C11 I Want Twenty!

As the pill touched the old woman's lips, it dissolved swiftly, sliding down her throat and into her belly.

"Grandpa!" Tang Qingshan exclaimed in surprise.

She hadn't anticipated Tang Zhenye's quick actions, as he deftly popped the pill into her grandmother's mouth before she could even attempt to dissuade him further.

"Dad, you... oh, dear," Tang Xingye sighed, a note of resignation in his voice.

While everyone was processing Tang Zhenye's unilateral decision to administer the pill, the old lady's finger gave a sudden twitch, followed by a few coughs.

"Grandpa! Grandma, she's... she's responding!" Tang Qingshan was the first to notice the old lady stirring and called out, her voice tinged with excitement.

"My dear... open your eyes and look at me," Tang Zhenye urged, leaning in close to his wife, his voice laced with anxious tenderness.

"Zhenye... where am I?" The old lady's confusion was palpable after days of unconsciousness, compounded by her lack of nourishment, leaving her incredibly weak.

"You're home! You're at home, my dear! You have no idea how long you've been asleep," Tang Zhenye reassured her, his face lighting up with a smile. Yet, those around him noticed as he discreetly dabbed at the tears welling up in his eyes.

"Is that so? I must be exhausted," the old lady remarked with a gentle smile.

"Don't worry, just rest a bit longer. Your son and granddaughter are here, right by your side, at home with you," Tang Zhenye's voice grew warmer with each word.

"It's not often they come back. Tonight, I'd like them all to dine at home," the old lady said, gesturing to an equally moved Tang Xingye. "Second son, call your elder brother and your younger brother. Ask them to come home."

"Ah! Mom, I'm on it. I'll call them this instant!" Tang Xingye, filled with joy, turned away to hide his tears before stepping out to make the calls.

"Qingshan, about Mr. Liu's information you were looking into—how's that coming along?" Tang Zhenye inquired, turning his attention to Tang Qingshan.

"I've already got someone on it, and we should be hearing back shortly!"

Though Tang Qingshan had no love lost for Liu Changqing, she would never go against her grandfather's wishes.

"Good! Let me know the moment you have any information. I intend to express my gratitude in person!"

Tang Zhenye declared resolutely.

"Understood!"

Tang Qingshan acknowledged with a nod.

"Qingshan, spend some time with your grandmother. I'm planning to cook today—the dish she adores most!"

Tang Zhenye announced cheerfully as he rose to his feet.

"Grandfather, why bother? The housekeeper can handle the cooking."

Tang Qingshan protested upon hearing Tang Zhenye's culinary ambitions.

"It's not the same. Your grandmother has always favored the dish I prepare. It's been years since I've cooked, and what better occasion than today's joyful celebration to treat you all to a feast!"

Tang Zhenye spoke with a hint of mystery.

"What dish is it, exactly?"

Tang Qingshan inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"You'll find out tonight!"

With that, Tang Zhenye left the room, his steps light and brisk, his worries lifted by his wife's improved health.

As dusk settled in unnoticed, Zhu Zhaofeng had been on tenterhooks ever since Liu Changqing was taken by Qian Cheng and his group. Upon seeing Liu Changqing return home safely, she hurried to his side, full of concern. "Changqing, are you alright? They didn't harm you, did they?"

"How could they harm me? Mom, they just wanted a heart-to-heart. They even offered me an apology."

Liu Changqing, not wishing to alarm Zhu Zhaofeng, fabricated a story.

"An apology? That's hard to believe! The way they were acting..."

Zhu Zhaofeng couldn't fathom Qian Cheng and the others apologizing to Liu Changqing.

"It's true. Besides, we live under the rule of law now. They can't just do whatever they please. They're scared, so they're looking to make peace."

Liu Changqing spoke calmly.

"Sigh... Alright then! But son, steer clear of such people from now on. And that Ling Chuchu, she's bad news. Make sure you stay away from her!"

Zhu Zhaofeng couldn't shake her worries as she cautioned him.

"Relax, Mom, I won't reach out to that woman again," Liu Changqing reassured her, understanding that Zhu Zhaofeng had his best interests at heart. He nodded in agreement.

"That's a relief! You haven't had dinner yet, have you? I've made your favorite dish. Come on, let's eat!" Zhu Zhaofeng said, leading Liu Changqing inside.

The meal was modest but mouthwatering. Simple yet full of flavor and aroma, it was most importantly a taste of home, giving Liu Changqing, who hadn't experienced familial warmth in millennia, a sense of kinship.

"Don't worry. Your mother is like my own. I'll take good care of her from now on," Liu Changqing silently vowed.

In that moment, his resolve to sever emotional ties weakened. Moved by concern, he chose to embrace and savor the affection of family.

He realized that the feeling of being cared for and missed was truly special.

Meanwhile, in a luxurious villa in Gliatol, Lee Canghai had just finished his bath and slipped into a sleeping robe. Lighting a cigar, he exhaled clouds of smoke, his expression grave. He had sent Qian Cheng to eliminate Liu Changqing earlier that day and was yet to hear any news. Could something have gone wrong?

The phone on the table suddenly rang, breaking the silence. "Ding… Ding… Ding…" Lee Canghai picked it up and answered.

"Qian Cheng is dead!" came the icy voice from the other end.

"What?! Qian Cheng is dead? How could that be?" Lee Canghai exclaimed, his fears unexpectedly realized.

"His Life Card has shattered. He's certainly dead."

"Was it Liu Changqing's doing?" Lee Canghai inquired instinctively.

"Unlikely. Qian Cheng was my disciple; I'm well aware of his capabilities. Liu Changqing, that good-for-nothing, couldn't possibly be a match for him," the voice on the phone asserted with certainty.

"Then how did Qian Cheng die? Could there be someone backing Liu Changqing?" Lee Canghai's mind raced with possibilities as he voiced his concerns.

"It's possible that Qian Cheng met with an unexpected mishap. But rest assured, it has nothing to do with Liu Changqing. Otherwise, the young master wouldn't have succeeded so effortlessly before."

"I'm not sure if he's the one who killed Qian Cheng, but Qian Cheng's death is on his hands. Therefore, I will personally take his life!"

The voice on the other end of the phone was icy.

"Excellent! That's fantastic news. With you handling it, Master, it's sure to be a cinch. Rest assured, once Liu Changqing is out of the picture, I'll make sure ten girls are at your service!"

Lee Canghai was acutely aware of the formidable nature of the individual on the line—almost otherworldly in skill. The hint of a smile spread across his face as he heard the commitment to personal action, and he eagerly agreed.

"Ten? Haha! That's not nearly enough. I want twenty!"

A supremely confident chuckle resonated through the phone.

"Twenty? Done! Whatever you desire, Master. There's no limit to the number of women I can provide!"

Lee Canghai was quick to affirm.

"Good! You'd better remember your promise. If you don't deliver that many women, your life will be forfeit!"

With that, the caller ended the conversation.