Chapter 899: Taming the Beast

Zhou Xiao spoke slowly, “Hiring people to kidnap your wife for ransom? Aren’t you afraid of losing both her and your money? Can you trust those three men? If it’s really about money and revenge, killing her is the most direct way. Once you get her inheritance, you’ll be set for life.”

The chubby man lowered his head, contemplating. Tao Yueyue, peeking from the bedroom, saw his hesitation and thought, what a rotten person. He might as well die.

The chubby man licked his lips and whispered, “How good are you?”

Zhou Xiao leaned forward. “You’ve heard of Zhou Xiao, haven’t you?”

“You’re that wanted criminal!” The chubby man was shocked.

“That’s right, I’m the serial killer. If I kill her, the blame will be on me. The police won’t suspect you. You can enjoy her inheritance without a care.”

The chubby man couldn’t hide his glee. “This… this… doesn’t seem right. She is my wife after all. Who hires someone to kill their own wife? How much do you usually charge for this kind of job?”

“One million.”

“Wow, that’s expensive… Can I pay three hundred thousand upfront and the remaining seven hundred thousand after?”

“Fifty thousand upfront.” Zhou Xiao’s tone left no room for negotiation.

“How do I know you’re not a scammer? How can you prove you’re that wanted man?”

“That’s a risk you’ll have to take. But compared to the risk I’m taking, it’s nothing. I never fail, and I leave no evidence.”

“Now that’s impressive!” The chubby man was excited. “If I’d known you were around, I wouldn’t have hired those three idiots. It seems fate is helping me! I’ll pay you one hundred and twenty thousand, half upfront, but there’s one condition. This Saturday, she and her lover will be at the villa. I want them naked and dead in bed together. I want the world to see her disgrace.”

“Hmph,” Zhou Xiao sneered, “Killing two people?”

“If that’s too much, then let’s stick to one million for her alone.”

“No, I’ll accept your terms. Bring the down payment tomorrow. I want cash in a small backpack.”

“No problem!”

The chubby man extended his hand for a handshake, but Zhou Xiao ignored him, slumping back on the sofa. “See you tomorrow.”

The chubby man awkwardly wiped his hand on his clothes. “Okay, see you tomorrow.”

After the chubby man left, Tao Yueyue came out of the bedroom, pretending to praise Zhou Xiao, “Uncle Zhou, you’re amazing. You just closed a deal worth one hundred and twenty thousand.”

“Hmph, that’s with a discount. We’re short on money now… Are you hungry?”

Tao Yueyue nodded.

All the money from the dead men had been spent on medicine, leaving them with nothing for food. Zhou Xiao rummaged around and found some noodles and eggs. While Zhou Xiao cooked, Tao Yueyue watched TV in the living room, feeling uneasy. The most dangerous man in Long’an was cooking noodles for her. She wondered if they would taste like blood.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash from the kitchen, followed by Zhou Xiao’s furious roar. Tao Yueyue ran in to see him stomping on a frying pan and smashing eggs. “Why can’t I flip it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!”

Tao Yueyue paled with fear. Zhou Xiao ran his hand through his hair and commanded, “Go back to watching TV. I’ll finish the noodles soon.”

“Uncle Zhou, maybe I should do it.”

“You can cook?”

“Sort of…”

Zhou Xiao didn’t argue, handing the kitchen over to Tao Yueyue. She found the milk pot charred and filled with soy sauce and vinegar. Clearly, Zhou Xiao had no idea how to cook.

Tao Yueyue washed the pot, boiled water, and cooked the noodles, making two poached eggs that looked presentable.

She thought of Chen Shi, who cooked every day, making meals as his way to relax. His large, strong hands could delicately slice vegetables and make delicious soups. He had spoiled her taste buds.

She vowed silently that when she got home, she would never complain about food again or constantly demand takeout.

Tao Yueyue served two bowls of noodles in the living room. Zhou Xiao picked at his noodles, looking bewildered. Seeing him hesitate to eat, Tao Yueyue said, “Don’t worry, I didn’t poison it.”

Zhou Xiao actually laughed, though it was a sinister laugh. He seemed to be in a good mood.

The night felt long and boring. Zhou Xiao smoked, cleaning and sharpening his knife, then slumped on the sofa, sighing with boredom. He seemed like an addict, with murder providing his only thrill, leaving him empty and restless otherwise. Games, music, movies, and books didn’t exist in his world. His mind was incredibly void.

With nothing to do, Tao Yueyue found a book in a cabinet, but it turned out to be a vulgar novel. Disgusted, she put it down quickly. She gazed out the window, thinking about the high school entrance exam tomorrow. What were her classmates doing now?

Zhou Xiao, still recovering, fell into a deep sleep on the sofa after eleven, weakened despite the medication. Tao Yueyue stood by the bedroom door, her heart pounding. This was her chance to subdue him.

She could twist a bedsheet into a rope, wrap it around his neck, and strangle him. Zhou Xiao would wake, but if she held on for about twenty seconds, he’d pass out from lack of oxygen, then she could tie him up.

No, it wouldn’t work!

The strength of a makeshift rope was unreliable, and grappling with Zhou Xiao was dangerous. She had seen his muscular build, not bulky like a bodybuilder but with astonishing strength.

Maybe gas poisoning?

No, that wouldn’t work either!

Zhou Xiao would smell the gas and wake up immediately. Even if he didn’t, controlling the dosage to knock him out without killing him was too risky.

Handcuffs would be ideal…

Suddenly, she thought of making rope restraints to bind Zhou Xiao’s hands and feet simultaneously, immobilizing him.

She quietly opened the bedroom wardrobe and found an old bedsheet. Biting it with her teeth, she tore it into strips, braiding them into ropes and testing their strength.

To be safe, she made the ropes thicker, spending two hours crafting two sets of cloth restraints.

The next part was the most dangerous. Tao Yueyue tiptoed to the living room, fearing her racing heart would give her away. Zhou Xiao lay on the sofa, his head tilted back, snoring softly.

Carefully, she decided to start with his feet. Squatting between the sofa and coffee table, she gingerly lifted one of Zhou Xiao’s feet, terrified he’d wake with every breath.

She finally lifted his foot, but as she prepared to slip the restraint on, Zhou Xiao suddenly stomped, pinning the restraint under his foot.

Had he woken up!? Tao Yueyue looked up in terror…