IMPGS Chapter 113

Xiao Cheng woke up amidst a wave of pain.

He moved his limbs slightly and realized that the pain was due to the ropes binding him being far too tight.

He was sitting on a chair, with his hands tied behind the backrest and his feet also restrained, leaving only his head free to move.

Aside from that, there were no other injuries on his body, which made Xiao Cheng let out a small sigh of relief.

Perhaps he had gotten used to being kidnapped, because at this moment, he wasn’t particularly panicked. There wasn’t even a trace of fear on his face—just cautious eyes scanning his surroundings.

The environment surprised him a little. He had expected to be locked up in some abandoned factory, but instead, he found himself in what looked more like the basement of a villa.

More precisely, it was a wine cellar.

The air was filled with the rich, fragrant aroma of aged wine.

Honestly, the place wasn’t bad—it was just a little too cold. Xiao Cheng couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath.

About four or five meters away from him stood a group of men in black suits—most likely bodyguards.

Among them, one man stood at the center while the others were scattered loosely around him, clearly indicating that he was the leader.

As Xiao Cheng observed them, that man also raised his eyes to glance at him. Their gazes met briefly before shifting away.

Xiao Cheng remained quiet—he didn’t scream, didn’t struggle, nor did he demand answers. His composure surprised the group of men.

They had thought they would need to put in some effort to subdue this young master, but to their surprise, he seemed to have expected this outcome. He simply sat there calmly, occasionally glancing at them.

Since their boss had ordered them not to harm him unless necessary, and since the hostage was being cooperative, they were more than happy to avoid unnecessary trouble.

So, no one spoke first, and the atmosphere remained eerily silent.

Seeing this, Xiao Cheng couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

He had bet correctly.

No matter how much Jiang Ying hated him, he wouldn’t dare harm him at this critical moment.

The only reason he had kidnapped him was most likely to use him as leverage to pressure Xiao Yu and the others into signing certain contracts.

Xiao Cheng’s only concern was that his hands and feet were bound too tightly, causing him pain, and that it was far too cold in the room. He could already feel his feet going numb.

However, as a hostage, he probably wasn’t in a position to make any demands.

He hadn’t noticed it while sleeping, but now that he was awake, the cold was seeping into his bones. His teeth were beginning to chatter.

Noticing this, the man leading the group took off his jacket and stepped forward, draping it over Xiao Cheng’s shoulders.

“Brother Zhao, what are you doing?”

The man, called Brother Zhao, cast a faint glance at the one who had spoken, and the latter immediately shut his mouth.

After making sure the coat was properly wrapped around Xiao Cheng, Brother Zhao straightened up and said, “If he freezes to death…”

He didn’t finish his sentence, but everyone present understood.

Indeed, even though they were following their boss’s orders and hadn’t laid a hand on Xiao Cheng, if the young master caught something serious from the cold, they would be the ones taking the fall.

Realizing this, one of them quickly took off his own coat. “Should we add another layer?”

Brother Zhao did not refuse.

Xiao Cheng, now buried under multiple layers of coats, felt warmth slowly returning to his body. Though the scene looked somewhat comical, he had to admit it was effective.

The sickly pale color of his face finally faded, replaced by a hint of warmth. Seeing this, Brother Zhao discreetly let out a breath of relief.

He cast one last glance at Xiao Cheng, his expression complicated.

Xiao Cheng lowered his head silently, pretending not to notice.

The rest of the men also secretly breathed easier.

Kidnapping a pampered young master was honestly a pain—he couldn’t be hit, and now they had to worry about him freezing as well.

At least this young master wasn’t crying or making a fuss. That alone saved them a lot of trouble. Thinking that, their attitudes toward Xiao Cheng unconsciously softened a little.

Xiao Cheng, on the other hand, silently counted numbers in his mind.

The place was far too quiet, and he was afraid he might doze off again. So he decided to keep himself occupied while also tracking the time.

When he had counted to over four hundred, someone’s phone suddenly rang.

Xiao Cheng looked up and saw that it was Brother Zhao’s phone.

The call was from Jiang Ying.

Brother Zhao listened to whatever was being said on the other end, occasionally glancing at Xiao Cheng as he replied in a low voice.

Not long after, the call ended.

Brother Zhao said nothing and resumed standing quietly nearby.

Xiao Cheng, however, was left wondering—what exactly had Jiang Ying just said?

—

Elsewhere, Luo Jingshu had just finished speaking with Xiao Yu and had gone alone to the Jiang family’s old residence.

Earlier, Jiang Ying had already called Xiao Yu, demanding that he bring the equity transfer contract.

Luo Jingshu was not stopped at the entrance. He was escorted inside by a group of tall, strong bodyguards.

One glance at their waistbands told him they were carrying guns.

Jiang Ying was sitting in the living room, sipping tea.

When he saw Luo Jingshu, he slowly put down his teacup and clapped his hands mockingly.

“How touching. You actually came here alone.”

Luo Jingshu’s expression was grim as he sat down on the sofa. “If you have a problem, come to me. Why take it out on Brother Cheng?”

Dark circles under Jiang Ying’s eyes revealed his exhaustion, but his smile remained arrogant and unrestrained.

“You’re not worth it.”

The Xiao family’s eldest son and the son’s boyfriend—how could they be the same?

“Jiang Ying, do you never consider the consequences of your actions?”

Luo Jingshu’s body was tense, barely restraining the fury in his heart. The veins on the back of his hands were visibly bulging.

He was like a beast guarding its territory, baring sharp fangs at the invader yet unable to do anything about it.

Jiang Ying remained indifferent. “I only know that fortune favors the bold.”

“Besides, you shouldn’t blame me—you should blame Xiao Cheng.”

Jiang Ying, fully aware that Luo Jingshu was already at the edge of his anger, deliberately provoked him. “Who told Xiao Cheng to be so easy to deceive? He fell for my schemes twice and still hasn’t learned his lesson.”

Luo Jingshu grabbed the teacup from the table and smashed it to the ground with a furious roar. “Jiang Ying!”

The sound of guns cocking filled the room as black muzzles immediately pointed at him. Jiang Ying waved his hand, and the guards withdrew their weapons.

“Look at you, getting so worked up.”

Jiang Ying savored this moment. He knew that Xiao Yu’s ability to fight against him was largely thanks to Luo Jingshu’s support.

Who would have thought? Luo Jingshu had actually fallen for Xiao Cheng.

“After all, to you, Xiao Cheng is just a canary in a gilded cage. Getting this upset over him isn’t worth it.”

He twisted the knife deeper, stabbing Luo Jingshu right where it hurt most.

The only reason he had agreed to let Luo Jingshu in was to see him suffer.

Luo Jingshu closed his eyes briefly, and when he reopened them, he had regained his composure.

Jiang Ying might have acted as if he had everything under control, but in reality, he was more anxious than Luo Jingshu. Every second that passed increased the danger.

After a brief silence, Luo Jingshu suddenly said, “We agree to your conditions, but you must not harm Brother Cheng.”

Jiang Ying had never intended to hurt Xiao Cheng. But seeing Luo Jingshu forced to compromise filled him with an inexplicable thrill.

“That’s not impossible.”

“Get on your knees and bow to me, and I won’t touch him.”

“After all, my bodyguards aren’t exactly gentle. If he were to lose a limb or two…”

Luo Jingshu looked at him deeply before slowly getting up from the sofa, his knees bending downward.

Jiang Ying’s heart pounded, exhilaration surging through his veins.

Luo Jingshu, you’ve finally fallen to your knees before me.

Luo Jingshu knelt on the ground. Jiang Ying’s expression twisted with pleasure. “The louder the bow, the safer Xiao Cheng will be!”

His face was flushed with excitement, eyes fixed intently on Luo Jingshu.

But just as Luo Jingshu was about to bow, he suddenly sprang up, his legs tensing and his body lunging straight at Jiang Ying.

The movement was so swift that even the bodyguards failed to react in time.

As they raised their guns toward Luo Jingshu, he pressed a sharp shard of porcelain against Jiang Ying’s throat.

Jiang Ying had barely recovered from his euphoria when he suddenly found his life in Luo Jingshu’s hands.

His heartbeat raced, feeling as if it might burst from his chest.

“You better not move.”

Luo Jingshu sneered, pressing the shard slightly deeper into Jiang Ying’s skin. “Unless you want my hand to slip…”

The situation flipped in an instant.

When Luo Jingshu first entered, he had been thoroughly searched. Jiang Ying had taken him for nothing more than a delicate pretty boy, never imagining he possessed such skill.

Jiang Ying’s face turned an ugly shade of blue. “You think you can…” defeat a room full of armed guards?

Before he could finish his sentence, a subordinate rushed in, flustered. “Boss, the police are here!”

Jiang Ying’s pupils constricted.

How could the police have gotten inside?!

Why hadn’t anyone warned him beforehand?

A sudden realization struck him, and he looked up in disbelief—his gaze locking onto someone on the second floor.

It was Jiang Zihe.

As the police subdued the people inside the villa and Xiao Cheng was finally rescued from the basement, Jiang Ying let out a deep breath.

He cast a long, hard look at Jiang Zihe, his eyes brimming with rage and hatred.

Jiang Zihe avoided his gaze, and Brother Zhao also refrained from looking at Jiang Ying.

Though he had been Jiang Ying’s most loyal subordinate, his greater loyalty lay with the Jiang family corporation.

Jiang Ying was taken away.

Xiao Cheng, supported by Xiao Yu and He An, lifted his head—his eyes meeting Luo Jingshu’s red-rimmed ones.

He pursed his lips, guilt washing over him as he looked away.

Luo Jingshu’s bloodshot eyes locked onto Xiao Cheng, his fury barely contained. His face was taut with suppressed emotion.

“Let’s take Cheng Cheng to the hospital first.”

He An wiped the corners of her eyes, her voice thick with concern.

Xiao Cheng shook his head. “I’m fine, just a little cold.”

Before he could finish, Luo Jingshu had already removed his coat and wrapped it tightly around him, having noticed the pallor of his lips.

“That won’t do—we still need to have you checked out at the hospital.”

He An couldn’t bear to look at the red marks around Xiao Cheng’s wrists; just one glance made her chest ache.

Luo Jingshu was even more distressed, his heart weighed down with pain and fury.

Xiao Cheng didn’t refuse this time.

Once inside the car, Luo Jingshu carefully massaged Xiao Cheng’s wrists, his touch gentle—yet a single tear dropped onto Xiao Cheng’s hand.

Guilt welled up inside Xiao Cheng. “Jingshu, it’s okay now. Don’t worry.”

Luo Jingshu immediately lifted his head, his voice hoarse. “You knew I would worry?”

Xiao Cheng fell silent.

Luo Jingshu was on the verge of losing his mind, his hands gripping Xiao Cheng’s shoulders as he pressed him back against the seat. “Do you really have so little faith in me?”

“Why did you put yourself in danger?!”

Xiao Cheng didn’t resist, instead quietly asking, “How did you know?”

Even Xiao Yu and He An hadn’t suspected anything—so how had Luo Jingshu figured it out?

Luo Jingshu let out a cold laugh, grasping Xiao Cheng’s fingers. “Where’s your ring?”

Realization struck Xiao Cheng.

He had anticipated that Jiang Ying’s men would dispose of anything on him, so before leaving his dorm, he had taken off his ring and left it on his desk.

Luo Jingshu saw his silence and suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of grievance amidst his fear and anger.

“Did you ever think about what could’ve happened if he had really…”

“Brother Cheng, I was terrified.”