• What he saw on the screen—
It was none other than Xiao Si
She was tied to a chair, her hands and face bruised. Xie Lu froze. For a moment, it felt like his entire world tilted off balance—like reality itself shattered. Then, at the end of the pictures, there was…a video. He tapped on it with trembling fingers.
The screen came to life with Xiao Si's voice—"What did I ever do to you? Why are you doing this to me?!"She was crying, her voice breaking with desperation. Before she could say anything—SMACK! A sharp, brutal sound filled the air. One of the men who were in the video slapped her across the face."Shut your mouth and be a good girl!"
The man shouted, "By screaming, this won't help you."
Xie Lu's heart pounded. His fists were clenched. Rage, thick and uncontrollable, flowed through his veins. His entire body trembled with rage. The video ended with Xiao Si crying, whispering—"Please… someone help me…"Her voice was faint, broken, soaked in despair.
And when that final second played, something inside him snapped. His heart shattered into pieces. He couldn't believe what he had just seen. But he knew one thing for sure— Whoever did this was going to pay.
Just as Xie Lu was trying to process the horrendous video, his phone rang. The caller ID displayed the same number that had sent the pictures and the video. With fury flowing through his blood, he picked the phone up and answered, his voice shaking with rage.
"How dare you lay hands on my wife?! With your filthy hands —do you even know who you're messing with?" You've got some guts! His voice rose, nearly shouting. He hadn't been so enraged in years—maybe not ever. On the other end, a survey voice replied smoothly, almost mockingly:
"Oh, C'mon now, Mr. Xie. Relax. I haven't done anything to your wife—yet. But who knows what might happen later…", "You bastard! Why did you kidnap my wife?!" Xie Lu's words caught in his throat.
There was something about that voice… It was familiar. Too familiar.
A chill ran down his spine. And then—It hit him like a flash of lightning. His blood ran cold. No. It couldn't be. But that voice... It was unmistakable now. In a voice eerily calm voice, he asked
"Jin xiōng zhǎng… is that you?" ("xiōng zhǎng" meaning in Chinese older brother) There was a pause, and then the man on the other end laughed." You always were the smart one, weren't you, Xie?"
"Yes, it's your ge speaking.~" His tone was full of amusement as if the whole thing was a twisted joke. The rage in Xie Lu's eyes exploded again."Are you insane?! What the hell are you doing—what could you possibly gain from this?! Let her go! Release her right now!"
"Tsk, tsk. Calm down, little brother," Jin said smoothly. "If I planned on letting her go, I wouldn't have kidnapped her in the first place, now would I?"
"THEN WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT?!"Xie Lu shouted so loudly that his voice echoed throughout the room. His heart was pounding—not just from rage, but also lil fear.
Of course, I want that CEO position of yours simple, as he spoke Xie Lu froze like it hit some kind of moment that he was expecting in the future but he never thought his brother would take his wife hostage and because of him Xiao Si would be in danger..later he was in silent for few moments then spoke up "Are you joking?" he scoff Jin Lu spoke "Don't try to act smart Xie, If you even think about involving the police,"
Jin Lu said coldly, "You can start preparing for your wife's funeral. Her head will be separated from her body—what do you think of that, my dear brother?"Despite being confident and sharp-minded, Xie Lu knew exactly how malicious Jin could be. He had to tread carefully.
He asked, his voice tight with tension, "Would Father even allow me to step down from my position so easily?" Jin let out a low chuckle."Oh, I'll make sure he does. I'll have you resign,' don't worry. I'll make it look like you were the one who is lil"Xie Lu's brows furrowed, a bad feeling rising in his chest.
"What exactly are you planning, Jin Lu?" he asked, slowly.
Jin's voice grew smug, filled with amusement.
"Simple. I'll convince everyone you've gone mentally unstable. That you're not fit to run a company. That you've been suffering in silence, slowly losing your grip on reality, trying to hide it. I'll make it official: Xie Lu, a mentally sick man, unfit to lead." "And then I'll have you committed to a psychiatric facility. While you're locked away, I'll take the CEO seat for myself. After that, if you're lucky, you can come back as an executive… just like me."
- - -
Xie Lu was stunned.
One side was his hard-earned career.
The other… was the woman he loved more than anything.
He had to choose.
And he knew if he delayed, Xiao Si might not live to see tomorrow."Hello?" Jin's voice snapped him back. "Did the call drop?"Xie Lu clenched his teeth."No." His voice was low. "Will she be safe?" "Absolutely. As long as you follow every instruction. Adding once you're officially 'diagnosed' and checked into the hospital, she'll be released."Jin paused, then added in a darker tone, "Unless you'd rather let the boys play with her first… and then dispose of her?"
"DON'T YOU DARE SAY THAT WITH YOUR FILTHY MOUTH!" Xie Lu snapped, voice full of fire.
"Then give me a straight answer! Yes or no?"Silence. Then—
"I'll do whatever it takes to save my wife,"
Xie Lu said, his voice cracking just slightly. Jin laughed."Good boy, I knew that you can't say no. Come to my office tomorrow morning at 9. I'll tell you what to do."Xie Lu swallowed.
"Don't hurt her…and can you let me talk to her. Please."After a pause, Jin agreed.
"Fine. But keep it short."There was a shuffle, and then Xiao Si's voice broke through, sobbing—"Xie! Please help me! I don't know what's happening! I don't wanna stay here—I'm scared"
Hearing her like that shattered him."It's alright. I promise I'll get you out. Even if it costs me everything, I'll save you. Don't cry, okay? I'm coming."
"Xie, I—" she began, but then the phone was snatched away. Jin's voice returned, low and firm."That's enough. Don't try anything smart—or she dies. 9 o'clock sharp. Goodbye."
And just like that—the call ended.