"They probably didn't expect your marital relationship to be so good," He Zinian teased with a smile, then looked at Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong seriously. "So, what are your thoughts on this matter? Should we ignore it, or are you planning to save her?
One million is a small sum for the Gu and He families. However, I don't want this money to fall into the hands of villains and let them succeed. My suggestion is to sit back and do nothing. Let them do whatever they want! I want to see if they are willing to gamble with their lives for this million!"
Upon hearing He Zinian's suggestion, Chen Lishu shook her head and said expressionlessly, "We can't just ignore it. Not only must we rescue her, but we must also use this opportunity to make Li Xiuli's family give up their wicked thoughts and stop scheming.
You know Mother is too soft-hearted, and Li Xiuli is her only sister. If something were to happen to her, Mother would likely never forgive herself, and this would linger in her heart for years!"
He Zinian looked at Chen Lishu's stern expression and realized his words were a bit too cold. He awkwardly touched his nose and chuckled, "Alright, this is your family's matter. Since you've decided, I won't say anything more. I was just joking to lighten the mood. If you want to save her, I'll go prepare the one million ransom for you right now."
Seeing He Zinian get up, Chen Lishu quickly stopped him, "Since we know this is their planned scheme, we can't just hand over the one million. When the kidnappers call tomorrow, Xingdong, remember to have professionals listen in and try to pinpoint their location.
Once we have the exact location, we can find someone to 'rescue' Li Xiuli. The key is to catch the kidnappers and question them thoroughly about who hired them to do this! I want to take this opportunity to send Li Xiuli out of Kyoto. She cannot be eliminated, but keeping her around is a disaster. Sending her far away is simply a case of out of sight, out of mind!"
He Zinian nodded in agreement after hearing Chen Lishu's plan, "Alright then."
As everyone was about to leave the basement, Chen Lishu reminded them, "Oh, right, don't tell Mother about this yet. I feel like she hasn't been feeling very well these past few days. Let her rest well. It's not too late to tell her after everything is resolved."
Everyone readily agreed, and then they returned to their rooms to sleep.
The next day, Chen Lishu went to the company early to handle matters, while Gu Xingdong went to deal with tasks assigned by his superiors. As for the elderly He couple, ever since Mother He fell ill, Grandfather He had put aside his affairs and would often take her out for strolls to relax.
The once lively home suddenly became quiet. Li Xiulan woke up and looked at the empty house, her eyes gradually dimming. She couldn't help but mutter to herself, "It seems my personality is indeed not good, and I can't get along with everyone. Anyway, there's nothing for me in the city. Why should I stay here and bother the children?
Old man has been mentioning it all these days, asking when I'll go back. It seems I can be ruthless and buy a train ticket, and I won't have to come back anymore. Young people have their own lives, and it's better than me being here and making the young couple worry more about me!"
After comforting herself, Li Xiulan was about to pack her things and quietly leave Kyoto when she suddenly heard hurried footsteps at the door. Li Na walked in, her face pale.
Seeing Li Na, Li Xiulan was initially surprised, then frowned and asked, "What are you doing here? For the sake of our families being relatives, I won't hold grudges against you for what you've done before. But if you continue to disrupt our family's happiness, don't blame me for not considering our kinship and doing something to teach you a lesson!"
"You've misunderstood. I'm not here to disrupt your family! My mother was kidnapped, and I have no choice but to come and beg for your help!" Li Na said, covering her face and weeping.
Li Xiulan's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing that Li Xiuli had been kidnapped. She then worried that this was all their scheme, and her reaction became hesitant, "How could she be kidnapped out of the blue? Don't try to trick me. You've lived in Kyoto for decades and never had such incidents. How can so many bizarre things happen recently?"
"I'm not lying to you. Those kidnappers thought we had rich relatives, so they kidnapped my mother and me. My mother asked me to leave first to protect me, but her situation wasn't ideal. The kidnappers even sent a video. If you don't believe me, you can watch it!
My mother was truly kidnapped. If I've lied to you even a little, I swear by the heavens! My mother is your own sister. If something really happens to her, will you be happy? Please save her!"
Li Xiulan looked at Li Na crying sincerely and then, half-believingly, took her phone. In the video, Li Xiuli was bound tightly, her cheeks swollen, blood seeping from the corners of her mouth. Her consciousness was already hazy, and her eyes were unfocused as she looked at the camera.
However, the kidnappers didn't spare her. The man on the other end of the video said, "Stop pretending to be dead. Look at the camera and greet them!"
Before Li Xiuli could comply, she was hit hard in the stomach, and water sprayed from her mouth. Li Xiulan gasped in horror, covering her mouth with her hand.
Li Xiulan stammered, trying to maintain her composure, and questioned, "How did you get kidnapped by these people? Our relationship has already soured; logically, these people shouldn't have found you!"
"It's because of Li Chen!" Li Na's eyes flashed with hatred as she said this. She clenched her fists tightly and gritted her teeth, "It's all because Li Chen gambles outside and owes a lot of debts. He has no job, so he can't pay them off, hence he gave out your names.
When those thugs heard your names, they got greedy! I didn't want to come to you because of this, knowing that our family brought this upon ourselves. But I genuinely don't have the ability to produce one million!"