Two days later.
Ning Yecheng reappeared at the Ning Corporation.
Some people within the Ning family had spread rumors within the corporation. Some believed them, others did not.
Upon seeing Ning Yecheng reappear in front of everyone, these rumors were all shattered.
It was also at this time that several people within the Ning Corporation quietly left, and others filled their positions.
Ning Yecheng's several paternal uncles, cousins, and younger cousins also fell silent.
Grandma Ning only had one son, Ning Yecheng's father.
Grandpa Ning had passed away years ago.
A significant portion of the Ning Corporation's shares belonged to Grandpa Ning's brothers.
The Ning family was large.
But the water ran too deep within it.
Ning Yecheng had never let Grandma Ning know about the assassination attempts against him.
"From Grandpa's time until now, they have been given what belongs to them. They have eaten their fill," Ning Yecheng said, standing on the third floor, looking out at the many tall buildings.
The view was not as good as his previous office.
But it allowed his mind to relax.
Some matters even became suddenly clear.
Liu Ning's expression was grim. "Mr. Ning, isn't it time to make a move?"
"Mm, one by one. Don't make Grandma sad," Ning Yecheng said, taking out a cigarette. Just as he was about to bring it to his lips, he suddenly remembered Zhan Xiaojun's instructions from that morning when he left the penthouse.
His sharp lips curled slightly.
He held the cigarette between his fingers, unlit.
Liu Ning, about to offer a reminder, stopped himself.
It seemed he didn't need to say anything.
Miss Zhan's words were more effective than a hundred of theirs.
...
When Zhan Xiaojun returned home, Lin Ya was not there.
After putting the groceries she bought into the refrigerator, she called Lin Ya.
"Mom, I'm back."
"Xiaojun, you're back. Mom is out right now. Your maternal uncles have arrived, and I'm taking them out. We'll be back tonight," Lin Ya said on the phone.
Zhan Xiaojun could hear many people talking on Lin Ya's end. She responded with a "Mm" and hung up.
She searched through the original host's memories for any recollection of her maternal uncles.
Her maternal uncles were Lin Ya's older cousins.
They had grown up together in the countryside with Lin Ya.
However, in the original host's memories, apart from Lin Jing who had always taken care of Lin Ya, faced Zhan Zhicheng's abandonment with her, and raised the original host, these maternal uncles and other relatives had been indifferent to them, less so than neighbors.
They were afraid of being burdened with trouble.
She remembered when Lin Ya was sick and needed to go to the hospital. Lin Jing took the original host to beg their maternal uncles, but they shut the door and wouldn't even speak a word.
Why had they shown up now?
Zhan Xiaojun chuckled softly. "They wouldn't come knocking without a reason. They must want something."
She tapped her fingers lightly on the table.
She picked up her phone and called Lin Jing. "Uncle, do you know the maternal uncles are here?"
"Hmph, of course I know. They somehow got the news that we rented a nice place in Yan City. They definitely want something! Your mother is too kind. If it were me, I'd turn them away immediately. I'm too busy today. I'll be back after I finish. Xiaojun, remember, your maternal uncles are not good people. Who knows what wicked intentions they're harboring," Lin Jing warned Zhan Xiaojun with concern.
Zhan Xiaojun smiled. "Mm, I know. Apart from you and Mom, everyone else in this world is a stranger to me."
This pleased Lin Jing greatly.
Lin Jing felt he held a very important place in his niece's heart. "You know that's good! You stay home and wait. I'll be back after I finish. Otherwise, you won't be able to handle my cousin!"
"Mm."
After hanging up the phone, Zhan Xiaojun returned to her room to read and study.
She had bought many books from the bookstore.
Books related to Western medicine, and also some books on other subjects.
While she was still in this world, she wanted to learn more.
Unknowingly,
She had read more than half of a book.
Someone unlocked the door and entered the house.
Immediately, various voices could be heard.
"Oh my, the apartment you rented is so big and nice!"
"Yes, Auntie, I've never lived in such a nice place before!"
"It's okay, Xiaojun found the place."
Zhan Xiaojun placed her bookmark and stood up, walking out of the room.
As she came out, she saw her maternal uncle's family standing in the living room.
Her maternal uncle, maternal aunt, and their two sons, Lin Kai.
After entering, the three of them began to look around. Their eyes were filled with calculation and shrewdness.
Lin Kai was the first to see Zhan Xiaojun emerge from her room.
His eyes lit up.
Xiaojun had become even more beautiful!
For some reason, after not seeing her for just over a year, she seemed like a different person, so captivating!
"Xiaojun..." Lin Kai stared intently at Zhan Xiaojun, almost drooling as he called out her name.
Her maternal uncle and aunt also looked over.
Upon seeing Zhan Xiaojun, they were also stunned.
It felt like they hadn't seen her in over a year, but the Zhan Xiaojun from the countryside, with her rustic and impoverished air, had undergone a complete transformation!
She was like a rich second-generation heiress from the city.
Thinking of "rich second-generation," the three of them's eyes gleamed again.
"Maternal uncle, maternal aunt, cousin," Zhan Xiaojun said indifferently, subtly taking in the changes in their expressions.
Three greedy and calculating people.
"Oh my, it's been over a year, Xiaojun has grown so much. I heard from your mother that you've grown up and become sensible. She said you found a job in Yan City and earn quite a bit, right? Xiaojun is truly amazing!" the maternal aunt leaned in, enthusiastically reaching for Zhan Xiaojun's hand.
She looked Zhan Xiaojun up and down, and the more she looked, the wider her smile became.
The maternal uncle also smiled heartily. "Yes, she's really grown up and is doing well!"
"Xiaojun, how much do you earn a month? Is the job of taking care of people tiring?" Lin Kai asked, staring at Zhan Xiaojun.
Zhan Xiaojun's eyes deepened.
Lin Ya, understanding her daughter's recent unhappiness and lack of desire to deal with her cousin's family, smiled and said, "Taking care of people is certainly tiring. I don't earn much, only a few thousand yuan a month."
"Only a few thousand yuan!" the maternal aunt exclaimed, widening her eyes.
Lin Kai looked disgusted. "Why only a few thousand? You're so pretty, why didn't you get a job somewhere that pays a lot? I heard that pretty girls working in the city earn a lot."
"Don't talk nonsense!" the maternal uncle quickly intervened, speaking to his wife and son.
The two of them immediately gave dry laughs.
Lin Ya's smile faded considerably.
Zhan Xiaojun watched the three of them with a half-smile.
At this moment, the lock on the door opened again.
Lin Jing walked in, carrying fruit.
Upon seeing the three people in the living room, he let out a cold laugh. "Cousin and cousin-in-law, didn't you say you were cutting ties with us before? That you no longer recognized me and my sister as relatives? So why have you come looking for us today? Doesn't that hurt your pride?"