Xiaofeng chuckled lightly upon hearing his words, "It seems you’re not so dull after all, knowing that kidnapping is a crime and that you’re going to get caught."
Zhao Youqian’s ears suddenly turned red upon hearing Xiaofeng’s words, and he scratched his head, "Our group, we really resorted to this method only because we are broke and out of options. I’m the mastermind; the others just followed my lead. Moreover, among them are several who are still under eighteen. If you have to arrest someone, then arrest me. I’m willing to serve time."
It was a desperate act for money; otherwise, he wouldn’t even consider doing something : "It’s just that she said she could seek justice for us. I hope she keeps her word."
Xiaonian looked anxiously at Xiaofeng upon hearing Zhao Youqian’s words, "Sister, I truly did say I’d seek justice for them."
In the end, she found herself lacking in confidence.
She actually believed the words of a kidnapper.
"Seeking justice for you and what you did tonight are not the same thing. What you did tonight is a crime in itself; you understand that, right?" Xiaofeng looked at them, "If tonight you had kidnapped someone other than Xiaonian, what were you planning to do? Were you going to release them after getting the money, or silence them permanently after the extortion?"
"We would definitely not do something like killing; we just wanted to get some money. I’m the mastermind, and I’m willing to serve time," Zhao Youqian reiterated.
"Sister, I think they’re really not lying. Why don’t we help him?" Xiaoyan suggested.
"Sister Xiaofeng, why don’t we put aside the kidnapping for now and seek justice for them first, then settle accounts with them afterward?" Yu Shuiling looked at Xiaonian’s pitiful expression and also pleaded on their behalf.
Xiaoyan gave them a disdainful look: "Weren’t you two fighting, refusing to deal with each other like sworn enemies, and now you’re reconciled?"
Xiaonian kicked him, "It’s our choice; what’s it to you?"
Xiaobai shrugged, admitting that he didn’t understand the world of women, especially the two in front of him.
Ye Cheng stepped forward, looked at the five or six youngsters, and said to Xiaofeng, "Let’s keep their actions on record for now. If they’re lying, I’ll deal with them."
All eyes turned to the man before them, with a single thought in their minds: this man looked like the kind who’s challenging to deal with. If he took action, he would be ruthless and show no mercy.
Xiaonian looked at the man before her and thought, if not for the slight difference in aura from Brother Cheng, she might have mistaken this man for Brother Cheng’s return.
But the man before her seemed even harder to deal with than Brother Cheng.
Her eyes questioned Shuiling, as if asking who this man was and what he was doing here.
Shuiling ignored her; now was not the time to discuss this. They would talk about it after they went back.
Zhao Youqian spoke about the Yaorong Electronics Components Factory located in a civilian building in the Imperial Capital. The factory was not a standard facility; it seemed more like a private business taking on contracts and then privately processing them on the side.
There were not a few workers inside the large workshop. The sound of machines turning and electronic components scattered everywhere were the norms. The employees dared not gather to chat, instead kept their heads down and worked diligently.
A worker who appeared to be in charge noticed someone entering and looked displeased: "Why is it you again? Haven’t I made myself clear? Your injuries were due to your own improper operation and have nothing to do with us. We won’t compensate for the accident; you’d better give up that hope."
"Manager Wang." Instead of smiling apologetically like he had on previous occasions, Zhao Youqian said, "I have a few friends who also want to work here, and they asked me to bring them over for a look. If it weren’t for their persistent pleas, do you think I’d want to come here?"
Though the chance of getting injured here was small, accidents were unpredictable. The wage was decent, so many were willing to take the risk. If someone got injured, it was just bad luck.
Manager Wang’s gaze landed on Xiaofeng and Xiaonian, and his eyes brightened.
"You’re so kind as to bring them here?" Manager Wang sneered.
"They heard the wage is good and insisted on coming; what could I do?" Zhao Youqian was somewhat impatient, "If you’re interested, take them; if not, I’m taking them back. To be honest, since the factory doesn’t count injuries as work-related and offers no compensation..."
Manager Wang quickly approached to stop him from finishing his sentence, "As long as they’re willing to work here, we can negotiate about your fellow villager’s compensation. Here’s what we’ll do: come to my office later and I’ll give you five thousand upfront, but you have to help me keep them here. If they stay, I’ll give you another five thousand."