After returning to the house, the three members of the Ma family washed up and went to sleep.

But unexpectedly, there was more to the story.

“Yan Yan didn’t come home last night. I called the police and checked the security camera footage. She got on a bus with three other women on it. I suspect that Yan Yan was threatened,” a man in his thirties speculated.

"Juntao, are you sure?"

"Mom, my intuition is usually right, and the video has been handed over to the police. I believe there will be results today." The man's face was grim.

The police also received the video, looked at the car and its license plate, and fell silent.

"Captain, the license plate number is... 4848... We can't handle this; we need to call in a special operations team," a young man said, watching the video.

"Do you even need to tell me? Can't I see that?"

Young man: "……………………"

If you can tell, then say something!

So, the video was circulated in the forum community.

Zhang Xiaomo made a scramble, but the figures of the three women behind him held him captive for a few seconds.

I paused, zoomed in, went to HD, cut out the background, and locked it. Isn't that my aunt and the others?

The address is in Jiangcheng. Could something big be about to happen in Jiangcheng?

Thinking that he was still secretly observing the Snake Mother incident in western Hunan, otherwise he would have left long ago.

Then, looking at Pan Ting on the monitor, whose legs had degenerated into a snake's tail, he was completely bewildered. But that wasn't the worst of it; the worst was Wu Xiaosui.

Looking at the next monitor, Wu Xiaosui was surrounded by countless small snakes, and she was now like a sow about to give birth, constantly producing baby snakes.

Zhang Xiaomo got goosebumps just looking at it. He really wanted to quit his job; he was having nightmares every night.

Around noon, the three of them ate sunflower seeds and prepared to watch TV.

It has to be said that Shangguan Wenyan is really sensible; she even installed the TV. But it's no use; she only has Zhongguo in her heart.

Shangguan Wenyan: "…………………………"

The three of them rarely browsed forums. Ma Linghua only watched videos of Grandpa Xingxing practicing Tai Chi, Ma Hehua only watched videos of beauty bloggers and fashion bloggers, and Ma Lihua used her Genius Watch to play Snake and Tetris after class, spending her spare time playing a few rounds.

So the three of them lived a very carefree life.

Another day is almost over. Tomorrow is the Lunar New Year, and the Ma family will have an even better year ahead.

"Brother Shangguan, we're out of apples."

"Wait, I'll get it for you."

Shangguan Wenyan walked into the kitchen, took a knife, and quickly peeled an apple. He placed the prepared apple on a platter, arranged it neatly, and then took it out.

Before he could even blink, the apple was gone.

He went back and forth several times until the three members of the Ma family went to their rooms to sleep, and only then did he return to his room.

"I have to go to the mountains to shed my skin tomorrow." Shangguan Wenyan looked at the black scales on his hands, which were faintly visible, and felt itchy all over his back, making him feel uncomfortable.

Once every ten years, tomorrow will be the tenth anniversary.

The wind was blowing at night, and the snow in Kyoto was falling heavily. Li Fagu's courtyard was a traditional courtyard house, a birthday gift from his grandfather when he was a child.

Wang Ma was amazed. Only wealthy families could afford to live here! You probably wouldn't dare stay here unless you had a fortune of at least a hundred million.

Li Zhongguo also returned to the house he hadn't been back to for decades, the Prince's Mansion.

He stared blankly at every blade of grass and the familiar pond, accompanied by his guards.

"Old Li, please be careful. We are truly grateful for the Prince's Mansion you contributed. We never expected to meet you in our lifetime. It is an honor for us juniors!" An old man in his sixties said to Li Zhongguo incessantly.

"Alright, alright, I just wanted to come and take a look, that's all. People get nostalgic when they get old, I won't be staying long." Li Zhongguo said, and walked away.

The past is gone and can never be returned to. Money and wealth are just external things. Back then, for the sake of the country, he gave up his wealth and honor, left his hometown, and ignored his parents' objections.

He thought that having studied abroad and attended countless schools, he could surely be of help, but in the end, he was no match for a gun on the battlefield. He found it funny when he said it.

Everyone around him was protecting him. Li Zhongguo was a veteran and a leader, and his position in the capital was unshakeable.

Ma Linghua: "???"

Who knew! The old man had kept it well hidden!

"It's Chinese New Year, so everyone doesn't need to wish me a happy new year. Don't disturb my peaceful life, you know what I mean."

With that, Li Zhongguo drove off in his old car, leaving the bodyguard dumbfounded. He had no choice but to protect him secretly, just like in previous years.

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he saw Fa Gui soaking his feet. He thought for a moment and asked, "Fa Gui! Did He Hua call you?"

“Hey! No, Dad, you know we go back to Black Wind Village for the New Year every year, why would we need to call? With Pear Blossom here treating her illness, Mom and Lotus are probably worried! They might not even call back today.” Li Fagui said with certainty.

"Alright! I'll call your mother later to wish her a Happy New Year and make her happy." After saying that, Li Zhongguo went inside.

After Li Fagui saw him go inside, he immediately called Hehua, but no one answered after it rang for a long time. It seemed that something had happened to them.

At this moment, Ma Hehua's phone was charging, and she was watching Shangguan Wenyan chop ribs and marinate meat.

After Ma Lihua took a medicinal bath, she saw her grandmother and mother eating non-stop, not helping at all.

"Clap clap clap!"

Just then, the door rang.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!