Chapter 249: Dad...

Chapter 249: Chapter 249: Dad...

There was a condescending air to Hua Qinyun’s words, yet it somehow didn’t feel offensive.

It was as if such words were perfectly natural coming from him.

However, while such talk might work on others, it only had the opposite effect on Jiang Fan.

"How about this? Take your dogs and scram. And promise you’ll never try to get your hands on this item again."

"If you do that, I can let this go. We’ll consider the matter closed."

Jiang Fan said this with utter sincerity.

If Hua Qinyun had started with threats and violence, Jiang Fan wouldn’t have hesitated to give him a face swollen like a pig’s.

"Friend, I know you youngsters are proud, but that pride needs to be backed by resources. You don’t have them, do you?"

"You may not understand how formidable the Hua Family is, but the person next to you can certainly tell you."

"If it weren’t for this item, our paths would never have crossed. You wouldn’t even be qualified to speak to me."

"It’s a harsh thing to say, but it’s the truth."

"Give me the item, and you can still have a bright future. I am determined to have this."

Standing to one side, Nalan Jia found it strange. ’Why is the great Third Young Master of the Hua Family being so reasonable all of a sudden? He almost sounds like he’s patiently trying to talk sense into him.’

If word of this got out, it would make jaws drop all over the city.

"Cut the crap. You’re determined to have it, and I’m determined not to give it to you. In the end, it’s just going to come down to you using your power to crush me."

"So just say it. What’s your move?"

Jiang Fan wasn’t fooled by his act.

"I tried to do this the easy way, but you insist on the hard way. Why won’t you just listen? Do you really want to make the entire orphanage suffer because of your stubbornness?"

"They’ve already been kicked out of school. If the orphanage itself gets shut down... they won’t even have a roof over their heads."

"I know you’ve set up a school, but so what? It can be shut down with a single word from me."

"That’s the power of the Hua Family. If you don’t believe me, want to test it out?"

Jiang Fan shook his head. ’This villain might be a little different, but he’s fundamentally the same as all the others.’

’It’s all the same: use your power to crush others and take what you want by force. "If I want it, it must be mine!"’

"Are you sure you won’t try to talk some sense into him?"

Hua Qinyun turned to Nalan Jia.

"I’d love to, but honestly, he can’t be persuaded."

"All I can say is that I won’t get involved. But if possible, I hope you’ll show some mercy, Third Young Master."

"He is my friend, after all. And the children at the orphanage are innocent."

Jiang Fan glanced at Nalan Jia, a little surprised. Given their relationship and Nalan Jia’s status, speaking up like this was already a remarkable gesture.

"I don’t want to either. But some people insist on doing things the hard way."

"What choice do I have?"

Hua Qinyun spread his hands helplessly.

"I have a question. That document, supposedly from the Department of Education... was that your handiwork?"

It suddenly dawned on Jiang Fan. ’The orphanage was probably targeted a long time ago.’

"I only mentioned it in passing. Perhaps my subordinates were a bit overzealous."

Jiang Fan’s expression grew cold. It was just as he had suspected.

’With Hua Qinyun’s status, there were plenty of people eager to curry favor with him, especially those trying to climb the ladder. A single casual remark from him, and countless people would rush to make it happen.’

"Alright. I’ve wasted more breath on you than I ever have on anyone. Since you’re unwilling to hand it over, I’ll just wait for you to come begging."

With that, Hua Qinyun took out his phone, sent a few messages, then turned and walked away without the slightest hesitation.

"Such an impressive display from the Hua Family’s Third Young Master, isn’t it?"

A clear, cold female voice rang out from the side.

Yin Ruxue opened a car door and stepped out gracefully.

Hua Qinyun rubbed his eyes, staring at the woman before him—a woman who could be called the dream girl of every man in their generation in Yang City.

A look of astonishment crossed his face.

"Yin Ruxue, what are you doing here? Don’t tell me the Yin Family wants a piece of this too?"

In that instant, a thousand thoughts raced through Hua Qinyun’s mind, but his expression remained unchanged, save for a flicker of suspicion in his eyes.

"We’re not as shameless as your Hua Family."

"Offering three million for something nearly two hundred years old, and acting as if you’re doing them some huge favor."

"Actually, I don’t think you need to bother buying it. Just go tell your family’s old patriarch what you’ve done. I’m afraid he’ll get so angry he’ll spring right back to life from his sickbed."

Lifting her chin, Yin Ruxue gave him a fleeting glance, her eyes filled with utter disdain.

"You’d better be clear on what you’re saying."

Hua Qinyun’s voice deepened.

"Is the director alright?"

But Yin Ruxue completely ignored him, walking over to Jiang Fan’s side to ask.

"She’s fine. I had Junyue take her to the backyard. But what are you doing here?"

Jiang Fan was puzzled.

"Someone leaked the news that the orphanage has a stalk of wild ginseng over two hundred years old. Now the Hua Family has their eyes on it and they’re making a move."

"When I got the news, I checked the address, saw it was here, and rushed over immediately."

After Yin Ruxue finished, Jiang Fan’s brow furrowed deeply.

"It was me. I was the one who had the news leaked. It was the only way I could think of to help you out of this situation."

"The Hua Family has made plenty of rivals over the years. If they want something, their rivals will definitely try to stop them from getting it. Which means they’ll move to protect you."

Nalan Jia, standing to the side, met Jiang Fan’s suspicious gaze and admitted it freely.

He truly didn’t have any selfish intentions; he just wanted to help Jiang Fan save the orphanage and hold onto this treasure.

After all, as long as Jiang Fan managed to keep it, his own promised slice wouldn’t be forgotten.

For his wife’s sake, he felt the risk was worth taking.

"It’s actually a good plan. A lot of families will make a move now that they’ve heard the news."

"Most importantly, this whole affair can’t see the light of day. If it were exposed, even a family like the Huas would be in deep trouble."

"However, they hold all the power out in the open... You’re... still in a dangerous position."

Yin Ruxue added.

"Then you..."

"I’m here on my own behalf. I just used the Yin Family name as a banner. But it’s fine. At the end of the day, I’m still the eldest granddaughter of the main Yin line."

A warmth spread through Jiang Fan’s chest. He’d never imagined Yin Ruxue would go this far for him.

’After all, if word of this got back to the Yin Family’s patriarch, she would be the one to face the consequences.’

"Yin Ruxue, are you really sticking your nose into this?"

"Let me tell you, the Hua Family..."

But before he could finish, he was interrupted: "That’s on you, not on the Hua Family!"