C19 Begging for Help from His Disciple

Ye Fann had been recovering from his injuries for the past few years. He was almost healed, but today's ordeal set him back by at least a few months. In his desperate attempt to break free from the ropes, he pushed himself to the limit, gritting his teeth and using every ounce of strength he had.

As soon as he stepped out of the hotel, he suddenly coughed up blood and collapsed. Xinying quickly caught him, her eyes filled with worry. "Ye Fann, are you okay? I'll take you to the hospital right away."

"No need," Ye Fann shook his head, his face pale as he forced himself to stay upright. "I'm... I'm fine. Just need to rest a bit. Let's... let's go home."

Xinying was still concerned and insisted on going to the hospital, but Ye Fann was adamant. Reluctantly, she helped him back home.

Once home and lying in bed, Ye Fann felt his energy and blood churning, even his breathing became labored.

"Ye Fann, please listen to me and go to the hospital," Xinying urged him again.

The hospital was not an option; it wouldn't help. Ye Fann picked up a pen and paper, scribbling down a prescription, and handed it to Xinying. "Herbal medicine, to balance energy and blood."

"Alright, I'll get the medicine right away." Without questioning how Ye Fann knew about herbal remedies, Xinying rushed out to get the herbs.

Shortly after Xinying left, Ye Fann remembered something: Where was Yong?

Earlier, he remembered that Chung Dafu had called Huang Yong to join him at the hotel, but Huang Yong didn't go, right? Later, Ye Fann learned from Xinying that Huang Yong did go but left Xinying alone at the hotel entrance and ran off.

Ye Fann took a deep breath, clenching his teeth and fists, determined to find a chance to deal with this reckless person. Just then, Wang Ying burst in. "Xinying, where's your brother? It's late, and he hasn't come back for dinner. I can't reach him on the phone."

Before Xinying could respond, Wang Ying's gaze swept over to Ye Fann lying on the bed. Her brow furrowed, and her expression darkened. "When did you get in here? And you have the nerve to just lie there? Do you think you're some kind of young master?"

"Mom, what are you doing? Ye Fann is hurt; he has to lie down."

"Hurt? He just drank too much and spent the night at the door! Get up and find Huang Yong to come back for dinner, now!" Wang Ying shouted.

Ye Fann didn't react much, but Xinying frowned, about to argue with Wang Ying when her phone suddenly rang.

It was Huang Yong calling.

"Sis, help me, help me, sis—" Huang Yong's voice was filled with terror and urgency as soon as the call connected.

Xinying was still processing when Wang Ying snatched the phone. "Son? Son, where are you? What happened to you, son?"

“Mom? Mom, help me, I’ve been kidnapped—”

Huang Yong's voice suddenly turned into a scream.

Wang Ying stood frozen in shock when another man's voice came through the phone: “If you want him back, have a hundred thousand dollars ready in cash, or you’ll be collecting a body.”

The line went dead, leaving the room in a heavy silence.

Ye Fann frowned deeply; he thought he recognized the man's voice. If he was right, it was the guy from the coffee shop yesterday.

That man's son had lifted Ye Jing's skirt, and in her embarrassment and anger, she slapped the boy. The man then attacked Ye Jing, pinning her to the ground and beating her until Huang Yong stumbled upon the scene. Huang Yong grabbed a chair and smashed it over the boy's head, knocking him out cold.

The man, prompted by Ye Fann, took his son to the hospital. And now, was he seeking revenge by kidnapping Huang Yong?

“You went out with your brother this morning. What happened? How did it come to this?” Wang Ying suddenly shouted at Huang Xinying, breaking Ye Fann’s train of thought.

But Huang Xinying looked just as bewildered. She had no idea what had happened.

“Speak up!” Wang Ying pushed Huang Xinying in her frustration. “Huang Xinying, that’s your brother! What did you do to him?”

“Mom, I…”

"Is it you?" Wang Ying suddenly stared at Ye Fann. "It's your gambling debt, isn't it? Your gambling debt has dragged my family into this mess with Huang Yong."

With that, Wang Ying grabbed Ye Fann and pulled him up. "Go find him. Hurry up and bring Huang Yong back to me. Go on, get moving!"

Ye Fann didn't even have time to take his medicine before Wang Ying shoved him out the door. "If you can't find Huang Yong, don't bother coming back!"

Immediately after, Wang Ying pushed Xinying out as well. "You go find him too. Don't come back until you do!"

With a loud bang, Wang Ying slammed the door shut.

Ye Fann felt a headache coming on, and he was weak. He leaned against the wall, struggling to stand.

Xinying frowned, biting her lip as she helped steady Ye Fann. "I'm sorry, I... I..."

Xinying looked like she was about to cry, not knowing what to say.

Ye Fann gave a wry smile and shook his head. "It's okay. Let's go find Huang Yong."

"But what about your health..."

"That's why we need to find someone to help."

Xinying looked startled. "Who can we ask for help?"

Ye Fann gently pinched Xinying's cheek. "Don't worry about it. Go to work. I'll handle finding Huang Yong."

After some persuasion, Ye Fann managed to send Xinying on her way. There were some things he still didn't want her to know.

At the entrance of the neighborhood, Ye Fann watched as Xinying got into a cab heading to work. He pulled out his phone and made a call. "Hey, can you do me a favor?"

"Who are you? And who said I'm your apprentice?" Xiaoshan's voice was full of pride on the other end.

Ye Fann lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled a smoke ring as he gazed at the traffic ahead. "My old injury's acting up, and it's drained my energy. If you don't help me out, I might not make it."

"Huh? What's going on? How did you end up in this state?"

"Come out, and I'll explain in person."

After hanging up, Ye Fann dialed Huang Yong's number.

"Got the money ready so soon?" came the man's voice.

"Just tell me where, and I'll bring the cash to get the person back."

"Alright, but I'm warning you, don't try anything funny, or you'll face the consequences."

Soon, the man sent a location via Huang Yong's text message. It was the Golden Cauldron Group. Was this guy with them? Was his appearance at the coffee shop yesterday just a coincidence, or was he there to track down Yang Hao?

If so, does that mean Yang Hao is already on someone's radar? Could Bi Dadan be behind the Golden Cauldron Group?

No way, he needed to call Yang Min and give him a heads-up, or he might not even know what hit him. Yang Min had left his number yesterday. As Ye Fann was scrolling through his contacts, a sports car sped up and came to a smooth stop right in front of him.

In the car, Xiaoshan gestured for him to get in.

Before long, they arrived at the Golden Cauldron Group.

"Remember, no showing yourself and no killing. Just make sure I get out alive," Ye Fann instructed Xiaoshan before stepping out.

Xiaoshan gave a mischievous smile. No killing? Where's the fun in that?