Ming Zicheng chuckled and patted his shoulder, "Come out for a stroll with me."
Joyce instinctively took a step back, "Is Second Uncle going to make a move now!?"
Ming Zicheng didn't give him a chance to escape, grabbing his arm and pulling him downstairs.
Just as they were about to exit the room, Joyce grabbed the doorframe, refusing to budge.
Ming Zicheng looked at him suspiciously, "What's wrong? Am I that scary?"
"Not scary... Second Uncle, are your skills better, or is Eleventh Uncle's better?"
"Haven't tested it, but I can barely fight Fifth Uncle to a draw."
Joyce’s fear intensified upon hearing this.
When he first arrived, he could barely last fifty moves against Fifth Uncle. Even after learning from the Grandmaster for a few days, he still couldn't defeat them.
Joyce clung to the doorframe, shaking his mop of yellow hair vigorously at Ming Zicheng.
Ming Zicheng eyed him with suspicion. Was it that much of a big deal to accompany him for a walk?
Car headlights illuminated the entrance. Ming Zicheng glanced outside, temporarily letting Joyce off the hook, and quickly walked out.
Seeing that he was finally letting him go, Joyce scurried to the study door like a rat escaping a cat.
He had already planned that if Second Uncle tried to silence him, he would call out for his Master to save him.
Ming Zicheng exited the main entrance and handed the sealed bag containing hair and a toothbrush to the arriving person.
"Expedited. Send me the results immediately after they're out."
"Yes!" The subordinate lowered his voice, "Our people are already stationed here. If you need anything, just send them a signal."
Ming Zicheng glared at him displeasedly, "This place is safer than the presidential palace, do you really need to be so cautious!"
"..." The subordinate lowered his gaze, not daring to look at him.
Ming Zicheng waved his hand with some exasperation, "Alright, hurry up and get this done. I won't be going back tonight. I'll go straight to the office tomorrow."
Ming Zicheng said as he returned inside the main entrance.
The main door closed automatically afterward.
When he returned to the living room, the supper was ready.
Ming Zicheng looked at the translucent crystal shrimp dumplings and said to the butler with a smile, "Pack a bowl for my Senior Sister, I'll take it to her."
In the study, Lan Yuxi was still tracking the opponent's ID. She frowned slightly when she heard a knock.
Only when a progress bar appeared on the screen did she get up and open the door.
Ming Zicheng walked in with a tray, smiling.
"Why are you here?" Lan Yuxi reached out to take the tray.
Ming Zicheng dodged her hand, "I'm here. Don't burn yourself."
Ming Zicheng placed the tray on the coffee table and walked to the computer, glancing at it, "Still haven't traced it?"
"Almost," Lan Yuxi sat down at the desk and looked up at him, "It's late, why are you here? Don't you have work tomorrow?"
"Someone asked me to come and keep you company."
Lan Yuxi's hand holding the mouse tightened abruptly, "Master knows?"
"Master doesn't know. I specifically told Eleventh to keep everyone's mouths shut."
"Let's keep it a secret for now, at least let him have a peaceful night's sleep."
"Do your brothers at home know?"
"Probably not. If they knew, my phone would have exploded by now."
As Lan Yuxi was speaking, another computer suddenly emitted an alarm. She quickly looked over.
[Shocking! According to insider information, Nan Yao's adopted daughter is Lan Yuxi, the Dean of Lan Ling Academy. She was kicked out of the Nan family back then for shamelessly seducing Nan Xiao!]
Lan Yuxi pressed her lips together tightly. Just as she was about to deal with the news, it disappeared.
Ming Zicheng, standing behind her, frowned, "Nan Xiangbei handled this quite quickly this time."
"This 'insider' is not the same person who leaked the information last time. It's a shame Nan Xiangbei deleted it so fast, I couldn't trace his ID."
"It seems many people have guessed it's you."
Lan Yuxi sneered and flipped out a screenshot, pointing at the headline and reading word by word: [Explosive! Nan Family's Earth-Shattering Scandal! Nan Xiao is actually involved in an incestuous affair with his elder brother's adopted daughter! It's written so clearly, anyone with even a slight connection to the Nan family knows who that person is.]
Ming Zicheng pondered for a moment, stroking his chin.
"Senior Sister, do you know who drugged you back then?"
Lan Yuxi's eyes shot up, looking at him. She had never told him about what happened back then. How did he know she was drugged?
"Did you meet with Nan Xiao?"
"Mhm. I originally wanted to beat him up, but then I heard some things you don't even know. Moreover, if this incident were to be exposed, it could very well collapse Nan Xiao and the Nan Corporation, and you too. You probably wouldn't even be able to stay in the capital."
A sharp glint flashed in Lan Yuxi's eyes, "What did he tell you?"
"Do you know who your maternal grandfather is? I mean, who Lingyun Auntie's father is, do you know?"
Lan Yuxi shook her head, "I never met my maternal grandfather, and my parents never mentioned him. He probably passed away long ago."
"He not only didn't die, but he's living quite well."
"Who is he?"
"Nan Zhenting!"
Lan Yuxi's pupils contracted sharply, "Who did you say?"
"Nan Xiao's father, Nan Zhenting!" Ming Zicheng looked at the stunned Lan Yuxi and continued, "Nan Xiao fears this being exposed the most."
"You didn't tell him that I have nothing to do with the Nan family?"
"They've already arranged for someone who looks very much like you to have plastic surgery in Country H, planning to use that person to replace you. Why should I tell him these things? Let him make a fool of himself.
Besides, if that person can successfully pass as you, it would be beneficial for you and Old Master Nan. Think about it, with Old Master Nan's current prestige, what would be the consequences if it was exposed that he had an illegitimate daughter?"
Lan Yuxi slammed her fist on the table. The fine rosewood surface instantly caved in.
"There's a mole in the Nan family!"
"Why are you getting so agitated! Look! Your hand is red." Ming Zicheng pulled her hand into his palm and rubbed it.
Lan Yuxi rolled her eyes at him. They were both martial artists; how much could it hurt to smash a table?
Was he treating her like a delicate woman with this performative gesture?
Lan Yuxi withdrew her hand and said coldly, "The fact that Old Nan is my mother's biological father is something even I didn't know. Therefore, there can't be more than five people who know this."
"Heh... I finally understand why that old witch hated me so much, and Nan Xiao. He must have found out the day before my eighteenth birthday, otherwise, he wouldn't have suddenly become so cold towards me.
"These three people can be ruled out, so that leaves my cheap mother... Perhaps Aunt Xia also knew about this, as she's the old witch's confidante. But they wouldn't have the capability to recognize such a high-level hacker... Who else would know? This insider is very likely the person who drugged me back then!"
Lan Yuxi lightly tapped the already damaged tabletop, lost in thought.
"Beep... beep..." Ming Zicheng's phone rang.
Seeing that the call was from Nan Xiao, Ming Zicheng took his phone and left the study.