Chapter 124 Kidnapping
The sky was completely dark, and the night snow was falling heavily, piling up a thick layer of white on the ground.
When Zhu Fan came downstairs, her aunt was preparing dinner in the kitchen.
Judging by the time, Mom and A-Yuan should have been home long ago.
She dialed both numbers in succession, but all she heard was a repetitive, cold, mechanical voice: "Sorry, the number you dialed is currently switched off..."
Zhu Fan stood outside the villa, the wind and snow lashing her face.
Time ticked by, and anxiety crept into my heart like vines.
The string of red gibberish hanging above her head, which had been deliberately ignored, suddenly moved.
Ever since her life became intertwined with Fang Qizhou's, the death countdown above her head has frozen into a meaningless symbol.
Now, it has started beating again, the numbers coldly decreasing in seconds—
【259199】
【259198】
【259197】
The phone slipped from my suddenly cold hand and fell onto the snow.
Zhu Fan bent down to pick it up, and her pale face was reflected on the screen.
As she trembled, about to dial Fang Qizhou's number, a message from an unknown number popped up:
Your mother and sister are in my hands. Do as I say, and they will be safe.
The blood seemed to freeze instantly.
A car will be here to pick you up soon. Install the surveillance software I sent you on your phone.
Don't call the police, don't make a fuss. Otherwise, your sister and mother will die.
Zhu Fan could barely hold the phone between her fingers.
She forced back her trembling and opened the photo sent by the kidnappers—
A-Yuan was trapped in a huge glass water tank, the water already up to her chest.
A chill ran down Zhu Fan's spine and spread throughout his body.
Reason told her to stay calm.
Zhu Fan did not install the software immediately.
The fact that the kidnappers only contacted her indicates that this was all premeditated and had a clear objective.
If you hesitate any longer, the car will leave.
After tonight, you'll only see two corpses.
Zhu Fan closed his eyes, his fingertip hovered for a moment, and finally clicked install.
She typed in the chat box: "What do you want?"
You'll understand once you get on the bus.
Remember, you only have this one chance.
Zhu Fan returned inside, where the housekeeper was serving dishes: "Miss, dinner is ready... Haven't Madam and Second Miss returned yet?"
“A-Yuan wanted to eat out, so her mother went with her.”
Zhu Fan's tone was so calm that it revealed not a trace of emotion, "You guys can go home first tonight."
After sending everyone away, she walked alone into the snowstorm.
A black car without license plates was parked quietly in a blind spot of the villa area's surveillance cameras.
Before Zhu Fan could even close the car door after getting in, the car suddenly started moving.
She looked at the man in the driver's seat, "Where are you taking me?"
The man in the driver's seat was bundled up tightly and only managed a hoarse voice into his earpiece: "I'm already in the car."
The sound was as rough as sandpaper.
Zhu Fan glanced at the flashing security camera inside the car pointing at her: "How much do you want?"
The man finally reacted, handing over a cell phone with his white-gloved hand.
"I need to confirm their safety via video." Zhu Fan took the call, her voice tense.
A soft laugh escaped from the receiver.
"Zhu Fan,"
Zhu Fan recognized Zhong Fei's voice.
"Your mother and sister are safe now."
Zhu Fan's fingertips, gripping the phone, turned white. "Zhong Fei, why did you do this?"
Zhong Fei exclaimed, "Oh dear, it's because you made me unhappy."
Zhong Fei interrupted Zhu Fan, "Don't worry, Mrs. Zhu is in my car. I'm showing her the night view of Beijing."
Zhong Fei said in a light tone, "It's a pity the anesthesia hasn't worn off yet; she's sleeping soundly."
The urgent ringing of the phone suddenly interrupted the conversation.
Zhong Fei was monitoring Zhu Fan's phone. "It's your grandma."
She chuckled softly, "Don't arouse her suspicion."
Zhu Fan answered the phone and spoke to her grandmother in a normal tone.
The street scene outside the car window kept receding, as if the car was heading into endless darkness.
The moment the call ended, she gripped the phone tightly again: "Zhong Fei, what are your conditions?"
On another car.
Zhong Fei rested one hand on the steering wheel, her gaze sweeping over the man in the passenger seat.
The man held up three fingers, making a silent gesture in the dimly lit carriage—thirty million.
"It's impossible for me to gather this much cash in one night by myself."
On the other end of the phone, Zhu Fan's voice came through clearly, without the expected trembling or breakdown.
The slight smile of pleasure on Zhong Fei's lips faded.
Zhu Fan's excessive rationality annoyed her.
What she wanted to see was fear, panic, and desperate pleas.
"Can't raise the money?" Zhong Fei's voice suddenly turned sweet and cloying, with a cruel, playful tone. "Then you can collect your mother's body. Remember, tomorrow you're redeeming your mother. If you want to redeem your sister... I have other conditions."
She deliberately dragged out the last syllable, then hung up decisively and tossed the phone aside.
The sound of loud chewing came from the side.
The man, tearing into his hamburger, mumbled, "Money in hand, come with me immediately. I've made all the arrangements at the border."
Zhong Fei didn't respond, but just looked out the window at the neon lights that were blurred by the snow.
She had had enough. She had had enough of dealing with those bloated, fat men, exchanging her body and dignity for a tiny crack in her survival.
My wrist was suddenly gripped by a greasy yet strong hand, squeezing it painfully.
The man stared at her, his eyes leaving no room for argument: "These are the conditions for me to help you. Don't try anything funny with me."
Zhong Fei struggled for a moment but couldn't break free. A familiar sense of disgust and numbness welled up inside her.
This man was her brother's former racing teammate. He'd been operating in the gray area for years, ruthless and with connections. Just like countless times before, she needed his "help," and the price was herself.
This time, he provided a complete kidnapping plan, manpower, and a safe escape route.
Zhong Fei stopped struggling. "Did I say I wouldn't go with you?"
"With this money, plus what I've saved over the years, it's enough for us to live comfortably for the rest of our lives." The man's tone softened.
Zhong Fei withdrew her hand and wiped the skin she had touched on her clothes.
Zhu Linjun, the backbone of the Zhu family, is currently engaged in a crucial merger and acquisition negotiation abroad and will absolutely not be able to return to China in the short term.
Only Old Madam Zhu and Zhu Fan remained in the Zhu family home.
Fang Qizhou has not returned to China yet.
The timing was perfect.
If they get the money and disappear before Zhu Linjun returns, everything will be left without a trace.
Just like this heavy snow, the heavy snow will cover up all traces.
By the time they realized it, she had already left.
Before leaving, she prepared a gift for Zhu Fan.
Zhu Wan was her bargaining chip.
The car window reflected Zhong Fei's blurry profile and the cold, resolute glint in her eyes.
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