Chapter 258: Wanted List

"Mom, you must not be rude to Ling anymore," Tang Shiyun said, looking resentfully at Yao Li inside the principal’s office, speaking discontentedly.

"Daughter, I’m doing this for your own good. I’m in my fifties, I’ve seen more of life than you have, and I understand exactly what kind of games Ling Chen is playing. As long as I’m here, he won’t take advantage of my daughter."

"Ling is definitely not that kind of person. You decided he was no good first, that’s why you’re biased against him. Mom, if you keep being like this, I’ll ignore you."

Yao Li said irritably, "You’re really going to be the death of me. Mr. Zhu, you have children too, tell me, am I right or not?"

"This..." Zhu Yansong hesitated for a moment, then said, "Miss Yao, from my understanding of Mr. Ling, he’s probably not the person you think he is."

Yao Li frowned and said sternly, "Now you’re starting to speak well of him too."

"I’m just telling the truth. Last time in Beijing, thanks to Mr. Ling’s help, Miss Tang was saved from a big trouble. I believe he genuinely has Miss Tang’s best interests at heart."

"He was only pretending to be helpful to win my daughter’s favor. Hmph, my daughter is going to be a big star in the future; having someone like him around will only tarnish her reputation. Listen to me, if you dare see him again, I’ll disown you," Yao Li finished and turned to Zhu Yansong, "And you, Mr. Zhu, don’t take it the wrong way, but if I find out you’ve arranged for them to meet secretly, or if you knew and didn’t tell me, I’ll immediately have my daughter cancel her contract with Silver Star Entertainment Company. Many companies are vying to sign my daughter now; I’m not worried about finding another."

"I’ll be mindful," Zhu Yansong nodded. As an employee of the company, he naturally had to think about the company’s interests; it seemed he would have to let Ling Chen down.

...

Outside East Sea University.

Just as Ling Chen and Su Lin stepped out of the campus gate, they saw over a dozen police officers setting up crime scene tape and conducting a cleanup.

At the same time, three police officers were walking towards them, probably planning to speak with Tang Shiyun to understand the specifics, since she was the potential victim targeted by the assailant.

Seeing the leading female officer, Ling Chen touched his nose, his face slightly embarrassed. This was indeed a bit awkward, bumping into her here.

Ling Chen saw Xia Mutong, and Xia Mutong saw him too. Originally expressionless, her face turned icy cold as flames seemed to flicker in her eyes at the sight of him. Before even approaching, Ling Chen could already feel her simmering rage.

As they were about to brush past each other, Ling Chen forced a smile and greeted proactively, "Officer Xia, hello."

"It was fine until I saw you," Xia Mutong responded coldly, "You better not show up in front of me again." After saying that, she quickened her pace and walked past Ling Chen.

Su Lin looked back at the departing Xia Mutong, curiously asking, "Ling Chen, do you have a feud with Officer Xia? She seems to really hate you."

"Don’t talk nonsense, she and I are on good terms," Ling Chen replied flippantly, then hurried to a car parked by the roadside, opened the door, and got in.

Checking the time, it was just three o’clock in the afternoon, still a while before Nanrong Wanqing finished work.

"I’ll take you home first. You haven’t fully recovered from your cold yet; better rest more."

"Okay." Sensing the care in Ling Chen’s voice, Su Lin responded softly.

After returning to Wealthy Manor, Ling Chen dropped Su Lin at her home, then drove back to the company.

Halfway there, he suddenly received a call from Hu Fei.

"Hello, Fatty, what’s up?"

"Are you free right now?"

"Yes."

"Remember the little restaurant where I treated you to boiled fish last time? I’m here waiting for you; hurry up and come over."

"Okay, I’ll be there in half an hour."

After hanging up the phone, Ling Chen immediately turned the car around and headed towards the restaurant.

Hu Fei wouldn’t say on the phone; it must be something important, so it was inconvenient to communicate that way.

In less than twenty minutes, Ling Chen arrived at the destination. He parked the car by the roadside and walked down the alley. After walking a few dozen meters, he came to a humble restaurant entrance. Perhaps because it was afternoon, the restaurant hadn’t opened for business yet.

Knock, knock, knock!

He knocked on the door, and the tightly closed door was immediately opened, revealing a face tinged with a yellowish-pale complexion and full of wrinkles.

"Boss Liu."

Ling Chen greeted with a smile. He had eaten here once before, having tried the boiled fish, and he remembered the restaurant owner vividly. It must be said, Boss Liu’s boiled fish was exceptional, delicious, and even better than what five-star chefs could make.

"Mr. Ling, please come in!"

Once inside the restaurant, Ling Chen headed straight to the private room. As soon as he entered, a strong fragrance of fish hit his nose, making one’s mouth water.

By the round table, Hu Fei sat alone in a corner, with his sleeves rolled up, eating a hot pot of boiled fish, sweating profusely, and the small private room was steaming hot.

"Tsk tsk! Fatty, you really know how to enjoy yourself."

Hu Fei chuckled and pointed to the chair opposite him. With a mouth full of hot fish, he said vaguely, "Come, sit and eat with me."

Although it wasn’t dinner time yet, Ling Chen couldn’t resist the tempting deliciousness of the boiled fish. Without being bashful, he opened a bottle of beer and started eating with a pair of chopsticks.

Soon, a serving of boiled fish was finished.

"Old Liu, another serving."

"That’s enough, just a treat to satisfy the craving."

Hu Fei glanced at him and said nonchalantly, "You better eat up; I’m afraid this might be your last meal."

"Hmm..." Ling Chen raised his head, put down the beer glass he was holding, "What do you mean by that?"

"Somebody wants to kill you."

"Who?"

"How would I know? Hey, tell me, how many people have you offended that they all want you dead?" As he spoke, Hu Fei took out his phone, logged into a website, pulled up a page, and handed it to Ling Chen, "You see for yourself."

"This is... a bounty?" Ling Chen looked at the page displaying his detailed information and exclaimed.

Hu Fei nodded, "This is a bounty list updated by the Secret Society’s dark web three hours ago. You did well; you shot up to first place."

"How much money?"

"Seven million US dollars." Hu Fei stretched out three fingers, "There are three clients who posted the bounty: one offers two million, one offers one million, and one offers four million. So, by killing you, one can claim all three rewards."

"Damn!" Ling Chen cursed in dissatisfaction, "They really look down on people; just seven million US dollars? My head is worth at least ten million."

"Give it a rest; you’re the only one who can enjoy such treatment. I really don’t know why you’re so hated. Remember, this is a bounty; for such a handsome reward, I estimate many assassins will be restless. As far as I know, several top-notch assassins have already entered the country. You better be careful; I don’t want to see you next time in a crematorium."

Ling Chen smirked slightly, casually pulled out a toothpick and put it in his mouth, unconcerned, "Don’t worry, I’ll definitely outlive you."