However, something Murong Rui did not anticipate was that the current Tan Shuya was already beyond caring about anything. The issues on the live broadcast had long been a thing of the past, utterly eroding her rationality. At this very moment, she just wanted Lu Jingchen to kick Song Qiao out, so she could take the position of Young Mistress of the Lu Family herself.

It’s probably because when rationality is lost, the intelligence goes with it.

Tan Shuya’s expression remained unchanged, even showing a faint smile that didn’t reach her eyes, as she directly spoke, "I did not harm her. After all, she is my future mother-in-law. How could I possibly harm her? I merely invited her to be a guest at my place."

Future mother-in-law?

Upon hearing this word, Murong Rui’s eyes flashed with irony, although it was just a brief moment that Tan Shuya did not notice.

The fact is, with what Tan Shuya has done now, there’s no way she can become the Young Mistress of the Lu Family.

Lu Tianming and Xu Qian’s relationship may not seem that great, but she has lived at the Lu Family for so long and become Lu Tianming’s goddaughter for quite some time. She can actually see that Lu Tianming still loves Xu Qian, even if he’s not good at expressing it.

If Lu Tianming finds out that Tan Shuya kidnapped Xu Qian, not only will Tan Shuya be abhorred by Lu Tianming, but the Tan Family bank might also be implicated.

And if something happens to Tan Shuya, there’s a chance it could get traced back to herself.

Suddenly, a chill spreads from her feet to her whole body, making her feel fear.

But after half a minute, Murong Rui’s mind begins to clear up. On careful thought, if by then she finds a way to distance herself from Tan Shuya, maybe nothing will happen to her.

Thinking of this, Murong Rui breathes a sigh of relief and looks at Tan Shuya, saying, "I hope you stick to what you said, and it’s really just to have tea with Xu Qian. Best not to harm her, or do you think Lu Tianming will let you off so easily?"

Saying this, she pauses for a moment, then directly reveals a sarcastic expression and continues, "Although Lu Tianming’s relationship with Xu Qian isn’t great, Xu Qian is still Lu Tianming’s wife in the end."

Not only will Lu Tianming not let her off, but Lu Jingchen also won’t easily let her off.

Tan Shuya hears this and her eyes reveal a subtle and unclear expression, but besides that, there isn’t any particular change. She just sneers and says, "This matter doesn’t require your worry for now. Just take care of yourself and make sure Lu Jingchen and the others don’t find out this matter is related to you, or by then neither of us will escape."

That little calculation in Murong Rui’s mind, how could Tan Shuya not see through it? Wanting to flee at the last moment, that’s not a thought she has.

She has already done the deed, leaving no room for retreat.

After finishing speaking, she no longer looks at Murong Rui, turning her gaze to the scenery outside, effectively issuing an order for her to leave, "You should go back first. If there’s nothing important, don’t contact me, and especially don’t come here. Being discovered will be problematic. If there’s anything, I will arrange for someone to contact you."

Murong Rui doesn’t stay much longer, just as Tan Shuya said, they are both now grasshoppers on the same rope; if one gets into trouble, both will end up in trouble.

Collaborating with Tan Shuya, Murong Rui is uncertain whether it was a right decision, but she is very clear that she has no other choice now.

...

When Xu Qian wakes up, she only feels her head dizzy and her forehead sends waves of pain, a burning sensation. She opens her eyes in a daze, but all she sees is darkness.

Just as she attempts to lift her hand to wipe her eyes, she discovers her hands and feet are bound, instantly causing her body to tense up.

Memories before losing consciousness flood back into her mind.

Car accident, men in black...

Two pieces of information directly flash into her brain and Xu Qian’s first reaction is—she’s been kidnapped.

Instinctively cursing internally, she has been nothing if not low-key these past years, down to wearing supermarket sale clothes for square dancing, living like an ordinary woman. Thinking carefully, she hasn’t really offended anyone these years, so how did she end up kidnapped?

Could it be that Zhou Jia, that woman, has returned?

Zhou Jia... the woman who once pursued Lu Tianming, also considered her rival in love.

After all, it’s been over twenty years since they’ve seen each other, right? Ever since her son’s identity was made public, and she and Lu Tianming got the marriage certificate, Zhou Jia directly moved abroad with her family.

Years ago, she once experienced a kidnapping designed by Zhou Jia.

Thinking about it now, the possibility seems high. It might really be that woman who arranged for her to be kidnapped, who knows.

After all, she heard two years ago that Zhou Jia is still unmarried, always for Lu Tianming alone.

On thinking of this, Xu Qian can’t help but wail internally, Lu Tianming’s endless romantic entanglements seem never-ending and she would always be the unfortunate one.

Her bound hands move slightly, the knots are expertly tied and completely impossible to untangle. After several minutes of struggling, Xu Qian finally gives up. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

The darkness ahead made her briefly think she was blinded, but squinting her eyes slightly and opening them again, she finally sees a sliver of light from the crack opposite her. She quickly realizes she is in a closed room with no windows.

As she contemplates how to respond, the sound of keys and padlock clanging reaches her, prompting Xu Qian to shut her eyes and feign unconsciousness, praying internally that no one notices something off about her.

Quickly, the door opens, followed by a click that seems to be the light switch, as a series of footsteps grow louder, eventually halting before her.

A few men in black expressionlessly look at the unconscious Xu Qian. One furrows his brows slightly and says, "Why hasn’t she woken up after so long? Did we use too many sedatives?"

Another quickly responds, "The sedatives were specifically prepared by Jason, not excessively used. It’s likely due to the injury on this woman’s forehead causing her brain to be hurt, so she won’t wake up quickly. Wait a little longer."

Xu Qian dares not open her eyes, her body remains relaxed as she listens to the comment ’the brain was hurt,’ rendering her almost unable to jump up and curse, ’You’ve got the brain injury, fool!’

Nowadays in a lawful society, kidnapping is a serious crime, yet this group acts without fear.