To end the awkwardness, Ning Ran walked to a shelf in the supermarket and picked up a few packets of snacks. She
then walked to the counter and gestured for Ruan Anxi to pay for them.
Ruan Anxi froze for a moment before reaching out for his pocket. After taking out a crumpled banknote, he handed
it to the cashier and asked, “Is this enough?”
Ning Ran and the cashier glanced at that one-hundred banknote before giving Ruan Anxi a bizarre look.
The two ladies were surprised that Ruan Anxi was still using cash, even though most people had gone cashless.
They were even more dumbfounded when they saw how crumpled the banknote was. I bet anyone who saw that
might think of him as a beggar. How embarrassing.
Upon noticing the expression on their faces, Ruan Anxi quickly explained, “The banknote might seem old, but it's
real! I don't use counterfeit money!”
The cashier accepted the banknote. “I know it's real, but I don't have small change. We don't use cash here these
days.”
Ning Ran stepped in and apologized to the cashier, “Sorry, I think we should just go.”
She then dragged Ruan Anxi out of the supermarket.
“Hey, the banknote is real money!” Ruan Anxi was still trying to defend himself.
“I know, but don't you have an e-wallet? Why do you still use cash? And why do you always say I'm mischievous?
Even if I am, who are you to judge me? Can you not speak to me in that tone? It's so weird and awkward. Have you
forgotten you're my kidnapper?” Ning Ran roared at Ruan Anxi because he was getting on her nerves.
“I don't use an e-wallet because it will expose my personal information. The technology is so advanced that anyone
can easily track my whereabouts and financial situation. People like me can never use an e-wallet,” Ruan Anxi
explained.
Ning Ran thought what he said made sense. That's why characters in drama will always fill a suitcase with cash
when carrying out an illegal transaction.
“Do you always put your cash in suitcases, hide them beneath the bed, and take them out when you need them?”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtNing Ran could not help but ask curiously.
“Nope. We'll invest the money in projects and turn them into lawful sources of income. For instance, we can pump
money into film projects, start an online business to sell virtual goods or trade cryptocurrencies. Once the money
goes through those proper channels, we can then put them in the bank.” Surprisingly, Ruan Anxi took time to
explain patiently to Ning Ran.
Everything he said was supposed to be a secret, yet he bared it all out.
Even Ning Ran could not help but feel embarrassed upon sensing his sincerity. He must be the most honest evil
villain in the world.
“So does that mean Ding Fei...” she said.
“She's involved in films to help me with money laundering. Whether the films make or lose money, it's not
important anymore. While she thought of you as her nemesis, I'm merely doing this to launder money. It's the same
reason I invested in Ouyang Li. Ding Fei is here in Flower City because I needed a new avenue to launder money.”
Ning Ran was taken aback by his honesty. She could not believe her kidnapper would pour his heart out like this.
That's just so weird.
Had Ruan Anxi not held her hostage, Ning Ran would have mistaken the long-hair man for her friend.
“We got to head back to the car. Are you coming, or are you planning to run away?” Ruan Anxi asked Ning Ran.
Ning Ran was at a loss for words. It's as if he's asking a friend. Do I even have a choice?
“Do you think I can run away?” Ning Ran asked in annoyance.
Ruan Anxi thought about it before lifting his head and staring at her. “I don't think so.”
Ning Ran continued asking, “What would you do if I tried to escape?”
“If you try to run away from me, I'll get someone to kill you by running you over with a car. I've stationed my men in
all the cars around us. Some vehicles here belong to the special forces, mind you. So don't ever think of running
away. I'll release you once we're done. Don't risk it,” Ruan Anxi warned in a serious tone.
“You're threatening me right now?” Ning Ran expressed her dismay.
“Of course not. I'm only using you to threaten Nan Chen. Why should I threaten a powerless woman? Come on, let's
go,” Ruan Anxi said.
Ning Ran took a sidelong glance and realized they were surrounded by many cars, but she had no idea if Ruan
Anxi's men were in those cars.
Nevertheless, Nan Chen did tell her that Ruan Anxi must have taken all the precautionary measures to stop her
from fleeing. Otherwise, he would not have easily allowed her to leave the car.
Ruan Anxi was a villain who had been actively involved in underground circles for a long time. Clearly, Ning Ran was
no match for the man.
There was no way for the good to win over the evil because the good would always abide by principles and values.
The evil, on the other hand, could not care less about them.
Hence, people who held steadfastly to their principles and values could never defeat those not bound by those
propositions.
To Ruan Anxi, principles and values meant nothing. He believed people would cross the line if benefits were laid
before them.
Ning Ran begged to differ with this thought, but she could tell Ruan Anxi was a man without any principles and
values. Even if he had, he must have found them to be insignificant. Otherwise, he would not have become an
influential figure in underground circles.
Ning Ran knew she should not risk her life by testing the waters.
Left with no choice, she returned to the RV with Ruan Anxi.
After hitting the road, no one spoke throughout the journey as Ruan Anxi leaned down and took a nap.
Ning Ran noticed that the man had been sleeping all the time. Perhaps it has to do with his weak constitution.
She could not sleep as her anxiousness kicked in when she recalled how Nan Chen told her Ruan Anxi had killed his
hostages on several occasions.
All of a sudden, Ruan Anxi opened his eyes and saw Ning Ran looking at him.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“Why are you staring at me? What's wrong?” Ruan Anxi asked.
“What exactly do you plan to do with me?” Ning Ran asked while glaring at him.
“Didn't I tell you earlier? I just want you to tour around Gerton with me. You should sleep for a while. The sun will
rise in a couple of hours.” Ruan Anxi shut his eyes again.
“I can't sleep. What's your motive? What's your relationship with Ding Fei? Are you her boss or husband?” Ning Ran
raised her voice.
“She's my slave,” Ruan Anxi answered.
“Slave? Come on. Do you know what era we are living in?” she responded.
“Why are you so surprised? Slaves exist in all forms in different eras. Get some sleep. We'll arrive at the destination
in about two hours,” he said.
Ning Ran walked over and shot daggers at the man. “Don't you dare sleep!”
“Why not?”
“I can't sleep. Are you going to kill me? Why did you kidnap me? Tell me the truth!” she exclaimed.
Ruan Anxi grinned. “I thought you're not afraid of death? So you're a scaredy-cat, huh?”
“Of course, I'm afraid of dying. Everyone fears death. I want to know if you'll kill me,” she said.
“I'll only kill people if I have no choice. I'm a doctor, not a slaughterman,” he replied.
“You call yourself a doctor? A doctor saves lives, but you kill people! You're just a sc*mbag who goes against the
Hippocratic oath!” Ning Ran seemed to have mustered up her courage to utter those words.
Yet, Ruan Anxi acted as if he did not hear what she said. He shut his eyes, refusing to continue the conversation
with her.
Suddenly, he warned sternly, “Disturb my sleep again, and I'll cut off your tongue. By then, you'll be as mute as a
fish.”
Ning Ran immediately zipped her mouth and cupped it with her hands. I'll never grow a new tongue if this b*stard
cuts off mine.