Fang Qiao's clear and crisp voice came, without a trace of hesitation: "Call the police, Mr. Shen."
Shen Youquan's voice was hoarse: "You also think..."
Before he could finish speaking, Fang Qiao gestured for him to be quiet with a soft "shh."
Shen Youquan dared not disobey him now, immediately closing his mouth and nervously looking around like a thief. Sure enough, just as he stopped talking, Zhong Huilu hurriedly ran upstairs and grabbed his arm, pulling down his wrist and sternly saying, "Who are you calling? You want to report to the police? Do you know this will harm Rao Rao?!"
"I didn't call the police, I was calling a friend to borrow money! Do you think 50 million is just a small amount to me? I'm only in my forties, from a rural background. Even though I make millions annually, all that money goes into real estate and investments. I just bought this villa, the total price is 260 million, and at your request, I paid in full; I also invested in a fashion brand for you, which is currently operating and requires lots of money! I have very little liquid assets left, where do you want me to get 50 million? Sell the house and your company? Huh?"
Upon hearing that he was going to sell his company, Zhong Huilu indeed dared not speak. She stared at the shattered phone screen, only to find an unfamiliar phone number on it, not 110. Then she let go of her husband's hand.
"Don't report to the police, I'd rather pay for the 80% chance of survival, I don't want to risk my life with the police. Youquan, the child is the most important, even if we lose money, we can earn it back, the child is the most important, remember that!" Zhong Huilu repeatedly urged, tears in her eyes.
Shen Youquan nodded on the surface, but inside he felt even colder. This woman was genuinely worried about Shen Yurao's safety, or else she wouldn't have gone crazy to stop him from reporting to the police. However, if it had been Ling Ling who was kidnapped, would she have been so worried? He didn't need to ask to guess, she wouldn't; Mom wouldn't; Dad wouldn't; and even the old him wouldn't.
Shen Youquan's eyes became moist again, and he had to turn his head and quickly wipe the corners of his eyes.
Indeed, he also knew that most families who experience kidnapping cases do not report to the police, and those who do report are generally unable to pay the ransom, truly having no other choice. If Shen Yurao wasn't his son, he wouldn't have had the determination to report to the police. Instead, he would have hurriedly raised money to ensure the child's safety.
Under Zhong Huilu's watchful eye, Shen Youquan walked to the end of the corridor and whispered, "Just now... my wife." When he said the word "wife," his tongue as if touched sharp glass shards, causing a sharp pain.
"I know," Fang Qiao's tone was calm.
Shen Youquan fell silent. Yes, this person was extremely knowledgeable, otherwise, how could he have stopped himself from speaking before Zhong Huilu even got close? He should be able to sense his current situation, right? This ability was truly miraculous. Oh, what did he just want to say? It seemed like--do you also think we should call the police?
Thinking of this, Shen Youquan shuddered again, then felt extremely annoyed. If Zhong Huilu heard this, she would definitely go crazy on the spot, and then pester him, scold him, and force him to take out the money!
In the past, when Shen Youquan saw Zhong Huilu's meticulous care for Shen Yurao, he only thought she was gentle, virtuous, hardworking, and the best wife in the world. But now, what came to his mind was the hidden indifference and neglect towards the daughter behind all this meticulousness. She gave all her maternal love to Shen Yurao, but treated the other child coldly, even harshly, was she fit to be a mother? Had she already known that the two children had different fathers?
At this point, Shen Youquan suddenly stiffened, realizing another more terrible fact: if Zhong Huilu had known long ago that the two children had different fathers, did her harsh and cold attitude towards her daughter also represent her lack of love for the child's father? For a mother, as long as a child climbs out of her own body, they are all the same, without a difference in blood relationship, but their fathers do have differences in closeness.
In other words, in Zhong Huilu's heart, loving Shen Yurao was equivalent to loving Shen Yurao's father, being indifferent to Shen Yuling was equivalent to disliking Shen Yuling's father, and Shen Yuling's father was none other than himself?
Shen Youquan immediately looked out the window, concealing the completely distorted face due to anger. He gritted his teeth and said, "Master Fan, I'm going to report to the police now."
Don't lose conscience and bottom line for a woman who isn't worth it, don't! he repeatedly admonished himself, dispelling the thought of ignoring Shen Yurao.
"How will Shen Yurao be?" After a fierce struggle, he asked in a hoarse voice.
"He will be fine," Fan Qiao said lightly. "It's best for you to go to the police alone, without letting anyone at home know. If necessary, you can inform the police of my existence."
"Okay, I'll go now." Shen Youquan could only nod repeatedly and confirm, "Shen Yurao won't be harmed, right?"
"He won't," Fan Qiao seemed to lightly laugh, then seemed to sigh, and then said, "If you're still worried, I can recommend an expert to you. With him, this case will be satisfactorily resolved."
"Who?" Shen Youquan immediately asked.
"Dr. Song Rui, he is the criminal investigation consultant at the Southern City Branch. You can fully trust his professional level."
"Dr. Song Rui? Okay, I remember, thank you, Master Fan, I'm really grateful to you! If it weren't for you, my little daughter wouldn't have been able to come back today! Don't worry, after this matter is settled, I will definitely help you resolve those two lawsuits!" Shen Youquan choked up and hung up the phone, then embarrassedly wiped his face. Ignorance brings about fearlessness; how could he have dared to face Master Fan with such a arrogant attitude before? From now on, he will have a sense of awe for all unknowns in the world!
Zhong Huilu had been standing at the stairway, staring at him, trying to discern his mouth shape to confirm that he didn't hang up the unknown call halfway to dial 110.
"Couldn't borrow the money?" Seeing her husband's tear-stained face, Zhong Huilu asked anxiously.
"No, it's a large sum of money, who can come up with it so quickly? Even banks require pre-arrangements. I'm going to find the accountant, don't wait for me, go to sleep first. I need to figure out how much of my investments I can liquidate." Shen Youquan hurriedly ran downstairs.
Zhong Huilu followed him downstairs and, seeing her husband's anxious, flustered, and confused appearance, she felt relieved. Her husband truly valued his son, so it was impossible for him not to pay to save him; she had worried too much just now.
"Shen, where are you going? Do you need me to drive you?" Long Chengsheng immediately stood up and asked.
"No need for a ride, I'm going to find my personal accountant. I need to liquidate my assets immediately, there's no time, I'm afraid Rao Rao will suffer more. Our family will be in your care, please take care of everything. You're the only person I can trust now." Shen Youquan made up an excuse and brushed it off.
Seeing that he had made up his mind, Long Chengsheng dispelled the thought of going with him, and repeatedly assured him that he would take care of the family.
---
An hour later, Shen Youquan, looking exhausted, had already been placed in the reception room of the Southern City Branch. Two young officers sat opposite him, one with a recording device, and the other with a laptop doing text records.
"... The kidnapper's phone has been off the whole time?" the young officer with a buzz cut asked.
"Yes, it's been off the whole time, only telling me to prepare 50 million within three days," Shen Youquan calmly recounted everything he knew. His demeanor was completely unlike that of a father who had lost his child; instead, he seemed like a bystander.
The two officers looked at him with suspicion, then instructed, "Mr. Shen, you go raise the money first, and at the same time, we will launch an investigation. Later, we'll bring equipment to your home to see if the kidnapper calls again, and if he does, we'll have the technicians track his location."
"I don't want to pay the ransom," Shen Youquan said candidly, "that's why I came to report to the police."
The two officers stared at him with eyes that said, "You beast!"
Shen Youquan smiled bitterly and explained, "I know what you're thinking, you suspect that I hired someone to kidnap Shen Yurao after harboring resentment towards Zhong Huilu, in order to seek revenge. No, I'm not that despicable. I could've just let them leave. Besides, if I were the one orchestrating this, would I come to the police station? Isn't that asking for trouble?"
The two officers glanced at each other and then explained, "Mr. Shen, in all the kidnapping cases we've solved, there's a significant proportion involving family members and acquaintances as the perpetrators, so we have to first rule out the most suspected individuals to find the right direction for the investigation. This is also being responsible for the child's safety. Please understand and cooperate with our work. On another note, why did you suddenly suspect the child's blood relationship? Most people wouldn't think of this, especially since they are twins, and your daughter looks very much like you. As long as your daughter is in front of you, you wouldn't suspect your son, who is also a twin. Your behavior is indeed very strange."
Shen Youquan was a public figure and had appeared on TV with his wife and child, so the two officers were naturally aware of his family situation.
The police had to figure out what happened to Shen Youquan, and he thought of Van Gogh's instructions. So he confessed, "A friend of mine told me, his name is Van Gogh."
The two serious policemen suddenly looked stunned, then slammed the table and sighed, "So it's him! No wonder! Only he can see through such incredible things at a glance!" After hearing Shen Youquan's confession, their suspicion and scrutiny were completely replaced by sympathy and pity, even with a hint of inexplicable envy.
"You're pretty lucky," the bald policeman said sincerely.
"Yes, getting guidance from Mr. Van Gogh is really my luck, otherwise my daughter would have been kidnapped," Shen Youquan suddenly remembered something and said, "Before coming to report the case, he told me that if the case was handed over to Dr. Song Rui, Shen Yurao would definitely come back safely."
Shen Youquan had originally felt uneasy about this unusual request. After all, the police station was not run by his family, and the handling of the case had to be assigned by the leadership. But strangely, the young policeman showed no hesitation or reluctance, and immediately called Dr. Song Rui, explaining the situation.
"You know, I never take kidnapping cases," Dr. Song's tone was gentle, but his voice was cold, like some inorganic metal.
Shen Youquan couldn't help but shiver. Even without meeting him, he knew that this was an aloof figure.
The young policeman lowered his voice and said seriously, "Van Gogh told the reporter that if the case is handed over to you, the child will definitely come back safely."
Preparing to firmly refuse, Dr. Song Rui:...
Shen Youquan quickly added, "Mr. Van Gogh's exact words were, 'If you're really not confident, I can recommend an expert. With him, this case will be solved successfully. Dr. Song Rui, he is the criminal investigation advisor of the Southern Division station. You can fully trust his professional level.'"
Dr. Song's calm tone seemed to stir up some waves, "He said he believes in my professional level? He said I can solve this case satisfactorily?"
"Yes, that's what he said," Shen Youquan nodded quickly. While he couldn't sacrifice his career for Shen Yurao, he could make some efforts for him.
"Alright, I'm coming over right away. You guys first investigate Shen Yurao's biological father. I have a feeling, it's very important," a faint rustling sound came from the other end, as if Dr. Song Rui was changing clothes while making a call. He changed from being indifferent to urgently joining in, and it truly surprised Shen Youquan.
The young officer affirmed, and then hung up the phone. He stared at Shen Youquan for a while, his eyes becoming sharper and his expression more serious. When Shen Youquan could hardly bear it, he suddenly asked eagerly, "My surname is Li, you can call me Xiao Li. Has Van Gogh mentioned me? Did he appoint me to solve this case? He should have, right? I was mesmerized by him and he knows my strength well."
Shen Youquan, almost sweating from being stared at, muttered...
To be honest, are all of you diehard fans of Van Gogh? His brand works too well in the police station too!