Rong Zhaonan chuckled, his long, slender fingers rhythmically tapping the sofa armrest, his tone cold and tinged with mockery.
"Don't make it sound like you have a lot of feelings for Cha Meiling. You just think she was raised to be the matriarch of the Ning family and is very favored by Madam Ning the Second."
“Cha Meiling has been nurtured by the resources of both your families since she was a child. It would be too costly to train another qualified matriarch of the Ning family now, and you simply cannot allow your future wife to have any blemishes.”
Ning Bingyu raised an eyebrow and smiled, a hint of nonchalant charm in his eyes and brows, his expression calm and composed.
“Every circle has its own way of doing things. I won’t criticize you, and Anan doesn’t need to criticize me either. You and I are gentlemen, and gentlemen agree to disagree.”
Rong Zhaonan looked at Ning Bingyu and said in a cold tone, "A hypocrite is still a gentleman."
“I don’t know how you siblings get along, but I know Ning Yuan.” Rong Zhaonan looked out the window at the night, his usually cold profile showing a hint of tenderness.
"She doesn't easily open her heart to people. She only gives her heart to those who are genuinely good to her. If she gets hurt, she immediately withdraws her heart and hides in her shell like a snail, wishing she could never have anything to do with the other person again."
He paused, his deep eyes looking at Ning Bingyu: "I've decided that we're not on the same page as this person. If we have to deal with her, she won't have a shred of sincerity. What begins with self-interest will end with self-interest."
Ning Bingyu paused for a moment, looked at Rong Zhaonan, and after a while said indifferently, "You two are indeed husband and wife, you understand each other quite well."
He clasped his hands together, his tone unreadable, and changed the subject: "When are you going to take Cha Meiling back?"
“Of course, as soon as possible, but I need to take the clues about Cha Shenlou back with me,” Rong Zhaonan said coldly.
He stood up, walked to the French windows, and looked down at the garden. His tone was calm, yet carried a subtle chill.
“The foreign forces that Cha Shenlou is colluding with may have already infiltrated the mainland. I suspect that their target this time is the Ning family’s shipping route.”
Ning Bingyu also stood up and walked to his side. The two stood side by side, like old friends of many years, yet there was an invisible barrier between them.
He frowned slightly: "Do you have a reliable source?"
"Most likely." Rong Zhaonan turned around, a cold glint flashing in his deep eyes—
"The 'guest' will strengthen internal security, but you need to be prepared. It's not just that Cha Shenlou is capable of anything for revenge and profit; there are also deeper foreign forces behind him that are even more troublesome. Don't repeat the mistakes of last time."
"I understand." Ning Bingyu's expression turned serious; he knew this matter was of utmost importance.
He is not only fighting against Cha Shenlou, but also against certain special forces.
"Be careful." Rong Zhaonan patted his shoulder and turned to walk out.
As he passed Ning Bingyu, his handsome face remained expressionless. He said calmly, "Regarding Cha Meiling's matter, you'd better pray that she'll cooperate, otherwise..."
Ning Bingyu looked out the window and smiled coldly: "Cha Meiling has nothing to do with me anymore. You don't need to worry about me. Let's handle this as a business."
Rong Zhaonan paused for a moment, then said calmly, "For the next few days, my people will be staying at the Hong Kong government as security personnel you hired. You need to prepare a place for us to stay nearby, otherwise it won't be good if they scare the flowers and plants in your villa."
Ning Bingyu coughed lightly: "Anan is joking. The old man instructed us long ago to make sure to take good care of our relatives. You can stay in the annex building on the right. It has just been expanded and is not officially open for use yet. I will have someone arrange it for you."
“Okay.” Rong Zhaonan glanced at him indifferently.
Ning Bingyu poured himself a cup of tea and smiled gently: "Is there anything else you need? Would you like to take a walk around the Hong Kong government building? I can have someone act as your guide."
“No need.” Rong Zhaonan coldly rejected Ning Bingyu’s suggestion. “We’re not going anywhere. We’ll be on standby to check on Shenlou’s whereabouts.”
He paused, then added, "All we need is food, water, a change of clothes, and weapons."
After saying that, he ignored Ning Bingyu and left the study.
Ning Bingyu stood alone, looking out the window, his brows furrowed as he pondered his business.
It seems the original cargo route is no longer viable; otherwise, the goods might be seized by another country before they even leave port, or, without official intervention, the other party might resort to local criminal gangs to seize their goods—that's standard practice.
...
After explaining the things that needed to be noted, Rong Zhaonan turned and went downstairs.
He walked to the corner of the stairs and was about to take a step when he was met with a pair of scrutinizing eyes.
Ning Bing'an was wearing a light gray, long, soft Chinese-style cashmere sweater, which made him look even more gentle and refined.
"Who are you?" Ning Bing'an frowned slightly, his tone wary. "Don't you know bodyguards aren't allowed to enter the main residence without permission?"
Rong Zhaonan stopped and looked down at Ning Bing'an, a cold smile curving his lips.
"We are British security experts invited back by Young Master Ning. We will be here in the next few days to reinforce the security system of this old house in Repulse Bay and ensure that nothing goes wrong."
As he spoke, he took a step forward, extended his hand to Ning Bing'an, and said in a polite but distant tone, "Hello, young master Bing'an, we'll be meeting frequently these days. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Ning Bing'an looked at him suspiciously. Security experts? They looked more like a group of mercenaries, and all of them looked fierce and menacing. They didn't look like British gentlemen at all.
He has never liked physical contact with people, especially this man in front of him, who gives him an indescribable sense of oppression, as if he is covered in blood.
But since the other party had already extended their hand, he couldn't refuse, so he could only reluctantly extend his own hand and reply with a curt "Mm."
However, the moment their hands clasped, Ning Bing'an's expression changed drastically. A piercing pain shot through his wrists, as if his bones were about to be crushed.
"Ah!" He couldn't help but groan, and a layer of cold sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.
"Let go! Let go now!" Ning Bing'an gritted his teeth and squeezed out a few words with difficulty.
Rong Zhaonan curled his lips into a smile, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.
He released his grip, and Ning Bing'an's wrist immediately fell limply down, like a puppet with its strings cut.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know Young Master Bing'an was so fragile," Rong Zhaonan said casually. "I accidentally dislocated your shoulder."
“You…” Ning Bing’an’s face was pale, and the pain made it almost impossible for him to speak.
"Bing'an, what's wrong?" Just then, Ning Manfei came in from outside.
Seeing this, she turned pale and rushed over, glaring angrily at Rong Zhaonan: "Who are you? How dare you lay a hand on Bing'an! Someone! Call a doctor!"
Rong Zhaonan released his grip, and Ning Bing'an's wrist hung limply, his face pale and covered in cold sweat.
“No need for that trouble.” Rong Zhaonan said indifferently. He grabbed Ning Bing’an’s wrist again and, under Ning Manfei’s horrified gaze, twisted it forcefully.
With a "crack," accompanied by Ning Bing'an's painful groan, his dislocated wrist was put back in place.
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