Chapter 31 Part 2

Zhong Nian had observed that the kidnappers got along well internally. They were disciplined, but the leaders and underlings sat together to eat without any airs, chatting and laughing harmoniously.

The only ones whose vibes clashed were Zhan Lu and Charles.

They ignored each other overtly but competed covertly.

“Little Nian, didn’t sleep well last night?” Charles asked.

Zhan Lu: “Probably because seeing a certain someone soured his mood, that’s why his complexion’s so bad.”

Charles didn’t bat an eye: “Better eat less sweets. Bad for the body—rots your teeth, burdens the stomach, keeps you from sleeping well.”

“What then? Our Little Nian loves them. He always takes them back and finishes them. How about something else next time?”

“Some people just love stealing the chef’s job. As if he’s the only one who can cook on this huge ship. Really loves showing off.”

“Tch~ I’m baffled too. How does someone meddle in everything, even whether others cook? Probably jealous ’cause they can’t themselves. Some folks burn eggs to charcoal, tsk tsk. Not suitable boyfriend material at all, Little Nian—watch out.”

Charles couldn’t hold back anymore. He turned to Zhan Lu with a smile: “I’m not suitable? You think a big burly brute like you is?”

Now, neither could keep up the pretense. Sparks ignited.

Zhong Nian expressionlessly tossed the serving ladle into the basin, left the two who had started shoving and the crowd of onlooker kidnappers, and walked away.

Back in the rear kitchen, he said to Jie Wen: “Let’s go, fifth floor.”

Jie Wen glanced outside: “Everything okay?”

“No problem.” Zhong Nian was getting used to it. Besides, they started it themselves—what did it have to do with him?

On the fifth floor, Zhong Nian saw the remaining casino captives divided into four suites, with Zong Guansheng and his two companions locked in the same one, strictly guarded by two men.

Thinking of the note from Sheng Chu, Zhong Nian had Jie Wen deliver to the others and chose this room himself.

He was still pondering how to pass the note to Sheng Chu in front of the kidnappers when a commotion sounded from next door.

“Damn! That bastard’s acting up again!”

The noise was too loud; one guard had to go help, distracting the remaining one.

Zhong Nian swiftly stuffed the note into Sheng Chu’s hand and winked at him.

Sheng Chu hid the note in his sleeve.

Zhong Nian didn’t linger. After setting down breakfast, he turned to leave when footsteps approached from behind.

He looked back and saw the Kidnapper Boss leading. His heart sank.

The ominous premonition proved true instantly. The Black-Clothed Man had his men pin Sheng Chu down and fished the note from his sleeve.

Zhong Nian’s face paled, lips pressed tight as he watched the Black-Clothed Man unfold the note. His legs went weak.

The man just glanced over it briefly, crumpled it tightly in his fist, and signaled his men: “Take him away and lock him up.”

…

Zhong Nian didn’t resist—nor did he have room to.

Against absolute power, clashing head-on would only lead to bloodshed.

He was escorted into an empty room on the bottom level. No light, no windows—pitch black, not even able to see his own hand.

After hearing the door lock behind him, he stood dazed in the darkness for a while. Gradually, his eyes adjusted, barely making out the outlines of objects.

He groped around but found no light switch, afraid of bumping into something. For now, he cautiously sat on a single bed.

For a moment, he felt lost, unsure what would happen next.

This was completely different from the last time Zhan Lu had locked him up, because that note…

“Click—”

The door lock sounded. Someone entered.

By the corridor light, Zhong Nian saw the Black-Clothed Man’s stern face and shrank his legs nervously.

The door closed, plunging the room back into darkness.

The man didn’t turn on the light—perhaps deliberately to scare him, or maybe the room had none.

The man stood silently, and so did he.

After a long while, he spoke: “How did you know?”

Zhong Nian’s fingers curled. He’d prepared for the question but had no idea how to answer.

“I’m asking you,” the Black-Clothed Man stepped forward unhurriedly to stand before him, voice icy cold. “How did you know about Hope Island?”

Zhong Nian remained silent.

“I heard they’re from Hope Island. They probably wouldn’t exterminate you all—the real targets are your parents who were involved.”

The Black-Clothed Man recited the note’s contents word for word.

“Where did you hear this?” The Black-Clothed Man leaned down, so close his breath brushed Zhong Nian’s trembling lashes. “What’s your relationship with them?”

Zhong Nian couldn’t answer the first question—he wouldn’t betray Charles.

He could only say weakly: “I have nothing to do with them. Sheng Chu just… wasn’t bad to me. I wanted to help a little, at least so he wouldn’t worry too much.”

The man gripped his chin: “Lying.”

“…I’m not.”

It was just that Sheng Chu’s note had stirred his compassion.

“I’ve long heard you were ambiguous with those three before. Now you’re risking it to snoop and pass messages for them. I don’t believe there’s nothing between you.”

The man’s tone grew lower and colder. “Secretly colluding with them—you’re a traitor.”

Zhong Nian wanted to say he wasn’t even on the kidnappers’ side, so what traitor? But he lacked the guts and chose silence.

The man took his silence as admission: “So you admit it? Your relationship isn’t ordinary.”

“I don’t.” Zhong Nian was a bit helpless. “Before, I was the waiter, they were honored guests. I just served them, that’s all.”

The man said: “The way they look at you isn’t innocent.”

“…”

The man said: “If you don’t tell the truth, you’ll stay locked here and accept punishment.”

Zhong Nian immediately thought of how they handled disobedient hostages and shuddered: “W-what punishment?”

The man said gravely: “Bind your hands and feet, blindfold you. You won’t see anything, do anything. Meals and water fed by others… even toilet too.”

“…” Zhong Nian thought, Isn’t that the same as before?

“And.” The man paused. “All these punishments will be carried out personally by me.”