Stealing the Chicken Only to Lose the Rice

Howard Jiang didn’t keep Ian Song waiting long. He’d only been in that sealed room for five or six minutes when the sound of a car engine came from outside.

Then came the sound of footsteps, followed by the voices of the thugs who had kidnapped him greeting Howard Jiang.

“Go bring that kid out.”

“What the hell, you actually dare talk to Mr. Jiang like that? You’ve got a death wish!” The thug nicknamed Third, thinking it was his moment to shine, cursed and swung a slap at Ian Song’s face.

“Yes, Mr. Jiang.”

“Screw you! Gavin, do it!” Howard Jiang cursed, his face darkening.

Playing his part to the hilt, Ian Song deliberately put on a terrified look and stammered, “Who are you people? Why did you kidnap me?”

“Cut the crap and get out here. Mr. Jiang wants to see you,” barked the lead thug.

“Y-yes, I’m coming,” Ian said, shrinking back in fear.

When he reached the hall, Ian stared in shock at Howard Jiang sitting arrogantly on the wooden chair, then pointed at him angrily. “Howard Jiang, you had me kidnapped! Don’t you know that’s illegal?”

“Screw him! Kill that brat!” Howard Jiang roared in fury.

“He’s definitely a riot!”

“Total idiot, if you ask me.”

The thugs quickly chimed in to flatter him.

Ian’s expression flickered a few times before he forced out a tough-sounding demand, though his voice was shaky. “What exactly do you want?”

Howard Jiang stopped laughing and stared greedily at Ian Song. “If you want to live, transfer all the money in your bank account to mine.”

“And what if I don’t?” Suddenly, all the fear vanished from Ian’s face, replaced by a faint smile.

Howard Jiang was dumbstruck at the sight, cursing himself for being careless. As the saying goes, walk the night road long enough and you’ll run into ghosts—looks like tonight he finally ran into real trouble.

“Isn’t that a bit much?” Ian replied calmly.

“Too much? If you hadn’t embarrassed me, you wouldn’t be in this mess.” Howard sneered, but then noticed how calm Ian’s expression had become.

Ian Song smiled.

“How about this—I won’t ask for much. You wire two hundred million to my account, and I’ll let your little offense slide. Sound fair?”

Howard Jiang was stunned by Ian’s words, sensing that something was off.

“What the hell, you actually dare talk to Mr. Jiang like that? You’ve got a death wish!” Third, thinking it was his moment to shine, cursed and swung a slap at Ian Song’s face.

But just then, everyone’s vision blurred, and a figure flew out of the hall, crashing hard into the courtyard.

“Third!”

The lead thug was stunned. He had no idea how Third suddenly got sent flying.

Howard Jiang was also dumbfounded, but his adviser Zac Yang reacted quickly, shouting, “Not good! He let us catch him on purpose—his real target is Mr. Jiang! Everyone, protect Mr. Jiang!”

Hearing Zac Yang’s order, the lead thug and five others rushed to shield Howard Jiang, blocking Ian Song’s path.

Ian didn’t care at all and kept asking Howard, “So, Mr. Jiang, have you made up your mind? Are you sending that two hundred million or not?”

“Your mother! Kill him!” Howard Jiang roared in fury.

“All together—take him down!”

The lead thug shouted and pulled out a baton from his waist, swinging it as he charged at Ian Song. The other five weren’t slow either—some brandished knives, others batons, all rushing forward.

“Price just went up! Now it’s three hundred million!” Ian glanced at Howard Jiang, then shot forward.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!

With six muffled groans, all six thugs collapsed to the floor, knocked out cold.

Howard Jiang was dumbstruck at the sight, cursing himself for being careless. As the saying goes, walk the night road long enough and you’ll run into ghosts—looks like tonight he’d finally kicked the bucket.

Bang!

Just then, the courtyard gate was kicked open and a fierce-looking, cold-eyed young man stormed in.

As soon as he saw the newcomer, Zac Yang lit up with joy. “Gavin Chen, quick, protect Mr. Jiang!”

Howard Jiang cracked a faint smile. “Gavin, perfect timing. Take this kid down and I’ll give you a huge reward!”

“Thank you, Mr. Jiang!”

The man replied coolly, striding into the main hall with a chilling glare fixed on Ian Song. “Didn’t expect you to be a martial artist. I misjudged you.”

Facing Gavin Chen, Ian’s expression didn’t change at all. Instead, he grinned at Howard Jiang. “Better think this through, Mr. Jiang. If he’s not my match, the price goes up again—four hundred million to buy back your life!”

“I’ll raise your mother! Gavin, do it!” Howard Jiang cursed, face darkening.

“Hmph!”

Gavin Chen was clearly annoyed by Ian’s words. He snorted coldly and strode forward, his fists flashing out in a barrage. A wave of killing intent instantly filled the room, enveloping Ian Song.

“So, mid-stage Postnatal, huh?”

The moment Gavin moved, Ian could tell his strength. He raised his fist and punched back.

Bang!

Gavin Chen was sent flying, crashing to the courtyard floor like a rag doll. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his face instantly turning pale.

“What...?”

Howard Jiang was utterly stunned, completely despairing. Gavin Chen was the expert he’d worked so hard to recruit, and he’d just been beaten by Ian Song with a single punch.

Ian’s gaze landed on Howard Jiang again, playful. “Got any more helpers, Mr. Jiang? If so, call them out—so I can charge you even more for the labor fee.”

Howard’s expression flickered several times before he forced himself to calm down and squeezed out a smile. “Mr. Song, my men just acted on their own today—it’s all a misunderstanding. Could you please let me off?”

“Do you think I’m stupid?” Ian asked with a grin.

“No, not at all!” Howard said quickly.

“Then are you stupid?” Ian pressed.

“I’m not stupid either,” Howard gritted out.

“Well, since neither of us is stupid, why say stupid things?”

“…You…!”

“Enough.” Ian cut him off. “Everyone’s time is valuable, so let’s not waste any more. Are you paying the four hundred million or not? Give me a straight answer.”

Howard’s face turned especially ugly. “Mr. Song, could you lower it a bit? Would ten million work?”

“You think this is a street market where you can haggle?” Ian stepped forward, grabbed Howard Jiang and yanked him off the chair, then slapped him several times. In a deceptively gentle tone, he said, “Don’t test my patience. You only get three chances. You’ve already used one—two left.”