374: Chapter 368: 100000000 374: Chapter 368: 100000000 What exactly was Chen Hai’s ability?
Chen Zhengcong had already witnessed it when they met before.
At this moment, hearing Chen Hai utter these words, he only showed a slight surprise but had no other reaction.
Ms.
Gong Yuxin at his side, however, had a dark expression and stared intently at Chen Hai as if she wanted to see right through him.
“How do you know the kidnappers are asking for sixty million US Dollars?”
“I’m sure you’re in cahoots with them…” With clenched teeth, Ms.
Gong uttered each word slowly and deliberately.
Before she came to the Regent Hotel to find Chen Hai, the kidnappers had just called.
She was already in the process of raising the ransom.
Because of what Chen Hai had previously relayed through Chen Zhengcong, Ms.
Gong harbored some hesitation about whether to follow the kidnappers’ instructions and pay the ransom!
After pondering for half a day, she finally decided to come to see Chen Hai with Chen Zhengcong in tow to test the waters.
The words she spoke now were blurted out without much thought!
After she finished speaking and thought it over a bit more carefully, she felt that it did not make sense for the Chen Hai before her to be in league with the kidnappers.
There was no reason for him to have Chen Zhengcong send a message to her, urging her to meet him here!
“All things in the universe follow their own trajectories.”
“Some matters are predestined, and I don’t need to see them firsthand to compute them through other means!”
“Ms.
Gong, although you’re not part of the Mysterious Sect, you should have some understanding of its arts and methods!”
“Since I sent word through Chen Zhengcong to you, I’ve mostly been staying indoors, here in this hotel room.”
“How else do you think I would have known about the kidnappers contacting you for sixty million US Dollars?”
With an inscrutable appearance, Chen Hai explained with a serene smile.
Ms.
Gong across from him looked doubtful.
She glanced at Chen Hai and then at Chen Zhengcong standing beside her, unsure of how to respond.
“Sister Yuxin, this Brother Chen truly has divine skills, and his capabilities are far greater than mine!”
Chen Zhengcong interjected at the right moment, whispering in Ms.
Gong’s ear.
That day, his meeting with Chen Hai had indeed been a bit unpleasant.
But someone like him had a deep reverence for his seniors in the Mysterious Sect.
Not to mention that it was he who had orchestrated Ms.
Gong’s meeting with Chen Hai.
Even if this matter had nothing to do with him, as long as there was an appropriate opportunity, he would definitely want to curry favor with Chen Hai in his presence!
Of course, he would do so, certainly with the premise of knowing the astonishing strength of Chen Hai.
“Master Chen… can you really save my husband?” Hearing what Chen Zhengcong said, Ms.
Gong’s expression visibly softened.
She probed, seeking affirmation from Chen Hai.
“Ms.
Gong, if you feel that my age doesn’t merit the title of ‘Master,’ you can simply call me by my name—Chen Hai!”
Chen Hai nodded with a smile and continued, “Having sent word through Chen Zhengcong to you, naturally means I am confident enough to rescue your husband and ensure his safe return!”
“However, you should understand that there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world.”
“If you want my assistance, of course, the compensation cannot be less…”
He stopped there, simply wearing a smile and directed his gaze at Ms.
Gong.
Chen Zhengcong, who was a half-baked Feng Shui Master, was also often addressed as Master Chen by Ms.
Gong.
Chen Hai had suggested she call him by his name to differentiate him from Chen Zhengcong.
Otherwise, this identical title might cause some confusion.
For example, if Ms.
Gong called for Chen Zhengcong to discuss some private matters and Chen Hai turned up instead, it would be unbearably awkward!
On the other hand, after hearing what Chen Hai said, Ms.
Gong hesitated for only a moment before nodding her head.
“My husband and I do not know you, and we have no familial bond.
It’s our fortune that you are willing to lend a hand.”
“As long as you keep your word and truly ensure my husband’s safe return, we will not let you down with the reward!”
After a moment of silence, she looked at Chen Hai and made her pledge.
“One hundred million, Xiangjiang currency…” Without voicing any approval or disapproval, Chen Hai smiled faintly and uttered a few words.
“What…” Ms.
Gong stared fixedly at Chen Hai and exclaimed in shock.
The ‘generous reward’ she had mentioned had certainly been much less than the figure Chen Hai had just announced.
Otherwise, her reaction wouldn’t be as it was now.
“Ms.
Gong, don’t think the figure I’ve quoted is outrageous!”
“The sixty million US Dollars the kidnappers are demanding would convert to at least four or five hundred million in Xiangjiang currency at the current exchange rate.”
“More importantly, even if you pay this ransom, you cannot guarantee that your husband will definitely return safely.”
“Whereas with me, for just one hundred million in Xiangjiang currency, I can ensure your husband returns to you unharmed.”
“When comparing the two options, don’t you think that doing business with me is the most cost-effective choice?”
“Of course, if in your eyes, your husband isn’t even worth a hundred million Xiangjiang dollars, then you can as if I never said anything!”
Calm and composed, Chen Hai gave a slight smile.
Seeing Gong Yuxin clenching her teeth, still hesitating and reluctant to make a decision.
He spoke up once more, adding, “If you’re worried that we’ll take the money and not get the job done, you need not be.”
“You don’t have to pay me before your husband, Wang Dehui, comes back safe and sound.”
“After the matter is handled and you see the person, then you can pay us the reward!”
“Such a way of doing business is already enough to express our sincerity.”
“If you still have serious doubts and are unwilling to believe in our capabilities, then there’s nothing we can do; you’ll have to find someone more capable!”
…
Shrugging his shoulders, Chen Hai smiled confidently.
Once he made a deal, he wasn’t afraid of not receiving the payment.
Those who dared to cheat him of his money would certainly end up in a very tragic state.
Hearing Chen Hai say this, Gong Yuxin seemed somewhat tempted.
“Master Chen, I have something personal to discuss with Chen Hai, could you excuse us?” She looked at Chen Zhengcong beside her with furrowed brows and after a slight hesitation, said.
Master Chen Zhengcong was indeed highly trusted by Gong Yuxin, there was no doubt about that.
But as the saying goes, one can never truly know what lies in another’s heart.
In some matters, she felt it was better to talk to Chen Hai alone, without a third ear listening in.
“I’m out of cigarettes, I’m going to buy a pack!” Chen Zhengcong also knew how to be tactful, quickly finding an excuse and standing up.
After giving a nod to Gong Yuxin and Chen Hai, he walked briskly out of the room.
After opening the door and stepping out into the hallway, he also made sure to close the room door securely behind him.
“Ms.
Gong, if there is anything you need to instruct, please speak freely!”
“Chen Zhengcong has temporarily left; I can assure you that no third person will know about our conversation!”
Chen Hai smiled, as he reached for the kettle on the coffee table, refilling the teacup in front of Gong Yuxin with fresh hot water.
Of course, he certainly wouldn’t forget to top up his own cup, which was already halfway depleted.
“I can agree to a reward of one hundred million Xiangjiang dollars,” Gong Yuxin finally spoke up, with a determined look and added, “Besides guaranteeing my husband’s safety, I have another demand.”
“I want to personally see the kidnappers, who laid hands on my husband and extorted me, die in front of my eyes…”
Women who marry into wealth are generally not simple.
The seemingly frail Gong Yuxin had the ability to be ruthless and decisive when it mattered.
“I can agree to your request,” Chen Hai barely furrowed his brows before nodding.
Gazing directly at Gong Yuxin, he confirmed, “If you want to see those kidnappers die before you, you can just come with me when the time comes.”
“Are you sure you want to do that, though?”
“Aren’t you worried about getting involved in a murder case and causing trouble for yourself?”
As he spoke, he took an extra moment to scrutinize Gong Yuxin.
Bringing her along on the mission was, in fact, a trivial matter for Chen Hai.
After all, according to his plan, dealing with the gang of kidnappers would require the efforts of Bai Xiaohang, Tian Mingjian, and others.
As for himself, he would just watch from the sidelines and provide support.
For Gong Yuxin to join them would simply mean adding another bystander besides Chen Hai.
“In earlier years, my husband had already been kidnapped once, and that time, he was fortunate, losing only some money, but he was saved.”
“How long has it been since then?
Now another group of kidnappers has emerged, not targeting other wealthy businessmen but going after my husband again?”
“Do those damn kidnappers think my family is weak and can be bullied?”
“Every single one of the kidnappers involved in this incident, I want them all dead without exception.”
“Only in this way can we achieve a deterrent effect, otherwise, who knows, someday someone else might target my husband again!”
…
As these words came out of Gong Yuxin, her face was filled with ferocity; even her otherwise pretty face seemed somewhat contorted.
She took a sip from the cup of tea in front of her, moistening her throat before adding, “Here in Xiangjiang, we live in a society governed by law.”
“The law represents fairness and justice, especially for us, the wealthy; it is even more so.”
“To see those kidnappers die in front of me, I just have to watch, without lifting a finger.”
“Even if the police officers arrive on the scene, what of it?”
“I can assemble a team of lawyers to fight the case at any time, without evidence, the matter has nothing to do with me, I am an innocent victim…”