Feng Yilian was in a cheerful mood. Her father, Director Feng, asked her, "How did you get in touch with that person?"
"He contacted me," Feng Yilian replied.
Feng Yilian wasn't lying. She had no idea where to meet this person. He had contacted her, introducing himself as 'z' and proposing a collaboration.
Naturally, the slow-acting poison was also purchased from him.
Director Feng sighed. "Forget it. Go back to your room. There's a lot going on these days. Just stay quiet and don't cause any trouble, alright?"
"Mhm, mhm!"
She appeared perfectly obedient.
But once back in her room, she hummed a happy tune.
No matter how capable Shen Qingqing was, knowing she had been poisoned, she still left obediently. As long as she wanted the antidote, she could only cooperate with her father.
She wouldn't dare to touch her!
Suddenly, a commotion arose downstairs. She initially paid it no mind, but footsteps were heading towards her room. Feeling cheerful, she went to open the door.
"What..."
She poked her head out, intending to ask what was happening, but the two people who appeared before her turned her face as white as a sheet.
The two were in uniform, exactly like when her father was taken away that day.
She panicked.
Feng Yilian was taken away.
Suspected of poisoning, the evidence included a recording where she admitted to administering the poison herself, and Alang's blood test report. Director Feng was powerless to stop it.
When he tried to intervene, they accused him of obstructing official business.
He watched helplessly as his daughter was led away.
"Daddy, save me, Daddy!"
Feng Yilian refused to cooperate. The uniformed men grabbed her by the arms, lifting her off the ground. She had no room to struggle.
Her kicks and struggles were all in vain.
Only now did she regret it. If only she hadn't admitted it earlier. Who could have imagined Shen Qingqing had recorded her and then handed the recording over to the police!
She was going to die!
She hated Shen Qingqing to death, but now she couldn't even save herself, only calling out for her father.
Alas, even as she was shoved into the police car, her father didn't utter a word, nor did he even come out to see her. The moment the car started, the villa's gate slowly closed.
At this moment, she was completely despairing.
As soon as the people left, the villa fell silent. Director Feng sat on the sofa, tugged at his collar, and then picked up his phone, finding a number.
Behind the number was a name – z.
Three seconds later, the call was answered.
"It's done," Director Feng said with a relaxed tone.
A slightly hoarse male voice came from the other end of the line, "Well done."
"Then you must keep your promise to me. From now on, I never want to see Shen Qingqing again," Director Feng said, his face now etched with ferocity.
Gone was the humility and helplessness from moments before.
"What I want is their lives."
"Good. Then you need to prepare. Send me the invitation within three days. If it's late, that woman will make trouble," Director Feng gritted his teeth.
For years, he had never been threatened. Shen Qingqing was the first, and she would be the last.
If this matter succeeded, it would have been worth enduring the humiliation of acting like a subordinate to Shen Qingqing.
The person on the other end chuckled, with a hint of eeriness. "Don't worry."
Director Feng hung up the phone with satisfaction and stood up. "Someone, prepare lunch. I want to eat."
The servants immediately got busy.
Director Feng put down his phone and prepared to go upstairs for a bath, humming an unknown tune with a somewhat eerie quality. As his figure disappeared up the stairs, a servant peeking from the kitchen doorway shivered.
"Sister Wang, why is Grandpa still in such a good mood when Miss has been arrested?"
"What Miss? Haven't you seen the news? Miss is an illegitimate daughter. Besides, with Grandpa's personality... whether she's illegitimate or not, those who need to be sacrificed won't be spared..."
The servant shivered at the words.
...
When Shen Qingqing returned home, Xiao Yuying and the old madam were chatting in the living room. Aunt Cao was peeling nuts, and Alang was sitting on the sofa reading a storybook.
She had been fond of reading these lately, to the point of neglecting everything else.
Shen Qingqing snatched the storybook away and, under the little girl's pleading and reluctant gaze, said, "You read two stories last night. It's time to go out and walk now."
Alang pouted. Sister said she must listen, and she dared not disobey. She looked longingly at the storybook.
But her sister was right there, so she didn't dare to reach for it.
Xiao Yuying couldn't help but laugh when she saw this. "Alang looks fragile, but she's actually quite stubborn. She doesn't listen to anyone else, only you, her sister."
She would listen a little to what old madam Xiao said, but old madam Xiao rarely reprimanded her, so Alang was practically treated like a little princess at home.
Shen Qingqing smiled and ruffled the little girl's hair.
She obediently rested her head on her sister's shoulder, looking gentle and well-behaved.
After some pleasantries, Xiao Yuying asked about Director Feng. "How was that resolved? Did you get the antidote back?"
Shen Qingqing glanced at King.
He had to speak on her behalf. "He promised to find... the antidote within three days."
He ultimately didn't mention 'z'. This person was mysterious and acted strangely, making him difficult to deal with. It was better to keep it a secret to avoid everyone worrying unnecessarily.
Shen Qingqing looked at him, her eyes showing approval.
King smiled smugly.
Aunt Cao paused her movements and sighed softly. She placed the peeled nuts on a small plate and gave them all to Alang. She didn't touch any herself.
Seeing her meticulous care, Shen Qingqing forgave her small ulterior motive.
Her bad intentions were merely to see Director Feng punished. It was a pity that he was still useful for now. She thought for a moment and said, "Feng Yilian is in jail."
Aunt Cao's head shot up. "Really?"
"Yes. She poisoned Alang, so she had to be taken in for questioning. Unless something unexpected happens, she probably won't get out."
Aunt Cao was overjoyed, her heart filled with vindication. "That's great! That little brat has been wicked since she was young, and she dared to poison Miss Alang. It shows how malicious she is. Now she's gotten what she deserves."
Everyone also felt a sense of satisfaction. They then looked at Alang and couldn't help but chuckle.
She was diligently eating nuts. As for Feng Yilian, whom they were discussing, it was like a breeze passing by, completely unheard by the little girl.
She didn't care at all.
In the blink of an eye, the three-day deadline arrived. Early in the morning, just after Shen Qingqing finished breakfast, there was a knock on the door.
It was Director Feng. As he entered, everyone looked at him. But he was composed, showing no concern, and even smiled as he placed an envelope on the table.
"This morning, I received an anonymous envelope and a phone call."
He opened his phone and played the call recording.
A man's voice said, "Tell Shen Qingqing the antidote is with me. When she sees the envelope, she'll know what to do."
With those brief words, the call ended.
Director Feng sighed. "These past three days, I tried my best, but I couldn't find the person. He called me proactively, so I quickly recorded it."
Whether this statement was true or false, Shen Qingqing made no comment. She picked up the envelope, which bore only one signature – z.