Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Old Place

"She only said she wanted to see me, asked if I had time, and when I asked her for the address, the call was cut off."

After everyone arrived, Ruan Mianmian gave a brief account of the call. Fortunately, she had recorded it, so the others could hear everything clearly. Ruan Mianmian handed her phone to Jiang Ce, who played the recording; the faint static of the call filled the room, drawing everyone's attention.

Shen Qing's face was a mask of panic, but as someone who had weathered many storms, he managed to keep his composure. Jiang Ce placed the phone on the table and turned to Ruan Mianmian.

"Why would Shen Ting call you?" he asked.

No matter whether it was for money or some other reason, this call shouldn't have come to Ruan Mianmian.

Shen Qing's eyes held the same confusion. "Yes, logically, she should have called me first. Why would she call Brother Ruan?"

Moreover, the kidnapper hadn't demanded a ransom, but instead, under Shen Ting's name, arranged a meeting with Ruan Mianmian.

What exactly was going on?

Ruan Mianmian already had her own suspicions. "Is it possible that these kidnappers were actually targeting me from the beginning?" she suggested.

Maybe they failed at first, so they kidnapped Shen Ting instead, and now they were using Shen Ting to lure her out?

Jiang Ce narrowed his eyes, his gaze growing sharper. "If they were after you, why drag Shen Ting into it? How would the kidnappers even know you have any connection to her?"

Jiang Ce made a fair point. Besides, Ruan Mianmian and Shen Ting had never been close, so such an approach seemed unnecessary.

But then, why Shen Ting this time? Did she have any connection to the previous kidnapping?

Ruan Mianmian remembered that the original novel described the kidnapping like this: the original Ruan, in order to test Jian Yanzhi’s feelings for her, staged a kidnapping, hoping he would come to her rescue. Unexpectedly, Jian Yanzhi was indifferent, and the kidnappers, seeing that she was wealthy, developed their own ideas. Thus, a fake kidnapping became a real one. Jiang Ce was severely injured trying to save her.

But neither the novel nor Ruan Mianmian’s own experience mentioned Shen Ting being involved. Why would the kidnappers target her?

This point baffled Ruan Mianmian.

"I remember you once said you saw the kidnapper in Hanhai's underground parking lot?" Jiang Ce suddenly recalled something and looked at Ruan Mianmian for confirmation.

She nodded. "Yes." That had been when she returned after resigning from Hanhai; she saw the kidnapper in the parking garage. Seeing Jiang Ce deep in thought, she asked, "Why do you ask? Did you think of something?"

Jiang Ce lowered his gaze and said quietly, "Is it possible the kidnappers had already set their sights on Shen Ting back then?"

What?

They had been watching Shen Ting since then?

Ruan Mianmian pressed her lips together, thinking back to that day. When she entered the garage, the kidnapper had been walking out, and recalling the direction, it did seem as if he came from the garage elevator. If that was the case, he could have been coming down from above.

The more Shen Qing listened, the more confused he became. "What does this mean? Why would the kidnapper target Tingting? She doesn't even know them!"

A heavy silence descended. Ruan Mianmian glanced at Shen Qing, then at Jiang Ce.

Jiang Ce’s eyes were cold and deadly; it was clear his thoughts aligned with hers.

The kidnappers wouldn’t target Shen Ting for no reason, and Shen Ting’s words on the call were suspicious. So Ruan Mianmian wondered if the previous kidnapping was somehow connected to Shen Ting. Maybe someone had instigated the kidnappers, turning a fake kidnapping into a real one.

Given Shen Ting’s temperament, her dislike for Ruan Mianmian, such a move wouldn't be out of character. But Ruan Mianmian kept these thoughts to herself. So far, it was all just speculation; only Shen Ting knew what really happened.

"We can speculate all we want, but it's useless. Since the kidnappers had Shen Ting contact me, they won’t give up halfway. Let's wait," said Ruan Mianmian, casting a soothing glance at Jiang Ce and then at Shen Qing.

Shen Qing nodded in defeat. With no clues, all they could do was wait for the kidnappers' next call.

Sure enough, not long after, Ruan Mianmian’s phone rang again. This time, however, the caller ID wasn’t Shen Ting, but a new, unfamiliar number.

Ruan Mianmian’s heart leapt into her throat.

Jiang Ce took the phone, signaling her to stay calm.

"Stall for time. Try to get as much information as possible."

"I understand."

"Everyone, be quiet. Don’t interrupt her."

After Jiang Ce’s instructions, A Kuan ushered the others out, leaving the room in silence.

Ruan Mianmian answered the call and turned on speaker.

"Is this Miss Ruan?" Before she could speak, an arrogant, mocking voice came from the other end.

"Who are you?" Ruan Mianmian asked.

"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is, your friend is in my hands."

"Oh?" Ruan Mianmian's tone turned cold. "How can you be sure she's my friend? What if she's my enemy?"

A muffled sound—someone gagged—suddenly came from the other side, as if someone’s mouth and nose were blocked.

Ruan Mianmian felt her heart clench. Then, from a distance, came a string of curses.

"You damn woman, behave yourself!"

Shen Qing froze, then grew agitated. Jiang Ce promptly pressed down on his hand to keep him calm.

Ruan Mianmian took a quiet, deep breath and asked, "Enough. Who are you, and what do you want?"

"It doesn't matter who I am! Listen up: noon, at the usual place, bring ten million. Only you—come alone!"

The usual place?

What usual place?

Everyone was at a loss, especially Shen Qing, who stared at Ruan Mianmian, unsure what to ask.

Ruan Mianmian’s eyes darkened as a realization dawned. She looked at Jiang Ce, signaling him with her eyes.

Jiang Ce frowned, not quite understanding.

Ruan Mianmian took his hand and traced a shape in his palm.

Jiang Ce's eyes lit up in instant comprehension.

Ruan Mianmian smiled faintly and picked up the phone again. "The usual place? What do you mean? I don't know where you’re talking about. And you’re asking for ten million just like that—do you think money grows on trees?"

While Ruan Mianmian was negotiating with the kidnapper, Jiang Ce had already taken Shen Qing and rushed out of the room.

"It's the grove," he said. "The grove where Mianmian was found!"