Li Qianfan grumbled inwardly, thinking it wasn't an exaggeration to say he always met some vipers.
Bai Ziyan was a viper.
Jiao Yin was a viper.
Su Nanyin, perhaps?
And the one with rebellious bones.
Now another one appeared, and she was even carrying his child!
Anyone would have a headache, right?
However, he was more curious about how Jessica had seen through his identity.
But the moment he asked this question—
Li Qianfan suddenly realized and blurted out, "That night in Gaul, you took a DNA sample left on my clothes! And before that, you had already sent people to the East, collected all my household waste, extracted samples, and stored them in your gene bank."
"You do have some intelligence."
Jessica said calmly, "Respected matriarch of the Rhode clan, after an intimate encounter with a stranger, it's natural to collect their genetic sample. Little did I expect it to perfectly match the future master of Dragon Ruins. It seems I've hit the jackpot this time."
Li Qianfan gave a wry smile.
It was all because of his waistband.
No, it wasn't.
It was the original 209 inherited from Sister Wujiang that brought so much trouble to Li Qianfan!
Damn Sister Wujiang, always plotting against her son!
Next—
Jessica said in a casual tone, "Li Qianfan, return the cross to me. Although that cross is ancient and might fetch a good price at auction, it's not worth your while to be greedy for such a small sum. The cross was passed down by our ancestors and holds great significance for us. Since I became pregnant, I've often repented my foolishness before the cross. I also pray to the merciful Lord to bless my child with a safe birth."
Since the truth between them had been revealed,
Jessica certainly wouldn't let go of the opportunity to directly ask Li Qianfan for the cross.
She firmly believed that Li Qianfan had no idea about the secret of the tarnished cross.
She didn't even ask Li Qianfan if he had taken it.
Instead, she directly demanded it from him!
Li Qianfan replied, perplexed, "What cross?"
Jessica's heart sank.
But she still said calmly, "The cross we enshrine in the confessional on the top floor of the ancient castle."
"I haven't seen it."
Li Qianfan answered frankly, "When we fought our way up from the third floor as you instructed, many people fled to the top floor. However, just as we were about to break into the confessional, we saw many guards rushing in from all directions. We were worried we would be surrounded on the top floor if we didn't leave. Therefore, we didn't go into that room to kill anyone."
Lies.
Of course, he was lying.
He had already given the cross to Yaoyao to take back to China.
Why was he lying?
It was because Jessica's tone when asking for the cross was too casual and indifferent.
Especially since she mentioned the child!
After the Rhode family suffered such a disaster, the household staff who were running around in panic would surely seize this opportunity to steal some valuables, that was for sure.
In a way, these lost valuables should be blamed on Bai Du Niao.
So.
Why didn't Jessica demand the lost valuables, but only mentioned the most inconspicuous cross, instinctively using the child to try and move Li Qianfan?
There was only one answer—
That this cross, which Li Qianfan hadn't taken seriously and had only picked up as a souvenir, must have had an extremely important role for the Rhode family!
The key was, when Jessica asked for the cross, Li Qianfan suddenly remembered what the great elder of the Rhode family had said before he died!
The gist was, as long as Bai Du Niao let him go, he would give them a supreme treasure worth billions of pounds!!
"Could the treasure worth billions of pounds be this cross Jessica mentioned?"
Upon realizing this, Li Qianfan certainly wouldn't return the cross to Jessica.
At the very least, he had to figure out how important its value was and what benefits he could gain before deciding!
Jessica's voice suddenly rose significantly, "You really didn't take it?"
She didn't realize her tone had changed.
But Li Qianfan heard it clearly.
He immediately replied with a serious expression, "I swear on the character of my father and grandfather. I did not take anything from the Rhode ancient castle!"
Jessica fell silent.
She also believed that he really hadn't taken the cross.
After all, he had sworn on the character of his grandfather and father, hadn't he?
Since Li Qianfan hadn't taken it, it meant someone in the castle had stolen the cross amidst the chaos!
"Who would dare to steal the tarnished cross?"
Jessica frowned, quickly analyzing in her mind who might have taken the cross, when she heard Li Qianfan say, "Respected madam, considering our unusual relationship, can you help me rescue those trapped in the Blackwater Forest?"
Jessica laughed.
Her tone was scornful, "You're asking me to help you rescue those pigs and dogs trapped in the Blackwater Forest?"
"Yes."
Li Qianfan replied seriously, "The whole world knows that my Western expedition this time is to relieve the Blackwater Forest. But you must know that I'm not foolish enough to think I can contend with your high-tech killing weapons on the open, vast snowy plains."
Heh heh.
Jessica chuckled again.
Li Qianfan continued, "Frankly, my Western expedition this time is just a formality, like for those 66 people. I would never approach your outer defense zone. But if you can help me, I have a great chance of making this a real rescue and saving those people. That way, I will gain immense prestige in my country."
"You're quite honest."
"I'm an honest person—"
"I can help you."
Jessica interrupted him, "And I'll even inform them on the other side to put on a good show with you, so that after a bloody battle, you finally rescue those pigs and dogs."
"Really?"
Li Qianfan was overjoyed, "Oh, Jessica, my dear Jessica, you're too good. I swear, the next time we meet, I'll let you experience the joy of being a woman even more!"
Jessica chuckled lightly, "But you have to agree to a few conditions."
Li Qianfan was impatient, "As long as you can help me rescue those people, increase my prestige, and silence those who accuse me of being a coward! Let alone a few conditions, even dozens or hundreds of conditions, I will agree. Hurry, tell me your conditions."
Amidst Li Qianfan's repeated urging—
Jessica slowly stated three conditions.
These three conditions were exactly what the Rhode family demanded Zhao Tingshan to agree to at the negotiating table!
Li Qianfan's expression immediately turned grim.
He said coldly, "Jessica, you're playing with me."
"Heh heh, I already said your intelligence was quite high."
Jessica sneered, "Li Qianfan, do you really think that just because you can recklessly trample on me in private and make me pregnant, that this relationship can compare to the interests of the entire Rhode family?"
Li Qianfan fell silent.
"You are too naive. I am truly a little disappointed in you."
Jessica said in a dejected tone, "Remember. From now on, besides wanting to send me warmth, don't contact me."
Li Qianfan frowned—
"You are only fit for me to sing praises for you in the bedroom. That's all. Please remember."
Jessica coolly finished, and the call ended.
She meant what she said, and she thought what she said.
Li Qianfan's gloomy expression quickly returned to normal as the "beep" sound came from the phone.
After this forty-minute call, Li Qianfan could be considered to have a preliminary understanding of Jessica.
This woman was indeed remarkable!
Whether it was her intelligence or her methods.
Especially her change of mindset, which was top-tier in the world.
On the battlefield, she would show no mercy to Li Qianfan.
But in the bedroom, she could offer her delicate body as fertile land for Li Qianfan, the pioneer, to cultivate as he pleased.
"You've treated me like this, how could I possibly return the cross to you?"
Li Qianfan thought of the cross again, picked up his phone, and immediately called Du Yaoyao.
As he rushed back to Las Town at the fastest speed, he also instructed Yaoyao and Bai Ziyan to return to the East in haste.
Du Junlin wanted to come to Las Town.
But Li Qianfan unceremoniously refused!
If Du Junlin got involved, it would only disrupt Li Qianfan's plan.
After Bai Du Niao massacred the Rhode ancient castle, its mission was temporarily completed.
Seeing Li Qianfan's firm attitude, Du Junlin had no choice but to return home reluctantly.
Don't forget—
Du Junlin was being groomed as the future chief steward of Dark Blade and was promoted to Dark Blade!
As more Dark Web members were found after Jin Kui Ming defected,
This was a great opportunity for Du Junlin to personally lead a team to eliminate corruption and accumulate prestige.
The phone call connected.
Du Junlin replied directly, "I've just returned home, is something the matter?"
Oh.
Li Qianfan responded with an "oh" and then whispered, "That cross is very important. You must hide it well and absolutely do not let a third person know that we have it. Remember, including your mother."
Before he finished speaking—
Su Nanyin's gentle voice came through, "Brother, you actually treat your sister like an outsider. That's too heartless, isn't it?"