At that moment, Long Yao strode out from behind, his face expressionless even in the presence of Long Ye.
His voice was hoarse.
"Long Ye, Jiuye is nothing but a washed-up figure. Even if he caused quite a stir in the past, he eventually disappeared without a trace, neither dead nor alive. Such a person has no real talent... Now, who on Jianghu could possibly compare with you, Long Ye?"
It seemed he heard something pleasing, as Long Tianze's lips curled into a charming smile.
"I have always wanted to meet Jiuye and see what kind of person he is. Sadly, I've never had the chance. I thought he was dead these past few years, had been regretting that for quite some time."
Long Yao continued, "Long Ye, if Jiuye were really dead, it would only mean that he wasn't worthy of your admiration, and there would be no need for you to meet him."
"Makes sense, I saying. There are plenty who have played themselves to death; I hope Jiuye is not one of them."
Long Tianze grinned slightly and adjusted his glasses.
If Jiuye was the type to play himself to death, Long Tianze had no interest in meeting him.
He was relieved, for Jiuye was not dead, and had even extended his reach into his territory.
"Since Xu Mingqiu could be easily eliminated, your intelligence must not be wrong, this person is Jiuye indeed. It's hard to come by such an opportunity, I should indeed meet him."
Long Tianze let out a strange laugh, a laugh that spread through the underground office, chilling the entire space.
Ning Fan and Xu Ruolan went to the company together for work.
As Ning Fan sat in the car, he suddenly asked Xu Ruolan, "Are you working with the military on research for a genetic weapon?"
His tone was very calm.
Xu Ruolan was momentarily stunned, her frosty face displaying astonishment as she looked at Ning Fan in disbelief.
"How do you know?" Xu Ruolan asked, puzzled.
"I heard it by chance."
Ning Fan smiled and said, "Such a big thing, how come you never told me?"
"This cooperation plan is top-secret, we've signed a confidentiality agreement with the military, and we must not disclose it to the public."
Xu Ruolan faced him with a cold expression, her gaze icy as she looked at Ning Fan.
The fewer people knew about this matter, the better, and there was no benefit to letting people know.
Moreover, what did it have to do with Ning Fan? Why the interrogative tone...
With a sense of resignation, Ning Fan teased, "Now that I know, does it count as stealing your secrets?"
As he said this, he moved closer to Xu Ruolan, smiling as he looked at her.
Xu Ruolan remained expressionless, looking straight ahead, and said very coldly, "Frankly, you're not the only one who knows about my research on genetic weapons."
"Xu Mingqiu knows as well, right?" Ning Fan said flatly.
Xu Ruolan paused, how did Ning Fan know everything?
She reluctantly nodded and continued, "Although the project is somewhat confidential, it is still a major affair for Xu Corporation. My second uncle, who is in charge of the company's finances, definitely knows about it. It was because of this that he contested me for power."
With that, Xu Ruolan's expression turned somewhat dim.
This matter almost led to the complete collapse of the Xu Family.
If the gene project succeeded, it had prospects, but if there were hitches along the way, or if the news leaked out, one problem would follow another.
"Although the issue with my second uncle has been resolved, the plan will not be halted. I will still continue my research, and there will be many troubles ahead until the research is complete."
Xu Ruolan stated firmly, her face still cold.
"Then you're really in for it," Ning Fan said in a light-hearted tone.
Ning Fan had not neglected to consider Xu Ruolan's situation; Xu Er Ye was just one visible tip of the issue, and there were undoubtedly more troubles than just him.
Before this, many forces had tried to make use of the Xu Family's internal strife to eliminate Xu Ruolan through the hands of Second Master Xu, but all had failed.
Now that Second Master Xu had been removed, the Xu Family was united, making it much harder to breach from within.
As for outside forces...
Ning Fan smiled at that thought.
His command had already been issued; anyone who dared to harm Xu Ruolan would be making an enemy of himself, Ninth Master Ning.
As of now, Xu Ruolan would not be in any danger.
"Are you still experiencing bouts of illness?" Ning Fan suddenly asked.
"That's good," Ning Fan responded directly, "The mastermind behind the scenes has been caught, and your illness is cured, I am going to resign today."
"Hmm, is there a problem with that? Or is it that you don't want me to leave?" Ning Fan joked.
Xu Ruolan's palms began to sweat slightly upon hearing this. Ning Fan had a deep and mysterious background, and moreover...
Xu Ruolan couldn't let him resign, so she said, "Why resign? Is the company not treating you well? Or is there some other issue?"
"Everything is fine; it's just for personal reasons."
"Ning Fan, what's so bad about staying with the company? Even if you resign, you've nowhere to go, are you planning to return to Little Orphan Village?"
"Hmm, I should pay a visit to Little Orphan Village indeed. Xiao Hei and Xiao Qiang must be missing me to death; I need to go see them," Ning Fan said with a smile.
"Xiao Hei and Xiao Qiang? Aren't you an orphan?"
"A cute rat and several lively cockroaches."
Xu Ruolan happened to turn the corner and, hearing what Ning Fan said, she didn't hit the brakes and leaned to the side.
Ning Fan took the opportunity to lean into Xu Ruolan's embrace, his head nestled between her two soft buns.
What a thrill! Was this a farewell benefit? Then he might as well lie down and enjoy it.
Just as Ning Fan was thinking this, he was startled by Xu Ruolan's icy gaze.
"How long do you plan to lie there?"
Xu Ruolan was embarrassed and furious, her pretty face icy cold, as she scolded Ning Fan sharply.
Ning Fan looked innocently at Xu Ruolan and, using her thigh for support, he sat back up.
"You can't blame me for this; the driver's skills are lacking," Ning Fan said, maintaining an innocent expression.
Xu Ruolan was so angry she turned pale. If Ning Fan hadn't helped her so much, she would've kicked this rogue out long ago.
So many tough people were longing to get close to her.
Ning Fan was privileged to ride in her car and live with her, serving as a security guard—what more could he want?
And now this guy was even contemplating quitting and leaving; was he kicked in the head by a donkey?
Xu Ruolan didn't voice these thoughts but simply said indifferently, "Have you made up your mind?"
"You could try using a 'Beauty Trap' on me; I might fall for it and then decide not to resign," Ning Fan said with a smirk.
Xu Ruolan reprimanded Ning Fan and didn't look at him again.
She had thought about Ning Fan leaving before, but she didn't expect it to happen so soon. They had faced many crises, which were all resolved thanks to Ning Fan, and she hadn't had the chance to properly thank him.
Now that the issue with her second uncle was resolved and her illness was stable, Ning Fan had no reason to stay.
Xu Ruolan reflected on when Ning Fan first arrived at the Xu Family; she had thought that Ning Fan was just after her beauty and the Xu Family's wealth and status.
But now, she realized how wrong she was. Ning Fan didn't need the wealth and status of the Xu Family at all, and it seemed that he wasn't someone easily seduced, at least much stronger than those pampered sons of nobility.