Seeing Mountain Chickenâs reaction, Loli, as a police officer, could already tell that Mountain Chicken was lying; there must be someone behind him directing his actions.
She also wanted to know who this person was, so bold to hire someone for a kidnappingâthis was a serious crime, and she absolutely wouldnât let such a despicable criminal slip by.
But can Lin Fanâs method really lure out the mastermind behind this?
Ring ring ring...
At that moment, a phone rang.
"Oh?" Lin Fan frowned. The ringing wasnât from the phone belonging to Mountain Chicken in his hand but from his own phone!
Lin Fan fished his phone out of his pocket and saw it was an unknown caller, but it didnât match the only number on Mountain Chickenâs phone.
"A surprise indeed." Lin Fan smiled and glanced at Anna.
Anna then kicked Mountain Chicken hard on the forehead, knocking him out. Mountain Chicken had intended to alert his accomplices as soon as the call connected, but now his plan fell through.
Seeing Annaâs ruthlessness, Loli broke out in a cold sweat. As a police officer, she ought to have stopped such behavior, but Anna had no intention of respecting her authority and left her with no choice.
Anna had a background in security and had been a mercenary as well, so her methods naturally differed from the police; she wouldnât shy away from using any necessary means against enemies.
Once Mountain Chicken was out cold, Lin Fan answered the phone and put it on speaker.
"Hello, whoâs this?" Lin Fan asked.
A manâs voice came from the other end: "Mr. Lin, itâs me, Wei Jisheng."
Wei Jisheng!
Loliâs expression changed. Wasnât Wei Jisheng the eldest son of the Wei Family, the richest man in Jiangnan?
Could the mastermind behind Lin Shanshanâs kidnapping really be Wei Jisheng?
Lin Fan said coldly, "Wei Jisheng, what do you want from me?"
Wei Jisheng laughed: "Nothing much, just wanted to discuss something with you, Mr. Lin. Wonder if youâd do me the honor; Iâm waiting at the usual spot."
He referred to the place they last met.
Lin Fan said, "Sorry, Iâm busy. If youâve got something to say, just say it!"
Wei Jisheng laughed: "Mr. Lin, you better come by. What I have to say will surely interest you, or else youâll regret it."
Lin Fan pondered for a moment, then said, "Fine, but donât waste my time."
He hung up the phone right after.
"You stay here and wait for me. Iâll be quick," Lin Fan said.
Loli said, "Lin Fan, isnât it too coincidental that Wei Jisheng is calling you now? Could Wei Jisheng be the mastermind?"
Lin Fan replied, "I donât know."
With that, Lin Fan turned and walked out.
Near Yun City Music Academy, on the rooftop of an international hotel, by the poolside, Wei Jisheng sat smoking on a rattan chairâalmost identical to the last time he met Lin Fan.
At this moment, Wei Jisheng had the demeanor of someone who had Lin Fan in the palm of his hand, calmly waiting for him to show up, knowing that Lin Fan would be interested in what he had to say over the phone.
Sure enough, Lin Fan arrived.
Wei Jisheng smiled strategically. It seemed that Lin Fan was still unaware of his sisterâs kidnapping. Mountain Chicken had done well this time, successfully abducting Lin Shanshan without drawing attention.
This was exactly the task he had handed to Mountain Chicken that day.
Mountain Chicken couldnât refuse because refusal would mean a dead end, naturally. Even doing this was a dead end; once caught by the police, he could spend his life in prison, and if Lin Fan took revenge via the Yun City underground, he would certainly die. Though refusing would mean an immediate death.
"Mr. Lin, whoâd have thought weâd meet again so soon?" Wei Jisheng stood up willingly, laughing heartily.
Lin Fan said lightly, "Iâm here already. Say what you have to say!"
Wei Jisheng said, "Mr. Lin should have heard, right? Our Wei Family was summoned for a talk by the Yun City Government recently. A short video accusing us of monopoly has gone viral, and the public is condemning us. My father has already gone to the government as requested."
Lin Fan said, "Thatâs your Wei Familyâs business; whatâs it got to do with me?"
Wei Jisheng chuckled: "Isnât this Mr. Linâs handiwork? Remember last time, when you left, you challenged our Wei Family? Also, Iâve heard you visited the Yun City Government. Mr. Lin has really gone through great lengths to thwart our Wei Family."
By the end, Wei Jishengâs face darkened, revealing his inner fury.
The Wei Familyâs community group buying project was the first major project upon coming to Yun City. Wei Tiansheng placed great importance on it because it was the foundational project to establish a foothold in Yun City. Moreover, this project was handed over to Wei Jisheng. If Wei Jisheng could manage this project well, he would pass the test and inherit the Wei Family.
Originally, the project was progressing smoothly, but Lin Fanâs appearance caused several setbacks, and now it was facing a major crisis, with even Wei Tiansheng himself being summoned for a talk by the Yun City Government!
How could Wei Jisheng not be furiousâhe wanted to kill Lin Fan.
Now, Wei Jisheng wanted to save the project in his own way.
Lin Fan laughed: "I only did a bit of trivial work, just seeing the despair in the eyes of those farmers and doing what I could to help them. If thereâs nothing wrong with your project, why fear an inquiry from above? If there is a problem, shouldnât you reflect on it?"
Wei Jisheng was livid: "Lin Fan, whose side are you on!"
Lin Fan said with an âohâ: "What do you mean?"
Wei Jisheng said, "You and I are both businessmen, the so-called big capitalists in the words of those at the bottom of society. Our interests are contrary to theirs, and you keep saying youâre helping them. Youâre practically a traitor to our camp!"
Lin Fan said, "Sorry, donât lump me in with you; we were never the same kind of people. You may sacrifice countless common people for your own interests, but I wonât. Plus, you seem to forget that our country isnât a capitalist one; will it let you run wild?"
Unable to argue with Lin Fan, Wei Jisheng snorted coldly: "Enough talk, Lin Fan, you have influence in the Yun City Government, right? I want you to go to the government, see the mayor, and revoke the investigation of our project. Our project must be carried out smoothly!"
Lin Fan said, "Is this your reason for calling me over? The problem is, why should I listen to you?"
Wei Jisheng sneered: "Let me put it this wayâyou better listen to me, or youâll regret it!"
"What do you mean by that? Are you threatening me?" Lin Fan said.
Wei Jisheng said: "Iâve been doing business with my father since I was young and have seen all kinds of situations. Those whoâve offended our Wei Family have never met a good end. This has been my most meaningful conclusion over the years, with no exceptions. Lin Fan, if you oppose us, you wonât be an exception either!"
Lin Fan laughed: "You mean to say, you ordered Mountain Chicken to kidnap my sister? Is that your method of threatening me?"
Wei Jishengâs expression changedâhow did Lin Fan know?
Wei Jisheng immediately regained composure, snorting: "What nonsense are you talking about? I donât know what youâre saying!"
Lin Fan had already taken out his phone and connected a video call with Anna.
He showed the phoneâs screen to Wei Jisheng.
Seeing it, Wei Jisheng was astonished to see Mountain Chicken tied up and fallen on the ground like a dead dogâwhat the hell was going on?