Chapter 45: The Beauty Is Taken Away

Upon hearing this, the frail Lin Feier seemed to transform in an instant, shouting loudly, "What have you done to my husband?!"

"If you want to know, why not come with us and see for yourself? Miss Lin, this way, please."

Lin Feier paid him no heed; her eyes reddened as she rushed forward, trying to seize the jade pendant, as if by doing so she could snatch Zhao Kai back.

Even Zhao Yaner, usually so impulsive, could not remain calm. Her heart was pounding uneasily. Compared to Feier's agitated reaction, she took the initiative and said, "Fine, I’ll go with you. As long as I go, I’ll see my brother, right?"

"Yes."

Zhao Yaner closed her eyes, resigned to whatever fate awaited her. As long as she could see Zhao Kai, it would be enough.

Tears welled up in Lin Feier’s eyes. "Sister Yaner, don’t..."

But her resistance was futile. The masked men took them both away. Who knew how much time passed before, when they finally opened their eyes, they found themselves in a dark chamber.

"Where are we?" Feier asked.

No one answered.

Lin Feier and Zhao Yaner exchanged anxious glances in the cold, pitch-black room. In that moment, the only thing in both their hearts was Zhao Kai.

It was hard to imagine: just moments ago, they had been at odds over Zhao Kai, yet now they clung to each other for comfort.

"What should we do... Has something happened to my husband?"

"No, nothing will happen... My brother is blessed, he’ll be all right. Feier, don’t be afraid."

"Sister Yaner, I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t acted so shamefully, no one would have taken advantage of the situation."

Feier’s kindness weighed on Zhao Yaner’s conscience. How could her brother not love someone who always thought of others first?

"Don’t be afraid. They brought us here to threaten my brother. As long as we’re safe, he’ll be safe too."

Lin Feier nodded determinedly. "Yes. As long as my husband comes to no harm, even if I have to give up my life, I won’t hesitate!"

Zhao Yaner looked at the brave and resolute Feier, her eyes growing moist.

Pain—

The first sensation as Zhao Kai awoke was that his whole body felt as if it had been trampled by a herd of horses.

He tried to move his limbs; they were still intact. But where was he?

He sat up slightly, surveying the pitch-dark room, his brow furrowing.

Could those depraved killers have left him here to rot? No, he still had so many unfinished matters.

Zhao Kai forced himself to stand, though he was weak and could barely walk.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" he called out.

No response.

Zhao Kai smirked. Fine, if no one would answer...

"You kidnapped me, but you’re not going to finish me off? You must want something from me. If you want to negotiate, show yourselves now, or I’ll bite my tongue and end it all."

It was rare to see a hostage so brazen, even threatening his own life.

But the tactic worked.

"No wonder you’re the man who commands half the wealth of Jinghong County," a man’s voice sounded.

"If you want my wealth, you can have it," Zhao Kai replied. At least someone was speaking—now he could negotiate.

"Sorry, I’m not interested in that."

If he wasn’t interested in money, then why kidnap him? Was this some kind of sick joke?

"Then what do you want?" Zhao Kai asked.

"Your women."

Zhao Kai’s heart clenched, his expression turning grave.

"No," he said simply.

The man laughed. "It’s rare to meet a man who values women over wealth."

To choose love over riches was the mark of a wise man—money could always be earned again, but a person’s true affection, once lost, would never return.

"Sir, a gentleman does not covet what others hold dear—you ought to know that."

Zhao Kai would never let his women come to harm, much less use them as bargaining chips.

"I don’t care. I want your women."

Damn it... Zhao Kai grew anxious. He could give away everything he owned—everything but his women.

"Don’t you have women of your own? What sort of man are you, stealing others’? Pathetic!" For the first time, Zhao Kai hurled an insult.

But the man only seemed pleased, laughing wildly. Just as Zhao Kai wondered if he was dealing with a lunatic, another voice, a second man, spoke up. "I’m interested in your wealth."

Good. Interest was all he needed.

"Take as much as you want. But you must stop that other man," Zhao Kai said.

The second man fell silent, then asked, "Think carefully—if you give it all, you’ll have nothing left."

He never had anything to begin with. But that didn’t matter—he had the people who cared most for him in this world. That was the greatest treasure of all.

"I want you to give me all your wealth, and swear lifelong loyalty to me. Will you?"

"I will!" Zhao Kai replied. "But I have one condition: you must not harm my women—not a single hair on their heads!"

"Hahaha, boss, he’s a romantic after all!"

"Silence!"

The man stepped from the shadows, wearing a tiger mask. The other wore a lion mask.

"I’ll accept your terms. Here’s a contract of servitude. Sign it."

The tiger-masked man tossed the document at Zhao Kai’s feet. Zhao Kai glanced at it; the dehumanizing clauses nearly made him swoon. Giving up his fortune was one thing, but eating with dogs, not allowed to sleep without permission—what madness was this?

"Do you take me for a slave?" Zhao Kai asked coldly.

"Isn’t that exactly what you are?" the lion-masked man replied. "Or you can choose the other path—trade your women instead."

Two entirely different personalities: one greedy for money, the other a lecher. Zhao Kai nearly wanted to kill them both.

To have fallen into their hands today—he must have been cursed for eight hundred lifetimes.

"If you want my fortune, I can give it to you. But not all the money is mine. Some of the wealthiest men in Jinghong County have invested with me. If you take it, they’ll come after you for their own interests. You won’t get away with it."

The tiger-masked man nodded. "You’re clever—but not very."

"And you’re bold—but not very. If you have the guts, kidnap all the shareholders, not just me. Then you’ll get not only my money, but everyone else’s as well," Zhao Kai goaded.

"There’s no need to provoke me. I’ve investigated you for some time. You’re clever and know how to protect yourself. That’s why I’ve also looked into your weakness."

Weakness? Zhao Kai felt a chill of foreboding.

The lion-masked man leaned close. "Your weakness is, of course, your women! Why else do you think I mentioned them?"

Them?

Zhao Kai went mad with rage. "Bastard, what have you done?!"

No sooner had he spoken than a hard fist struck his abdomen, sending him to the ground in pain. He glared at the two men, as if to bore holes through them.

"Don’t worry. I’ve already brought them here—see for yourself."