It was just past seven in the morning, and the entire city was bathed in the brilliant golden rays of dawn, the air filled with a fresh scent.
By the entrance of the five-star hotel, two women and one man stood beside a 'Tiger Head Benz'.
The trio were Qin Chuan, Yang Zimo, and An Nuo.
The two women had come specifically to see Qin Chuan off, as he was leaving the provincial capital.
Perhaps due to lack of sleep, all three had bloodshot eyes.
"Qin Chuan, why are you in such a hurry to leave!"
"We all slept late last night, getting less than four hours of rest. Driving in this state makes us very worried!" An Nuo said, yawning.
"I have no choice, something suddenly came up at the company, and I have to rush back to deal with it," Qin Chuan said with a wry smile.
Just half an hour ago, he had received a call from Li Ya, asking when he would return. Qin Chuan heard the unusual, hoarse quality in Li Ya's voice, as if she hadn't slept all night. He immediately woke up completely and urgently asked what had happened. Li Ya began to cry softly, only urging Qin Chuan to come back quickly if he was fine, and she would explain when he got home.
After hanging up, Qin Chuan quickly called Teacher Yang to inform her he was leaving.
"Then be careful on the road!" Yang Zimo said with gentle concern.
Qin Chuan grinned, quickly stepped forward, and tightly embraced Teacher Yang's slender body, causing Yang Zimo to gasp and stiffen all over. It was broad daylight, and people were all around. Fortunately, no one they knew recognized them, and An Nuo beside them also suddenly woke up, looking astonished. Fortunately, Qin Chuan didn't overdo it this time; he just held her tightly for a moment before releasing her.
"Don't worry, I know!"
"Xiao Mo, remember to miss me!"
"An Nuo, goodbye!"
In the brilliant golden dawn, Qin Chuan's smile was full of sunshine and warmth as he drove the 'Tiger Head Benz' and gradually disappeared from view.
It wasn't until the rear of the 'Tiger Head Benz' was no longer visible that Yang Zimo slowly came back to her senses, only to find her good friend staring intently at her.
"What are you looking at? Let's go back and get some more sleep!" Yang Zimo glared at her good friend and turned to leave. An Nuo quickly chased after her, saying with a giggle, "I really want to interview you now. Qin Chuan is gone, do you feel an emptiness in your heart, like you've lost something very important?" Yang Zimo remained silent, simply walking ahead with long strides.
An Nuo continued to tease her shamelessly, "Isn't this long-distance relationship tough? You only saw each other for one night, and you have to separate the next day..."
"Shut up, you gossip!" Yang Zimo finally couldn't stand it anymore and raised her small fist to hit An Nuo. An Nuo, however, was already laughing heartily and quickly ran away.
Meanwhile, Qin Chuan, after driving a certain distance, took out his phone and deftly dialed a number.
"Hello, Boss!"
"Dao Ge, are you awake?"
"I've been up for a while. I just got back from exercising with your brother."
"I have a question for you. Do you know if anything has happened at the Butterfly Garment Factory recently?" Qin Chuan asked.
"Butterfly Garment Factory? I haven't paid attention recently! Boss, just give me any orders, and I'll have someone inquire immediately." Zheng Chengdao, as one of his most capable elites, was highly perceptive and agile.
"Hmm, Li Ya's mood hasn't been good these past couple of days. It seems like something happened at the Butterfly Garment Factory. Find someone to investigate; I can be back by noon."
"Understood, Boss!"
...
Zheng Chengdao's efficiency was exceptional. Before Qin Chuan had even covered half the distance, he called back.
"Boss, we found out. Something seems to have indeed happened with the boss's wife." Zheng Chengdao said.
"Speak!" Qin Chuan said calmly.
"It's like this, I sent my subordinates to the Butterfly Garment Factory to inquire. People there said that the boss's wife's stepmother, who lives in Pingyang City, came to the factory with some people. Some heard shouting and arguments coming from the office!" Zheng Chengdao said.
"Li Ya's stepmother?" Qin Chuan narrowed his eyes. This was indeed unexpected news. Li Ya's biological mother passed away when she was young. Later, her father remarried a younger woman, who is now her stepmother, named Huang Lianqin. She then had a daughter for the Li family, Li Ya's half-sister, named Li Ying. However, Li Ya's relationship with her stepmother and half-sister had never been good, and after going abroad to study, they had almost no contact. This situation continued until Li Ya's father suddenly died in an accident. Li Ya was forced to return home, saw her father for the last time, and met her stepmother and half-sister, Li Ying. To Li Ya's surprise, this reunion became the root of all conflict. Because her father, with his dying breath, made a will. He handed over the management rights of the garment factory to Li Ya, along with thirty percent of the shares. Huang Lianqin and Li Ying, the mother and daughter, each received fifteen percent in silent shares, totaling thirty percent. This might not sound like much, but silent shares only grant dividend rights, not management rights of the garment factory, which is a fundamental difference. After making the will, Li Ya's father passed away. The conflict then erupted! Huang Lianqin, the stepmother, was not an easy person. She was not a native of Yongnan County but from Pingyang City, and it was rumored her family had some influence. After the funeral, Huang Lianqin insisted on participating in the management of the Butterfly Garment Factory, completely disagreeing with the contents of the will. Li Ya was not to be outdone, and the mother and daughter duo clashed. Qin Chuan was not clear about what happened afterward, as Li Ya had not told him. In the end, Li Ya emerged victorious. Huang Lianqin took her daughter and left Yongnan County directly, settling in Pingyang City, and had not returned for a long time. He never expected them to return this time for some unknown reason.
"They seem to mean trouble..." Qin Chuan mused, recalling Li Ya's family situation as he drove.
"Dao Ge, you said that stepmother brought people with her. How many?"
"According to my subordinates, there were seven or eight people, quite a number!" Zheng Chengdao said.
"Damn it!" Qin Chuan cursed directly. "Dao Ge, I still have two or three hours to get back. Immediately take your men to the Butterfly Garment Factory and guard it closely. Absolutely no harm must come to Li Ya. Also, get someone to keep an eye on that stepmother right away. Do you understand?"
"Everything will be handled until I get back!"
Zheng Chengdao quickly assured him, "Don't worry, Boss, I understand everything!"
"Drive carefully on the road. I'm going to handle this!"
"Go ahead, but avoid confrontation for now." Qin Chuan instructed. After hanging up the phone, his face turned as dark as water, and he slammed the accelerator, the 'Tiger Head Benz' accelerating to a hundred and eighty.