Chapter Forty-Two: Psychological Game

The final ten seconds.

Yin Nian began to plead, hoping to buy some time by yielding, “But I really can’t come up with that much money all at once... Can’t we talk about a compromise? Maybe I could give it to you tomorrow?”

Yang Yongli raised three fingers, bending them one by one.

“All right, time’s up. I know exactly what you’re plotting, so don’t bother. If you can’t pay up tonight, you’ll be spending the night in a cell.” With a broad wave of his hand, he commanded, “Second Sister, tell the police our location!”

Yang Yongfang dialed the police again. While she spoke to the officers, Yin Nian held back, watching Yang Yongli’s expression, waiting for him to be the first to give in.

It was a psychological standoff.

Yin Nian knew perfectly well that, compared to sending her to the station, they would much rather settle privately and get the money. They called the police only to force her hand. If she wasn’t afraid of going to jail, there was nothing they could do.

But Yin Nian was afraid... She had no bargaining chip to get out unscathed. Once she was in, she’d be stuck inside for sure.

For Yang Yongli and his people, either outcome would benefit them, though the money was obviously preferable.

“Fine, you win, I admit defeat!” Yin Nian raised her hands, her face a mix of unwillingness and resignation. “We’ll settle this with money, all right? But the sum is simply too much—I really can’t scrape it together at once. Could you take less?”

Yang Yongli sneered, saying nothing.

Yang Yongfang continued to negotiate with the police, giving them landmarks and reference points, since the place was hard to find.

“It would be better for everyone if you took less—you don’t need to push things this far. How about a hundred thousand? If that works, I’ll transfer it to you right now!” Yin Nian feigned agitation, shaking her hands to distract them.

Yang Yongli stared at her in silence.

When Yang Yongfang finished talking, the police now had the address and were dispatching officers.

“One hundred and fifty thousand! Isn’t that enough? You did nothing and you’re getting a hundred and fifty thousand for free—aren’t you satisfied? If you agree, I’ll transfer it right now!” Yin Nian pulled out her phone. She’d had it on airplane mode, so she switched it off now, waving the phone as she spoke. “Isn’t it enough that I’m admitting defeat?”

Yang Yongli spoke slowly and clearly, “Since you want to resolve this, I’ll meet you halfway—one hundred and eighty thousand. If you can pay now, fine. If not, then forget it.”

“Deal!” Yin Nian agreed at once. “But how can I be sure you don’t have a backup of the recording?”

Yang Yongfang walked to the monitor, opened the folder, and deleted all the files. “Now the only copy is on the disk. You can rest assured.”

“How do I know you’ll let me go after I pay?” Yin Nian asked.

“Do you have a choice?” Yang Yongli snorted.

“I do, and I must. Otherwise, you could still turn me in after I pay.” Her gaze was firm as she stared him down.

“Rules are rules. Money for goods, hand in hand,” Yang Yongli replied. “I’m a man of my word—you don’t need to worry about that.”

Yin Nian glanced at the others, then said to Yang Yongli, “Have them stay in the back room. We’ll go outside for the exchange. You leave the basket outside the door—once I transfer the money, I’ll take the goods and leave.”

Yang Yongli considered for a moment. “Fine.” He shot a look at his companions.

Yang Yonggui and Yang Yongfang nodded silently and stepped back, pressing against the wall.

Yang Yongli picked up the basket and headed outside, with Yin Nian following closely behind.

At the door, Yang Yongli set the basket outside. “Is this good enough?”

Yin Nian pointed to the threshold. “I’ll stand outside, you stay inside.”

Yang Yongli curled his lip in resignation. “Fine.”

Standing outside the door, Yin Nian saw a lake about fifty meters ahead. She planned to grab the basket, run to the lake, toss it in, and then jump into the water herself, waiting for the police to save her.

If Yang Yongli thought he could extort her, he was mistaken. She wouldn’t tolerate this—just as she wouldn’t tolerate being blackmailed for saving someone! Even if she had the money, she wouldn’t let them win!

Yin Nian stood outside the door; Yang Yongli stood inside, separated by the threshold.

“Here, I’ll transfer it to you,” she said.

Yang Yongli pulled up his payment code and raised his phone.

Only then did Yin Nian notice several missed calls on her phone—all from Yan Ming, none from Han Duoduo.

Why hadn’t Han Duoduo called her? Where did she go? Was she in danger or had something happened? Yin Nian couldn’t help but worry.

Aside from the missed calls, there was a long text message from Yan Ming. She was about to read it when Yang Yongli urged, “What’s wrong now? Can you do it or not? I can hear the sirens already.”

Forcing her thoughts aside, Yin Nian scanned his payment code and typed in the amount: 0.18.

“One hundred and eighty thousand, right?” she said. “I’ve sent it—check it—”

Before she finished, Yin Nian whirled around, grabbed the basket, and ran.

Yang Yongli stared at the transfer amount, momentarily stunned. By the time he looked up, Yin Nian was already sprinting toward the lake.

“Damn!” Yang Yongli cursed. “Knew she was a bitch!”

He shouted, “Catch her!”

Suddenly, Yang Yonggui appeared in front of Yin Nian—he’d clearly come out the back to wait for her.

With the darkness and her nerves on edge, she reacted too late and crashed straight into him.

Yang Yonggui was built like a bull, massive and thickset. The collision sent Yin Nian sprawling; the basket tumbled to the ground. Yang Yonggui seized her arm and hauled her up as Yang Yongfang appeared behind, pressing down on her shoulders.

Yin Nian was completely subdued.

Yang Yongli lit a cigarette and walked over slowly, his voice twisted with malice. “Trying to play games with me? Transferred me eighteen cents—insulting me? I like your style, but I doubt the police will appreciate your behavior.”

In the distance, the faint sound of sirens approached. Headlights flashed along the dirt road, and a flock of birds scattered from the woods in alarm.

One black bird swooped just above Yin Nian’s head. She instinctively looked up, and for a fleeting moment, her gaze met the bird’s.

It was a crow, black as ink, with purple-red eyes glaring down at her with cold authority.

Yin Nian felt a cool drop of water land on her forehead and trickle down her cheek.

In that instant, she realized she might truly be finished.