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Rong Shaoze’s brows furrowed slightly, a feeling in his heart that this matter might not be so simple.

But he couldn’t figure out what it was for the time being.

Even if there really was some conspiracy, he wasn’t afraid.

Open attacks or hidden threats, he could deal with them all; no one who crossed him could escape unscathed.

"If they’re not afraid to die, you send them on their way. After they’ve paid, snatch the goods right from them!" he said indifferently, deciding on a bloody conflict with casual ease.

"Shaoze, that’s a brilliant move. We get our hands on the goods without spending a dime," the person on the other end laughed heartily, excitedly saying, "I love doing things like this! They’re walking right into our trap, why wouldn’t we rob them blind!"

"Be careful in your actions, don’t lose too many brothers." He never made a losing deal.

"Rest assured, our brothers are all skilled, each can take on ten without a problem. That shitty gang dares compete with us over the goods, we’ll let them come but never leave!"

Rong Shaoze gave a few more low instructions, then hung up the phone.

He had always been confident in the ability of his men; for years, they had never made a mistake, and he believed there wouldn’t be any issues this time either.

Just as he put down the phone, it rang again. It was from his mother.

He answered the call, and before he had a chance to greet his mother cheerily, he heard her low, hoarse voice.

"Shaoze, come home at once."

"Mom, what’s wrong?" Rong Shaoze’s expression turned stern; a strong premonition of bad news surged within him.

"Just come quickly... sob... sob..." His mother cried so much she couldn’t utter a word, as if something terribly sad had occurred.

"Alright, I’m on my way!" Without asking further, he hung up the phone and strode out of the study.

Lin Xinlan had just opened the door and came out when she ran into him. He grabbed her hand with a grave expression, "Come with me to the old house."

"What happened?" Seeing his serious face, she asked in confusion.

"Something seems to have happened at home," he said in a low voice, his eyes dark and deep, concealing the unease in his heart.

Lin Xinlan opened her mouth, then nodded and said, "Let’s go."

On the way, Rong Shaoze drove fast but sensibly without speeding recklessly.

Lin Xinlan glanced at him, her mood inexplicably heavy.

Wondering what could have happened at the old house, she hoped it wasn’t that something had happened to Grandpa...

As they arrived at the old house, he didn’t wait for her, striding quickly into the living room to stop a servant and ask: "Where’s the lady of the house?"

"The lady should be in her room."

Seeing that the servant’s expression was normal, as if nothing had happened, his heart let out a quiet sigh of relief.

As Lin Xinlan caught up, he had the composure to hold her hand.

Going upstairs to the door of his mother’s room, Rong Shaoze knocked on the door. From inside came his mother’s faint voice: "What is it?"

"Mom, it’s me."

The door was immediately opened, and his mother’s sorrowful face appeared before them.

Seeing Rong Shaoze, she instinctively wanted to cry, but seeing Lin Xinlan next to him, she held back her tears, turning her head slightly as if to dab away tears with her handkerchief and said indifferently, "Xinlan, go downstairs and have some tea, let the servants prepare some food for you."

She wanted to send her away. Lin Xinlan glanced at Rong Shaoze and said softly, "I’ll wait for you downstairs."

"Mhm," the man nodded slightly.

She turned and left, and he entered the room, the door closing behind him.