Chapter 736: Declaration of Death

On the other side of the ocean, in Beverly Hills.

"Matriarch, you need to rest," an old woman said humbly.

She wanted to bow to show her reverence, but she was old—even older than the person she called Matriarch. Her back was permanently hunched, likely a habit from a lifetime of bowing.

"How are things in Shanghu?" Matriarch Ran Meilian asked softly while sipping tea.

The old woman sighed and shook her head, her tone full of worry. "Ran Ruqiu seems to be going too far. I don't know if the people you sent can make her realize that. Perhaps you really shouldn't have let Jin Lu come back."

Matriarch Ran Meilian's expression remained indifferent. She just looked through the window toward a tall building in the distance.

Perhaps due to her age, there was a hint of weariness between her brows.

"Do you think I was wrong, too?"

The old woman bowed her head without speaking, but it spoke volumes.

Matriarch Ran Meilian set down her teacup and sneered. "Jin Lu is also disobedient. Did she really think I didn't know what she was thinking? Returning to the Ran Family, the events of that year... Hmph, letting Qiuqiu cause a scene is fine; at least then Jin Lu can focus on having a child."

"Although that scoundrel Zheng Qian is also a despicable bastard, as long as he can get Jin Lu to bear a son..."

"I will allow him to be with Jin Lu for a few years."

"Heh, just like Jin Zhiyuan back then."

Hearing this, the old woman suddenly said in a low voice, "Matriarch, should I... go and kill the disobedient people around Young Master Zheng? Especially that man named Chen Chou. Keeping him alive will always be a disaster."

Matriarch Ran Meilian pondered for a long time before shaking her head.

"With you there, those people won't be able to stir up any major trouble. Let them make a scene in Shanghu; there are too many disobedient people in the Ran Family, and keeping them is useless. The most urgent matter now is to find a way to save Ran Xiang."

"I raised this child with my own hands; I... I cannot bear to lose her."

The usually cold and stern-faced Matriarch Ran Meilian showed a rare hint of worry when mentioning Ran Xiang.

She murmured softly, her voice miserable. "Sigh, what a pitiful child. How did this illness... find her? She is still so young... and she promised to give me more great-grandchildren..."

The old woman sighed along with her.

"Matriarch, please do not worry. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is the most capable place in the world to treat this illness. Fortunately, the Kong Family is sensible and did not kick us while we were down. It is clear they respect you..."

Before she could finish, Matriarch Ran Meilian waved her hand.

"Respect is not quite right. Do I not know what those scoundrels in the Kong Family are thinking? As long as I can save Xiangxiang, I am willing to pay a higher price. Alright, you may leave. I need to rest."

"Keep watching Jin Zhiyuan for me."

"This old servant will take her leave."

Meanwhile, in Shanghu.

Jin Lu sat in a car headed for the outskirts.

The destination was a well-known vanity fair in this city: [Yunding Terrace].

As the name suggests, this is one of the properties under the Yunding Group.

It is also the place where Yun Shicheng, Chairman of the Yunding Group Board of Directors, visits most often after retirement. He generally does not easily receive outsiders, usually just drinking tea, chatting, and playing chess with a few friends. But today is different; he is hosting a dinner to resolve some matters.

After getting out of the car, Zhong Xiaoyao followed closely behind her.

She was nervous to death now.

Her heart felt like it might jump out of her throat at any moment.

Ran Ruqiu's words kept circling in her mind. She didn't expect... everything to really go exactly as she had arranged. Passing the news that the Yunding Group was trying to help the Shang family to her, and then saying that Yun Shicheng was personally hosting a dinner to discuss cooperation and sign contracts...

But then again, if it weren't for Yun Shicheng's personal invitation, it might not have been possible to move Wei Rusi.

She couldn't help but recall the scene where Ran Ruqiu spoke to her.

"Listen well, you will hand these documents directly to Wei Rusi. Combined with what you told Jin Lu before, Wei Rusi will definitely let you come along. As long as you successfully bring her there, your mission will be considered a success."

"I also promise you that once Wei Rusi is dead, I will release your brother."

"I have also bought an offshore trust for you abroad, and you will receive a sum of money every month. After 3 years, you can withdraw all 8 million Euros deposited in it."

Zhong Xiaoyao didn't really care about those mere 8 million Euros; it was her brother.

His current demand for drugs was still at the 'chasing the dragon' stage; he hadn't reached the point of injection. As long as it was just 'chasing the dragon,' there was still a chance to save him. She knew that if she didn't agree to Wei Rusi, the outcome awaiting them would be even more miserable.

The facts were indeed as Ran Ruqiu had predicted.

As the Secretary-General of the General Manager's Office, Zhong Xiaoyao had to accompany them to sign such important contracts.

Moreover, when she personally apologized to Jin Lu and explained the matter of Lu Lingwei and Chen Weiqiang, she had also used Ran Ruqiu's rhetoric. The general idea was to push all the blame onto Shang Yanxiong, claiming that Shang Yanxiong forced her to do it.

Jin Lu was soft-hearted. Seeing that Zhong Xiaoyao hadn't caused any actual disaster for The Group, and seeing that she had taken the initiative to admit her mistake, plus their shared bond as people from Yebai, she had forgiven her and persuaded Zheng Qian not to be too harsh on Zhong Xiaoyao.

"Let's go, what are you thinking about?"

Wei Rusi walked a few steps, noticed Zhong Xiaoyao's distracted gaze, and couldn't help but ask.

Zhong Xiaoyao barely squeezed out a smile. "No, nothing, President Wei."

Wei Rusi frowned slightly. "I know about Shang Yanxiong threatening you back then; don't be afraid. That old guy Yun Shicheng will surely plead for Shang Yanxiong today, but I will not be lenient. We will avenge you."

"Oh, right, hurry up and contact the company to release the report through the media."

"This way, we will have a considerable degree of initiative during the negotiations."

Zhong Xiaoyao nodded repeatedly, her eyes filled with gratitude.

And just inside a room at Yunding Terrace.

Several people had their eyes fixed on Wei Rusi, flashing with intense killing intent. They were lying in ambush in several corners of the building, waiting for an opportunity. They were just waiting for the order to take money and eliminate trouble for others.

Meanwhile.

The entire Shanghu was hidden in treachery and deceit, with undercurrents surging and dark clouds pressing down on the city.

It wasn't just Wei Rusi who was in danger; someone had also set their sights on Jin Lu's office. Several entrances and exits of the Chunshen Club were strictly watched. They were lurking in the dark, and their goal was only one: Jin Lu.

The purpose of the other party's move this time was very clear.

It wasn't to slaughter everyone around Zheng Qian.

The main contradiction of the problem, frankly speaking, was three people: Zheng Qian, Jin Lu, and Wei Rusi. Taking advantage of the fact that Zheng Qian was in Yebai, taking down Jin Lu and Wei Rusi with thunderous momentum would mean more than half the battle was won.

Shang Yizhou seemed to have aged a lot.

Looking at the man in the study, his eyes were full of unwillingness.

"Heh, Old Mr. Shang Yizhou. I originally thought you held a prejudice against our [Organization], and even intervened when Shang Yanxiong was running for cadre back then. How did you suddenly figure it out today?"

Cadre Belinsky looked at this increasingly senile man with a smile.

In just a few days, Shang Yizhou had made many calls.

But in the end, there was no other way; it seemed only they could help him.

The price for getting the [Organization]'s help was naturally very high, which was to hand over a considerable portion of his assets. And he could no longer guarantee absolute control, although Belinsky promised to let him continue to serve as Chairman of the Board.

Shanghe International was a very huge group. In Shang Yizhou's view, this was more important than his children.

In recent years, Shang Yanxiong had been getting closer and closer to the United States, and he was still struggling desperately.

He tried his best to retain control of The Group.

He was unwilling to let it fall into the hands of others.

But now, there was really no other way. If he didn't use their methods, Shanghe International would only lose even more miserably, eventually being shorted by Wei Rusi and becoming worthless. Helpless, Shang Yizhou could only painfully make this choice.

Half of Shanghe International.

Was still better than a group that didn't even have any scraps left.