Su Qi's heart pounded with alarm. She quickened her pace, intending to move forward, while simultaneously pressing the call button on her phone to dial the emergency number.
Before she could even connect the call, two masked, burly men emerged from the van and pinned her down. Another man then pressed a handkerchief soaked in alcohol to her nose. Su Qi, about to cry out for help, inhaled the acrid scent of ether. She frowned fiercely, trying to cling to her last shred of consciousness, but ultimately, she succumbed to unconsciousness.
Huo Tingyun left the house. Li Caiyi, having finished breakfast, decided to go downstairs to throw out the trash. She reached the base of the apartment building, disposed of the garbage, and was about to head back when, at a little past ten in the morning, there was hardly anyone around. Because it was the weekend, the place where she threw the trash was also quite secluded. Suddenly, she noticed two men dressed strangely walking in her direction.
Li Caiyi had been out in the world since she was very young. Seeing the situation, how could she not understand what was happening? She quickened her steps, wanting to leave the area quickly. She brushed past the two men. Li Caiyi let out a long sigh of relief, but before she could feel happy, the two burly men behind her suddenly increased their pace.
"Help, help—"
Before her cry for help could escape her lips, her nose was covered, and Li Caiyi lost consciousness within seconds, plunging into darkness.
Her head pounded as if it would split. Su Qi opened her eyes, her eyelids feeling heavy as if a thousand pounds were pressing down, making it impossible for her to breathe. She managed to pry them open a little, her breath filled with the smell of gasoline and a thick scent of dust.
Completely lifting her eyelids, Su Qi coughed a couple of times and realized she was in a derelict factory, surrounded by scrap cars and car parts. The strong, pungent smell of gasoline filled the air. Su Qi coughed a few more times, trying to lift her hands to cover her nose.
The next second, she discovered she was bound tightly, her hands and feet secured with thick hemp ropes as thick as a baby's arm.
The ropes were so tight that Su Qi felt discomfort everywhere. She shifted her body slightly, adjusting to a slightly less uncomfortable sitting position.
Taking a few deep breaths, Su Qi regained a sliver of rationality.
It was clear she had been kidnapped.
Although she didn't know the kidnappers' motive, historically, bandits either sought money or sought sex. The fact that they hadn't killed her meant they intended to keep her alive, which implied there was still hope of survival.
Su Qi quickly organized her thoughts and formed a rough plan.
Over the years, there had been no shortage of companies with grievances against Shengshi Group.
Years ago, because she had fallen in love with Huo Tingyun, Su Qi had investigated everything about him, learning all that was related to him.
Huo Tingyun and Huo Qingrang's methods were vastly different.
Rather than saying Huo Tingyun was like his father, Huo Tingyun was more like the elder master.
The elder master's methods in his youth were thunderous.
The current Huo Tingyun had surpassed his predecessor.
He was even more ruthless than the elder master had been in his prime.
Not only towards clients, but he was completely unmerciful towards enemies.
He had swallowed up one failing enterprise after another, even using underhanded tactics to force companies he wanted to acquire into bankruptcy, and then acquiring them at a low price.
Through such despicable means, Huo Tingyun had amassed immense wealth, controlled half the territory, and now walked with impunity in Shencheng.
Without Huo Tingyun's consent, no one dared to report negative news about him.
This man was despicable, shameless, capricious, and domineering.
Over the years, there had been those who wanted him dead, but Huo Tingyun's bodyguard, Lin Te, was too formidable.
Unexpectedly, these kidnappers were quite clever.
Since they couldn't kidnap Huo Tingyun, they decided to start with the women around him.
The bird that sticks its head out gets shot. After only a few days as the young madam of the Huo family, she was about to perish.
Su Qi gave a self-deprecating laugh. Just as she was about to close her eyes to rest, she heard rustling sounds nearby.
Su Qi frowned and followed the source of the sound.
The light in the factory was not bright, even somewhat dim. The roof of the factory had openings, and dust motes danced in the air. In the faint light, Su Qi clearly saw a woman lying on the ground not far away, wriggling continuously, a rag stuffed in her mouth, emitting muffled cries for help.
Her entire body was bound tightly with ropes. All her struggles and cries were futile, a complete waste of energy.
Upon recognizing the woman's face, Su Qi's delicate brows furrowed deeply.
The next second, she curved her lips into a smile.
In this day and age, even kidnappers needed intelligence.
The kidnappers actually knew that kidnapping only her, a discarded wife, would not be enough to threaten Huo Tingyun.
Therefore, the kidnappers had simply kidnapped both her and Li Caiyi.
Compared to her, an unfavored legal wife, kidnapping Li Caiyi seemed more effective.
Su Qi smiled wryly.
In fact, the kidnappers didn't need to kidnap her at all.
To Huo Tingyun, she held no value whatsoever.
In Huo Tingyun's eyes, there was only his white moonlight.
Su Qi looked coldly at Li Caiyi.
Li Caiyi, seemingly aware that she had been kidnapped, struggled desperately, trying to escape. But all her efforts were in vain. After expending considerable energy, she had moved less than half a meter. Li Caiyi, panting heavily, couldn't help but start crying. However, with the rag stuffed in her mouth, even crying was a luxury and an arduous task.
"Stop crying. Even if you scream your lungs out, no one will come to save you."
It would be best to save your strength.
After all, your Huo Tingyun would be heartbroken if he saw you suffering.
Su Qi finished speaking and closed her eyes to rest.
She didn't know what would happen next, nor whether she would live or die. But no matter what happened, she couldn't control it. It was better to conserve her energy, perhaps finding an opportunity to escape.
In her ears, she heard Li Caiyi's movements. After Su Qi spoke, Li Caiyi struggled for a while before ceasing her struggles. She silently wiped away her tears, then sat pitifully in a corner, looking expectantly at Su Qi.
Su Qi raised her eyelids and saw Li Caiyi looking at her pitifully. She frowned. The sight of the young girl looking so pathetic made her heart ache.
The distance between them was not far. Su Qi lifted her chin and said, "Come here, I'll help you remove the rag."
Li Caiyi then shuffled her body over to Su Qi's side.
Her face and hair were covered in dust. Fortunately, it was winter, and she was wearing long sleeves and pants. However, her exposed hands and feet were scraped and bleeding.
Su Qi turned around, brought her hands close to Li Caiyi's lips, then grabbed the rag and pulled the cloth out of Li Caiyi's mouth.