novelraw Chapter 382: Abducted
Chapter 382: Abducted
Given the abundance of government officers on the streets, Skinny didn’t dare to leave Yan Guan Town easily.
They had already set up a base in a secluded area of Yan Guan Town.
The carriage wobbled through two deserted streets and stopped in an empty courtyard.
The two kidnappers took Man Er and the others into the courtyard and then retreated into the house.
Mrs. Jiang hung the lantern on the beam, and the room lit up.
Then, the fat kidnapper dragged Chun Wang into the house.
When Man Er and the others saw Chun Wang with a gag in his mouth and his hands bound, thrown to the ground, they shuddered in fear.
"All of you be honest," the skinny one said threateningly to Man Er and the four children.
Tears welled up in Duo Er’s eyes, about to cry.
Man Er patted Duo Er’s small hand and said, "Don’t be afraid, sister, don’t be afraid. We’re going to the city now."
Then she turned and said, "We’ll behave. Didn’t you say you’re taking us to the city? Why are we here?"
Mrs. Jiang chuckled and said, "Yes, we’re taking you to the city. We’ll stay here for the night and leave tomorrow."
This little fool is obviously a spoiled girl from a wealthy family turned into a naive sweet girl.
No vigilance against strangers.
Man Er showed an excited expression, holding Xiao Long in one hand and Duo Er in the other, saying, "We’re going to the city! That’s great! Tomorrow the school opens, and I don’t have to go. I hate writing and reading."
Mrs. Jiang frowned slightly and said, "You’re a girl, and you attend school? Who are you trying to fool?"
Man Er said innocently, "My dad says only by studying can I do big business and make big money."
The two kidnappers exchanged a glance.
What kind of family lets their daughter attend school?
In this light, the family’s condition is even better than they imagined.
Mrs. Jiang glared at the two kidnappers and cursed, "What’s wrong with you two, don’t bring trouble to my plan or else."
Skinny protested, "Yan Guan Town is already the wealthiest place in Pingchuan County. Any rich family can cough up a thousand pieces of silver, especially a family that dotes on their children. They’re willing to pay anything."
The fat kidnapper said, "If we take them to Shengjing and something happens on the way, we’re busted. Better to get some silver in hand than nothing. We should extort them for a huge sum now."
Mrs. Jiang scolded, "Are you blind? Didn’t you see the government officers everywhere? If we get caught, there’s no escape. Don’t just focus on the silver right in front of you and forget the risk. We’re in this for the long haul."
Skinny and the fat kidnapper, when they heard about the officers, didn’t dare to speak.
But in their hearts, they felt indignant.
Why should they work hard capturing kids, but Mrs. Jiang gets to decide everything?
How much silver would they get by bringing these kids to Shengjing?
According to their thinking, if they sent a message to these kids’ families, they would at least pocket a thousand pieces of silver.
As for the officers, they wouldn’t stay in Yan Guan Town forever.
Once the coast is clear, they would send a message for ransom.
If the families dared to report to the authorities, they’d kill the kids.
"We’ll stay here for the night and go to the city tomorrow. I’m going to make a fire, it’s freezing," Mrs. Jiang said as she left.
Man Er and Xiao Long, together with Duo Er and Yaozu, huddled together at the wall base.
Fortunately, their households dressed them in thick clothes before the lantern exhibit, so they didn’t feel cold now.
The fat kidnapper observed the children and asked Man Er with a smile, "Little girl, are all of you from the same family?"
Man Er held Xiao Long and said, "He’s my real brother."
Pointing at Yaozu and Duo Er, "He’s my uncle’s son, and the little sister’s grandfather is the village chief."
The two kidnappers’ eyes lit up at the mention of the village chief.
Yan Guan Town is wealthy; how can the village chief’s family lacks money?
Skinny asked, "How many boys are in your family?"
Man Er replied, "Just these two."
Skinny smiled.
He believed if he controlled these two boys, he could extort money from their family.
The fat kidnapper wanted more information about their family and asked, "Where does your family live, and what do they do?"
Yaozu licked a candy and said, "Which home do you mean? Sometimes I live in Yan Guan Town, sometimes in the city. My family sells porcelain, using big ships to sell them overseas."
Man Er and Xiao Long looked at each other in astonishment.
Yaozu was lying.
Isn’t porcelain the business of their aunt’s family?
The big ship business isn’t it the Lu Family’s?
The fat and skinny kidnappers’ faces showed excitement.
They didn’t expect to catch such big fish today.
Having a big ship for overseas trade means a super-rich family.
No wonder Yan Guan Town is known for its wealth; they had come to the right place.
If this family owns ships, they hold the family’s legacy and favored children, which means they control half of the Nie Family’s wealth.
Yaozu licked the candy again and said, "I don’t want to stay here; it’s too cold. I heard you wanted money. Ask my dad; he has money. Oh, by the way, his name is Nie Mingyuan."
Man Er cooperated with Yaozu, "We can’t go. If they find out, they’ll know we’re going to the city for fun."
The fat and skinny kidnappers were overjoyed as if they saw piles of gold coins.
They couldn’t wait until the next day.
No time to lose; they planned to ransom tonight.
Skinny told the fat kidnapper, "Mrs. Jiang stayed with us all night without food. Why don’t you make some food for her?"
The fat kidnapper understood his intention and said, "Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she eats well and gets a good sleep."
They split up to carry out their plan.
Soon only the children were left inside.
Duo Er trembled and said, "Sister Man Er, I want to go home."
Man Er was scared too, but she remembered she was the elder sister, remembered what Tong Huaqiong had taught about staying calm, and reassured Duo Er, "Don’t be afraid, Grandma and the others will surely come to save us."
Man Er wondered if anyone had picked up the wool flower she had dropped.
As she spoke, her small body shook.
Xiao Long supported Man Er and said, "Don’t be afraid, with me here, no need to fear."
Yaozu couldn’t hold back anymore, tears streaming, "You don’t even know kung fu."
Xiao Long didn’t speak, pressing his lips tight.
He believed that his uncle would see the signs he left.
"Yaozu, why did you say your dad is my uncle?" Man Er quietly asked.
Yaozu said, "I figured they want money from our family. Since Qinghe Bay is too far, I said it was Auntie’s house."
Man Er tapped Yaozu’s forehead, "You’ve gotten smarter."
The door creaked open, and Mrs. Jiang came in, carrying a hot stove.
The four kids huddled together, with Man Er’s head leaning on Xiao Long like she was about to sleep.
Man Er was going to the storage space to get the chili water.
This chili water Grandma had her pour into small bottles, giving one to Auntie and one to Auntie Xiao Cao, saying it’s for spraying at bad people.