Lu Jinyan answered her calmly, his voice steady, "I had some company matters recently, and my phone was lost. I was too busy these past couple of days and forgot to get a replacement SIM card."
Later, he had his technically skilled friend check the surveillance footage and saw that his phone had indeed been discarded by that terrifying woman, Ye Anran.
Ye Anran: "!!" Do you take me for an idiot?
His phone was clearly reachable, but no one was answering.
"Then you must remember to get a new one when you have the time," Ye Anran reminded him with a smile.
"Alright, please have a seat." Lu Jinyan's attitude had become much colder.
Ye Anran could tell immediately.
Her purpose for coming was to ascertain the Lu family's stance on the day's events.
"Honey, Nuannuan, you're back." Jin Yan returned from outside, her eyes still red.
She was also worried and had gone out to look for her son.
Jiang Nuan went to support her and said, "Mom, eldest brother is back. He's sleeping upstairs."
"Oh my! This child, where did he go last night? You worried me to death." Jin Yan, hearing her daughter's words, breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing Ye Anran there as well, her expression changed, "Miss Ye, don't you have anything better to do? Why are you always coming to my house?"
Her aversion was undisguised.
She believed her son's predicament was directly related to the woman before her and had no intention of showing her any pleasantries.
Ye Anran knew Jin Yan's temperament. While usually gentle and kind, she wouldn't display her dislike so openly.
"Auntie, I've finished my work and wanted to come see you." Seeing you so sad makes me feel at ease.
"Jin Yan looked at her coldly, "Miss Ye, my third son is not ready to get married yet, and I don't think the two of you are a good match. Your mother and I have always been at odds. Do you understand what I mean?"
Jin Yan was being deliberate. This woman was dangerous, but ultimately, someone had to play the bad guy. She understood Lu Qiaoyi's personality; the more she was discouraged, the more she would persist.
Ye Anran smiled and said, "Auntie, in my opinion, the minor disputes between you and my mother are insignificant. Once both families become one, those issues can be easily resolved. I'll leave today and won't disturb you any further."
Having said that, Ye Anran left without giving Jin Yan a chance to respond.
Jin Yan gave her son a meaningful glance.
Lu Jinyan: "..."
"Mom, are your eyes uncomfortable?" Lu Jinyan asked with concern.
"Pfft..." Jiang Nuan was amused by her third brother's reaction.
Lu Jinyan looked at his sister, "Nuannuan, what's wrong?"
Jin Yan looked at her simple-minded son with exasperation.
Jiang Nuan pointed towards the door, "Brother, Mom wants you to go after Ye Anran. Mom will be the bad guy, and you'll be the good guy."
Lu Jinyan: "..." Sorry, I really don't understand this maneuver. It's too complex.
With his simple heart, he was truly dense!
But he understood his mother's intention.
"I'll go." Lu Jinyan ran out to chase Ye Anran.
Lu Chengsi, watching from the side, was utterly confused and looked at them quizzically, "What on earth are you guys doing?"
Jiang Nuan made a shushing gesture, "Dad, we'll talk later tonight. I need to pick up Hanhan first."
"Yes, yes, Nuannuan, hurry!" Lu Chengsi became excited again, not dwelling on the previous incident.
"Wife, I'll ask the kitchen to prepare dinner. Our eldest daughter-in-law is coming."
Jin Yan found it amusing, "Why are you happier than Jinyue?"
"Of course! I'm anxious. He's thirty-two years old and still not married. Can I not be worried? When I was thirty-two, he was already ten years old."
Lu Chengsi personally arranged dinner, while Jin Yan, anxious, went upstairs to check on her son.
As Jiang Nuan and Mu Jiuchen left, they saw Lu Jinyan and Ye Anran talking by the roadside.
Jiang Nuan watched her third brother's demeanor, noting how realistic his performance was.
Mu Jiuchen also saw Ye Anran, "Why is she here?"
Jiang Nuan glanced at the rearview mirror, "Perhaps she wanted to check the situation."
...
"Ranran, my mother is in a bad mood because of my eldest brother's situation. Please don't mind her. She's not usually like this."
Ye Anran was very pleased with Lu Jinyan's words. She smiled gently, "Jinyan, it's alright, I don't mind. As long as you care, that's all that matters to me."
Lu Jinyan's expression immediately fell, "You saw just now, my mother was crying. She was so distressed because my former sister died."
Ye Anran's pupils trembled slightly. Was she really crying because of Lu Qiaoyi's death?
She didn't believe it; she must have been crying because she couldn't find her eldest son.
How could she not understand Jin Yan's personality?
However, she pretended to look distressed as well, "Is that so? Are you sure it's her? Could there be a mistake? Perhaps your sister is still alive in this world."
Lu Jinyan gave a wistful smile, "My eldest brother got into trouble last night while looking for her. We're sure it was her, even though after thawing, her features were unrecognizable."
"Jinyan, my condolences!" Ye Anran felt relieved. It was good that they believed it.
"Mm! Thank you. Be careful on your way back," Lu Jinyan said.
Ye Anran felt something was amiss as he so readily dismissed her, but she couldn't quite figure it out.
"Alright! Jinyan, I'll be going now. Let's arrange another meeting another day."
Ye Anran smiled gently and got into her car, leaving.
Lu Jinyan recalled Ye Anran's previous attempt to frame him, a sinister glint in his eyes. He took out his phone and, with an evil smile, made a call.
"See the car? Follow it out."
"Third Young Master, I see it. Wait for my good news."
"Mm!" Lu Jinyan hung up. Vengeance was the only principle he adhered to throughout his growth.
...
Feeling reassured, Ye Anran planned to return to the Ye family and have dinner with her mother. However, as her car exited the villa complex, it was moving at a high speed when suddenly an old woman darted across the road.
Startled, she swerved violently, but it was too late. The car collided with the old woman.
"Bang..." The old woman was flung into the air and lay on the ground, motionless. A pool of blood slowly seeped out from beneath her.
Ye Anran stared wide-eyed at the old woman lying in a pool of blood.
The residents of this area were either wealthy or influential.
Judging by the old woman's attire, she was clearly a wealthy individual from this neighborhood.
Ye Anran took a deep breath. Although several lives had been lost due to her actions, she hadn't directly killed any of them. This was the first time she had encountered such a situation, leaving her momentarily at a loss.
What to do?
Ye Anran trembled with panic.
The car following Ye Anran's stopped at a corner. The man inside was also surprised. He hadn't even had a chance to make a move before Ye Anran had her own accident.
He took out his phone and called Lu Jinyan.
"Third Young Master, I didn't do anything. Ye Anran herself hit an old lady while driving."
Lu Jinyan asked anxiously, "How is the old lady?"
"Third Young Master, I'm too far away to see the situation clearly. Let me get a closer look..."
Before he could finish speaking, he saw Ye Anran drive away.
The man was stunned, speechless with surprise.
How could she just leave like that?
"Third Young Master, she fled the scene."
...
Jiang Nuan and Mu Jiuchen arrived at the airport and saw Yu Han rushing out of the arrival gate. She had been extremely worried, her lips chapped.
Seeing her, Jiang Nuan immediately reassured her, "Hanhan, don't worry. My eldest brother is fine now. He's at home. We're going back right now."
Yu Han's heart, which had been in her throat, finally relaxed.
"Nuannuan..."
Before she could finish speaking, her vision went black, and she collapsed into Jiang Nuan's arms.