Chapter 143

Chapter 143: Chu Tang Is More Important Than My Life The moment Jiang Shixu returned to the Jiang residence, Xu Jingxuan's car also pulled into the underground parking garage of the Jiang family's old estate. The two entered through the door one after the other. In the first-floor lobby, Elder Mrs. Jiang, Jiang Yi, and Lin Yueying were sitting on the sofa waiting for them. Jiang Shixu walked in hurriedly and said at once, "The person who called the police was Tangtang's friend. She called because she couldn't get in touch with her and was worried something had happened. The police only contacted the Ruan family to confirm whether Tangtang had gone missing. Right now, the police don't know she's been kidnapped by Fu Yuanzhou. Besides, it's only been a few hours since she went missing, so the police won't file a case for now." Jiang Shixu's expression was stern, his dark, deep eyes filled with coldness. "Fu Yuanzhou called and asked me to come alone..." "No! Brother, you can't go alone!" Xu Jingxuan cut him off before he could finish. Xu Jingxuan had been in a good mood ever since she learned that Ruan Chutang had been kidnapped by Fu Yuanzhou—she'd even been humming a tune on the way back to the Jiang residence. But the moment she heard Jiang Shixu say he planned to go alone to rescue Ruan Chutang, that good mood vanished into thin air. Xu Jingxuan was agitated and extremely nervous. "Fu Yuanzhou definitely won't let you off easy. Going alone is too dangerous. You should call the police instead—have the police go with you!" Jiang Shixu furrowed his brows and said sternly, "No, we can't call the police. If Fu Yuanzhou finds out we've alerted the authorities, he'll kill the hostage immediately." Xu Jingxuan said, "But didn't her friend already call the police? The police already know Ruan Chutang is missing." Jiang Shixu replied, "I just said the police don't know Tangtang has been kidnapped. As long as we coordinate with the Ruan family and tell the police she's been found, it'll be fine. Then we can come up with a plan to rescue Tangtang." Jiang Yi asked, "How do you plan to rescue her?" Jiang Shixu's expression was resolute. "Fu Yuanzhou is after me. I'll go and trade myself for her." Jiang Yi: "You're insane!" Xu Jingxuan: "No!" Elder Mrs. Jiang: "I don't agree!" The three of them objected almost simultaneously. Lin Yueying's expression was grave as she asked Jiang Shixu, "Is there no other way?" "I have to go." Jiang Shixu's tone left no room for argument. Xu Jingxuan said urgently, "But wouldn't that be a losing trade? How can Ruan Chutang's life compare to yours, brother?" At those words, Jiang Shixu swept a cold, piercing gaze over her. That look was far too intimidating—laced with warning and anger. In that instant, Xu Jingxuan fell silent. She opened her mouth, but no sound could escape her throat. A moment later, Jiang Shixu said coldly, "I don't want to hear those words a second time." Xu Jingxuan's eyes reddened at the corners, and she bit her lip, looking deeply wronged. "Brother, is Ruan Chutang really more important than your own life?" "Yes." No hesitation whatsoever. That single word stunned the entire Jiang family into silence. The hall fell into a deathly stillness. After a long moment, Elder Mrs. Jiang snapped back to her senses and scolded furiously, "This is utter nonsense!" Jiang Yi's expression was also extremely grim. "Shixu, have you forgotten what your grandfather told you?" "No, I haven't." Jiang Shixu's expression was calm. "But you don't need to worry too much about me. Chu Tang truly is more important to me than my own life, but I'm not foolish enough to trade my life for hers. If I went alone without a plan, neither of us would survive." Hearing Jiang Shixu say this, the expressions of the people in the living room eased slightly. Lin Yueying asked, "Does that mean you already have a plan?" Jiang Shixu nodded and explained his plan to them in detail. After listening, Elder Mrs. Jiang frowned and said, "It's still too risky. You're the only heir of the Jiang family. I won't allow you to put yourself in danger!" "That's right, brother. You can't go. In my opinion, we should call the police and let them rescue Ruan Chutang. If you go, Fu Yuanzhou definitely won't let you off." Jiang Shixu's face turned cold, his gaze sharp as a blade, full of warning. "I said, no calling the police." "I'm just worried about you, brother..." Xu Jingxuan, having been glared at, felt utterly wronged, and her voice carried a tearful tone. There was a hint of pretense in it, but not entirely—she genuinely feared Jiang Shixu might not come back alive. Jiang Shixu stopped paying attention to Xu Jingxuan. He looked at Jiang Yi and his wife, then at Elder Mrs. Jiang. "Dad, Mom, Grandma, this is the best rescue plan we have. Let's do it as I've outlined. I'll need your cooperation." Elder Mrs. Jiang shook her head. "I don't agree. You can't go." Jiang Shixu's jaw was set tight, his expression cold. "Grandma, I've already made my decision." The implication was clear: your objection won't change anything. "You, you..." Elder Mrs. Jiang trembled with anger. "Are you really willing to throw away your life for a woman? Fine, fine, fine. This old woman can't control you anymore. I'll tell your grandfather right now and have him deal with you!" Jiang Yi saw how furious the old lady was and immediately grew tense. He quickly patted her back to help her catch her breath. "Mom, don't get so worked up, or you'll trigger another heart attack." Jiang Yi truly felt caught between a rock and a hard place. The old lady had suffered a heart attack not long ago and had nearly not survived the rescue. Now she was this angry again—he was genuinely afraid that before Ruan Chutang could be saved, the old lady would be the first to go. "Brother, you can't do this. Grandma has a heart condition and can't handle shocks. You can't scare her like this. If anything happens to you, Grandma will—" Seeing that Jiang Shixu wouldn't listen to reason, Xu Jingxuan brought up the old lady. On the surface, she was trying to persuade him, but in reality, it was moral coercion and a threat. After receiving Fu Yuanzhou's call, Jiang Shixu had quickly devised a rescue plan. His plan was indeed the best one available at the moment. Originally, Jiang Shixu could have skipped returning to the Jiang family and headed straight to Yuncheng. But recalling that Fu Yuanzhou had said he would immediately kill the hostage if they called the police, Jiang Shixu worried that the Jiang and Ruan families would panic and ruin his rescue plan. So he still returned to the Jiang family and laid out his plan to them. Just as the tension was mounting, Ruan Shaodong and Yang Xuelian arrived in a hurry. "How is it? Any news about Tangtang?" Ruan Shaodong asked frantically the moment he walked in. Jiang Shixu told them the truth. "What! You're saying Tangtang was kidnapped by Fu Yuanzhou?" Ruan Shaodong panicked, his eyes bulging as he charged forward ready to throw a punch. The bodyguard, quick as lightning, grabbed hold of him. "Shaodong, calm down," Jiang Yi urged. "Calm down, calm down—how do you expect me to calm down!" Ruan Shaodong's eyes were bloodshot, his chest heaving violently. "Earlier you said that if they broke up and called off the engagement, Fu Yuanzhou would leave the Ruan family alone. But look at what's happened now—it's been so long since the engagement was called off, so why is he still going after Tangtang? You owe me an explanation today!" Compared to Ruan Shaodong, Jiang Shixu remained relatively composed. With apology in his eyes, he steadied his voice and patiently said to Ruan Shaodong, "Uncle, right now Tangtang's life is in grave danger—this isn't the time to demand explanations. I need you to cooperate with me to rescue Tangtang. Once she's safe, I will give you a proper account." Jiang Shixu told Ruan Shaodong his plan. Upon hearing that he was willing to put himself in harm's way to save Chutang, Ruan Shaodong's expression softened slightly, and his emotions gradually settled. "Do as you say, then."