"Does supernatural power truly exist in this world?" Chen Yulou's eyes flickered as he spoke, "Brother-in-law, do you guys know something?"
However, Jian Jun Tan currently had no time to deal with him. Now that they had finally found a lead, they would absolutely not let it go!
Gu Jiang Yan's eyes flashed with chilling coldness as he thought of someone. Xu Shao's father, Xu Jin Shang. That old fellow definitely knew something!
Xu Shao and Xu Lan had manipulated the navy to smear Jian Jun Ruo and Jian Sheng. When the matter blew up, Gu Jiang Yan went straight to their door upon learning about it. Xu Shao resisted, but Xu Jin Shang, knowing he was no match, calmly accepted it. Gu Jiang Yan felt something was wrong at the time. Xu Jin Shang's demeanor was too unusual. How could someone remain unfazed when their own business was being targeted, and their son was sent away? But he hadn't thought much of it then, merely assuming the old fellow was wise from experience. Knowing he couldn't resist, he chose the solution with the least sacrifice, to avoid a direct confrontation with Gu Jiang Yan. To think someone could endure with such patience! A chill surged through Gu Jiang Yan's heart, and he made up his mind that this family must not be allowed to live!
Just then, Gu Jiang Yan's phone suddenly rang. Half a minute later, Gu Jiang Yan hung up the phone with a grim expression. "They want me to prepare one hundred million US dollars and deliver it to a location a hundred miles north of Luancheng, one hundred meters from the border line."
"And we are forbidden to let the police and military approach."
"Delivery within two hours, otherwise... they will kill the hostage." Gu Jiang Yan added with a stern face, "They also said that the people there are only responsible for receiving the money, and Sheng Sheng will not be there."
Jian Jun Tan checked the distance from Jingcheng to that location. At the speed of a plane, it would still take an hour to get there. However, private jets cannot fly just anywhere. Moreover, there was the time needed to coordinate with the bank to withdraw money, and the time to negotiate with the military and police. Jian Jun Tan couldn't help but curse. "Damn it, two hours, how could we possibly make it in time!"
Everyone else's expressions were also very grim. For them, the hundred million US dollars demanded was the easiest part to fulfill. However, considering the current US dollar reserves and withdrawal procedures of banks, this would also become a significant factor slowing them down.
Everyone present looked solemn. Then Gu Chang Lin spoke first. "I'll find someone to contact the border defense garrison so you can send the cash over." Gu Jiang Yan glanced at him, a flicker of emotion in his eyes. Although Jian Jun Tan was puzzled as to why Gu Chang Lin was so concerned about helping Sheng Sheng, Gu Chang Lin's willingness to help was a good thing for them. As a pharmaceutical family, the Gu family's connections permeated the entire upper echelons of society. Having Gu Chang Lin handle this reduced their biggest trouble.
Next, Qi Sui Bai also said, "I'll contact the bank, and I'll also apply for the flight routes." With the two highest-ranking individuals here taking charge of their respective tasks, others also began to speak up, each taking responsibility for a part of the problem.
After arranging everything and calculating that they could make it in time, Jian Jun Tan felt a slight sense of relief. The next step was to wait for the funds to be gathered in Luancheng, and then a helicopter would air-drop them to the designated location. Jian Jun Ruo wanted to go and see, but Jian Jun Tan stopped her. Since the other party had already stated that Jian Sheng would not leave from there, it was clearly impossible to find the person by tracking the money retrieval line.
Order after order and decision after decision were relayed from here. Gu Jiang Yan hung up his phone, let out a breath, and said with a grave expression, "If nothing goes wrong, Xu Jin Shang has already fled abroad, which also confirms that Sheng Sheng's disappearance is likely the work of them and Master Lou."
"Now, let's first send the money as requested by the other party to keep them stable." At this moment, Gu Jiang Yan suddenly saw a message pop up on his phone. Gu Jiang Yan's expression changed abruptly, and he glanced at Jian Jun Ruo. After Jian Sheng used her spiritual power to cleanse her body, Jian Jun Ruo's skin became even more delicate and fair, like a lotus emerging from water. But compared to her student days, she now possessed a mature, elegant, and intellectual beauty. Gu Jiang Yan was momentarily lost in thought, his face filled with remembrance and complexity. He looked at his phone and replied, "I can agree to your conditions, but I must ensure my daughter's safety."
Soon, a photo of a small girl, her hands and feet bound, curled up inside a suitcase, was sent by the other party via multimedia message. The little girl's mouth was stuffed with cloth, and her cheeks were contorted by the tape. As if unaccustomed to the sudden brightness, when the little girl looked towards the camera, she instinctively turned her head away, her eyes slightly narrowed. Seeing her wrists, bound by hemp rope and already purple, Gu Jiang Yan suddenly stood up. He slammed his fist onto the table. Everyone looked at him in unison. Gu Jiang Yan clicked on the picture and placed it on the table. The moment they saw the photo, everyone became enraged!
"I'll send you the photo, and you can have people use details like the light and scene in the picture to determine where it was taken and when."
"Although they demanded ransom, we cannot rule out the possibility that they will kill her after receiving the money."
"From their appearance, they are preparing to go abroad. We must find her safely before they take Sheng Sheng out of the country!" He finally glanced at Jian Jun Ruo. "The clue is already here. The next step is to investigate using this picture, the sender's IP and information records, and Master Lou."
Jian Jun Ruo suddenly looked at him, "Then what are you going to do?" Gu Jiang Yan sighed softly, "Since the other party has spoken, I have to go with the plane." Jian Jun Ruo quickly walked up to him, looking up at him slightly, her eyes filled with determination and unwavering certainty.
"They want to use Sheng Sheng to get rid of us?"
"Definitely, their ultimate goal is to target us!"
"They definitely won't let me off, you want to hide it from me and go alone, don't you!" Gu Jiang Yan said to Jian Jun Tan, "Jun Ruo, I'll trouble you to take care of her." With that, he glanced at Gu Chang Lin and Gu Huai Jin, and turned to leave without hesitation. A long time had passed, and if he didn't hurry, it would be too late!
Behind him, Jian Jun Tan held Jian Jun Ruo tightly. Tears rolled down Jian Jun Ruo's eyes as she looked pleadingly at Jian Jun Tan. "Big brother, they want my life! If they don't see me, Sheng Sheng will be in danger!" Jian Jun Tan's grip on her hand loosened for a moment. In this moment of slackening, Jian Jun Ruo suddenly broke free from his hand and chased after Gu Jiang Yan. Jian Jun Tan sighed and slumped back into his chair, a look of sorrow in his eyes. Waving his hand, he signaled the bodyguards who were about to stop Jian Jun Ruo to stand down. This was his younger sister's choice, and he had no right to interfere. He failed to notice that Gu Chang Lin, standing nearby, also showed the same sorrow, his entire being appearing to have aged ten years.