Laughter echoed in Tang Guo's ears, making her want to lash out. However, bound as she was, she could only shout, "I am the eldest daughter of the Tang family! You must release me..."
"Hahaha..."
All she received in return was more laughter.
After the mockery subsided, Zhang Liunian's voice reached Tang Guo's ears, "Congratulations, Mr. Wang, on acquiring such a beauty."
"You flatter me. Had you not delivered her, I wouldn't have obtained such a lovely plaything. Once she's dead, I'll give you her eyes. As for her hands, I'll keep them as mementos."
Tang Guo realized then that this man, surnamed Wang, was a pervert. Falling into his hands would be a fate worse than death.
She refused to accept this, to accept this destiny. She was so beautiful, her body so alluring, deserving of a better man. She had no desire to become a pervert's plaything.
"Zhang Liunian, save me, save me! If you rescue me and don't sell me to someone else, I'll do whatever you say, whatever you say..." Tang Guo was truly terrified. How could someone as beautiful as a celestial maiden become a pervert's plaything, only to be dismembered after death? She absolutely refused.
"Why should I save someone who harmed me? Besides, I don't need to save you now to recoup the twenty million you embezzled from me. This is the fate you deserve. Who told you to abscond with the department store's funds?"
Tang Guo heard Zhang Liunian's unwillingness to save her and panicked. If he didn't help her, how would she escape later? She absolutely refused to fall into the hands of a perverted maniac. "Twenty million is all you're satisfied with? Your appetite is truly small. How about this: I'll pay thirty million to buy myself. You don't sell me to this pervert, what do you say?"
Zhang Liunian's eyes narrowed. She indeed had a lot of money. He had thought it was only a little over ten million, but she could easily produce thirty million. It seemed her fallback plans were more extensive than he imagined. However, it didn't matter; obtaining thirty million was beyond his expectations.
"You call me a pervert? You're already mine, and you still dare to curse me? I think you're just asking for a beating." Wang Ba was furious and began to beat Tang Guo with his leg, causing her to cry out in pain.
It was Zhang Liunian who finally stopped him, preventing Tang Guo from dying at Old Wang's feet.
"You said you'd use thirty million to buy yourself, but last time you clearly stated you didn't have a single cent on you. Your words hold no credibility for me," Zhang Liunian said, his tone filled with disbelief.
"I have a domestic bankbook, but it's not under my name. This card contains thirty million. As long as you let me go this once, I'll give you the money." Tang Guo was genuinely afraid of falling into the hands of a pervert and meeting a dismembered fate, so she was eager for rescue, not caring that Zhang Liunian was her enemy.
Zhang Liunian feigned disbelief, "Unless I see the money first, I won't believe a single word you say."
"I can give you the bankbook first, but you must promise to release me." Tang Guo said this, but in her heart, she thought that once this bankbook was moved, her third uncle would definitely know she was in trouble. With her third uncle's capabilities, he would surely be able to save her.
Her plans were unfolding smoothly, but Zhang Liunian was not easily fooled.
"Who knows if what you're saying is true or not? I won't be tricked."
"It's absolutely true. If you don't believe me, you can untie me, and I can show you the bankbook."
Zhang Liunian exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be that the bankbook is on you? Where is it?"
"In... in my undergarments." Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum; if he wasn't close, Zhang Liunian wouldn't have heard her.
However, to verify her words, Zhang Liunian signaled to Zhang Qian, telling him to prepare the sack properly so she couldn't see outside. Then, he stepped forward and reached into the sack to search. During this, he inevitably touched things he shouldn't have, but after a thorough search, he did find the bankbook.
"I didn't expect you to keep the bankbook in such a place," Zhang Liunian murmured, opening the bankbook. Indeed, it was a bankbook for thirty million.
"This money is enough to buy myself, right? Now, shouldn't you release me?"
Zhang Liunian winked at the man called Old Wang, who immediately spoke up, "I just bought you, and you want to leave with some pretty boy? No way! I don't agree, and no one can buy you away from me."
"Zhang Liunian, you can't break your promise! You must release me; my bankbook is already in your hands!" Tang Guo's body trembled violently. This bankbook had no password; anyone could withdraw from it.
If Zhang Liunian took the money and didn't keep his word, even with her third uncle's help to deal with Zhang Liunian, she would die of anger.
That thirty million was the money she had prepared to start a business abroad; she couldn't just give it away to Zhang Liunian.
"Mr. Wang, how about you take these thirty million, and you hand her back to me?" Zhang Liunian's voice carried a hint of hesitation.
But Old Wang retorted, "Hmph, you think thirty million can dismiss me? Don't even think about it unless it's fifty million."
"This..." Zhang Liunian was speechless. He then turned to Tang Guo and asked, "Do you have any more?"
"..." Tang Guo was furious. This useless man, after she gave him thirty million, he still couldn't secure her freedom. What was the point of offering more money?
She didn't trust Zhang Liunian and even suspected they were colluding to deceive her.
To confirm her suspicion, she suddenly said, "Zhang Liunian, take off the sack. I want to talk to Mr. Wang personally."
Zhang Liunian naturally couldn't let her see the outside, as this was just an abandoned, uninhabited warehouse. If she saw it, it would be over. He signaled to Old Wang, who immediately understood the order. Carrying her, he said, "I've already received the money, so I'll take this person with me."
Tang Guo was startled and immediately started yelling, "Zhang Liunian, you bastard, you hypocrite! You're a man of your word; you'll die a horrible death! I, Tang Guo, will never forgive you even as a ghost!"
"..."
The curses grew fainter and fainter until they could no longer be heard. Only then did Zhang Liunian give everyone present two hundred yuan each, bringing the dramatic scene to a close.
After everyone had dispersed, Zhang Qian chuckled, "Brother Liunian, she might have more money. Why didn't we get it all?"
"She's already suspicious; it's impossible now. With thirty million, we not only broke even but also earned half. It's an unexpected bonus."
Zhang Liunian shook his head, indicating it was impossible, but then a smile appeared on his face.
Obtaining thirty million was truly a delightful surprise. He had initially thought that recovering a little over ten million would be cause for great thanks, but he hadn't expected Tang Guo to value her future so much.
Indeed, a young lady from a wealthy background had never endured such hardship. Money meant little to them.
"Indeed," Zhang Qian also smiled. In any case, the department store's financial problems were now resolved.
"Let's go and see if Old Wang has delivered Tang Guo to the police station." Old Wang was someone they had hired temporarily, and Zhang Liunian was ultimately concerned that he wouldn't follow through.