Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
When I woke up, I felt a lingering dizziness in my head, and even the slightest movement sent sharp pains coursing through me. It seemed like the aftereffects of being drugged. I tried to rub my temples, only to realize that I was bound to a chair.
My arms, wrists, thighs, and calves were tightly secured to a steel chair. The knots were so intricate that struggling only made them tighter. In fact, one key to escaping such bindings is to tense your muscles while being tied up and then relax; this creates a gap between the ropes and the bound person. However, I had been unconscious at the time and couldn't tense my muscles, leaving me unable to escape now.
The place was dimly lit, devoid of any lights or natural illumination from stars or sunlight. I couldn't tell whether it was night or day. All I could see was darkness surrounding me within a few meters. I likely fell into Zhao Mingkun's trap; I should have anticipated that if I got closer to the truth here, they would try to stop me.
Suddenly, a bright light illuminated my surroundings, making it difficult for me to open my eyes. Then, I heard the sound of high heels echoing in the room. From the resonance of the sound, it seemed like a large space with nothing around to absorb the noise.
The footsteps approached me and then stopped. As my eyes adjusted to the intense light, I squinted at the figure standing before me. Who else could it be but Zhao Mingkun? Frowning, I realized that at this moment, I was at their mercy—my life or death depended entirely on their words. With that thought in mind, I felt no fear or other emotions; my mind was filled with questions.
"Who are you?" I asked Zhao Mingkun. "What organization do you represent? How can you fabricate such an elaborate background that keeps so many people in Jing City in the dark? You certainly have some impressive capabilities. But what puzzles me is why you would go through such lengths just to frame me? If your intention is to kill me, why all this effort? It seems you don't want me dead; what value do I hold for you?"
Zhao Mingkun rubbed his nose and stared at me for a moment before replying, "You are indeed as clever as the files suggested; you've reached the final step of your investigation. In that case, consider your assessment passed. If you couldn't see through the truth of this matter, even if we recruited you, you'd be useless."
"However," Zhao Mingkun continued as he paced back and forth beside me, "you haven't disappointed us. We've had our eyes on you for quite some time; it's just that you never noticed. We have been monitoring every case you've solved. No wonder that person has faith in you; you truly have some skills."
Being tied to a chair while listening to someone who wants to frame me praise my abilities was an indescribable feeling. Yet from Zhao Mingkun's words, it became clear that there was indeed a powerful organization backing him. After pondering for a moment, I asked, "What exactly is your organization?"
Zhao Mingkun stepped closer and leaned down until our faces were nearly touching. "You aren't qualified to know yet," he said almost conspiratorially. "So let me ask you: do you want to join this organization? Before you answer, I advise you to think carefully. As the planner of this operation, I'll present two points."
I tilted my head slightly, signaling that I was listening attentively.
"First," Zhao Mingkun said as he raised a finger earnestly, "let's start with inducement rather than coercion. If inducement works on Cheng Gong, we could become friends and avoid unnecessary awkwardness, right? Look at me—I'm just in my twenties but can have whatever I want and buy whatever I desire. You've seen my villa and my garage; none of those things can be acquired without at least a hundred million."
I nodded in response. "Your organization must be quite wealthy if you're spending a hundred million just to deceive me. That's quite an investment! If it weren't for your special status, who would suspect that such a wealthy individual's project is merely a facade? Otherwise, I should have suspected you long ago."
Zhao Mingkun shrugged and said, "That's right! As long as you join our organization, everything I have will naturally be yours. No, you'll have even more than I do. To be honest, the higher-ups have high hopes for you; otherwise, they wouldn't go through all this trouble to entice you. You can understand that, can't you?"
"Should I thank your boss for seeing potential in me?" I scoffed deliberately.
"Of course," Zhao Mingkun replied earnestly. "Since the establishment of this organization, I've never seen the higher-ups invest so much effort into one person. You should consider it an honor. Think about it: luxury villas and fancy cars—who wouldn't want those? You've worked hard for what? You might not care about yourself, but when you have children in the future, wouldn't you want to create a better environment for them?"
"Of course, there's no need to rush your decision. I've made myself clear; I'll give you time to think," Zhao Mingkun said as he touched my face, his gaze gradually moving downward with a fiery intensity. He extended a second finger and continued, "This second point is something you understand. What man doesn't love beautiful women? Do you think I'm beautiful? If you join the company, I'll be yours. I know you have a fiancée, but she's already thirty and will soon lose her charm. Meanwhile, I'm still young, and I can ensure you enjoy the ultimate pleasures of being a man."
As he spoke, Zhao Mingkun licked his lips and added, "I'm very open-minded—specifically towards you. For others, I'm the lofty Queen, but for you, I'm your slave. Perhaps you'd prefer me to be your Queen..."
"In this world, coercion and temptation come down to money, power, and beauty," I said coldly as I watched Zhao Mingkun's actions. "It seems you've mastered these methods well. But since you've been watching me for a while now, do you really think I'm that kind of person?"
"It's not that my character is particularly noble or impressive," I chuckled. "I have beauty and money too. My demands aren't high; I just need enough money to buy two bowls of noodles. Luxury cars? I'm not used to driving them. If I'm not mistaken, you're about to throw out a third olive branch?"
Seeing that I remained unmoved, Zhao Mingkun quickly reverted to his previous demeanor and said, "It seems these things don't attract you at all. Since you've said that, I'll stop beating around the bush. Deep down, I know you enjoy this kind of life; you love excitement and can't stand a mundane existence. If I arranged a dull job for you, you'd go crazy."
I frowned slightly but remained silent.
Noticing my reaction, Zhao Mingkun's lips curled into a slight smile as he continued, "Captain Shao, I'm right about this. Some people are born explorers; giving them a treasure map excites them more than offering them more money because they're not after the money—they crave the journey."
"It sounds like you're offering me a treasure map," I said to Zhao Mingkun.
"Exactly," he nodded and replied. "Everyone has weaknesses; everyone can be swayed—it just depends on your methods and approach. What I mentioned earlier was a low-level tactic; now let me show you a higher-level approach. I'll only mention one name, and perhaps you'll seriously consider it for an entire day."
"Name?" I asked, puzzled.
Zhao Mingkun snapped his fingers and gently said, "Shi Huacheng."
"Do you know the whereabouts of Captain Shi?" Upon hearing Captain Shi's name, I couldn't help but voice my emotions loudly. Captain Shi and Wang Gang had been missing for three years. I had inquired multiple times, but found not a single clue, as if these two had never existed in this world.
But Zhao Mingkun actually knew something about Captain Shi? One of the main reasons I joined the Special Investigation Team was to find any leads on Captain Shi's disappearance through investigations across the country. It was indeed a clever tactic; I should have immediately refused. Yet my inner turmoil prevented me from speaking.
Seeing my silence, Zhao Mingkun patted my shoulder and said, "As long as you join us, we will provide you with resources and send people to investigate. Moreover, we already have some information. If you join us, we will share this information with you unconditionally. You are a person who values loyalty; Captain Shi has been missing for so long, you must want to find him, right?"
"The case from four years ago, their disappearance is closely related to you," Zhao Mingkun said softly. "You shot the only person who knew the truth. If he had survived back then, he would have known the whereabouts of Captain Shi and Wang Gang. But you pulled the trigger; you've lived with that guilt ever since, to the point where you can't even pick up a gun now. Am I wrong?"
"Shut up!" I shouted angrily. This memory was what I least wanted to bring up but also the hardest to forget. I had woken from this nightmare countless times—not in fear, but filled with deep emptiness and a sense of powerlessness. I often wondered what would have happened if I hadn't fired that shot.
Zhao Mingkun raised his hands in a gesture of surrender before speaking again. "Of course, I'm just stating facts. The final decision rests with you. After discussing the incentives, we can naturally talk about how to apply pressure."
On my first voyage at sea, I encountered a well-known Bengal Aid Worker. Young and impulsive, but too poor to actually fire a shot until the First Mate told me that a bag of instant noodles could get me through the night with a group of women...
Comment 0 Comment Count