Hearing Madam Ning’s counsel, Father Ning coughed twice, but his expression remained grim: “He’s coming back for money, saying that girl surnamed Gu’s mother needs surgery and requires five hundred thousand. He claims he needs to borrow two million from me.”

The Ning family had some wealth; two million wasn’t an insurmountable sum, but the thought of handing that money over to the woman named Gu Xian filled Father Ning with absolute reluctance.

“Your father suggested giving him the money to make him sever ties with that Gu Yingxi. Instead, not only did he refuse, but he managed to anger your father to the point of illness and then promptly ran off,” Madam Ning said, somewhat heartbroken by her son’s deranged behavior. The couple had always doted on their son. Though Father Ning frequently scolded Ning Yuncheng, he was also the one who worried about him the most. Whenever Ning Yuncheng asked for money, when had Father Ning ever refused? He was always afraid he wouldn't have enough, so he always gave more, never less. Although he scolded him every time, it was merely a case of hating iron for not becoming steel, not genuine disgust. Recently, Father Ning had been so enraged by Gu Yingxi that he was resting at home. His son’s return, initially, brought a flicker of happiness, but when Ning Yuncheng cursed at him until he fainted, seeing his father collapse, the shock made him turn tail and flee without even alerting the servants.

Fortunately, Ning Yuncheng had been staying out for the past few days. Madam Ning had missed her son, and upon hearing from a servant that he had returned, she rushed home, only to find Father Ning collapsed on the floor. She immediately called for people to rush him to the hospital; a little later, and who knows what might have happened.

“Sigh.” Father Ning shook his head, his face clouded. He waved a hand, signaling Madam Ning to drop the subject, then forced a faint smile and beckoned Lan Lingyan over:

“Mr. Lan, how old are you this year, and where are you employed? Do you have family? Huanhuan is young and impulsive and didn’t bring you home to meet us sooner; please forgive the oversight.”

Last time, when his son was involved with Gu Yingxi, Father Ning hadn't thoroughly investigated Gu Yingxi’s character or background before letting Ning Yuncheng bring her into the house. This time, with his daughter’s situation, he had learned his lesson: his first questions were about Lan Lingyan’s background and character.

“Our family doesn't adhere to rigid rules. Marrying off a daughter isn't selling her. We don't care how much money the other side has; we just hope they possess upright character and will treat my daughter well,” Madam Ning chimed in with a smile. As she mentioned “upright character,” Ning Yunhuan nearly burst out laughing. The Lan family had been involved in dishonest dealings for years; you could find every kind of illicit business traceable back to them. If Lan Lingyan were a man of upright character, there would be no good people left in the world.

To speak of character to one of the world's foremost triad leaders—wasn't that a joke?

Lan Lingyan slowly turned to glance at Ning Yunhuan. Seeing her entire body freeze, he then inclined his head slightly toward Father Ning: “I should properly address you as Father-in-Law and Mother-in-Law, but since Huanhuan and I have not yet held the wedding ceremony, I hope you will overlook my impropriety.”

As soon as those words left his mouth, Father Ning was momentarily stunned. For the first time in his life, he shot his daughter a sharp look. But upon seeing her somewhat guilty expression, he simply assumed she had hidden the fact that she had a boyfriend and failed to mention it. He never imagined the two were already married, let alone had a child. Now, looking at the bandage wrapped around his daughter’s arm, Father Ning couldn't bring himself to scold her further, sighing instead:

“You are the Mr. Lan that young woman Gu Yingxi mentioned last time, aren’t you? I heard you are the ninth-born; do you have many brothers and sisters?” Father Ning recalled hearing about Lan Ninth Brother from Gu Yingxi previously, and he was somewhat afraid this young man would be snatched away by Gu Yingxi.

Having the real-life example of his brainless son right in front of him, utterly infatuated with Gu Yingxi, Father Ning dared not underestimate Gu Yingxi’s destructive power anymore. He strongly agreed with the assessment of Gu Yingxi’s shameless behavior. Seeing Lan Lingyan’s excellent appearance and fine demeanor, he was secretly quite pleased but couldn't help feeling a wave of worry.

“Dad, don’t worry, he and Gu Yingxi actually don’t know each other at all; it’s all Gu Yingxi being shameless,” Ning Yunhuan quickly spoke up to put in a good word for Lan Lingyan, afraid her father would inquire about his siblings.

As for the Lan siblings, they were either eliminated by him, maimed, or crippled. If he revealed that, Father Ning would likely be severely shocked.

Though Father Ning felt a little uncomfortable hearing his daughter speak up for another man, her insistence on Gu Yingxi’s shamelessness resonated deeply with Madam Ning and him, causing them both to nod unconsciously.

The elder Mr. and Mrs. Ning were not malicious people; in fact, they were quite generous. The fact that they both viewed Gu Yingxi so negatively demonstrated just how despicable her actions must have been.

“Then Dad, what are you going to do since Ning Yuncheng didn’t get the money from you this time?” Ning Yunhuan asked, subconsciously taking Lan Jiu’s hand as she sat beside him, a hint of worry in her voice.

When this question arose, Father Ning and Madam Ning exchanged a look, both appearing troubled.

Although Ning Yuncheng was a scoundrel, he was still their son, not someone they picked up off the street. He was already quite old; they couldn't hit him, and he wouldn't listen to scolding. What else could they do?

“Alas, this is truly a karmic misfortune,” Madam Ning sighed, nervously twisting her hair in distress.

“If you ask me, Dad, you should cut off all his cards and allowances,” Ning Yunhuan had long disliked Ning Yuncheng. Remembering events from her past life, she gave a cold internal sneer and tried to paint him in a worse light to her father: “Otherwise, once he gets the money, it will all go to worshiping Gu Yingxi. I don’t think the Gu family members possess grateful natures; even throwing that money into the water would make a splash, but giving it to them is worse than feeding a dog.”

Because of one Gu Yingxi, she held not a shred of goodwill toward the entire Gu family. Father Ning’s expression shifted, while Madam Ning looked hesitant: “But your elder brother is a man after all. It probably isn't right if he doesn't have some money to support himself?”

Having anticipated Madam Ning’s response, Ning Yunhuan spoke with confidence: “Ning Yuncheng definitely won't be accustomed to life without money, Mom. When he has no money, won't he naturally return to your side and separate from Gu Yingxi?”

This statement thoroughly swayed Madam Ning, causing her to nod involuntarily.

What she feared most now was her son being completely bewitched by that girl surnamed Gu. If there was a way to separate them now, she could afford to ignore whether her son suffered. The immediate priority was making Ning Yuncheng see reason. The couple exchanged a knowing glance, and Ning Yunhuan realized they had taken her words to heart. In truth, she was confident Ning Yuncheng wouldn't abandon Gu Yingxi over money, considering he had forsaken his parents and sister for that woman in his past life. In this life, it was unlikely he would give up so quickly. Furthermore, given Ning Yuncheng’s personality, cutting off his financial lifeline would only make him resent Father Ning more.

She wasn’t afraid of him not hating his father; she was afraid he would calm down and they wouldn't know how to handle him. As long as he resented Father Ning and this conflict dragged on over time, even ironclad affection would erode under such friction. Over time, Father and Madam Ning would inevitably become disappointed in him. That would be when she could unleash her hands to deal with Ning Yuncheng!

With Ning Yuncheng’s matter resolved, Father Ning’s mood brightened considerably, and only then did he find the composure to converse with Lan Lingyan. It was better when he didn't speak, but as Father Ning talked with Lan Lingyan, he realized this young man was truly unlike the frivolous youths he had met before. He possessed a rare aura, and he didn't seem like someone from an ordinary family. Although he hadn't heard of any noble families surnamed Lan in the capital, Lan Lingyan's bearing could not be faked.

Father Ning believed he had a discerning eye. The more he spoke with Lan Lingyan, the less he dared to look down on him. After the two had spent more than an hour together, Father Ning was already calling him Lingyan casually, his attitude friendly, appearing extremely satisfied—almost ready to call him a good son-in-law directly. Upon seeing Lan Lingyan's gaze frequently and subtly drifting toward Ning Yunhuan, Father Ning finally let go of the heavy worry in his heart. After sending the pair out of the sickroom with Madam Ning, when Madam Ning returned with water for him, he merely said with a broad smile:

“This son-in-law is truly extraordinary.” When Madam Ning asked him why, he stubbornly refused to elaborate.

As Lan Lingyan and Ning Yunhuan were heading home, elsewhere, Li Panpan was weeping hysterically while guarding Qin Yi, whose limbs lay limp beside him. Fu Yuan, due to Li Panpan’s kindness, had also been brought to the Qin residence. The Qin family had specifically hired a military doctor who specialized in treating soldiers and did not serve the public. It was as if they had moved a hospital into their home. Now, a group of nationally renowned experts surrounded Qin Yi, each wearing a troubled expression:

“Old General Qin, Major General Qin was injured by immense force. His right hand is manageable; after reconnecting the bone and performing surgery, it should be mostly fine. However, regarding the left hand, even if we operate to clean out the bone fragments, he likely won’t be able to exert great force again in the future.”

At this moment, blood was flowing from Qin Yi’s ears and nose. His mother, her face streaming with tears, was wiping his face and ears with a warm cloth. The fresh blood continued to gush from his orifices. Hearing the prognosis, he gritted his teeth and cursed: “Which bastard injured our Yi’er? I want his life in return!”

“Enough! Given the current situation, isn’t this all your good son bringing upon himself!” Upon hearing this, Qin Zheng, Qin Yi’s father, became furious: “The Su family personally sent him back, saying he had achieved something. Now, sticking up for some woman he doesn't even know, he deserves to be beaten this badly!” Qin Zheng’s heart ached seeing his son lying there weakly. This was the son in whom he placed all his hopes to take over his command in the military. If he couldn't use his arm forcefully, wouldn't he become useless? The thought ignited a fierce anger within him, making him wish he could kick Qin Yi, bed and all, far away, just to get him out of his sight!