Chapter 122 So You Were Planning to Kill Me (1/2)
”Why are there a few extra lines?” Ying Qingcang stared at the golden scroll in shock. There were now a few additional lines that had not been there the last time he saw the scroll. Instead of answering him, Ying Hao began reading out the words.
”After the union between the Ying and the Wei family, should either party be subjected to the workings of evil and bodily contusions, the union must be terminated immediately due to the resulting clash in Four Pillars. Failing to do so would result in the death of one party.”
When Ying Hao was done reading the lines, Ying Qingcang responded coldly, ”Speak human language.”
”It means that bad luck will befall you if you keep staying with Xin Qing. There will be accidents, mishaps, and things that are life-threatening,” Ying Hao said quickly. ”It was rare for you to even catch a common cold since you're young, and yet you've recently caught the influenza. Also, why would something smash into you out of nowhere? Ah Cang, I'm doing this for your own good. I can't stand by and watch you throw your life away by being with Xin Qing!”
Ying Qingcang tossed the Ancestral Behest away. Startled, Ying Hao hurriedly readjusted the scroll.
”That woman is my life,” Ying Qingcang said, staring at his own father. ”If she isn't in my life, then I'm as good as dead. Just look at what had happened in the past year or so. Xin Qing had to face danger time and time again. You really think that these have to do with the Ancestral Behest? Have you lost your mind?” Ying Qingcang kept his eyes on his father as he went on, ”For three generations, the Ying family had built and transformed itself into the empire that is the Ying Enterprises today. And yet now you're scheming against your own son because of nonsense like this.”
”Dad!” It had been a long time since Ying Qingcang used that title to address him. Hearing it after so long, Ying Hao's lips started to tremble as tears fell from his eyes.
”I've been doing some digging all this while, and guess what. Everything from Xin Qing's abduction to the events that followed was orchestrated. They were premeditated. Someone was behind it. Although I'm still unable to identify the mastermind, at least I'm trying. I want to spend the rest of my life with the woman I love. For her, I'm willing to do anything. I don't want to be like you, living a life full of regrets!”
”Ah Cang!” Ying Hao called out. ”You... Where's Molly?”
Ying Qingcang kept walking towards the exit without looking back. ”I'll send her back.”
In the living room, Young Master Shen was pacing in circles. When Young Master Shen saw Ying Qingcang, he hurried over. ”I need you to stay calm, alright?” Young Master Shen said. ”I've got something to tell you.”
Ying Qingcang raised his brows. ”Speak.”
”Ah Che called just now. Xiao Qingqing was kidnapped again.”
Xin Qing felt that she must be the unluckiest person in the world. Now that she thought about it carefully, she never really had a single day of peace ever since she came to France after ending things with Ying Qingcang. If the average person were to encounter even one of her many ordeals, it would have made for a life-changing experience already. And yet she had encountered an endless string of such instances.
Could it be that God was punishing her? Just because she left Ying Qingcang?
”Dianne, I'm sorry.” Xin Qing glanced at Dianne, who was tied up beside her. In a voice laced with guilt, Xin Qing said, ”You're in this because of me.”
When they were heading towards the carpark after their meal, a bunch of guys had grabbed them and shoved them into a car. After that, they were brought to this decrepit factory. These guys seemed to be doing this for the ransom money. Somehow, they got a tip from an unknown source saying that Xin Qing was William's fiancee. Now, they wanted William to bring 30 million for the hostage exchange. Otherwise, they would execute the hostages.
”If I hadn't called you out, you would be home by now,” Dianne said, releasing a bitter laugh. ”I think William will come to save you. Right now, we just have to obey them and try not to provoke them into hurting us.”
Xin Qing nodded. She really did not feel much fear this time, probably because she had been kidnapped so many times already. Dianne's reaction, however, impressed her a great deal. ”You're so tough. You're able to stay so calm even if this is your first time being kidnapped.”
”Haha. Actually, I'm scared to death.” Dianne shifted her body closer. ”Touch my hand. They've been shaking non-stop!”
They were both tied up, causing their hands and feet to be squeezed tightly together. Footsteps sounded in the spacious factory. Five foreign men walked up to them and stood before them. The one with long hair gave Xin Qing a kick.
”We've already sent word out to William. If he didn't bring the money within 24 hours, haha!” The man flashed a lewd smile. ”Then both of you'll have to serve us. If you serve us well, we will pleasure you. Otherwise, you'll be f*ck*d to death!”
Xin Qing and Dianne glanced at each other. They dared not make a sound. It was just like Dianne said. It was important not to provoke their kidnappers at a time like this. The few men noted their behavior and threw out a few curses. After that, they sat on the couch nearby and played cards. Through the upper windows of the factory, they could tell that the sky was slowly growing dark. One of the kidnappers returned with dinner, though they did not allow Xin Qing and Dianne to eat. They tossed them a bottle of water instead.
Xin Qing and Dianne took a few sips each. After that they sat there obediently. An unknown amount of time passed by and the sky was still pitch-black dark. Suddenly, the sound of brakes could hear outside the factory. Xin Qing went still. ”Could it be that William had come?” She thought.
The kidnappers got up hurriedly and stood in front of the two women. They saw a man walking in slowly.
”Mr. William!” Said the kidnapper with the long hair. He laughed. ”You're here earlier than I expected. Did you bring the money?”
Xin Qing saw William looking at her. She shook her head, indicating that she was fine. William threw the suitcase on the floor. ”The money's here. Let them go.”
”Open the case,” the kidnapper said. Somehow he had taken out a gun, whose muzzle was now pointed at William.
”You better release them after you got the money,” William said, his face calm and collected. ”I've already made arrangements at the Assassin's Foundation before I came here. If I didn't walk out of here alive today, other than the 30 million you have, there will be a 50 million bounty on each of your head. Let's see if you have any life left in you to spend that money by then!”