At the start of the New Year, people in the East Cultural Sphere were immersed in the festive atmosphere, even the warlords had temporarily ceased their conflicts. Yet, some still didn't rest.

In the dark and oppressive warehouse.

Because of the New Year, the food had improved; two salted chicken legs lay in the stainless steel bowl on the ground, yet after 24 hours, they remained untouched.

"What? Not to your taste? Chuchen, look at the time. Don't be so picky, be content. These chicken legs weren't easy for me to get from my uncle."

After severe reprimands, Cai Jian, who fled to Myanmar hoping to change his fate, indeed had a better attitude. He no longer sought pleasure, working even through the New Year, truly diligent.

He kicked the stainless-steel bowl, it tilted, and the chicken legs he placed inside fell out, picking up dust.

Anyway, it was instant food bought outside the factory for five bucks a pack, nothing to fret over.

Everyone knew that without food for a short time, a person wouldn't die from hunger but would grow weak. If already tormented, the situation would be even worse.

Xia Chuchen, tightly bound by chains, grew weaker by the day, slumping in the corner, leaning against the wall, as if he'd lost the strength to even open his eyes.

Cai Jian squatted down, disdainfully pinched the dirty chicken leg that fell out of the bowl with two fingers.

He half-squatted, holding the chicken leg with one hand and bracing his arm on his knee with the other.

"I know what you're thinking. Chuchen, I still understand you. Although you're not talented, you're more filial than I am. Planning to starve yourself to death so as not to burden your family, right?"

Cai Jian grinned, "I'm telling you, you're being naive again. Your life is no longer yours. If you don't want to suffer, you better cooperate."

No response.

As if talking to a corpse.

"Chuchen, considering our past, you better listen to me. Many trapped here want to die, you're not the first. But relief is not that simple; even if you starve, there are many cruel ways to keep you alive, making life worse than death."

"We're brothers, I don't want to see you suffer either."

Saying this, Cai Jian blew at the chicken leg he was holding, but the dust stayed unmoved. "So don't be stubborn, eat it; it's good for both of us."

After babbling a lot, yet still no response, Cai Jian looked embarrassed, muttering to himself like a fool.

"Didn't you say you wanted to kill me? Was that just boasting? Oh, are you planning to come back as a ghost to haunt me?"

Finally.

Like a dead man, Xia Chuchen slowly opened his eyes. At not even twenty, a prime moment of life, now tortured beyond recognition, his eyes were lifeless.

"If you're really sentimental about our past, give me a swift end."

"Ha."

Cai Jian sneered exaggeratedly, "I said before, I understand you. You're exactly as I expected."

"Want to die, right? Kneel and beg me."

Xia Chuchen remained motionless.

"What? Can't even muster the strength to kneel?"

Cai Jian mocked wildly, then suddenly threw the chicken leg in his hand, "Fucking waste!"

Xia Chuchen watched the chicken leg fly towards him, hitting his face. He had neither the strength nor the will to dodge.

It seemed Cai Jian couldn't derive pleasure from him anymore, no longer wasting effort, he stood up, looking down, and took a phone out of his pocket.

"Want to die, huh? I can fulfill that, but first, you have to agree to one of my demands."

"Call your family and have them get fifty thousand more, as soon as the money transfers, I'll end your suffering right away. Remember to be born into a good life in the next one."

"Thud."

Cai Jian tossed the phone over, it landed on the ground, sliding beneath Xia Chuchen.

Fortunately, it was an antique phone, only with calling function, durable and unbreakable.

People are products of their environment.

Whether ruthless or actually capable of murder, at least, Cai Jian's words indeed became increasingly venomous.

"In your dreams."

Xia Chuchen's voice was feeble, barely audible, but Cai Jian was able to understand his message through lip reading.

"You Xia, don't be ungrateful; you think not calling will save your parents? I'm telling you, stop dreaming. There are plenty of ways to make them cough up money. Making you call is just to save us both the effort. If you don't appreciate it and refuse to cooperate, by the time you regret it, it'll be too late..."

"How's it going."

Startled, Cai Jian, whose conversational skills had noticeably improved, quickly turned his head, seeing a shadow enter the warehouse.

"Uncle."

He immediately greeted cautiously.

"What's up with this kid? Do we hit or not?"

The man, nicknamed Ground Snake, came closer and asked.

"I'm still talking with him."

Cai Jian felt anxious and awkward.

"I gave you this long, from last year to this."

The man said simply, making Cai Jian extremely tense.

It's just a New Year passing, not that long, but Cai Jian certainly didn't dare to argue, "Uncle, it'll be done soon."

"Stop wasting time, you guys aren't getting another dime from my family."

The dry and hoarse voice drew the attention of the uncle and nephew.

Despite becoming increasingly vicious towards Xia Chuchen, in front of his uncle, Cai Jian was still like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old kid.

"Uncle, I'll handle it, I guarantee I'll finish the task."

He quickly assured, fearing his uncle would punish him for not performing well.

At first, it was easy, but after one or two times, people aren't fools; unwilling to pay ransom without ensuring their son's safety, therefore wanting Xia Chuchen to appear, but now clearly hit a bottleneck.

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