Chapter 43#

Standing outside the ward, looking through the glass window covered with a layer of mist, Chen Yuanming gazed at the holly bushes in the flowerbed, unable to recover for a long time. After sending Xiao Junyi to the emergency room yesterday, he turned around and called Xiao Yun. The reaction on the other end was even calmer than he had imagined, saying that he would arrive in Shanghai the next day, telling him not to worry and to stay in the hospital without acting rashly.

Less than ten minutes later, Shanghai seemed to be stirred by an invisible giant hand. The public security system reacted quickly and launched an investigation overnight. The two injured robbers were detained in time and interrogated while still lying in hospital beds. The results came quickly. Based on the information obtained, the national highways, provincial roads, and railways around Shanghai all entered a state of martial law. Dozens of police cars cast a net, and finally found the Tianjin Daihatsu van in the early hours of the morning, and captured the two fugitives in a nearby budget hotel.

However, staying in the hospital, all Chen Yuanming could do was answer the police’s questions over and over again, ask the doctor about the progress of the operation, and meet with high-ranking officials at the director and mayor levels in turn. Having not slept all night, his spirit was already exhausted to the extreme, but the anxiety in his heart did not diminish at all.

Too careless!

According to the police report, this group of gangsters came from the Chaoshan area. The black-faced man headed by the alias “Brother Hao” was once an external support person for the Hong Kong 4.10 kidnapping case. Later, as the situation in Hong Kong became tighter, he led a group of younger brothers to flee to Shanghai. At the time of the Shanghai stock market high, the frenzy of nationwide stock trading prompted him to invest all the hundreds of thousands obtained from the kidnapping case into the stock market. But the good times didn’t last long. Due to operational failure, the money was trapped by the bear market in a blink of an eye. Seeing that most of the “life-selling money” was gone in one breath, Brother Hao was encouraged by his younger brothers to cut his losses and exit. Who knew that a few days later, the bull market rebounded again. This rise and fall really dazzled his mind, making people start to take risks and return to their old profession.

Through private channels, Brother Hao targeted the million-dollar VIP room of the securities company with extreme hatred of the rich. In the past two months, due to the sudden changes in the stock market, the personnel in the VIP room changed frequently. Many wealthy people had left Shanghai and could no longer be tracked. Only Chen Yuanming was a special case. His hotel residence was fixed, his income was substantial, his experience was legendary, and coupled with his unique age and appearance, he had long been spread by the red vests as industry gossip.

Based on these clues, the gangsters locked onto Chen Yuanming’s residence and friends in early February. However, fearing Xiao Yun, the legendary child of the compound, they dared not act rashly. They finally waited for Xiao Yun to leave, but who knew that Chen Yuanming suddenly left Shanghai at this time, disappearing without a trace. This change aroused the evil thoughts of Brother Hao and the others. After learning that the stock account and hotel room had not been cancelled, they squatted outside the hotel for a whole week, and finally encountered Chen Yuanming who was alone when returning last night, and carried out the kidnapping.

The whole process was surprisingly simple, yet extremely dangerous. If Xiao Junyi hadn’t risked his life to save him, his bones would probably be sinking in the Huangpu River now. Just one negligence resulted in such terrible consequences, how could he sleep or eat peacefully.

Brows furrowed tightly, fists clenched, a burst of stinging pain erupted from the wound in his palm. Chen Yuanming was staring blankly out the window when the roar of a car engine caught his attention. He saw a string of military vehicles driving into the hospital gate, all hanging Nanjing military license plates. As soon as they stopped steadily, several people got out of the cars. Seeing the person clearly, Chen Yuanming swayed and went up to meet him.

Draped in a heavy coat, Xiao Yun walked up quickly. Chen Yuanming’s throat trembled, “Brother Xiao, I…”

“I know the specific situation, don’t worry.” Xiao Yun looked Chen Yuanming up and down and frowned slightly. This child probably hadn’t slept all night. The blood on his face hadn’t been wiped clean, and some bandages were hastily wrapped around his arms and thighs. His face was bruised and swollen, looking very pitiful. Shaking his head, Xiao Yun asked, “Where is Xiao Yi?”

“Still lying in the ward. He just had surgery last night, and the anesthesia probably hasn’t worn off yet.” Chen Yuanming paused, “The doctor said the knife wound was too deep this time, damaging the artery and some muscle groups, but the nerves are fine. The surgery yesterday was quite successful…”

Coming from the army, Xiao Yun was much more familiar with various injuries than Chen Yuanming, and tendon injuries were even more common among the skilled hands in military hospitals. So compared to the nervousness of the teenager in front of him, he naturally remained calmer. Reaching out and patting the teenager on the shoulder, Xiao Yun smiled frankly, “I told you, don’t worry, the elders are here.”

At this time, a man walked hurriedly from the corridor. Chen Yuanming had seen him a few times last night; he seemed to be a high-ranking government official. He walked quickly to Xiao Yun’s side and whispered something.

Xiao Yun raised his eyebrows, “Suppress it. What time is it now? Digging must continue deep, but the news cannot be published, especially regarding the victim’s situation. It must be completely blocked. Don’t make a big fuss.”

Regarding this matter, Xiao Yun and his eldest brother had already made arrangements. Currently, the news of his nephew’s injury had not been sent back to Beijing, fearing that the elders could not stand the stimulation. Moreover, the congress had just begun, and stability was the priority. It was not the time to overturn the table. Investigation was necessary, but the action must not be big.

The man responded submissively and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Who could have thought that the first major criminal case in Shanghai this year would fall on the son of a military bigwig? Yesterday, someone from the Nanjing Military Region came over and slammed the table, and the higher-ups were furious. In just one night, someone came by special plane from the Shenyang Military Region. The pomp was so big that no one could stand it. How could those petty thieves be so blind?!

After giving a few simple instructions, Xiao Yun nodded politely and let the guard beside him send the person away. At this time, the hospital also sent a nurse over, saying that the patient was awake. Breathing a long sigh of relief, Xiao Yun led Chen Yuanming into the ward.

The ward was a single room. A soft blue suppressed the pale white that should have been present in the hospital, but the handsome face of the young man lying on the bed was a bit ugly pale. Even his lips were bloodless, and his hair was messy on his forehead, looking weak and haggard.

“How is it? Do you know the old man’s intention in training you now?” Walking into the door, Xiao Yun said unceremoniously, “If you don’t sweat in peacetime, you will bleed more in wartime. Your mother spoiled you, can’t even deal with a few petty thieves!”

These words were quite choking, but the young man on the bed rarely did not refute, just pursed his lips awkwardly, “Uncle, don’t expose people’s shortcomings…”

Seeing that his nephew was still interested in joking with him, Xiao Yun felt relieved instantly, turned his head and pulled Chen Yuanming over, pressing him into the chair by the bed.

Seeing Chen Yuanming, Xiao Junyi’s eyes lit up instantly, but after seeing the other party’s wretched appearance clearly, he frowned again, “Didn’t sleep last night?”

“With your wretched look, how many people could sleep?” Xiao Yun was unceremonious and also pulled a chair to sit down.

Only then did Xiao Junyi realize that his uncle had rushed from Shenyang to Shanghai in one night, and probably hadn’t slept all night either. Somewhat embarrassed, he wanted to raise his hand to touch his nose, but as soon as his arm moved, there was a piercing pain in his palm. Hissing softly, he sighed somewhat helplessly. “I didn’t expect that group of trash to be so difficult last night, but fortunately Yuanming is fine.”

“Yes, fortunately Yuanming is fine.” Xiao Yun also exhaled gently. When he heard the case report, it really made him break out in a cold sweat. It turned out that he had been targeted a month ago. At that time, he was still in Shanghai and had never thought of such a thing. It was really because the social atmosphere was relatively upright after the crackdown in 1983, and it was during the Two Sessions. Who could have thought that such a vicious kidnapping incident would occur in Shanghai?

“But you can’t stay in Shanghai anymore. I heard Xiao Yi say that you are currently working on an industrial project in Anhui. How about leaving here to avoid the limelight for a while?” Xiao Yun turned his head and suggested to Chen Yuanming. Even if the news was suppressed firmly, some rumors would still emerge. Who could be at ease with a child worth over 100 million alone outside?

Chen Yuanming hesitated and answered truthfully, “Actually, coming back this time, I wanted to transfer the assets in the stock account and go to the United States to check the situation…”

Xiao Yun slapped his thigh, “Going abroad is better. Just come back after the limelight passes. But there must be a lot of money in your stock account, right? I’ll send someone to handle the funding issues with you. And look at you, hurry up and clean up, get some sleep. I’m here with Xiao Yi.”

Hearing this, Chen Yuanming stood up somewhat hesitantly, “But…”

Xiao Junyi smiled and stopped Chen Yuanming’s words, “Don’t ‘but’. If I had let you be kidnapped yesterday, my legs should have been broken by my uncle. Go get a good sleep. I’ll be fine after resting for a few days, don’t worry.”

With both of them saying the same thing, Chen Yuanming blinked, really unable to say anything, so he nodded gently and walked out the door.

After the teenager’s figure disappeared outside the door, Xiao Junyi suddenly spoke up, “The family won’t know about this, right?”

“Now you know fear?” Xiao Yun glared at him grumpily, “The old man and your dad know, but the old lady and your mom are still kept in the dark. Your dad means for you to hurry back to Shenyang with me, recuperate, rehabilitate, and manage the company’s affairs by the way, settle down properly. The old man wishes he could throw you back into the army for training again, don’t embarrass the Xiao family.”

“Uncle!”

“Alright, what do you think?”

Xiao Junyi was silent for a moment, “I also want to go back to Shenyang. Some things must be grasped tightly, or I will be left far behind…”

“Hurt your pride?” Xiao Yun smiled slightly, “Hearing you talk about Yuanming in Hefei, I was also quite surprised. This child is a person who can achieve great things, but he is still too young and easily tripped by things. Since he has become involved with our family, we can’t let him be delayed by these trivial matters…”

Looking at Xiao Junyi nodding with difficulty, Xiao Yun smiled secretly. Although the injury was really serious this time, his nephew seemed to have matured a lot. Born into a military family, the Xiao family motto never had the saying “fear of war”. One can bleed but not shed tears. There are still many in his generation who have personally been on the battlefield, but the next generation is becoming less and less capable. Let alone joining the army, even their backbone is very worrying. Xiao Junyi’s performance this time really relieved the elders. Smart and not a coward, this is the talent worth cultivating in the Xiao family.

Regarding Chen Yuanming, the Xiao family also formed a unified opinion that he is a great talent. Whether as an aid or an ally, he is very worth maintaining, not to mention the positive influence on Xiao Junyi, which makes people sigh with relief. Now that the relationship between the two sides is getting closer, net worth is indeed not the most important issue. Since they have protected him, they will protect him to the end, lest such a rare figure be wasted.

After chatting for a few more sentences, Xiao Yun saw his nephew’s eyelids starting to droop again, and stood up with a smile, “You recuperate well. After handling the matters here in a few days, come back with me.”

Blood loss and surgical reaction made it difficult for Xiao Junyi to stay awake, but he still struggled to move his shoulder, “Yuanming’s side also needs some protection, the criminals still…”

“Alright, don’t worry about it.” Pressing his nephew down and pushing him back onto the bed, Xiao Yun patted the top of his head gently, “The hero has already been played, leave the rest to us professionals.”

Cheeks slightly red from embarrassment, Xiao Junyi rubbed his head against the pillow and muttered, “I saved him…”

“This kid…” Dumbfounded, Xiao Yun straightened up, watched his nephew slowly close his eyes, then breathed a sigh of relief and walked out the door.

Next, there are still many things to worry about…