Chapter 105

Chapter 105: Something Happened to Your Father Chutang had been obediently following Jiang Shixu's instructions these past few days, not going out and working from home every day. Jiang Shixu quickly uncovered the person behind Liu Yuanlei. His name was Sun Licheng. He had influence across both the legitimate and criminal worlds in Jiangcheng—the type known as a local tyrant. He had solid connections on both sides of the law, and even had people higher up serving as his protective umbrella. Sun Licheng actually controlled dozens of companies, with legal representatives who were all scapegoats with no relation to him. On the surface, these companies did legitimate business, but behind closed doors, they were all engaged in illegal and criminal activities. Jiang Shixu took off his jacket and hung it on the coat rack. "My people also found out that when Fu Yuanzhou returned to the country a few days ago, Sun Licheng went to see him. It looks like Sun Licheng is planning to use Fu Yuanzhou as his backing." "Fu Yuanzhou has immense power in Country A with numerous assets under his name. Sun Licheng wants to hitch a ride on Fu Yuanzhou's line to do some international business. And Fu Yuanzhou's influence in China is thin—he needs a partner. The two of them are birds of a feather, hitting it off immediately. They're probably already discussing strategies to deal with me." Chutang frowned deeply. "Then how do you plan to respond?" "Don't worry, Tangtang. I've already thought of a strategy. Fu Yuanzhou can't stir up any waves in China." "Mm." Chutang was weighed down with worry, still deeply concerned about Jiang Shixu's situation. "Has any strange person come by recently?" Jiang Shixu asked. He had stationed several bodyguards outside the villa day and night to protect Chutang. If there were any suspicious individuals, his men would have reported to him immediately. But he still wasn't at ease and wanted to ask her personally. Chutang shook her head. "No." "Mm. Don't trust any strangers." "I know." Inside a dimly lit, ambiguous hotel suite. The man closed his eyes and called out passionately: "Chutang, Chutang..." "Zechuan." "Slap—" Gu Zechuan suddenly raised his hand and struck Chen Wan across the face. "Shut up! I told you, don't speak in bed!" As long as she didn't talk, he could pretend she was Chutang. Chen Wan held back her tears, biting her lip, feeling utterly wronged. The couple-themed suite had rose petals scattered across the bed, and the rose-colored lighting made the atmosphere extremely suggestive. The lighting was dim, and Chen Wan's face couldn't be seen clearly. Gu Zechuan fantasized that she was Ruan Chutang. In recent days, Chen Wan had begun hopelessly imitating Ruan Chutang. Her figure wasn't much different from Ruan Chutang's, and her facial features bore a five-part resemblance. Gu Zechuan had once said himself that when he first got together with Ruan Chutang, he saw a shadow of Chen Wan in her. When Chen Wan first met Ruan Chutang, she had also said they looked very similar. At the time, Chen Wan had said that just to provoke Ruan Chutang, to make her understand that she was only a substitute. Fortune's wheel turns. Now Chen Wan willingly became Ruan Chutang's substitute. She imitated Ruan Chutang's outfits, her makeup and hairstyle, and wore the perfume she habitually used. It turned out that Gu Zechuan's love for Ruan Chutang wasn't all that steadfast—or rather, men could separate physical desire from love. He claimed he couldn't live without Ruan Chutang, yet after a few seductive advances from Chen Wan, he indulged and sank into debauchery with her. Even though the man called out another woman's name, Chen Wan no longer cared. As long as she could stay by Gu Zechuan's side, what was a little grievance compared to that? ... Tinglanyuan. Yu Jiaojiao called, her tone excited. "Lawyer Ruan, Xiao Yue can be discharged from the hospital tomorrow! I'm going to pick her up. Do you want to come along?" "No, I'm not convenient to go out recently." "Did something happen?" Chutang stood in the garden, idly plucking leaves from some kind of evergreen plant. "Something came up at home. I can't go out for the next few days." Yu Jiaojiao figured it was a private matter, so she didn't press further. "Alright then, I'll go pick her up myself. Is there anything you want me to tell Xiao Yue?" Chutang replied softly, "Wish her a happy discharge and happiness every day. Buy her a gift for me—I'll transfer you some money in a bit." Yu Jiaojiao quickly declined: "No need, no need! I still have a lot left over from the money you transferred me last time." "Mm, alright then." ... That evening. Chutang received a call from her father, Ruan Shaodong. "Tangtang, the day after tomorrow is Jiaojiao's birthday, and it happens to be Saturday. We've booked a venue at a hotel outside to celebrate her birthday. Remember to make time to come over for a meal." Chutang hesitated. She had promised Jiang Shixu she wouldn't go out these few days. She wanted to attend her sister's birthday party, but she couldn't. That madman Fu Yuanzhou—who knew what kind of deranged things he might do. She couldn't risk her own life. "No, Dad. I happen to have a business trip out of town on Saturday." Ruan Shaodong hadn't expected Chutang to refuse and was stunned for a moment. "What's so important that you can't skip it? Or could you have a colleague cover for you? You know Jiaojiao is very attached to you. If you don't come to her birthday, she'll cry again." Ruan Shaodong let out a heavy sigh. "Ever since Jiaojiao was kidnapped last time, she's had some psychological issues. I took her to see a psychiatrist for a while, and we barely managed to improve things a bit. The doctor said Jiaojiao really needs her family's love and attention right now. Even though her mother stays with her every day, she still keeps asking for her sister. Can you really not come home to see her?" Chu Tang felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. Jiaojiao was her precious little sister. Last time Jiaojiao was kidnapped, she too had nightmares for days on end, unable to eat or sleep properly. "I..." Chu Tang hesitated. Jiaojiao's psychological condition hadn't been fully cured yet. If she went back to see her sister, it would definitely help with her recovery. But then she thought of that madman Fu Yuanzhou, and Chu Tang hardened her heart and refused. "I'm sorry, Dad. I really can't get away on Saturday." "Ah, alright then." Ruan Shaodong hung up the phone. Chu Tang stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, her expression desolate and gloomy. Why did Fu Yuanzhou have to target her? She had no grudge against him, no enmity whatsoever. Could it really be, as Brother Shi Xu had said, because she was Shi Xu's only weakness? She had no idea how much longer she would be trapped in this villa. ... Saturday. Chu Tang was woken up by the ringing of the phone. Her phone vibrated steadily on the nightstand. The ringtone went on for a long time, and after it automatically hung up, it immediately started ringing again. Without even opening her eyes, Chu Tang reached out and fumbled around on the nightstand. After finding her phone, she picked it up and groggily pressed the answer button. "Hello, who is this?" "Something terrible has happened, Tangtang—your father is in trouble!" It was the voice of the Ruan family's nanny. "Wang Ma, what happened?" ... A white BMW came to a hurried stop in the open-air parking lot outside the hospital. Chu Tang opened the car door and rushed into the hospital. The nanny said that at Ruan Jiaojiao's birthday party, Ruan Shaodong had suddenly lost his footing and fallen down the stairs. He was now in the emergency room being treated. When Chu Tang heard this news, her vision went dark and she nearly fainted. Love clouds judgment. After all, he was her own flesh and blood. She could no longer care about Fu Yuanzhou. Grabbing her car keys, she charged out the door.