Chapter 107: The Villains' Gathering

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The two of them sat silently, exchanging no words.

In truth, no matter who it was, since the kidney belonged to oneself, the decision to donate it should rest with the individual. Yet Jiang Zao had long suspected that Lin Rui’s refusal to donate his kidney was never a simple matter.

Zhou Lichuan sighed and lowered his head, continuing to press on Jiang Zao’s calf. “Actually, I’ve been thinking—given Lin Rui’s character, he must have agreed to donate at the time. I remember before the college entrance exam, he was constantly exercising and eating lots of tonics to boost his blood and energy. Back then, I thought everyone had their own way to relieve exam stress. Now looking back, I fear he was just pretending to take care of his health, only to vanish suddenly after the exam, leaving your uncle’s family unable to find him.”

Jiang Zao’s spirit sank; she had thought the same.

“Zhou Lichuan… do you think there’s something wrong with me? I actually feel Lin Rui’s actions weren’t wrong. After all, your uncle’s family did toss him out like garbage back then. And now they want to…”

Seeing her expression, Zhou Lichuan reached out and gently stroked her hair. “If you think it’s not wrong, then it’s not wrong. Jiang Zao is always right.”

Suddenly, a surge of irritation rose in Jiang Zao. She pulled back her leg and kicked him hard.

“You old man with a love-struck brain, you stink! Get out.”

Zhou Lichuan was unperturbed. He pulled a blanket over Jiang Zao’s delicate feet and smiled as he leaned closer. “Let the old man give you a hug, then?”

Jiang Zao waved him off. “No, you stink.”

Helpless, Zhou Lichuan caught her hand and placed a gentle kiss on her palm.

“Alright, the stinky old man won’t disturb your rest. Don’t stay up late drawing tonight. Go to bed early—be good.”

Jiang Zao withdrew her hand and rubbed it furiously against the blanket, trying to erase the strange sensation. She turned over and ignored him.

Zhou Lichuan chuckled, stood up, and stepped out, closing the door behind him.

…

Changzhou.

Outside Lin Rui’s short-term rental.

Police from Jingzhou, having received news of Lin Rui’s whereabouts, joined forces with Changzhou police to surround the small rental unit.

A female officer, disguised as a property manager, knocked on the door repeatedly, but there was no response.

The officers stationed at the entrance exchanged glances and then kicked open the flimsy door.

As expected, the person they sought was no longer inside.

“Lin Rui has slipped away again.”

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An officer returned from checking the bedroom and balcony, looking frustrated.

“This guy is too cunning. We have his information, so why can’t we catch him?”

Another officer approached holding some documents. “This place was sublet through a middleman who never verified any IDs. Lin Rui used someone else’s ID to fool them. The sublessor had no idea.”

The police were left empty-handed, their faces darkening.

Jingzhou.

Daixi Farm on the outskirts of the city.

Zhou Kuan sat inside a pavilion by the farm’s edge, sipping the finest tea, though he had long lost the mood to savor its sweet fragrance.

Lin Rui, dressed in a casual hooded tracksuit and wearing a mask, took a seat beside him.

Zhou Kuan glanced at him once, maintaining a facade of calm as he continued drinking tea.

Lin Rui ignored Zhou Kuan’s deliberate coldness, removed his mask, set it aside, and poured himself a cup of tea.

“Vice President Zhou, I hope this New Year finds you well. You seem to have lost a bit of weight. I imagine life among your in-laws and old acquaintances hasn’t been easy.”

Zhou Kuan snorted coldly. “What exactly do you want from me? Your kidnapping of Jiang Zao and Meng Qiaoyuan isn’t over yet, and the police are hunting you everywhere. Coming to me now—are you trying to drag me down with you?”

Lin Rui flicked his finger inside his ear, then blew the dirt off it before saying, “So you still can’t beat Zhou Lichuan, and all you know is that much. If it weren’t for your status being somewhat useful, I wouldn’t bother dealing with you.”

Zhou Kuan remained unmoved.

He was never a genius; he had known from a young age that even though half his life had passed, he wasn’t some favored son of fate. He had enough self-awareness for that.

But he saw no need to share such thoughts with Lin Rui.

The spring sunlight was splendid, and the two men sat in the vast farm grounds, far from anyone else.

In this somewhat relaxed and secure atmosphere, Lin Rui gradually let his guard down.

“I need a safe place. Vice President Zhou, could you help?”

Zhou Kuan looked at him. “You made such a mess while I was away. After Zhou Lichuan was discharged from the hospital, he took drastic measures against me and my men. I’ve been stripped of all real power, just a figurehead left. And now you want me to cover for you?”

Lin Rui shrugged. “But you were the one who found me first, offering a fortune to make me betray Zhou Lichuan.”

Zhou Kuan’s gaze shifted elsewhere.

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Though he had been temporarily defeated, he had not truly given up.

Recently, he’d heard Zhou Lichuan had gathered information on eligible young women from many affluent families. He had even meddled somewhat.

Not for any other reason.

He simply couldn’t bear to see Zhou Lichuan comfortable.

The thought of his own son, scolded and disciplined by Zhou Lichuan before dying halfway, stabbed his heart repeatedly.

Finally, Zhou Kuan began to press, “If you’re so capable, why have the police chased you for months? Why can’t you escape now, yet you come back to me? What makes you so sure I’ll help you?”

Lin Rui calmly sipped his tea. “It’s not that I can’t run. I just realized that among those who can guarantee my safety, you, Vice President Zhou, are the most suitable.”

Zhou Kuan looked at him, his eyes full of schemes.

But he forgot that in the realm of cunning, scheming, and ruthlessness, he was far outmatched by the man before him.

Lin Rui wasted no further suspense and truthfully revealed his connection to the recent viral medical dispute online.

Zhou Kuan slammed his teacup heavily onto the table. “How dare you! Never mind that the Meng family is one of the top aristocratic clans, but to cause a death in public like this—how could you even plan such a thing!”

Lin Rui set down his cup, his voice low and steady. “Meng Qiaoyuan has sabotaged me time and again, even going undercover to cheat projects. Who does she think she is? Jiang Zao is close to her; if something happens to her, Jiang Zao will be heartbroken.”

No matter how unreasonable Zhou Kuan was, he had never wanted anyone dead.

Lin Rui was like a cold, venomous snake—chilling to the bone.

“I can’t help you. This matter is too big. I’m just a vice president of the Zhou Corporation. You should find someone else.”

Zhou Kuan put his hands in his pockets, preparing to end the meeting.

Lin Rui sneered. “Fine. But once I leave Daixi Farm today, the owner of this farm may not be so lucky.”

Zhou Kuan’s eyes sharpened instantly.

Daixi Farm had been a birthday gift to Zhou Jiayan when she was in kindergarten, given by the old chairman. From the start, it was her personal property.

All the cats and dogs she had rescued as a child, the owls and peacocks she saved, all had found temporary refuge on this farm. From purebred ponies to the three-legged stray cats scavenging by the roadside, any animal Zhou Jiayan cared for, regardless of origin, was well cared for here.