Chapter 518: Traces of the Kidnappers
“Hello, who is this?”
Li Futiao’s voice came through on the other end: “Mr. Li Yi, it’s me!”
“Chairman Li, why are you calling me so early? Is something wrong?”
“The kidnappers just contacted me again!” Li Futiao said in a grave tone.
“Tell me what’s going on. What do the kidnappers want from you?”
“The kidnappers demand that we have the ransom ready by noon, or else they’ll cut off one of Yunbao’s ears!” Li Futiao said, breathing heavily.
Even over the phone, Li Yi could sense Li Futiao’s fury.
But come to think of it, the Li family was, after all, the head of Hong Kong’s Four Great Families—true local powerhouses.
Normally, even the British Hong Kong government had to give the Li family some face, and as for the usual triads and gangs, few would dare to provoke anyone from the Li family.
He never expected that someone would dare to kidnap his son this time—not only demanding an exorbitant ransom, but also threatening to cut off an ear at the slightest disagreement. How could he not be furious?
Li Yi paused to think for a moment, then said to dxmbang, “When the kidnappers call again, tell them that 1 billion is too much. Say you can’t possibly prepare that much money in just a few hours—buy some time until tonight!”
“Do you think they’ll come down hard on Yunbao?”
“No, because what we’re saying makes perfect sense. Even if the British Hong Kong government were to step in, they couldn’t come up with 1 billion Hong Kong dollars in cash in just a few hours. They’ll understand!” Li Yi said.
“Alright, so what’s next?”
“Wait!”
“Wait?”
“Yes. They’ll definitely contact you again before six o’clock this afternoon. When they do, just tell them the money is ready and demand they release the hostage as soon as possible!”
Li Yi continued, “Barring any surprises, they’ll agree. At that point, you just go ahead with the ransom as usual—don’t worry about anything else!”
“Alright! I’ll do as you say!” Li Fu replied.
“You might get some calls today from people asking about this, especially Young Master Li’s friends and colleagues. No matter who calls, just tell them Young Master Li is fine!”
“But… why?”
“You don’t need to worry about that. Just remember: no matter who calls, that’s the answer!” Li Yi said.
“Alright, I’ll pass that along. Anyone who calls asking about Yunbao, tell them he’s doing just fine!”
“Right!”
“By the way, do we… do we really not need to call the police?” Li Futao asked again.
“Not for now. But if you feel the police should handle it after we catch the kidnappers, I have no objection!” Li Yi said calmly.
Hearing this, Li Futiao felt much more at ease.
“I understand. Then I’ll leave this in your hands!”
“Don’t worry, everything will be fine!”
“Hmm…”
………
Hong Kong Island, Sanjia Village Pier!
Inside a large, shiny, brand-new fishing boat, a group of people were gathered in the cabin eating breakfast.
The leader was a middle-aged man with graying hair. Wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with a slender build and a well-fitted suit and shirt, he actually looked quite refined.
His name was Zhang Chengzhi. He had once been the owner of an investment firm. Though his net worth was only in the tens of millions, having built his empire from scratch, he was still considered a major player in Hong Kong’s investment circles.
But this stock market crash had come too suddenly. Not only had it stripped him of his former glory, but it had also left him deep in debt—much of it high-interest loans from local triads.
To save his own skin—and to prevent his wife, children, and elderly parents from being dragged off by those heartless triads to be sold into prostitution—he had no choice but to set his sights on his son’s best friend. After all, he was a direct descendant of the Li family, the wealthiest and most powerful clan on Hong Kong Island!
Zhang Chengzhi asked, munching on a steamed bun, “Number Two, what’s the word from over there?”
The man Zhang Chengzhi called “Second Brother” was his second younger brother, Zhang Chengzhong. Also involved in the kidnapping were his third younger brother, Zhang Chengyong, his cousins Zhu Wendong and Zhu Wenxi, and Zhang Chengzhi’s son, Zhang Jiadong, who had been forced to participate.
“The Li family says they’ve already raised 400 million in cash, but to get the full 1 billion, it’ll take until at least six or seven in the evening!” Zhang Chengzhong said, his head bowed, his expression hidden.
The third brother, Zhang Chengyong, flew into a rage the moment he heard this, growling under his breath, “Damn it, are those Li family bastards trying to pull a fast one? Don’t they claim to be a hundred-billion-yuan dynasty? How could they possibly fail to raise even 1 billion?”
“If they can’t, let’s make that kid down there bleed a little. Cutting off a finger would do. I just don’t believe the Lis would stand by and watch their only son’s finger get cut off without doing anything…”
Before he could finish, Zhang Jiadong beside him hurriedly interjected, “No… you promised me you wouldn’t hurt him!”
“Shut up! Whose side are you on, anyway? Don’t forget—the survival of the Zhang family depends entirely on that kid!” Zhang Chengyong snapped angrily.
Zhang Chengzhi frowned, then said in a deep voice, “Enough arguing. There’s no need to be too harsh on that kid just yet. I don’t think the Li family is stalling—after all, it’s not easy to come up with 1 billion in cash!”
He then turned to Zhang Chengyong and added, “Third Brother, don’t take it personally like Jiadong. He’s just holding onto old feelings—after all, that kid from the Li family has always treated him well in the past!”
“That was then. Now the Zhang family is finished. If we don’t kidnap that kid, take the money, and run, we’ll just end up getting hacked to death by those gangsters if we stay here!” Zhang Chengyong said through gritted teeth.
“Mm-hmm!”
Zhang Chengzhi looked at his son, Zhang Jiadong, and said, “Jiadong, I know you’re close with that kid, but we’ve run out of options. Our deaths are of little consequence, but think of your mother, Jialing, and Jiaqi. If we can’t pay back the syndicate, they won’t spare them!”
“Right now, our only chance of survival is to get the ransom and flee Hong Kong Island. So you need to weigh the pros and cons in your heart.”
“I… I understand, but you promised me you wouldn’t hurt Yunbao!” Zhang Jiadong said, his face pale.
“If the Li family delivers the ransom as agreed, we certainly won’t harm the boy. But if they dare pull any tricks, don’t blame me or your uncles for being ruthless—we’ll drag him down with us!” Zhang Chengzhi said in a deep, menacing voice.
Zhang Jiadong hurriedly interjected, “Dad, Yunbao is the family’s only son. His father would never let his safety be compromised!”
“Besides, Yunbao used to visit our home often. Even if you want the ransom, please don’t harm him!”
However, Zhang Chengzhi replied impassively, “That depends on how the Li family behaves!”
The reason Zhang Chengzhi was determined to take action against Li Yunbao wasn’t just because he was Li Futiao’s son; there was another reason: it was precisely because he had taken on a contract from the Far East Association that his company had ultimately gone bankrupt.
Therefore, unlike his son Zhang Jiadong, he didn’t feel nearly as much guilt about kidnapping Li Yunbao!
Zhang Chengzhi wiped his mouth and asked again, “Wendong, have you made contact with our contacts over there?”
“It’s all set. As soon as we arrive, they’ll arrange legal status for us there!” Zhu Wendong replied.
“What about the price? Have you worked that out yet?”
“It’s settled. 200,000 Hong Kong dollars per person. There are 24 of us in total, so we’ll need 4.8 million!”
“Alright. As long as we get legal status there, we won’t have to worry about surviving in that area!” Zhang Chengzhi said in a low voice.
“Right!”
“Jiadong, give the Li family a call this morning and see what they’re thinking!”
“Well… all right then!”
“Third Brother, Wending, and Wenxi, you three head back to the city this afternoon. Stick to the original plan—get the ransom by tonight, then make your escape under cover of darkness!” Zhang Chengzhi ordered.
“Yes…”
………..