Hong Kong Island: From a small stall to a global supplier

Chapter 261 20% Off Sale Helps Kidnappers Kill the Hostage

Hua Jing and Hua Tao got out of the car and walked aggressively toward Li Zhihui's car.

Lai Chi-fai didn't hesitate either, pushing open the door and getting out of the car.

He smuggled himself to Hong Kong at the age of 12. He had been in countless fights since childhood. Although he had never fought with anyone since he became rich, he was not a coward, especially since he had a driver and bodyguard by his side.

The car that was stuck behind the rear-ended the other car was finally able to pass by, and as it passed, it was still cursing at the four people arguing.

Once the cars stuck in the traffic jam passed, the people behind didn't know what had happened. They just assumed it was a minor scrape and didn't pay much attention.

Taking advantage of the argument, Hua Jing and Hua Tao moved to block the view of passersby in the car. They exchanged a glance and almost simultaneously pulled out small stun guns from their pockets and quietly pressed them against the person. They released the stun guns as soon as they touched them, gently held them in place, pressed the power button again to enhance the effect, and then held them in place once more.

Lai Chi-fai and his companion looked terrified, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. They tried to scream but couldn't make a sound.

One person helped another into the back, and Hua Jing drove off again, stepping on the gas.

Inside the car, before the two men could recover, Hua Tao stabbed one of them again before pulling out cable ties and binding their hands together.

After three or four minutes, the two finally recovered. Lai Chi-fai forced his brain to work and think of a way to save himself. He had many enemies since he started from scratch, but if he had to pick his most recent enemy, it would definitely be "God of Wealth Yiu," a triad member who was capable of doing such a thing.

Having built his business from scratch at the age of 12, he quickly began to probe, "Gentlemen, I know who you are. You're both in the clothing business. My selling 'erotic clothing' is just normal business competition. Isn't using these methods going too far?"

While speaking, he kept his eyes fixed on the robber next to him, able to detect even the slightest change in his emotions and respond accordingly.

"He's talking about business competition," Hua Tao said with a smile, patting Hua Jing on the shoulder as he drove.

Hua Jing glanced in the rearview mirror, and the two of them burst into laughter, leaving Li Zhihui somewhat bewildered.

This wasn't included in any of his predicted reactions!

If someone is auspiciously afflicted by the God of Wealth, their intentions are either to 'murder' or 'intimidate'. However, if they are directly suspected of this, they should be surprised or readily admit it. What does the smile mean?
Yesterday afternoon, when Wang Yaotang called the two over, they began a 'real-world simulation': how to get stuck in traffic, how to provoke, how to obstruct the view, and even the possible reactions after getting in the car, such as what if the two tried to jump out of the car or smash the window to attract the attention of passersby...

This scene was included in the several hours of actual combat simulation.

All I can say is that Yao-ge is incredibly experienced.

“Yes, we want to compete with you in the business world.” Hua Jing said with a smile, “You must be very rich to open so many stores. Let’s put some money to your name and compete.”

Lai Chi Fai's vision went black!
Finished!

The worst possible outcome is that the kidnappers are the ones who get caught!
With so many stores opened together, advertising was a must. Subway, bus, commercials, and TV ads were everywhere, but unexpectedly, they attracted robbers as well.

“Lend me some money? No problem. Let’s talk this out. How much do you two brothers need? I’ll give it to you.” Li Zhihui forced a smile.

"Boss Li is so generous." Hua Tao said, then suddenly pressed a police baton against the bodyguard's neck.

"Fuck-"

The bodyguard's vision went black and he fainted, causing Lai Chi-fai, whose hands were also tied, to tremble violently.

"Oh dear, I'm sorry, I forgot that Boss Li was also tied up. Is that alright?" Hua Tao asked insincerely.

"No, no, no..."

"Since Boss Li is reasonable, we brothers won't make things difficult for you. 2 million, let Boss Li go home."

"What, what are you talking about? I don't have that much!" Lai Chi-fai's eyes widened. "I just opened the shop and spent almost all my money..."

"Sizzle—" Hua Tao put on insulated gloves and pushed the two of them forward.

After a long while, when Lai Chi-fai recovered, he heard the kidnapper next to him say, "Have you heard of 'The Romance of Li Zicheng'? Before the rebel king entered the capital, when Emperor Chongzhen asked his ministers to hand over money, they all cried poverty. But after the rebel king arrested people and began to torture them, they all spat out the money."

"You rich people are all the same. You think if it's easy to give money, we'll ask for more, right?"

"Damn it, it's all been explained clearly in the storytelling; you guys absolutely have to be tortured!" Hua Tao commented, shaking his head with a smile.

That's exactly what he thought.

Lai Chi-fai opened his mouth, but suddenly didn't know what to say. "You guys can only hear 'knock sound' in storytelling?"
If I manage to get out of here alive, I'll definitely find someone to ban all the storytelling about 'Li Zicheng'!
"I really am..."

"Fuck-"

"I knew you'd say you had no money. Ha, a good beating will make you rich!"

After passing the Western Ring Road, they drove further and further off the beaten track. When they reached the seaside, they stopped the car. Hua Tao then used electric shocks on both of them again, cut the cable ties, and tied the driver's hands and feet separately. Only then did he get out of the car and drag the now-electrocuted Lai Chi-fai toward the seaside.

A speedboat was moored not far away. The two waded onto the speedboat and sped away.

After the driver recovered, he opened the car door, scrambled out, and rolled onto the road. It took him a long time to get back to his feet. He then hopped to the roadside to find a rock and started rubbing the cable ties on his hands...

Half an hour later...

"It's terrible, Madam! Mr. Li has been kidnapped..."

……

Two hours later, Lai Chi-fai's wife, Ching Chi-man, held her second son, Lai Yiu-yan, and looked at Fong Man-sang, who had rushed over after receiving the news, with tears streaming down her face. Her parents and brother were also in the room.

She's a woman, married by Lai Chi-fai when he first became rich. She's a Filipino-Chinese from a middle-class family, and has no redeeming qualities other than her good looks. Now she's panicked and completely lost.

Fang Mansheng questioned the driver in detail about what had happened. Although... there was no reason, he just suspected that Wang Yaotang was the one who did it; the motive was too strong.

"Fang Sheng, what do we do now? Should we call the police?" Jing Zhiman asked, sobbing.

Lai Chi-fai's father-in-law, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law had shifty eyes.

"Did the kidnappers say not to call the police?" Fang Mansheng asked the driver.

"I didn't say it."

Lai Chi-fai's father-in-law suddenly said, "They were certain we would call the police, or they were already prepared for us to call the police..."

Fang Mansheng nodded, "Then call the police. I'll also let the police know so they can allocate more resources."

……

On an inconspicuous fishing boat on the sea...

"Why put him on the deck? What if someone walks by and sees him?" Hua Jing asked without looking up as he was busy securing Li Zhihui.

"My brother said this will make it easier to clean later." Ah Ji, wearing a mask and sunglasses, spoke in a somewhat muffled voice.

With his mouth gagged, Lai Chi Fai could only make muffled noises. He looked at the masked man, hoping to make him understand that he was actually willing to give money and that there was no need for such trouble.

After securing it, Hua Jing grabbed the nearby wire and tied it to Li Zhihui's big toe. He clapped his hands and stood up. "Done! Is this what the Japanese used back then? Is it that powerful?"

“Yes.” Ah-Ji glanced at Lai Chi-Fai, his brow furrowing slightly. “I don’t like the way you look at me.” Lai Chi-Fai: Waaaaaah!

He shoved the power switch next to him, and Li Zhihui's body stiffened abruptly. His eyes began to bulge out and quickly become bloodshot. Drooling uncontrollably streamed from his mouth, and after a few convulsions, his crotch was soaked.

"I'll pick it up, it really peed!" Hua Jing took two steps back.

After a minute of electrification, the power was turned off to give Li Zhihui a breather and allow him to rest for about ten minutes. Seeing him slowly regaining consciousness, the power was then switched back on. "Buzz—"

……

“I am Superintendent Xi Zicheng from the Criminal Investigation Department. This is my identification.” Xi Zicheng showed his identification. “Wang Yaotang, we now suspect you of being involved in a kidnapping case. Come with us to headquarters for questioning.”

"Me? Kidnapping case?" Wang Yaotang looked Xi Zicheng up and down. "You son of a bitch, I'm right here, why would I kidnap your mother!"

"This is an arrest warrant. Do I need to wear a hood?" Xi Zicheng said expressionlessly.

If you're going to arrest someone, you can't even let them get angry and curse.

"Ha." Wang Yaotang clapped his hands lightly. "Alright, I, Wang Yaotang, abide by the law and cooperate with the investigation, no problem. But you still need to let me know who was kidnapped, right?"

"Mr. Li Zhihui, Chairman of Giordano Apparel."

Wang Yaotang let out a long "Oh," and then said, "Fatty Li has been kidnapped, hahaha, good news."

Xi Zicheng frowned but didn't say anything.

The news leaked from somewhere, and seven or eight reporters gathered downstairs. When they saw the police leading Wang Yaotang out, they started snapping photos.

"Officer, what was the reason for Wang Yaotang's arrest?"

Police separated the reporters, and Xi Zicheng strode out, saying, "No comment."

“There’s nothing you can’t tell people. What kind of shady business are you police officers up to?” Wang Yaotang shouted.

As soon as Wang Yaotang opened his mouth, reporters swarmed him like sharks smelling blood, asking, "Mr. Wang Yaotang, on what charges did the police arrest you?"

“Giordano’s owner, Lai Chi-fai, has been kidnapped, and the police suspect me.”

"Wang Yaotang, you are deliberately leaking case information. This is illegal!" Xi Zicheng shouted.

“I’ve broken the law, so what? Sue me, you bastard! Who’s to meddle? Is he your father? I curse him to be killed by kidnappers right now!” Wang Yaotang shouted.

Why do the police suspect you?

"Hey, what are you pushing me to do!" Wang Yaotang turned around and glared fiercely at the policeman behind him. "You police officers are capable of doing this, so why are you afraid of others finding out!"

"Who in Hong Kong doesn't know that I, Wang Yaotang, pioneered the 'sexy clothing' subcategory? He copied me, opened more than 20 stores, and even schemed against me before, promising export quotas that would sell well, then deliberately delaying and then going back on his word."

This is troublesome. Xi Zicheng took a deep breath. There are so many people here. If Wang Yaotang doesn't want to leave, there's nothing they can do.

"I now suspect that his kidnapping was staged by himself, just to cause me trouble!"

"Tonight, all the venues I own will put up signs that say, 'Celebrating Lai Chi-fai's kidnapping, 20% off everything, praying the kidnappers kill him!' Everyone come to the venue for drinks!"

"Brother Yao is awesome!"

"May Yao-ge get rich!"

A group of reporters shouted and jeering.

Wang Yaotang raised his handcuffed hands and clasped his hands in a fist salute to the people around him. "Friends, be my witnesses! If you have a clear conscience, you have nothing to fear. If you falsely accuse me, may you die a horrible death!"

Once in the police car, Wang Yaotang closed his eyes to rest, and Xi Zicheng remained silent.

Police headquarters.

After listening to the report, Chief Superintendent Morton, head of the Criminal Investigation Department, remained silent for a long time. "What do you think?"

"I don't think it's him... He's too confident. He must have a clear conscience." Xi Zicheng's lips twitched as he recalled Wang Yaotang's celebration with the plaque. It was too sinister.

Morton nodded; he thought so too. If it really was Wang Yaotang who orchestrated it, he wouldn't dare to publicize it so much in the media and have his venues put up signs to celebrate.

"Isn't it illegal?" Morton suddenly laughed.

"Is it illegal...?" Xi Zicheng was also confused.

"Forget it, let the lawyers worry about it. Even if it's illegal, it'll probably be hard to define." Morton shook his head with a smile. "Ahem, which is his biggest establishment? I've decided to go check it out myself tonight."

Xi Zicheng bit his lower lip, trying not to laugh out loud. "Dynasty Nightclub."

“Very good, go ahead and go through the procedures. Bail is not permitted for now.” Morton said with a smile. This was enough to satisfy them; he shouldn’t think about anything more.

"Yes Sir!"

Just as Xi Zicheng reached the door, he suddenly heard Morton say again, "If Wang Yaotang wants to know..."

“I understand, he figured it out himself, it has nothing to do with the police,” Xi Zicheng immediately chimed in.

“Very good,” Morton praised.

……

"I'm sorry, I can't bail you out," Jiang Zhizhen said, pursing his lips.

This was the second time he had been denied bail, which made the lawyer feel very embarrassed.

"It doesn't matter, it'll only take 48 hours at most. Tell Wei Tao to make the congratulatory plaques as soon as possible and hang them all up," Wang Yaotang said with a smile.

Jiang Zhizhen's lips twitched. "It's not that bad, it really isn't that bad."

"I'm completely innocent, yet they've wronged me. Why don't I hang myself?"

Jiang Zhizhen covered his face. Based on his understanding of Wang Yaotang, the louder he shouted, the more it proved that he was the one who planned this!

"Hey, Lao Jiang, what do you mean by this?!" Wang Yaotang waved his hand dismissively. "You don't believe me?"

"No, of course I believe you. I just think this publicity plan is... excellent, it will definitely cause a huge sensation." Jiang Zhizhen suppressed a laugh.

“I think so too!” Wang Yaotang laughed heartily. “A genius idea, a genius thought.”

Jiang Zhizhen gave a thumbs up.

(End of this chapter)