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Ding Zhiyuan's mother's investment project collapsed, and a salesperson claiming to be surnamed Wang called her, asking her to transfer 20% of the principal, promising to return the principal and interest to her.

After discussing it with her husband, she went to the bank to transfer the money. The bank staff were worried that they would be scammed, so they questioned them carefully.

However, Ding's mother, thinking herself clever, lied and claimed that she was transferring money to her son, who had taken her surname, Wang. She even produced her ID card to prove it, so the staff transferred the money to Xiao Wang.

After Mr. and Mrs. Ding transferred the money to Xiao Wang, they could no longer contact him, and the investment group they had previously invested in was disbanded. The two of them were extremely anxious and had no choice but to seek help from Hu Manli.

"Mom, can you say it again? Who did you transfer money to?" Hu Manli's hand holding the teacup trembled slightly as she looked at her former in-laws, who looked flustered.

At this moment, Ding's mother rubbed her hands together, her eyes somewhat unfocused, "Just... just 100,000. That Xiao Wang said that as long as we transfer 10% as the unfreezing fee, he can return 600,000 to us next Monday, including the principal and interest..."

"What unfreezing fee?" Hu Manli slammed down her teacup, the ceramic bottom clattering against the glass coffee table. "Mom, do you and Dad get scam calls?"

Mr. Ding, sitting dejectedly on the sofa, muttered, "No way! We still trust Xiao Wang; he would never lie to us."

Hu Manli immediately picked up her phone and quickly sent a message to Ding Zhiyuan: "Come to my house immediately, your parents may have been scammed."

After sending the message, she turned to the two elderly people and said, "Please don't rush, show me the transfer record and the other party's contact information."

Ding's mother shakily took out her phone, and the call log labeled "Manager Wang" was still on the screen.

Hu Manli's heart sank when she saw the strange number; it was a typical virtual operator number segment.

“Mom, you’ve encountered a typical investment scam,” Hu Manli said, trying to soften her voice. “We should call the police immediately.”

"Don't call the police!" Ding's mother suddenly became agitated. "Xiao Wang said that if we call the police, we won't get a single penny back. Besides, how could a scammer know so much detail?"

"There's only one possibility: the tech company sold your information."

"What? No?"

Then Ding's mother grabbed Hu Manli's wrist, "Manli! You know people at the bank, can you help us get it back? That's our retirement money!"

Hu Manli felt a sharp pain from being gripped so tightly, but she couldn't break free: "Mom, we can only rely on the police for this kind of thing..."

"What police!" Ding's mother suddenly changed her expression, her voice becoming shrill. "Now that you've divorced Ding Zhiyuan, do you not want to get involved in our affairs anymore?"

Her eyes lit up. "Oh, right! Don't you still have the 500,000 yuan education fund we gave Dahl? Take it out and use it to tide you over!"

Hu Manli gasped and stood up abruptly: "That's Dar's tuition money, don't touch it!"

"What do you mean you can't touch her!" Ding's mother also stood up, pointing her finger at Hu Manli's nose and scolding, "You eat our food and use our things, and now that the old lady is in trouble, this is your attitude?"

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Hu Manli felt as if she had been granted a pardon and quickly walked towards the door.

Through the peephole, she saw Ding Zhiyuan standing anxiously outside the door.

As soon as the door opened, Ding Zhiyuan could smell the tense atmosphere inside.

His father was squatting in the corner, his mother's face was full of anger, and his ex-wife was pale.

"What's going on?" Ding Zhiyuan closed the door, not even having time to take off his suit jacket.

Hu Manli explained the situation concisely, and Ding Zhiyuan's expression grew increasingly grim.

When he finally heard that his mother was going to touch Dahl's educational fund, the veins on his forehead bulged.

"Mom! Are you crazy?" Ding Zhiyuan rarely spoke loudly to his mother. "That's Dar's school money!"

Startled by her son's outburst, Ding's mother was first taken aback, then slapped her thigh and wailed, "What terrible things have I done! My son is unfilial, my daughter-in-law is unvirtuous, and all my retirement money is gone..."

Ding Zhiyuan loosened his tie in frustration and turned to Hu Manli: "Did you call the police?"

"Your parents won't allow it," Hu Manli said helplessly.

Without saying a word, Ding Zhiyuan took out his phone, but his father grabbed it and said, "You can't call! Those people said they'd kill the hostage if you called the police!"

"What kidnapping?!" Ding Zhiyuan laughed angrily. "They're lying to you! You invested in an investment product, not a kidnapping!"

Suddenly, Ding's mother rushed over and grabbed Hu Manli's arm: "You're not going to give us money, are you? Fine! Then we'll stay here and not leave!"

She shouted at the top of her lungs, "Everyone, be the judge! The daughter-in-law is hogging the old man's money for his funeral!"

Hu Manli was both shocked and furious, and several red marks appeared on her wrists from being pinched.

Seeing this, Ding Zhiyuan pulled his mother away, saying, "Mom! Don't embarrass yourself here!"

"Me, a disgrace?" Ding's mother's voice rose eight octaves. "You're yelling at your mother for this vixen? No wonder Qiu Lisu said you still have feelings for her!"

Upon hearing his new wife's name, Ding Zhiyuan's expression changed: "How did Lisu know you were here?"

Ding's mother's eyes flickered: "I...I told her before I left..."

Ding Zhiyuan suddenly felt extremely tired.

During this time, Qiu Lisu, who was pregnant, had a drastic change in temperament and would quarrel with him every few days; her parents were also always stirring up trouble, making the family a mess.

Standing in his ex-wife's neat and cozy living room, he suddenly remembered how Hu Manli had navigated the relationship between him and his parents over the past ten years.

“Manli,” he said in a hoarse voice, “I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”

Hu Manli shook her head and handed him a glass of water: "Never mind! You've had it tough too."

This simple expression of understanding brought tears to Ding Zhiyuan's eyes.

He took a deep breath and turned to his parents: "Dad, Mom, I'll take you home now. I'll take you to the police station tomorrow to report the money issue; we'll try to get back whatever we can."

"No way!" Mrs. Ding jumped up. "I want that 500,000! That's our Ding family's money!"

Ding Zhiyuan finally exploded: "What old Ding family money! That's for Da'er's savings! If you two keep making trouble, I'll buy you tickets to go back to your hometown right now!"

The room fell silent instantly.

Mr. and Mrs. Ding looked at their son in shock; this was the first time Ding Zhiyuan had spoken harshly to them.

On the way back, Ding's mother was still sobbing in the back seat.

Ding Zhiyuan glanced at the mirror, then hardened his heart and remained silent.

While waiting at a red light, he sent Hu Manli a message: "I'm sorry, I'll handle things tonight. No one is allowed to touch that 500,000."

Hu Manli replied quickly: "I understand. Your parents are just worried, don't blame them too much."

Ding Zhiyuan looked at the message and felt a mix of emotions.

Once upon a time, Hu Manli was the same way, always putting others first, even if she herself suffered injustice.

When he got home, Qiu Lisu was leaning on the sofa watching TV. When she saw him come in, she asked lazily, "Did you send your parents away?"

Ding Zhiyuan did not answer and went straight to the study.

Qiu Lisu followed, her tone sharp: "What's wrong? Not in a good mood after seeing your ex-wife?"

"What did you say to my mother?" Ding Zhiyuan turned around abruptly. "Why did you encourage them to go to Manli to ask for money?" Qiu Lisu was startled by his gaze and took a half step back: "I... I just said it casually..."

"Just something offhand?" Ding Zhiyuan sneered. "Lisu, we agreed before we got married that we wouldn't interfere with each other's past. Manli is Dahl's mother, and I hope you respect that."

Qiu Lisu touched her swollen belly, tears welling up in her eyes: "You're yelling at me now? I'm carrying your child, and this is how you treat me?"

Normally, Ding Zhiyuan would immediately back down.

But tonight, he only felt exhausted: "Lisu, let's both calm down. I've already booked high-speed rail tickets for his parents for tomorrow."

"Really?" Qiu Lisu instantly stopped crying, a hint of joy flashing across her face, before she feigned worry again, "Then... are they willing?"

Ding Zhiyuan didn't miss the change in her expression, and his heart sank even further: "I've already booked my train ticket for tomorrow."

That night, Ding Zhiyuan tossed and turned in his study, unable to sleep, and sent Hu Manli a message: "Are you asleep?"

The reply came quickly: "Not yet, we're organizing the insurance policies."

Ding Zhiyuan hesitated for a moment, then typed: "Thank you for tonight. And... I'm sorry."

Hu Manli's reply brought tears to his eyes: "Don't say that. Your parents are old and easily fooled. Do you need me to go with you to the police station tomorrow?"

Ding Zhiyuan pressed his phone to his forehead and remained silent for a long time.

He suddenly realized what he had lost—not a "wife," but a true partner who could weather the storms with him.

Meanwhile, in a luxury apartment on the other side of the city, Suning was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, listening to a report on the other end of the phone.

"Boss, Chen Fang's car has been repaired. Although it's just a minor scratch, it'll keep him in bed for half a month," the male voice on the phone said respectfully.

Su Ning swirled his wine glass, a slight smile playing on his lips: "What was Tang Ling's reaction?"

"I was terrified and I'm still at the hospital watching over her."

“Very good.” Su Ning took a sip of wine. “Send me a copy of the dashcam video.”

Su Ning knew that Tang Ling and Chen Fang were two venomous snakes lurking in the shadows, and that they would definitely continue to secretly plot against Hu Manli in the future.

So Suning arranged a small "accident" to make Tang Ling and Chen Fang truly learn their lesson.

After hanging up the phone, he found Tang Ling's number and dialed it.

The phone rang for a long time before it was answered. Tang Ling's still-shaken voice came from the other end: "Hello...hello?"

"Manager Tang, I heard Chen Fang was in a car accident?" Su Ning asked with concern. "Is he alright?"

"How...how did you know?" Tang Ling's voice suddenly became sharp.

Su Ning chuckled: "It's just a coincidence. I just wanted to remind you that life is unpredictable, and some things should be done in moderation."

Rapid breathing came from the other end of the phone. After a long silence, Tang Ling asked in a trembling voice, "What exactly do you want?"

“It’s very simple.” Su Ning’s voice suddenly turned cold. “Hu Manli is my person. If you dare to make a move on her again, next time it won’t be as simple as a minor car accident.”

After saying that, he hung up the phone without waiting for a response from the other party.

Turning to look at Hu Manli, who was working overtime, he frowned slightly and occasionally rubbed his wrist, which had been pinched red by Ding's mother.

Su Ning's gaze softened.

He picked up his other phone and sent a message: "Does your wrist still hurt? I'll have my secretary send you some ointment tomorrow."

Hu Manli quickly replied: "How did you know?... Never mind, no need to bother, it's just a minor injury."

Suning typed with a smile: "No trouble at all. Shall we have lunch together tomorrow?"

Hu Manli replied quickly this time: "You even know about this? Okay, see you tomorrow."

Putting down his phone, Suning walked to the window and looked down at the city lights.

At this moment, Tang Ling and Chen Fang at the hospital were truly terrified. "Tang Ling, what is the background of this Su Ning? How can she be so unscrupulous?"

"I don't know either! Looks like we've bitten off more than we can chew this time."

"A madman! This is a fucking madman! I'm calling the police."

"Hmph! Do you have any evidence? The responsibility for the accident has already been determined."

"Sigh..." Chen Fang could only sigh helplessly.

……

The next day at noon, Su Ning and Hu Manli sat down at a restaurant. After ordering their food, Su Ning handed Hu Manli a document.

"what?"

"Seven years ago, you helped your client Ma Yong buy a 3 million yuan unit-linked insurance policy. Now, Ma Yong, who has failed in his business, wants to withdraw the money, but finds that there are only a few hundred thousand yuan left in his account. So he sued your Lanyang Insurance in court."

"What? No?"

“Ma Yong and the court believe that the most important information is that you signed on his behalf, so you will definitely lose the case.”

"and then?"

"President Jin naturally wants to handle this quietly, with the branch office paying compensation to resolve the issue. He doesn't want to alarm the leadership at headquarters, since he also bears some responsibility for this matter."

“I clearly remember that Ma Yong was in a hurry to go on a business trip and was at the airport, so he asked me to write the risk disclosure.”

“I suspect that Ma Yong deliberately set a trap for you back then. After all, things are unpredictable. He had money back then and didn’t care about this little bit of money. Now he’s just waiting for this four million to save his life.”

"..."

"But don't worry! Chen Fang and Tang Ling were planning to cause trouble in secret and were going to inform the legal department of the head office, but I warned them in advance. Now President Jin has successfully resolved Ma Yong's matter."

"How could Chen Fang and Tang Ling be so despicable?"

"Furthermore, you probably don't know that it was Tang Ling who instructed Chen Fang to direct Xue Xiaozhou to investigate you. It was because Li Qingqing secretly contacted you, intending to make you the director of the home office. Tang Ling, who also had her eye on this position, saw you as a competitor and gave the photos of your meeting with Li Qingqing to President Jin. In the end, in order to completely destroy you, she directly complained to the China Insurance Regulatory Commission. If the China Insurance Regulatory Commission does not deal with you, they are also preparing to launch a media offensive."

"This is too... too outrageous."

"Sister Manli, there's a saying: 'If you don't kill a snake, it will cause endless trouble.'"

"You mean you want me to file a complaint with the China Insurance Regulatory Commission regarding Tang Ling's recording?"

"Yes!"

"I...I need to think about it some more."

"Whatever! I asked you out today to tell you about this. You should go and talk to President Jin about it. Otherwise, the responsibility for the four million will definitely fall on your shoulders."

“You’re right! Although what happened last time did make President Jin seem a bit heartless, he really doesn’t owe me anything.”

...(End of chapter)