Chapter Forty-One: The Truth Revealed!

Lan Corporation.

“Xu Wei, what is so important that you insisted on speaking to me in person?”

At the entrance of the company.

Lan Ruoxue hurried over, anxiety written on her face as she inquired.

Ever since the incident with Wang Jiaolong, she had become exceptionally sensitive.

Before the divorce, her work and life had been fulfilling and peaceful.

But after the divorce, she found herself constantly unsettled.

“President Lan, please, don’t get agitated when you hear this,” Xu Wei said with a worried frown.

This only made Lan Ruoxue’s heart clench tighter. “Hurry and tell me, don’t keep me guessing.”

“It’s just…”

“I just received word that Wang Jiaolong is dead.”

“What?”

Lan Ruoxue’s body trembled, and she nearly lost her footing.

Xu Wei quickly supported her, concern in her voice, “President Lan, are you alright?”

“Xu Wei, how could this happen? How did Wang Jiaolong die? What exactly happened?”

Lan Ruoxue grabbed her arm, pressing for answers.

Xu Wei sighed, biting her lip. “He was murdered not long after you left Jiaolong Corporation.”

“I don’t know exactly who did it.”

“But Wang Dazhai, Wang Jiaolong’s father, has gone mad with grief. He’s issued a citywide bounty, at one point raising the reward to five million.”

“He’s mobilized the whole city to hunt down his son’s killer—the whole city is in an uproar!”

Lan Ruoxue sat down heavily, sinking into contemplation before suddenly frowning, “Who could have killed Wang Jiaolong?”

“Could it have been Ye Wushang?”

She remembered—when they’d discussed dealing with Wang Jiaolong, Ye Wushang had casually asked how she could be sure it was Sun Chuan’s doing.

Given his confident manner and the changes in him lately, it was hard not to suspect.

“How could that useless man have done it!” Xu Wei sneered, “Wang Jiaolong isn’t someone the average person could kill.”

“The reason I avoided Young Master Sun and sought you out, was to tell you that I’m sure it was Young Master Sun who did it.”

“He killed Wang Jiaolong for your sake! If Wang Dazhai finds out, he’ll never let the Sun family or Lan Corporation off the hook!”

It made sense.

Ye Wushang might have some skills, but Jiaolong Corporation was a powerful and wealthy family—an ordinary man couldn’t even get close.

Only Sun Chuan had the means and opportunity.

So, perhaps he had the skills but was waiting for the right moment, and Ye Wushang simply seized the chance before him.

“It seems I misjudged him…”

For some reason, Lan Ruoxue felt a pang of guilt for her earlier coldness toward Sun Chuan.

What was happening to her? Lately, she’d been acting impulsively, so unlike her usual self.

“President Lan, forgive me for speaking out of turn,” Xu Wei continued. “Young Master Sun truly cares for you. He helped you secure the An family agency and even killed Wang Jiaolong for you. I think you two are a perfect match—why not, while Young Master Long and Miss Ruoshuang are getting engaged, you and he…”

“Enough!”

Lan Ruoxue cut her off sharply, standing tall.

She drew a deep breath and said solemnly, “My private affairs are none of your concern. Focus on your own work.”

“Killing Wang Jiaolong was a serious matter, but as long as we keep quiet, no one will connect it to Chuan.”

“As for him, I know how to handle our relationship. Leave it be.”

As she finished, a sudden thought struck her, and she instructed, “Xu Wei, call Ruoshuang right now and have her go to Binjiang Street.”

“Binjiang Street?” Xu Wei frowned, puzzled. “Isn’t that where that useless man’s workshop is? Why go there at this hour…”

“To clear out the inventory and return the workshop to Wushang.”

Sun Chuan had sacrificed a lot for her.

Though she still harbored some resistance toward him, this time, his act of killing Wang Jiaolong had moved her, and she decided to give him a chance.

Perhaps, it wouldn’t hurt to try getting closer.

If she wanted a new beginning, she had to cut ties with the past.

After all, if Ye Wushang hadn’t stepped forward back then, she might not be alive now.

She wanted to resolve the workshop’s affairs quickly—as a gesture of gratitude.

Even if he threw her out or spoke harshly to her.

He might be immature, but she had to be the bigger person.

…

“Lanlan, you really don’t need to give me a ride. I could have taken a taxi to the workshop,” Ye Wushang said gratefully as he sat in the car, watching An Lan drive.

After chatting with his sister just now, he’d tucked her in for the night.

He hadn’t told An Lan about the items his father had left behind—only that he needed to return to the workshop.

An Lan hadn’t asked a single question and insisted on driving him, refusing to take no for an answer.

Unable to refuse her kindness, Ye Wushang relented.

“We’re dating, aren’t we? What’s wrong with giving you a ride?” An Lan smiled gently, and when she saw he was about to protest, she quickly changed the subject. “Let’s talk business. I just spoke with my grandfather on the phone.”

“When he heard I’d just survived an assassination attempt, he was very worried. After I pressed him, he told me the gist of it.”

Ye Wushang’s eyes narrowed. “What did Grandpa An say?”

“He said the feud between our two families has lasted for nearly fifty years.”

“It began with fighting over market stalls before either family was wealthy, and continued with resource competition after both rose to prominence—there’s always been constant friction.”

“This time, the competition over the medicinal cuisine recipe was the final spark that broke the peace.”

She slowed the car, speaking softly.

“That recipe has been passed down for a hundred years. It’s the Sun family’s treasured heirloom—they’re both a financial magnate and the current rotating president of the family guild.”

“Competition among the powerful families is fierce, so they need to cultivate allies among the various clans. My family and the Pei family are essentially the Sun family’s right- and left-hand supporters.”

“This contest is actually a test from the Sun family. Whoever can perfect the medicinal cuisine and make it most appealing to the public will win their favor.”

“The final showdown will be held in three days at Michelin Restaurant, which is owned by the Sun family.”

“After much effort, my family has found a master skilled in both culinary arts and traditional medicine, but the Pei family hasn’t succeeded yet.”

“I think that’s why they were so desperate to act against me.”

With that, she took out her phone, found a photo, and handed it to Ye Wushang. “Wushang, this is the incomplete recipe.”

“This competition isn’t just about taste and popularity—the missing ingredients must also be filled in.”

“My grandfather just sent me this photo. He was afraid I wouldn’t believe him, or that I’d be angry.”

“You may not be a chef, but you’re a master of traditional medicine. Take a look—any thoughts?”

Ye Wushang took the phone and studied it carefully.

It was indeed a medicinal cuisine recipe—and an excellent one at that.

Its brilliance lay in its balance: neither the extravagance of the rich nor the crudeness of the common table.

From his perspective, even without seeing the full recipe, he could tell the finished dish would be a true delicacy.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, as he read the last two ingredients, Ye Wushang’s expression changed.

“What is it, Wushang? Did you notice a problem?” An Lan braked abruptly.

Ye Wushang steadied himself and shook his head. “Nothing. It’s just a remarkable recipe—no wonder it’s the Sun family’s ancestral treasure.”

But inside, he was anything but calm.

The final two herbs were centipede grass and riverflow water.

Both were rare and highly nourishing—treasures among ingredients.

But when combined, they could be refined into a new medicine: Springheart Bud.

This was the fourth of the five ingredients he needed.

He hadn’t expected to find it in this recipe.

Invaluable—priceless.

“Lanlan, has your family found all the herbs listed in this recipe?” Ye Wushang asked, struggling to contain his excitement.

An Lan restarted the car and replied casually, “I’m not sure. My uncle—Hailong’s father—is in charge of that.”

“Right now, everyone’s just worried about the missing ingredients. I suppose what’s already listed isn’t a problem. Why do you ask?”

Ye Wushang relaxed and shook his head. “No reason—just curious.”

He had a plan now.

If he could help the An family complete the recipe, not only would they defeat the Pei family and end the assassination attempts, but he could also reasonably request the two key ingredients.

“Lanlan, what are your plans next?” he asked.

An Lan had already thought it through. “With you as my bodyguard, I’m not afraid of any more attacks from the Pei family.”

“Once we defeat them in three days, it’ll be our turn to settle scores.”

“But right now, the agency authorization must be completed. I plan to hold a new appreciation banquet in the next couple of days and select the final candidate directly from today’s bidders.”

She turned to look at Ye Wushang. “Wushang, your ex-wife’s company is among them.”

“I want to hear your thoughts on who should be chosen.”