Chapter 18: Lin Zhenjie

Wang Hongjun and Officer Chen were stunned by Director Yang’s words, while in another world, just the day before, Ye Fan had only recently regained his sight.

He had just been kidnapped by someone called Lin Zhenjie, the third young master of the Lin family. When the black cloth bag over his head was pulled away, he found himself inside a rather luxurious villa.

Opposite him, Lin Zhenjie sat casually on the sofa, legs crossed with an air of nonchalance.

“Sorry, Mr. Ye, I had some urgent matters, so I had to use a bit of force,” Lin said.

Ye Fan was speechless. What kind of excuse is that? Having urgent matters doesn’t justify using force! Is there no humanity, no law at all?

Seeing Ye Fan’s silence, Lin showed no sign of emotion. He stretched out his hand, and a subordinate immediately handed him a lit cigar.

“Here, Mr. Ye, have one too!”

“I don’t smoke,” Ye Fan replied. “Mr. Lin, if you have something to say, just say it.”

“All right, no beating around the bush then.”

The cigar smoke curled through the air as Ye Fan looked through the haze at Lin Zhenjie, who pulled out his phone and opened a photo.

“I heard you have this jade pendant?”

The jade pendant in the picture was exactly the same as the one Li Yaoyao had. Ye Fan was utterly speechless.

He had thought carefully about the events leading to his kidnapping. Ever since that jade pendant appeared, trouble seemed to follow him relentlessly.

First, Huang Dalei wanted to beat him up; then Chen Shuting dragged him to a hotel room; now, he was kidnapped by the Lin family’s third young master!

“This jade pendant… does it open doors?”

“Doors?” Lin Zhenjie chuckled. “It opens big doors!”

“I’m not lying. This jade pendant is tied to the future of the Lin family and holds clues to my elder brother’s disappearance. You understand, right?”

“I don’t,” Ye Fan said, secretly surprised. Chen Shuting only mentioned wanting to buy the pendant and forbade him from telling anyone else. She never spoke of the pendant’s deeper significance.

But come to think of it, he hadn’t shown this pendant to anyone else either. If anyone knew about it, apart from that old man at the antique shop, it was a mystery.

“Who told you I have this pendant?”

Ye Fan stared at Lin Zhenjie. The other looked at him calmly.

“Who told me isn’t important. What matters is that you know this pendant is crucial to the Lin family!”

“Crucial? Then why not give it directly to Sister Chen? Why give it to you?”

Ye Fan rolled his eyes.

To get this pendant, not only was he kidnapped, but Lin Zhenjie also refused to say where he got the lead from. No sincerity at all! At least Sister Chen opened a hotel room and shared some secret only the two of them knew…

Hearing Ye Fan’s refusal, Lin’s face darkened.

“I advise you not to refuse what’s offered and then expect a punishment to follow!”

“What? You want to force me to talk?”

Ye Fan laughed dryly. Knowing how eager Lin was to get this pendant, he dared not harm him.

To be safe, he quickly invented a story: “The pendant is with a friend of mine. He knows Sister Chen wants it. If something happens to me, he’ll hand it over to her.”

“You!” Lin Zhenjie was furious but had to control himself. “Don’t misunderstand, Mr. Ye. We suspect Sister Chen is involved in my elder brother’s disappearance. So the pendant must never be given to her!”

He leaned forward.

“Give me the pendant, and I promise I won’t treat you badly!”

“Not treat me badly?”

Ye Fan leaned back. “You already kidnapped me. How much worse could it get?”

“Don’t believe me? Look!”

Lin clapped his hands loudly. Instantly, a few subordinates opened the door, and three beauties dressed in qipao entered, each holding a tray.

One was pure and charming, another cold and noble, the third gentle and tender. Their styles varied, but each was exquisite.

Girls like these, Ye Fan could only admire from afar before. Now, they were all kneeling before him!

He clicked his tongue and sighed, “Damn capitalism, it sure knows how to enjoy life!”

He almost forgot to look at what was on the trays.

“Mr. Ye?”

Seeing Ye Fan stunned, Lin chuckled, “Well? Are you satisfied?”

“Huh?”

“These three trays contain bank cards with thirty million yuan in cash, property deeds for two villas, and three commercial shops in prime locations…”

“Trying to bribe me?”

Ye Fan interrupted.

“Sorry, my upbringing won’t allow it!”

Honestly, the money was stunning, but he had a mysterious wooden box and dealings with Li Yaoyao that could make him money. Why rely on Lin Zhenjie’s offer?

If Lin turned hostile after getting the pendant, could he stop him?

So all this money was just an illusion. He preferred to earn honestly.

“Don’t be impatient, Mr. Ye. Let me finish.”

Lin calmly took a puff of his cigar.

“The third tray contains the contracts of these three ladies selling themselves.”

“What? Selling themselves…”

Ye Fan was shocked. Is this the new era? Such contracts still exist? This was too harsh.

He turned to look at the three kneeling women.

One’s eyes were full of pitiful pleading, another looked world-weary and indifferent, the third showed a caring, sisterly affection.

Ye Fan instantly thought of countless cosplay styles he could play with…

Which official could withstand such a test?

Lin’s voice echoed softly, “Don’t worry, Mr. Ye. Their families owed debts and sold them to repay. The contracts are all legitimate, so you won’t face unnecessary trouble.”

“They’ve all undergone professional training. Whatever pose you desire is possible…” Lin’s voice was seductive. “Both the people and the goods are yours to do with as you please…”

Ye Fan admitted he was a little tempted.

If it was to rescue a damsel in distress, surely Li Yaoyao wouldn’t object either.

“You’re the one…” Ye Fan smiled slyly, pointing at Lin Zhenjie. “You really have an eye for people!”

“Ha ha ha, then here’s to a successful cooperation!”

Lin leaned back on the sofa, crossing his legs.

“Now, where’s the pendant?”

“Give me my phone, I’ll have someone send it over!”

Ye Fan’s phone, confiscated earlier, was now back in his hand.

“Kid, we’ve reached an agreement. You can take the stuff now. Hope you’re not planning any tricks!”

Lin was cautious, stepping forward to watch Ye Fan send a message.

“Heh, I always keep my word. Besides, I’m just a fresh college grad. What tricks could I possibly have?”

With a clear, youthful smile, Ye Fan opened WeChat and found a contact marked “Deal Later.”

He sent a location, then typed:

“Someone wants the pendant. Thirty million, three villas, and three bridesmaids. Hurry up and deliver!”

Seconds later, the reply came: “Will be there by 8 a.m. tomorrow!”

“Done!”

Ye Fan clapped his hands and looked at Lin Zhenjie.

Lin’s face lit up with joy as he took out two glasses of red wine.

“Well then, cheers to our cooperation!”

“I don’t drink!”

“Uh... then tea will have to do!”

Ye Fan gave a thumbs-up. Compared to Chen Shuting’s forcefulness, Lin Zhenjie was rather endearing. At least he didn’t force him to drink!

They each raised their cup — one wine, one tea — and drank in one gulp.

“Ha ha! Cheers! The pendant arrives tomorrow morning. Tonight, why don’t you stay here and let the three beauties keep you company?”

“No, no!” Ye Fan waved his hand. “I’m used to sleeping alone.”

Ye Fan wasn’t that kind of man. Moreover, with the mysterious backgrounds of those three beauties, he didn’t want to get involved in any unpredictable consequences.

Lin Zhenjie didn’t want to let Ye Fan off lightly either. He had plans to dispose of Ye Fan once he got the pendant. Why waste resources now?

They exchanged a look, each reading sincerity, expectation, and disdain in the other’s eyes.