After five bigwigs in Beijing's elite circle fell into their trap, I fled.

Chapter 188 Holding On
dad?
My patron, call Nie Zheng... Dad?

A few meters away, Rong Jingchen, who had clashed with Nie Zheng many times and even cursed Nie Zheng to death at one point, swayed slightly, a rare occurrence for him!

He already knew that Nie Zheng and Jiang Liuyun had some ambiguous relationship, but he didn't expect that the level of ambiguity had risen to... the point where Jiang Shu called him "Dad"!
Dad? Future father-in-law?
So, even if I'm asked to manage traffic and fishermen every day from now on, I can't resist and I have to grovel to make my presence felt?
A hint of despair and a touch of helplessness rose in Cong Jingchen's heart.

Yan Yu's eyes were blank: "So, that official patriarch really isn't him? But... Nie Zheng is only thirty-six. Creating an older sister at sixteen seems a bit too much..."

"Don't overthink it." This time it was Feng Li who spoke. He calmly said, "Madam Jiang's household registration has been cancelled. My baby is only registered under Nie Zheng's name. To put it bluntly, he is just a temporary guardian and doesn't even have the title of stepfather."

Li Yubai suddenly glanced at him: "How did you know?"

“When I first came to China, I bought too many buildings and streets in the capital. I even applied to buy that royal garden in the capital. A few old men at the top invited me over for a few cups of tea.” Feng Li’s peach blossom eyes flickered slightly. “They told me.”

“People at that level are the most cautious with their words.” Ning Yunzhan gave him a scrutinizing look. “Is the Crown Prince mistaken?”

"Perhaps I'm mistaken. I'm not in good health, and my memory isn't very good either," Feng Li replied noncommittally.

Yan Yu blinked innocently: "In China, household registration is a matter of life and death. From now on, be more polite to your future father-in-law."

Li Yubai's gaze swept over the group of people.

The focus lingered for a few seconds on the calm and composed Feng Li and Ning Yunzhan.

Besides him, only that new master... knows Jiang Shu's background.

So, besides Yan Yu, Rong Jingchen, who looked shocked and at a loss... can also be ruled out?

Li Yubai suppressed his inner turmoil and calmly probed between Ning Yunzhan and Feng Li:

"The Crown Prince has many tricks up his sleeve, so what about you, Yun Zhan? You seem... not surprised at all?"

“Our large families have far more shocking stories behind the scenes than this,” Ning Yunzhan smiled slightly. “It’s nothing to be surprised about.”

Li Yubai lowered his eyelids and gave a silent "hmm".

In the ward.

Jiang Shu looked at the group of disheveled villagers.

There weren't many, only about ten. Most of them were covered in blood of varying shades, but Jiang Liuyun was the least injured.

"Bao, why are you here?"

Jiang Shu looked at Jiang Liuyun: "Where's the bracelet I gave you?"

Jiang Liuyun paused for a moment: "I accidentally broke it. I was just about to ask you, where did you get that bracelet?"

Jiang Shu observed Jiang Liuyun's expression: "Someone gave it to me, saying it could save my life in a critical moment. —And all these injuries you've sustained?"

"I was just helping a relative harvest rice and I didn't notice I got a few minor cuts from the leaves. It's nothing serious," Jiang Liuyun said dismissively.

Jiang Shu said "Oh," and then added, "Mom, I'm just carefree, but I'm not stupid."

Jiang Liuyun: "...I don't think you're stupid, it's just that there are some things that a child like you doesn't need to know."

"Did you two go out to fight?" Jiang Shu tilted her head, glanced at Nie Zheng, and said in a resentful tone, "I only found out today that my stepfather is actually a big shot who can fight all over the world. Mom, that's not very kind of you!"

Nearby, a villager looked slightly guilty: "How is that unfair?"

"You guys are always fighting all over the place, but you never include me. Even when I just mentioned my expertise, you said you'd break my legs." Jiang Shu raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

“There aren’t so many whys.” Nie Zheng leaned against the door, his voice calm yet authoritative. “You call me Dad, so you’re the daughter of the Nie family. As a young lady of high birth, you’re naturally not suited for those bloody and turbulent days. Just finish your university studies and wait to inherit the family business.” Jiang Shu: “…How much of a family business?”

“The Nie family of the capital.” Nie Zheng said casually, “One of the five super families of the capital, even higher in rank than the official family.”

Jiang Shu's attention was indeed diverted, and she hissed softly, "That family that owns the black card? I heard that only four families in the capital—Li, Ning, Yan, and Nie—possess black cards. You're the one... Nie?"

Nie Zheng nodded: "Yes."

“His black card has always been with me.” Jiang Liuyun glanced at her daughter. “As long as you stop asking questions and making a fuss, focus on your studies, and stay away from shady activities, Mom will give the card to you.”

“I don’t need any cards.” Jiang Shu paused for a moment. “I just love gossiping—the whole village has disappeared, and here, there are only about ten people left. So where are the others?”

Jiang Liuyun answered smoothly this time: "If someone is harvesting rice, then someone else will pick oranges, harvest sorghum, and husk corn... Others are busy outside, but they will return to the village after a while."

Jiang Shu scanned the villagers back and forth: "Interesting. This is the first time in my life that I've seen the whole village go out to do farm work."

“It’s not the first time,” said a villager standing nearby. “Actually, it happens a few times every year, cough cough, during the busy farming season when everyone’s mobilized. It’s just that you weren’t home, so you missed it.”

Seeing that everyone was adamant about not telling the truth, Jiang Shu suddenly asked, "How could there be a hidden door in the village chief's grave? Or is it the world's most advanced attack and defense system?"

"A door? What door?" Jiang Liuyun was confused for a while, then said "Oh," "You're probably talking about the warehouse door. That's a military door, used by the people stationed in the mountains to store supplies. We wouldn't dare touch it without permission."

Jiang Shu looked at Jiang Liuyun quietly for a while: "Perhaps."

She changed the subject: "Mom, are you really alright with your injury?"

"What could possibly happen?" Jiang Liuyun asked in return.

"On the phone, Mr. Nie said that he was going to be transferred to a secret experimental medical room and asked me to come and see you one last time."

Jiang Liuyun's face darkened: "You're talking nonsense! You scared my baby! I'll make him kneel on durians tonight."

Beside him, Nie Zheng coughed awkwardly.

Jiang Liuyun checked the time: "It's nothing serious. Go back and rest. Don't think you can relax just because you're in college. Go to class tomorrow. As for me, harvesting rice all day is tiring, I need to rest."

"I'll stay here with you." Jiang Shu remained unmoved.

“Xiao Shu,” Nie Zheng said, emphasizing each word, “Your mother and I haven’t seen each other for a month and three days.”

Jiang Shu immediately felt an indescribable embarrassment!
She stood up. "Mom, I'll go back first. I'll come back when you're done."

They practically fled in panic.

Outside the door, Li Yubai and the others were taken aback when they saw Jiang Shu come out looking disheveled: "Why don't you stay a little longer?"

"Wait for what! Go back first." Jiang Shu said in a low voice, "It's not appropriate for me to stand here as a third wheel when the couple hasn't seen each other for a long time."

Luxury cars arrive quickly and leave just as quickly.

The window of the 12th-floor ward.

Jiang Liuyun stood by the window and watched as Jiang Shu got into the car. The car streaked across the night sky, leaving a silver trail, and quickly disappeared into the distance.

"Nie Zheng," she said, her tone suddenly changing from the strong, confident one she used in front of Jiang Shu, "help me up."

Behind him, Nie Zheng strode forward and gently embraced Jiang Liuyun.

The next moment, Jiang Liuyun felt a sweet taste in his throat and spat out a mouthful of dark blood!
Beneath the thin fake skin on his body, several wounds began to burst open, and blood gushed out in an instant!
(End of this chapter)