In the office, Lu Zhengting loosened the buttons on his cuffs and lounged lazily in the black leather chair, his hands resting on the armrests, tapping them idly. Ning Xi, dressed in a white casual outfit, walked in with a smile on his face. His gaze landed on Lu Zhengting but quickly turned serious.
"Ting Ge, you've really left Yang Jinkuan no way out," Ning Xi said, sitting in the chair across from him, rubbing his chin as he stared intently at the expressionless man.
"A way out is for the living."
Hearing Lu Zhengting's arrogant words and seeing his cold, god-of-death-like demeanor that decided life and death, Ning Xi silently compared this version of him to the one he saw with Xia Yan. He almost wondered if the man had a split personality. Then, blinking, he said, "The thing you asked me to investigate has some leads now. You were right—what happened over a decade ago really had hidden circumstances. But you’d never guess who’s involved, and I’ve also made a major discovery."
Lu Zhengting raised an eyebrow and glanced at Ning Xi, who was being cryptic. "Does it have to do with Xia Yan's mother?"
At this, Ning Xi’s expression shifted slightly. He leaned forward, getting close to Lu Zhengting, and asked suspiciously, "How did you know?"
Lu Zhengting didn’t even look at him. "Go on."
"Like this, I feel like I’ve got no sense of achievement," Ning Xi said, but when he caught Lu Zhengting’s impatient stare, he shuddered and quickly added, "When Xu Guang died, Xia Yan happened to be nearby. But I think she has no memory of what happened back then. Otherwise, how could she so calmly let her mother marry Xia Minghui?"
"Any news from Yang Jinkuan's side?"
"Speaking of that, Xia Minghui wanted to get Xu Guang’s belongings from Xia Yan, but isn’t she under your protection?..."
Lu Zhengting looked up at the chattering Ning Xi and said coldly, "Get to the point."
Seeing this, Ning Xi blinked, caught the sharp look from Lu Zhengting, and shrugged. "The point is, Xia Minghui went to Yang Jinkuan when he couldn’t find any other way. And the burglary at Xia Yan’s apartment—just as you thought—was arranged by Xia Minghui’s people."
"Let the police close the case as a simple burglary."
"You’re not going to tell Xia Yan?"
"I have other plans for this."
"Alright then, I’ll keep an eye on Yang Jinkuan. But I still suggest you take it easy. He’s no pushover. If you corner him, I’m worried he’ll target the people around you. Back in the day, he wasn’t a softie under Old Master Xu’s hand."
Lu Zhengting gave a noncommittal "Mm." Ning Xi shook his head, knowing full well Lu Zhengting hadn’t listened to a word. Why did he keep doing such stupid things, like advising Lu Zhengting to show mercy? Had he forgotten that Lu Zhengting was the type to settle scores, striking to kill?
Ning Xi hung around Lu Zhengting’s office for a while, utterly bored. Lu Zhengting sat there like a cold mountain, silent. Ning Xi occasionally shook his head or crossed his legs to look around. After a few minutes, he asked out of boredom, "Where’s the little sister-in-law? Isn’t she your assistant? Why isn’t she in the office looking for you?"
Based on his understanding of Lu Zhengting, the man seemed proper on the surface but was secretly so flirtatious that even Ning Xi had to admit defeat. If they were sneaking around in a situation like this, it would probably be thrilling.
His thoughts were written all over his face. Lu Zhengting’s cold gaze shot over like a sharp sword, and Ning Xi immediately fell silent, making a zipping motion with his fingers at his mouth. Just as he was about to leave, Ke Yaru lightly knocked on the door and pushed it open, her gaze meeting Ning Xi’s.
Ke Yaru’s expression shifted slightly. Ning Xi frowned but said calmly, "Ting Ge, if you’ve got nothing else, I’ll head out."
Lu Zhengting hummed in acknowledgment, then turned to Ke Yaru, who had come to see him. "What is it?"
Ke Yaru glanced at Ning Xi as he left the office before fixing her eyes on Lu Zhengting and speaking softly, "Zhengting, about the acquisition of Fangneng Company, shouldn’t we be more cautious?"
"You just need to follow orders. I’ve already decided on this."
Ke Yaru racked her brains but couldn’t figure out why Lu Zhengting was so set on targeting Yang Jinkuan. After failing to persuade him, she left feeling dejected. As she stepped out of the office and stood by the elevator, she saw Ning Xi emerge from the stairwell door nearby, arms crossed. She narrowed her eyes and asked flatly, "Why haven’t you left yet?"
"I’d advise you not to meddle in this. Don’t try to talk him out of going after Yang Jinkuan."
"I don’t need your reminder."
"Ha, don’t take out the frustration you got from Ting Ge on me. Next time something like this happens, do you think I’ll still warn you? A smart person only needs one reminder. If you’re determined to court death, I won’t stop you."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what it sounds like."
Ning Xi gave a cold, insincere smile as he glanced at Ke Yaru’s confused expression. Seeing the elevator doors open, he stepped inside, leaving behind a meaningful look.
******
The amusement park wasn’t too crowded today—nothing compared to holidays. The first time Xia Yan brought Xiao Han here, she realized that despite his young age, he had a restless, adventurous spirit inside, loving all kinds of thrilling, challenging games. Unfortunately, she was afraid of heights, and some of the park’s rides felt like life-threatening ordeals to her.
Xia Yan held Xiao Han’s hand as they weaved through the lively crowd, surrounded mostly by parents with kids and a few couples. She bought Xiao Han a cotton candy and glanced at the bodyguard trailing them unhurriedly, feeling a bit annoyed.
Xiao Han held the cotton candy in one hand and tugged Xia Yan toward the roller coaster with the other, his eyes sparkling as he watched it in motion. Hearing the deafening screams from the riders, Xia Yan’s legs went weak. She looked at Xiao Han’s excited face, wanting to cry but holding back. She crouched down to his level and asked softly, "Xiao Han, how about the carousel? It’s safe and fun."
"The carousel has no challenge at all. I don’t want to. Sister Yan, let’s do this one!"
"This one?" Xia Yan squinted at the people spinning in the air and swallowed hard. "Maybe not?"
"Sister Yan, are you scared? If you are, just wait for me down here. I’ll go by myself."
"No way," Xia Yan said without thinking. Seeing Xiao Han’s eager eyes, she wavered, torn between her own fear and his adorable, pleading gaze.
She stared at him intently and asked again, uncertain, "Xiao Han, are you sure? You really want to do this?"
"Absolutely sure," Xiao Han said, nodding vigorously.
Seeing this, Xia Yan swallowed again and said slowly, "Xiao Han, look at that big sister over there. She came off feeling awful. Are you still sure you want to go?"
"Sure. Sister Yan, if you’re really scared, don’t come. I can go by myself."
"Alright, let’s go." Xia Yan gritted her teeth and closed her eyes, like a soldier about to charge into battle with a death wish. When she opened them again, she took Xiao Han’s hand and headed to the line. The fewer people ahead of them, the more nervous she got. When it was almost their turn, her face turned pale.
Compared to Xiao Han’s excitement, Xia Yan looked like she was constipated.
After finishing a meeting and delegating tasks, Lu Zhengting arrived at the amusement park just in time to see Xia Yan stumbling off the roller coaster, her face deathly pale. She leaned on the railing with one hand, feeling like she might throw up but couldn’t, while Xiao Han looked at her with concern. Lu Zhengting quickened his pace, walked up to them, and pulled Xia Yan into his arms.
Xia Yan looked up, saw it was Lu Zhengting, and immediately leaned all her weight on him. Her legs were weak, she had no strength to walk, and her whole body was trembling. She was never riding that again!
Lu Zhengting held her, feeling her tremble, and glanced at the guilt-ridden Xiao Han. He looked back at the roller coaster and instantly understood what had happened. Torn between amusement and frustration, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for Xia Yan.
"Lu Zhengting, after that roller coaster, I feel like I’ve lived a whole turbulent life. It was awful!" she said, gripping his hand, her face pale and her voice weak.
Hearing this, Xiao Han looked at Xia Yan worriedly, tugging at her clothes and saying softly, "Sister Yan, I’m sorry."
"Silly, why are you apologizing? Sister Yan’s fine."
"We won’t play these scary games anymore. Sister Yan, let’s go on the carousel?"
Seeing Xiao Han’s obedient, guilty, and worried expression, Xia Yan’s discomfort melted away. She smiled, reached out to ruffle his hair, and said gently, "No, no. Sister Yan’s just having a normal reaction after the ride. Xiao Han, see that big sister over there? She looks just like me, right? And look, now that Dad’s here, whatever you want to ride or play, he’ll go with you. That way, Sister Yan won’t feel bad, and you can still have fun. Sound good?"
Xia Yan really liked Xiao Han and couldn’t bear to refuse any of his requests, especially with Lu Zhengting around. Xiao Han sneaked a glance at his somewhat stern father, blinked, and when he saw no objection, took it as a yes. So, following Xiao Han’s wishes, Lu Zhengting accompanied him through every thrilling, adventurous ride in the park. By the last one, Xia Yan was dragged in and came out crying and laughing at the same time.
The last ride was the haunted house. Cowards wouldn’t dare try it, but Lu Zhengting forcefully dragged Xia Yan inside. The foggy, smoky woods were filled with ghostly figures lurking in the dim, flickering light, accompanied by eerie music that sent chills down the spine...