Chapter 16: Chen Xuewen Faces Death
Chen Xuewen’s expression changed drastically as he snatched up the cellphone, noticing several messages on it.
These messages had come from different people.
Among them was one from He Fei, inquiring about Wu Lihong’s whereabouts.
It seemed that after Chen Xuewen took Wu Lihong out of the internet café, He Fei had tried to look for her.
However, He Fei had only sent one message, indicating he wasn’t particularly concerned about Wu Lihong.
Chen Xuewen scrolled to the last message, which was from someone named Zhou Shao.
It read: “Notice to Chen Xuewen: Li Eryong is in my hands!”
Without a doubt, this Zhou Shao was none other than Zhou Hao.
He knew Chen Xuewen had taken Wu Lihong, so he sent this message to Wu Lihong—but in truth, the message was meant for Chen Xuewen.
Chen Xuewen frowned deeply. He hadn’t expected this matter to involve Li Eryong.
After his parents had died, Li Eryong, who had grown up alongside him, was the only person Chen Xuewen regarded as family.
Now Zhou Hao had captured Li Eryong, essentially holding Chen Xuewen’s greatest weakness hostage.
There was no doubt that after Zhou Hao had nearly been assassinated by Chen Xuewen, he bore a grudge and now planned to use Li Eryong to force Chen Xuewen out.
Chen Xuewen held the cellphone thoughtfully for a moment before finally dialing Zhou Hao’s number.
The phone was picked up after only a few rings, and Zhou Hao’s triumphant voice came through: “Hey, old classmate, I thought I couldn’t get in touch with you anymore.”
Chen Xuewen took a deep breath and said gravely, “Zhou Hao, this is between you and me. Li Eryong has nothing to do with it. Let him go!”
Zhou Hao laughed heartily: “Old classmate, that’s no fun to hear.”
“If it weren’t for you, kid, I probably wouldn’t even get a word in.”
“Let him go? How do you expect me to find you then?”
Chen Xuewen gritted his teeth. “What exactly do you want?”
Zhou Hao replied simply, “It’s straightforward.”
“I just want to be a law-abiding citizen and cooperate with the authorities.”
“As long as you obediently turn yourself in and face the law, everything will be fine.”
Chen Xuewen’s brow furrowed tightly. If he fell into the hands of the authorities, he would certainly face the death penalty.
But if he didn’t comply, Li Eryong would be in grave danger.
After a moment’s thought, Chen Xuewen said firmly, “Zhou Hao, don’t forget, Wu Lihong and Zhao Dong are still with me.”
“Zhou Hao, I’ll trade them both for Li Eryong!”
Zhou Hao burst into laughter. “Chen Xuewen, are you out of your mind?”
“What do I care if those two are dead or alive?”
Chen Xuewen’s face turned ashen. He hadn’t expected Zhou Hao to be so heartless.
Beside him, Wu Lihong gave a bitter smile—she had anticipated this outcome long ago.
Chen Xuewen furrowed his brow, his mind racing. He needed to find a way out of this predicament.
Suddenly, he remembered something and said in a low voice, “Zhou Hao, do you really think that if I turn myself in, you’ll get away scot-free?”
“I’ll be honest with you: the autopsy report my father took—there’s a backup copy.”
“That backup is right here in my hands!”
“If you want me to turn myself in, fine!”
“But the consequences? That’s for you to consider.”
These words silenced Zhou Hao instantly.
After a long pause, Zhou Hao sneered, “Chen Xuewen, are you trying to bluff me?”
“If you really had a backup, would you have tried to assassinate me?”
“If you really had a backup, wouldn’t you have reported me already instead of wasting time talking to me?”
Chen Xuewen responded, “Since you don’t believe me, there’s no need for further discussion.”
“I can’t save Li Eryong, but this backup is enough to drag you down with them.”
After saying this, Chen Xuewen hung up.
Not long after, the cellphone rang again—it was Zhou Hao.
Chen Xuewen answered, and Zhou Hao’s voice came through, frantic and angry: “Chen, what… what exactly are you trying to do?”
Chen Xuewen replied coldly, “I want to live.”
Zhou Hao was momentarily stunned. “You… what do you mean?”