The one who stopped her was none other than Jiang Fuyue.
“You can’t call the police.”
Shi Qingzhi was stunned.
“That call was only one-sided. Whether Grandpa Qin is actually kidnapped still needs to be verified. What if it’s just a prank? We can’t rule out that possibility.”
“If it is real, then the other party clearly came prepared. Calling the police now would only alert them. Of course, contacting the authorities is necessary, but it has to be done depending on the situation. Right now, it’s not the right time.”
“Lastly, and most importantly, the kidnappers gave us too little information. We don’t even understand their full intent, yet we’re already panicking. That may be part of their strategy—to throw us into chaos. The more critical the moment, the calmer and clearer we need to be.”
After Jiang Fuyue finished speaking, Shi Qingzhi finally calmed down.
The way she now looked at her granddaughter was completely different.
“Little Ru, what’s with Yueyue?”
This kind of speech didn’t sound like something a high schooler would say at all. The depth of analysis, the sharp insight, the decisiveness in her tone—utterly shocking.
Since Jiang Chenxing’s hospitalization, and then Jiang Fuyue leading Hu Ben and Little Six to suppress the opponent thoroughly, followed by spending hundreds of millions to buy two villas at Yutianhua Residence, Han Yunru had gradually accepted that her daughter was far from ordinary.
Now, hearing this, she wasn’t surprised.
“Mom, the priority is saving Uncle Qin. Everything else, let me explain later, okay?”
Shi Qingzhi’s anxious expression returned. “Right, we have to make sure Old Qin’s safe. We can’t let anything happen to him! Yueyue, what do you think we should do next?”
Jiang Fuyue: “First, try calling Grandpa Qin.”
Shi Qingzhi immediately dialed. The line rang—beep, beep—awaiting answer.
Jiang Fuyue mouthed: Did it go through?
Shi Qingzhi: Yes, no one’s answering.
Jiang Fuyue leaned over and heard the beeping tone—then suddenly, it cut off.
The call had been answered!
She gestured for Shi Qingzhi to switch to speaker mode, then signaled Han Yunru and Jiang Chenxing to be silent.
Quickly, she pulled out a mini voice recorder that looked like a headset, turned it on, pointed it at the phone, and nodded—ready.
Shi Qingzhi: “…Hello? Old Qin, is that you?”
There was a stifling silence.
“Old Qin, say something—don’t scare me. Are you okay? I just got a call saying you were—”
“Looks like President Shi doesn’t fully believe her husband’s been captured, otherwise why call to confirm? As expected of the founder of SZ Group, you’re more cautious than most. Do you believe now?”
Shi Qingzhi looked at Jiang Fuyue, asking what to do.
Jiang Fuyue wrote on a slip of paper: Ask his identity, and his goal.
Shi Qingzhi: “Who are you people? What do you want?!”
A chuckle came from the other end. “Who we are doesn’t matter. Our goal is simple—money. Transfer $100 million USD, and we’ll release him immediately. Not a single hair will be harmed.”
Jiang Chenxing quietly handed over another slip of paper.
Jiang Fuyue wrote: $100 million in cash is too much. Say you need time to raise it.
Shi Qingzhi repeated her words: “…At least one week.”
The caller snapped, “You think I’m an idiot? SZ Group has massive cash reserves and liquidity. $100 million is nothing to you. I think you just don’t care if Qin lives or dies!”
“Don’t act rashly! Since you know it requires withdrawing funds from the company accounts, then you should also understand how many signatures and approvals are involved for that kind of transfer—it’s not something that can be done in three days. You’ll leave me no choice, and in the end, you won’t get a single cent!”
There was silence. The caller was clearly wavering.
Jiang Fuyue wrote two characters: Soften the tone.
Shi Qingzhi softened her voice: “Actually, our goals aren’t contradictory. I want the person; you want the money. And I’m willing to pay. The only problem is time.”
Jiang Fuyue: Pressure them.
Shi Qingzhi: “A hundred million is no small amount, and it has to be transferred overseas. You wouldn’t want this to raise red flags with the authorities, would you? If you give me a week, I’ll make sure it’s safely moved out and wired to Nanyue. You won’t even have to launder it—you can spend it right away.”
“…Five days. No more.”
Jiang Fuyue nodded.
Only then did Shi Qingzhi say, “Okay. But I need to confirm my husband’s safety.”
“Old man, speak, or I’ll hurt you!”
“Old Qin? Are you there? Old Qin?!”
A moment later, Qin Yuancheng’s voice came through, low and hoarse: “…Qingzhi, I’m fine for now. Don’t worry. Take care of Fat Boy for me…”
“That’s enough! You talk too much!”
“President Shi, satisfied now? Oh—and don’t even think about calling the police. You’re in China, we’re overseas. If we sense even the slightest disturbance, we’ll kill him and vanish.”
Jiang Fuyue switched off the voice recorder and nodded at Shi Qingzhi.
“You better keep him safe—otherwise, don’t expect a cent from us!”
The caller gave a cold snort and hung up.
