The subject of the drama the middle-aged woman alluded to was precisely the historical fantasy serial drama that Lan Biao had just secretly secured funding for and was preparing to shoot. In this era of skyrocketing technological advancement, a resurgence of interest in the antique had swept through society; the popularity of cultivation novels had led everyone to become fascinated by that very concept. Ning Yunhuan had moved on the idea because she knew that in a few years' time, an obscure, small company would achieve massive success by adapting a Xianxia game into a television series when facing bankruptcy.

However, such matters were strictly confidential company business, and employees entering Lan Ning were typically bound by non-disclosure agreements. Ning Lianlian was attractive and possessed good potential; it wasn't impossible for her to secure a minor role within the production. Who could have guessed that this middle-aged woman would demand she take the lead role? Ning Yunhuan, who detested being threatened, simply laughed at the request.

"Miss Ning, if I recall correctly, when the company signs contracts with you all, we include a non-disclosure agreement. I wonder if Miss Ning remembers that?" As soon as Ning Yunhuan uttered these words, the startled **Ning Lianlian first froze, then her gaze instinctively sought out Lan Lingyan, who had entered with them but remained silent.

She knew Lan Lingyan was also one of the company's major shareholders, but Lan Lingyan paid her no mind, pointedly ignoring her outstretched look. Her eyes remained solely on Ning Yunhuan, calm and gentle.

"What? I am her mother, am I not allowed to even mention this matter?" The middle-aged woman hadn't expected Ning Yunhuan to say such a thing. She first panicked slightly, then hastily added, "It was also our Lianlian who accidentally let it slip..."

"Some things should never be carelessly spoken of. The company filming a drama is classified information. If Miss Ning were to spread it around and cause the company certain losses, Miss Ning would bear legal responsibility," Gu Yingnuo chimed in as well. As soon as she spoke, the middle-aged woman's expression soured: "Just say you want to take advantage of the situation to default on the debt and avoid paying Lianlian's compensation for emotional distress."

Ning Yunhuan frowned. Seeing the middle-aged woman's unhappy face, she didn't want to say more. "Regarding the compensation, you can discuss it with my assistant. If you feel anything is unfair, Mr. Ning is welcome to file an appeal in court. I have other matters to attend to; please excuse me." With that, Ning Yunhuan prepared to leave, but the **Ning Lianlian suddenly moved, her lips parting to let out a hoarse cry: "Mr. Lan, I beg you..."

Once the Lan Ning staff learned that one of their major bosses shared the surname Ning, it wasn't difficult to deduce the surname of the frequently present Lan Lingyan. Ning Yunhuan raised an eyebrow and glanced at Ning Lianlian. Without a word, Lan Lingyan took her hand and led her straight out the door, leaving the middle-aged woman behind to complain resentfully, "What use is keeping her here? If it weren't for her, our Lianlian wouldn't be like this..."

But Ning Yunhuan had no intention of turning back. Shortly after descending the stairs, as the two waited for their car, Gu Yingnuo came down clutching documents. She offered Ning Yunhuan a slight smile: "They assumed the Master’s involvement could aid in Ning Lianlian's recovery. They originally wanted the Master to spend more time comforting her, visiting her more often..." Hearing this, Ning Yunhuan couldn't help but laugh.

This matter concerning Ning Lianlian had been dragging on unresolved. Over a month had passed, and her injuries had long since healed. Thanks to various expensive medicinal treatments, her external skin damage had even undergone surgery. By early November, when the gauze was removed and no trace of disfigurement remained, Ning Lianlian's family still adamantly refused to ease up. Ning Yunhuan had initially believed this could be settled easily, but who knew it would drag on this long. It wasn't until just before Christmas, when Ning Yunhuan was preparing to visit Mrs. Ning at the Ning residence with Lan Jiu, that she unexpectedly discovered the Ning Lianlian family residing in the Ning home.

"Mother, what is going on?" Mrs. Ning was naturally delighted to see her daughter and son-in-law return. While fetching slippers for them, she smiled at her daughter's question: "Huanhuan, these are relatives from your great-grandfather's brother's line. Your father, when he was alive, never knew of this branch of the family; otherwise, he would have been so happy." Mrs. Ning spoke with deep emotion.

The Ning Zhizhong family did not seem like newcomers interacting with Mrs. Ning for the first time. As Ning Yunhuan entered, she clearly heard the sounds of laughter from inside. She turned and looked up at Lan Jiu, who lightly pressed his lips against her slightly cool forehead: "We can discuss it when we get back."

"Miss Ning," Ning Lianlian, seated on the sofa, quickly rose and bowed deeply to Ning Yunhuan. Upon seeing Lan Lingyan, her fair face flushed slightly: "Mr. Lan."

Hearing this, Mrs. Ning beamed, unable to stop smiling. She insisted on pulling Ning Lianlian to sit down, saying, "Why be so formal? Call me sister, and call him brother-in-law." It was clear Mrs. Ning was very fond of this girl named Ning Lianlian, her eyes filled with affection. Ning Lianlian heard this and displayed an expression of innocent shock on her face: "Brother-in-law? Has Sister already married?"

She called him that quite naturally, but Ning Yunhuan found it slightly jarring. She remained silent, but Mrs. Ning joyfully replied, "Not only is she married, but she even has a child! His name is Lin Yi, and he is currently being raised at..."

"Mother," Ning Yunhuan frowned, interrupting Mrs. Ning's happy introduction. She did not want Mrs. Ning discussing the Lin family matters with others, especially since Lin Maoshan's status was now different. While Mrs. Ning's relationship with Lin Min was cordial, it was only cordial. If trouble arose later, even the Lin family's own kin would be discarded for making mistakes. If Mrs. Ning unintentionally let slip something that Ning Lianlian’s family then spread, the Lin family, out of respect for Ning Yunhuan, wouldn't truly treat Mrs. Ning harshly, but they certainly wouldn't be pleased. It was better to avoid trouble than invite it, especially since Ning Lianlian could carelessly leak company matters, indicating she was incapable of keeping secrets.

Only then did Mrs. Ning notice that her daughter's expression lacked the expected joy and excitement of finding long-lost relatives. The smile in her eyes faltered: "What's wrong?" Having been chastised by her daughter, Mrs. Ning recalled the Lin family's standing and regretted her excitement nearly caused her to let something slip. Ning Zhizhong and his wife exchanged a look, excitement flashing across their faces, but they wisely chose not to press the matter further.

"Ning Lianlian is an employee at my company," Ning Yunhuan stated the issue plainly. "She is the one I mentioned earlier—the one injured when someone snuck into the company and threw something."

Hearing this, Mrs. Ning recalled the time Ning Yunhuan had asked her if the Ning family had any other relatives. At the time, Mrs. Ning remembered none. Who knew that a short while later, someone would show up claiming to be searching for kin? Initially, Mrs. Ning didn't believe them, fearing they were fraudsters. But Ning Zhizhong presented everything too convincingly, including his daughter's blood type and her husband's name. Mrs. Ning remained suspicious at first, but eventually, seeing that the Ning Zhizhong family genuinely didn't seem intent on swindling her, she gradually grew closer to them and felt a sense of fortune that she now had another branch of relatives. She was especially fond of Ning Lianlian, who was almost the same age as her daughter, loving the niece by extension, and never considered anything else.

But now, after Ning Yunhuan’s words, Mrs. Ning sensed something was amiss.

"Is that so?" Before suspicion took root, Mrs. Ning felt this relative who had conveniently appeared was both warm and intimate. They hadn't asked for anything or sought help, leading her to believe they weren't after her money. But now, hearing her daughter's explanation, Mrs. Ning wondered if she had been wrong to trust them before. Once suspicion took hold, she began to wonder if the Ning Zhizhong family was deliberately trying to scam her out of something. After all, their story about searching for relatives might have originated from learning that their daughter, Ning Lianlian, worked at her daughter's company.

More importantly, Mrs. Ning wondered if the Ning Zhizhong family felt they needed revenge because Ning Lianlian had been injured by her daughter.

In that moment, Mrs. Ning's mind raced. Thinking of these possibilities, she began to find the Ning family members distasteful. Thus, after her mouth twitched, her smile became forced.

"Auntie, how could Sister marry so fast? What a pity." She said this while staring at Lan Lingyan, casually eating a snack, maintaining an appearance of innocent charm.

"Miss Ning," Ning Zhizhong, however, saw things clearly. Ning Yunhuan had no intention of acknowledging kinship with them. But Ning Zhizhong was desperate; he had sought out Mrs. Ning's home himself. Who knew that Mrs. Ning was far more easygoing than Ning Yunhuan? Somehow, they had easily grown close to her. He had initially thought this matter was practically settled, but Ning Yunhuan's return had ruined everything.

"Mr. Ning Zhizhong," Ning Yunhuan didn't use any familial titles like Uncle or Auntie, merely calling Ning Zhizhong by his name with a frown. "You should know whether you are truly related to our Ning family or not. My father never mentioned it when he was alive. Now, Miss Ning Lianlian is employed at my company. If you insist on claiming a relationship with our family, then Miss Ning Lianlian's employment will have to be suspended."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged woman sitting next to Ning Lianlian became instantly displeased: "Miss Ning, what do you mean by that? We are all family; looking out for each other is a good thing, isn't it? We don't want your Ning family assets; we only seek familial association and exchange. Our Lianlian was injured because of your daughter..."

"All compensation and related matters have been settled. The fifty thousand you demanded has been wired to your account, and this young lady's wounds have been treated and cosmetically repaired by the company. Everything has been fully compensated. Surely you don't still think my wife owes you something?"