Chapter Seventy-Eight: Aftermath

Chapter Ninety-Five: Aftermath

This was no small matter—only a fool would go bragging about it. The Ghost was no idiot; even without Chen Longming’s warning, he knew he had to pretend he knew nothing. After a brief farewell, he hurriedly ordered his men to withdraw, carrying away the wounded to treat them themselves, while the dead were left for the police to deal with.

At that moment, Wei Yang ran up to Chen Longming, saluted, and said, “Director, there are dozens of armed men over there claiming they’ve come to rescue someone.”

Chen Longming glanced in the direction Wei Yang was pointing and asked, “Who are they here to rescue?”

“They said they’ve come for someone called Zhuo Nan…” Wei Yang replied.

Chen Longming frowned in confusion. “Zhuo Nan, again? Just who is this Zhuo Nan?” He then ordered, “Detain them first, we’ll sort it out later.”

By now, Wang Liru and the others were out of danger and rushed over as soon as they saw Zhuo Nan. “Nan Nan, are you alright?”

Seeing her and the others, Zhuo Nan beamed with relief. “Mom, I’m fine. How about you all?”

“As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters. You nearly scared me to death…” Wang Liru pressed a trembling hand to her chest.

“Brother, you were amazing just now…” Zhuo Lanlan squeezed out from behind her mother, smiling at Zhuo Nan.

He reached out to ruffle her hair affectionately. “You were brave too…”

“Zhuo Nan, I’m sorry…” This came from Fu Xinxin, her eyes brimming with tears.

Zhuo Nan pulled her gently into his arms. “Xinxin, I’m sorry for making you worry…”

“It’s my fault—I was too timid and got you hurt…” Fu Xinxin choked out.

“Silly girl, you’re my little Xinxin. It’s my job to protect you.” Zhuo Nan whispered softly in her ear as he held her.

Seeing this, Lan Qian grew jealous. “Hey, there are a lot of people here! Do you two really need to act like this?”

Fu Xinxin blushed at her words, but Zhuo Nan didn’t care in the least. He reached over and pulled Lan Qian into his embrace as well, teasing, “Sis, now I’m holding you too. No more jealousy, alright?”

Lan Qian’s face turned red at being called out, and she retorted, “Nonsense, who’s jealous?” But she made no move to leave his arms. So Zhuo Nan, arms around both women, was entirely at ease.

Lan Zhenghao was relieved to see his daughter safe, but he couldn’t help but feel miffed at the sight of that punk holding her close—especially with another girl on his other arm. Where was his dignity as Lan Zhenghao? He strode over, his face stormy. “Qianqian, are you alright?”

Noticing her father’s sour expression, Lan Qian quickly wriggled out of Zhuo Nan’s embrace. “I’m fine, Dad…”

Lan Zhenghao nodded and turned to Zhuo Nan. “So you’re Zhuo Nan?”

“Yes, Secretary Lan,” Zhuo Nan replied with a smile, still holding Fu Xinxin.

“You certainly have quite the reputation. Most of the underworld from Deqing has mobilized, saying they’re here to rescue you, and there are dozens more armed men over there…” Lan Zhenghao, displeased with Zhuo Nan’s nonchalance, spoke in a less-than-friendly tone.

“Oh, is that so? Then Secretary Lan, could you do me a favor and have them released?” Zhuo Nan asked with a grin.

“And why should I help you?” Lan Zhenghao shot back.

Lan Qian tugged Zhuo Nan’s sleeve, hoping he’d soften his tone with her father.

But Zhuo Nan remained unfazed. “Secretary Lan, a favor for a favor. I help you, you help me—surely that’s fair?” Lan Zhenghao understood exactly what he meant. He snorted and walked away. Not long after, Long Kun approached Zhuo Nan alone.

“Brother Nan—” he began, but Zhuo Nan cut him off. “Now’s not the time. Go back for now, I’ll contact you later.” Long Kun nodded and left.

Dongfang Zhiyi came over, smiling. “Zhuo Nan, thank you…”

Zhuo Nan waved a hand dismissively. “No need. What’s more important is that you contact your grandfather immediately and have him protect those assassins. They’ll be useful in the future. And you’d better keep your promise from earlier—it’s best for everyone.”

Dongfang Zhiyi understood and turned to Dongfang Yuyan. “Nanny, contact Grandfather right away. Once he’s on the line, I’ll speak to him.”

Dongfang Yuyan hurried off to make the call, while Dongfang Zhiyi watched Zhuo Nan and Fu Xinxin with a complicated expression. Was it love? Probably not—more like a fondness. After all, he already had a girlfriend, and not just one…

“Secretary Lan, how should I write this report?” Chen Longming asked nearby.

Damn, a gunfight in the city center with so many dead—if the news got out, it would be a disaster. Lan Zhenghao thought for a moment. “Treat it as a gangland disturbance. The Dongfang family is involved, so our job is to calm the public. The rest, the Dongfangs will handle.”

Chen Longming nodded. That made sense.

Medical staff came to disinfect and bandage Zhuo Nan’s wounds. He’d have to visit the police station later to give a statement. Before long, agents from the Security Bureau arrived, taking over the case as expected.

Lan Zhenghao was still irritated, but there was nothing he could do. Everyone had run off before things blew up, only to reappear when it was over. If his daughter hadn’t alerted him to mobilize the armed police, who knows how things might have turned out today. Still, he had to admit, Zhuo Nan had some ability—enough to make the Ghost risk so much to save him.

Veterans of the world understood: there’s no such thing as love or hate without reason. The notion that Zhuo Nan and the Ghost were sworn brothers was laughable. Lan Zhenghao suspected Zhuo Nan must have some leverage over the Ghost. Last time, didn’t he dig up Wang Zhenguo’s criminal records? Perhaps one day he should have his daughter invite Zhuo Nan over for dinner, to build some rapport. But the memory of Zhuo Nan holding his daughter made his heart ache—he’d raised that girl for years, and now she’s in another man’s arms. Surely, Zhuo Nan should offer something substantial in return… The thought brought a sly smile to his lips.

Zhuo Nan, of course, was oblivious to Lan Zhenghao’s musings. He hadn’t developed the habit of reading his prospective father-in-law’s mind and had no intention of starting now.

After Dongfang Zhiyi got through to her grandfather and reported what had happened—though the old man had already heard—he was still deeply unsettled. Two attacks on his granddaughter in as many days left him truly furious. Dongfang Zhiyi asked him to persuade the National Security Bureau to guarantee the assassins’ safety, as well as protect their families from retaliation. The old man agreed to make arrangements immediately.

After conveying her grandfather’s assurance to Zhou Guoliang, he promised to fully cooperate with the investigation and confessed everything he knew. Before long, the truth would come to light—though only a select few would ever know it. The public would merely read about a gangland shootout in the papers.

As for what happened next—who the mastermind was, who hired the assassins—Zhuo Nan no longer cared. He was currently besieged at home by Wang Liru, Zhuo Wengang, Lan Qian, and Fu Xinxin, all subjecting him to a loving but relentless interrogation.

“Nan Nan, tell me, how exactly do you know those people?” Wang Liru demanded sternly, standing before him. Lan Qian had already told her about Long Kun and the Ghost’s backgrounds—Zhuo Nan’s claim was that they’d met in jail. But Wang Liru was unconvinced, especially after everything that had happened; her anxiety was understandable.

“Mom, Dad, I really did meet them in jail. They’re just friends…” Zhuo Nan repeated over and over.

Wang Liru’s tone softened, and with tears streaming down her face, she said, “Nan Nan, you’re the only boy in the Zhuo family. If anything happened to you, how could your father and I face your late grandparents…”

At this, Zhuo Nan’s head throbbed. Whenever something came up, Wang Liru would invoke his departed grandparents, whether the news was good or bad. He thought to himself, “They’re resting peacefully—if you keep bringing them up, one day they might actually come back for a look, and that would be no joke.”

He cast a pleading look at Zhuo Wengang, who quickly averted his gaze, signaling, “Don’t look at me—I can’t help you with this.”

Zhuo Nan sighed. “Mom, don’t worry. If anything ever happens, I’ll tell you and Dad right away. Is that enough?”

Wang Liru was about to press further, but at that moment Lan Qian spoke up. “Sister Liru, if Zhuo Nan says it’s nothing, let’s trust him this time. If he’s hiding anything else from us, we’ll settle the score with him then.”

Zhuo Nan shot Lan Qian a grateful thumbs-up, raising his brows at her. She rolled her eyes in reply. Wang Liru saw the playful exchange between the two and sighed. Turning to Lan Qian and Fu Xinxin, she said, “I’m done. He’s your boyfriend now—you two deal with him. I’m going to make dinner.” With that, she disappeared into the kitchen.

Wang Liru’s words had officially legalized their flirting. Zhuo Wengang, as the elder, naturally excused himself. “Lanlan, come on, let’s go to the supermarket and buy something tasty…”

At the mention of food, Zhuo Lanlan happily followed her father out. With Wang Liru busy in the kitchen, the rest of the house belonged to Zhuo Nan and the two women. Grinning mischievously, he said to them, “Come on, let’s go inside for a little fun…”