Chapter 229: Negotiation

Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=2188414

This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.

"Everyone back off!" Jian Ye pressed the syringe needle against Xi Mo's neck. "Back off! Otherwise, I'll inject it right now!”

Xi Mo held her neck stiff, her breathing was heaving violently.

Everyone present immediately tensed up. Cui Jiayu said sternly,  "Step back," and everyone had no choice but to obey her command and step back.

Cui Jiayu had been aiming at the hand holding the syringe, waiting for a chance to shoot it away. But the needle was too close to the blood vessels in Xi Mo's neck. If the drug went in, it would reach her brain very quickly. By then, even emergency treatment would be too late. She didn't dare take the risk.

At that moment, Jian Ye pulled out a sharp dagger. Cui Jiayu's face changed. She immediately warned everyone about the knife, and the officers she brought shifted their guns to follow it.

"Don't try anything." Jian Ye sneered. "I'm not afraid of anything, not even death. But I know what you're afraid of. Forget her dying, you're even afraid of her getting hurt. She's so precious to all of you. That's why none of you dares to gamble!"

Cui Jiayu said nothing, but she couldn't deny it.

She had handled many cases and seen many cruel and cunning criminals. As long as they valued their own lives, there was hope to stall for time and find an opening. The ones she feared most were lunatics like this, people who feared nothing, like a landmine that could suddenly blow up together with the hostage at any moment.

"Pull your legs in." Jian Ye threatened Xi Mo.

Xi Mo had already been curled up on the floor. She dared not disobey and curled up even tighter, making it easier for Jian Ye's dagger to reach the ropes around her legs.

Ruan Yesheng's voice trembled as she pleaded, "Please don't hurt her... Whatever you want, we'll agree. As long as you don't hurt her... Please don't hurt her."

"Shut up, Ruan Yesheng!" Jian Ye became even more emotional when she saw her. She hissed, "I don't want to hear your voice! Get out! Get away!"

While speaking, one hand kept the syringe against Xi Mo's neck, while the other quickly cut through the ropes around Xi Mo's legs with the dagger. Her eyes never left the people at the doorway.

Ruan Yesheng had never met Jian Ye before. Everything she knew about her came from Xi Mo. She didn't understand why Jian Ye hated her so much. Afraid of provoking her, she immediately fell silent and stepped back two more steps, her eyes fixed on Xi Mo.

Xi Mo trembled even harder, as if she wanted to say something.

Grinding her teeth, Jian Ye whispered, "What? Does it hurt you to see her like this? I only yelled at her a few times. She didn't lose a piece of flesh, did she?"

Xi Mo realized Jian Ye was talking to buy time so her legs could recover enough to walk. Guessing what Jian Ye planned next, she tried to calm her.

"Yezi, come back with me... We still have plenty of time to talk. We can discuss everything. Put down the syringe, and I'll take you home."

"Home?" Jian Ye trembled as she kept cutting the rope. "That's just your delaying tactic! The moment I put down the syringe, I'll be arrested. In the end I'll still go to prison. I'd rather die than go to prison! Do you think I don't know? Cui Jiayu is a police officer! The people she brought are police too! So many police are here now. Do you think you alone can decide what happens to me? Those words might fool an idiot!"

Xi Mo fell silent.

The dagger was very sharp. Once the rope around her legs was cut, Jian Ye immediately tore it off and threw it aside.

Lin Tingyu had been watching Jian Ye the whole time. She said, "What do you really want? Tell us. Everything is negotiable."

"I want to leave here safely." Jian Ye kept the syringe against Xi Mo while helping her to her feet. "I can't go to prison!"

Xi Mo's legs were numb. Her hands were still tied as she struggled to stand.

"We agree." Lin Tingyu said.

Cui Jiayu remained silent.

In Cui Jiayu's eyes, Jian Ye and Gu Qisong both had to be taken in and processed according to the law. Neither of them would escape prison. That was her duty. But right now, the priority was getting Xi Mo out safely. Once that was done, even if Jian Ye escaped today, she would still hunt her down.

"You don't have the final say." Jian Ye looked away from Lin Tingyu and at Cui Jiayu. "She does."

Seeing Jian Ye willing to negotiate, Cui Jiayu stared sharply at her.

"I need the hostage to be safe. Can you guarantee that?"

"I still have one unfinished wish." Jian Ye said. "Once I leave safely, I'll let her go. I can guarantee that. Of course, if you don't agree, I don't mind dying here with her. Fulfilling my wish is best. If I can't, dying together isn't a bad deal either."

Cui Jiayu had no better option. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Fine. I agree."

She instructed the others behind her, "Let her pass."

Cui Jiayu, Lin Tingyu, and another officer stepped back but stayed near the doorway, watching Jian Ye closely. Ruan Yesheng stood behind Lin Tingyu, unable to take her eyes off Xi Mo for even a second. Everyone else moved to the other side of the room, clearing a path.

"Move." Jian Ye kept the syringe pressed against Xi Mo's neck as Xi Mo followed her through the doorway into the outer room.

Gu Qisong had already been handcuffed behind his back by an officer. When he saw Jian Ye leading Xi Mo out, he immediately looked at her.

"Gu Qisong, you're useless." Jian Ye glared at him hatefully as she walked with Xi Mo. "I took her phone, so how did the police find this place? You can't truly help me. You can't even be a proper bad guy. You failed as her bodyguard, and you failed with my matters too. You only caused trouble on both sides. You're useless at everything."

Gu Qisong lowered his head.

Zhou Wenxu glared at him in anger. His fists clenched tightly before slowly relaxing as he nervously watched Xi Mo.

The unfinished apartment door opened. Under everyone's watch, Jian Ye walked outside. Wherever she went, Cui Jiayu and the others followed nearby to prevent anything unexpected.

Ruan Yesheng's heart stayed in her throat. She could barely breathe. She didn't dare speak again, afraid of angering Jian Ye.

"I know you've stationed people at the elevators and stairwells." Jian Ye looked coldly at Cui Jiayu. "Tell them to get out of my way. I'm taking the elevator. Don't even think about stopping it halfway or ambushing me outside the elevator. Before you can shoot me, I'll kill her first. You can gamble if you want. Do you dare?"

"You can take the stairs." Lin Tingyu said. "We need to keep you within sight. If you insist on the elevator, then one of us goes with you."

"This is the fifteenth floor!" Jian Ye snapped. "You're trying to wear me out."

Lin Tingyu stayed calm.

"Then the elevator."

"The elevator is too cramped. If one of you comes in, you'll find an opening. We need distance between us."

"Then the stairs." Lin Tingyu replied. "If nobody goes into the elevator with you, we have no way to keep you in check. How can we trust you not to do anything to Xi Mo during that time? If you take the stairs, we can watch you all the way down. Both sides keep their bargaining chips. For negotiations to succeed, both sides need leverage. Otherwise everything falls apart. Deep down, I don't think you want things to spiral out of control either. Your first priority is leaving. Our first priority is Xi Mo's safety. It's better for both sides to achieve their goals as soon as possible. The longer this drags on, the worse it gets."

Jian Ye's eyes darkened.

"...Fine."

Jian Ye led Xi Mo down the stairs one step at a time. Every floor they descended felt like another level deeper into hell.

Everyone followed behind, keeping their distance. Cui Jiayu kept her gun raised the whole time, sweat soaking her hair. Lin Tingyu stayed beside Ruan Yesheng, protecting her.

After what felt like forever, Jian Ye finally reached the underground parking garage with Xi Mo. The residential complex had only recently been completed, so the garage was nearly empty.

Xi Mo's legs shook badly.

She exercised regularly, so walking down fifteen floors normally wouldn't have been difficult. But after being tied up in a curled position for so long, her hands and feet were covered in bruises. Mentally she was stretched to her limit, and every muscle in her body ached from the tension.

Jian Ye was breathing heavily too. She scanned the surroundings, wary of Cui Jiayu's people lying in wait.

Her car was parked near the stairwell. She led Xi Mo to it, walked around to the driver's side, and forced Xi Mo into the driver's seat while keeping the syringe against her.

Afraid Jian Ye would drive away with Xi Mo, Lin Tingyu immediately warned her.

"Keep your promise! Otherwise we'll shoot out your tires. You still won't escape! We have plenty of guns. Feel free to try!"

Using the syringe and dagger, Jian Ye forced Xi Mo to slowly move from the driver's seat into the passenger seat. Worried the tires might be shot, she immediately said,

"You don't need to threaten me! I only want to leave! I'll push her out in a moment. You'd better catch her!"

Ruan Yesheng's face instantly turned pale.

Using the car and Xi Mo as shields, Jian Ye left Cui Jiayu with no clear angle to shoot without risking Xi Mo.

A moment later, Jian Ye started the car and drove forward. Then she hid behind Xi Mo's body, opened the passenger door, and shoved Xi Mo out.

Jian Ye's car sped away.

Xi Mo rolled onto the ground from the moving car.

Ruan Yesheng ran toward her like she had gone mad. Lin Tingyu, Cui Jiayu, and the others also sprinted over.

Reaching Xi Mo's side, Ruan Yesheng cried as she checked her injuries.

Xi Mo had cuts and bruises all over from rolling on the ground. Her legs couldn't move for the moment. Fortunately, the car had not been going very fast at first. Otherwise the fall would have been much worse.

"Xi Mo... Xi Mo..." Ruan Yesheng said in heartbreak. "Lu Qingming's car is almost here. We'll go to the hospital right away. Right away..."

Xi Mo raised her hand and gently touched her face.

"...Don't cry. I'm fine. I'm fine. They're only scrapes."

Ruan Yesheng sobbed uncontrollably, wishing she could take Xi Mo's pain instead.

Lin Tingyu and Cui Jiayu checked Xi Mo's injuries.

Cui Jiayu was so furious she almost fainted.

"That is worse than a beast! I'll catch her no matter what!"

She immediately called someone, gave them Jian Ye's license plate number, and ordered them to track the car and set up roadblocks at every checkpoint.

Lu Qingming's van arrived quickly.

Panicked, everyone helped Xi Mo into the spacious van and rushed her to the hospital.

Cui Jiayu and her team stayed behind to deal with the scene. They also had to question Gu Qisong as soon as possible to get more leads.

It was after three in the morning.

Ruan Yesheng sat beside Xi Mo's hospital bed, not leaving even half a step.

Xi Mo was on an IV. Her wounds had all been treated. Exhausted in both body and mind, she had fallen asleep.

"Drink some water." Lin Tingyu handed Ruan Yesheng a bottle. "You haven't had any water. Your lips are dry."

"Thank you."

Ruan Yesheng took it and drank a few sips.

"Get some sleep beside her." Lin Tingyu said. "I'll watch over her. When the IV is almost done, I'll call the nurse to remove the needle. Don't worry."

Ruan Yesheng looked exhausted and gently shook her head.

Lin Tingyu didn't press her. She sat quietly beside her.

The next morning, Cui Jiayu entered Xi Mo's hospital room with dark circles under her eyes.

Xi Mo was still asleep.

Ruan Yesheng and Lin Tingyu stood up when they saw her.

"Any progress?" Lin Tingyu asked.

Cui Jiayu handed over a document box.

"We searched both of their homes. We found nothing at Gu Qisong's place. Jian Ye's place was filled with photos of Xi Mo, so I brought them. There were also lots of Xi Mo's magazines, fan meeting souvenirs, movie tickets, endorsement products, all carefully collected. It was unbelievably creepy. I took everything back, but there was too much and it was too heavy, so I only brought the photos."

Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=2188414

This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.

Ruan Yesheng and Lin Tingyu looked through the photos.

Besides Xi Mo's pictures, there were also photos of people around Xi Mo. Jian Ye had pasted them into an album with arrows and detailed notes.

It was a relationship map of everyone around Xi Mo.

"This is so sick." Cui Jiayu said again. "It's even more detailed than the investigation boards we use."

Ruan Yesheng found her own photo inside.

Only the face in her photo had a large red X drawn over it.

"So sick!" Cui Jiayu said for the third time, completely speechless after seeing the red X.

Ruan Yesheng sighed and looked at the sleeping Xi Mo.