As expected, Tang Ce’s call came in the next second.
“Kuang Ye, has something happened to you?”
“You don’t need to give me shares. Whatever amount you need, I’ll help you raise it.”
‘Kuang Ye’: “Three hundred million.”
Tang Ce was silent for a moment, then spoke with great seriousness,
“Which casino are you at? I’ll fly there to ransom you.”
‘Kuang Ye’: “Tang Ce, I’m not joking. The person I care about is in trouble.”
Tang Ce’s voice immediately became much more serious. “Alright, don’t worry. I’ll arrange it for you right now.”

About twelve hours later, the Mu family had raised two hundred million in cash, the Kuang family had raised fifty million, and ‘Kuang Ye’ himself had raised fifty million.

Mu Yanci looked at the fifty million that ‘Kuang Ye’ had given him alone, his eyes flashing with surprise. But with his sister’s life hanging in the balance, he didn’t have time to ponder what feelings ‘Kuang Ye’ might have for her.

For his daughter’s safety, Mu Jianhua, in a fit of rage, dug up his father’s ashes from the grave using an iron shovel. Then, following the kidnappers’ instructions, the Mu family placed the money in a public restroom at a busy mall.

As a military man, Mu Jianhua couldn’t allow the criminals to dictate the situation. So, he had already arranged personnel around the mall. However, after five days of guarding, there was still no sign of the kidnappers.

It wasn’t until the police went to check the restroom that they discovered the money had been switched out and Mu Jianhua’s father’s ashes were also replaced.

Mu Jianhua cursed, “Damn it, scoundrels!!”

In order not to alert the kidnappers, the restroom where the money was placed had not been restricted. After reviewing the surveillance footage, they found that many pregnant women and overweight individuals had entered the restroom. Through facial recognition, they found these people, and they admitted to having taken the money. However, the ‘director’ told them that the money in the restroom was counterfeit.

The criminals offered a reward of 100,000 to anyone who could secretly take two million without being noticed.

The police in charge of the case cursed under their breath and detained these people on charges of aiding and abetting.

Mu Jianhua was furious when he received the news. But now, the initiative was in the kidnappers’ hands, and there was nothing they could do.

Finally, on the sixth day of Mu Wan’s disappearance, the kidnappers made their first call. It was clearly altered using a voice changer. The kidnappers demanded that the Mu family donate ten million to a charity every day, starting from that day. The donations must be made that very day, and if they didn’t comply, they would send a part of Mu Wan’s body every day.

At that moment, it felt like the entire Mu family had collapsed. It wasn’t just the ten million, but the fact that the kidnappers didn’t even mention when they would release Mu Wan.

Wang Lan begged over the phone, “I beg you, I’ll give you whatever amount of money you need, just let my daughter go. I’ll go as a hostage instead.”

A mocking laugh came from the other end of the line.
“Starting the countdown. If I don’t see the Mu family’s donation by 6 p.m. tomorrow, get ready for the delivery.”

The line was abruptly cut off.

The entire Mu family fell into a stunned silence. Shortly after, Wang Lan broke down in a fit of intense sobbing, her eyes rolling back as she almost fainted.

‘Kuang Ye’ clenched his hands tightly, his eyes so bloodshot they almost seemed to be bleeding tears. From that day onward, the Mu family made daily donations to the charity.

This caused quite a stir, and netizens had much to say:
“From the sounds of it, the kidnappers aren’t just after money. They seem intent on bringing the Mu family down.”
“I agree. Plus, the kidnappers told the Mu family to donate to a charity. It almost seems righteous. Could the Mu family have wronged the kidnappers in the past?”
“There’s no such thing as a grudge without cause.”
“Why make the Mu family donate to a charity? It’s like a slap in the face to the public.”
“Yeah, we could live for a lifetime on just a sliver of their wealth.”
“These netizens, Mu Wan is kidnapped and you’re here gossiping and spreading rumors. Have some respect for life.”
“Respect? Who cares, she’s not my daughter.”
“Exactly. And as for where the money goes, as long as it’s in our hands, we’re still helping the economy.”
“Shameless!!”

The Mu family had no time to care about the online comments.

Half a month later, they had donated over one hundred million. Mu family shareholders, seeing the kidnappers’ demands growing, started transferring their shares to protect themselves, causing Mu Corporation’s stock to plummet.

One month later, the Mu family had donated three hundred million. By this time, the Mu and Wang families had exhausted all available funds, even selling fixed assets and shares in funds at a loss.

A month and a half later, Mu Corporation went bankrupt, and the Kuang family acquired it. The Kuang family unilaterally dissolved their engagement with Mu Wan and ceased providing financial help to the Mu family.

Wang Lan gritted her teeth in anger, “The Kuang family really is something else. They take advantage of the situation and rob us blind. Who do they think they are, making us care about their marriage?”

Mu Yanci’s face darkened. There’s a saying that you only learn who’s really on your side when you’re in trouble. Indeed, the Mu family’s crisis was a bottomless pit. While others may not want to help due to their own difficulties, the Kuang family was a different matter.

They were relatives, and since Mu Wan’s kidnapping, the Kuang family had some responsibility. Yet, when they acquired Mu Corporation, they bargained ruthlessly, knowing the Mu family was desperate for money, and pressed down the price, shamelessly.

“Young master, Miss Kuang is here.”

Suddenly, the butler approached Mu Yanci.

Although the Mu family might not even be able to pay her salary anymore, the butler had watched Mu Wan grow up and was willing to stand by the Mu family through thick and thin.

Mu Yanci’s eyes shifted slightly before he turned around.
“The relationship between the Mu and Kuang families is already beyond repair. Let her leave.”

“Yanci Ge.”

But Kuang Xingran had already disregarded the security’s obstruction and entered, her face covered in tear stains.

“Yanci Ge, I know this is the Kuang family’s fault.”
“Today, I’m not here as a daughter of the Kuang family, but as a friend of Mu Wan.”

She handed him a card, choking up as she said,
“This is all the money I could gather. Please, you must save Mu Wan.”

Mu Yanci looked at the card, his lips trembling slightly, but in the end, he accepted it.
“When Mu Wan comes back, I’ll have her thank you personally.”

Kuang Xingran’s tears flowed again.
“Okay…”

After she left, ‘Kuang Ye’ appeared in Mu Yanci’s sight shortly afterward. He also handed over a card, keeping it brief.
“There’s six hundred million inside.”