Chapter 42 - What Am I Supposed to Do?

Chen Fan was stunned for a long time, and Jin Lan’s gaze at him was simple, yet carried a trace of anger.

Chen Fan quickly stepped back. Zhu Yeqing held the umbrella over him.

“You … you can’t … you …” Chen Fan was completely flustered.

According to theory, Li Long was supposed to die tonight. Chen Fan believed that whether it was Ye Aotian who killed him or not didn’t matter; Li Long was bound to die. His death would trigger a series of events.

Why could Ye Aotian act so recklessly? Li Long’s death was also Chen Fan’s reason to return home because Qincheng wasn’t very safe. If Chen Fan stayed alone, it wouldn’t be secure.

Naturally, his suspicion shifted to Jin Lan. And the truth proved that Jin Lan was indeed involved. She had helped Ye Aotian by providing information and even personnel. As for why Jin Lan did this, it was simple: she wanted to cultivate her own forces. In her mind, Ye Aotian was the easiest to control.

Think about it—would you rather cultivate a second-generation rich kid with connections everywhere or a subordinate who is driven solely by revenge and easily controlled?

Even a fool would choose the second option.

“Chen Fan, why are you suspicious of me?”

“I … Sister Jin Lan, I was just suspicious because Ye Aotian’s boldness had to come from someone guiding him.”

“Is that so? So, you think that person is me?”

Of course, according to the plot, it has to be you. But what the hell are you doing? You even touched me! That’s harassment, do you know that?

“I haven’t helped Ye Aotian, nor am I interested in cultivating him. I think there’s been some misunderstanding between us.”

“I don’t care about any of that. Zhu Yeqing, let’s go.”

Jin Lan frowned and said, “You’re not leaving until this is explained clearly.”

Zhu Yeqing stepped in front of Chen Fan. Jin Lan’s driver also moved to stand in front of Jin Lan. The two exchanged blows.

The driver took two steps back. Zhu Yeqing only took one step back.

Both Jin Lan and her driver were shocked. Jin Lan had suspected this woman wasn’t ordinary, but she didn’t expect her to be this strong.

“I think, once the dust settles, the truth will reveal itself.”

Damn it, the plot is completely off the rails now. There’s no saving it. Chen Fan was convinced something was wrong with Jin Lan. Her character seemed to be shifting in the wrong direction.

They got in the car and headed home. As for whether Ye Aotian lived or died, no one cared.

This time, however, Chen Fan didn’t return to his house in the suburbs; he went straight to his family’s home.

When he arrived, he saw his father drinking tea.

“Dad.”

“You’re Zhu Yeqing, right? You may leave now. I need to speak with my son.”

“Yes, sir.”

After Zhu Yeqing left, Chen Fan sat beside Chen Tianqiang and poured his father some tea.

“Tonight, Li Long died.”

“Who did it?”

“Jin Lan.”

As expected. Damn, I was almost fooled. I was stupid to think Jin Lan’s character had collapsed. Even when exposed, she continued acting, trying to deceive me. Damn it, that’s what it means to be a female lead. That’s what it means for the protagonist to have the most cunning mind.

Jin Lan was much more reliable than Lin Qingyue.

“I knew it. I always suspected this upstart had some sort of backing. To be so arrogant in Qincheng, it was all Jin Lan’s doing. It makes sense. If she wants to secure her position, she needs her own forces. Ye Aotian is the perfect candidate. With Li Long dead, Zheng Qiang will be next. A balance of power is never as secure as having absolute control.”

“Thank you, Father. I’ve learned a lot.”

Chen Tianqiang said, “I only came back this time to pay respects to our ancestors. I don’t want to get involved in Qincheng’s affairs. However, I think Ye Aotian is not bad.”

“Why do you think that, Father? Why do you think that upstart is any good?”

Chen Tianqiang looked at his son and said, “He will be your whetstone. Take your time. Play this game slowly, one move at a time.”

After saying that, Chen Tianqiang got up and left, leaving a very excited Chen Fan behind.

It was all going according to the plot.

The original story was that after Li Long died, Ye Aotian would actively seek trouble with Chen Fan. Normally, Chen Tianqiang could crush Ye Aotian in an instant, but he wouldn’t do it because he wanted his son to face the challenge alone.

In short, he hoped that through the conflict with Ye Aotian, his son would grow stronger. Chen Tianqiang was also very pleased tonight. He could never accept the idea of his son being a bootlicker.

When Chen Fan brought Zhu Yeqing home, Chen Tianqiang was more satisfied than anyone. It was fine to like women, but only liking one woman? That wasn’t the Chen family’s way.

Meanwhile, Jin Lan, having learned the news, was completely stunned.

Her driver delivered the news.

“Boss, Li Long is dead.”

“How did he die? He had a gun. How could he still die?”

The gun had been provided by Jin Lan as an extra measure of protection. Jin Lan had wanted to see what would happen if, by chance, Ye Aotian died. She didn’t want to become what Chen Fan’s diary described—supporting Ye Aotian. She had no interest in that and no desire to take on that role. But even with all her arrangements, Li Long had still died, and now Jin Lan was panicking.

“It was one of our people who did it.”

“One of our people?” Jin Lan was baffled. “Who?”

“One of the men we hired had a personal vendetta against Li Long. A long time ago, Li Long had slept with his wife. So, when no one was paying attention, he stabbed Li Long to death.”

“And that man?”

“After killing Li Long, he was beaten to death by Li Long’s subordinates.”

What the hell! Now there’s no one left to testify!

“And where’s Ye Aotian? Find him immediately. I want him dead.”

????

The driver asked, “Boss, do you want Ye Aotian dead?”

Of course, Jin Lan wanted Ye Aotian dead. Chen Fan was suspicious of her, and that made her uncomfortable, feeling terribly unsettled.

Jin Lan didn’t know why, but she would rather have the entire world doubt her than have Chen Fan not believe in her.