Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 95

Following Jing Cheng’s instructions, Jing Xuan arrived at their agreed meeting point carrying the ransom. It was a small village ferry dock, with two or three fishing boats moored nearby. A man stepped forward and stopped Jing Xuan. “Young Master Jing, sorry, we need to conduct a check.”

Jing Xuan smiled knowingly. “Sure.”

One man scanned Jing Xuan’s entire body with a metal detector, then spoke into his walkie-talkie, “One person, no weapons.” After receiving the confirmation, he respectfully stepped aside and said, “Please,

Young Master Jing.”

Jing Xuan entered calmly and walked on for a while before spotting a speedboat docked by the ferry pier. Further out at sea, an ocean-going fishing vessel was anchored.

“You really are cautious, your master,” Jing Xuan remarked, jumping into the speedboat. The man started the engine. Amid the roaring motor sounds, the boat sped toward the larger ship.

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Qiao Fei and Lan Qing were tied back-to-back, each strapped with a metallic device on their chests emitting a rhythmic beeping. Just yesterday, before the doctor had arrived, Lan Qing was woken and brought here to reunite with Qiao Fei. When Qiao Fei saw her, she was surprised. Had it been under any other circumstances, she would have been overjoyed. But now, all that remained was deep worry.

The two had been confined in this room for a full day, both wearing bombs. Though they had many things to say, neither had the strength to speak.

Silence — a silence as heavy as death. No guards, no passersby. The only sound drifting through the air was that irritating beeping.

“Lan Qing, are you scared?” After a long pause, Qiao Fei softly asked.

“Are you scared, Fei’er?” Lan Qing didn’t answer but mimicked her tone, asking back.

“I am scared. Not of dying, but worried whether Xuan will be in danger.”

“Fei’er, we have to believe that Xuan will come to rescue us. You’ve been missing for so long; your family must be worried, maybe even reported us. Everything will be fine.”

“Lan Qing, don’t try to comfort me. I’m not scared — I’m just worried about Xuan. Jing Cheng has planned this for so long. He said it’s a tooth-for-tooth retaliation, paying off father’s debts through the daughter.

So… I’m afraid Xuan will be in danger.”

Lan Qing exhaled deeply. “Fei’er, listen to me. If, just in case — and I mean if — something happens, you must live well, and carry my share to love her even more.”

“Lan Qing, what are you saying? Xuan and I have broken up — it’s impossible.”

“Silly girl. Just because you broke up doesn’t mean you don’t love her. Fei’er, at this point, life and death is only a moment’s difference. Since we’re not even afraid of death, if there’s a chance, why not follow your heart? That way, even if we die, we won’t have regrets.”

Indeed, at this point, if we can’t follow our hearts, there will be no second chance. Dad, Mom, please forgive Fei’er’s unfilialness.

“Lan Qing, do you have any regrets?”

“Many. I haven’t married Xuan yet. I haven’t seen my sister get married. My biggest regret is refusing a proposal from a fool who once loved me, and pushing her away.”

“Ah! Was that Xuan?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you accept?”

“I don’t know.”

Lan Qing’s slightly melancholic tone made Qiao Fei uncomfortable.

“Lan Qing, you’re really silly.”

“But,” Lan Qing suddenly shifted, “I’m not the silliest person!”

“What?”

“The silliest one broke up right before her lover proposed — just one word short.”

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Qiao Fei fell silent. She saw again Jing Xuan’s forced, brave smile from that night — dazzling yet lonely. She realized she was the stupid one, how could she break up under such circumstances? Xuan must have been heartbroken.

“How is she?” Qiao Fei blurted, instantly regretting it — wasn’t it obvious she couldn’t be well?

“She’s very unwell. Heartbroken, and probably still struggling to rescue us. Fei’er, be strong. It’s all we can do now, and the greatest support for Xuan.”
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Jing Xuan boarded the ship and stood on the second floor’s open platform, looking down at them from above.

She tossed the large hiking backpack from her back to the front. “Here’s what you asked for — it’s all inside. According to your instructions, $10 million in cash, and a $90 million check. Where are my people?”

“Heh, very good.” Jing Cheng signaled his men to bring the money over. One man stepped forward and reached to pick up the bag from the ground, but Jing Xuan swept her leg, knocking him down, and stomped hard on the man’s chest. Jing Cheng’s men quickly drew guns and pointed them at Jing Xuan.

Jing Xuan took a step back, elbowed the man behind him sharply in the nose, then wrestled the gun away and aimed it at Jing Cheng’s head. The entire sequence was clean, precise, and happened in an instant, giving no time for reaction.

“I’ll say it again — where are my people?”

Jing Cheng still wore that arrogant smile and lazily walked down the stairs to Jing Xuan’s side. “I, Jing Cheng, always keep my promises. Your two nieces-in-law — you’ll see them soon enough.”

“Jing Cheng, I advise you not to play games. If you want to mess with me, remember the bullet I gave you in Japan? If you don’t cooperate, this bullet won’t just hit your leg.”

“Looks like I underestimated you!”

“Enough chatter. Where are they?” Jing Cheng squatted, unzipped the hiking bag, and took out a stack of bills, counting them. “They’re at the warehouse in the western suburbs, not on this ship.”

“You!” Jing Xuan lunged forward, grabbed Jing Cheng, and slammed him against the ship’s iron door. “You’re messing with me!”

“I planted a little gift on each of them — just like the one I gave you. They beep too!” Jing Cheng raised his wrist and glanced at his watch. “There’s still half an hour left. Plenty of time. Think about whether you want to go now?”

“You bastard!”

“Watch your words. Your father and I share the same mother!”

“You!” Jing Xuan was furious but couldn’t do much. She kneed Jing Cheng hard in the groin. Jing Cheng’s eyes nearly popped out — totally unexpected. “If anything happens to those two, I’ll make sure you pay with your life!”

Jing Xuan slammed Jing Cheng to the ground and quickly boarded a motorboat, speeding toward the shore.

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Jing Xuan pressed the earphone gently. “Officer Shi, you heard everything — they’re at the warehouse in the western suburbs, and they both have bombs strapped on. I’m heading there now. Please find a bomb disposal expert to assist.”

Before Nianqing had called the police, Lin Hao’s corpse had already been discovered — badly decomposed and missing an ear. By a fortunate coincidence, Nianqing’s report connected many scattered clues, prompting another collaboration between Shi Jiawen and Jing Xuan.

Jing Xuan was equipped with advanced earpiece gear. Ordinary metal detectors wouldn’t find the devices hidden on Qiao Fei and Lan Qing. Now that Jing Cheng’s location was confirmed and the police had started a raid, Jing Xuan was frantic to find Qiao Fei and Lan Qing not on the ship. Jing Cheng’s rogue nature had been underestimated, and Jing Xuan deeply regretted trusting him so easily. Fei’er, Qing, please stay safe!

Hopefully Shi Jiawen will get there soon.

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True to form, Shi Jiawen was efficient. After Jing Xuan landed, she boarded a helicopter and flew toward the western suburbs. As frontline commander, she was nearby and wasted no time; the helicopter sped off toward the warehouse.