Chapter 125 — Twenty Million Jin of Cabbage

As evening fell, Xia Bin called from Hong Kong. Sinan ended the call with a soft hum, a slight ease spreading across his brow. Looking out the window, he saw the streetlights below already glowing, and a sleek black business car slowly pulling up outside.

Pocketing his phone, Sinan turned to Cheng Yishu, who had been watching his every move with a tense expression. A playful smile curved Sinan’s lips.

“My assistant has arrived in Hong Kong and confirmed it—this wasn’t done by my father.”

“Didn’t we already know that?” Cheng Yishu replied impatiently, having been on edge, fearing some development from the kidnappers.

After Chen Kai’s coordination and planning, everyone agreed on the following course of action:

Sinan would drive alone to the ransom exchange location with the money, as demanded by the kidnappers. Chen Kai, Cheng Yishu, and Dalingzi would remain at the hotel, maintaining constant contact with the police and Sinan, ready to call for help at a moment’s notice. Meanwhile, Su Nian’s role was crucial—he would follow Sinan discreetly in a separate vehicle, prepared for any unexpected turns.

“The car’s here, let’s go,” Sinan said coolly, glancing at the group before opening the door and stepping out first, with Su Nian close behind.

Dalingzi stared at the men in disbelief, their calm demeanor making it seem like this was all just a performance, devoid of any real tension.

Except for Cheng Yishu…

“Ah! Ouch…”

Just seconds ago composed, Cheng Yishu suddenly clutched his stomach, groaning in pain. Flustered, Dalingzi rushed to support him.

“What’s wrong? Why the sudden stomach pain? Too much stress, maybe…” Dalingzi suddenly recalled a previous time when Cheng Yishu had suffered a stomach spasm from nervousness during a high-altitude wire stunt.

“W-well…”

Supporting Cheng Yishu, Dalingzi pressed gently, almost as if applying an acupuncture point. Within moments, Cheng Yishu’s expression steadied, and still leaning on Dalingzi, she turned to Chen Kai, who was watching them with a puzzled look.

“Brother Kai, Cheng Ge’s stomach ailment flared up. The medicine is in my room. I’ll help him get some rest and bring him the medication.”

“How did his condition flare up so suddenly? Is he okay, Yishu?” Chen Kai approached cautiously, scrutinizing Cheng Yishu’s pale face.

Cheng Yishu lowered his eyes, his complexion ashen, beads of sweat trickling down his cheek. He bit his teeth and shook his head silently.

“Probably the stress of the entire day, and he hasn’t eaten yet. Alright, I’ll take him to rest first and have the restaurant send some food over.”

Dalingzi, feeling a bit guilty as if her negligence had caused Cheng Yishu’s discomfort, spoke uneasily.

“Go quickly, and don’t forget to have the kitchen prepare some warm soup for him,” Chen Kai urged, relieved.

“Got it,” Dalingzi replied, helping Cheng Yishu from the room. Chen Kai exhaled dryly, blinking with a slight headache as he sat down.

He was certain now that Cheng Yishu’s symptoms were genuine; otherwise, he might have suspected the young man was trying to sneak off to rescue Lin Xiaowen himself.

Chen Kai hadn’t forgotten that he’d spent the whole afternoon coaxing Cheng Yishu to stay put in the hotel, patiently waiting for news.

Night had fallen, and according to the directions on the photo from the kidnappers, they were now approaching a forested area just beyond the border.

Sinan’s phone rang, and he immediately switched to speaker.

“We’ve crossed the border. Everything needs to be handled more cautiously now. I’m beginning to suspect this is more than just about money,” Su Nian warned, trailing behind Sinan’s car as it entered the China-Myanmar border zone.

Sinan was well aware of this himself.

Furrowing his brow, he said, “I know. You stay further back, turn off your headlights, and it seems this map is leading me deep into the woods. There’s no moon tonight, so it’ll be hard to navigate. You’d better find a way to mark our path.”

“Don’t worry. The headlights have been off the whole time. I’ll keep close behind you.”

Su Nian’s calm voice under such tense circumstances brought Sinan a rare sense of reassurance.

“Su Nian… right?” Sinan suddenly had a thought.

“Yes,” came the straightforward reply.

“What do you do for work?”

“…Just getting by.”

“That’s good.”

Sinan’s tone brightened. “Why don’t you come work at my company? Name your salary. Just drive for me.”

A moment of silence followed on the other end, broken only by the rustle of wind through the dense forest outside.

“There’s already someone hired. Sorry,” Su Nian said, then hung up.

Sinan smiled gently and composed himself, focusing intently ahead.

The black car, already moving slowly, came to a steady stop. Sinan’s fingers tapped rhythmically on the steering wheel, his demeanor reminiscent of the cool, calculating CEO in his office.

“No more road?” he murmured, the car’s headlights piercing the starless, moonless forest with an almost harsh brightness.

Knowing he was now within the kidnappers’ line of sight, Sinan dared not use his phone. The headlights flickered once, hoping Su Nian would be alert.

His phone buzzed with a message:

“Get out! Leave your phone in the car!”

Sinan read each word clearly but did not comply. Instead, he sat quietly in the driver’s seat, as if waiting for something.

Sure enough, within five minutes his phone rang. This time, he answered with a hint of satisfaction.

“Don’t tell me the great President Si is scared and won’t get out,” a hoarse male voice sneered.

Sinan chuckled lightly, his tone casual. “Sorry to disappoint you.”

“Hmph. You can still laugh, huh? Given your situation, that’s surprising,” a woman’s angry voice replaced the man’s.

Sinan paused before replying, “You don’t need to be so cautious or use voice changers. Twenty million is just money. As long as you guarantee my person’s safety, the money isn’t the issue.”

“Ha ha ha… President Si, you’re generous—makes me seem petty. Let me think—maybe twenty million isn’t enough.”

“No regrets. I’ll take my people back first, then send you the other twenty million,” Sinan said breezily, as if discussing a trivial sum.

“You said that. Now show me your sincerity! Get out of the car immediately. Walk 500 meters to the right—there’s a small cabin. Bring the money inside, and I’ll tell you where to find your woman.”

The alternating male and female voices gave Sinan chills, but those last words lifted his spirits.

“No. I want to hear Xiaowen’s voice first.”