Chapter 104: Jiang Zhongtao Reappears

Glancing at Xiao Ye, Shu Ran confirmed the matter.

There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone before Qin Xue’er spoke up.

“Wait for me a moment.”

A few minutes later, the basement door opened. Qin Xue’er hadn’t changed her clothes; she had been waiting for Xiao Ye to come home.

Noticing Shu Ran looking somewhat disheveled, Qin Xue’er said nothing and went straight back to the living room.

“Don’t say anything later, just listen to my explanation.”

As Xiao Ye passed by Shu Ran, he overheard her whisper softly.

Xiao Ye hesitated for a moment but eventually agreed after Shu Ran urged him.

The moment they stepped into the villa, Shu Ran smiled brightly at Qin Xue’er.

“I haven’t eaten anything all evening. Is there any food left? I’m starving.”

With that, Shu Ran picked up a glass of water from the table and drank it in large gulps.

When her gaze settled again, she noticed Qin Xue’er and Xiao Ye exchanging strange looks.

“What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Shu Ran felt a sudden panic and asked instinctively.

“Just get to the point. Where exactly were you tonight?”

Qin Xue’er sat opposite Shu Ran, her expression serious.

Shu Ran glanced at Xiao Ye, who silently signaled her to tell the truth.

After some hesitation, Shu Ran recounted the entire evening, including being kidnapped by Chen Ning, without leaving anything out.

“So how did you two end up together?” Qin Xue’er’s gaze was interrogative, making Shu Ran nervous and at a loss for words.

It wasn’t her fault—those memories simply didn’t exist in her mind.

“What a headache,” Xiao Ye muttered softly as he stepped forward.

“Let me explain. I saved her tonight. I followed Chen Ning all the way until I found her,” Xiao Ye said, carefully omitting the fact that Chen Ning was already dead.

His explanation wasn’t particularly convincing, but his eyes were resolute enough that Qin Xue’er couldn’t read any deception.

Sighing, Qin Xue’er addressed them both.

“This is the last time tonight. It’s late; go to bed.”

Seeing the situation escalating, Shu Ran decided to confess everything.

“Actually, Chen Ning was my fiancé.”

Shu Ran spoke calmly, but the other two were far from composed. Qin Xue’er stared at her in disbelief.

“This is why I came out tonight. The Shu family is arranging a marriage with the Chen family. It wasn’t what I expected. My family truly planned to get rid of me without giving me any say!”

Her anger grew as she spoke, and she slammed her hand hard on the sofa.

Qin Xue’er came over and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

“Don’t worry. Stay here for now. Even if the Shu family wants to marry you off, they won’t be able to do anything without our support.”

Qin Xue’er was somewhat familiar with the Shu family’s affairs—they had been struggling with development issues for years.

So she understood the pressure of arranged marriages.

Xiao Ye nodded and said to Shu Ran,

“Stay here these days. They don’t know your whereabouts. If anything comes up, Xiao Xue and I will help you handle it.”

“It’s fine. I’ll try not to expose myself these days. Sorry for causing you trouble,” Shu Ran said unexpectedly, surprising both of them.

After chatting briefly with Qin Xue’er, Shu Ran returned to her room, leaving the other two in an awkward silence.

“Let’s just put tonight behind us. I just want you to tell me next time before you go anywhere so I know where you are,” Qin Xue’er said lightly, then turned and went back to her room.

Her words struck a chord deep within Xiao Ye.

After tidying himself, Xiao Ye called Chi Long again.

“The Cheng family I told you to watch closely—I want their current situation reported to me.”

If they didn’t act against the Cheng family now, things might endanger both Qin Xue’er and himself.

After issuing the order, Chi Long hung up. Xiao Ye returned to his room and slowly lay down on the bed, hearing Qin Xue’er’s uneven breathing beside him.

Xiao Ye said nothing but wrapped his arms around Qin Xue’er. She made no other move, and the two spent a peaceful night together.

In the early hours, Chen Ning gradually woke. The blow from Wang Gui was still too heavy—his neck felt like it might break.

Of course, Wang Gui hadn’t gone all out; he only knocked Chen Ning unconscious.

“Ouch!” Chen Ning cursed, twisting his neck.

After a moment’s pause, he found his phone and immediately called for his family to send someone to pick him up.

...

Night had fallen in Jiangnan District, inside a villa.

A man dressed in luxurious clothes leaned back on a balcony lounge chair, quietly enjoying the evening breeze.

Beside him sat a bottle of over twenty-year-old whiskey.

He lifted the glass, took a small sip, and the sharp spiciness mixed with rich aroma instantly filled his mouth.

The man furrowed his brow slightly, savoring the changing sensations.

The cool night wind brushed his forehead, bringing him a rare moment of comfort.

As he silently savored this, a man in formal attire stepped out from inside.

“What is it? Did something happen?” the man asked, setting down his glass.

“Reporting, Head of the Family—the two who ruined the deal have been found,” the elder who had appeared at the door earlier said, his expression more agitated than usual.

“Found?” Cheng Jiangshan looked even more excited.

He hadn’t rested a minute today.

The news of those who destroyed the deal had damaged much of the Cheng family’s reputation.

Xiao Ye had disrupted the transaction, and Cheng Jiangshan had spent considerable time smoothing things over.

Hearing this news brought him some relief.

“Prepare to take action,” he said.

“I understand, but there’s one more thing.”

“Miss Scorpion is ready and has arranged for someone to contact Xiao Ye. However, she has a request—to introduce Jiang Zhongtao to the Ye family.”

The elder informed Cheng Jiangshan.

“Jiang Zhongtao?” Cheng Jiangshan paused, then asked, “What does he have to do with this?”

“We don’t know the details yet. Miss Scorpion’s schemes are always hard to fathom,” the elder replied.

Cheng Jiangshan nodded.

“True. Go back and tell Miss Scorpion I agree. Also, find that Jiang Zhongtao for me—I have matters to discuss with him.”

The elder nodded and closed the door behind him as he left.