Return to before death

"What are your demands!" Yan Ran tried her best to remain calm. After all, she had been a reporter and had some understanding of kidnapping cases, so she dared not be too agitated in her tone.

The girl's voice suddenly stopped.

Yan Ran tried to convince herself that it was probably taken away.

Then came a relatively high-pitched male voice, with a hint of inorganic, mechanical tone.

“Madam Zong, isn’t this question easy to answer? Money. As long as you give me money, your daughter will be fine.”

Yan Ran's heart sank.

Because she had some understanding of the situation, she realized that this man wearing a voice changer was definitely not doing this for the first time. On the one hand, this meant that as long as her demands were met, Tangtang would be safe.

On the other hand, if there is even the slightest possibility that his whereabouts will be leaked, Tangtang will be dead.

She didn't dare to gamble.

"How much? Name your price."

Yan Ran knew that handing over all power to the other party was an extremely foolish act, but she had no choice, she really had no other choice. She was a mother, and when her child's life was threatened, she was willing to risk everything.

Moreover, she didn't want Tangtang to be left with a disability.

"Fifty million," the man said. "Fifty million US dollars, I want it tonight."

"Do you know what you're saying?!" Yan Ran shouted uncontrollably. This was fifty million US dollars, nearly one hundred million yuan. How could she possibly come up with that?

The main family has indeed been in business for many years, but fifty million US dollars is not a small sum for this family; it is an asset that requires careful consideration before it can be used.

Even though she loved her daughter dearly, even though Zong Zhengqing helped her, and even though her mother was also involved.

The matriarch would never allow it, and even if she did, she would definitely suggest calling the police to catch the kidnappers.

Yan Ran's heart turned to ice. If she couldn't pay the money, the kidnappers' simplest threat would be to cut off a finger and mail it to her, completely ruining Tangtang's fair and tender little hand.

"What? Regretting it?" Even though the man's voice had been altered, it was still clear that it was full of ill intent.

Yan Ran carefully considered the wording.

"I can't come up with that much money right now. Could you give me one more day, just one day?"

The man's sinister laughter came through the microphone into Yan Ran's room, making her shiver involuntarily.

"Mrs. Zong, you used to be a reporter, so you must know our rules. The longer we delay, the more dangerous it is for me. Who knows if you've called the police or if you're being followed by paparazzi? Enough talk. If you don't want to see your daughter's delicate hands, you'd better behave. I can guarantee her safety now, but that might not be the case after tonight."

Yan Ran was completely stunned.

Before the other end of the line hung up, she could only hurriedly say, "I... I need to discuss it with my husband, after all..."

"You can discuss it with me. I'll call again at 2 PM, and you can have your husband answer the phone. Don't even think about calling the police, or you know what will happen."

As the phone rang and the call ended, Yan Ran slumped onto the sofa, tears streaming down her face.

She raised her hand and called Zong Zhengqing.

"Zhengqing, I need to talk to you about something."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Zong, the president is in a meeting. I will let you know after the meeting..."

"Lan Ke, go and let him answer the phone." Yan Ran clenched her sweaty hands, not wanting to wait a moment longer. Every minute wasted was doubly dangerous for Tangtang.

"Mrs. Zong."

Yan Ran rarely showed her stern and assertive side, saying, "Immediately, right now."

A hesitant "yes" came from the other side, and after a while, Zong Zhengqing's voice came through. It was very quiet around, so he had probably left the conference room.

"Ranran, I'm in a meeting now. We can talk about it when I get back tonight. I'll head home early today."

"Tangtang has been kidnapped!" Yan Ran finally couldn't control her fear and helplessness. She cried softly as she said to Zong Zhengqing, "The kidnappers just called and demanded fifty million US dollars. They want it tonight, or they'll kill her."

Zong Zhengqing's voice turned serious.

Are you sure it's Tangtang?

"Yes, I heard it. That was Tangtang's voice. How could I be mistaken?" Yan Ran said, wiping away her tears.

Zong Zhengqing paused for a moment before speaking: "Ranran, let's call the police."

"No! Calling the police will kill Tangtang. What if we find Tangtang's body before we find the robbers?" Yan Ran's voice became increasingly shrill as she spoke, her emotions slowly crumbling.

Zong Zhengqing said helplessly, "Calm down first."

"How could I..." Yan Ran started to say, but then lowered her voice. "Come back now and we can talk. The kidnapper will call again in a little while and says it will be two o'clock."

"Okay, we'll talk about it when we get back."

Yan Ran thought for a moment, and finally added a sentence.

"Do not call the police."

Zongzheng Keio responded.

As soon as Yan Ran hung up the phone, Zong Zhengqing's expression changed.

He hadn't left the meeting room, but now, with a dark expression, he waved his hand, signaling to continue, and said he would go out for a bit.

The phone screen was already displaying a very familiar string of numbers.

Zong Zhengqing walked all the way to a stall deep inside the restroom before finally dialing the phone.

"Enough with the small talk, where are the ledgers?"

The same voice that Yan Ran had heard came from inside, only this time it was even more ferocious.

Zong Zhengqing looked very nervous, completely using his fierce expression to cover up his unease.

"I don't know anything about ledgers. What exactly are you trying to do? Kidnapping my daughter and threatening my wife—did Mr. Dai order you to do this?!"

A sinister laugh came from the other side.

"Playing dumb? Mr. Dai knows perfectly well what you've done, which is why he sent us. If you behave yourself, the cooperation can continue; otherwise..."

Zong Zhengqing could no longer suppress his fear and anger, and slammed his hand on the door of the cubicle, making a loud noise.

“I’ve said before, I don’t know anything about ledgers.”

"Stop talking nonsense, are you going to give me the things or not?"

"No," Zong Zhengqing said through gritted teeth.

"You don't even care about your own daughter's life, you're heartless." The man's voice was mocking yet full of malice.

Zong Zhengqing naturally understood the unfinished meaning in his words, but his expression was very indifferent and his voice was unusually cold.

"If one dies, another will be born."

The kidnapper gave a cold laugh and hung up the phone.

It took Zong Zhengqing a while to sort out his thoughts. As soon as he left, he announced the end of the meeting and asked Lan Ke to arrange a car to return to the mansion.

Seeing Lan Ke's wet and worried eyes, he forced himself to cheer up and nodded.

"Go back to work first, it's nothing."

"Zhengqing, I have something to say..." Lan Ke opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Zong Zhengqing.

"I told you not to call me that at the company." Seemingly realizing his tone was harsh, he added, "I'm not in a good mood right now. I didn't mean to yell at you. We'll talk when I get back."

Lan Ke lowered her head and responded, her expression unreadable.