After The Honest Person Was Discovered For Simultaneously Pursuing Three People - Chapter 96

Chapter 96: Oh No

“Who?”

Zhao Yi didn’t trust the call because the voice wasn’t from anyone he knew. But since the call was made despite knowing his conflict with Zhao Jingqun, its purpose was naturally to ignite a fight. Would this person ultimately profit from it?

He didn’t know, and Zhao Yi didn’t want to be a pawn who did someone else’s bidding. Just as he was about to end the call, the person on the other end “giggled.” The voice, filtered through the phone, had an unreal, bewitching quality.

A moment later, the laughter stopped: “…Weren’t you always looking for his weakness? Go to Haizhou. He’ll give you a big surprise.” With that, before Zhao Yi could reply, the call was disconnected.

The idea of finally driving Zhao Jingqun out won over, and Zhao Yi secretly sent people to Haizhou to gather information. Just as the mysterious call had said, he was extremely and pleasantly surprised to find Zhao Jingqun’s weakness.

It was the young man in front of him, Tao Ning, whose clothes were soaked in blood. He looked like he could be squeezed to death with one hand and was completely defenseless.

When his subordinates found Zhao Jingqun’s whereabouts and, by following the clues, discovered Tao Ning, Zhao Yi’s heart trembled with excitement. The message said that Zhao Jingqun and Tao Ning were seen entering and leaving places together daily, and their relationship seemed extremely close, possibly a couple.

Some of his confidantes thought the news was unreliable, believing that a cold-blooded person like Zhao Jingqun wouldn’t leave such a weakness during a power struggle, especially not a man.

Initially, Zhao Yi was also skeptical until the person he sent sent him a high-definition photo. In the picture, Zhao Jingqun was arranging the young man’s hair. The two weren’t kissing or hugging like typical couples, so not much intimacy could be seen.

If someone else were to look at it, they would only think they were ordinary friends.

But Zhao Yi had been fighting with Zhao Jingqun for so many years. With just one look, he was certain of their unknown, secretive, and obscure relationship. It was the first time Zhao Yi had seen Zhao Jingqun’s bizarrely cold mask show a hint of tenderness. Just the action of fixing his hair revealed too much love in his eyes.

This realization both disgusted and exhilarated Zhao Yi. Because this alone was enough to be fatal to Zhao Jingqun! After waiting for so many years, he could finally threaten and even bring down Zhao Jingqun.

What would the arrogant Zhao Jingqun look like when he was regretful and in pain? Zhao Yi was filled with anticipation because it would surely be an incredibly satisfying and spectacular sight.

Pulling his thoughts from his memories, Zhao Yi’s vulture-like gaze slowly fell on the person tied to the chair. He hooked his finger under Tao Ning’s chin and examined him carefully. Seeing the face up close, he had to admit, it was a face favored by the creator.

Even as the person was tied to a chair, the young man’s body already hinted at a young adult’s tall and lean physique. Blood had soaked his clothes, and crystal clear water droplets dripped from his dark hair, stopping on his thick, long eyelashes. Then, as if unable to bear the weight of these precious pearls, they turned into tears, sliding down his pale cheeks and into the gaps between his fingers.

It was a breathtaking beauty, like a butterfly with a broken wing. But when those eyes lifted, what was more startling than the beauty was the calmness in them, as if they had been washed by lake water, and no one could stir their ripples.

Even the self-serving Zhao Yi couldn’t help but show a glimmer of amazement in his eyes, but this amazement was quickly replaced by disgust because such a look reminded him of Zhao Jingqun.

That trash’s gaze was always like that. He was clearly a low-class scumbag, always smiling playfully, yet his eyes always held a look of contempt and mockery, as if he didn’t care about anyone.

Why? Why did Zhao Jingqun deserve that?!

Suppressing his anger, Zhao Yi suddenly retracted his hand and sneered, “It’s better that you don’t know. Blame that scumbag Zhao Jingqun for messing with something he shouldn’t have, and you, for being unlucky enough to catch his eye. I went through a lot of trouble to invite you here. Of course, it’s not to serve you with good food and tea. I’ll call Zhao Jingqun later, and you—”

He leaned closer to the person who remained calm the entire time, showing a disdainful smile. “You’ll honestly tell him to transfer all the shares and project proposals under his name to me. Three days later, I want to see those legally endorsed documents. Otherwise, he can wait to collect your corpse from the ground floor.”

While he was speaking, Tao Ning was already being pulled up from the chair. Zhao Yi pushed him towards the edge of the rooftop. The surroundings were filled with abandoned fire hydrants and construction materials. Tao Ning stumbled, and his upper body was forcefully pressed against the old railing, forcing him to look down.

They were in a wilderness. Judging by the surroundings, it should be a remote suburb. The height of fifteen stories, dozens of meters, was dizzying. Everything on the ground looked incredibly tiny. Just standing at the edge of the railing was enough to make his legs tremble. The glaring sunlight shone on this lifeless, abandoned building, but he couldn’t feel any warmth, only a bone-chilling cold.

Because of excessive blood loss, coupled with being high in the air, Tao Ning was already sweating profusely. His collar was pulled back. He could already piece together a complete story from the information he’d gotten from Zhao Yi. Zhao Jingqun had told him about his childhood, how he was born into a wealthy family but was abducted by human traffickers as a child. His life was tough, and he was forced to collect protection money before being taken back by the Zhao family.

This Zhao Yi… must feel that Zhao Jingqun took something from him after returning to the Zhao family. So, he held a grudge, which is why he was now demanding that he tell Zhao Jingqun to prepare those documents.

Tao Ning couldn’t help but let out a soft moan. When he was tied back to the cold metal chair, he said blandly, “Do you think Zhao Jingqun would give up so much for me? Why? Where did you get your information?”

He looked at Liu Yuliang, who was hiding behind the others.

“From Liu Yuliang? Then you must have misunderstood. He has always had a grudge against me and even spread rumors about me. Now he’s helping you capture me and bring me here, which shows how bad our relationship is. Do you believe what a person who has a grudge against me and doesn’t know my life says? Zhao Jingqun stayed at my home during a trip. Later, I happened to run into him while I was studying in Haizhou. We became friends. That’s it… If you think I can persuade him to give up the wealth he has managed for years, you think too highly of me.”

Seeing Zhao Yi’s frown deepen, his expression showed a hint of wavering. Tao Ning continued, “If you don’t believe that Liu Yuliang and I are enemies, you can go ask the academic affairs office at Ockstent. They know the whole story.”

Zhao Yi looked at Liu Yuliang, who was hiding in the crowd like a quail. Feeling the gazes coming from all directions, Liu Yuliang stammered, “I… I didn’t… I didn’t!”

In fact, Liu Yuliang had already started to regret it. After all, he was just a regular student who had never seen something like kidnapping or murder. Not long ago, he was filled with resentment and anger after being advised to withdraw from Ockstent. He secretly vented all his hatred on Tao Ning, feeling that if it weren’t for Tao Ning, he wouldn’t have been expelled and would still be a good student praised by everyone.

So, it was all Tao Ning’s fault!!

Just as Liu Yuliang was stalking Tao Ning, trying to figure out how to get revenge, he overheard these people’s conversation at a store near Ockstent, discussing how to subtly capture Tao Ning. That’s when Liu Yuliang knew his opportunity had come.

Holding the grudge that he must teach Tao Ning a lesson, Liu Yuliang stepped forward and said, “I know how to get him.”

Because he had been following him for a long time, Liu Yuliang discovered that someone was secretly protecting Tao Ning. So he devised a plan. He would wear his unreturned Ockstent school uniform to approach that person and stall for time, while the others would find a way to lure Tao Ning away.

Liu Yuliang naively thought that Tao Ning had offended some thugs, and these thugs just wanted to capture him and teach him a lesson. But only now did he realize that things were far more complicated. These people wanted to take Tao Ning’s life! He just wanted to teach Tao Ning a lesson, not take his life. If he committed a crime, his life would be ruined…

He began to feel scared and terrified, so he didn’t even dare to raise his head the entire time. Now, hearing Tao Ning point him out, Liu Yuliang was so frightened that he became incoherent. “I didn’t… I really didn’t…”

Seeing Liu Yuliang’s cowardice, Zhao Yi looked at him with contempt. He suddenly realized something, and his cold gaze fell back on Tao Ning. “Are you stalling for time? I’m warning you, don’t play any tricks.”

“I’m just telling you the truth,” Tao Ning said. “If you don’t believe me, you can ask one more person.”

“…” Zhao Yi looked at him coldly but didn’t tell him to shut up.

“Zhao Jingsui.”

Tao Ning said, “She was also present when Zhao Jingqun visited my hometown. You can go ask her. Zhao Jingqun and I are just ordinary friends.” Thankfully, their interactions in Huangmeng Village were very discreet, and Zhao Jingsui didn’t have much contact with them. She shouldn’t have known about that relationship.

Even if she did, Zhao Jingsui was Zhao Jingqun’s biological sister… she probably wouldn’t say anything. Suddenly, a flash of insight struck him.

Oh no, Tao Ning thought.

Sure enough, Zhao Yi’s expression suddenly changed. He also seemed to have thought of something. Under Tao Ning’s somewhat tense gaze, he made a phone call. The phone rang a few times and then was answered.

A gentle female voice came from the other end. Her voice sounded like she was a tender and frail girl. “Brother, what’s wrong?”

Zhao Yi got straight to the point. “Did you make that call? Zhao Jingsui, you better tell me the truth.”

The person on the other end was silent for a moment, then a clear, melodious laugh came from the phone. “Brother Zhao Yi, you’re so smart. You actually guessed it. So, are you happy with the surprise I gave you?” However, the words didn’t sound like a compliment at all, especially the ‘smart’ part, which had an undeniable hint of mockery.

Zhao Yi immediately said furiously, “Zhao Jingsui, are you fucking using me?!”

Zhao Jingsui chuckled softly, her tone still gentle. “How could I… Brother, good luck.” After hanging up, her phone received a text message and a few pictures.

Miss, Zhao Yi is demanding that Zhao Jingqun prepare the documents within three days. The specific time is still TBD. These are the pictures of Tao Ning tied to the chair.

She raised an eyebrow and replied: Very good. Have someone ambush them on the road in advance. After you succeed, no matter what it takes, make it look like Zhao Yi did it.

The person replied with some hesitation: …Miss, what if Zhao Yi suddenly exposes you?

Upon seeing this text, Zhao Jingsui didn’t want to bother replying, but because she was in a good mood today, she replied patiently: Don’t worry. He cares about his reputation. He won’t say anything. Even if he does, I only told him that Zhao Jingqun was in Haizhou, and by then, it would be too late anyway.

She was just a weak girl who knew nothing. How could they blame her?

After doing all this, Zhao Jingsui calmly dialed Zhao Jingqun’s number. She called several times in a row, and as expected, the call didn’t go through. She then sent a text message to Sun Lao Er: Brother Sun, Brother Zhao Yi recently asked me where Brother Jingqun was, and I told him. Did you two have a fight…

After sending it, Zhao Jingsui smiled slightly, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes; it was cold and devoid of emotion. Just then, someone rushed over and hugged her arm, complaining, “Why are we in Haizhou again? It’s not fun here. It’s so boring.”

Zhao Jingsui’s coldness instantly vanished. She sighed helplessly and stroked He Niannian’s soft hair.

Looking at her innocent and playful face, her eyes showed a hint of warmth. She bent her eyes and said, “I’m taking you to watch a show. Okay, let’s go eat.” After a thought, she added: “Don’t run around these days. Stick close to me.”

“Ah? Why?”

Zhao Jingsui smiled: “I’m afraid you’ll get lost.”

Support