Chapter 156: Escaping to Freedom

A few minutes later, the main gate opened.

The man from before, Long Anlei, walked in slowly.

"Mr. Qin, you finally decided to call for me. How is it? Has the mole been cleared out?"

Returning to the time when the two were having a private conversation in the room:

Qin Lin knew who the other party was, what their true objective was, and what his own fate would be. But as a piracy tycoon in Xikang Province, he still possessed a shred of negotiating courage. Since he could not save himself, he would leave hope for the person who deserved it most.

Thus, the scene that followed unfolded.

Those who had left with the clues earlier would not get the wonderful life they desired; they would not get a single cent and might even end up in debt. By using a "poisonous insect" method of elimination until the very end, despite the setbacks, Qin Lin was ultimately satisfied. Because the daughter he treated with the utmost sincerity still chose to stay by his side.

"It is over. The assets, fleet, and company that Mr. Lai wants—I have handed them all over to you. Just let me and my daughter leave."

"Of course, no problem. This way, please."

"Old Qin, what about me? Take me with you!"

"You stay here and reflect on yourself properly," Qin Lin said coldly.

Gao Feng was stunned. She had thought Qin Lin was at his wits' end, but she never expected such a heaven-defying reversal; she had become the one at her wits' end.

Opening the door and walking out, looking at the blue sea and sky in the distance, Qin Lin felt the freshness of the air and the beauty of freedom for the first time. The only flaw was that Gao Ran did not say another word; she remained silent, no matter what Qin Lin said.

...

In Zhucheng, at the hotel.

Zhang Tianfeng and Ding Yan had finished their meal and returned to the hotel where Ding was temporarily staying.

On the way back, he heard Ding Yan describe the actions of those formidable figures, and even with his own current achievements, he felt a sense of trepidation. If he were to encounter such an opponent, he probably wouldn't be able to resist at this stage, even with the connections from Tang Tianxiong's side.

Sitting on the balcony, lighting a cigarette, Zhang Tianfeng frowned and said, "Brother Ding, can you do me a favor?"

"Speak."

"I have a friend who should have been taken away by that boss. Could you confirm if he is there?"

"Certainly. Please arrange for my family."

He would be invited to "have tea" by that boss sooner or later anyway, so he would help where he could, as Ding Yan really could not find anyone else. His social circle consisted only of the seafaring crowd and his friends from the Japanese islands. He certainly wouldn't go to the Japanese islands; he would only keep his family in the country. The seafaring circle had been mostly cleared out, leaving only this mysterious and powerful friend.

"Brother Ding, perhaps you misunderstand me."

Zhang Tianfeng said, "You have helped me many times. Now that you are facing such a situation, I will also do my utmost to help you. If my friend is there, I can change my strategy; if not, I will find another way."

Ding Yan was silent for a moment, then nodded and made a phone call to inquire. Before long, the news arrived.

"Qin Lin is indeed there, and it seems he has already handed over everything. His personal safety is not an issue."

"So it really was their doing! It seems Gao Ran must be there too."

Sucking his teeth, Zhang Tianfeng narrowed his eyes, looking at the night sky in the distance. He had to help Ding Yan, and he had to help Qin Lin. This time, he would rely on his own strength first; if that failed, he would then ask the Huo family for help.

The night passed without incident, and in the blink of an eye, dawn arrived. Ding Yan got up from his bed and happened to see Zhang Tianfeng sitting on the balcony smoking.

"Little brother, didn't you sleep all night?"

"No, I was thinking of a way."

"Did you come up with one?"

"I have an idea."

"Do you need me to do anything?"

"I need you to donate a sum of money."

That formidable figure's power was indeed great, but it was not without weaknesses. Zhang Tianfeng planned to use the name of poverty alleviation to forcibly tie Ding Yan, Qin Lin, and Gao Ran to the charity foundation he was about to establish. This foundation was a key project supported by the province and had already passed the review of the higher-ups. Even if that person were a dragon from the nine heavens, they wouldn't dare to go against the state, right?

He might lose some things, but it was better than losing his life. As long as one is alive, one can make a comeback.

Extinguishing his cigarette, Zhang Tianfeng walked out quickly. Since Ding Yan was still around, he didn't need to advance the funds for him. Gao Ran and Qin Lin were being held as guests, so Zhang Tianfeng took the initiative to advance the money for them—one million each, totaling a 3 million charity fund.

When the three leaders heard the news, their mouths were grinning from ear to ear. Having received such a large sum of money just after establishment, they finally didn't have to worry about having nothing to report.

Once the funds were confirmed, they immediately began disbursing poverty alleviation payments. Following the principle of proximity, they first supported the backward areas within Guangdong Province. Various supplies and equipment, along with media crews, arrived that very day.

After the interviews concluded, they rushed back overnight. By seven o'clock the next morning, it was on the front page. This time, without Zhang Tianfeng even mentioning it, the news about poverty alleviation spread directly across the entire coastal region. The three leaders, wanting friends in other provinces and cities to see the commitment of the coastal region, paid out of their own pockets to expand the promotional channels, and the scope of the spread became even faster.

At noon on the third day after returning from the United States, Zhang Tianfeng obtained the boss's number from Ding Yan and dialed it.

"Hello, Mr. Lai, this is Zhang Tianfeng, owner of the Blue Square Toy Factory."

The other party was clearly stunned. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "So it is the rising star. I wonder what Mr. Zhang wants with me."

"It's like this: my girlfriend is Gao Ran, and she and her father, Qin Lin, seem to have been invited by you to be your guests."

"I have already negotiated a poverty alleviation project with the provincial leaders, and all the work is ready; it only lacks those two people. Could you please show some leniency and send them back?"

There was another silence on the other end of the line, followed by a laugh.

"Of course. Poverty alleviation is a national priority, and we naturally must support it. Rest assured, at three o'clock this afternoon, your friends will appear in Zhucheng."

"Many thanks, Mr. Lai. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will certainly thank you properly."

"No need for thanks. Perhaps we can cooperate in the future. That will be all, goodbye."

Cooperate? I'd have to be a ghost to cooperate with you! As long as you dare to suggest it, I'll trap you to death! Zhang Tianfeng thought to himself.

The other party kept his promise. At three o'clock in the afternoon, a call came through with an address, and Zhang Tianfeng immediately took Xiang Chen and the others to pick them up.

Qin Lin looked gaunt, with almost no color in his face. Gao Ran's state was even worse; she looked as if she were in a stupor.

"Boss Qin, what happened to Ranran?"

"Let's talk when we get back. Please arrange a place for me to rest."

"Fine, follow me."