Chapter 220 – The Crisp Sound of a Slap

Chapter 220 - The Crisp Sound of a Slap

The exposing journalist was only concerned with breaking sensational news and didn't consider Tang Fei's situation at all. Even when someone pointed out the problem, the secret recorder refused to admit his mistake. Instead, he justified his actions as helping Tang Fei!

He claimed it was for the fans and the general public to monitor together, to quickly identify any suspicious individuals, and help locate Tang Fei!

This kind of sophistry disgusted Tang Fei's fans and those who cared about her, but they couldn't do anything to him. Time Culture could only soothe their fans by urging them not to believe or spread rumors, and to trust the police's capabilities. They asked everyone to wait patiently for the official announcement instead of paying attention to hearsay.

Although his report couldn't harm him, Zhou Weichuan and Xing Le were troubled by the fact that their conversation had been secretly recorded, and a tracker had even been found in their car.

That was an illegal act on the journalist's part.

They immediately sued him and even listed him as a suspect, wondering if he was an accomplice to the kidnappers.

No matter how much he argued or twisted the truth, his actions were disrupting the investigation. He could spout nonsense online, but in the police station, he could only honestly confess and regret his actions.

"Uncle Policeman, I was wrong. I really wasn't in cahoots with the kidnappers."

The journalist hung his head, weeping and sniffling. "I'm new to the industry. I just wanted to make a big headline. Ordinary interviews wouldn't make me stand out, so I thought I'd take a different path. I really didn't mean it. I have no connection with the kidnappers."

"At twenty-six, you're no longer six years old. You've been in the industry for four years, not as an inexperienced novice. If this delay in the rescue operation leads to irreparable consequences, can you really live with your conscience? In your future reporting and journalism, you must consider the societal impact and the effects on those involved. As a journalist, empathy should be paramount. Otherwise, how can your reporting touch people's hearts?

Relying on sensational news to stand out while neglecting a journalist's role in guiding public morals, professional ethics, and social responsibility — such behavior will drag the entire industry down into the abyss."

The police took the journalist's statement and sent him on his way. It was uncertain if he had taken the advice to heart. With increasing economic prosperity and diverse forms of entertainment, people's moral boundaries seemed to broaden. Sometimes, entertainment could even supersede any incident, turning anything into a subject of consumption.

Tang Fei's case was still under investigation, and the online uproar had pushed Tang's parents to the brink of collapse. They practically lived at the police station, desperate for updates about their daughter. Tang Jiao's eyes were swollen from crying, resembling narrow slits. All the Tang family's funds had been consolidated into one account, hoping that the kidnappers sought only money, not harm. They prayed they could transfer the ransom promptly.

Ye Qing was anxiously trying to contact the Ye family in the capital, while Tang Song attempted to reach out to old classmates and friends, but both attempts proved fruitless.

A relationship severed for over two decades, marred by bitter disputes — how could one expect to mend it simply by asking?

Tang Song embraced Ye Qing, who was fixated on the entrance of the police station's office. Whenever someone emerged from the door, she would cautiously inquire. Eventually, the police dispatched someone specifically to console the family and shared some insignificant yet optimistic leads with Tang Fei's parents.

While Zhou Weichuan was frantically searching for information and arranging private rescue teams to assist the police in expanding their search efforts, he also tried to suppress online speculation.

Observing Zhao Corporation's online maneuvers, Zhou Weichuan grasped a hint of their intentions. He reported these clues to the police, along with the series of incidents targeting Tang Fei that involved He Baoyi. Zhao Corporation's vehicles and warehouses were now under intense scrutiny.

All actions leave traces behind. Despite being unsure of He Baoyi's motives, Zhou Weichuan intuitively felt that she was somehow connected to this incident.

Xing Le stood at a distance from the police station, observing Tang Fei's parents and Tang Jiao's anxiety for Tang Fei with a tinge of envy and longing. He found himself yearning for that ordinary family life, that sense of normalcy that everyone seemed to possess.

He had never experienced a home since he was young; sometimes, when he watched TV shows depicting typical family stories, they felt utterly unreal to him.

How could a family be happy? How could an older brother genuinely care for his younger sibling? How could parents truly love their children? None of it seemed plausible to him.

Tang Fei had saved him. She was sunny and generous in her disposition, unlike anyone he knew. It suddenly dawned on him why Zhou Weichuan would be drawn to Tang Fei.

A simple family bond, an unadulterated sisterly connection, principled kindness, and a beautiful, sunny girl — all these were the epitome of everything they could have ever wished for in a household. Tang Fei embodied their dreams.

The urge to protect this ordinary yet precious girl was a natural instinct upon getting close to her.

Now that Tang Fei was in trouble, he didn't wish to witness it. Not only did he not want to see this ordinary yet unique Tang Fei depart, but he also didn't want her family to crumble because of her.

Yet, he couldn't betray He Baoyi. Sister Yi represented the warmth of a family that he yearned for. The slight care she showed him during his teenage years might have been nothing more than an act of pity from He Baoyi, but to the solitary boy he once was, it was an invaluable gesture.

Xing Le approached Zhou Weichuan gradually. "Here's a favor for you. Do you want to be the one to send me in?"

Zhou Weichuan's weary eyes peered through the slender fingers, and then his hands slowly descended. "I don't have time to play games with you. Get lost."

"I'll be upfront with you. If you turn me in to the police, it should relieve your anger. I've been hiding information related to Tang Fei's disappearance."

Xing Le thought, if he couldn't betray Sister Yi, then he would offer himself up. He'd take a gamble, betting on whether the only person who had ever made him feel warmth would come forward for his sake.

...

meanwhile, the widely worried Tang Fei was lying in an isolated resort villa, in the wine cellar of a vineyard.

Xiao Fang and Xiao Zheng were sitting on wine barrels in the cellar, selecting the most expensive bottles to uncork and drink.

They dared not use their phones, fearing they might be tracked. They had also discarded Tang Fei's phone.

Thus, they were unaware that news of their kidnapping Tang Fei had already spread. Instead, they felt rather relaxed.

Xiao Fang: "Bro, we've hit the jackpot this time. Tang Fei must be wealthier than that idiot Xiao Yuan. With how famous she is, we can't ask for less each month from now on."

Xiao Zheng sipped his wine. "Why did we have to bring her here? And we can't even smoke, or there might be a fire. I'm dying for a cigarette."

"This place is great, don't you think? The wine jars and barrels—wouldn't it be interesting to shoot something here?"

"Ha ha, we'll need to plan it carefully if we're going to do that."

"Tang Fei has an idea. How about filming a scene with two men? It'd be more intriguing to go all out with the curiosity, don't you think?" Tang Fei's voice suddenly echoed in Xiao Fang and Xiao Zheng's minds, freezing them in their tracks as they turned to look at the still-closed eyes of Tang Fei, who was lying perfectly still.

Her mouth hadn't moved, so what had they just heard? What was happening?

"Tang Fei, slap Xiao Zheng."

Smack!

Without any control over his actions, Xiao Fang slapped Xiao Zheng.

Xiao Zheng, wide-eyed, was about to retaliate but found himself completely immobilized, as if bound.

"Xiao Fang, hit harder!"

Slap!

Xiao Zheng's nose bled from the slap, and five red fingerprints bloomed on his left cheek like a relief sculpture.

"One by one, Xiao Fang will give Xiao Zheng ten slaps, then Xiao Zheng will return the favor. You two will take turns, with the hitter recording the act. Start with an hour."

Tang Fei's voice echoed in their minds, and both of them revealed sheer terror in their eyes. Their muscles trembled uncontrollably, yet they couldn't move an inch, compelled to follow Tang Fei's instructions.

It was as if Tang Fei was their controlling mind.

This bizarre occurrence shattered their comprehension, filling them with dread and leaving no trace of willpower behind. Tang Fei found it extremely easy to manipulate them.

Soon, the basement echoed with a rhythmic, crisp, and melodious slapping sound, uniform in strength.