Chapter 2246 - 2447: An Unexpected Phone Call!!!

Upon hearing this, Hao Jian's eyebrows slightly raised, suddenly recalling the last time he conversed with Shu Ya, which was already a week ago. As they were talking, she mentioned being busy and didn't continue the chat. He thought he had something to do as well and didn't reach out to her again.

Afterward, he tried to contact her, but she only replied saying she was busy and would talk after finishing this period. So it went, about a week passed. During this time, even if Hao Jian wanted to contact her, she was unreachable. But thinking she was really busy, he didn't push further.

He felt it was inappropriate to disturb her, considering Shu Ya had so many things to deal with daily, exhausting her to the bone, where would she find the time to engage in idle chatter with him? He understood, believing that Shu Ya would definitely contact him when she had time, thus he put the matter aside.

However, he hoped to get some information from Spice Ginger, but surprisingly, Spice Ginger didn't know either, which was a bit odd. After all, most company affairs were entrusted to Spice Ginger. Surely, Shu Ya would contact Spice Ginger to discuss some matters, but there being no contact was peculiar.

Yet, it was just a fleeting thought, nothing more. Shu Ya being a workaholic is known to everyone. When she dives into work, she overlooks everyone, so that seems normal.

It's just the business trip duration seemed a bit too long; one or two months had passed, and she hadn't returned, causing Hao Jian to furrow his brows.

He really wanted to see her, to talk to her; that was what Hao Jian desired most presently.

He just smiled and told Spice Ginger, "Alright, let's eat something, there's work to do after we're done."

"Okay!" Spice Ginger nodded, hungry himself, and immediately started eating.

While eating, Hao Jian instructed Spice Ginger on some tasks, all minor, and told him to notify him first if there was any news about Shu Ya. Afterward, Spice Ginger was dispatched by him, and he took a cab home alone.

Sitting down at home, Liang Xiaohan, this little girl, unexpectedly called him.

Liang Xiaohan might have developed a dependence on him. Although living together and commuting didn't feel that way, after he left, this little girl would call him frequently without much to say, just calling. Definitely developed dependency, since they had lived together for some time.

This puzzled Hao Jian, making him a bit restless. The irritation wasn't from her calls but from this action slightly straying from the initial intent.

It's not possible for him to chat endlessly with her every day, as being with her was merely upon Liang Yuwei's order, to help her quickly adjust to living in a new place. Should this cause her to fail to adapt after his departure, it would stray from the original purpose, failing the task.

Thus, whenever Liang Xiaohan called, he would casually skirt the topics with a few words, promising to guide her around and indulge once she returned to Hua City, ending it swiftly. This wasn't to show disdain for her or her calls, but rather to hope she could live well on her own, not being lost because of one person less in her life.

This time when Liang Xiaohan called, it was like before, not much to say, just inquiring whether he had eaten, its details, prompting Hao Jian to hurriedly wrap up the conversation and hang up. Afterwards, he lay on the sofa, spending the ensuing time accordingly.

When in Yun City with Liang Xiaohan, it was okay as there were things to do daily, sleeping or dealing with matters. But on returning, most of Hua City's tasks fell to Spice Ginger, leaving nothing much for him. Anything he had to do could be handled by Spice Ginger instead.

Consequently, suddenly having free time, he found it unnatural and mentally uneased, feeling uncomfortable being sedentary.

People, when transitioning from a busy state to leisure, tend to seek activity. Though wanting to find something, Hao Jian didn't know whom to seek out; those available were either busy or inappropriate for that time. After pondering for a while, he could only lie in bed by himself, listlessly.

And so, Hao Jian passed a few listless, boring days. Initially, he might take a walk daily, but it grew more tedious, eventually deciding to lay inert at home. More such days passed, boredom overwhelming, leading him to call Spice Ginger out.

Initially, calling Spice Ginger, he thought there were things to assign him, but over time, Spice Ginger knew it was out of Hao Jian's boredom.

Spice Ginger complained, "Boss, if you need company, I could find someone for you. I have a lot to do as instructed by you and Sister Shu Ya."

Though lacking contact from Shu Ya for some time, a company that size doesn't come to a standstill without work. Spice Ginger had to inform Hao Jian in complaint. Upon hearing, Hao Jian waved him off. After Spice Ginger left, he was visibly relieved.

This way, Hao Jian again endured a few listless days.

A week later, Liang Yuwei suddenly had some free time and called him to go shopping. Normally, the word 'shopping' might give Hao Jian a headache, especially accompanied by a woman; it felt like losing half a life's energy. But this time, Liang Yuwei invited him with visible excitement.

This was a first, as he was utterly bored and when someone finally invited him out, he was thrilled.

Thus, he dressed meticulously and headed out early to fetch Liang Yuwei. They happily went shopping, both buying quite a bit. Liang Yuwei bought not only for herself but also primarily for Hao Jian, following her words.

Although Hao Jian was far from lacking money, he paid scant attention to self-dress, which Liang Yuwei couldn't stand, so she proactively initiated a full makeover for him.

Once out of the mall, Hao Jian had transformed considerably, laden with many purchases. And Liang Yuwei, being a woman, naturally spent some money shopping.

They returned delighted and content, with Hao Jian driving Liang Yuwei home before reluctantly leaving.

At home, after putting things away, he quickly showered to shake off the fatigue.

The hot water cascading, it couldn't be more satisfying. Exiting the bathroom, Hao Jian appeared thoroughly content.

However, at that moment, his phone on the table rang abruptly. Perhaps even he wasn't aware of what surprise lay in store with that call.

He grabbed a towel to wipe his hair and the moisture from his hands, then walked over to pick up the phone. The number was unfamiliar, causing him to frown; typically, his calls were only from familiar people.

Initially at the call's arrival, he was slightly delighted, thinking Shu Ya finally had time to contact him, only to find it was an unknown number. Yet he answered it.

"Is this Mr. Hao Jian?" a rough male voice asked.

Hao Jian acknowledged with a "Yes."

Afterward, the voice from the other side laughed and abruptly stated, "It's good you're the one. Now, Miss Shu Ya is in our hands. Immediately bring one billion in pink banknote cash for a trade, or face the consequences."

Shu Ya! In their hands!

Instantly, Hao Jian's brows furrowed, his heart tightening with anxiety. He wasn't stupid; hearing this, he discerned the situation quickly, realizing what had transpired. It felt like his mind was struck heavily, temporarily unable to recover.

"Who are you?" he asked coldly.

The other side chuckled, responding, "Who we are? Does it matter? I only know if you don't bring the money within three days, you might never see Miss Shu Ya again. Just prepare to collect her remains."

Hao Jian was holding a cup of water, but suddenly, "Bang!" it smashed, shattering into pieces on the ground. Yet, remarkably, his hand bore no wounds, showing no signs of glass particle cuts.

His expression was one of stern severity.

"We believe Miss Shu Ya is important to you, sir. So, should you want to see her again, bring the money. Otherwise, you might truly never see her again."

"Meanwhile, we've changed our minds. One billion might seem too little for someone like you, Mr. Hao Jian, utterly insignificant, so make it five billion. I believe five billion is like a drop in the ocean for you, Sir, trivial."

"As a gesture of sincerity, first transfer one billion to the designated account, which will be sent to you shortly. As for the rest, in cash."

After a pause, the voice chuckled suddenly, "Oh, I almost forgot to mention the address to you, Mr. Hao Jian, but given your ability, I bet you could locate the trade spot without me telling you, right?"

"Ha ha..."

"Beep beep beep..."

Hao Jian couldn't utter a word before the call ended abruptly.

As the call cut, Hao Jian's phone immediately buzzed, signaling a new message received.