Three days later, somewhere at the southwestern borders.
The weather seemed much warmer and the air grew damp and had a fishy smell.
Along the way, they changed their car several times. As for Xiang Wan, she was in a half-dazed state.
She felt all weak and couldn't open her eyes. She was sleepy and couldn't seem to control that urge to fall asleep completely…
She felt that Ye Lun must have tampered with the food.
For she would keep falling asleep.
She didn't know how much time had passed, she didn't have any desire for food. In such a muddled state, she even had several bad dreams.
When she finally woke up, she noticed that the car had stopped by the seaside.
The waves were lapping at the shore, making a lot of sounds. When she looked out of the window, there was even a boat by the shore.
Xiang Wan suddenly realized something and turned to look at Ye Lun who was in the back seat. "What do you want to do?"
Ye Lun showed a smirk on his face. "What do you think? Of course, it's for better cooperation between Captain Cheng and me."
He turned to look at Cheng Zheng with a half-smile. "You know, I couldn't possibly have the equipment that you need… However, I have some friends from abroad who could help. They will provide you with modern scientific research equipment and instruments…"
Cheng Zheng narrowed his eyes coldly. "You're taking me out of the country?"
"Correct!" Ye Lun laughed. "Are you this naive to think that our cooperation could succeed here, under this kind of situation? Even if you believe you can… I don't believe it either."
Cheng Zheng remained silent. "What about Xiang Wan? What are you going to do with her?"
"Don't worry," said Ye Lun, "as long as you produce results, I will release her right away."
Cheng Zheng snorted. "Do you expect me to believe that?"
Ye Lun shrugged. "Of course you can choose not to believe me. However… do you think you have a choice?"
Cheng Zheng replied, "Of course I do."
His tone was so cold that Xiang Wan was startled.
She looked at Cheng Zheng with a puzzled look. Both of his hands and legs were bound. He could only look up and point to the boat parked by the shore. "If I'm not wrong, the friends whom you claimed to have offered help should be those from the overseas triads? What do you think will happen if I refuse to cooperate with you even if it means death for me?… Won't you lose your credibility? You wouldn't get what you want and even land yourself in a more precarious situation!"
Ye Lun scoffed. "Are you provoking me?"
"Everything's now laid clearly before you," said Cheng Zheng, "you know exactly what your circumstances are like."
At this time, Ye Lun was no different from a street rat in the country. The police were hot on his heels. He might have escaped that day but he might not be able to do so tomorrow. During this period, he had it tough as well. Therefore, after losing the trust and help from Heaven's Wrath, he needed another powerful triad to back him up. One would clutch at life-saving straws. It was also the hope of realizing his ambition.
Cheng Zheng and the biochemical dispenser that he brought with him were his bargaining chips to strike a deal with that foreign triad.
And what would happen if he failed in the first round of their cooperation?
Ye Lun sneered. "Tell me then, what should I do to make you believe me?"
Cheng Zheng was expressionless. "Release Xiang Wan and I'll go with you."
Ye Lun's expression changed drastically. "Impossible!"
Cheng Zheng stared at him coldly. "Don't forget, this is my only condition."
There was silence.
A few seconds later, Ye Lun sneered. "How am I going to trust you that you won't go back on your word after I released her?"
"I'm in your hands." Cheng Zheng took a glance at the boat. "If you don't believe me, you can take me to the boat first."
"So you're saying to leave Xiang Wan to Bai Muchuan?"
Cheng Zheng nodded his head. "Correct. But I wouldn't keep my part of the deal until I know she's safe."
Ye Lun gritted his teeth and glared at Cheng Zheng. There was no response from him for a long time.
This was because the riskiest person in this deal was him.
But now, he was in a dilemma.
"Cheng Zheng, you're setting me up? In the beginning, you agreed to whatever I say. Now that I've prepared everything, you're not okay with everything I say?"
"You do have another way out," said Cheng Zheng, "surrender yourself."
"Shut up!" Ye Lun pulled out his gun and pointed at Cheng Zheng's head. "Don't think that I don't dare to kill you!"
The cold body of the gun was pointing right at the forehead, like a venomous snake poised to strike.
Cheng Zheng closed his eyes slowly. "Of course you do, but I bet you wouldn't!"
Hur! Ye Lun sneered. He was so infuriated that he was ready to shoot. That mechanical sound of the bullet being loaded made Xiang Wan gasp in fright. "No!"
Ye Lun turned to look at her then back at Cheng Zheng coldly.
"It's not that I want to kill him. It's he who's forcing me."
"Xiang Wan—" Cheng Zheng said calmly, "He's a smart one. He knew that the moment I leave the country, my value is far greater than yours. The other party wanted someone skilled enough to create the HW gas, not a woman who's linked to the police! Killing her is child's play, which these people would disdain to do… Moreover, as long as you're safe, why would I not want to live? Ye Lun, you should consider this carefully."
"Hurhur! Hurhurhur…"
Child's play huh?
Ye Lun wished he could fire a shot at him right now.
But at this point, Cheng Zheng's blackmail was very effective.
In these few minutes while they were talking, the men on board the boat had already called out to them twice.
It was easy to attract attention if the boat stopped there for too long. Nobody wanted to get caught by the police…
Ye Lun did not have the ability to face off with the police. He didn't want to offend the overseas triad that he had just sought refuge with. He had been abandoned by Heaven's Wrath, so he had to hold on to Cheng Zheng. However, he didn't want to let Xiang Wan go just like this…
"Alright."
Ye Lun finally agreed as he looked at Cheng Zheng gloomily.
"Deal! Go onboard."
…
Along the shore, the wind blew over along with the waves…
Xiang Wan was brought out of the car, trembling in the cold winds.
She looked at Cheng Zheng's diminishing form, unable to say a word.
This was because Ye Lun had her hands tied and mouth gagged.
She could only look at the few of them walking farther away till nothing could be seen…
…