Volume One: Ascending at Debut Chapter Fifty: Kidnapping

Early that morning, Zhang Jingzhi woke up feeling unusually cheerful. After washing up and having breakfast, she exercised a little, then prepared to head out to work.

It was only around nine o'clock. Although her job didn't start until after ten, she usually liked to arrive at Chen Jing's apartment half an hour early—she wanted to spend more time with Molly.

Locking the door behind her, Zhang Jingzhi made her way to the elevator. As she reached the elevator lobby, she spotted a scantily clad woman in a provocative outfit passionately kissing a well-built man. The pair seemed utterly oblivious to anyone's presence, still locked in a heated embrace, exchanging breaths so fervently that Zhang Jingzhi could see their tongues entwined.

Zhang Jingzhi felt acutely awkward at the sight. She couldn't very well take the stairs—this was the twelfth floor—so, a little embarrassed, she cleared her throat.

Her cough finally caught the couple's attention. They broke apart and turned to look at her.

Blushing, Zhang Jingzhi lowered her gaze, unsure where to look.

"Sweetheart, let's continue this later. We have business to attend to," the woman purred, her voice velvety and seductive. She glanced at Zhang Jingzhi, licking her own finger lasciviously.

"Mm." Her male companion gave a soft reply and stood silently beside her.

Zhang Jingzhi felt as if she were being watched by a venomous snake; goosebumps rose on her skin. Steeling herself, she walked over and pressed the elevator's down button.

She was puzzled—she'd only caught a fleeting glance, but she was sure she didn't know these two. They didn't seem like residents of the building. Were they visiting relatives? Or perhaps seeking some reckless thrill? Or maybe they were having an illicit affair? Zhang Jingzhi's curiosity was piqued.

Moments later, the elevator arrived with a ding. Zhang Jingzhi stepped in first, surprised when the strange couple followed her inside.

She retreated to the far corner, feeling uneasy.

As the elevator doors slid shut, Zhang Jingzhi watched the couple's backs with growing nervousness; her heart began to race.

The elevator descended smoothly—eleventh floor, tenth floor. No one else boarded.

Eighth floor, seventh floor... almost there. Zhang Jingzhi anxiously eyed the floor indicator, wishing fervently for the ride to end.

"Miss Zhang, are you heading to work?" The woman's sultry voice suddenly broke the silence, though she didn't turn around.

Zhang Jingzhi's heart skipped a beat. She didn't answer but instead gritted her teeth and asked, "How do you know my surname is Zhang? Do we know each other?"

The woman chuckled, turning her head to face Zhang Jingzhi. She licked her crimson lips and smiled slowly. "Of course I know your surname. It's hardly a secret, is it, Miss Zhang Jingzhi?"

A chill swept through Zhang Jingzhi, her unease exploding into terror. Eyes wide, she stared at the woman in horror.

...Second floor. First floor. Ding! The elevator stopped. The couple exited, and Zhang Jingzhi, her face expressionless, followed closely behind. The time was exactly nine sixteen.

By ten o'clock, Molly sat in the living room, glancing at the time and then at the apartment door, puzzled. Normally, Miss Zhang arrived a little after nine. Why wasn't she here yet?

Molly hesitated, deciding to wait a little longer—perhaps Miss Zhang had urgent business? It had happened before; when Miss Zhang couldn't come, she called Molly's father, who would then let Molly know to stay home. Perhaps it was the same now—maybe Miss Zhang forgot to call, or maybe her father received a call but was too busy to tell her yet.

But by eleven o'clock, Molly still hadn't heard from Miss Zhang. She felt uneasy. She picked up the phone, intending to call Chen Jing, but thought better of it and put it down again. Today was her father's performance competition—he must be busy. She didn't want to disturb him. She decided to wait a little longer; perhaps her father would call after work.

As noon approached, Molly finally realized something was wrong. She knew Chen Jing finished work a little after eleven. If Miss Zhang had really asked for leave, Molly was sure her father would have called by now. The fact that he hadn't meant that Miss Zhang probably hadn't called him at all, so her father assumed everything was normal at home.

The problem, then, lay with Miss Zhang. Molly felt it was necessary to let her father know. She picked up the phone and dialed Chen Jing's number.

Ring... "Hello? Molly? What is it?" Chen Jing's voice came through.

"Dad, Miss Zhang didn't come today. Did she call you?" Molly asked directly.

On the other end, Chen Jing's expression immediately turned serious. "I see. Don't worry, Molly, stay home and wait for me. I'll be right back. I'm hanging up now."

He ended the call with a sigh, then turned to Lin Xi and the others with an apologetic look. "Sorry, I won't be able to join the rehearsal. Something urgent has come up."

Now he was certain—the unease he'd felt all morning was because of Zhang Jingzhi.

"Ah!" Lin Zitan exclaimed in surprise, at a loss for words.

Lin Xi frowned and asked directly, "Did something happen to Molly at home?"

Chen Jing nodded.

"Is it serious? Do you need our help?" Ling Ruohan asked with concern.

Chen Jing shook his head, smiling. "It's nothing major. I'll handle it myself."

Lin Xi nodded, pressing, "Will you make it back in time for the competition?" If not, she'd need to make alternate arrangements.

"I'll make it. I just can't join the rehearsal."

"That's no problem!" Ling Ruohan waved her hand dismissively. "Missing a rehearsal isn't an issue. Let them rehearse more if needed—we'll win in the end anyway."

"Mm-hmm!" Lin Zitan agreed.

Chen Jing couldn't help but laugh, gathering his things. "I'll need you to cover for me. I'm off."

"Go on, we've got it covered here."

...

In an abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city, Zhang Jingzhi was tied to a chair, unconscious.

Several groups loitered nearby, and the couple who had abducted Zhang Jingzhi stood among them.

"Have you reported the situation here to headquarters?" The scantily clad woman, sitting on her partner's lap, questioned her subordinates. She was the leader of the group.

Her men answered respectfully, "We have, but there's been no reply."

The woman frowned. "The team headquarters sent yesterday was spotted by the Dynasty. Now they're playing cat-and-mouse with the Empire. Headquarters won't have time for us. We'll continue with our own plan."

"What about this woman, boss?" one of the men asked, gesturing at Zhang Jingzhi. Several of them eyed her curvaceous figure hungrily.

The woman glanced at the still-unconscious Zhang Jingzhi, considering. "She's not our assigned target—probably just a natural under the Empire's watch. We'll interrogate her and see if she knows anything useful. If she does, we'll send her to headquarters. If not, she's yours to do with as you please."

"Boss, you're the best!"

"I adore you, boss!"

The men howled with excitement at the prospect.

Ignoring their raucous cheers, the woman stood and walked over to Zhang Jingzhi. She kicked Zhang Jingzhi's leg and said, "Open your eyes, Miss Zhang—I know you're awake."

Zhang Jingzhi trembled slightly, realizing she could no longer pretend. She forced her eyes open, looking up at the provocatively dressed woman before her.

She didn't know who these people were, but she understood that at least this woman had abilities like her own. Otherwise, she wouldn't have followed her here so helplessly, as if under a spell. This was no ordinary kidnapping.

The woman bent down, her skimpy top barely covering her, exposing a swath of pale skin and an invitingly deep cleavage.

She lifted Zhang Jingzhi's chin with a finger, forcing her to look up. Satisfied by the fear and panic in Zhang Jingzhi's eyes, she licked her dark lips and spoke. "You heard what I said just now, didn't you?"

Zhang Jingzhi shook her head in terror, biting her lip in silence.

"Oh? You didn't? Then perhaps my men should demonstrate." The woman gestured to her subordinates.

At her words, the men leered and pressed eagerly forward.

Zhang Jingzhi's fear mounted to the point of despair.