Forest of Scams

"Leader Lin, I'm sorry, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have taken Lin Li's money to go after you."

Li Dongfeng's entire body trembled.

He had thought Lin Xuan was just an ordinary student and entrepreneur. Never could he have imagined that Lin Xuan also held the identity of the leader of the Golden Dragon Gang.

Had he known how formidable Lin Xuan was, he wouldn’t have dared to lay a finger on him even if offered a hundred times the money.

If anything had happened to Lin Xuan, the Golden Dragon Gang would never have let him off the hook.

Thankfully, thankfully—Lin Xuan was unharmed.

Lin Xuan smiled and helped him up. "Leader Li, don’t worry. I came here today just to discuss a collaboration with you."

"What kind of collaboration?" Li Dongfeng hurriedly asked.

Lin Xuan chuckled. "Just tell Lin Li that you’ve completed the task. Also, send him this photo."

He opened his phone and showed a selfie he had taken.

In the photo, Lin Xuan’s hands and feet were bound, and even his mouth was gagged with tape—looking every bit like a kidnapping victim.

"This is…?" Li Dongfeng was utterly confused.

Lin Xuan smirked. "Tell Lin Li that you’ve captured me and completed everything he asked for. Demand that he pays the remaining balance as agreed. Also, let him know you’ve uncovered his identity and ask for an extra ten million."

"If he refuses, send your men to expose his scheme—how he hired you to kidnap me—at the Jiang Family’s recognition banquet."

Though the Starlight Group had gone bankrupt, the Lin family still had deep pockets.

He needed to drain the Lin family of their wealth—only then would they truly suffer in poverty.

"But… this could damage our gang’s reputation," Li Dongfeng hesitated.

Underground organizations valued credibility above all else.

If word got out that they hadn’t completed the job and instead extorted money from their employer, how could they continue operating in this world?

"What? Not willing?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow.

"No, no! Of course I’m willing! Leader Lin, rest assured, I’ll follow your instructions exactly," Li Dongfeng shook his head vigorously.

Compared to offending the leader of the Golden Dragon Gang, what did a little reputation matter?

Lin Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

At least he knew how to read the situation.

"Leader Li, don’t worry about reputation. Now that you know who hired you to target me, a little intimidation will ensure they don’t dare make a sound," Lin Xuan said.

Ordinary people feared nothing more than being targeted by underground gangs.

Lin Li was no exception.

Li Dongfeng’s eyes lit up. "Thank you for the advice, Leader Lin."

"Oh, and the money Lin Li paid you to kidnap me, plus the extra ten million you’ll squeeze out of him—remember to transfer it to me. I’ll send you my account details," Lin Xuan added.

Li Dongfeng’s expression twisted.

Leader Lin, you already control the Golden Dragon Gang and own a major corporation, raking in billions yearly—how could you still care about a measly ten million?

Lin Xuan glanced at him and said coolly, "Don’t want to hand over the money?"

"No, no!" Li Dongfeng shook his head frantically. "Once the payment comes through, I’ll transfer it to you immediately."

"Good."

Lin Xuan nodded approvingly. "Leader Li, let’s meet again if fate allows."

Li Dongfeng wiped the sweat from his forehead.

He’d rather never see Lin Xuan again.

As soon as Lin Xuan left—

Thud!

Old Liu dropped to his knees before Li Dongfeng. "Boss, I didn’t bring Lin Xuan here willingly! He dug up dirt on my wife. If I didn’t cooperate, he threatened to send her to prison. I had no choice!"

Li Dongfeng frowned. "When you captured him today, did you hurt him at all?"

"No!" Old Liu swore. "I didn’t lay a finger on Lin Xuan. He set up some haunted house stunt and made me and Old Wang beat each other up."

"My injuries are all from my own men. As for Old Wang… Lin Xuan stabbed him in the throat. He’s dead."

Hearing this, Li Dongfeng sighed in relief.

So they really hadn’t harmed Lin Xuan. Good, good—no need to worry now.

"Get up," Li Dongfeng said, eyeing Old Liu. "Luckily, you idiots were stupid enough not to hurt him. If you’d been smarter and injured Lin Xuan, we’d all be doomed."

Old Liu: "…"

Was that supposed to be a compliment?

Rubbing his temples, Li Dongfeng ordered, "From now on, follow Leader Lin’s instructions. Contact Lin Li immediately."

"Got it! I’ll handle it right away!" Old Liu said eagerly.

Honestly, this was all Lin Li’s fault.

If he hadn’t hidden the truth, if they’d known how powerful Lin Xuan was from the start, they’d never have targeted him. They’d never have offended the leader of the Golden Dragon Gang!

He couldn’t wait to teach Lin Li a lesson himself.

As Old Liu turned to leave—

"Wait!" Li Dongfeng called him back.

"Boss, anything else?" Old Liu asked respectfully.

Li Dongfeng sighed. "Never mind. I’ll deal with Lin Li myself. I don’t trust a brainless fool like you with this."

Old Liu: "…"

Li Dongfeng personally called Lin Li.

"Well?" Lin Li asked eagerly. "Did you capture Lin Xuan?"

Li Dongfeng replied, "Sir, we’ve completed your request. Lin Xuan’s legs are broken, he’s been castrated, and his face is beaten beyond recognition."

Lin Li’s eyes gleamed.

No matter what method he’d tried earlier, Lin Xuan had refused to meet. He’d thought today’s plan was doomed.

But now—they’d actually caught him!

With Lin Xuan out of the picture, he wouldn’t be able to ruin the recognition banquet.

Li Dongfeng continued, "I’ve sent the photos to your email. Check them. And don’t forget to settle the final payment."

Lin Li grinned. "Don’t worry, I’ll transfer the money right away."

After hanging up, Lin Li eagerly opened his phone to see Lin Xuan’s miserable state—only to find a video of Lin Xuan tied up.

What?

Why just a video of him bound?

Then again, the Black Snake Gang had no reason to deceive him. They’d already captured Lin Xuan—they wouldn’t just let him go, right?

They must have tortured him thoroughly first.

---

Author’s Note:

The author has fallen ill—weak, nose clogged, throat burning. Ouch.

Take care of yourselves, my dear readers. Goodnight!

Thanks to .Flowering Period.., Lazy Capybara, Tiny Panda 06, and other sweethearts for the gifts.

<3