"So… still trying to threaten me?"
"I'm not threatening you. I'm just helping you face reality."
"We're not helpless against you. We just don't bother making a big fuss over someone like you."
"Hmph! Bring it on! See if I'm scared!"
Chu Tianxing pressed his palm to his forehead, thinking Cao Yang was childish—almost ridiculously so.
"Cao Yang, calm down. If the Han family refuses to compromise, keeps the original verdict… what will you do?"
"I'll kill Han Xixi, and hand Ye Chen over to the Japanese!"
"Have you considered the consequences?"
"I accept all consequences. Worst case… I die!"
"I know you're fearless, but think of your mother, Bai Xue, Lei Yu, and the unborn child in her womb."
"Chu Tianxing… are you threatening me?!"
"I'm not threatening. I'm just analyzing the stakes for you."
"You refuse to acknowledge the Han family's targeting, but even if they were after you, they wouldn't wrong you. In every way, their actions have grounds."
"But if you harm Han Xixi, then the Han family will truly come after you!"
"You may be safe abroad for now, but what about your mother?"
"I know there are people back home helping you. But they are using you—they won't protect your mother wholeheartedly. Face it: hidden attacks are harder to defend than obvious ones. If the Han family disregards rules to target your loved ones, could you even protect them?"
"They haven't done that yet. They don't want to give anyone excuses, and they don't bother. But if you touch Han Xixi, you'll force them to act out of anger."
"And Lei Yu… she's pregnant. She won't get jail time."
"If you understood Han Xixi… maybe her pregnancy isn't real at all."
"What do you mean?"
"Simple. You claim she's pregnant. Who can prove it?"
"The doctor says she isn't. The police say she isn't. The judge says she isn't. Then she isn't. She goes to jail. Your child is gone!"
"Calm down. I'm not threatening you—I'm just showing you the consequences. I mean no harm. Even my brother and sister begged me privately to give you a way out."
Cao Yang snorted, clearly unconvinced. He felt no mercy from Ye Chen.
"What I said concerns your relatives. I haven't even talked about you."
"I know you're strong, skilled, formidable. But Ye Chen and Ma Dong nearly killed you, right?"
"If next time we send ten, twenty of people like them… will you survive?"
"If you die, do your friends even have a chance? What about your infant child?"
"We don't want to escalate things, but that doesn't mean we're helpless. Think carefully, and then tell me your answer."
Cao Yang fell silent after hanging up. Chu Tianxing's words rang true. If the Han family disregarded everything to go after his loved ones… what could he do? Could he withstand ten or twenty operatives like Ma Dong and Ye Chen?
Cao Yang felt like a frost-bitten eggplant—his earlier victory's joy evaporated.
He smoked several cigarettes in a row, then called Wang Nanjiang. After a few minutes of discussion, his mood hadn't improved.
Wang Nanjiang advised restraint. Releasing everyone without penalty was impossible; at most, they could get light sentences.
As long as there was no death penalty, everything else could be maneuvered. Once Han Qingshan retired or was transferred, a simple move could get his people out.
This was the best option. Continuing to drag things out was pointless. If the negotiation failed, Han Xixi would be lost, but Cao Yang could lose almost everything.
Cao Yang trusted Wang Nanjiang to help—he had leverage over him. Apart from the Han family, Wang Nanjiang was the one who most wanted him dead. But as long as Wang hadn't risen to an untouchable position, he wouldn't act.
The Han family, however, was another worry. If Cao Yang agreed and returned Han Xixi, what if they broke their word? Without leverage, he couldn't control them.
Looking at Cao Yinuo clutching her milk bottle, and little Fei clutching his stomach in bed, Cao Yang sighed deeply and called Chu Tianxing.
"Have you made your decision?"
"I have. But how can I trust you won't go back on your word?"
"I give you my guarantee."
"Your guarantee means nothing! I don't trust you!"
"Then who do you trust?"
"No one!"
The two were at a stalemate again.
Cao Yang finally spoke:"First, no death penalty for light sentences.""Second, lift the wanted order for Jiang Fei.""Third, no targeting my family or relatives afterward."
Chu Tianxing chuckled. "First, no problem. Third, also fine. Second… Jiang Fei's wanted order can be lifted, yours cannot."
"Why? Can't I return to my country?"
"Huh?" Chu Tianxing paused, then laughed. "Sure, sure. Golden bars at the village entrance—come and claim them."
Cao Yang sneered. "Tell the Han family this: today I can hold Han Xixi, tomorrow I can hold Han Dongdong. I have all info on their children in the U.S. If they dare betray me, let them wait for their kids overseas!"
"I'm not bluffing. Even though these people have returned, I doubt they'll stay in the country long."
"Anger me, and I could even return home to target their heirs!"
"Ha… Cao Yang, you're bold! You know a lot—even their return to the country. I wonder who told you all this?"
"Your sister. She provided all the information."
"Damn it! Don't lie—someone could die!"
"Hmph. I don't care. If something happens, it's her info. I've been with her—she fell for me. All the info came from her."
"You—!"
"Fine, just pass the message."
"When will you release them?"
"Once the verdict satisfies me."
Chu Tianxing called Han Qingshan again, conveying Cao Yang's stance—and his warning.
"Hmph!" Han Qingshan snorted. The small fry Cao Yang didn't know his place. Once in the U.S., it'd be his death trap!
Han family assets overseas were vast. It wouldn't be hard to find him! But for his daughter's safety, he temporarily compromised.
An agreement emerged: the Han family wouldn't touch Cao Yang's relatives; Cao Yang wouldn't touch the Han children.
Yet the Han family would continue targeting Cao Yang. As long as Cao Yang lived, his relatives remained safe.
A few days later, the second trial for the Lushan Group criminal case commenced…