Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Lan Long stared at Shi Xiuâs clear eyes and asked with affected casualness, âBy the way, I heard that your big sister-in-law is in the hospital? Why have I not seen you visit her? My grandfather is also staying in that hospital. Do you want to come with me to the hospital for a visit?â
Shi Xiu was momentarily startled before her eyes curved into a smile, and she chuckled, âMy big sister-in-law isnât there anymore; she moved out of the hospital a long time ago. My brother has a villa in the eastern suburbs. The environment there is very good, suitable for my sister-in-law to recuperate in.â
Lan Long was stunned at the news. âThen, her ward in the hospitalâ¦â
Shi Xiu smiled and said, âItâs just a cover-up. My big brotherâs identity is sensitive, and our family is too eye-catching, so some things have to be kept secret. My older brother, Shi Nian, was seriously injured a while ago; heâs the one whoâs often residing that ward, recuperating. However, we canât let this news leak out lest it affect the stock market.â
Lan Longâs hands clenched into fists at his side, and his chest roiled. However, he forced a smile on his face and muttered, âI see. So thatâs how it is.â
Shi Xiu didnât notice Lan Longâs change in expression at all. âWhy is your grandfather hospitalized?â she asked, tilting her head.
Lan Long exhaled gently and answered, âHe has Alzheimerâs. He needs people watching over him 24/7. Itâs safest for him to stay in the hospital.â
Shi Xiu immediately stopped smiling. Before she could say anything to comfort him, Lan Long said softly, âThereâs this girl I grew up with. My grandfather adores her. Sheâs the only one he remembers when he has forgotten nearly everything else. He mistook your sister-in-law, Yun Nan, for her and even urged me to marry her as soon as possible.â
Lan Long laughed, but Shi Xiu paled.
Mr. Lou came over and whispered a few words into Lan Longâs ear. Shi Xiu quickly stood up, saying, âSince youâre busy, I think Iâd better leave. My mother told me to go home early today as I still have an event tonight.ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Lan Long smiled and also stood up. âAlright, letâs meet up again tomorrow.â
The smile on his face was replaced by a dark look as he watched Shi Xiuâs figure leave. âYouâre sure about this?â he asked Mr. Louâstanding in attendance at the sideâcoldly.
Mr. Lou hurriedly nodded. âYes! Young Master, weâve verified that Lin Yu disappeared after Madam Xi left the hospital. Madam Xi put the word out that Lin Yu is unwell and will be on bed rest for the rest of her pregnancy. Madam Xi is currently still wheelchair-bound. The Xi familyâs servants say her appetite is very good since she returned as sheâs having sizable meals in her room, and no else is allowed in there other than her trusted butler. From all the signs above, Lin Yu is probably confined in Madam Xiâs living quarters.â
âHmph!â Lan Long sneered. âTrash! She canât even beat a half-paralyzed old woman!â
Mr. Lou softly informed him, âThe staff in charge of the Xi family during their stay in the hospital have all been changed out and nowhere to be found. From the clues we have, we deduced that the one who saved Madam Xi might be from the Shi family.â
Lan Long pondered and sneered, âThereâs no need to deduce anything. Shi Nian took the lead to help her at the board meeting, and the woman even handed her projects and business to Yun Nan. The Shi family definitely must have been the ones who helped her! The Shi family, why are they everywhere? It seems we need to get rid of them.â
He recalled Shi Xiuâs words just then and instructed, âMr. Lou, go check the Shi familyâs villa near the eastern suburbs. Shi Xiu said that Shi Ke and Xiang Yang are there. That idiot, Miss Hong, is still watching the hospital when weâve all been fooled! What trash! What a bunch of trash!â
Mr. Lou paused before blurting out, âYoung Master, is this news reliable? Shi Keâs men are still standing guard at the hospital.â
Lan Longâs expression turned even colder as he told him, âThatâs just a front for outsiders. Shi Xiu wouldnât lie, and it makes sense. Theyâve been so strict about keeping everyone away from the hospital ward that, even now, Miss Hong hadnât been able to get close, because there IS no Xiang Yang in the ward! How shrewd! How devious! Sure enough, Shi Ke isnât an easy man to deal with! Mr. Lou, go make the arrangements and personally deploy the men yourself. That idiot, Miss Hong, will only be played like a monkey if I let her lead.â
âYes, sir!â Mr. Lou quickly responded. His mind raced, and he was extremely surprised. He really hadnât expected Shi Ke and Shi Nian to be so difficult to deal with. No wonder even the military was so wary of them.
Something occurred to Lan Long. âHave we gotten in contact with Yun Liu yet?â he asked.
Mr. Lou shook his head lightly with a dark expression.
Lan Long was so angry that he laughed, âShe was only brought back to the Yun family, not thrown in jail or something, so how is it that we couldnât get in contact with her? Donât tell me Yun Zhang restricted her personal freedom. Hah. She still owes us something! Weâve almost used up all the girls here, right? So, itâs about time she sends us new ones!â
Mr. Lou said, âThat Tan Ning is being kept on a short leash by the Yun family. She mustâve been quite intimidated, too. She doesnât dare to make a move.â
âThatâs not up to her!â Lan Long said. âTell Chen Tao to go find her with his men. Yun Liu must fulfill what she promised in full. We canât have her think that we canât do anything to her. Itâs time to give them a taste of our methods. Go pick out some of Yun Liuâs nude photos and send them to her and Tan Ning. Sheâs afraid of getting her reputation dragged through the mud, and now that the Yun family has taken her in, itâs something they fear, too. Theyâll cave to our demands.â
âYes, sir.â Mr. Lou agreed.