"Xiao Rui, how about I take you shopping for clothes today?" Lin Chuan asked.

"Sure!" Zhou Rui was over the moon, holding Lin Chuan's hand tightly and exclaiming excitedly, "You said it, you better not change your mind."

After speaking, Zhou Rui dragged Lin Chuan into the shopping mall.

At that moment in Jiangbei City's downtown area, streets and alleys were already teeming with people. Universities, middle schools, and elementary schools had all started their vacations, and even many factories began their early holidays. So, lots of people were at home, waiting to celebrate the New Year. People thronged the streets to buy their favorite clothes, their desired items, enjoying Jiangbei City's delectable dishes, shopping for New Year's outfits or simply strolling through the streets, passing the holiday time.

Lin Chuan led Zhou Rui between several malls. Though Jiangbei City was just a third-tier city, it boasted several large luxury shopping centers. In Jiangbei Building, there were multiple international top brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior... etc.

Lin Chuan didn't hesitate to buy things for Zhou Rui. Naturally, Zhou Rui didn't hold back either.

Bought a Louis Vuitton bag for fifty-eight thousand. Got a Chanel coat for eight thousand nine hundred. Purchased a Dior makeup set for nineteen thousand eight hundred. After a shopping spree, over a hundred thousand was spent swiftly, and Lin Chuan certainly wasn't thrifty.

Lin Chuan carried numerous items behind them, with hands full, carrying bags on his shoulders and around his neck.

"What else do you want to buy?" Lin Chuan asked.

"Just need a pair of shoes," Zhou Rui laughed cheerily.

"You need more than a pair of shoes," Lin Chuan chuckled, and then added, "You need several pairs of shoes!"

Zhou Rui didn't catch the meaning at first, but after a few steps, she quickly realized and hurriedly questioned, "What do you mean? Are you saying I'm short?"

"No way, how could I dare!" Lin Chuan shook his head awkwardly and said, "Don't say that, I didn't mean you're short."

"Then what do you mean?" Zhou Rui glared at Lin Chuan, seemingly ready to brawl with him at any moment.

"I was just saying you haven't bought shoes much in the past two years, so this time we'll make it up in one go," Lin Chuan laughed.

"Really?" Zhou Rui frowned.

"Of course," Lin Chuan nodded immediately.

"Alright, since you've bought me so many things, I'll forgive you," Zhou Rui giggled.

The two soon resumed wandering around the mall. Zhou Rui bought a pair of high heels and a pair of high boots. The two pairs of shoes were only a little over three thousand yuan. They were relatively affordable. However, it was Zhou Rui's first time being so extravagant this year, or rather, her first time splurging like this since returning to China. The domestic expense indeed raised eyebrows, considering these items abroad were only about a third of the domestic prices, yet once they reached China, their prices soared.

Domestic income was inherently lower than abroad, yet these items' prices were even higher than overseas.

After shopping, the couple immediately drove out of the city.

Lin Chuan drove Zhou Rui back home. Due to Changlin Factory's demolition, Zhou Rui had rented an apartment at Shangpin Garden, located at the south entrance road of Huai Mountain. The rent here wasn't high, with a three-bedroom, two-living-room apartment costing just three thousand a month. This layout and this style of north-south orientation in a big city would cost at least eight or nine thousand a month.

Lin Chuan reached the parking lot and slowly parked into a parking spot.

"Take me upstairs," Zhou Rui pouted, playfully demanding.

"Sure!" Lin Chuan was, of course, very willing; he grinned at Zhou Rui, got out of the car, and carried an entire carload of things upstairs.

Zhou Rui carried two pairs of shoes, excitedly walking inside.

Not long after the two walked past, two men emerged from a shadowy corner in the parking lot. Wearing black clothes, smoking cigarettes, one of them also wore a baseball cap with the brim pressed very low, standing behind a pillar. One of them was wearing an ear warmer, clearly missing one ear, while the other wore glasses filled with greedy eyes.

"See that?" One-ear opened his mouth, saying, "That woman."

"Is she the general manager of Sichuan University Group?" Glasses-man asked.

"That's right." One-ear nodded, saying, "Once we nab her, hehe, we'll enjoy endless pleasure."

"Damn," Glasses-man grinned, "Why should she, a woman, have more money than us, right?"

"But, there's a man with her. It's troublesome to deal with him," One-ear frowned.

"What's there to fear?" Glasses-man sneered, "It's just one guy, are we afraid we can't handle him?"

"This man isn't simple," One-ear shook his head, saying, "We should avoid provoking him, we're only after money, not killing."

"Good point," Glasses-man nodded immediately.

After sending Zhou Rui upstairs, Lin Chuan didn't enter the apartment but turned around and left.

As soon as Lin Chuan left, the two men immediately started their move. It was the end of the year, the peak season for roaming criminals. At the year-end, everyone needs money, and some people, having run out of money, have no choice but to take risks. After all, everyone wants to go home for the New Year. Some migrant workers, after working hard for a year, haven't earned any money, so they have to devise ways to make money by risking it all. These two men were among them. They had never done anything like this before.

However, three days ago, a stranger approached them, providing not only a sum of money but also a critical lead. If they could kidnap Zhou Rui and take her to a designated place, they could obtain a significant fortune.

This significant fortune was a whopping half a million, which for these two men, who barely earn tens of thousands a year, was astronomical. Facing such a huge fortune, they were naturally thrilled and excited. Taking a risk seemed justified.

So, they decisively initiated their plan.

"Let's go!" said One Ear, throwing the half-burnt cigarette from his mouth onto the ground and stomping it out forcefully. Seeing that the man with glasses behind him wasn't moving, he shouted at him.

"Bro, is this… are we breaking the law?" the man with glasses asked.

"Damn it, are you talking about the law at a time like this?" One Ear glared at him and said, "Brother, pulling this off, we won't have to work for ten years. Plus, we have children to feed, elders and wives to support at home. You know it's not easy for us, right?"

"Yeah!" Hearing this, the man with glasses immediately made up his mind.

Then, the two stealthily headed towards the elevator. Based on the intelligence provided, they had already located Zhou Rui's residence. The elevator slowly ascended to the eleventh floor. Eleventh floor, apartment number two. A brown security door with a locked door. Standing before it, the two hesitated momentarily.

"What should we do?" the man with glasses asked.

"I'll ring the doorbell," said One Ear, "and we'll improvise. Whether checking the water meter or the gas meter, we need a reason."

"Uh-huh!" The man with glasses shivered slightly, holding out a sack.

"Remember, as soon as the door opens, cover her head with the sack and knock her unconscious with a club," One Ear instructed.

"Got it!" The man with glasses nodded immediately.

"Good!" One Ear smiled slightly and patted the man with glasses on the shoulder, saying, "I'm going to knock; be ready."

One Ear then walked up cautiously. In truth, he was quite nervous; it was his first time doing such a thing. If it weren't for the allure of half a million, he doubted he'd have the courage.

Knock, knock, knock…

Summoning his courage, One Ear knocked on the security door.

"Who is it?" Zhou Rui's voice came from inside.

"Gas company," One Ear shouted, his voice suddenly seeming too sharp, so he quickly lowered his tone: "Checking... checking the gas meter."

Click…

The security door opened, but Zhou Rui did not peek out; she left it slightly ajar.

"Who's there?" Zhou Rui asked.

Suddenly, a stranger's face appeared in front of her, and Zhou Rui reflexively tried to close the door. Unexpectedly, a club suddenly wedged itself in the door gap. The door couldn't close. Immediately, a pair of malevolent eyes peeked through the gap.

Zhou Rui instantly realized she was facing an attempted home invasion. She forced herself to stay calm.

"What do you want?" Zhou Rui quickly asked.

"Miss, open the door," One Ear grinned wickedly, "We're here to check the gas meter; it's due this month."

"You…" Zhou Rui quickly thought up a plan and said, "I… I'm not available right now, can you come back later to check?"

"No way!" One Ear shook his head and said, "It must be checked now, otherwise we'd have come for nothing."

"But, I'm really not available right now!" Zhou Rui said awkwardly.

Trying to buy some time, Zhou Rui racked her brains, desperately trying to think of any way to save herself. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find any means of self-rescue. There was no one in the house; if there was, she could have saved herself.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck.

Zhou Rui turned her head and shouted into the house, "Sister Liu, someone's here to check the gas meter, come quickly!"

Outside, the two men obviously froze, stunned to find there was someone else in the house. They exchanged bewildered glances, and one of them quickly said, "Boss, how come there's someone else in this house?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.