“Boss, Luo Yaozong didn’t die!”

At dawn, the news finally reached Ke Yixiong’s ears.

Ke Yixiong wanted to curse these useless people who couldn’t even handle one Luo Yaozong:

“No wonder the Luo family hasn’t made a fuss. Is this information confirmed?”

Ke Yixiong’s subordinate nodded.

“I sent someone to ask at the hospital. They all say Luo Yaozong was saved, though he hasn’t regained consciousness yet. Boss, should I—”

“No, after failing the first strike, it would be too risky to try again. Was this job done cleanly? Could it be traced back to us?”

If Luo Yaozong had died, the grudge between the Luo family and Xia Xiaolan would have been irreconcilable. With some instigation, it could have escalated into a mass incident.

But with Luo Yaozong alive, Xia Xiaolan could use money or other means to temporarily suppress the conflict. Any attempt to stir up trouble now would be walking into a trap.

Ke Yixiong’s subordinate patted his chest in assurance:

“We arranged everything carefully. We didn’t use our men but local people instead. We told them they could extort money from Golden Sand Pool’s owner using Luo Yaozong’s death, and they’d get a share. The contact person was an unfamiliar guy called Mosquito, and I sent him to Hong Kong after he arranged everything. Don’t worry, Boss, this can’t be traced back to us!”

Even if those thugs couldn’t withstand police interrogation and confessed, the person they’d identified had already fled.

Ke Yixiong’s subordinate had handled things very carefully.

Ke Yixiong added, “Mosquito’s gone to Hong Kong to lay low, and might not be able to return for years. Make sure his family is taken care of and help them if they have difficulties. We can’t have Mosquito worrying while he’s away!”

“Boss, we’ve already given Mosquito’s settlement fee, but what about Golden Sand Pool? Are we just going to watch them sell properties normally today?”

Ke Yixiong slammed his hand on the table:

“What else do you want to do? Remember to send them a pair of opening ceremony flower baskets.”

His subordinate was extremely dissatisfied.

Send flower baskets?

They were too lucky!

If Luo Yaozong had died according to plan, they wouldn’t be sending flower baskets – they’d be sending funeral wreaths!

Early morning, December 14th.

The sales office opened early today, but those sending congratulatory flower baskets arrived even earlier. People like Tang Yuanyue, Du Zhaohui, and others had sent their baskets first thing.

Bai Zhenzhu, Chen Xiliang, and Kang Wei, who were busy with his furniture factory, hadn’t forgotten either.

Friends and family came to offer congratulations, while business associates came to show support.

Then some knew Qihang’s background.

The flower baskets formed a long row, spreading out on both sides of the sales office entrance, arranged neat and orderly, seeming endless.

Director Pan, who had just thanked General Manager Xia for saving his life yesterday, sent his nephew Pan Weiliang to help, insisting on running errands for General Manager Xia.

Director Pan had even bought two large flower baskets from his pocket, not even thinking about expense reimbursement!

The bank had also sent flower baskets, approved by Sheng Xuan.

“That nasty woman, like a weasel paying a New Year’s visit to chickens – she’s up to no good!”

Pan Weiliang grumbled.

How dare Sheng Xuan send flower baskets after blocking Qihang’s loan?

Though his uncle’s investigation was over, he’d aged years from the fright. Pan Weiliang wasn’t exactly a model citizen and wanted to have someone beat up Sheng Xuan, but his uncle stopped him.

Pan Yijun gave him a stern look, “Watch your mouth, boy. You can call her a weasel, but isn’t that insulting to General Manager Xia too?”

Many people had sent flower baskets, and now at 7:30, red ropes cordoned off the sales office entrance where many people were queuing, holding promotional newspapers or flyers, wanting to inquire about Golden Sand Pool.

They wanted to ask about housing prices.

They wanted to see the show apartments.

They wanted to ask about household registration quotas.

The crowd was bustling with activity.

But Xia Xiaolan herself wasn’t visible, though as the owner, she should have appeared early.

Where was Xia Xiaolan?

She had worked until past five in the morning, then returned to the hotel for a shower, dozed for less than an hour before getting up again, and had to act normal in front of her mother.

Liu Fen slept in another room and had no idea Xia Xiaolan had gone out last night, nor did she know about the dramatic conflict at the construction site. Min Xiaoju had heard the commotion, but since Xia Xiaolan told her not to mention it, she pretended not to know.

Tang Hongen certainly wouldn’t appear at the scene.

Xia Xiaolan suggested her mother and Tang Hongen tour the city, but Liu Fen wanted to see how the property sales were going.

After breakfast with her daughter, Xia Xiaolan wanted to inform Zhou Cheng about last night’s events. She waited until seven-thirty to call his workplace, and the receptionist said they would notify Zhou Cheng. After more than ten minutes, they called back to say they couldn’t find him.

With so many people at the academy, it wasn’t strange they couldn’t locate Zhou Cheng immediately. Rather than wait foolishly at the hotel, Xia Xiaolan prepared to leave with Liu Fen.

While Ge Jian handled matters at the scene, Li Dongliang would drive her and Liu Fen to Golden Sand Pool today. Min Xiaoju followed along, never leaving Liu Fen’s side whether the location was dangerous or not.

As soon as Xia Xiaolan stepped out of the hotel entrance, she spotted a familiar figure across the street.

Zhou Cheng was leaning against a car smoking, having waited for who knows how long.

In the rising morning sun, Zhou Cheng smiled at Xia Xiaolan.

She suddenly remembered how, before they were together, Zhou Cheng would wait on the necessary route to the county town, smoking cigarette after cigarette until the ground was littered with butts.

“You… why didn’t you say anything? Still pulling these surprises!”

Of course, the academy couldn’t find him – he was in Peng City!

He couldn’t have flown here, so he must have left very early.

“How could I not come? My wife enthusiastically painted me a grand picture, involving how to spend millions. I need to witness this with you.”

Zhou Cheng wasn’t just talking about how much money Golden Sand Pool would make.

Of course, Golden Sand Pool needed to be profitable, but its significance to Xia Xiaolan went beyond money.

His wife had accumulated capital from small ventures, and with the Golden Sand Pool project, she could finally compete on the same platform as certain people.

Golden Sand Pool held different meanings for Xia Xiaolan.

If he had to compare, it was like when Zhou Cheng had been promoted after being team leader for several years – a major career advancement. Xia Xiaolan would try to be present for such occasions.

One’s success and progress bring joy.

But a loved one’s success and progress bring both joy and pride!

They gazed at each other silently for a while before Zhou Cheng took Xia Xiaolan’s hand and greeted Liu Fen.

Liu Fen was also happy, “Child, you’ve taken leave from the academy again! You’ve been taking so much leave lately, don’t the academy leaders mind?”

“Don’t worry, Aunt Liu. This trip also involves handling some official business – it’s a normal work assignment, no impact at all.”

Li Dongliang drove Liu Fen and Min Xiaoju, while Xia Xiaolan naturally got into Zhou Cheng’s car.

There was no time for sweet talk – the priority was reporting last night’s incident.

Zhou Cheng’s expression remained unchanged, but his hands tightened on the steering wheel:

“He doesn’t know what’s good for him! I came this time planning to deal with Ke Yixiong anyway, and now he’s asking for trouble himself!”