Ah Yu was on her way to Zhong Hua's company when she received the call. It was from Zhong Hua's colleague, whose voice was trembling with tears: "Brother Ah Yu, come quick! Zhong Hua... Zhong Hua has been kidnapped!"
"What?!" Ah Yu slammed on the brakes, the car screeching against the roadside. He could hardly believe his ears. "What happened? Explain yourself!"
“A deliveryman just came in, and then… and then Zhong Hua disappeared! There’s a strange smell in the office, and this is on the floor…” The colleague’s voice trailed off, “We’ve already called the police, but please come quickly!”
Ah Yu hung up the phone, his heart feeling like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, the pain almost suffocating him. Kidnapping? Who would kidnap Zhong Hua? The first thought struck him instantly—Gu Yanting!
Besides that madman, who else would resort to such extreme measures? He immediately dialed Lin Wanqing's number: "Wanqing, Zhong Hua has been kidnapped. I suspect it's Gu Yanting!"
Lin Wanqing was silent for a few seconds on the other end of the phone, then her calm voice came through: "Are you sure? Have you received any extortion messages?"
"Not yet, but no one else has such a strong motive!" Ah Yu's voice trembled with anger. "He knows he's about to be finished and is trying to use Zhong Hua to threaten me!"
"Don't panic," Lin Wanqing forced herself to calm down. "The most important thing right now is to find Zhong Hua. Have you told the police?"
"I've already called the police, but I can't wait any longer!" Ah Yu slammed her fist on the steering wheel. "That madman Gu Yanting is capable of anything! I have to find him!"
“Ah Yu, listen to me,” Lin Wanqing’s voice trembled slightly, “Gu Yanting is in prison now. How can he contact people outside? He must have his confidants. Think about it, who was his most trusted subordinate before?”
Ah Yu forced herself to calm down, several names flashing through her mind. Gu Yanting was a suspicious man with few true confidants. One of them, named A Biao, was his former top henchman for handling "dirty work," but he had been sentenced to several years in prison for assault and had just been released last year. Could it be him?
“Ah Biao!” Ah Yu blurted out, “Gu Yanting used to trust him the most!”
“Okay, go and find out where A Biao is right away. I’ll also contact people I know from before to see if there’s any news.” Lin Wanqing paused. “A Yu, promise me you won’t act impulsively. Wait for news from the police or for us to find concrete clues before taking any action. Gu Yanting is in a desperate situation right now; it’s too dangerous.”
"I know..." Ah Yu hung up the phone, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white. Not impulsive? How could she not be impulsive? That was Zhong Hua, the person she held dearest in her heart, the person she would risk her life to protect.
Just then, his phone rang; it was an unfamiliar number.
Ah Yu took a deep breath and answered the phone.
"Hey, Ah Yu." A deliberately lowered voice came from the other end of the phone, tinged with a hint of mockery, "Long time no see."
"Ah Biao!" Ah Yu spat out the name through gritted teeth. "Where's Zhong Hua? What did you do to her?"
"Don't worry, the beauty is still alive," Ah Biao's voice carried a roguish air, "but whether she can continue to live depends on you."
"Gu Yanting told you to do this?"
“Hehe, Mr. Gu is inside right now and it’s inconvenient for him to talk, but he has a small request.” Ah Biao paused, deliberately teasing, “I heard that the police found some things they shouldn’t have found, an account book? Mr. Gu said that as long as you replace that account book, I guarantee that Reporter Zhong will be unharmed.”
"Impossible!" Ah Yu refused without even thinking. "That's evidence, the key to sending Gu Yanting to hell!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Ah Biao chuckled softly, and then Zhong Hua's weak voice came through the phone, filled with sobs and fear: "Ah Yu... save me..."
"Zhong Hua!" Ah Yu's heart clenched instantly. "How are you? Did they hurt you?"
"Ah Yu... I'm fine... Don't agree to them..." Zhong Hua's voice was broken and intermittent, clearly being controlled by someone.
"Did you hear that?" Ah Biao's voice rang out again, laced with threat. "Ah Yu, I advise you to think this through. Is that tattered ledger more important, or your woman's life? I'll give you a day to consider. Tomorrow at noon, bring the ledger and come alone to the abandoned chemical plant in the west of the city. Don't try anything funny, or else... I can't guarantee what will happen."
"If you dare lay a finger on her, I'll make you wish you were dead!" Ah Yu's voice was bloodshot.
"Heh, anyone can say tough words?" Ah Biao sneered. "Tomorrow at noon, at the West City Chemical Plant, don't be late."
The call was abruptly ended.
Ah Yu gripped his phone, feeling as if all the blood in his body was flowing backward. He looked out at the gloomy sky, where the rain finally began to fall, tapping against the car window like countless needles piercing his heart.
Ledgers, evidence, legal sanctions… these were the kinds of justice he had once pursued at all costs. But now, with Zhong Hua's life before him, he felt an unprecedented sense of confusion and fear for the first time.
What should he do? Should he really use that ledger, which was enough to convict Gu Yanting, to exchange for Zhong Hua? If he did, would Gu Yanting be exonerated, or even retaliate more severely? But if he didn't exchange it, what about Zhong Hua…?
Ah Yu slammed her fist on the steering wheel with a dull thud. Pain spread from her fingertips to her heart, but it couldn't dispel the gnawing anxiety and anger within her.
Gu Yanting, you madman! I won't let you succeed!
Chapter Two: The Standoff in the Cage
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