At eleven in the evening, Ning Ran finally met Jiang Zhe who was wearing a pair of gold-framed glasses.
“You’ve suffered greatly, Ms. Ding.” Jiang Zhe took off his glasses and looked at the woman. The fact that he was here instead of Nan Chen said a lot. Though Ning Ran wanted to meet the latter, she knew it was a bad idea.
Poker Face’s not stupid. He won’t ever meet a celebrity who’s currently arrested under the accusation of doing drugs. Nonetheless, I’m glad that he sent someone to me, and it’s not just a random person. It’s Jiang Zhe himself. If Nan Chen didn’t send him, I might think he had actually given up on me. But it seems like I can let go of my worries now.
Even though Jiang Zhe was only an assistant, his position in Nanshi Corporation was considered high. Most importantly, he was the person Nan Chen trusted the most. Because of this, Ning Ran had regained her hope.
Although it was nighttime, a cop was still guarding them. Even if there weren’t, Ning Ran believed that someone would surely eavesdrop on their conversation.
“Care to tell me why I’m still here?” asked Ning Ran coldly.
“You got yourself involved in drugs and violated the law. This is a serious crime. You won’t be able to get out of this just because you say so. You of all people should know better,” replied Jiang Zhe flatly.
“I’m being framed!” Ning Ran defended herself loudly.
“It’s not up to us to decide that. It’s up to the judges. All you have to do right now is to cooperate with the cops and the judges. Also, you should watch what you’re saying unless you can bear the consequences.”
“What do you mean by that? Did I say anything?”
“If you didn’t then let’s keep it that way. It’s the smartest move for now.”
“Why isn’t Nan Chen here?”
“Mr. Chen has no time to meet with an irrelevant person.”
“I’m an irrelevant person?”
“Are you not?” Jiang Zhe snickered.
“Fine, I get it. How are my children?”
“They’re fine. You don’t need to worry about them.”
“I want to meet them.”
“No. It’s inappropriate for them to meet you right now. You’ll affect them,” Jiang Zhe instantly refused the idea.
“But they’re my children.”
“They were. From now on, it would be best if you break off your relations with them. It’s for their own good.”
Though she knew Jiang Zhe said this on purpose, it still stung her heart.
She suddenly realized that everything about her was being controlled, and she was helpless to do anything about that.
No. I have to be strong.
Even though Jiang Zhe was only acting, he worried that he was being too harsh when he saw the sorrowful look on Ning Ran. However, he could do nothing about it.
“Tell Nan Chen to take care of my kids. It’s not like he’s the only one I can rely on. I have my own friends too so I’ll be fine. Flower City doesn’t revolve around him. There’s also Bei Chen, Dong Chen, and Huang Chen here. He always thinks that everything is under his control, but he’ll soon realize that it’s not,” Ning Ran sneered.
Jiang Zhe did not respond but he was paying attention to her, trying to memorize her every word. Because when she talked, she had blinked faster than usual.
“Sure. Please look after yourself, Ms. Ding. Remember. Be careful of what you say,” Jiang Zhe reminded.
Ning Ran simply replied with a scoff before Jiang Zhe took his leave.
With that, Ning Ran heaved a sigh. I wonder if he gets what I’m trying to say.
After leaving the police station, Jiang Zhe returned to the car.
He sat at the front passenger seat because Nan Chen was sitting at the back, trying to keep a low profile.
“How is she?” questioned Nan Chen.
“She looks a bit pale, but other than that, she’s fine.”
“She didn’t break down?”
“No. there’s no sign of that. I’m just worried that I’ve hurt her when I spoke to her the way you wanted me to,” Jiang Zhe stated his concerns.
“She’s not that weak,” was Nan Chen’s reply.
“But we can’t be too sure of that now that she’s in jail. She will become discouraged and vulnerable in such situations. That’s human nature.”
Nan Chen furrowed his brows. “Do you understand her better than I do?”
“Of course not! You know her best!” Jiang Zhe replied as cold sweat started to bead on his forehead.
“Did she leave any messages?” Nan Chen asked in a cold tone.
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
“I think someone is forcing her to say that you don’t have to care about her anymore and that you’re not the only one she can rely on. Also, she said that this city not only has Nan Chen, but also has Bei Chen, Dong Chen, and Huang Chen.”
“Huang Chen?”
“Yeah. I also get the feeling that this is the most important message. When she was ranting about how they were other Chen’s in the city, logically speaking, she should’ve ended it with Xi Chen but she said Huang Chen instead.”
“Which means a person named Huang is going to take her away or keep her safe. But in return, she has to testify against a co-conspirator,” Nan Chen presumed.
“That’s what I think so too.” Jiang Zhe nodded.
“But something’s not quite right. He must not be an ordinary person if he can ensure her safety. Unless he’s stupid, I don’t see why he would tell her his surname,” uttered Nan Chen with a frown.
“Ms. Ding is a smart woman. She must’ve fished out his surname from other people.”
“You seem to trust her a lot.” Nan Chen scrutinized his assistant coldly.
“Not her, It’s just that I trust you and your judgement.”
“Then who do you have in mind this Huang person is?”
“The Commissioner’s surname is Zheng, and among the few Deputy Commissioners, only one is named Huang.”
Jiang Zhe had already checked this matter before he met Ning Ran.
“Is it easy to search about him?”
“I think only Qiao Zhan can do that. But I’m worried that it’ll also be difficult for him to do so. The Huang guy is a powerful figure.”
“You’re underestimating Qiao Zhan too much. He wouldn’t have worked for the Nan family if he didn’t have to repay his debt. Hacking into this kind of system is child’s play to him. You just have to be a bit polite to him if you want his help,” Nan Chen explained.
“That’s great then.”
Despite what Jiang Zhe had said, he was still concerned. Qiao Zhan is an idiot. Is he even capable of doing such a huge task?
Nan Chen knew what the other man truly felt about this. But he did not care about it since he knew Jiang Zhe and Qiao Zhan had always looked down upon each other.
