Chapter 260: Worthy
Liancheng’s other hand, which was resting on her leg, involuntarily curled into a fist.
A moment of chaos, a flurry of emotions suddenly rising, impacting the urgency of her recent worries, a mixed feeling of tightness in her chest.
She couldn’t give an answer.
Lin Lanfeng wasn’t fixated on an answer, “Liancheng, your mother would be very pleased to hear you speak like this. At only twenty-three, you already possess the fundamental qualities of a strategist; your growth has been remarkable.”
“But have you ever considered why Liang Chaosu sent you to Hong Kong?”
Liancheng’s voice was hoarse, “Why?”
Lin Lanfeng said softly, “Haven’t you thought about it?”
Liancheng had thought about it.
The bet was on, and Liang Chaosu’s actions revolved around a single starting point, which was easy to explain.
She was too far abroad to see clearly the shadows and swordplay at home; being across the ocean, she couldn’t feel the heart-pounding intensity.
It was different in Hong Kong, facing the tight pressure from Mo Shicheng and Mo Shifu’s maneuvers. Lin Xianzi was one step closer to danger, the Lin family was anxious, and she was on edge. Her relatives couldn’t sleep peacefully and were rushing around.
Whether it was good or bad, she had to lower her head.
“Regarding bringing you back immediately, and the bet you told me about this afternoon, your mother and I share the same opinion,” Lin Lanfeng said. “But even the best-laid plans can be disrupted by changes. We calculated Mo Shicheng’s movements too late. Although we don’t know why Mo Shicheng suddenly turned Lian Yingying from a pawn into a car with immense power.”
“But her importance has increased, not her scheming and resourcefulness. This is a good opportunity for us; by following her, we can cross the river.”
“And you. Liang Chaosu must have seen through this. He sent you to Hong Kong to directly confront Lian Yingying. If we acknowledge you, Lian Yingying becomes a useless piece, and Mo Shicheng’s carefully laid formation will fall into chaos, affecting Liang Zhengping. A single move can lead to a chain reaction; in the initial clash of the bet, he had to win the first move.”
“If we don’t publicly acknowledge you and temporarily keep you and Lian Yingying existing side-by-side, we win the situation. For him, it’s neither a win nor a loss, because your heart will have a crack, and you will always think of your mother’s and my inconsistency at this moment.”
Liancheng’s breathing grew heavy.
Lin Lanfeng comforted her, “You don’t understand the details in Hong Kong, so misjudging is normal.”
“Sorry,” Liancheng covered her face. “I was too hasty.”
At this moment, if the villagers from Liu Li Village were tracking her, and it was confirmed to be related to cooperation with Liang Zhengping and Mo Shicheng, then they were ninety-nine percent likely after her, the fish that escaped the net.
It meant the scope of the kidnappers was locked down, with a location and a target group.
They had control of the entire situation, and Lin Xianzi could rest easy.
Lin Lanfeng smiled, “Don’t worry. Our leverage now is you. As long as you come to Hong Kong, you will stir Lian Yingying’s nerves more than those vague rumors. She will act immediately.”
However, from a warning device used multiple times, it became a one-time dangerous item. The final struggle of the dying, a desperate fight since ancient times, unpredictable and not to be underestimated.
Liancheng finally understood the ruthlessness and excellence of Liang Chaosu’s mind.
In comparison, the pressure from before seemed childish.
“I can choose not to go to Hong Kong,” Liancheng forced herself to be spirited. “He is targeting human weaknesses. Now that Uncle has explained it, I am willing not to return to the Lin family. The plan remains the same.”
Liancheng’s voice was clear and cold, possessing a certainty that girls her age lacked.
The niece Lin Lanfeng imagined would call him “Uncle” in a soft, tender, affectionate tone, like sweet cotton candy.
Similar to Lian Yingying.
But no matter how many times Lian Yingying called him, it didn’t stir his heart.
He only felt it was worth it.
His sister’s twenty-three years of torment were worth it, her schemes coming to naught were worth it, he was worth it, and the Lin family was even more so.
At this very moment, nothing was more worth it than this one word.
Lin Lanfeng firmly refused, “You must come to Hong Kong. Your safety is paramount. All of your mother’s arrangements prioritize this. If Mo Shicheng’s people catch you, we will prioritize rescuing you. Any mention of a mole or whether we win or lose becomes meaningless.”
Liancheng also understood this point; she didn’t act coy.
“But please keep my whereabouts a secret, and don’t come to see me.”
Lin Lanfeng didn’t agree, and he laughed in exasperation.
“I explained the details to you in painstaking terms, not for you to make choices. Your mother’s feelings for you, and mine as your uncle, are the same. Revenge is an adult’s matter; children should happily visit Disneyland.”
“Uncle has always regretted giving you a bad impression the first time we met. When you come to Hong Kong, you are not allowed to miss out on anything the daughters of other families have had over the years.”
The signal transmission was connected, and he heard every word.
Liancheng’s feeling of unfamiliarity completely vanished, and affection continuously bubbled up, bringing tears to her eyes and spreading through her bones, dispelling and dissolving the pervasive chill.
Her heart felt firmly grounded, and in fact, she was more resolute than before.
“I am not a child, so I won’t return to the Lin family.”
It was both stubbornness and a display of affection.
………………………………
Before Liang Chaosu drove onto the highway, he first went to the police station.
He had seen most of the villagers from Liu Li Village, and now a row of them sat behind iron bars.
“You discovered the clue in time; when we apprehended them, they almost made it onto the highway.”
Liang Chaosu expressed his thanks and took a step to leave.
The Bureau Chief followed him to the next floor. After receiving the letter of cooperation from the Hong Kong Police, both Nan Province and Qi Province attached great importance and immediately established a special task force.
Since the accomplices of the Liu Li Village kidnappers were apprehended first in Nan Province, the special task force was currently located on the third floor of the Nan Province Police Station.
The entire floor of offices was brightly lit, and people occasionally hurried by in the corridor.
Liang Chaosu did not enter the office; he stood at the stairwell. “My wife has gone to Hong Kong to evade danger. Next, I will trouble you to communicate with the Hong Kong police and ensure her safety is prioritized.”
The Bureau Chief, having a long-standing relationship with him, asked, “Aren’t you going too?”
“An extra layer of assurance means an extra layer of safety,” Liang Chaosu shook the Bureau Chief’s hand. “My personal abilities are limited. Only the country can deal with extremely wicked criminals.”
The Bureau Chief smiled, “Stop pretending with me. Director Qin from Qi Province told me everything. You have a disagreement with your wife, and your mother-in-law is in trouble, but you’re holding her back. You’re protecting her so thoroughly, but it’s quite unfair.”
“As a result, your mother-in-law has been kidnapped, and your wife would rather go to Hong Kong to avoid danger than accept your protection. Fearing she wouldn’t be appreciated, she asked for my help.”
Liang Chaosu’s expression remained unchanged. “You have keen insight.”
“Alright.”
It was nearing the early morning, and the special task force still had some time. The Bureau Chief left first.
Liang Chaosu entered the office and reviewed the progress on Lin Xianzi’s kidnapping case. Half an hour later, he left the police station.
Xiao Da opened the car door for him. “Your wife is expected to enter Hong Kong through the port by 8:30 tomorrow at the latest. Secretary Su and Young Master Huang have already arrived. He Jinian’s plans have changed temporarily; he will be delayed by one day and won’t arrive until the day after tomorrow.”
Liang Chaosu’s face was serious.
Xiao Da carefully explained for He Jinian, “It’s a family matter. His daughter was dating her tutor in high school. They discovered it late and couldn’t break them up. When He Jinian left, his daughter was having a suicidal episode and had cut her wrist.”
Liang Chaosu paused and nodded, then got into the car. “Book a high-speed train ticket; arrive at the port before eight.”
