Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 203: Seeking Help from Others

Chapter 203: Chapter 203: Seeking Help from Others

In a small, dark room, Du Jun was blindfolded and tied to a chair. Despite several attempts to struggle free, he was unsuccessful. He was filled with fear, having no idea what they were going to do to him.

At this moment, the creaking sound of the door being opened sent chills through Du Jun. He knew someone had arrived.

"You are Du Jun, the only son of the big boss Du Changhui. Do you know why we kidnapped you?" Leng Le walked in, using a voice changing device to make his voice sound gruff.

Du Jun’s voice trembled slightly, "You want to use me as a hostage and then ask my father for ransom." Du Jun hoped this was the case because if it is just a ransom, it’s a problem that money can solve. However, he was afraid of...

Leng Le walked behind Du Jun and patted him on the shoulder. "Correct. We kidnapped you to get something from your father. However, it’s not money that we are interested in. We want a life for a life."

"A life for a life? What does that mean?" Du Jun asked, fear creeping into his voice. He guessed the kidnapper’s intent.

Leng Le gave a faint smile: "It is simple. I would like to see who matters more to Du Changhui, his only son or Lin Xi?"

Upon hearing this, Du Jun’s heart sank. He swallowed hard, his body shivering with fear.

Seeing Du Jun terrified, Leng Le found it amusing and added, "You better pray that your father, Du Changhui, greatly values you and is willing to exchange Lin Xi for you. Otherwise, your life will be..."

"I’m sorry to disappoint you." Du Jun took a deep breath, tried to conquer his fear, gritted his teeth, and retorted, "If you think my father is the only person who can call the shots, then you are very naive."

"What?" Leng Le frowned but quickly understood what Du Jun meant.

After a pause, Leng Le laughed again, "Actually, the outcome doesn’t matter. The impact it creates is what we want."

Upon hearing this, Du Jun immediately understood, "If my father doesn’t exchange me, his precious son, with Lin Xi, once he loses me, he will definitely be upset and resentful. He and Lin Xi would gradually become distant, forming a gap. That’s the internal disintegration you want to see."

"Correct, you are very smart." Leng Le expressed his admiration, while also mocking, "However, knowing doesn’t help. There is no turning back now. You guys have lost."

******

At the same time, Lin Xi had heard about the situation from Qin Jia. Hanging up the phone, he turned to Du Changhui solemnly, "Your son Du Jun has been kidnapped. As for who the kidnappers are, you must have guessed."

"Why would they target my son?" Du Changhui didn’t understand. Lin Xi didn’t have a clue either, he secretly wondered if the kidnappers’ intention is to get information about all operational deployments through Du Jun.

For safety reasons, Lin Xi thought it necessary to relocate their secret base, have everyone on the move, and avoid capture.

Half a day later, Du Changhui received a call from the kidnappers. Their demand was simple: exchange Lin Xi for Du Jun. If not, Du Jun’s life would be in danger.

Upon hearing this, Lin Xi frowned, "They really dare to use me in exchange for Du Jun!"

Of course, Du Changhui was concerned about his only son, he was frenzied with worry.

"We have to think of a way. We must think of a solution." Du Changhui thought hard, but could not come up with a good solution. Just when he was at a loss and his attention fell on Lin Xi.

In desperation, Du Changhui proposed a plan, "Lin Xi, can you do me a favor? I have a plan to exchange you for my son and then we will rescue you using the tracker placed on you."

"You actually thought of such a plan." Lin Xi gave a look of disdain and added sarcastically, "Do you think that once they have me, I stand a chance to be rescued? They are not fools that allow you to track me easily."

Several people immediately voiced their rebuttals, "What do you mean by this, Du Changhui? For the sake of our mission, we have sacrificed many friends and family. Can’t you bear losing one person, yet you are willing to put Lin Xi in such a dangerous situation?"

"I..." Du Changhui wanted to say something, but seeing the accusatory eyes of everyone, he realized his words were futile.

Du Changhui fell silent and sat dejectedly to one side. The anxious and worried expression on his face was at odds with his usually battle-hardened demeanor, showing just how much he cared for Du Jun.

At this moment, Lin Xi suggested, "In both the Black and White world, most of the White-side belongs to them, but the Black-side is different. We can ask for help from those insiders who are influential with plenty of sources."

Hearing this, Du Changhui seemed to be revitalized and immediately agreed, "I will order this right away, and see if we can find underworld help."

"They are very cautious, even underworld figures may not know their whereabouts. If necessary, use me to exchange for Du Jun." Lin Xi’s indifferent words surprised Du Changhui and the others.

Immediately, someone objected, "Are you kidding? You are our hope, the one who is supposed to lead all of us to immortality. We’ve sacrificed so many people for you. How can your worth compare to that of Du Jun?"

Hearing this, Lin Xi’s face changed slightly, and her phoenix-like eyes conveyed authority. "Although I am no longer a queen, don’t forget your positions. Who is the master, who is the servant? Who dares to question my decisions?"

Not only was Lin Xi’s tone strong and authoritative, but the atmosphere was also charged with an oppressive force, making everyone feel almost suffocated.

Du Changhui couldn’t help himself and said, "I’m grateful to you, Lin Xi. But this is too risky. Even though I don’t want to lose Du Jun, we cannot afford to lose you. "

"Who says you’re going to lose me? I wouldn’t do something unless I’m certain of it." Lin Xi’s confident assertion left her audience in a state of half-belief, half-doubt. Combined with her authority, naturally, there was no one left to oppose her.

At this moment, Lin Xi added, "If no one is against it, dissolve the meeting. Everyone gather your strength and act accordingly to my plan."

Some sighed, some were reluctant, but everyone dispersed nonetheless. Du Changhui was the only one left troubled since this made it seem as if he had gained preferential treatment, which would upset others.

Lin Xi saw through this and reassured him, "Don’t worry. As long as I return unscathed, no one will say anything."

"But..." Du Changhui knew that even with Lin Xi’s sacrifice, life was likely to become hard to endure after, due to the dissatisfaction and resentment from others.

Lin Xi spoke again, "Du Jun is my friend. He’s helped me a lot. I’ve already lost so much. I don’t want to lose a friend."

"Thank you!" Overwhelmed with gratitude, Du Changhui could only utter these two words.

*****

At this time, overwhelmed with worries and out of options, Qin Jia knocked on Gu Fan’s door.

When Gu Fan opened the door and saw Qin Jia, he was surprised, "Qin Jia, why are you here too? Did you guys plan to come together today?"

"We? What do you mean?" Qin Jia asked, puzzled. When he entered the house, he saw Xu Haowen sitting on the sofa, looking equally surprised.

"Why are you here?" Qin Jia and Xu Haowen asked almost simultaneously, resulting in an awkward silence on who should answer first.

Gu Fan hastened to say, "Qin Jia, if you’re here on behalf of Professor Luo, can you please take this guy away? Must he always think about taking risks and trying to accomplish big things? Isn’t it better to live a peaceful day?"

Hearing this, Qin Jia immediately understood. Xu Haowen must’ve sought out Gu Fan, insisting on joining the team, which gave Gu Fan quite a headache.

Xu Haowen was unhappy, "Why? Why can Lu Yi and Jie participate, but I cannot? Don’t you think highly of me? Or do you not even consider me as a friend? We too have been through life and death together."

Gu Fan hurriedly explained, "No, no, buddy, don’t think so much. I just don’t want to involve too many people. It’s not fun at all."

Qin Jia quickly came over and advised, "Xu Haowen, stop creating a fuss. Your intentions have been recognized. Why add to the trouble by staying?"

Xu Haowen was indignant, "I’m here to help, not make trouble. What do you mean? Are you all looking down on me?"

"Not at all," Gu Fan reassured. "If it were anything else, I’d welcome your help. But this is serious. One misstep could cost us our lives. Believe me." While speaking, Gu Fan made a pleading gesture, clearly unwilling to drag the enthusiastic Xu Haowen into this.

Xu Haowen seethed but seemed to relent, "Fine, Gu Fan, you may not let me join. But rest assured, I’ll still investigate and may even do better."

"Seriously, why so stubborn?" Gu Fan was amazed at Xu Haowen’s doggedness. He hadn’t expected this.

Without delay, Gu Fan changed the subject, "By the way, Qin Jia, if you’re not here to take Xu Haowen away, why did you come?"

At this point, Qin Jia remembered her purpose and told them about Du Jun being kidnapped.

Upon hearing this, Gu Fan felt a headache coming on, muttering, "What the hell, not again. Are we meant to gain experience in hostage rescue or something?"

Xu Haowen was excited, "It seems like heaven’s will. I should be part of this. Gu Fan, you must include me. I want to help rescue Du Jun."