Ning Ziqiang was a bas***d. He clearly knew how to get to Ning Ran. He knew she couldnât bear to see her motherâs belongings be mishandled.
Ning Ran never believed in witchcraft, but she could not stand any disrespectful behavior against her dead mother.
Ning Ran could only agree to it and head to the restaurant Luo Yi had booked.
It was more of a small eatery than a restaurant. It didnât even have private rooms.
Ning Ran immediately caught sight of a middle-aged woman sitting at a table. It was Luo Yi. She had aged, no longer adorned with jewelry.
Her hairstyle was still the same, except that she had thicker makeup now. She was trying to hide her sagging skin with heavy makeup.
âRan, please come over. Sit!â
Luo Yi pretended to be enthusiastic as she greeted Ning Ran. However, her eyes were filled with hatred.
Ning Ran walked over, expressionless, and asked, âWhere are my motherâs belongings?â
âTake a seat. Donât rush. Letâs eat,â Luo Yi beckoned.
âI donât have time to waste with you. Hand over my motherâs belongings now! I donât care what it is, return them all to me,â Ning Ran yelled.
âHow short-tempered of you!. We have not met for so long. I initially asked your father to invite you home but thought you wouldnât be willing since there are many misunderstandings between us. That is why I chose this place instead. Donât be so hostile, we can talk while we eat.â
Luo Yi signaled for the owner of the eatery to have the food served. Ning Ran realized there was no point in being fretful. She had no alternative but to sit down.
But she didnât eat as she didnât have the appetite.
Ning Ziqiang and Luo Yi were enjoying the food, even praising the food as they ate.
Ning Ran looked at her watch anxiously. School had ended for her kids. She had wanted to pick them up but was still engaged here.
She would not be able to make it on time. Thus, she texted Qiao Zhan, saying, âCaptain Qiao, something suddenly came up. I wonât be able to pick up the kids anymore. Please help me pick them up.â
âYou should eat some too, Ran. The dishes here are really good even though itâs just a small eatery,â
Ning Ziqiang beckoned Ning Ran.
âWhat do both of you want? Stop beating around the bush. I donât have time to waste with the two of you,â Ning Ran said coldly.
âRan, grab a bite first. We can talk about it after this meal,â Luo Yi also beckoned Ning Ran.
âSpit it out!â Ning Ran was getting angry.
Ning Ziqiang signaled Luo Yi with a glance to talk.
Luo Yi put her chopsticks down and said, âRan, it is such⦠the economy has been bad these two years, business is badly affected, and the company has been poorly managed. We owe a huge debtâ¦â
âWhat does it have to do with me?â Ning Ran cut off Luo Yi.
âDonât worry, please hear me out. We donât need you to pay off our debts. However, your father is growing ill these days.â
Luo Yi gave Ning Ziqiang a look when she said that. Ning Ziqiang immediately placed his chopsticks down and coughed. How very cooperative of him.
Ning Ran watched them act coldly and kept her silence.
âThe hospital has diagnosed him with cancer. He needs a huge sum of money for treatment. He wouldnât be able to survive for more than half a year if he doesnât get treatment immediatelyâ¦â Luo Yi cried.
Luo Yi paused. She didnât let Ning Ziqiang act this time around. It was her turn.
She wasnât able to squeeze out tears no matter how hard she tried. It was amusing to see her trying so hard.
Ning Ran was unimpressed as she continued to watch her act.
âWe owed too much money, itâs to a point where we donât even have enough for food. Where else can we get the money to treat his illness? We had initially wanted to borrow from friends and family.
However, they would not even want to meet us or pick up the phone when they found out our current state.â
She continued with crocodile tears, âWe do not have any other alternatives other than to look you up.
We hope you will help your father. If he dies, our family will be devastated. Ran, please put aside our misunderstandings and help your father!â
Ning Ran watched their absurd performance quietly as if she was watching a farce.
âMy home has long fallen apart,â Ning Ran replied coldly.
âRan, I know you have many misunderstandings about us. But your father is dying, you must help us.â
It was interesting how Luo Yi used her words. She used âmustâ, which means she was leaving no room for negotiations.
âThere are no misunderstandings between us. I just hate you,â Ning Ran scowled, going straight to the point.
Luo Yi and Ning Ziqiang looked at each other and kept silent.
âRan, it really was just a misunderstanding. We have nothing to do with your motherâs death,â Luo Yi said.
âYou guys killed my mother, thatâs it,â Ning Ran said.
âRan, we canât help it if you were to word it as such.â Luo Yi was turning ghastly.
âI donât care if you really are sick. I donât have the money. Donât even think about getting a penny from me,â Ning Ran said coldly.
Luo Yi and Ning Ziqiang gave each other another look.
âRan, itâs justifiable for you to hate me, but he is your biological father. Do you want to watch him die?â
Luo Yi said.
âHe had watched my mother died years ago. Didnât both of you said it was a misunderstanding? Well, he can explain it to my mother face-to-face now,â Ning Ran said.
âRan, Iâm your biological father. You have my blood in you!â Ning Ziqiang yelled shamelessly.
âNo, youâre not my father. Even if we are related by blood, there is no kinship between us. You killed my mother. I will never forgive you in this lifetime. Never!â
Ning Ranâs eyes were filled with tears.
âRan!â
âStop! Just return my motherâs belongings to me. Weâll call it even. I wonât seek my revenge, and both of you can stop looking for me. We will go our separate ways and not meet each other again.â Ning Ran stood up.
âRan, do you really not care about your fatherâs life anymore? Are you even human?â
âHe had also not cared about my motherâs life, so why should I care? I donât care anymore, and I donât have the money.â
âIf you donât give me the money, I will pass your motherâs belongings to the sorceress so that your mother wouldnât be able to rest in peace!â
Luo Yi had been acting all along. She finally showed her true colors now.
Ning Ran laughed coldly, âThis is a fallout right? How much does it cost to get my motherâs belongings back?â
âTen million,â Luo Yi quoted simply.
Ning Ran laughed angrily, âTen million? Do both of you think I print money? Or do you think Iâm a billionaire?â
âWe believe you can afford ten million,â Luo Yi said.
âShould I be thanking you? Both of you must be crazy for money. Using my motherâs belongings to blackmail me for ten million? I will not give you the money even if I have it! Iâm going to call the police now to charge both of you for blackmailing me!â With that, Ning Ran took her phone out.
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