The experience of being hung in the water dungeon is truly unbearable. My hands felt numb, as if they had been chopped off. My wounds, soaked in the filthy water, started to ache, and the blood attracted maggots and flies that crawled all over me, making me nauseous to the point of almost throwing up my guts. I dreaded the thought of leeches; if they were there, I was doomed.
The midday sun was scorching, making me dizzy and parched. The wounds soaked in the water started to itch intensely, but after a while, they just became numb. My hands, tightly bound and hung up, had poor blood circulation, causing old wounds to reopen and bleed all over my face.
"How does it feel in the water dungeon? Still want to fight when you get out?"
Hearing this voice, I immediately forced myself to stay alert. I looked up, glaring like arrows at Chen Weiqiang, who was wrapped in bandages. My exhaustion and drowsiness vanished instantly.
"Why aren't you talking? Are you mute now? Jiang Ping'an, you better wise up, or I can't guarantee your life! You've been stubborn since you were young, brave and not afraid of death! But do you know where you are? This is the telecom fraud zone in Northern Myanmar, a wolf's den that eats people without blinking! You may be tough, but here you can be beaten to a pulp any minute! You think killing me will get you back to Hunan? You're daydreaming! Those medals you got are worthless, you fool!"
Chen Weiqiang cursed at me, flicking his cigarette butt onto my hand before it fell into the filthy water and extinguished. No matter what he said or how he insulted me, I didn't react or utter a word. My bond with him was completely severed the moment I was thrown into the water dungeon. Next time, it would be either him or me.
"I warn you, the wise adapt to circumstances. Keep causing trouble, and I really can't protect you. And stop thinking about killing me. Only by keeping me alive can you find out Lulu's whereabouts and keep your strength to live. So just focus on your work!"
Chen Weiqiang sighed, signaling two henchmen to come over. "Get him out, clean him up, and take him to my office. Don't beat him anymore, or we won't get any money, and I won't forgive you."
"Understood, Assistant Chen! No more beating, we had our fun," they replied, grinning. Chen Weiqiang glanced at me meaningfully and left. The henchmen, covering their noses, dragged my half-dead body out of the water dungeon.
Barely standing, they hosed me down for three to five minutes, washing off the mud, filth, and maggots before taking me to Chen Weiqiang's office on the third floor of building A. On the way, I kept thinking about what he said. It was just another beating followed by a sugar-coated promise, hoping to make me grateful and obedient. Dream on!
Wet and limping, I arrived at his spacious office. He was lying on an executive chair, smoking a cigar, the hazy smoke obscuring his eyes. His face was bandaged, thanks to my earlier beating, making it hard to see his expressions.
Suddenly, I wanted to ask about the henchmen I had beaten, but I didn't want to talk to him because I hated him. After being beaten half to death, I learned to keep my mouth shut. So, I just stood there, staring at him, wondering what he would do next.
After a while, he extinguished his cigar and stood up, saying, "Call your dad!" I clenched my fists, roaring, "You dare!"
"Want another beating?" a henchman taunted, poking my temple with an AK. I backed down, intimidated by the gun.
"I'll make the call. You'd better cooperate, or you know what will happen." He took out his phone, searching for my brother's number. We used to be close, and our families exchanged numbers for emergencies.
"Chen Weiqiang!" I gritted my teeth, my clenched fists bleeding. He smirked, dialing my brother's number. Under his orders, my brother gathered the family for a video call. They had been looking for me, handing out flyers and reporting to the police. They were having a simple meal when the call came.
"Ping'an? Is that you? What happened? It's Mom. Why didn't you answer your phone or come home? I was worried sick!" My mother recognized me instantly, despite my battered face and tattered clothes.
"Speak up! Where are you? Did you go abroad for something bad?" My mother's worried voice brought tears to my eyes. My father, more composed, just looked at me with pain in his eyes. My sister-in-law went to cry in a corner, while my brother paced in frustration.
"Mom, don't cry. I'm fine. I just fought with Weiqiang and lost. I'll be back in a while. Don't worry about me." I turned away, tears streaming down my face, my voice hoarse.
After a moment, my father spoke, "Weiqiang, tell me honestly, how much money do you want to let him go?"
"Dad, don't send money. They won't let me go. Just think of me as dead!" I was kicked to the ground by a henchman before I could finish. My family had always pampered me; how could they abandon me, even knowing I might never return?
"Dad, don't send money, don't trust them... ah!!" A henchman struck my wounded back with a gun butt, making me scream in pain.
"Weiqiang, don't hit him. I've gathered 200,000 yuan. I'll transfer it to you immediately!" My father's trembling voice continued, "You don't want your parents to know, right?"
"Uncle, please don't tell my family. Or I'll chop off your son's limbs and make him a cripple for life."
"Just don't hurt him, I'll do whatever you say. Give me the account number!"
"Talking to smart people is so satisfying. The account number is 6212…"
Chen Weiqiang squatted beside me, tracing my face with a knife, his eyes deep and malicious. Lying on the ground, I was in excruciating pain, unable to speak, just watching my family's anguish. The thought of my mother falling ill from worry broke my heart.
Soon, Weiqiang received the 200,000 yuan transfer. He promised to find a doctor for me, then ended the video call.