Chapter 055
Dongfang Jenqyih
Jenqyih was relieved when he heard something from inside the hole. The sound of the iron rod being hit was not loud at all, but was quite audible to the person right next to the hole. Shortly after, Yihshyong emerged from the hole.
"Where are the others?" Jenqyih looked into the hole when he realized Yihshyong had only come home alone.
"Dahge still has other things to do. Iren said Dahge would stop by the drugstore for a while. I don't know what kind of medicine he wanted to buy," Yihshyong answered.
"So, where is Iren now?"
"Of course, he's still in the passage. He's got to stay there. He'll be back with Dahge."
"Then, the things that Dahge brought with him? Where are they now?"
"Here, it's all with me," Yihshyong pointed at the plastic bag containing the things they had taken away earlier.
"What time will they be back? Shouldn't we all be on standby here to await a call from the kidnappers?"
"Take it easy. I think they'll be here soon too. Don't worry too much." Yihshyong patted Jenqyih's shoulder, smiling.
Shyongge must be trying hard to calm me down. I can't seem to panic.
"Okay! You rest for a while inside. I'll just wait for them here," said Jenqyih.
Yihshyong nodded. In a flash, he went straight into the house. Jenqyih walked to the terrace near the kitchen. He took a chair that was there and carried it towards the hole. He put the chair right next to the spot. After that, he sat there.
"Why didn't I think of something like this yesterday? It's much better than squatting until I'm sore at the edge of the hole," Jenqyih muttered to himself.
Jenqyih then waited for Shannchyuan and Iren to return. Unlike what Yihshyong had just said, it turned out that the two friends didn't arrive soon after. For a moment, Jenqyih thought that something terrible had happened to them. But quickly, he pushed aside the lousy image that appeared in his mind. The underground mall was a very crowded place. It was almost impossible for criminals to injure people intentionally in such a crowded place. Although they might also had a little trouble in the underground passages. However, Jenqyih was sure that these would definitely be easy to overcome.
Jenqyih turned towards the kitchen. At first, Jenqyih thought Yihshyong would only come into the house for a moment to drink some water or lie down on the sofa a bit. After that, he would return to the backyard to be together with Jenqyih, awaiting the arrival of Shannchyuan and Iren. But after Jenqyih waited so long, Yihshyong didn't show up. Apparently, his friend really rested at home.
I think he's exhausted. I must not forget that he is older than me.
The old adage, which said that waiting was a very tedious job, was not nonsense. It had been proven true. In no time, Jenqyih was dozing off in the chair. He almost fell asleep. Fortunately, a familiar sound emerged from below the hole, namely the sound of metal being hit.
"They've finally arrived! Two minutes from now, if they hadn't arrived, I would have fallen asleep here!" Jenqyih grumbled to himself.
Shannchyuan and Iren emerged from the hole.
"Why did you take too long?" Jenqyih grumbled a little.
"Where's Yihshyong?" Instead of answering Jenqyih's question, Iren asked back.
Jenqyih pointed towards the house. "Maybe he's resting. Or maybe he's asleep inside."
Shannchyuan smiled. "Sorry, I had some business to attend to. The important thing is that we're back now. So now we can both wait for the call from the kidnappers."
"Tsaehorng hasn't shown up yet?" Iren asked.
Good grief! I don't remember that at all!
"Now that I'm here, it means he hasn't come yet. You're so weird," Jenqyih said.
Iren just laughed. "Sorry!"
After placing the iron plate in its original place to close the hole and returning the large pot to its original position, they entered the house. They found Yihshyong lying on the couch in the living room.
"It turned out that my guess was right that he fell asleep here," said Jenqyih.
Iren shook Yihshyong's body. "Wake up! Come on, wake up!"
Yihshyong squirmed. He opened his eyes. "What time is it now?"
"It's not ten o'clock yet. But now we have to get ready to receive calls from the kidnappers." Shannchyuan opened his mouth.
"Why are you sleeping here?" Jenqyih asked.
"I didn't sleep. I fell asleep while waiting for Chioujen to come home," Yihshyong replied.
It's just the same!
Jenqyih looked at the clock hanging on the living room wall. "Chioujen said he'd be home at ten. But I don't think he will arrive exactly at ten. He could be home at half-past eleven or even twelve."
Shannchyuan looked at Yihshyong. "If you're really sleepy, you should just sleep in your room. Let us wait for Chioujen to come home and wait for the calls from the people who kidnapped Shinnshiow."
"It's okay. I'm not sleepy now!" Yihshyong insisted on joining the wait.
"Wash your face first," said Iren to Yihshyong.
"I don't think Yihshyong is the only one who has to wash our faces. We all should wash our faces, so we feel refreshed," said Shannchyuan.
After that, they all took turns washing their faces in the bathroom.
"Are any of you feeling hungry right now?" Yihshyong suddenly said that while rubbing his stomach.
Iren laughed. He looked at the faces of his friends one by one. "Do you think we should eat before we receive calls from the kidnappers?" Iren answered Yihshyong's strange question with a question that was no less strange.
"Isn't there a lot of leftovers from our dinner last night?" Jenqyih said.
"It's not just our dinner last night that still has a lot left." Shannchyuan smiled. "The lunch we bought for Iren and Jenqyih has not been fully eaten either." After saying that, Shannchyuan walked straight to the kitchen and opened the fridge.
Shannchyuan's three friends walked in groups, following Shannchyuan. Their footsteps could be heard so clearly.
Turns out Shyongge isn't the only one hungry!
"Well! That's right! There are still a lot of leftovers!" Shannchyuan pointed to the contents of the refrigerator. He then looked at the clock hanging on the kitchen wall. "I think we still have a little time. Enough to fill our stomachs."
Iren took a glass. Then he took a bottle out of the fridge. The bottle contained cold water that they had previously boiled to a boil. He seemed to be more thirsty than hungry.
Before they could take the food, there was a sound coming from their gate. Someone's coming. Tonight they did not lock the gate. Jenqyih walked into the living room to open the door. After the door opened, a figure walked in. He looked tired. He was out of breath as if he had been running after something.
"You drink first," said Iren. He gave a glass of water filled with cold water to their guest, who had just arrived.
"Thank you, Uncle," said the man. He took the glass from Iren's hand and drank the water instantly until it ran out without a single drop.
"Is all your business done?" Jenqyih asked.
"It's all right, Uncle! Now I can concentrate on our problem."
"Tsaehorng," Shannchyuan said, "we were just about to eat. Would you like to join?"
Their guest, who turned out to be Tsaehorng, couldn't hide his surprise. Perhaps he did not expect the house's occupants would feel hungry again so quickly. They had had dinner before.
Eating is an important ritual in our group.
Jenqyih laughed. "This is our habit. Always eat to overcome nervousness."
Tsaehorng also laughed. "Okay, Uncle. I'll try to eat some."
Fortunately, what Dahge hoped for, did come true. I had completely forgotten that I had to be on standby in case Tsaehorng came at any time. If only he had come earlier, I don't know what to say!
Jenqyih shook his head at the thought. Shannchyuan looked at him. It seemed that he also realized what he was thinking.
Maybe Dahge realized I had been negligent. Luckily, everything went well.
"Okay! Now let's eat first." Shannchyuan smiled.
Iren took the food from the fridge. He reheated the food briefly using the microwave. After that, with the help of Yihshyong, he served the food at the dining table. They all sat down at the dining table to eat the dish.
"Did Miss Dihwuu call you when they arrived at your apartment?" Shannchyuan asked Tsaehorng.
"Earlier, when I was in the exhibition building, I had a chance to call my apartment. They are fine. Even Mrs. Dihwuu said that Miss Liuchiou looked thrilled," replied Tsaehorng.
"Thank goodness," said Shannchyuan, "I was a little worried about her."
"Don't worry, Uncle. I've told Miss Dihwuu to report every six hours. My employees are on standby at the exhibition hall, so even if I'm not there, there's always someone who will receive news from Miss Dihwuu."
Uh? Have to give news every six hours? Doesn't she need sleep?
"Thank you," said Shannchyuan.
"You're welcome, Uncle!"
They then quickly finished their second dinner. Just as Shannchyuan finished swallowing the last piece of his meal, the clock on the wall was already ten o'clock.
"Now is the time," said Shannchyuan.
They all then sat by the telephone. The tools the police sent were still installed there. Earlier, after trying it, they didn't remove it at all. Shannchyuan plugged in the earphones connected to the thing they called "Huahshiang." Tsaehorng also put on another earphone from the Huahshiang. Their faces all looked tense. Waiting for the phone to ring from the kidnappers was really stressful.
Jenqyih drew closer to Tsaehorng. Tsaehorng then removed the earphone that was attached to his left ear. He gave the earphones to Jenqyih. Jenqyih put the earphones in his ears at once.
"Mr. Duanmuh! Are you ready?" A voice came from the earphones plugged into their ears.
The two Huahshiangs were apparently connected so that Tsaehorng and Jenqyih could hear what the police were saying to Shannchyuan.
"Yes, Sir!" Shannchyuan replied firmly.
"Now we wait for the call from the kidnappers. Remember, Mr. Duanmuh, stay calm in answering the call. Don't panic! Try to keep the kidnappers talking."
"Yes, Sir!" Shannchyuan said.
Then the atmosphere was quiet.
Ring
Finally, the thing they had been waiting for had arrived.
"Wait for the next ring. After that, you will answer the call," said a voice from Huahshiang.
Ring
Shannchyuan picked up the phone.
"Hello," said Shannchyuan.
Shannchyuan frowned.
“Right. I am Duanmuh Shannchyuan.”
Shannchyuan then listened to the caller speak. Their telephones were not equipped with speakers, so only Shannchyuan could hear what the kidnappers were saying. Shannchyuan was nodding.
What do the kidnappers say?
"Can I talk to Shinnshiow now? I need proof that he's okay."
Then Shannchyuan was silent. It was like he was waiting for something.
"Shinnshiow! Are you all right?" Shannchyuan shouted. It seemed that Shannchyuan couldn't hold himself back, so he forgot the instructions the police had given him.
"Mr. Duanmuh! Please calm down. Don't shout like that. Unexpectedly, it can provoke the kidnappers. We all want the kidnappers to feel relaxed. Don't let them get angry and hurt the victim." A deep, firm voice rang out from the earphones. This police voice was different from the police voice they had heard earlier.
Quickly, Shannchyuan seemed to have regained his composure.
"Did they give you enough food and drink?" Shannchyuan asked.
Shannchyuan nodded several times at a fast tempo. His face was so serious.
They let Shinnshiow speak. This is a good sign.
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine," said Shannchyuan.
After that, Shannchyuan's face tensed up again. It's possible that the kidnapper had snatched the phone back from Shinnshiow's hands. After a while, Shannchyuan's face looked even more tense.
"That's absolutely impossible. How can I know something that you don't even know," said Shannchyuan.
Shannchyuan shook his head many times.
"Okay, I'll give you all the things in the bag. But please free my friend as soon as possible."
Shannchyuan fell silent again. This time it's a bit long. It seemed that he was listening to the instructions given by the kidnappers.
"I wrote it on paper first so as not to forget!" Shannchyuan said after about two minutes of listening to the kidnapper's instructions.
Three seconds later, Shannchyuan said again. "Then please repeat what you explained earlier. I'm afraid there are things I have forgotten."
Shannchyuan nodded. He wiggled his fingers as if pretending to record everything he had heard.
"Okay!"
After that, Shannchyuan hung up the phone.
"Thank you, Mr. Duanmuh. Very good. We will try to trace the origin of the call." Again, a voice came from the earphones in their ears. This time, his voice was different from the two people they had communicated with before.
How many police officers are monitoring the telephone conversation we just received?
"Then what should we do now, Sir?" Shannchyuan asked.
"Right now, you don't need to do anything. We have heard all the conversations between you and the kidnappers here. You should now rest. We hope you will come to our place tomorrow morning to discuss the next steps."
"Where should I come, Sir? To the police station or the house where the police are monitoring calls that come into our house?"
"It's too risky if you go to the police station. Tomorrow morning we will inform you about where you should meet us," said the policeman.
"What time tomorrow, Sir?"
"I think we will inform you at eight in the morning. Most likely through this device. However, if for some reason it turns out that this device is not working, we will inform you through Mr. Mingju's pager."
"Okay, Sir! Tomorrow at eight o'clock in the morning, I will prepare to receive instructions from the police," said Shannchyuan.
"One more important thing, Sir!" The cop hadn't finished speaking yet. "Please don't leave the house empty. I'm afraid the kidnappers will call again outside the hours they have set."
"Yes, Sir!"
After that, it was quiet. Nothing else was heard. The police seem to have cut off the connection.
Everyone presented there stared at Shannchyuan. From the look on their faces, there was a desire to know what Shinnshiow or his captors had said.
"You guys take it easy. Shinnshiow is okay. He said the dinner was delicious. He also said that the person who cooked the dinner must be an experienced chef."
Shinnshiow is truly amazing! When he is still a kidnapping victim, he still has time to enjoy the dinner served by his kidnappers! I don't know if this was because of the influence of all of us, or maybe Shinnshiow basically has a knack for acting weird.
Jenqyih smiled to himself at the thought of Shinnshiow's behavior in the kidnappers' lair. He was sure that his other friends were also imagining more or less the same thing.
"That kid is a bit crazy! Maybe the kidnappers are getting stressed by Shinnshiow's behavior there," said Yihshyong. It was obvious that he could barely contain his laughter.
"Then, the kidnappers treat Uncle Beeihae well," said Tsaehorng.
"This is a positive thing. It means that the kidnappers are not barbarians who are determined to do everything without calculation," said Iren.
"Still, we have to be vigilant. Right now, they are treating Shinnshiow well. But maybe, if we make a wrong move, tomorrow they will torture Shinnshiow," Jenqyih said.
"You're right," Shannchyuan said to Jenqyih. "Let's not be easily fooled."
"So, what do they want?" Iren asked.
"As we expected. They want us to hand over the things that Songfei left with me," Shannchyuan said. "But they themselves don't seem to know what item Songfei really wants to hide. I have the impression that they are just like us too, still groping about what really happened."
"Maybe they are just the pawns. So they don't know anything about the real problem," said Yihshyong.
"That's what I'm afraid of. Even if the police catch them, not much will be revealed either," said Shannchyuan.
"How many kidnappers were there talking to Dahge?" Yihshyong asked.
"I heard that there were two different voices earlier. But those two, earlier, seemed to be giving orders to another person. So at least, there are currently three people there," Shannchyuan replied.
"Then when do they want Dahge to hand over those Songfei things?" Iren asked.
"Tomorrow at eight o'clock at night. But tomorrow at twelve o'clock in the afternoon, they will call again if there is a change of plans. That's why tomorrow morning, I have to get a briefing from the police about what they will do," replied Shannchyuan.
"Indeed, where exactly are the police monitoring this kidnapping case?" asked Jenqyih.
All eyes were on Tsaehorng.
"I also don't know exactly where the police are monitoring this case," said Tsaehorng.
"You don't know either?" Iren asked.
"That's right, Uncle! The police told me earlier that not many people should know where it is. But I think tomorrow they will tell me where the house they used to monitor is."
"You said earlier that the range of signals emitted by this splitter-like thing is limited. So the signal receiver must be located in a place not far around our house," said Yihshyong.
"I haven't seen stranger cars, which I've never seen, pass on the road in front of our house. The only stranger car that entered the alley in front of our house today is yours." Iren looked at Tsaehorng. "That means the car carrying the police officers did not pass in front of our house at all. So the house the police were using was not located in the same alley as our house."
"Because the splitter and signal receiver can't be too far away, I think the house is most likely in the next alley. That is the alley where the row of houses is behind our house. It is possible that the house that the police are using is the house right behind our house or the house on the right or left side," said Shannchyuan.
"There are two entrances to our complex. The main road is a road connected to the highway, while the other road is a smaller one that leads to the rear of the complex. So, maybe the cops came in through the back. We didn't see any stranger cars at all because they headed straight to the next alley," Jenqyih said.
Tsaehorng smiled at the analysis of the middle-aged men.
I hope he doesn't think of us as troublesome old people.
"That's amazing, Uncle! I'm also inquisitive. But tomorrow morning, we'll know when the police tell us!"
Shannchyuan smiled. "Right! I think we should all endure this curiosity until tomorrow morning."
Suddenly, there was the sound of the gate being opened.
"I almost forgot!" Jenqyih laughed. He rushed to the door in the living room. He opened the door and smiled at the person still standing outside the house.
A few seconds later, a figure appeared from behind the door. He was carrying a backpack and carrying a medium-sized plastic bag.
"Welcome, Chioujen," Shannchyuan greeted in a loud voice.
Chioujen, the man who had just entered the house, smiled. He dropped the plastic bag he was carrying on the floor. Then he put the heavy backpack he was carrying on the couch.
"How is everyone? Long time no see. I hope everything is fine." After saying that, Chioujen spread his arms wide. With a big smile, he stepped forward, ready to hug everyone presented.
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