Ning Bing'an stood up, straightened his suit, and said calmly, "Fourth Uncle, I'll take my leave now. Thank you for telling me all this today. I'll be going now."
Fourth Uncle slowly sipped his porridge: "Take your time, come visit often."
After leaving his fourth uncle's shop, Ning Bing'an returned to his car.
The secretary, sitting in the passenger seat, hesitated before speaking: "Young Master, about Miss Seven's ex-husband... Foreigner Four said he was a member of the Flying Tigers... I heard that Miss Seven's ex-husband... is from the mainland..."
Ning Bing'an closed his eyes to rest, his slender fingers tapping lightly on the leather seat: "Even Daddy didn't tell me about this. Do you think your fourth uncle would know?"
The secretary choked, then said awkwardly, "That's true..."
Ning Bing'an said calmly, "Only core members of the Ning family would know about this. In my generation, probably only my eldest brother knows the truth, and even my eldest sister probably doesn't know the inside story."
The secretary paused for a moment, then realized what he meant: "If the young master wants to know, we can start our investigation with the Flying Tigers..."
Ning Bing'an listened and remained silent for a moment before letting out a light laugh: "Go ahead and try it. I also want to see just how good the Ning family is at covering their mouths."
Ning Bing'an returned to the villa in Repulse Bay. As soon as he went upstairs and entered the house, he suddenly remembered something and instructed his secretary, "Bring me the new cookbook from France."
The secretary nodded: "Yes."
Ning Bing'an unbuttoned his shirt, preparing to change, when there was a knock at the door. Thinking it was his secretary, he left his shirt unbuttoned and went straight to open the door.
Ning Yuan was standing at the door.
Ning Yuan's gaze swept over his chest and abdomen; the firm muscles exuded a unique masculine strength and gleamed with a healthy sheen under the light.
She squinted slightly: "Good evening, Brother Bing'an."
Ning Bing'an calmly buttoned up his clothes, his tone indifferent: "Why are you here, little sister? Aren't you a married woman? It's not appropriate for you to stare at a man's body like that."
"I was just curious..." Ning Yuan withdrew her gaze and walked into his room.
She sat down on the sofa: "Where did Brother Bing'an get such a trained physique when he was attacked by assassins at the venue that day, reacting slowly and so scared that he couldn't get up from the ground?"
Ning Bing'an paused: "Little sister doesn't seem to have any training, how did she know I've trained?"
Ning Yuan narrowed her eyes and smiled coolly: "I haven't trained, but I've never seen a pig run, and I've eaten pork. I'm familiar with the bodies of men who are trained."
Ning Bing'an's eyes were dark as he calmly said, "All the men in the Ning family need to train and learn some skills so that they won't be unable to protect themselves in times of crisis."
"Oh? Is that so?" Ning Yuan smiled suspiciously. "But that day at the venue, Bing'an's reaction... was just like he hadn't practiced at all. It's very strange."
Ning Bing'an: "Well, it's probably because I'm timid and I've never been kidnapped like my older brothers. I guess I've just wasted my time training."
He picked up the teapot on the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a slow sip, seemingly unconcerned about Ning Yuan's probing.
Ning Yuan stared at him, then suddenly smiled slowly: "Brother Bing'an, it's quite interesting how you play the game of tai chi with such a detached and indifferent attitude."
Ning Bing'an calmly put down his teacup, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger: "Little sister came to my room specifically for this, surely not just to discuss whether I have any skills or not? If there's anything you want to say, just say it."
"Of course not." Ning Yuan chuckled, but her tone suddenly turned cold. "I came here hoping that Brother Bing'an can keep your precious second sister, Ning Manfei, in check."
Ning Bing'an's previously calm eyes finally showed a slight ripple, but his tone remained unreadable: "What's wrong with Manfei?"
"I don't know what grudges or conflicts you two siblings have, and I don't want to get involved," Ning Yuan said coldly.
“But she’s been picking on me ever since I returned to the Ning family. This matter is definitely related to you, Brother Bing’an, isn’t it? I couldn’t be bothered with those little squabbles before, but this time is different.”
Ning Bing'an's face darkened for the first time in front of her: "Little sister, you are the youngest, but you are also a married adult. You should be more careful with your words."
Ning Yuan curled her lips slightly, her tone sarcastic: "Brother Bing'an, instead of arguing about my tone, you should think about this: if Ning Manfei ruins my business at the spring auction, I will hold you accountable for it."
Ning Bing'an asked indifferently, "Oh? What can little sister do to me? Don't forget, you're even more marginalized in the family than I am. If it weren't for the pretense of a marriage alliance, why would the old master and my father give you any special consideration?"
Ning Yuan smiled noncommittally: "Brother Bing'an, didn't you go to Fourth Uncle's to inquire about things today? Remember to ask him next time how I climbed up from a sent-down youth in the mainland to where I am now, including..."
She paused for a moment: "How did you get to know Uncle Si, the top underground broker in Hong Kong, who's known as Ghost Fourth?"
He narrowed his eyes, looking Ning Yuan up and down, his gaze somewhat cold: "You... went to Fourth Uncle's place too?"
Did Fourth Uncle tell Ning Yuan about his inquiries?
A moment of silence fell over the room, and the atmosphere became tense.
A glint flashed in Ning Yuan's eyes, and she gave a cool smile, but did not directly answer Ning Bing'an's question.
Her tone carried a hint of provocation and mockery: "It can't be that only Brother Bing'an can find out about me, but I can't find out about Brother Bing'an?"
She stood up and patted Ning Bing'an on the shoulder, her dark eyes curving into crescents: "I'll leave Second Sister to Brother Bing'an. I don't want any trouble at the auction."
After saying that, Ning Yuan turned and left the room.
The moment she stepped out the door, the smile on her face vanished, replaced by a chilling aura.
Ah Heng had been waiting outside the door. When Ning Yuan came out, he immediately went up to her and asked in a low voice, "How did it go? Did you get anything out of her?"
Ning Yuan sneered: "Fourth Uncle and Ning Bing'an actually know each other, and their relationship is even deeper than I imagined."
In fact, she never went to her fourth uncle's place.
Ning Yuan gave a slight smile: "I had my mom's people keep an eye on Fourth Uncle's shop. Ning Bing'an was personally welcomed in by Fourth Uncle, with such an intimate gesture. I didn't get that kind of treatment."
The fact that Ning Bing'an appeared at his fourth uncle's place at this critical juncture speaks volumes.
“I guessed that Fourth Uncle wouldn’t tell me about Ning Bing’an asking about me, so I tried to trick him, and I didn’t expect to actually get it.” Ning Yuan’s tone was tinged with sarcasm.
Fourth Uncle, like Ninth Uncle, was once a hall master under Du Yuesheng, a big boss of the Shanghai Green Gang.
Now that he's gone to Hong Kong to launder his money and become a middleman, he's someone who trusts no one.
How did she end up getting involved with the "gentle and refined" third young master of the Ning family's eldest branch, and even becoming so intimate with him?
"I need to ask Mommy to check again!" Ning Yuan said thoughtfully.
The auction is about to begin, and she absolutely must do her best to ensure that nothing goes wrong. This is a crucial deal that she has been planning with the Hong Kong government.
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