Entering the abandoned room, Gu Xingdong’s gaze landed precisely on Chen Lishu. Seeing that she was only tied up and her face was somewhat pale, with no other visible injuries, he breathed a sigh of relief!
With no inclination to dally, Gu Xingdong got straight to the point and asked, "Speak, how much money do you want to let her go?"
One of the thugs’ lips curled upwards slightly, revealing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Straightforward! I'd like to get this business done in one go. The main concern is that if we release the person, we’ll have no hostage. Who knows if you'll bring these people and pose a threat to us?"
Gu Xingdong took a deep breath and stated directly, "There’s no need for you to worry about these things. If you really don’t trust us, I can have these people leave the scene right now!"
Having said that, he turned his head to look at the negotiation experts behind him and said, "If you don’t want your young lady to get hurt, then hurry up and leave the scene! We will handle the rest of the matters properly. Don’t worry, we will bring Zhang Wan'er back to you unharmed!"
Upon hearing Gu Xingdong's words, the negotiation experts exchanged glances, as if communicating and plotting something with their eyes.
Su Nian, seeing their hesitant demeanor, displayed an impatient expression. She gritted her teeth and said, "What, are you worried we'll abandon Zhang Wan'er? For Commander Yang’s sake, we will definitely bring her out of this place safely!" Da Feng Novel Network
A bald negotiator approached Gu Xingdong, then shook his head at him, displaying a troubled expression. "Commander Gu, it’s not that we don’t trust you. It’s just that when Commander Yang sent us here, he repeatedly instructed us to ensure Miss Zhang’s safety! Look at these people, their fierce appearances suggest they are not to be trifled with. I’m afraid that you, with your straightforward nature in the military, might say or do something to offend them and anger them! Our profession is negotiation. Perhaps entrusting this matter to us might yield a different outcome. Therefore, we request to stay. Rest assured, the final result will not put Commander Gu in a difficult position."
Seeing these stubborn mules, Su Nian’s face turned red with anger. Just as she was about to reprimand them, the thugs grew impatient. Pointing directly at their noses, they said, "Shut up! Staying is fine too, so you don’t run around behind the scenes pulling little stunts after failing to see the person! However, the method of rescue has to change. We want fifteen thousand yuan per person. Hand over the money now. I need my subordinates to count the amount you’ve brought. Once we confirm there are no errors, we'll release one person!"
Hearing the thugs' words, Gu Xingdong rubbed the bridge of his nose, then looked at Su Nian and gave her a look, signaling her to get the money they had prepared.
Su Nian nodded, then left the dilapidated hut. About ten minutes later, she pushed several suitcases inside. Three thugs voluntarily approached the suitcases, opened them, and verified the amounts inside. After confirming everything was in order, they nodded towards their leader.
Receiving the signal, the leader met Gu Xingdong’s icy gaze and couldn't help but shiver. He said, "You're quite honest. Fifteen thousand for one person. Hurry up and see which of these two you want to ransom first?"
Gu Xingdong opened his mouth and instinctively said Chen Lishu’s name. However, the negotiation experts behind him seemed to have anticipated his words, grabbed Gu Xingdong’s arm, and pulled him back.
"Commander Gu, I know the next request might be unreasonable, but we still hope you will save Miss Zhang first. The Zhang family only has her as their daughter. If anything were to happen to her, I fear Commander Yang would be in a difficult position, and all the responsibility would be pushed onto you! Moreover, I see these kidnappers are only after money and have no intention of harming anyone. After they leave, we will promptly deliver fifteen thousand yuan. I believe Miss Chen will be fine too!"
The negotiator looked at Gu Xingdong with palpable tension. They felt an intense pressure emanating from him. Honestly, they had no confidence in this negotiation. Everyone knew how doting the Commander was on his wife! Although Miss Zhang had spent some time with Gu Xingdong in the military, Commander Yang had spent the longest time with him. Once Chen Lishu was involved, Gu Xingdong wouldn't spare anyone, not even Commander Yang. Therefore, the negotiation experts were unsure if Gu Xingdong would abandon Chen Lishu for Miss Zhang, who had only been with him for a short period.
Just as they were in a deadlock over this matter, a pained groan suddenly escaped Zhang Wan'er’s lips.
"It hurts!" Zhang Wan'er said, frowning. Then, with teary eyes, she looked pitifully towards Gu Xingdong and said softly and weakly, "It’s okay, don’t worry about me. Go save your wife! Don’t worry, if anything happens, our family won’t blame you. Anyway, my parents are still young, they can just have another child to accompany them," she added, a pained smile appearing on her face.
Regardless of whether he saved her or not, it wasn’t a bad outcome for her. If Gu Xingdong chose to save her, it would mean she held a special place in his heart, and Chen Lishu should naturally give up then. If Gu Xingdong chose not to save her, she could make him live the rest of his life with guilt, forever remembering her!
Chen Lishu scrutinized Zhang Wan'er. Seeing her in such pain, she pursed her lips, harboring a bold guess. However, she had no evidence yet, so she refrained from making any statements, merely conveying with her eyes that Gu Xingdong should save Zhang Wan'er first.
Gu Xingdong opened his mouth, attempting to say something to stop Chen Lishu's dangerous idea, but when he met Chen Lishu's determined gaze, the words he was about to say ultimately remained swallowed.
At this moment, the thugs began to urge them, "Have you made up your mind? We brothers don’t have this much time to waste with you. Who knows if you’re deliberately stalling to call for help to rescue these two women?!"
As if realizing the plausibility of her own words, the thug's face showed an impatient expression, even issuing a final ultimatum. "You have one minute to think it through. If you don’t, both of them die!"