After all, setting aside his wife for the moment, those two daughters were his own.
However, this statement, which should have been timely for the kidnapper, did not elicit the expected response.
Instead, the other party remained cold, as if the chill emanated from a century-old ice cellar.
Compared to before, they had only quieted down slightly.
This reaction was utterly absurd.
Could it be that this person didn't just want money?
Otherwise, even with a top-notch performance, this individual would not have acted this way. And from Zhang Yong's perspective,
The person on the other end of the phone, apart from the disguised voice, was incredibly sincere in both their words and their tone.
Realizing this,
Zhang Yong quickly continued to ask, "What else do you want? What must I do for you to ensure my family's safety?"
Although Zhang Yong said this unintentionally, it undoubtedly struck a chord with the other party.
It seemed this person was waiting for exactly these words from Zhang Yong. So much so that before he could finish speaking, the sinister male voice on the other end of the phone had already cut him off.
"As for what to do, I believe President Zhang understands better than I do."
With that, the call ended.
Holding the phone, Zhang Yong was completely bewildered. However, as he hung up, a thought flashed through his mind like lightning.
In an instant, Zhang Yong had guessed seven or eight parts of the truth.
It seemed this matter was closely related to his own actions in front of Zhang Ke just now.
However, whether Zhang Ke was responsible for this matter still needed to be verified.
He who tied the knot must untie it.
Now that the call was disconnected, apart from seeking out Zhang Ke and hoping for the best, he had no other options, did he?
With this thought, Zhang Yong could only retrace his steps back to the hall.
Coincidentally, just as he entered, he encountered Zhang Ke again.
Zhang Ke was currently standing not far from the door.
This situation was particularly strange, as if the person was specifically waiting for him here.
Upon seeing him enter, the person quickly stepped forward.
"How was it? After hearing President Dong's explanation, do you understand now!"
Hearing this, Zhang Yong was even more stunned.
What on all the world!
Was this Zhang Ke blind?
He hadn't heard anything just now, had he?
While Zhang Ke and Dong Hua were animatedly conversing near the main seats, Zhang Yong had gone out to take a call. Even if Zhang Ke was old, he shouldn't have become like this.
At this moment, Zhang Yong stared with immense bewilderment, about to tell Zhang Ke directly that he had just returned from outside.
However, Zhang Ke, unfazed by Zhang Yong's astonished reaction, did not show any hint of confusion. Instead, he moved even closer to Zhang Yong.
"I mean, do you understand?" Zhang Ke continued to repeat in a peculiar manner.
But this time, not only had Zhang Ke's tone changed, but his demeanor had also become strangely sarcastic.
Noticing this unsettling expression, Zhang Yong's hair stood on end.
This feeling was exactly the same as when he was on the phone just now.
It seemed it was indeed the case.
Just now, Zhang Yong had only made a preliminary guess.
Now, this guess was just one step away from becoming an unshakeable reality.
As a result, Zhang Yong's voice trembled.
His tongue seemed to get tied for a moment as he said,
"So, that phone call just now?"
Zhang Ke did not confirm.
"What phone call? Zhang Yong, you're sweating. I imagine that phone call must have been very important to you."
Although he didn't confirm, from this statement alone, Zhang Yong quickly understood some of it.
At this moment, to specifically mention that phone call.
And then deliberately claim ignorance. Wasn't this like trying to hide something that was obvious?
If the other party truly didn't know about this call, why would they add the latter half of the sentence?
Zhang Yong would rather believe in ghosts than in what Zhang Ke was saying now.
It really was you!
Zhang Yong's eyes immediately turned red.
He never expected that Zhang Ke, whom he considered to be a person of considerable age and virtue, would resort to such despicable and utterly rotten methods.
The anger that filled him was ready to be unleashed upon this person.
However, when he noticed Dong Hua approaching from behind, and Zhang Ke staring at him with cold eyes, he swallowed his rage.
At this moment, Zhang Ke saw through the thoughts of the person in front of him.
Realizing that this person dared not speak his mind.
This was exactly the situation he desired. Thus, although he appeared calm on the surface, an uncontrollable excitement surged within him.
At the same time, he felt even more admiration for Dong Hua.
If it weren't for the idea proposed by this person named Dong Hua, his image would have been ruined.
After ruining his image in front of everyone, it would have been quite detrimental to the matters he was about to undertake.
Zhang Ke once again turned his gaze to the person in front of him.
This time, there was a clear arrogance in his eyes, a sense of looking down on him.
He wanted to see how stubborn this person truly was. Even if this person had no weaknesses, what about his family?
Zhang Yong also wanted to resist stubbornly.
But being pulled by his family,
He ultimately chose to yield.
"Understood!"
This was precisely the phrase Zhang Ke had dreamed of.
The once defiant rebel, whom he didn't know how to subdue, was now meek and submissive, like a flattened rice cake.
Zhang Ke felt sweeter than if he had been given honey.
However, on the surface, to maintain his authority,
The person still spoke in a firm and resolute voice, although with a bit more gentleness than before.
After all, he still had to extract some residual value from this person.
This touch of gentleness was worth the favor for Zhang Ke!
Thus, before Zhang Yong could speak, Zhang Ke subtly placed a hand on his shoulder.
Then, he whispered, "Since my namesake here understands, that's for the best. Honestly, I've always known you would understand. To be frank, I think highly of young people like you. You have your own insights and sharp vision, much like I was when I was young."
These words were all flattery, but to Zhang Yong's ears, they made his stomach churn.
Zhang Yong didn't want to listen further. But the current situation did not allow him to ignore it.
The lives of his wife and two daughters were in this person's hands, how could he so easily disregard it?
Zhang Ke continued to speak. First, he had offered some appeasement, and now it was time for him to reveal his true colors.
"Since President Zhang is so much like me when I was young, and we are so compatible, why don't you say a few words to everyone now while they are still here!"
What?
Hearing this, Zhang Yong finally understood.
From the moment he had let out that cold snort, he had unknowingly become a pawn in Zhang Ke's hands.
This Zhang Ke clearly intended to use him as an example!
Such a stubborn person finally had a change of heart after the explanations and persuasion from Dong Hua and himself.
Having him personally testify would be more effective than any rhetoric.
This Zhang Ke was indeed cunning.
But even though he cursed the old man who looked like a human but acted like a beast from the bottom of his heart, what could he do?
In the end, Zhang Yong still had to nod obediently.
Seeing this, Zhang Ke's triumphant expression became even more pronounced.
"I, Zhang, thank you, Brother Zhang Yong!"
As he was speaking, Dong Hua happened to arrive.
Having heard Zhang Yong's statement,
He quickly and politely beckoned Zhang Yong back into the hall. Glancing at the people around who were about to get up and leave, he said, "Everyone, fellow colleagues, please wait a moment. Our President Zhang Yong has something to say. Since our President is so sincere, why don't we give President Zhang an opportunity!"
After speaking, he looked at Zhang Yong, then his gaze extended to the platform in the hall.
Although he said nothing, his meaning was quite clear.
Whether his daughters and wife could be saved now depended entirely on his performance.