C22 Ten Million Yuan

The thought alone sent shivers down her spine.

Lately, her husband's infidelity had left her feeling weary of life, but now, confronted by these ruthless criminals, she had an epiphany. Infidelity? Job dissatisfaction? Weight issues? Those were trivial in comparison.

To be alive was the greatest gift of all!

"Just release me, and I'll pay whatever you demand."

Shen Bingzhen offered this deal in a bid to placate the four kidnappers.

In this dire situation, preserving her life was paramount; wealth was inconsequential.

"This lady is a piece of work. Needs a good beating to straighten out," the tattooed man sneered, taking a drag of his cigarette. "We're not asking for much. Tell your husband to round up five million in unmarked bills. He's got two days, and no police. If he fails, we'll make good on our threats."

"Five million in cash, in just two days? It's impossible to come up with that kind of money so quickly!" Shen Bingzhen protested.

As a bank manager, she understood the financial reality of her compatriots all too well.

Many might be worth over five million yuan, but few had that amount in liquid cash. For most, their wealth included assets like property, stocks, and investments.

Her husband, a modest developer, couldn't possibly procure such a sum at short notice.

Moreover, there was the painful truth that he had been unfaithful; their marriage was in name only, devoid of affection.

She doubted he would come to her rescue.

"Your husband's a big shot in the local real estate scene. How can he not afford it? Cut the crap. If he doesn't deliver in two days, prepare to meet your end here," the tattooed man menaced.

The demand for five million yuan wasn't plucked from thin air; it was the result of careful deliberation and discussion.

Before the kidnapping, Old Zhao, the group's "strategist," had thoroughly researched Shen Bingzhen's husband's business dealings and knew he had recently come into a significant cash windfall.

"It's truly impossible. He's just a small-time developer; he doesn't have that kind of cash on hand. Please, you must reconsider the timeframe," Shen Bingzhen implored desperately.

She was filled with regret.

Had she heeded the advice of the self-proclaimed divine diviner, Chiang Hao, she wouldn't be in this predicament. The thought brought Chiang Hao's sharply contoured face to her mind's eye.

Could he have predicted or discovered that she'd been abducted?

She clung to the hope that Chiang Hao would come to her rescue.

And if he did, she vowed to thank him earnestly.

"Don't worry too much. I've done my homework. Your husband's properties have been selling like hotcakes, bringing in a hefty sum of cash," Elder Zhao said, attempting to soothe Shen Bingzhen's pallid complexion.

"Even if he could scrape together that much money, he wouldn't spend five million to ransom me," Shen Bingzhen stated icily.

There was a time, early in their love or during the depth of their affection, when she was certain her husband would have saved her.

But those days of affection were long gone.

Who would spend five million to save someone they no longer cared for?

"If he doesn't pay up, then you're dead! And just so you know, I'm Zhao Haoran, the A-class wanted criminal plastered all over the internet, also known as 'Mouse,'" the tattooed man threatened, believing Shen Bingzhen was reluctant to pay.

"Why?" Elder Zhao asked, bewildered by the despair in Shen Bingzhen's eyes.

"We've been out of love for ages. He's been wanting a divorce. The only reason it hasn't happened yet is to avoid upsetting our daughter before her college exams. We agreed to wait until after she's done, then we'll split," Shen Bingzhen explained, her voice devoid of hope.

In that moment, she recalled the bitter words exchanged during past arguments with her husband, convincing her even more that he wouldn't come for her.

She feared this time, she might truly meet her end here.

"I see," Elder Zhao murmured, nodding with a sense of understanding before quickly adding, "But remember, 'For every day of marriage, there's a hundred days of grace.' He might just come through for you out of the love you once shared."

He had looked into Shen Bingzhen's husband's finances and her usual routes, stolen a taxi, posed as a driver, and fitted his phone with a tracker. He thought he had covered all bases, yet he had failed to uncover this crucial piece of information.

With the situation having taken such an unexpected turn, all he could do was hope that Shen Bingzhen's husband would remember their marital bond and come up with the money to save her.

"Old Zhao, what's our next move? Are we not getting the money now?" the tattooed man asked, his voice tinged with desperation.

After a month of planning, to be faced with this predicament was making him restless and uneasy.

"Redhead, call her husband," Elder Zhao commanded.

Without hesitation, the redhead youth pulled out his phone and made the call. He was reaching out to an outsider, and soon enough, an irritated voice answered, "Hello, who's this?"

"Your wife is with us. You have two days to come up with five million yuan, or else we'll take drastic measures," the redhead threatened grimly.

"Who's with you? That bitch Shen Bingzhen?" To his shock, a chuckle came through from the other end.

Stunned, the redhead glanced at Shen Bingzhen and continued, "Yes, your wife, Shen Bingzhen, is in our hands. Get the money fast if you want her back. And just so you know, we're professionals. Call the cops, and we won't hesitate to act."

"Well, look at that, you have the nerve to kidnap her. I'm calling the cops right now to have you thrown behind bars. Haha, enjoy your time in prison!"

The man's laughter boomed from the phone, followed by a woman's curious voice, "Who's that, and why are you calling the police?"

"My wife, Shen Bingzhen, has been kidnapped. They want five million, or they'll follow through with their threat. Haha... I'm reporting it now. Let them do their worst. I've been dreading the day Shen Bingzhen would demand her share of our assets, but this? It's like a gift from above," the man explained with glee.

"That Shen Bingzhen, always causing trouble. She's getting what she deserves!" the woman said cheerfully.

"If they go through with it, I'll inherit everything and even claim insurance. Hahaha..."

"How much money are we talking about?"

"Shen Bingzhen had the priciest life insurance policy. If she dies, the insurance company will pay out at least ten million! That's way more than I make with my company. It's just fantastic, mmm..."

"Ugh, how annoying, haha."

...

The four kidnappers were dumbfounded!

They had never encountered a husband quite like this.

After so many years of living together, even if the love had faded, who would harbor such a strong desire for their wife's death?

Their spirits sank. The meticulously orchestrated kidnapping had come to an absurd and unexpected conclusion!