Chapter 204

Lin Yu seemed to have anticipated Wang Zhenwu's answer; his face showed no surprise. He casually snapped his fingers: "Feng An."

Feng An stepped forward immediately, like a precise machine, his speech steady as he began to report: "Commander. According to the latest information we have, the Sun Family's properties currently controlled in Shen City include: two detached Western-style houses on Beidang Road in the French Concession, one garden mansion on Xiafei Road; operating the 'Bailemen' nightclub; the 'Tongda Trading Company' and its twelve subordinate shops of various types; and, through the 'Tongda Trading Company', indirectly owned Songjiang No. 4 Dock and its attached warehouses."

He paused slightly, then added: "According to a conservative estimate of current market prices, the total value of these real estate and operating rights is about seven million dollars."

Lin Yu nodded satisfied, turning to the pale-faced Battalion Commander Wang. His smile appeared especially "kind": "Look, Battalion Commander Wang, seven million. Using that to offset the mere five million shortfall, isn't it more than enough? I don't like to take advantage of people, so let's just count it as five million, how about that? Quite fair, right?"

Wang Zhenwu felt his whole body turn icy, cold sweat instantly soaking his back. He wasn't shocked by the value of these properties, but terrified by the precision of Lin Yu's intelligence! Especially Songjiang No. 4 Dock, which was a hidden line the Sun Family had painstakingly concealed, unknown to other forces in Shen City, yet Lin Yu knew it inside out!

This shows one thing: every move of the Sun Family in Shen City has likely long been under Lin Yu's surveillance!

"You... you... how could you possibly know..." Wang Zhenwu's voice trembled from shock.

Lin Yu impatiently waved his hand, cutting him off: "These details don't matter. What's important is that this five million shortfall, using these properties to cover it, you have no objection, right?" He curled the corner of his mouth in a cold smile: "Of course, I know you can't make the decision either."

He gestured toward the corner. Only then did Wang Zhenwu notice that a telegraph machine covered with cloth had appeared there at some point.

"The machine is ready for you." Lin Yu's voice left no room for doubt: "Now, immediately, send a telegram to Governor Sun Dingyuan. Tell him my terms: either deliver 35 million dollars in cash, or 30 million dollars in cash plus the full transfer documents for these properties. Once the documents and money arrive, I will release the person. Let him decide."

The air in the basement seemed to solidify. Wang Zhenwu stood frozen in place, feeling an unprecedented despair. Lin Yu not only grasped all the details of the Sun Family's operations in Shen City, but also sought to seize in one fell swoop the foundation they had built here over many years. He, aside from sending that heavy telegram as Lin Yu demanded, had no other choice.

In the cell, Sun Lingyun curled up in the corner, witnessing all this. The faint hope that had risen with Battalion Commander Wang's arrival was completely shattered as the negotiations broke down and the terms grew harsh.

A ransom of thirty-five million dollars, an astronomical sum; the family's painstakingly built properties in Shen City were about to be taken, while he himself would continue to be locked in this dark, damp hell. Even worse, if his father refused these terms, he could at any moment end up like the corpse on the ground, struck by a cold bullet and sent to the Yellow Springs.

This thought, like a sharp dagger, instantly pierced his last mental defense.

Ah——!

A shrill, distorted, despair-filled wail suddenly exploded in the basement. Sun Lingyun, as if losing his mind, screamed hysterically: "No! Father! Save me! I don't want to die!"

This sudden shout interrupted Lin Yu's train of thought. He frowned slightly, slowly turned his head, and his gaze shot like a sword into the depths of the cell.

Sun Lingyun, still immersed in his own fear and despair, suddenly locked eyes with that gaze.

Lin Yu's gaze was icy and indifferent, devoid of emotion, as if he were looking at an ant about to be crushed.

That gaze seemed to wield some terrifying power, instantly seizing Sun Lingyun's throat.

His wail cut off abruptly, stuck in his throat, emitting a sound like a death rattle.

Overwhelming fear surged like a tide, gripping his whole body. He began to tremble violently all over, like chaff in a sieve, his teeth chattering uncontrollably.

Instinct drove him to shrink back, as if trying to embed himself into the wall.

But his legs had long lost strength; his legs gave way, and with a "plop" he slumped heavily onto the filthy ground.

His face was as pale as a corpse, cold sweat trickling down his forehead, his lips trembling incessantly yet unable to make a sound.

Those eyes, once bright and lively, now became empty and scattered, like the eyes of a corpse. He even nearly stopped breathing; his whole body was like a shell from which the soul had been drained.

Lin Yu's icy gaze lingered only a few short seconds, yet it felt as long as a century. When he withdrew his gaze, Sun Lingyun had already completely collapsed. This once pampered young master was now like a crushed insect, curled up in the corner, not daring to move a muscle.

Under Feng An's supervision, Wang Zhenwu's trembling fingers began to operate the telegraph machine. The machine's ticking sounded especially clear in the basement, as if keeping time for this tragedy. In the corner, Sun Lingyun remained slumped on the ground, his eyes vacant, his spirit lost.

Lin Yu withdrew his gaze from Sun Lingyun, as if merely glancing at a speck of irrelevant dust on the ground. He paced slowly over to Zhang Ming's corpse, slightly furrowing his brow, apparently displeased by the gradually congealing bloodstains on the floor.

"Dispose of this trash." He ordered the two guards who had been standing like wooden posts beside him.

His tone was as flat as if discussing today's weather, he casually pointed his chin at the corpse on the ground: "Be quick with your hands and feet, don't leave any dirty mess in the way."

The two soldiers were startled by his voice into a shiver, immediately straightening: "Yes, Commander!"

They hurried forward, one grabbing the dead man's arms, the other his legs, preparing to drag the corpse away. Fresh blood left a dark red stain on the floor, like the dead man's final accusation.

Lin Yu's gaze suddenly swept over the limp, mud-like Sun Lingyun in the cell. The corner of his mouth twitched up into an inscrutable smile, which filled everyone present with an inexplicable chill.

"By the way," he said to another soldier who was about to leave, his voice suddenly gaining a touch of elegance and composure, "go find a doctor to examine our young master Sun's injuries. Then give him a good bath and change him into decent clothes."

The soldier stood there, obviously not expecting such an order. Lin Yu continued: "After all, he's the son of the Governor of Five Provinces; we can't let him stay this disheveled. If word gets out, others might think I, Lin Yu, don't know how to treat guests."

"Yes! Yes! Commander! I'll take care of it right away!"

The atmosphere in the basement grew even more eerie. On one side were the sounds of soldiers handling the corpse; on the other, the telegraph machine's steady ticking. The two sounds intertwined, as if playing a bizarre melody. And Lin Yu stood at the center of it all, his face bearing that chilling smile, as if everything were under his control.