Chapter 56: Falling from the Sky

Shang Ao’er pleaded, “I can’t run anymore…”

“Ao’er, Ao’er! Listen to me, we’ll run together! Together! I won’t leave you behind…”

If one looked closely, Liang Jinshang’s words, repeated over and over, sounded almost manic, but Shang Ao’er was so tense she didn’t even notice. Liang Jinshang hadn’t eaten or slept well these past days; her own strength had waned, and now, dragging Shang Ao’er with her for a few more steps, she was nearly out of breath.

She made a snap decision and said to Shang Ao’er, “Ao’er, quick! Let’s swap clothes!”

Both of their figures were similar, though Liang Jinshang was a bit slimmer, but their styles could not have been more different. Even for a simple outing, Shang Ao’er wore nothing but the latest luxury brands.

Liang Jinshang donned Shang Ao’er’s outfit, then pushed her toward a garbage bin. “Don’t make a sound! Text someone for help! Wait until they take me away, then come out!”

Shang Ao’er understood what Liang Jinshang meant and widened her eyes to protest, but Liang Jinshang pressed her down firmly.

“Ao’er! Do as I say! Your parents are watching over you from above! You mustn’t come to harm! Only if you’re safe will the Shang family come to rescue me!”

If Shang Ao’er were to be harmed because she was helping Liang Jinshang find a kidney donor, then even if Liang Jinshang died at the hands of the black market people, no one would come to her aid.

Tears streaming, Shang Ao’er hid in the filthy, stinking garbage bin.

Liang Jinshang steeled herself, deliberately falling hard a few steps away, scraping palms and knees, making it look as if she could not move anymore.

Facing away from the garbage bin, she feigned terror and shouted, “Sister, don’t leave me! Sister, come back and help me!”

Soon enough, those men caught up.

“Look, the girl’s fallen!”

“Grab her, she’s a fat prize!”

“Wasn’t there another girl just now? Go get her too!”

“That one’s worthless.”

“No, that’s wrong! Boss said we want the one who ran. She needs a good lesson—we can’t let her get away!”

Hearing this exchange, Liang Jinshang’s heart sank lower and lower.

These people were definitely not mere black market dealers.

They not only knew Shang Ao’er’s identity, but were also aware she was searching for a kidney donor for Liang Jinshang.

It seemed, today’s real target was Liang Jinshang herself.

Thinking back to those she’d recently offended, it was either Hu Zhinan or Gong Xueyuan.

Moreover, these two shouldn’t be working together—Gong Xueyuan, bold enough to mingle with Hu Zhinan under Shang Yucheng’s nose, might as well change his name to “coward” if he dared do such a thing.

Liang Jinshang was hauled upright and taken away; observing their demeanor toward her, she became even more certain.

They dared not treat “Shang Ao’er” too roughly.

Thankfully, she’d fallen away from the bin, so a few men scattered off in the opposite direction to search.

Only one thought filled her mind: she hoped Shang Ao’er would be rescued safely.

She herself had nothing to fear about what lay ahead.

Liang Jinshang was dragged back to a dilapidated apartment building, and this time, taken directly to the basement.

Old, cramped, filthy.

A man of ordinary appearance in a black shirt sat boldly atop a battered table. “Miss Shang, didn’t we agree to make the transaction today? Why did you run?”

Liang Jinshang didn’t know him, and was relieved Gong Xueyuan hadn’t shown up in person.

Otherwise, her disguise as Shang Ao’er would be exposed at first glance.

She mimicked Shang Ao’er’s tone, “You said it yourself, this is business. Is this how you treat your distinguished guests?!”

“I’m just worried you’d run! Miss Shang, you must know how hard it is for us to get ‘goods’ nowadays. If you don’t pay, I’ll be stuck with this!”

“I won’t refuse to pay. Let my uncle inspect the goods; no matter the price, he’ll pay!” Liang Jinshang huffed. “Let me out first—can’t you see how injured I am?! This place is filthy!”

The man in black replied, “Once I see that ten million, you’ll be free. But what about the woman who came with you?”

His subordinate reported that someone had gone to fetch her.

Black shirt considered for a moment, “Alright, I won’t trouble you, Miss Shang. Stay here while we bring her back.”

“Wait!” Liang Jinshang swallowed, feigning innocence, “That ten million—is that for the kidney? The way you’re acting, it’s like you’re kidnapping me for ransom. Am I worth just ten million?”

Her tone was naive and spoiled.

The man in black laughed, “Miss, I’m doing business here—forget kidnapping and ransom! We agreed, ten million as the final payment. Did you forget?”

“Oh! I haven’t forgotten!” Liang Jinshang nodded.

So, they weren’t after money.

That ruled out Hu Zhinan. Ten million wouldn’t even cover his dental floss.

The suspicion pointed back to Gong Xueyuan.

Gong Xueyuan must have held a grudge against Shang Ao’er for some time, and today, had deliberately lured her to the “black market.”

It would let Shang Ao’er suffer without offending the Shang family.

Liang Jinshang regretted it now; if she’d known Gong Xueyuan wanted her, she wouldn’t have switched identities with Shang Ao’er.

She could only hope Shang Ao’er had gotten away.

The man in black seemed eager to leave and capture someone, gathering his lackeys to head out.

Barely twenty minutes had passed; Liang Jinshang couldn’t let them go yet. If Shang Ao’er hadn’t been rescued, it would be trouble.

She blocked the man in black, causing a scene. “I want out! You can’t lock me up in such a filthy place! Get someone to treat my wounds!”

He shoved her impatiently. “We’re not here to coddle you. If you behave, you’ll be locked up just one night. If not… the woman who came with you, you wouldn’t want her fate, would you?!”

His tone was cold and sinister. Liang Jinshang remembered what happened to that girl years ago—she could not let Shang Ao’er face such a threat.

She could no longer hold back, “You don’t need to find anyone else! I’m the one you want!”

The man in black hesitated, “...You know who we’re after?”

“Not only do I know, I know who sent you!” Liang Jinshang sneered. “Such sneaky methods—only Gong Xueyuan would stoop so low!”

He was stunned.

He was about to pull out his phone to confirm when suddenly, a loud crash echoed—the basement door was violently kicked open.

The iron door slammed into the man in black; he spun around, ready to curse, but froze at the sight of the newcomer: cold, imposing, radiating an intimidating chill.

Shang Yucheng strode in, long legs carrying him step by step, his gaze fixed on Liang Jinshang’s face, expression unmoved.

Liang Jinshang hadn’t expected him to come in person to rescue Shang Ao’er, and blurted out where Shang Ao’er was, “Shang…”

Shang Yucheng’s eyes darkened; he demanded coldly, “You’re holding my niece—what do you intend?”

Liang Jinshang hesitated, then obediently called, “Uncle…”