I was ambushed!
Ning Xiaolan suddenly realized what was happening, but it was already too late.
She felt all her strength vanish in an instant. Not only could she not shout or throw a punch, but even keeping her eyes open was difficult.
Yet, her mind remained incredibly clear.
She could only watch as the woman in the mask, feigning concern and asking what was wrong (for others to see), opened the rear car door and helped her into the vehicle.
Just then, the slow-moving cars ahead began to move.
Those who casually glanced their way had no time to pay further attention and drove forward.
A few minutes later, the woman in the mask, driving Ning Xiaolan's car, sped away after turning the corner.
8:30 AM.
The provincial capital of Tiandong, the old Lan family mansion!
A plaque hung above the mansion's entrance, bearing the inscription "Philanthropic Family."
This plaque—
Was earned by the Lan family patriarch and their founder, who each year donated one-fifth of the family's profits to charity, giving back to society.
Every day, Old Man Lan would look at the plaque with a contented expression as he entered and exited the house, his hand resting on it for a long moment.
This was also the reason for Old Man Lan's respected status in Tiandong.
The day after tomorrow.
Lan Yunhai and Miss Murong were to be wed.
The union of Lan and Murong was of great significance to the Lan family.
The patriarch, who had stepped back from family and business affairs years ago, had instructed his butler, Uncle Kang, to call Lan Ximing and others last night, summoning them to the old mansion for a meeting this morning.
More than twenty core members of the Lan family were gathered.
Each of them wore expressions of joy.
Ahem.
Old Man Lan, seated in a chair, coughed softly.
The hushed conversations in the mansion's living room instantly ceased, and everyone looked up at him.
"The day after tomorrow is Yunhai's grand wedding."
Old Man Lan, his beard and hair white, spoke directly: "This is an exceptionally good occasion for Yunhai, and indeed for the entire Lan family!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Old Man Lan looked at Lan Yunhai, smiling kindly: "I never dreamed that Yunhai would fall in love at first sight with the eldest daughter of the Murong family. It seems my suggestion years ago that you should be with the third daughter of the Du family was misguided."
"You are too kind, Patriarch."
Lan Yunhai quickly stood up and bowed to Old Man Lan: "Your arrangement was for my own good and that of the entire Lan family. It's just unfortunate that the third daughter of the Du family and I had no spark, which is why I disappointed you."
"Haha."
Old Man Lan chuckled heartily: "Without the disappointment then, where would the surprise today be?"
Lan Ximing and the others all smiled and nodded.
Lan Yunhai felt a surge of secret pride, though he maintained an even more humble demeanor outwardly.
"Eldest son, you have raised a good son."
After praising Lan Ximing generously, Old Man Lan's tone shifted: "However, precisely because our Lan family is currently on an unstoppable upward trajectory, we must not become complacent. We must avoid making any unnecessary mistakes."
The patriarch was about to deliver a lecture.
All the core members present stood up, hands placed outside their legs, bowing slightly, ready to listen attentively.
"Although I have not been involved in family and company matters these past years,"
Old Man Lan said slowly, "I hope all the young men of the Lan family will remember the following points."
One.
Always respect working people, love your country, and understand the importance of giving back to society (one ten-thousandth of the profits of Great God Real Estate annually).
Two.
Never forget that the Lan family's two preceding generations were impoverished farmers. Therefore, no matter how high the Lan family climbs or how great their power, we must never forget our roots, nor should we bully others with our influence!
Three.
If any descendant is found to be bullying others with their influence, Old Man Lan will immediately convene the ancestral hall and expel them from the Lan family!
These points—
On Old Man Lan's birthday and during the Spring Festival ancestral worship, he would solemnly reiterate these teachings to all the young men of the Lan family.
"Yes, we will strictly follow the Patriarch's teachings."
Lan Ximing and the others all responded in unison.
As for how many of them would truly take the patriarch's teachings to heart, that was another matter entirely.
At least.
Lan Yunhai was secretly sneering, thinking, "Patriarch, your ideas are outdated. Times have changed, and people's views are different. Nowadays, as long as you have money and power, you can do whatever you want without consequence."
He had told his father long ago that after Old Man Lan passed away, they would immediately abolish the family motto of donating one-fifth of their profits annually for charity.
The money the Lan family earned through their own efforts, why should they give it away for free?
"Yunhai."
Old Man Lan's voice interrupted Lan Yunhai's internal disdain, and he quickly responded, "Patriarch, please speak."
Old Man Lan's expression became stern, and he said in a low voice: "I heard you are very interested in a small hospital in Qingyun?"
Ah?
Lan Yunhai's heart leaped. His peripheral vision instinctively flickered towards his father.
Lan Ximing also frowned, his gaze briefly meeting his son's.
Understanding dawned instantly.
Lan Ximing had no idea how the patriarch had learned of this matter.
"It must be Uncle Two and the others. Seeing that they can't stop our eldest branch from becoming increasingly powerful, they've been whispering behind our backs."
Lan Yunhai thought to himself, and then answered Old Man Lan's question: "Patriarch, there is such a matter. I wish to acquire that small hospital and do some more charity work in Qingyun."
Old Man Lan continued in the same calm tone: "It is valued at 250 million, and it is slated for demolition with compensation of seven to eight hundred million. Yet you offer them just over a hundred million. Is that also considered charity?"
Cold sweat immediately beaded on Lan Yunhai's forehead.
He wanted to retort—
Or rather, to expose the misdeeds of the second, third, and fourth uncles of the Lan family after the patriarch had withdrawn from family affairs.
However, he wisely chose to remain silent.
Fighting amongst themselves now would benefit no one!
He could only try to appease the patriarch for now and settle accounts with certain individuals later!
"Do not pursue that matter any further."
Old Man Lan, mindful of his eldest grandson's impending wedding, did not wish to investigate thoroughly.
"Yes."
Lan Yunhai quickly agreed.
"Alright, let us discuss Yunhai's wedding further."
Old Man Lan turned to his eldest son, Lan Ximing: "Are you certain that the wedding ceremony and banquet will be held at Yufeng Mountain Villa?"
Yufeng Mountain Villa, located in the southern mountains, was one of the most upscale and best hotels in the provincial capital.
Not far behind the villa was a racetrack.
"Yes."
Lan Ximing replied, "And my intention is to hold a very traditional Chinese wedding, with the ceremony at dusk followed by the banquet."
In ancient times, weddings were held at dusk.
After the bows to heaven and earth, to the elders, and the couple's bows to each other, the newlyweds would retire to the bridal chamber.
Guests would feast outside while the young couple savored their time indoors.
"Heh heh, a traditional wedding is good."
Old Man Lan was pleased, but he added, "However, it should not be extravagant. Especially in terms of guests, we should prioritize the elders and fellow villagers from our hometown. The Lan family's current success is due not only to our keen business acumen but also to our good deeds and remembering our roots. Many wedding guests these days are merely there to add flair, rather than offering support in times of need."
The old man's views were truly antiquated!
Lan Yunhai inwardly scoffed, but outwardly he listened intently.
11:30 AM.
Lan Yunhai, feeling his head buzzing from Old Man Lan's extensive lecture on old-fashioned values, was finally released.
In fact, Lan Ximing and the others had long grown impatient.
As soon as Old Man Lan's speech concluded, they all made excuses about needing to help Lan Yunhai with wedding preparations and departed.
"Old Kang."
Watching his descendants quickly exit, Old Man Lan sighed and said to his butler, Uncle Kang, "Many of them are merely going through the motions. They haven't truly taken my words to heart."
Uncle Kang hesitated: "Perhaps, they all feel times have changed."
Old Man Lan said calmly: "No matter how times change, they cannot alter the principle that actions have consequences. If one bullies others with power, they will eventually face retribution from even greater power."
Uncle Kang remained silent.
"Alas, children and grandchildren have their own destinies."
Old Man Lan sighed again, rose, and walked slowly into the courtyard with his hands clasped behind his back.
The wind began to pick up.
The sky grew even more overcast.
Soon, a fine, misty rain started to fall, carried by the wind.
But Old Man Lan stood in the light rain, motionless, for a long time.
Hoo!
When the wind clearly intensified and the raindrops became denser, Lan Yunhai took out his phone and turned it on.
Everyone turned off their phones during the patriarch's meetings.
As soon as he powered his on, his phone rang.
A woman's respectful voice came through: "Young Master Lan, the person was secured several hours ago, and everything went smoothly. I also used her phone to fake her voice and request leave from her unit."
"You've done well."
Lan Yunhai smiled and said, "Keep a close eye on her. Don't you dare lay a finger on her. She is my woman."
"Understood!"
The woman replied.
Lan Yunhai put down his phone, looked at the drizzling rain outside the car window, and said to the driver, Scorpion, "Let's go to Xiongfeng Racetrack. A little rain while admiring the scenery with the 'cold beauty' will be quite romantic. Haha."
Scorpion, whose face had a stern look, also forced a smile.
At 1:00 PM, the light rain stopped.
Su Ziyu sat on the edge of the bed in the lounge, neatly folding the pair of washed black stockings beside the pillow.
She hoped that Lan Yunhai would have a change of heart and let her go.
But the chances of that were slim.
"If I don't go, he wouldn't dare to really harm Qianfan or my father, would he?"
While appearing calm, Su Ziyu, with her mind in turmoil, picked up her phone.
She began to call Old Su.
"Ziyu, is something wrong?"
"Dad, it's raining. Did you bring an umbrella?"
"Ha, why would I need an umbrella at the company? I don't need one on my commute either, since I'm in the car. Besides, this light rain has already stopped."
"Oh really? I didn't even notice."
Su Ziyu said, looking out the window, then asked, "Where is Qianfan? What is he doing?"
Old Su replied, "I'm guiding him in revising the product model proposal. Come, son-in-law, say a few words to Ziyu."
Li Qianfan's voice came through the phone: "Wife, I truly didn't expect Dad to be a business genius!"
Old Su's proud, hearty laughter immediately came through the receiver.
Su Ziyu also smiled.
As long as her father and husband were well, she was happier than anything.
After chatting with Li Qianfan for a few minutes, Su Ziyu ended the call.
"I won't go. What can he do to me?"
Su Ziyu suddenly felt a wave of relaxation: "Perhaps Lan Yunhai was just trying to scare me. He wouldn't dare do anything to my father or Qianfan."
Her phone rang.
The caller ID showed "Mother."
"Mom, are you calling for something?"
Su Ziyu answered the call and held it to her ear, asking.
But the next second!
Her nerves and muscles tensed abruptly.
Because a cold, stern female voice came from the phone: "Su Ziyu, if you do not arrive at the racetrack by 4 PM, more than three men will be 'taking care' of Director Ning on your father's behalf."
Su Ziyu shot up from her seat and asked in a hoarse voice, "Who, who are you?"
"Absolutely do not call the police. Unless you want to see Director Ning, your husband, and your father all in trouble today."
The woman finished speaking and the call ended.
Su Ziyu's vision went black for a moment.
She hurriedly dialed her mother's number again.
But it was already switched off.
Her instinct was to call Li Qianfan.
However—
Su Ziyu took several deep breaths and found Lan Yunhai's contact information.
As soon as the call connected, before Su Ziyu could say anything, she heard Lan Yunhai say with a chuckle: "It's 1:30 PM now, with two and a half hours until 4 o'clock. You'd best pray there's no traffic."
Su Ziyu shouted sternly: "Lan Yunhai, let my mother go!"
Lan Yunhai replied leisurely: "You come, and I guarantee Director Ning will be unharmed."
"I, I'm coming right now."
Su Ziyu's lips trembled uncontrollably as she slowly lowered her phone.
Slam!
The light rain, which had only recently stopped, suddenly turned into hailstones the size of soybeans with a gust of wind, pelting the window glass fiercely.
In an instant, it was pouring rain.
At the entrance of Victoria Hall.
Zhang Bao looked at the parking lot and asked Mo Hongti, "Ms. Mo, should we wait for the rain to stop before heading out?"
Today marked the fourth anniversary of Mo Hongti's mother's passing.
The deceased was a devout Buddhist, and her ashes were interred in a temple in the southern part of the provincial capital.
Although Mo Hongti had left the Mo family and established her own independent business, she would certainly not forget the anniversary of her mother's death and pay her respects.
There was an ancient custom that memorials for the recently deceased were held in the morning, and for those who passed away longer ago, in the afternoon.
"It's alright, let's go."
Mo Hongti, who had specially changed into a black suit and was wearing a black trench coat, shook her head and stepped down the stairs.
Zhang Bao quickly held up his umbrella and hurried after her.
The rain grew heavier.
There was also thunder and lightning.
However, the weather forecast indicated it was a thunderstorm, and it likely wouldn't last too long.
Many people enjoyed rainy days.
Li Qianfan, however, did not particularly like them; he preferred snow.
But if the sky wanted to rain, he certainly couldn't stop it.
As the rain intensified, Old Su, who was currently working with great vigor, personally took Shen Yun to the workshop to check for any leaks.
Li Qianfan had no interest in that.
He returned to his vice general manager's office and was about to take out his phone to chat with his wife when it rang.
The caller ID showed a landline number from Qingyun.
He casually answered, "Hello, who is this?"
A woman's voice, sounding ethereal, came through the receiver: "Little handsome guy, it's raining. Want to meet?"
Huh?
Li Qianfan blinked: "Who are you?"
"Ai, you ungrateful child."
The woman's ethereal voice suddenly turned sorrowful: "You can't even recognize your Aunt Ran's voice anymore. After I doted on you so much, holding you when you were little and peeing all over me, I never once blamed you."
Li Qianfan's eyebrows shot up, and he exclaimed, "Aunt Ran! You, you're in Qingyun!?"
Jing Ran.
Not only was she Li Qianfan's stepmother.
But she was also the number one hacker in the world!
And the most eccentric woman in the Li family.
Every time Li Qianfan saw her, he felt a chill creeping up from the soles of his feet.