Lin Li carefully put the transmitter away, then suddenly remembered something.
“Wang Jianguo is left-handed. If the kidnappers call to confirm, I can bring up this detail to test whether they really have him under their control.”
Mr. Yu nodded approvingly: "That's a good detail. Stay calm during tomorrow's transaction and don't let them see through your disguise."
Lin Li nodded, her eyes showing certainty.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
A moment later, Awei and Lin Laosan pushed open the door and walked in.
"Mom, it's Mr. Yu!"
Lin Laosan walked quickly to Lin Li and handed her the mortgage application form.
"Mom, the bank said it takes time to get the money from the mortgage, and they can't come up with three million before noon tomorrow."
Lin Li nodded, indicating that she understood.
“Let’s apply first! Mr. Yu lent us three million. We will repay Mr. Yu after the mortgage loan is approved.”
Lin Laosan breathed a long sigh of relief after hearing this.
He turned around and bowed to Mr. Yu.
"Thank you, Mr. Yu. I'm sorry to have troubled you!"
"Need not!"
Mr. Yu smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
Lin Li turned to look at Mr. Yu and saw a tacit understanding in his eyes.
"Alright, let's go back and get some rest today! We still need to rescue Wang Jianguo tomorrow."
"good!"
The next day at noon.
The sun in the port city was exceptionally intense.
The air at Star Ferry Pier was thick with the salty smell of the sea, mixed with the fishy odor wafting from the nearby fish market.
The sea breeze, carrying warm, humid air, swept across the area, stirring up scraps of paper and dust.
Lin Li stood beneath the iconic clock tower of the dock, the hem of her red velvet cheongsam fluttering slightly in the sea breeze, revealing her fair and slender ankles.
The cheongsam collar is embroidered with delicate, dark peony patterns that gleam softly in the sunlight.
This was something she had specially chosen, as it suited her status and made it convenient for her to move around.
The black leather suitcase he was carrying.
The corners of the box were worn, and one million yuan in cash was neatly stacked inside.
Yes!
There was only one million in cash in the box.
The kidnappers have no chance of getting the money this time.
She specially changed into white cloth shoes with layered soles.
The shoes are embroidered with delicate orchid patterns, and the soles are thick and soft.
The heel of the shoe was carefully hollowed out to hide the spare battery for the miniature transmitter given to it by Mr. Yu.
Wrapped in soft cloth, it won't make a sound when you walk.
The transmitter inside the collar is working, and the green indicator light flashes faintly every few seconds.
The plainclothes team arranged by Mr. Yu and Inspector Li should have already completed its deployment in the surrounding area.
The porters pretending to unload goods by the freight channel, though shirtless and sweating, kept glancing around out of the corner of their eyes.
An old man selling newspapers at the subway station entrance had his newspaper stand neatly arranged, but his gaze kept glancing towards the clock tower.
The staff checking tickets at the ferry entrance seem to be performing their duties in a standardized manner, but they are actually keeping a close eye on everyone coming in and out.
Everyone blended into the daily scene at the dock, seemingly ordinary, yet their eyes and brows concealed a sense of vigilance.
The Plum Blossom brand watch on my wrist was slowly pointing to 11:50, ten minutes before the agreed transaction time.
Lin Li raised her hand to tidy up the stray hairs at her temples that had been ruffled by the wind, and her fingertips inadvertently touched the fine needle hidden in her hair bun.
It was a self-defense weapon made of fine steel, with a sharp needle tip and a thin red string tied to the end, hidden inconspicuously in the coiled hair.
Her gaze swept quickly across the bustling dock square.
The ice cream vendor skillfully handed a cone to the child, whose satisfied laughter as he licked the ice cream was crisp and loud.
Students in blue and white school uniforms ran by, carrying heavy backpacks and reciting the texts they had just learned.
Several blond-haired, blue-eyed foreign tourists excitedly took photos of the port city's seascape, occasionally flashing peace signs at the camera.
Everything was as vibrant and energetic as ever.
"Dr. Lin is indeed punctual."
A hoarse voice suddenly sounded from behind, with a deliberately lowered tone, like sandpaper rubbing against wood.
Lin Li's back tensed instantly, and her fingers instinctively gripped the suitcase handle tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force.
She slowly turned around and saw a man in a gray jacket standing in front of her.
The jacket's cuffs were worn shiny, and the collar had unidentified stains.
The man wore a black baseball cap with the brim pulled low, almost covering most of his face, revealing only his stiff jawline and a hideous scar at the corner of his mouth.
The scar stretched from the corner of his mouth to his ear, resembling a twisted centipede, making it particularly conspicuous.
Two lean men, both wearing dark short-sleeved shirts, followed behind him.
His trouser legs were rolled up, revealing his well-defined calf muscles.
Both men had their hands in their pockets, their posture exuding the menacing aura of someone who had spent years on the streets, their eyes scanning their surroundings with a sinister glint.
After looking her over, Lin Li asked calmly and steadily.
"I've brought the money. I need to see Wang Jianguo."
Her gaze was fixed on the scarred face without flinching.
Scarface chuckled, his laughter filled with undisguised mockery.
His gaze swept over her, as if he were assessing the value of a commodity.
"Dr. Lin is truly a woman who is just as capable as any man. She dared to go to the meeting alone for the sake of a subordinate, which is rare among women in Hong Kong."
He winked at the sea not far behind him.
"They're over there, come with us."
Looking in the direction he indicated, a dilapidated cargo ship was moored at the berth at the end of the dock.
The hull is mottled, with large patches of paint peeling off, revealing rusted iron plates underneath.
The three characters "Yongxing" are painted in red on the hull.
A narrow wooden plank was placed on the shore, swaying gently with the waves.
Several men dressed in coarse cloth shorts, resembling sailors, were walking around on the deck.
Their movements appeared casual, but their eyes were alertly watching every corner of the dock.
Lin Li's heart skipped a beat. She and Mr. Yu had considered various transaction locations, but they hadn't expected the kidnappers to choose the ship as the location.
This is more difficult to control than in an open dock square; once you board the ship, you are essentially handing over the initiative to the other side.
"Let me see the person first."
Lin Li took a half step back without making a sound, her heel firmly planted on the foundation of the clock tower.
This was the first signal location she and Mr. Yu had agreed upon, meaning the target had appeared.
Her voice carried an undeniable firmness.
"If you don't see Wang Jianguo, you won't get a single penny of the money."
Scarface's expression darkened, his brows furrowing into a knot, clearly dissatisfied with Lin Li's insistence.
He pulled a black walkie-talkie out of his pocket.
The casing was covered in scratches, and I pressed the button and whispered a few words in Cantonese.
He speaks very fast and in an impatient tone.
Not long after, two figures appeared on the cargo ship's gangplank.
The person in front had their hands tied behind their back.
His clothes were stained, a black cloth bag was over his head, and his body was hunched over; that was the outline of Wang Jianguo.
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