Today, Liu Rumei is truly the one who holds absolute sway in the underworld.
Before the arrival of the Decepticons, the underworld was divided into more than a dozen factions of varying sizes.
However, after the upheaval caused by the Decepticons and Guo Hai, the subsequent underground forces became even more chaotic.
This time, Liu Rumei fully demonstrated her capabilities, not only settling many remnant forces but also reorganizing the entire underworld.
In a short period, she restored order to the underworld.
Not only that, but Liu Rumei's influence in the underworld also reached its peak, compelling even the other three established powers to yield to her.
This could be seen from Wang Bohai's attitude earlier!
Liu Rumei's status in the underworld was a good thing for Ye Cangtian, as at least the two parties had a close relationship, making them half-friends.
...
Ye Cangtian took the bronze mask back, believing it might be useful in the future.
Some time had passed since the last incident with the Dark Association. During this period, there had been no further news from them. This organization remained as mysterious and threatening as before.
The silver-masked middle-aged man had not reappeared, and even his identity remained a mystery. However, Ye Cangtian believed that he would appear again in the future.
Because the Dark Association as an organization would eventually reveal itself completely!
However, Ye Cangtian was not overly worried, as there was still the mysterious department like the Huaxia Dragon Group to deal with it. It was not his place to fret.
Although Zhang Liang had advised him to join the Huaxia Dragon Group, Ye Cangtian had no interest and had never considered joining.
...
On a weekend evening, Ye Cangtian and Tang Xinwan returned to the old Tang family residence for dinner.
Uncle Tang Yongchang was also present. He had been discharged from the hospital after two days. His injuries were not severe, but he still had a bandage on his head.
However, Tang Yongchang's attitude towards the two of them now was far more polite than it had been before.
As soon as Tang Xinwan and Ye Cangtian arrived at the old Tang family residence and got out of the car, Tang Yongchang came out to greet them with immense enthusiasm, which left Tang Xinwan somewhat bewildered.
Later, at the dinner table, Tang Yongchang directly brought up the project in front of Grandpa Tang.
"Grandpa, didn't our family secure that big project at Crescent Bay before? This project has already started construction. I've been thinking these past couple of days, and I plan to transfer twenty percent of the shares of this project to my niece, Xinwan!"
"Oh?" Grandpa Tang couldn't help but be taken aback.
Tang Xinwan was also a bit confused. She knew that the Tang family had taken over the Crescent Bay project from the He Corporation and understood that winning this project would greatly benefit the family's development.
However, her uncle suddenly transferring twenty percent of the shares to her struck her as very strange. She instinctively wondered if this was a trap set by her uncle.
After all, her uncle had been coveting her parents' Haitain Pharmaceutical not long ago!
"Uncle, I manage the pharmaceutical industry and have no experience in the construction industry. Besides, I don't have the extra funds to purchase the shares right now!" Tang Xinwan said.
"Niece Xinwan, what are you saying? If I'm giving you project shares, am I still going to ask for your money?"
"Our family can afford the initial funding for this project, so Niece Xinwan doesn't need to invest any money. I am transferring these shares to you on behalf of the Tang family without compensation, as you are also a member of the Tang family!"
As Tang Yongchang spoke, he couldn't help but sigh, saying, "Your parents have been missing for years, and I've seen your contributions to the family. Therefore, I am transferring the shares to you in the hope that when your parents return, they won't feel that the Tang family has wronged you!"
Tang Xinwan was somewhat surprised. Was her uncle really going to transfer twenty percent of the project shares to her without compensation? Was her uncle really that kind-hearted?
She always felt that her uncle was acting a bit out of character today!
But for a moment, she couldn't pinpoint what was wrong, just that something felt off!
Only Ye Cangtian knew exactly what was going on. Tang Yongchang was being so enthusiastic now entirely because he was afraid of offending him.
After all, if Ye Cangtian hadn't intervened at the construction site two days ago, such a major project would likely have been snatched away by Wang Shoujun!
However, Tang Yongchang's apprehension towards him was also good, as it would prevent him from constantly targeting Tang Xinwan and coveting Haitain Pharmaceutical, a pharmaceutical company with great potential.
Grandpa Tang, unaware of their thoughts, pondered for a moment and then nodded, saying, "Yongchang is right. I agree with this matter. Xinwan, you should do as your uncle says! The Tang family has indeed neglected you over the years, forcing you to single-handedly support Haitain Pharmaceutical for so long."
After speaking, the old man sighed, "Alas, if your parents hadn't disappeared, you wouldn't have had to bear such great responsibility and pressure at such a young age!"
Mentioning her parents, Tang Xinwan's eyes also welled up with tears.
Years had passed, and there was still no news from her parents. Although they had likely met with misfortune, Tang Xinwan still held onto a sliver of hope until there was a definitive outcome!
She looked at Grandpa Tang and asked, "Grandpa, is there really no clue at all about my parents' disappearance?"
Grandpa Tang was startled for a moment and then sighed, "It's not that there are no clues at all. Back then, I was in Kyoto... Sigh, never mind. Xinwan, you don't need to worry about this matter, lest you bring trouble upon yourself!"
"Grandpa, but I..."
"You should focus on developing Haitain Pharmaceutical. Your parents have been missing for so many years, perhaps they are no longer in this world!" Grandpa Tang advised again.
Tang Xinwan became dejected. She believed that Grandpa must know more clues, but she didn't know why he wasn't telling her.
Ye Cangtian patted her shoulder. He glanced at the old man without speaking. He knew that the old man probably knew something.
Grandpa Tang had been poisoned and had been in a coma for two years. This incident might be related to the disappearance of Tang Xinwan's parents.
It was likely that the old man was worried that this matter would bring disaster, which was why he hadn't told Tang Xinwan.
Ye Cangtian couldn't help but frown. The disappearance of Tang Xinwan's parents seemed to be more complicated than it appeared!
...
After having dinner at the Tang family's residence, the two drove back.
Tang Xinwan was very quiet all the way, clearly preoccupied.
It wasn't until they returned home and Ye Cangtian finished showering and returned to the bedroom that Tang Xinwan walked into his room, as if she had made a decision.
"Ye Cangtian, I'm thinking of going to Kyoto recently!"
"You want to investigate the clues about your parents' disappearance, right? It's been years. If there were any clues, they would have been found by now!" Ye Cangtian shook his head helplessly.
"I have two reasons for going to Kyoto. First, I want to see if we can promote our Haitain Pharmaceutical brand there, as Kyoto is the real major market!"
Tang Xinwan paused after saying this before continuing, "Second, it is indeed for the clues about my parents' disappearance. Although you're right, there might be no clues to be found, I don't want to give up any hope!"