169: Chapter 169 Tian Ningning Gives Money

At ten in the morning, everything was ready.

Cao Kun looked at Tian Ningning. "You can make the call now."

Tian Ningning took a deep breath, picked up her phone, and dialed Zhang Genshuo's number.

The phone rang three times before it was answered.

"Ningning?" Zhang Genshuo's voice came through, as gentle as ever. "What's wrong, baby?"

Tian Ningning tried her best to make her voice sound normal. "Genshuo, that money... I've managed to get it together."

There was a second of silence on the other end.

"You got it? Really?" Zhang Genshuo's voice held a hint of surprise, along with a trace of imperceptible wariness.

"Yeah, I borrowed some from my mom and gathered the rest from friends," Tian Ningning said.

"But I've got a hundred thousand in cash. I have something to do right now and can't go to the Bank to deposit it. Is it convenient for you to come and get it now?"

"Cash?" Zhang Genshuo's wariness increased. "Why cash?"

"The online loan wasn't approved, so I borrowed it from someone else," Tian Ningning said, following Cao Kun's instructions.

"The other person only had cash. I'm currently in the West District and it's not convenient for me to go to you. Can you come over?"

There was silence on the other end again.

Tian Ningning's heart rose to her throat.

She heard Zhang Genshuo's breathing; he seemed to be thinking.

"Genshuo?" she asked tentatively. "Is it not convenient? Or I..."

"It's convenient," Zhang Genshuo said suddenly. "Where are you? I'll head over now."

Tian Ningning gave him the address.

It was an area in the West District slated for demolition. There were few people and no surveillance cameras; Cao Kun had scouted the location in advance.

"Okay, wait for me. It'll take about forty minutes," Zhang Genshuo said.

"Okay, I'll wait for you."

She hung up the phone.

Tian Ningning's hands were still shaking as she looked at Cao Kun. "Will... will he come?"

Cao Kun nodded. "He will. Someone like him won't let a piece of meat right in front of his mouth get away."

...

Zhang Genshuo hung up the phone and stood by the window with a deep frown.

A hundred thousand in cash.

Going to the West District.

For some reason, he felt something was a bit off.

Why was it cash?

And why meet in a place like the West District?

Usually, when they went on dates, she chose crowded areas in the city center.

No.

There's definitely a problem.

Zhang Genshuo picked up his phone, wanting to call back and say he didn't want it anymore.

But his finger hovered over the screen, hesitating to press down.

A hundred thousand.

It was enough for him to live comfortably for several months.

If this is a trap...

What kind of trap?

Reporting him to the police?

He hadn't left any promissory notes, and the transfer records were all marked as "voluntary loans." Calling the police would be useless.

Beating him up?

How could a weak woman like Tian Ningning possibly beat him?

At most, she'd bring some friends to give him a piece of their mind.

Let them scold; it wouldn't hurt him.

Zhang Genshuo mentally prepared himself, slowly dispelling his doubts.

A hundred thousand was worth the risk.

He grabbed his jacket and headed out.

What he didn't know was that once he stepped out that door, he would never return.

...

Abandoned Factory in the West District

Eleven in the morning, the demolition area in the West District.

This used to be a light industrial zone, but now it was deserted, filled with ruins and piles of trash.

Occasionally, a scavenger would pass by, always in a hurry.

Tian Ningning stood at the entrance of an abandoned factory, looking around nervously.

According to the plan, Cao Kun was hiding somewhere nearby.

But she couldn't see him.

The wind was a bit cold; she wrapped her arms around herself, trying to look as natural as possible.

The sound of a car engine came from the distance.

A taxi stopped at the intersection. Zhang Genshuo got out, looked around, saw Tian Ningning, and walked over quickly.

"Ningning!" A gentle smile was on his face. "Why did you pick a place like this? It's so dangerous."

Tian Ningning forced a smile. "A friend of mine lives nearby. She said there are few people here, so it's safe."

"Safe?" Zhang Genshuo laughed. "A girl like you is only unsafe in a place like this."

He stepped closer, reaching out to put his arm around Tian Ningning's shoulder.

Tian Ningning subconsciously dodged, then realized it was a mistake and stood still to let him hold her.

Zhang Genshuo felt that slight dodge, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

"Where's the money?" he asked.

Tian Ningning took a kraft paper bag out of her backpack.

It was bulging—ten stacks of bills, exactly a hundred thousand.

Zhang Genshuo's eyes lit up.

He took the paper bag, weighed it, and peeked inside.

Bright red bills, brand new, and still with Bank seals.

It was real.

"Ningning, you're really..." he said, sounding moved. "Thank you so much. Don't worry, as soon as the company's cash flow recovers, I'll pay you back immediately."

He pulled out his phone. "Let me write you an IOU."

"No need," Tian Ningning said. "I trust you."

Zhang Genshuo looked at her, a flicker of complex emotion in his eyes. Perhaps it was guilt, but it was gone in an instant.

"You're too good to me." He took her hand. "Once I'm done with this busy period, I'll take you to meet my mom. She'll definitely like you."

If it were before yesterday, Tian Ningning would have been so happy she wouldn't be able to sleep after hearing this.

But now, she only felt disgusted.

"Mhm." She lowered her head to hide the loathing in her eyes.

Zhang Genshuo whispered more sweet nothings and made grand promises—getting married and buying a house, taking her to the Maldives for their honeymoon, giving her shares when the company went public.

Tian Ningning listened, sneering in her heart.

"I have to get back," she interrupted him. "I have to work this afternoon."

"Okay, be careful on the way," Zhang Genshuo said. "Message me when you arrive."

Tian Ningning nodded and turned to leave.

After walking dozens of meters, she couldn't help but look back.

Zhang Genshuo was still standing there, head down, counting the money with an irrepressible, smug smile on his face.

That smile caused her last bit of hesitation to vanish into thin air.

She quickened her pace, turned a corner, and disappeared among the ruins.

After counting the money, Zhang Genshuo tucked the paper bag under his arm and hummed a song as he walked back.

A hundred thousand.

Enough for him to squander for several months.

When the money ran out, he'd just move to another city and continue the scam.

Women... there would always be more.

He turned toward the main road outside, preparing to hail a taxi back.

Suddenly, a dark shadow rushed out from the nearby ruins.

...