Chapter 18: Grasshoppers on the Same Rope

Inside the factory, the air seemed to freeze, thick with tension and unease. Qing’er’s eyes were hollow, silently weeping, as if she had lost all sensation, her bare body exposed to the cold air.

Suddenly, the low hum of a sports car echoed outside, like the whisper of death, shattering the night's silence.

The heavily pregnant man lying on the ground stiffened at the sound, his expression instantly tense and fearful. He scrambled up hurriedly, fumbling to pull on his pants, and retreated to the side. His gaze flickered nervously, stealing glances at his two accomplices before him, but he dared not utter a single sound.

Soon, the sharp, deliberate tapping of polished shoes approached from afar. Each step was crisp and forceful. The three inside exchanged wary looks, their faces etched with dread.

Clad in black, Heling Feng strode into the factory with purposeful strides. His figure loomed tall and formidable under the dim lights, like a predatory beast ready to strike.

The driver followed closely behind, pressing a button on the wall, and the once-dark room was suddenly flooded with bright light.

Qing’er curled up in a corner; her top was torn and disheveled, her pants tossed carelessly aside. She wept helplessly, her eyes brimming with despair.

Heling Feng cast a sharp glance at Qing’er on the floor, a flicker of anger crossing his eyes as he immediately understood what had transpired.

He glared fiercely at the three men and spat, “You worthless scum!”

The words pierced through them like ice picks, sending chills down their spines.

Then, Heling Feng’s gaze settled on another burlap sack.

Without warning, the driver dragged a chair behind Heling Feng, who leaned back, crossing his legs casually as he commanded, “Open the sack.”

The heavyset man rushed forward eagerly, hastily untying the ropes.

With the ropes undone, the security guard inside the sack was revealed in the light, eyes wide with terror as he looked at Heling Feng, muffled sounds escaping his mouth.

Heling Feng nodded, and the heavyset man yanked the rag from the guard’s mouth.

The guard’s furious curses immediately echoed through the factory. “I thought you, Heling Feng, were a gentleman. Turns out you’re nothing but a villain!”

Heling Feng sneered coldly, glancing at the driver.

The driver stepped forward, pulling a baseball bat from behind his back, and struck the guard’s chest with a heavy blow.

“Ah!”

The guard let out a heart-wrenching scream that reverberated through the empty factory, chilling to the bone.

Heling Feng’s eyes narrowed venomously. “I was still figuring out how to raise money, but in just two days, you couldn’t wait to run to the Wen family and snitch.”

His gaze was like a snake’s, fixed on the guard. “So, who’s the real villain here?”

The guard looked confused, furrowing his brows. “Snitch? I didn’t snitch! I haven’t told anyone about our deal!”

Heling Feng’s fury flared higher.

He said nothing more, simply casting a cold glance at the driver.

The driver understood immediately, rushing forward again, wielding the baseball bat with practiced ease.

Without blinking, the bat rose and fell repeatedly, the guard’s agonized howls echoing relentlessly throughout the factory.

Sweat dripped from the driver like fine rain, each swing accompanied by the guard’s anguished cries.

“Enough!”

At last, as the guard’s cries grew faint, Heling Feng spoke coldly, halting the driver’s assault.

The guard was drenched in blood, fresh crimson trickling from the corners of his mouth and eyes. His swollen face was nearly unrecognizable, puffed up like two steamed buns.

He writhed on the ground like a maggot, consumed by pain.

Heling Feng approached slowly, crouching down. He gripped the guard’s chin firmly, forcing him to meet his icy gaze.

His eyes were like shards of ice, capable of piercing to the soul’s depths.

“Still going to deny it?” Heling Feng’s voice was low and commanding.

Terror and despair filled the guard’s eyes. He tried to speak, but the wounds on his mouth rendered his words unintelligible. Still, he shook his head relentlessly.

Heling Feng pressed on, “I despise being schemed against, especially by insignificant pests like you.”

A flash of anger and disdain flickered in Heling Feng’s eyes. He rose slowly, clasping his hands behind his back as he paced before the guard.

His voice dripped with bitter sarcasm. “Here I am, a mere shoe-shiner, and yet I’ve clawed my way to where I stand today. You think it’s all just luck? You think I wouldn’t suspect you when we made our deal? I was always watching, always fearing you’d stab me in the back.”

He stopped pacing, crouched again, and locked eyes with the guard, his tone threatening. “While I was raising money, I had people watching you—and they found you at the Wen residence. Wen Wan’er and Yun Qiuya are close friends, everyone knows that. After Yun Qiuya’s fall, it was Wen Wan’er who rushed to the scene first, then went with the ambulance to the hospital. She never believed my story; she wants Yun Qiuya to wake up more than anyone else. So why were you at the Wen house without cause? Wasn’t it to snitch?”

Heling Feng’s gaze was relentless, as if he intended to devour the guard whole.

The guard’s eyes filled with terror and innocence. He tried to protest, but Heling Feng gave no chance.

“Do you think you can ruin me? Hmph. Don’t forget, we’re both ants on the same string. Your snitching will only lead to mutual destruction. Besides, do you think the police will believe a criminal like you?”

His words were like sharp blades. Then he turned his gaze toward Qing’er lying on the ground.

The guard’s eyes began to lose focus. He shouted, “No!”