CHAPTER 171: CHAPTER 170 YANG CHEN IS HERE (2/3)

Wei Qingzhong brought people to Zhao Chengpeng’s home.

Just now, it was Zhao Chengpeng who told him that he could provide so much funding.

"Younger Brother Zhao!" Wei Qingzhong, seeing Zhao Chengpeng, was extremely excited, and took Zhao Chengpeng’s hand, exclaiming, "Brother! I’m really grateful to you! If it weren’t for you, I truly wouldn’t know how to gather this much money."

Zhao Chengpeng solemnly said, "Between us brothers, there’s no need for these courteous words. Whenever you need anything, I’ll definitely help you, especially when it’s for Xueqing."

Zhao Wende frowned at Zhao Chengpeng and asked, "President Zhao, how do you have so much cash?"

"Oh!" Zhao Chengpeng quickly replied, "Let me explain to you all, actually I don’t have seven hundred million in cash."

Wei Qingzhong was taken aback, unable to hide his disappointment.

"But I have gold worth seven hundred million. Because previously, I didn’t know what business to invest in, so I converted it all into gold reserves, which are stored in major banks. I can take out the gold for you," Zhao Chengpeng said.

Gold!

Wei Qingzhong suddenly remembered that Zhao Chengpeng had mentioned this once before. At that time, Zhao Chengpeng had invested heavily in gold and encountered a surge in gold prices. He advised Wei Qingzhong to buy more gold, but Wei Qingzhong didn’t pay much attention. He didn’t expect Zhao Chengpeng to have stored so much gold!

"That’s wonderful! Brother, whatever you need, I can use it as collateral for you." Wei Qingzhong said to Zhao Chengpeng.

At this moment, he was too busy to think too much; he just wanted to rescue Wei Xueqing. He was even willing to sell Shangdong Group.

"Don’t talk to me about these things; I’ll have my agent take you to the bank." Zhao Chengpeng waved his hand.

Upon hearing this, Wei Qingzhong felt immensely grateful and his eyes momentarily turned red.

In the early days, when he and Zhao Chengpeng started the business, during times of failure, Zhao Chengpeng left but never stopped helping him. Later, after the company improved, he returned to help manage the company together.

Now Shangdong Group has reached this scale, and Zhao Chengpeng has contributed greatly.

"Thank you, brother!" Anything more would be excessive, so Wei Qingzhong said only these four words.

Following Zhao Chengpeng’s agent, the group immediately headed to the bank.

Indeed, there were large reserves of gold belonging to Zhao Chengpeng in the bank.

When Wei Qingzhong expressed his intention to transport the gold, the agent produced an agreement and said to Wei Qingzhong, "President Wei, perhaps our President Zhao won’t request any guarantees or collateral from you because your relationship is proof enough. But as an agent, I cannot do this; I must ensure President Zhao’s asset safety, so I’m very sorry, you need to accept this agreement."

Wei Qingzhong looked at the agreement, and his face changed slightly.

Seven hundred million in gold needed to be collateralized with thirty-nine percent of Shangdong Group’s shares.

Given the current value of Shangdong Group, this thirty-nine percent is worth far more than seven hundred million.

However, to save Wei Xueqing, he had to sign this agreement. Apart from Zhao Chengpeng, no one could produce seven hundred million in gold!

Immediately, Wei Qingzhong signed the agreement and instructed the gold to be loaded onto the vehicles.

Before long, the captors called and told Wei Qingzhong the trading location.

...

The East End.

Inside a building yet unfinished.

The security personnel had completed their deployment, and several vehicles loaded with gold were ready.

Now, it’s just waiting to interact with the captors.

Wei Qingzhong wore a bulletproof vest and had miniature listening devices attached on him.

"President Wei, once you go inside, you must comply with the captors’ instructions and try to make them lower their guard; everything should be focused on the hostages’ safety. Once the captors release the hostages, we can take action." Zhao Wende advised Wei Qingzhong.

"Hold on!" a weak voice interjected.

Everyone turned their heads, their eyes widening.

"Yang Chen!"

"Yang Chen!"

"Yang Chen!"

...

The crowd exclaimed in unison.

Ye Xin quickly went up to assist Yang Chen, her face filled with worry, "Aren’t you in the hospital? How did you get out? Your wounds haven’t healed yet, what are you doing out here?"

Seeing Ye Xin’s face full of anxiety and concern, Yang Chen felt warmed and smiled, "I heard your conversation and learned that Wei Xueqing was kidnapped. I’m her bodyguard; I can’t sit idly by!"

"But your wounds haven’t healed yet!" Ye Xin argued.

"That’s right, Yang Chen!" Wei Qingzhong frowned, "Although we mentioned you should protect Xueqing round-the-clock, unexpected events do occur. We never anticipated they would abduct Xueqing at this time, so you don’t need to feel guilty."

Yang Chen shook his head, slowly walked over, and said, "It’s not like that. From the start, they’ve been planning this. They know the easiest target is Chen Siyan, not Wei Xueqing. And if Qian Hai wanted revenge, the best target would be Wei Xueqing, not Chen Siyan. But he ultimately chose Chen Siyan, indicating there’s someone behind this. The purpose is simple—to divert our focus and capture Wei Xueqing!"

Wei Qingzhong secretly nodded, feeling that Yang Chen’s analysis was correct.

"Moreover! They aren’t even after your money!" Yang Chen pointed out the crucial point.

"What?" Wei Qingzhong was startled.

"Why would kidnappers go through such lengths to abduct hostages if they didn’t want money?" Gu Xueqing frowned at Yang Chen.

Yang Chen coldly laughed and said in a low voice, "They’re merely making you gather money; what they want isn’t money. If they truly wanted money, they wouldn’t demand cash but would have you transfer it to an offshore account. Retrieving funds later would be extremely difficult. Now, they demand such a large amount of money, which they can’t even take away. What are they going to do with it?"

He knew these schemes all too well.

Internationally, there are many who operate like this, targeting absolutely secure banks, with someone there waiting. As soon as the funds are deposited, they immediately execute transfers, making recovery impossible.

These actions of demanding large amounts of cash, in Yang Chen’s view, are akin to a death wish!

Wei Qingzhong’s face turned pale; he seemed to realize something terrifying.

"Yang Chen!" Wei Qingzhong grabbed Yang Chen and stared at him, "Then tell me, what are the captors’ intentions? What do they really want? As long as Xueqing can be safe, I don’t need Shangdong Group, even selling all my assets is okay!"

As he spoke, tears streamed down Wei Qingzhong’s face.

At his age, he knows the importance of his children more and is willing to sacrifice everything for them.

Yang Chen shook his head, saying to Wei Qingzhong, "At this point, I won’t comfort you with words anymore. I can only tell you, let me go! As long as I’m there, I’ll fight to protect Wei Xueqing’s safety. If you go, you’ll only add to their hostages!"

"No way!" Ye Xin vehemently opposed, "If someone has to go, it should be me!"

Yang Chen completely ignored Ye Xin’s objection and continued, "Who is the person in charge?"

"I am!" Gu Xijun immediately stood up and asserted confidently.

Zhao Wende pulled Gu Xijun back, saying to Yang Chen, "The person in charge is me!"