"Oh? It seems Young Master Ning isn't entirely out of the loop. We've found out that Cha Meiling has been in Shenzhen for some time now," Rong Zhaonan said calmly.
Ning Bingyu was slightly taken aback, but quickly regained his composure, his tone tinged with self-mockery—
“It was my carelessness. My people have been keeping an eye on the sanatorium. I let my guard down recently. I didn’t expect her to be able to put on an act like this and find a stand-in.”
"It seems that Young Master Ning's ex-fiancée is no pushover either. Do you know where she is now?" Rong Zhaonan raised his eyebrows slightly.
Ning Bingyu shook his head and downed his wine glass in one gulp, his tone tinged with self-deprecation and helplessness: "Where else can we go besides my mother's place in Hangzhou? She now thinks that Cha Meiling is innocently dragged into the power struggle between the Cha and Ning families."
Rong Zhaonan pondered for a moment, then stared sharply at Ning Bingyu: "Based on your judgment, would Cha Meiling collude with Cha Shenlou?"
Ning Bingyu paused for a moment, then said calmly—
"Would that old fox Cha Shenlou truly care for his daughter? No, in his eyes, Cha Meiling is nothing more than a pawn, a pawn that can be used to form a marriage alliance with the Ning family and to gain benefits through deception."
He paused, a complex look flashing in his eyes: "Cha Meiling wants the Cha family's wealth and status, while Cha Shenlou wants to use her to control the Ning family. The relationship between them has never been one of filial piety and parental love, but rather a naked exchange of interests. That's why my mother feels sorry for her."
He paused for a moment: "This incident at Cha Shenlou may not be a bad opportunity for Cha Meiling to rise to power."
"But don't worry, I won't let Cha Meiling cause trouble in front of my mother." Ning Bingyu's voice was calm, but carried a hint of chill that was hard to detect.
“If Cha Meiling wants to use my mother, we’ll have to see if she has the ability.”
Rong Zhaonan suddenly asked, "I remember that most of the Cha family's assets ended up in your hands?"
Ning Bingyu lazily crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow slightly: "That's right. I had his stocks targeted and his cash flow cut off. Over the years, Cha Shenlou's investments have been too aggressive and have repeatedly failed. He's mostly been relying on the Ning family to bleed him dry. I can't just leave the Cha family's businesses untouched after he blew up my docks and my goods."
Then he shouldn't be called Ning Bingyu anymore, he should just be called Shuiyu!
“But… what if we want you to return the Cha family’s assets to Cha Meiling?” Rong Zhaonan raised his phoenix eyes and looked at Ning Bingyu calmly.
Ning Bingyu was also a very intelligent person, and he immediately understood Rong Zhaonan's implication. He raised an eyebrow slightly: "You want me to give the Cha family's assets to Cha Meiling, using her and the Cha family's assets as bait?"
Rong Zhaonan remained noncommittal, simply exhaling a puff of smoke, his gaze deep and unfathomable: "Cha Shenlou is now a stray dog. What do you think he lacks most?"
Ning Bingyu paused slightly, then, as if realizing something, a playful smile appeared on his lips: "What Anan means is... money?"
Rong Zhaonan chuckled softly. But there was no warmth in his voice. "No matter how powerful the forces behind Cha Shenlou are, they can't provide him with unlimited funding. Escape requires money; revenge requires even more money."
Ning Bingyu instantly understood his meaning. He tapped his long fingers lightly on the table and said slowly, "Cha Shenlou's eldest son is dead, and his youngest son is still studying. The only one who can truly be of use is Cha Meiling."
Ning Bingyu instantly understood what he meant.
Although Cha Shenlou escaped, he lost everything in the Hong Kong government, and even his most beloved eldest son was implicated.
He is now like a trapped beast, forced into a corner. To turn the tide, he must seize every available resource.
"You mean..." Ning Bingyu narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone revealing a hint of understanding, "that Cha Shenlou will definitely try to contact Cha Meiling?"
“Cha Shenlou is not a man of great loyalty or righteousness. He only cares about his own interests. Cha Meiling holds the remaining assets of the Cha family, and in his eyes, that is his capital to make a comeback.” Rong Zhaonan said indifferently.
Ning Bingyu raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible sarcasm: "That's right, someone like Cha Shenlou would definitely think that it's his thing as his father, and Cha Meiling has to return it to him."
Ning Bingyu had to admit that Rong Zhaonan's move was indeed quite underhanded.
Cha Shenlou will definitely set his sights on Cha Meiling. At that point, all they need to do is wait and see.
“Okay, we’ll do it your way,” Ning Bingyu nodded. “I’ll have people keep a close eye on Cha Meiling and make sure Cha Shenlou has no chance to take advantage of her.”
Rong Zhaonan nodded slightly, got up and walked to the window, looking down at the city night view with a deep and cold gaze.
“There must be something fishy going on within the Hong Kong government and police forces regarding Cha Shenlou’s escape this time,” his voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet room. “I need you to help me find out who is helping him behind the scenes.”
"Don't worry." Ning Bingyu readily agreed, his glasses reflecting a cold light as he smiled, "I'd also like to see who has the audacity to take my money and then let the person get away!"
This is not something a lowly police officer driving a car could accomplish.
"If this deal goes through the same thing as last time, I think the Ning family's plans to expand into the mainland market will be greatly affected," Rong Zhaonan said calmly.
As night deepened, the atmosphere in the room grew increasingly heavy due to the conversation between the two men.
However, a preliminary action plan has been finalized.
Ning Bingyu watched as Rong Zhaonan was about to continue flipping through their previous goods list when, as if suddenly remembering something, a playful smile appeared on his lips: "Oh right, I almost forgot to tell you, Seventh Sister's paperwork will be completed next month."
Rong Zhaonan didn't even lift his eyelids, as if he had no interest in the topic at all.
Ning Bingyu didn't care about his coldness and continued, "My mother has already made arrangements to hold a grand family reunion ball for her at the Morning Light Christmas Auction in December. All the celebrities in Hong Kong will be there, which will be a formal introduction for her into high society."
He paused, then looked at Rong Zhaonan meaningfully: "So? Want to come along?"
When Rong Zhaonan went to the Hong Kong government last time, he concealed his identity and entered the government as a mercenary bodyguard he had hired. Doesn't he want to stand openly by Ning Yuan's side this time?
Rong Zhaonan was silent for a moment, a complex emotion flashing in his deep eyes, but he finally shook his head: "No, I'm very busy lately, please take good care of her yourself."
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