Chapter 130: The Shans Arrive In Shanghai
Shanghai Airport was bustling with activity as Shan Zitong, accompanied by his parents, Shan Renzhong and Niu Yunzhi, disembarked from the plane. The family wore somber expressions, not anticipating the upcoming event.
Madame Shan attempted to lighten the mood. "Look at the bright side, guys. This is the last mission."
"I know, but do you trust this person?" Zitong voiced his concern.
Master Shan weighed in, "As much as I don’t trust them, I believe they’ll keep their word. This mission feels personal, unlike the others she’s requested."
Madame Shan sighed, trying to mask her unease. "Let’s all put on these fake smiles and get this over with, okay?"
Zitong and his parents settled into a car heading for their booked hotel, each lost in their thoughts.
Once settled in the suite, Shan Zitong’s phone chimed, and he answered with a casual "Hello." Gu Liang’s voice came through on the other end, "You’re here."
"Yes, my parents and I just reached the hotel," Zitong replied.
"I was hoping I could see you," Gu Liang confessed.
"Babe, don’t worry; tomorrow is our day," Zitong reassured.
"Do you think your parents will like me?" Gu Liang inquired, a hint of nervousness in her voice.
"I know they will like you. Don’t worry," Zitong assured her.
"I’m just nervous; I’ve never met them and will meet them for the first time tomorrow," Gu Liang confessed.
"Can we talk tomorrow? I’m a bit tired," Zitong requested.
Understanding his exhaustion, Gu Liang said, "Okay, call or send a text before you sleep."
"You know I can’t sleep without saying goodnight to you," Zitong admitted. Gu Liang giggled and replied, "Okay, then talk later." Zitong hung up, letting out a frustrated sigh.
Madame Shan, sensing the conversation about Shan Zitong’s personal life, asked, "Was that her?"
Shan Zitong nodded, "Yes, it’s her. She’s actually an interesting woman."
Madame Shan raised an eyebrow, teasing, "Don’t tell me..."
Quickly cutting her off, Zitong clarified, "No, Mom, I haven’t."
Master Shan chimed in, "At least you know never to mix business with pleasure."
"I know, Dad, don’t worry," Zitong assured.
Master Shan, perhaps more serious, said, "I hope all of this has taught you a lesson to be careful about who you offend, son."
Zitong responded, "You know I’m not like that, Dad."
Madame Shan added, "You have never disappointed us, son. We just don’t want you to make the mistakes we did."
"I would never," Zitong reassured them. The Shan family freshened up, had dinner, and went to bed, preparing for the challenging day ahead.
In their room, Madame Shan meticulously went through her skincare routine while Master Shan sat at the corner of the bed, engrossed in researching the Gu family. Master Shan pondered, "They haven’t done anything major. I wonder what they did to attract that person’s attention."
Madame Shan chimed in, "You know how Rumeng is. You can never know with that woman."
Master Shan agreed, "You’re right. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she sees both of us tomorrow."
Madame Shan wondered, "Do you think that person will come?"
"If she does, the show will be more fun," Master Shan remarked.
The couple shared a laugh, and Madame Shan mused, "If that person comes, Rumeng will surely look for a hole to bury herself."
Master Shan affirmed, "She deserves every bit of it. She ran away, and we were the only ones left with the debt that we’ve been paying for 20 years."
Suddenly, Master Shan’s phone rang, and he picked up with a hesitant "Hello." On the other end, Madame Gu’s voice came through, saying, "I will give you 10 million." Master Shan put the phone on speaker for his wife to hear and responded, "Only 10 million, Rumeng? What will your daughter say if she found out you chased away the man she loves for 10 million yuan?"
Madame Gu persisted, "You need more. I can make a plan and give you more, and this whole thing can be canceled." Master Shan chuckled and replied, "You may not value your daughter’s happiness, but we value our son’s. Since Shan Zitong is set on marrying your daughter, we won’t even try to change his mind."
Madame Gu, growing anxious, asked, "What exactly do you want? We both know that there is more to this than you are saying." Master Shan calmly responded, "You’re thinking too much, Rumeng. It must be fate that put us in this position. We are about to be in-laws. Don’t worry; we will treat your daughter very well." Madame Gu, frustrated, proposed, "20 million, then." Master Shan concluded, "I see you have a lot of money to give, but it doesn’t work like that, Rumeng. We’ll see you tomorrow night." He then hung up the phone.
Madame Shan clicked her tongue in disdain, her frustration palpable. "The nerve of that woman, trying to chase us away with money," she exclaimed. Master Shan, with a knowing look, concurred, "She’s shaking in her boots right now. She knows the secrets we have on her would bury her whole." Madame Shan’s eyes flashed with intensity. "We’ve allowed her to live freely for far too long, hubby. This mission is not just personal for that person but for us as well." Master Shan, with a firm resolve, nodded, "And that’s why we will complete it smoothly."
The couple continued to discuss their strategies, emotions running high as they delved into the complexities of the mission. As the night wore on, their shared determination brought them closer, reinforcing their commitment to see the task through. With a final exchange of whispered words, they settled into bed, united in purpose and resolve.
In his room, Shan Zitong stared out of the window, the city lights of Shanghai casting a mesmerizing glow. The hum of the bustling streets below seemed to synchronize with the restlessness in his mind. Lighting a cigarette, he took a drag, the subtle bitterness of the tobacco offering a fleeting distraction.
The occasional puff of smoke mingled with the cool night air as he pondered the intricacies of the situation. The city, with its endless activity, provided a backdrop to his contemplation.
The minutes ticked away, and as the night unfolded, Shan Zitong found solace in the quiet contemplation by the window.
