Chapter 2364 — Xiaoshu's Proposal
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
But before Lei Daming could even drive to the Donghai police station, the kidnappers called first.
"Lei Daming?" A harsh, grating voice distorted by a voice changer came through the line.
"Who... who are you?" Lei Daming's heart lurched; he had a faint inkling of what this was.
"Prepare twenty million, or don't blame us for getting nasty!" the other party said coldly. "You needn't doubt our credibility—you've probably heard of the earlier kidnapping cases! Of course, if you don't cooperate, we'll have no choice but to kill the hostage!"
"Wait... I don't have twenty million..." Lei Daming said with a pained expression.
"You don't? You're the chairman of the Donghai Chamber of Commerce with all those businesses under you, and you don't have twenty million? Who are you trying to fool?" The caller grew impatient at his words and snorted coldly. "If you don't want trouble, hand over the money like a good boy. Don't think I don't know your background—a dog of the Hidden Zhao family, and you expect me to believe you don't have twenty million?"
"I..." Lei Daming had not expected them to dig up even his hidden identity. It seemed they dared kidnap his daughter precisely because they did not care about that identity at all! But he was on the verge of tears: "I'm no longer the chairman of the Donghai Chamber of Commerce. I've been removed from the post... the Hidden Zhao family has no use for me anymore. Where would I get that kind of money now..."
"Hmph! I don't care about that. Money for the girl—no money within twenty-four hours, and she dies!" The caller snorted and hung up.
"This..." Lei Daming was at a loss. He wanted to ask the Hidden Zhao family for help, but then he remembered that he had offended Wei Zhao. The Hidden Zhao family probably would not stick their necks out for him—and the kidnappers had made it plain they did not fear the Hidden Zhao family. Recalling how the Yellow-rank guard of Brother Du's daughter had been crippled with a single blow by the kidnappers, it seemed these people were ruthless characters indeed. He just did not know which faction they belonged to.
Regardless, Lei Daming headed for the Donghai police station first. On the way, he mulled over how to approach the Hidden Zhao family so they would step in and help...
……………………
After parting ways with Qiu Lingshan, Wei Zhao took Gu Mengyao and Shen Yushu to a nearby shopping mall. They browsed all morning, but Gu Mengyao and Shen Yushu bought nothing. At noon the three of them had a meal at a restaurant in the mall.
After eating, Gu Mengyao was sipping a sweet soup, while Shen Yushu kept darting her big eyes at Wei Zhao like a little schemer, as if she wanted to say something but kept holding back.
"What are you up to?" Wei Zhao asked.
"I heard the basement of this mall is a casino. I've never been to a casino before—Arrowhead, will you take me and Sister Yao to check it out?" Shen Yushu said pitifully.
"A casino?" Wei Zhao was slightly taken aback. He had not expected a casino to exist beneath this mall.
"Mm-hmm, a classmate at school said so—said there's a casino down there," Shen Yushu nodded.