"Xiao Anjing! If you don't tell me the truth, I'll send people to investigate and find her myself. I refuse to believe I won't uncover the truth!"
Xiao Anjing was silent for a moment, then said with difficulty, "Mr. Shu, do you truly know Lu Yuanhong's background? Do you think he merely wants to acquire Shu's Group? If he succeeds in acquiring Shu's, he will make you taste the pain of losing it, and then he will take your life, Su Su's life, Tianyi's life... the lives of everyone who obstructs him and is related to the Shu family!"
Shu Zhongze stopped his outburst and said, stunned, "Didn't he just make a fortune overseas and come back for revenge against our Shu family?"
"Don't just think about the Shu family, about Shu's Group! Many people are in danger now. I can only tell you that his background is far greater and more terrifying than you imagine. Right now, Su Su and Tianyi are working hard for you, for themselves, and to prevent further wrongful deaths. Please don't cause trouble and put them in danger." Xiao Anjing felt he had made his point clear enough, and Shu Zhongze should understand the logic.
"Are you saying they have something more important to do than acquiring Shu's, something they must complete even if it means losing Shu's Group?" Shu Zhongze asked.
Xiao Anjing nodded, "You could say that, but it would be better if they could manage both."
"You're wrong. Compared to Shu's, I care more about Su Su's life." With that, Shu Zhongze hung up first, his expression grave as he stopped looking at the data regarding Shu's acquisition.
He had understood Xiao Anjing's implication: Su Su and Qin Tianyi were both in danger.
He recalled Qin Tianyi mentioning once that Lu Yuanhong was likely involved in drug trafficking, otherwise, how could Lu Yuanhong have become so wealthy so quickly without any foundation in Southeast Asia.
Not long after, Qin Tianyi had an accident on a speedboat, his body was never found, and he remained missing.
"What are you thinking about?" A faint scent of roses wafted from behind him.
Shu Zhongze knew who it was and turned to look. "Nothing much, just considering if I should leave Lancheng and live the quiet life of an old man if Shu's is truly acquired by Lu Yuanhong this time."
Secretary Zhan looked surprised. "Mr. Shu..."
"You are so kind and young; you shouldn't follow me anymore. You should think about your own future." He took her hand and said softly, "Don't worry, even if Shu's collapses, I will still give you a sum of money, which should be enough for your living expenses for a while."
Secretary Zhan squeezed his hand back, saying anxiously, "No matter what, I won't leave you. I can't leave you. I... I think I'm pregnant."
"What did you say?" Shu Zhongze was both shocked and delighted, disbelieving.
Secretary Zhan said shyly, "It's not confirmed yet. I only used a pregnancy test, and it showed two lines, but maybe the test is faulty."
"Tomorrow I'll send someone to take you to the hospital for a check-up..."
"But if I go to the hospital now, I might be seen by acquaintances. Will that lead shareholders to find you and bother you again?" Secretary Zhan said considerately. "I'm fine. Let's wait until after the acquisition matter is settled."
"How can we wait for something like this? We must confirm it as soon as possible." Shu Zhongze was completely immersed in joy. "At my age, if you could give me a son, that would be wonderful, truly wonderful..."
But as he spoke, he grew despondent again. If Shu's Group was gone, what was the point of having a son, an heir?
"Mr. Shu, why are you unhappy again?" Secretary Zhan, with her keen observation, noticed the joy that had appeared in his eyes had vanished.
Shu Zhongze said calmly, "No, go to the hospital and get checked first."
Secretary Zhan obediently said "Okay" and began massaging his shoulders and neck behind him. In her heart, however, she was pondering. Would Shu's really be acquired by Mr. Shu's opponent? If Mr. Shu became penniless and was no longer a figure who dominated the business world, what would become of her and the child in her womb?
She had thought she could ignore Shu Zhongze's age, as long as this man could ensure her a lifetime of security. But the future seemed to be filled with uncertainties.
...
After midnight, it was Qin Tianyi's turn to stand guard at the entrance of the large mansion.
He had just taken his position, gazing into the darkness beyond the reach of the streetlights, when he seemed to see a shadow moving continuously.
At first, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, but as the shadow drew closer and finally entered the illuminated area, he realized it was indeed a person.
The person ran with a limp, but their speed did not decrease. One hand was covering their forehead. As they vaulted over the first waist-high fence, the mansion's alarm system immediately blared.
Qin Tianyi ran towards the person, intending to apprehend the intruder.
But as he got closer, he realized it was none other than Brother Cheng. He quickly asked, "Brother Cheng, are you injured?"
Brother Cheng, panting, leaned on his arm and said urgently, "Something big has happened. Take me to see Mr. Lu quickly."
"Alright." Qin Tianyi dared not ask more and helped him continue towards the mansion.
At this moment, other bodyguards rushed over, likely alerted by the alarm.
Qin Tianyi waved to them, saying, "No stranger broke in. Brother Cheng needs to see Mr. Lu."
The other bodyguards relaxed, thinking it was a false alarm.
As Qin Tianyi helped Brother Cheng to the entrance of the mansion, the lights inside also turned on. Lu Yuanhong and A Mei must have been woken up.
As they walked in, Mr. Lu, wearing a bathrobe, was already seated on the sofa in the hall. A Mei, dressed neatly but with her hair still somewhat disheveled, stood beside him.
Upon seeing Lu Yuanhong, Brother Cheng immediately shook off Qin Tianyi's support and knelt before Lu Yuanhong, saying in utter panic, "Mr. Lu, the police raided the factory tonight... People in the factory are dead or injured. Only I managed to escape amidst the chaos without being caught by the police..."
"What?!" Lu Yuanhong exclaimed, his face paling.
A Mei beside him also showed a look of horror, indicating that she was aware of Lu Yuanhong's factory.
"Mr. Lu, we can't stay here." Brother Cheng almost prostrated himself on the ground. "You need to pack your things and leave Lancheng immediately. I fear those who were caught might betray you, and then it will all be over!"
"How could you be so careless? How could such a hidden place be discovered by the police?" Lu Yuanhong stood up in anger and stomped heavily on Brother Cheng's back.
Brother Cheng cried out and vomited a mouthful of blood.
Lu Yuanhong, momentarily flustered by the turn of events, said, "I can't. This is a critical time for acquiring Shu's! I must succeed in acquiring Shu's and then destroy it completely!"
Brother Cheng propped himself up with one hand, wiping the blood from his mouth with the other, and advised, "Mr. Lu, escaping is the priority. Once the police find you, it might be too late to even leave... You must not take such a risk!"