C7 Someone

Lei Ming knew better than to refuse Tang Ye's request for Wang Hao. It wasn't just Wang Hao; even if Tang Ye had asked for his father, Lei Ming wouldn't have dared to resist.

Tang Ye was well aware that Lei Ming's fear wasn't directed at him, but at Lyi Tianzhao. He saw nothing wrong with this dynamic. Lei Ming's evident eagerness to please was something Tang Ye found quite useful, and he planned to keep Lei Ming around for future purposes.

Tang Ye had his lunch at Spring Meadow. Lei Ming, usually sly and somber in front of his subordinates, was quite accommodating when dealing with someone of Lyi Tianzhao's stature. He didn't shower Tang Ye with extravagant dishes as a nouveau riche might; instead, he personally oversaw the preparation of several refined dishes in the kitchen.

Lei Ming had picked up on Tang Ye's Zrieburn accent and had the kitchen prepare several authentic dishes from Zrieburn, which were to Tang Ye's liking.

After finishing his meal at Spring Meadow, Tang Ye remembered that the Lamborghini he had driven to Scent & Sovereignty was still in the underground parking lot.

"The food was excellent," Tang Ye remarked, wiping his mouth before standing to leave.

Lei Ming's associates, a tall and a short man who had been discreetly waiting in a corner, saw Tang Ye and Lei Ming emerge and promptly stood to approach them.

"Mr. Tang, here are your car keys," said the taller man, presenting the keys with both hands.

"We had someone bring Mr. Tang's car over from Scent & Sovereignty," the shorter man explained, offering an apologetic smile. "I have some experience with matching car keys."

"Thank you," Tang Ye acknowledged, taking the keys with a nod.

Three o'clock was the time when Zluftin's traffic flowed most freely.

Leaving Spring Meadow, Tang Ye drove across the Zluftin Bridge, continuing along the road until he reached Rosewood Estates.

The uphill road, lined with a variety of lush plants, opened up at the summit to a panoramic view of half of Zluftin.

Tang Ye didn't drive into the villas; instead, he stopped at the entrance. Lighting a cigarette, he exhaled a smoke ring and squinted his eyes, his attention fixed on the nearest villa.

The European-style architecture boasted a pristine white façade, while the interior was adorned in a simplistic European fashion.

"Heh," Tang Ye let out a derisive chuckle, flicking his cigarette butt out the window.

The Shen family villa.

He knew this place like the back of his hand. Before his incarceration, he was part of this household, though he often felt less valued than Coco, the villa's dog.

"Shen Chuxue, I'm back," Tang Ye murmured, gazing at the villa for a long while.

It was time to settle accounts with the Shen family.

Tang Ye didn't linger at the gate. After finishing his cigarette, he rolled up the window and sped off with a stylish drift.

"Zhang, what's caught your eye?" asked the on-duty security guard, nudging his daydreaming colleague at the door.

He had spotted the sapphire blue Lamborghini. Just another Lamborghini. Didn't all the wealthy residents here have several in their garages? What was so special about this one?

Old Zhang, the security guard, rubbed his eyes, questioning himself, "Did I see that wrong?"

"What's the matter with you, Old Zhang?"

"Wang, did you get a good look at the person in that car just now?" Old Zhang inquired.

"That car? Probably some rich kid. Might be another suitor for Miss Shen. We've had quite a few visitors this week," replied Wang, a bashful yet brawny man. He had been awestruck the first time he laid eyes on Shen Chuxue, a renowned beauty in Zluftin. It was a shame she married a man of no consequence.

Despite Shen Chuxue being married, the line of admirers seemed endless.

Old Zhang, oblivious to Wang's wistful look, suddenly remembered something urgent and dashed back to the guardhouse to dial the Shen family's private line.

"What's gotten into you, Old Zhang?" Wang asked, sensing Old Zhang's anxiety and fearing something was amiss.

Without offering an explanation, Old Zhang waited anxiously for the call to connect.

"What's the matter?" came the steady voice of a middle-aged man from the other end.

"Mr. Shen... Mr. Shen, there's something we need to discuss with you," Old Zhang said, gripping the receiver tightly.

"Hmm?"

"I just saw Miss Shen's husband at the door. That man... his name is Tang, Tang..."

"What did you say?!" The man's voice noticeably heightened.

"I mean, I just saw Mr. Tang... Mr. Tang..."

"Ridiculous!"

The man was livid. Before he could finish, a soft woman's voice came through the phone.

"Dad, who's on the phone?"

"Oh, it's just the security booth, nothing to worry about." Shen Yuanshan's tone betrayed his unease.

By now, half of Zluftin was aware that Shen Chuxue had divorced Tang Ye, who had been in prison for three years. It wasn't Tang Ye's choice, but a unilateral decision by the Shen family. Less than a month later, the Shen family was in the headlines again when Shen Chuxue, freshly divorced from Tang Ye, started dating Shao Yaodong, the heir to the Tianrui Jewelry Group. There were even photos of the two entering a hotel together.

Subsequently, Shao Yaodong officially proposed to Shen Chuxue, who, under pressure from her family, accepted.

In just half a month, the wedding between Shao Yaodong and Shen Chuxue would take place.

How could Shen Yuanshan remain calm upon hearing the news of Tang Ye's return?

It wasn't Tang Ye he was worried about.

His concern was for Shao Yaodong. What if Shao Yaodong found out about Tang Ye's release? Would he call off the wedding?

The Shen family was in the midst of a severe financial crisis. Given the current state of affairs in Zluftin, the only solution seemed to be Shen Chuxue's marriage to Shao Yaodong, followed by a full disclosure of the crisis to the Shao family. With the bond of marriage, the Shao family would surely not abandon them, allowing the Shen family to recover. But if Shao Yaodong backed out because of Tang Ye, Shen Yuanshan couldn't bear to consider the consequences for the Shen family.

So...

No!

He absolutely could not allow Tang Ye, this catalyst, to remain in Zluftin.

"Dad, what's really going on? You seem so distracted," Shen Chuxue said as she set a cup of hot tea before her father.

"Oh, it's nothing. Yaodong invited you to dinner tonight, didn't he? Go get ready, and have Ah Bing take you. I need to return to the study to handle some matters." Shen Yuanshan stood and ascended the stairs.

A shadow passed over Shen Chuxue's eyes.

Shao Yaodong...

In just two weeks, she was to be married to Shao Yaodong.

It was five in the evening by the time they got back from Rosewood Estates to Serene Way, and dusk was settling in.

Tang Ye casually parked his car at the roadside and stepped out without bothering to remove the keys.

The lighting in the old apartment block was poor, and with many residents gone, the hallway was even darker and more silent.

He entered the building and climbed the stairs.

A faint sound of footsteps reached his ears.

Tang Ye cautiously set his foot down and picked up a brick from the corner, one left behind by a neighbor for wall repairs.

Someone was at his doorstep!