Li Zhonglou thought things through clearly.
Since Ning Lang feared that powerful figure so much, what difference would it make if he escaped?
The overwhelming wrath would still descend.
At that time, it would be Ning Lang who would bear the consequences on his behalf.
If he had merely used Ning Lang for work, he naturally wouldn't have felt any heartache or reservations.
But in these short few days, he had come to recognize Ning Lang's character and considered him a friend, a brother.
Regardless of anything, he would never allow his brother to suffer for his actions.
"Alas, Zhonglou, why are you so stubborn? Are you a bull?" Ning Lang's face was like a bitter gourd as he paced back and forth anxiously upon hearing this.
He seemed to be pondering his words.
Seeing this, Li Zhonglou remained silent, letting him ponder.
Finally, after nearly two full minutes, Ning Lang spoke again, "Brother, that powerful figure is truly someone neither you nor I can contend with."
"Although our time together has been brief, our hearts are in tune. I consider you a confidant."
"You know that I, Ning Lang, am not someone who shies away from trouble!"
"But I have buried the deep-seated hatred for my father in my heart and endured compromise for so many years."
As he spoke with emotion, Ning Lang's veins bulged on his forehead, and he sighed repeatedly. "How could I not see that you killed Old Ghost for me to have Yong'an all to myself?"
"I'm not an idiot."
"But if this matter could be handled, wouldn't I have done it long ago?"
"Even if you don't care about your own life, can you really put your mother, your wife, and your senior sister in peril?"
Ning Lang appealed to his emotions and reason.
But Li Zhonglou remained unmoved, his expression unchanged.
Instead, he showed a faint smile. "I know everything you've said, and I know my mother's character. She dislikes living in hiding the most."
"Brother Ning, I appreciate your kindness. If anything happens to me, I entrust my mother to you."
With words spoken to this extent, Ning Lang was completely speechless.
How could he not see that Li Zhonglou was resolved to die?
This...
Why?
Who would be so reckless as to want to die?
This world, though decadent and corrupt, still had things worth cherishing.
He knew that no matter how much he asked, Li Zhonglou would not tell him the true reason.
Smart people know what to say and what not to say.
Seeing Li Zhonglou's calm demeanor, but his resolute eyes, Ning Lang finally shook his head. "With me here, nothing will happen to you."
"I, Ning Lang, have been incompetent for most of my life, not even daring to avenge my father."
"It was you who helped me avenge my deep-seated hatred. You are not just my brother, but my benefactor!"
"Your mother is my mother. Taking care of her is my unquestionable duty."
"But I can't take care of your wife, that would make me less than human. You have to handle that yourself."
As he spoke towards the end, Li Zhonglou's expression softened, and he smiled.
Ning Lang's few words had managed to lighten the heavy atmosphere.
He replied with a smile, "Don't worry, I won't die that easily."
With that, he turned and left the study.
He no longer wished to say more about this matter.
Old Ghost was bound to die, and even if given another chance, the outcome would be the same.
If he didn't die, Ning Lang's revenge would remain unfulfilled, and his own actions would be hindered, always under someone's watchful eye.
That feeling was like a thorn in his back.
Now that he was dead, and the killer was his own son, Tu Hong, what was there to worry about?
No matter how terrifying the powerful figure behind Ning Lang was, they would deal with challenges as they came.
For Li Zhonglou, his goal was singular: Li Hanlong.
Others were not considered.
Even if he died while dealing with Li Hanlong, it would be a clean slate, and that powerful figure's anger would likely dissipate.
If he were to win by chance, then they could discuss other matters.
What that powerful figure was doing was merely to maintain the balance and order of Yong'an.
It was evident.
As long as Ning Lang could keep Yong'an's underworld peaceful and out of trouble, what would be the difference in the outcome?
Leaving the study, Li Zhonglou returned to his room.
Jiang Yuxin was lying on the bed playing with her phone, in a small group chat, video calling her parents about recent events.
She also told them that Li Zhonglou had bought a house in Yong'an and invited them to move in.
Her mother-in-law, Liu Zhiru, was flushed with excitement.
Her father-in-law, Jiang Hongyi, was worried about being a burden to his son-in-law.
"Oh, why are you worrying so much? He's our family's live-in son-in-law, your daughter's husband!" Liu Zhiru's voice came from the phone. "Isn't it natural for him to buy us a house to live in?"
"I didn't expect this good-for-nothing to have some ability now. Otherwise, it would truly be a disservice to my precious daughter."
Li Zhonglou stood at the door, listening to his mother-in-law's evaluation of him, unfazed.
Jiang Yuxin, on the other hand, was blushing profusely, looking embarrassed.
She quickly excused herself from her parents and ended the video call.
Sitting up from the bed, she patted the spot beside her and said with her head down, "Zhonglou, my mother's words are just harsh. She doesn't consider others' feelings when she speaks, so please bear with her."
"Your mother is my mother. A few scoldings won't make me angry with her," Li Zhonglou said with a chuckle.
Liu Zhiru used to treat him like an animal, and he could tolerate it.
Moreover, now it was just gossip behind his back.
Human nature was always like this.
If one couldn't tolerate even these things, then living in this world would be torment.
"I've already told them. When are we going to buy the house?" Jiang Yuxin asked seriously.
"Tomorrow. I have some free time, so let's go look at houses together. Take this card with you," Li Zhonglou replied readily.
They were meeting Li Hanlong on Sunday, leaving three days in between.
On the last day, his senior sister would take him to see Shen Yishou's disciple for a disguise, leaving two days for free rein.
It was a good opportunity to accompany Jiang Yuxin and handle this important matter.
Then he would have no lingering worries.
"You're so good..." Jiang Yuxin suddenly cupped Li Zhonglou's face and kissed him.
Instantly, her face turned as red as a ripe apple, all the way to her ears.
This was the first time in so many years that she had actively kissed Li Zhonglou.
Being able to solve her parents' problems under these circumstances had made Li Zhonglou's impression of him grow increasingly taller in her heart.
"One more kiss," Li Zhonglou said with a grin, pointing to the other cheek.
"You're so mischievous, get away with you," Jiang Yuxin said coyly.
Her face turned even more shyly flushed and delicate.
Seeing this, Li Zhonglou felt a surge of passion, but it was daytime, and his leg hadn't fully recovered.
Furthermore, the soundproofing in the large house was poor, with his senior sister and mother living next door.
And Ning Lang.
He truly didn't dare to act rashly.
But even a hug would be good.
Li Zhonglou didn't stand on ceremony; he reached out and wrapped his arm around Jiang Yuxin's waist, pulling her close.
Smelling his wife's unique, delicate fragrance, his heart swayed.
No wonder the ancients said that a gentle haven is a hero's tomb.
He truly wanted to sink into the fragrance, unwilling to leave for even a moment.
Even just holding her quietly felt overflowing with happiness, wishing for time to stand still, for eternity.
Unfortunately, reality was always the opposite of ideals.
Time would not stop for him, and no one could linger in a gentle haven forever.
Two minutes later, Li Zhonglou's door was knocked open by Lin Ying.
"Senior Sister." Jiang Yuxin's face was flushed, and she didn't dare to lift her head.
"Oh dear, you've come at the wrong time. Come out with me," Lin Ying said with a chuckle, waving at Li Zhonglou.
Li Zhonglou dared not disobey his senior sister's instructions, so he had to release his wife's slender waist and reluctantly got up to leave.
Walking to the stone bench in the courtyard and sitting down, Lin Ying lowered her voice and asked, "I heard from Sister Yun that you were in a car accident on your way back?"
"What happened?"
As soon as Li Zhonglou left, Xiao Yun had called her.
She had told her about Li Zhonglou agreeing to Shi Jianming's terms and their sworn brotherhood.
Upon hearing that the Three-Chain Chapter was in Li Hanlong's hands, Lin Ying instantly understood Li Zhonglou's intentions.
But soon after, she received a second call saying Li Zhonglou had been in a car accident.
This made her a little worried.
After all, his leg wasn't healed yet, and another car accident would only make things worse.
"Don't worry, Senior Sister, I'm fine," Li Zhonglou stretched out his injured leg, giving it a shake, indicating that his injury was not serious.
Let alone the matter of the car accident.
As for using the car accident to take down Old Ghost, there was no need to recount it.
He knew his senior sister's personality; she would have done the same.
Besides, since the matter had already happened, there was no need to worry his senior sister.
"I've already contacted Shen Yishou's disciple. She's available the day after tomorrow, and I'll take you for a disguise then," Lin Ying said, reassured, and gave a reminder before returning to her room.
Li Zhonglou went to his mother's room and chatted with her for a while.
He made Zheng Meimei giggle with laughter.
It wasn't until late at night that he returned to his room.
He and Jiang Yuxin still maintained a respectful distance, their relationship clearly defined.
The next morning, after having the breakfast meticulously prepared by Ning Lang, Jiang Yuxin pulled Li Zhonglou away from the large residence.
Li Zhonglou drove himself, letting Zheng Rui rest, and took his wife directly to Yong'an's Xinke Sales Center.
Xinke Group was a renowned real estate developer in Yong'an.
It was an enterprise under the Xiao family, guaranteeing reliable quality.
Li Zhonglou naturally chose a property under his god-sister's name, which would avoid many troubles.
Upon arriving at the Xinke Bishui Qingpojia Garden Sales Center in the East City.
Jiang Yuxin linked her arm with Li Zhonglou's as they entered the hall.
Immediately, a beautiful woman enthusiastically greeted them, "Sir, Madam, are you here to view houses?"
Jiang Yuxin nodded.
It had to be said that Xinke's sales staff were extremely professional.
Their hospitality was as refreshing as a spring breeze, with no uncomfortable sense of coercion, which was likely related to Xiao Yun's management.
For a moment, she couldn't help but admire her god-sister's extraordinary capabilities.
After some introduction, Li Zhonglou and Jiang Yuxin both took a liking to Room 302 in Building 8.
It was a spacious flat with three bedrooms and two living rooms, covering 120 square meters.
The total price was 1.8 million yuan.
"Try this card to see if it can be used for payment," Li Zhonglou said, taking out the thank-you gift from Zeng Wang.
He didn't know how much was on the card and hadn't checked it, so this was a good opportunity to find out.
The saleswoman took the card and went to the front desk.
Just then, a rough voice called out, "I have a strong intuition for numbers, and I want Building 8, Room 302. You just said the house was available, how is it gone now?"
"Damn it, do you think Zhang Ping is easy to bully?"
Building 8, Room 302?
Wasn't that the room he had just reserved?
Jiang Yuxin turned her head upon hearing this.
She saw a middle-aged man with a large belly and a face full of coarse flesh at the front desk, shouting with a fierce look, "I don't care who bought it, they must give it to me."
"Otherwise, I'll smash your sales office!"
The sales staff's expressions changed upon hearing this.
They quickly tried to persuade him kindly, but the man was unyielding and became even more enraged.
"If you say one more word, I'll beat you to death! Tell me who reserved this unit, and I won't bother you all. I'll talk to them myself!" The fat man was utterly arrogant.
Helplessly, the sales staff looked towards Li Zhonglou and his wife.
Seeing them, the fat man immediately knew who had reserved the unit.
Wobbling his massive body, he swaggered over to Li Zhonglou and said condescendingly, "Kid, you reserved Building 8, Room 302, right? Give the house to me, and I'll give you a hundred thousand."
His tone was like a father instructing a child, incredibly domineering.