Intoxicated Friends
Translator: Jury
Editor: NomNom
First Published on Chaleuria
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20.1 – One Day I’ll Make You Pay
The kidnapper called again at 9am the next morning, and wanted Yao Yuan to answer the phone this time. He directed Yao Yuan to bring the account book and leave his house by himself. If they discovered a second person with him, they would end Yao Qian’s life immediately. Zhang Chen and Wang Jiya were worried about Yao Yuan, but for Yao Qian’s safety they had to stay behind. Jiang Luo had gone to look for Ye Jun early in the morning.
Yao Yuan followed the kidnappers’ instructions. He went out, hailed a cab at the door, and headed straight for the location the kidnappers had specified. He paid the fare and got out of the cab, then his phone rang. Yao Yuan was sure the kidnappers’ collaborators were nearby. He looked around, but it was impossible to locate such a person in the crowd. He inwardly cursed and took the call.
“Bastard, I brought what you want. Where is my sister?”
“Don’t be anxious .Do you see the blue car in front of you? The key is in the ignition. Use that car to go to Jin Hua Theme Park. Don’t tell me you can’t drive.”
The call ended. Yao Yuan got into the car and followed the instructions, weaving through the main roads and side streets in the city until he finally stopped in front of a clearly abandoned warehouse.
Yao Yuan anxiously ran toward the warehouse. The door opened and a gun was leveled at his head. “Punk, be good and don’t try anything funny.”
Yao Yuan looked coldly at the young man in front of him, ignoring the gun in his hand. “Where is my sister?”
“Where is the account book?” The man placed the gun against Yao Yuan’s forehead, his gaze chilly.
“Let me see my sister, or you can forget about the account book. We can keep wasting time, or you can shoot me.” Yao Yuan was sure the other side wanted the account book and not his life. They were only mercenaries who were paid to do this, and there was no need for them to get their hands any dirtier.
The man watched Yao Yuan for a while and noticed with some surprise that there was no trace of fear in the young man’s face. Yao Yuan was terrifyingly calm. He assessed the situation at hand and shouted to his subordinates, “Bring the woman out.”
Yao Qian was carried out by two people. She was covered in blood, and even her beautiful face had not been spared. She was pale and her eyes were closed; clearly she was unconscious.
“Bastards!” Yao Yuan yelled. He could feel the fire of anger spread through his body. His beloved sister, whom he had relied on and had relied on him, had been tortured by these bastards until she was barely alive. Yao Yuan clenched his fist and drew it back.
“Don’t move. She’s still alive now, but if you move I guarantee she’ll be a corpse in a moment.” The man saw the anger in Yao Yuan’s eyes and spoke coldly. All right: the brat didn’t care for his own life, but he cared about his sister. “Give me the account book and I guarantee you can walk out of here safely. I think you understand that we aren’t looking to kill you.”
Right now, Yao Yuan wanted to beat every person in the room black and blue, but he had to put his sister first. Without hesitating, he pulled out the account book and handed it to the man. When his sister’s life was on the line, nothing else mattered.
The man kept the gun pointed at Yao Yuan’s head and took the account book with his other hand. He handed it to a man wearing glasses behind him, who flipped through the book and nodded.
“Bro, you can go.” The man put away the gun.
Yao Yuan glared at him, ran to Yao Qian’s side, and called softly, “Sis, it’s Yao Yuan. Sis, wake up…”
But no matter how much he yelled, Yao Qian’s eyes remained shut and she did not respond at all. Yao Yuan gently picked up his sister and walked to the side of the leader. In contrast to his gentle actions, his eyes were vicious, and suddenly he kicked out at the man.
The man dodged his attack, and a faint admiration flashed through his initially chilly eyes. This young man was daring; he hadn’t seen such boldness in a long time.
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll change my mind and keep you here?”
“Either you kill me here today or I won’t fucking let you off, you bastard.” Yao Yuan snarled.
“Very good.” A cold smile appeared on the man’s lips, as if the pains and sorrows of all the people in the world had nothing to do with him. He said calmly, “My name is Ling Li. I’ll wait for you. But right now, I advise you to take her to the hospital quickly. Yesterday, she tried to run away and fell from quite a height, and she’s been unconscious since. She might have a brain injury.”
The man’s words surprised Yao Yuan, but now wasn’t the time to worry about these things. He looked back at Ling Li and smiled cruelly. “Ling Li, remember this. This doesn’t end here. One day I’ll make you pay..”
“Very good!” The chill in Ling Li’s eyes seemed to show signs of breaking. He remembered that someone had said something similar to him, for that man with the beautiful eyes. “One day I’ll pay you back.” When will you pay back what you owe me?
Yao Yuan carried Yao Qian and walked out slowly. Ling Li, was it? I’ll remember your name.
“Yao Yuan, I can lend you the car you drove here. If you don’t mind that it’s stolen and might cause issues.” Ling Li’s discomposure lasted only three seconds. When he spoke again, his gaze had regained its usual frost.
Yao Yuan did need a car right now. He said nothing and carefully laid Yao Qian in the back seat, then fired up the engine. As he drove, he dialed Jiang Luo’s number. “Jiang Luo, I’m out. My sister’s hurt. I’m taking her to the hospital—I’ll leave the rest to you. Remember to leave Ling Li for me.”