Lu Zhengting and Yang Jinkuan were like a war waiting to erupt, whether in plain sight or behind the scenes. Knowing that Xia Minghui's people had already left Yuzhou didn't surprise him at all—at least Yang Jinkuan's men were still in the city.
Without Xia Yan's knowledge, Ning Xi contacted Zhan Meng and relayed Lu Zhengting's message. Zhan Meng didn't hesitate and agreed readily, nearly making Ning Xi smash his computer in frustration.
Ever since Xia Yan left Xiao's study, she had spent most of her time holed up in her room, barely seen except at mealtimes.
Xiao Yusheng and Xiao Lanqing had been staying at the villa for days, as if waiting for something.
Old Master Xiao stared at the son he took pride in, suddenly narrowing his eyes. His wrinkled fingers tapped the armrest, and his gaze eventually landed on the computer screen.
"Isn't this Lu Zhengting?" Xiao Yusheng asked, surprised, as he watched the surveillance footage playing on the computer.
The old man grunted in acknowledgment, lost in thought. He glanced at Xia Yan, who had been brought in by Xiao Lanqing, then casually turned off the surveillance. With a kindly smile, he looked at Xia Yan. "Yan Yan, you're here?"
Last time, Xiao Lanqing had learned from Xia Yan that her younger sister had passed away and relayed the news to the old man. Neither expected it would end with the older generation burying the younger.
The old man pondered for a long time, his gaze tender as he fixed it on Xia Yan. "Yan Yan, you are Lan Zhi's child, which makes you my granddaughter. In a few days, I plan to announce this to the public. What do you think?"
"Announce it to the public?"
"Yes. Precisely because I know the situation you're facing, I want to make your identity known as soon as possible. That way, anyone with designs on you will have to think twice about the Xiao family."
"Sorry, I don't think I'm ready." Xia Yan had heard about the Xiao family's youngest daughter from the innkeeper and never imagined it was her own parents' story.
She wondered if Old Master Xiao hadn't opposed Xiao Lanzhi being with the poor boy Xu Guang back then, none of this might have happened. She would never have heard Xiao Lanzhi mention the Xiao family—her mother must have never let go of the past.
Though resentment simmered in Xia Yan's heart, she felt powerless, especially when she recalled the old man's first look at her, his eyes glistening with tears, softening her resolve.
Xiao Lanqing roughly guessed that Xia Yan had learned about the Xiao family's past interference in the romance, which explained her current demeanor. She paused, lowered her eyes, and reached out to take Xia Yan's hand. "Yan Yan, are you holding a grudge?"
"No." Xia Yan denied it quickly, lying through her teeth. Under Xiao Lanqing's gentle gaze, she bowed her head, sighed, and added, "I just don't understand why there has to be this obsession with social status."
The Xiao family was like this, and Jiang Mingxiu was too. In this world, even if two people in love could overcome differences in height, appearance, or age, could they never escape those four cruel and realistic words: "well-matched in social status"?
Frowning, Xia Yan thought of her mother's experience and then her own, a flicker of impatience crossing her face. Her tone grew firmer. "I'm really sorry, but I don't want to."
As she finished speaking, Xiao Lanqing was about to say something to persuade her, but the old man frowned and signaled her to stay silent. Xiao Yusheng looked deeply at Xia Yan, who was dead serious, and spoke up. "Yan Yan, I hope you'll think this over carefully. I believe Lan Zhi would have wanted you to return to the Xiao family."
"No, I'm sure my mother wouldn't have wanted me to go back to the Xiao family," Xia Yan said coldly.
The old man froze, his body stiffening. With a weary expression, he said, "All of you, leave."
"Father."
"Everyone out."
Hearing this, Xia Yan turned and left the study without looking back, heading straight for Zhan Meng's room. Finding her not there, she felt a bit puzzled.
Meanwhile, Zhan Meng, who had suddenly disappeared, was strolling boldly down the street. A mischievous smile curled at her lips as she wondered how Xia Yan's talk with the Xiao family was going—curiosity gnawed at her.
"Ding ding ding"
Bored, Zhan Meng pulled out her phone and answered the call. Hearing Ning Xi's voice, her tone shifted from gentle to blunt. "It's only been a month since we last met, Ning Xi. When did you get so naggy? I know they're tailing me. Fine, I'll be careful."
"You woman, you just don't appreciate good advice."
"Enough, don't say anymore. I'm hanging up. So long-winded."
Zhan Meng continued walking freely, aware of the group of followers behind her. According to Lu Zhengting's plan, she just needed to lead them to a designated spot, and her job would be done.
Such a big favor—she'd have to think carefully about how to cash in this debt with Lu Zhengting.
The crowd around her thinned. Spotting an empty taxi approaching, Zhan Meng didn't hesitate to hail it, slid inside, and barked out the destination.
Sure enough, glancing back, she saw they were still following. This game was getting more thrilling—she loved it.
Even unfamiliar with Yuzhou, Zhan Meng's instincts told her something was off about this route. It grew increasingly remote, buildings gave way to fields, and the wide road narrowed into a country lane.
"You're not a driver," Zhan Meng stated firmly. The man in front, focused on driving, remained silent and kept going.
"Who are you? Where are you taking me?"
"You'd better behave, while you're still useful to us," the driver finally spoke.
Frowning deeply, Zhan Meng seemed to have a sudden realization. "You must be one of Yang Jinkuan's men. I know my value to you—you want to use me to lure Xia Yan out, right? That's your plan, isn't it?"
"Haven't you heard? Smart women die young."
"Pfft, scared me. Have you heard that stupid men die early?" Zhan Meng said with a smug grin.
"You'd better keep quiet, or I can kill you anytime."
"Being so rude, you probably don't have a girlfriend. If you kill me, you—or even your boss Yang Jinkuan—will be buried with me." Zhan Meng stared confidently at the driver, catching his gaze in the rearview mirror. She smirked, curving her lips.
"If you don't believe me, try it. I don't care either way."
The car exited the ring road, heading toward an unknown destination. Zhan Meng multitasked, bantering with the driver while carefully noting landmarks along the way. She couldn't rely entirely on Ning Xi; if necessary, she might have to save herself.
After nearly half an hour, the car finally slowed to a stop. Zhan Meng was dragged out by force, and as her feet hit the ground, a wave of reality washed over her.
In the car, she hadn't been able to see the driver's face clearly, but now she could. She searched her memory for any data she'd investigated that matched this person.
After a few seconds, Zhan Meng recognized him. He was short, lacking in height but excelling in skill among many. With his square face, thick brows, and small eyes, she identified him as Yang Jinkuan's right-hand man, nicknamed Old Ghost.
"You're Old Ghost."
"Not bad, little girl. You even know who I am."
Though Old Ghost's tone was casual, betraying nothing unusual, Zhan Meng remained on edge. Her nerves were taut, and her palms were slightly sweaty.
Old Ghost glanced sideways at Zhan Meng, who stood motionless by the door. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, his rough hand retrieving a black lighter. With a click, the lighter flared, and he brought the cigarette in his mouth to the flame.
Before them stood an abandoned factory, its weathered exterior battered by years of wind and rain, peeling paint revealing decay. A faint musty smell hung in the air, making Zhan Meng nauseous.
She hated that smell.
From the moment she got out of the car, aside from the brief exchange with Old Ghost, neither had spoken a word. This unsettled her—being brought here only to be left standing like a decoration.
Zhan Meng raised a hand to cover her mouth, suppressing the urge to vomit.
"If you move even an inch, your head will go boom—blown off." Old Ghost took a deep drag, exhaling white smoke from his mouth and nose. His words froze Zhan Meng in place.
"Call Xia Yan. Tell her to come here alone."
Zhan Meng nodded without hesitation. "Fine, I'll call her right now."
Unaware of how many eyes were on her from the shadows—or how many guns or weapons were trained on her—Zhan Meng found the thrill more exciting than frightening.
She'd completely forgotten she was pregnant.
Before leaving, she had hacked into Xia Yan's phone. Ostensibly calling Xia Yan, she was actually contacting Ning Xi. After giving the address, she subconsciously trusted that Ning Xi wouldn't let her get hurt. But if he did, what would that prove?
It would prove Ning Xi wasn't her soulmate.
With everything set, Zhan Meng watched Old Ghost smoke with a relaxed air, making idle chatter. "Your smoking speed—few can match it."
"..."
"Don't worry. Knowing Xia Yan, if she finds out I'm in trouble, she'll definitely come to save me."
"Shut up."
"Tell me, how many people have you stationed in the shadows to watch me? This is the first time I've felt so important, needing all these people." Zhan Meng raised an eyebrow, glancing proudly at the irritated Old Ghost, and shrugged dismissively.
"Ghost, there's a suspicious vehicle heading our way from the three o'clock direction."