<h4>Chapter 1034: Chapter 1041: The Mastermind</h4>


    "Alright, all of you go outside and stand guard. Let me be alone with her for a moment."


    "Yes, Haozi!"


    Once everyone in the basement had left, Nanrong Hao walked alone to a small room. He knocked on the door and pushed it open. Inside the small room was a simple bed and a small round table with a case of bottled water and a box of bread and biscuits. Next door, there was a rudimentary toilet.


    At this moment, a woman was sitting on the bed in the room. It was Zhu Xiaozhu, whom Ling Chen was searching for.


    Seeing who came in, Zhu Xiaozhu was stunned and said in surprise, "Nanrong Hao, why are you here? Did they also capture you?"


    Nanrong Hao replied expressionlessly, "Miss Zhu, you are mistaken. No one captured me. On the contrary, I had you brought here."


    Hearing this, Zhu Xiaozhu was taken aback and asked incredulously, "Why? Why would you do this? We’ve never had any enmity; if not great friends, at least we’re friends."


    "Miss Zhu," Nanrong Hao interjected, "You are my friend, but I’mpelled to do this because I want revenge."


    "Revenge?" Zhu Xiaozhu faltered and asked in confusion, "I never wronged you; what revenge are you looking for?"


    "You haven’t, but your brother did. You might not know yet—my father was killed by your brother." Nanrong Hao tried to keep his tone calm.


    "Impossible!" Zhu Xiaozhu immediately retorted without a thought, "That’s absolutely impossible; my brother wouldn’t do..."


    "Enough!" Nanrong Hao coldly interrupted her.


    "Miss Zhu, no need to defend your brother. Chen told me himself; would he lie to me? Moreover, don’t you know what kind of person your brother is? I want revenge, but I can’t find Zhu Hong on my own, so I have to use you to find him. Zhu Xiaozhu, I’m sorry, but some grudges cannot coexist until avenged. Once I kill Zhu Hong, I will release you."


    Zhu Xiaozhu bit her lip lightly and said, "Nanrong Hao, even if what you say is true, have you not thought—vendettas beget vendettas. If you kill my brother, won’t the Zhu Family retaliate against the Nanrong Family? Aren’t the Nanrong and Zhu Families long-time friends? Do you really want to see both families fighting to the death?"


    "And so what?" Nanrong Hao couldn’t control his anger and shouted, "Should I just let it go? If it were your father that I killed and someone told you the same thing, would you forgo revenge?" Breathing deeply to calm himself, Nanrong Hao continued, "Miss Zhu, put yourself in my shoes; there’s no point in saying things that make no difference. I still consider you a friend because you’re not like Zhu Hong. Maybe Zhu Hong was a good person once, but not anymore. You are his sister; you should know how he’s changed. If I don’t kill him, more people will die by his hand."


    "Can’t you spare him? Must you resort to such extreme revenge?"


    "Blood for blood. When he killed my father, did he think about sparing him?" Nanrong Hao said coldly, "Miss Zhu, there’s no need to plead for him. I’ve made up my mind to avenge this matter." As he spoke, Nanrong Hao took a phone out of his pocket and tossed it beside Zhu Xiaozhu.


    "Tell Zhu Hong, if he cares about you as his sister, toe see me at once."


    "I don’t know how to contact him; I haven’t seen him in a long time."


    "Miss Zhu, I’ve been more than reasonable with you. You’re his sister; you must be able to reach him. I’veid it out for you: either have Zhu Honge to see me, or... you’ll stay here until you contact him. Just beware, Miss Zhu, don’t think of using this phone to call the police or anyone other than Zhu Hong. My people will monitor your calls and texts, and if you try to call the police, don’t me me for being ruthless." With that, Nanrong Hao said no more and left the room.


    Outside, Nanrong Hao summoned a few of his men in.


    "Is everything set up?"


    "Boss, rest assured. Everything’s arranged as you instructed. If that guy dares show up, he won’t be leaving."


    "It better be that way. I don’t want any slip-ups. Alright, keep an eye on her and remember, no cking off. Notify me immediately when she contacts Zhu Hong. Understand?"


    "Yes, Boss."


    ...


    In the cramped room, Zhu Xiaozhu sat on the bed with the phone in her hand, dazed. She didn’t have any contact for Zhu Hong, so she couldn’t fulfill Nanrong Hao’s demand. Even if she knew how to reach Zhu Hong, she wouldn’t call him for help. Regardless of what Zhu Hong might have done, he was still her brother.


    "Brother..." After a long silence, Zhu Xiaozhu sighed softly and murmured to herself, "Why did you have to do this?"


    ...


    In no time, two days had passed.


    During these two days, Ling Chen hadn’t had a good sleep, and theck of news from Zhu Xiaozhu was making him anxious. He couldn’t understand why anyone would capture her, especially given her gentle nature that wouldn’t offend anyone.


    After thinking it over, Ling Chen picked up his phone and called Hu Fei to check on the investigation’s progress.


    "Fei, it’s been two days; have you found that van?"


    "This is tricky. We found the van, but it was burnt, leaving no evidence. Plus, the people who kidnapped Miss Zhu seem very aware of our capabilities, choosing roads without surveince. We haven’t found any clues. Hey! Ling Chen, it’s been two days, and there’s no movement from the Zhu Family, so it’s not a ransom. They must have another motive. I’m thinking, if it’s not money, then Zhu Xiaozhu’s safety..."


    "Shut your crow’s mouth," interrupted Ling Chen irritably. "As long as she’s missing, don’t jump to conclusions. Instead of specting, you’d do better to focus. Let Boss Tang know to temporarily set aside other matters and have the Secret Society use all resources to locate Zhu Xiaozhu."


    "Alright, I’ll do my best."


    After hanging up, Ling Chen rubbed his temples, feeling increasingly worried. Hu Fei’s intuition wasn’t necessarily wrong; if the abductors weren’t after ransom, what could they want?


    Revenge?