That meant Nan Chen was really in trouble.
Feng Wan and Nan Zhengde were well aware of their grandson's capabilities. After all, there were very few things in
the world that could put Nan Chen in a dilemma.
“Instead of asking for money, he wants to trade by exchanging people, right?”
Nan Zhengde was incredible, for he guessed it right.
Hearing that, Nan Chen nodded with a lump in his throat.
“Huh? Who does he want in exchange?” asked Feng Wan in surprise.
“Ning Ran's friend. Her friend has something to do with the death of Ruan Anxi's subordinate. That's why he asked
to have tea with Ning Ran's friend. He didn't say that himself, though. Instead, he asked someone to say it on his
behalf.”
Nodding, Nan Zhengde commented, “This person is a cunning one. He doesn't make an appearance to avoid
leaving evidence around.”
“Exactly. He doesn't restrict Ning Ran's movements, either. So, even if we file a police report, we won't be able to
sue him for kidnapping. There isn't enough evidence. Besides, he's a foreigner. He'll definitely seek protection from
his country, which will make things more troublesome,” said Nan Chen.
“Then, did you talk to Ning Ran's friend? Is she willing to take Ning Ran's place?” As soon as Nan Zhengde finished
his sentence, he shook his head to dismiss his thoughts. “She probably won't agree to it. Who'd be willing to take
such a huge risk for a friend?”
“She's actually willing to go, but I dare not let her. The risk is too huge. After all, Ruan Anxi has a lot of experience in
kidnapping,” said Nan Chen.
“You're right. This is a tricky situation. We can't let someone else take the risk because of Ning Ran. It is life too,”
agreed Nan Zhengde.
“So, how are we going to settle this? That leaves calling the police our only option, right?” Feng Wan asked,
beginning to panic.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“Chen hasn't finished telling us everything. Let's listen to the rest of it,” Nan Zhengde advised, gesturing for Feng
Wan to calm down.
“I've finished speaking, Grandpa.”
“No, you haven't. I can sense there's something you haven't told me,” Nan Zhengde insisted.
Nan Chen had no idea how Nan Zhengde noticed it. Grandpa is incredible. It's as if he can read people's minds.
“Grandpa, I've really finished telling you everything.”
“Chen, I watched you grow up. Do you think I don't know you well enough? If the kidnapper is only asking for Ning
Ran's friend in exchange, you would've told us about it right away instead of hesitating for so long. Clearly, it has
something to do with the Nan family. Just tell us. We'll face it together no matter what happens.”
Although Nan Zhengde was old, he was not senile. In fact, he could still give sane advice.
At that, Nan Chen had no choice but to tell the truth.
“Actually, Ruan Anxi requested to meet up with two people. One of them is Ning Ran's friend, and the other is you,”
Nan Chen uttered with difficulty.
The news stunned Nan Zhengde and Feng Wan.
“Me?” Nan Zhengde pointed at himself.
“Yes, but you don't have to worry about it. That man is just purposely making things difficult for me. I'll handle it,”
Nan Chen reassured.
However, Nan Zhengde did not think things were that simple. “Does he know me?”
“I don't think he does. He doesn't even know who I am. He's from a completely different industry and has no
competition with us. This interaction is purely coincidental, so it has nothing to do with grudges. I'll try to convince
him to change the condition,” informed Nan Chen.
Hearing that, Nan Zhengde stood up and paced around. “But what is he up to? Why does he want to meet an old
fellow like me? If controlling the Nan family is what he wants, wouldn't it be better to kidnap you instead?”
“Precisely. This is what I don't understand, too. That's why I think he's just trying to make my life difficult.”
“I don't think that's the case, though.” Nan Zhengde shook his head.
“No matter what, we can't let you go to the frontline. I don't agree with his terms. We can't accept it no matter who
the victim is!” Feng Wan voiced loudly.
Nan Chen nodded hurriedly. “Of course, I won't let Grandpa go. This is also why I didn't want to tell you the rest.”
Meanwhile, Nan Zhengde said nothing, deep in thought.
After some time, he finally looked up and said, “On the contrary, I think there's no harm in letting me see him.”
The moment he finished his words, Nan Chen and Feng Wan immediately shook their heads in objection. “No way!”
“I believe his desire to meet me is not just to make things difficult for Chen. He might have another motive, and I
can find that out once I meet him,” Nan Zhengde insisted.
“No,” Nan Chen and Feng Wan objected again.
“Then, what can we do? We can't just let Ning Ran die like that, nor can we let Dabao and Erbao lose their mother,
right?” Nan Zhengde said anxiously.
“Don't worry, Grandpa. I'm still thinking of a solution. I'm sure I can find a better way to resolve this,” assured Nan
Chen.
“What do you have in mind, then? Let's hear it.”
Hence, Nan Chen pondered for a moment before telling them his plan softly.
Meanwhile, there was a quiet teahouse in Yaleview where its air was filled with the aroma of tea.
In there, Ning Ran eyed Ruan Anxi, who had changed into a folk costume. “Didn't you say we're having a meal?”
“Yes.” Ruan Anxi gently poured a cup of tea and passed it to Ning Ran.
“At a teahouse?”
“There's a restaurant next to the teahouse that prepares great dishes. They can send the dishes here right away
without affecting the taste or the texture. It's no different from dining at the restaurant,” Ruan Anxi explained
patiently.
“Is it because you do not dare to go to the restaurant? You want to avoid the crowd for fear of getting arrested,
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmdon't you?”
However, Ruan Anxi shook his head. “No. It's because it's quiet here. Dining here is more comfortable than in the
restaurant.”
That was, in fact, the truth. The teahouse was quieter than the restaurant.
Still, Ning Ran did not think Ruan Anxi chose the teahouse because he wanted some peace.
If that was all he needed, he could've just booked the entire restaurant.
“Have you contacted Nan Chen, anyway? When are you letting me go?”
“I'll consider letting you go when Nan Chen agrees to my conditions.”
“Did he agree, then?”
“Not yet. He's in a dilemma and asked for some time to consider. I'm not in a hurry, anyway. Gerton might be far,
but the scenery is great. We can use the time to do some sightseeing instead,” Ruan Anxi uttered calmly.
“You want me to go sightseeing with you? That's all you kidnapped me for? To go sightseeing with you?” Ning Ran's
blood was boiling.
“I didn't kidnap you. Have I ever mistreated you? I covered your basic necessities, didn't I? You're free to go now if
you don't want to have a meal with me. I won't stop you.”
“You're unbelievably shameless. You're the one who said you'd get someone to run me over if I dare to escape!”
Ning Ran scolded.
“Oh, I wasn't being serious. I never planned on executing it,” he muttered.
Just then, someone walked over. “Doctor, they have agreed to your terms.”
Leaning against the back of the chair, Ruan Anxi commented, “That's great. Nan Chen has finally agreed to my
conditions.”
“He has agreed to let Grandpa replace me?” Ning Ran was surprised.
“You're wrong again. I only invited his grandpa for tea. I never mentioned anything about kidnapping him. Why do
you people keep thinking I'm plotting something when all I'm doing is asking people out for tea?”
“That's because you're a bad person. Are you really asking someone to fly over just to have tea with them?”
“Why not? The tea here smells great, which makes it a suitable place to invite people over for tea.”