The wheels rolled forward.
As the car passed an intersection, Li Qianfan, sitting in the passenger seat, couldn't resist pulling out his phone again and typing "Su Nanyin" into the search bar.
There were no search results.
The rumor that Su Nanyin was keeping a gigolo named Li could no longer be found online.
Photos from various chat groups had also disappeared.
However, many things, the more they were suppressed, the faster they spread in society.
And the wider the reach!
Even Empress Dowager Xiao, who never paid attention to her grandson's private life, had called yesterday afternoon.
She spoke at length, her words laden with meaning.
There was only one theme: "Reputation cannot be tarnished; stay away from Su Nanyin!"
Li Qianfan could have relationships he "had to" with Chu Yazhi, the mother of Lan Yunhai, Jiao Meibi, the mother of Bai Yujing, and even Sister Feng, the mother of Feng Hanyu, but he absolutely could not have any scandal with Su Nanyin.
Otherwise, he would be ostracized by the entire elite circle of the Eastern Continent's top families.
Yesterday, besides Yang Xiao, many others had called Li Qianfan.
Gao Lingwang of Tiandong, Chu Yazhi, and even Empress Lan had subtly inquired.
Mo Xie Auntie of the Gao family in the Northwest, Old Master Chu of Maya New City, Qin Zongheng representing the Qin family of Hong Kong, Aunt Rou from Australia, all called personally to inquire.
However.
There was no movement from the Li family of Emperor's Valley, nor from Lingnan.
Emperor's Valley maintaining absolute silence at this time was undoubtedly the wisest course of action.
Why was there no news from Lingnan, which represented Misty Township?
After Su Nanyin went north, rebuilt the Su family, and renamed Mao Mao, who was originally named Shen Zui, to Su Zui, they no longer considered Su Nanyin a Lingnan native.
Shen Chongchong and Du Yaoya also did not call Li Qianfan.
If they really called, what would they say to Li Qianfan?
It had to be said.
This move by the 11 noble families against Li Qianfan and Su Nanyin was truly malicious!
Even the furious Director Zhao could only watch helplessly as his original perfect plan was ruined.
Without exaggeration or understatement—
When Li Qianfan first saw this rumor, his first reaction was secret joy.
Because this rumor could help him logically distance himself from Su Nanyin.
Thus avoiding the possibility of being controlled by Su Nanyin, as Luo Huayin had predicted!
But after his initial secret delight, Li Qianfan began to analyze the pressure Su Nanyin was currently enduring from her perspective.
Her position as the deputy manager of Dark Blade would not last long!
This was secondary.
The key was—
No matter how Li Qianfan analyzed it, he felt that with Su Nanyin's proud and stubborn nature, she would eventually end her own life to resist this rumor!
Only by doing so could she make the people of the Eastern Continent's top noble families stop looking at her with prejudiced eyes!
"If she were like Sister Feng, she wouldn't have to suffer such slander."
As Li Qianfan's thoughts drifted to this, his phone rang.
Shen Yun, unable to hold back any longer, had called.
"Brother—"
She only softly called him "Brother" and then fell silent.
Seeing him take a call, Li Xiufang, who was driving, immediately slowed down and pulled the car to the side.
Li Qianfan didn't rush to speak to Chongchong; he just listened to her breathing.
The image of the porcelain doll, after being shattered by him, tearfully joyful, flashed in his mind.
Shen Chongchong was a porcelain doll.
Xiao Ningtang was a rag doll.
Porcelain dolls were fragile but enduring.
Rag dolls were fierce but novice.
After a full three minutes.
Li Qianfan finally said softly, "I told you, I am the sky of the Su family. With me here, no one can harm the four of you. Not the Dark Web, not the noble families!"
Without waiting for Chongchong to reply, Li Qianfan ended the call.
As he heard Chongchong's faint breathing, Li Qianfan truly felt her profound sadness.
At that moment, Li Qianfan made a sudden decision!
Chongchong couldn't be without her brother.
And even more so, she couldn't be without her mother!!
Upon hearing him say this, Li Xiufang, who was driving, visibly trembled.
Li Xiufang, who had always been by Li Qianfan's side, acted as if he didn't know about the rumor and never mentioned it.
Pretending ignorance—
This was also the intention of Li Family Village!
"Uncle Fang."
Li Qianfan spoke to Li Xiufang in the tone of villagers chatting, "Do you think what I just said was too impulsive?"
Li Xiufang hesitated before replying in a low voice, "Qianfan, Su Nanyin is not an ordinary woman. Or rather, besides the women of our Li family. You can provoke anyone else in the world. But Su Nanyin, you must keep your distance."
Su Nanyin—
In addition to the confirmed fact of Du Junlin settling in Li Family Village, there was also her status within the Eastern Continent's noble families!
Therefore.
Even though Li Family Village, after hearing the rumor and quickly concluding that "we know it's a rumor, but we can't break it, so we can only watch her die," had to acknowledge this cruel reality.
Li Xiufang's answer represented Li Family Village.
Li Qianfan smiled and changed the subject, "Uncle Fang, did you ever imagine that the 11 noble families would use rumors against me?"
Li Xiufang immediately shook his head, "Not just me; even the elders didn't expect it."
Li Qianfan asked, "Why didn't you expect it?"
Li Xiufang stammered.
Li Qianfan, his smile gone, rested his arm on the car window and looked out at the scenery, saying lightly, "That's because none of us are truly despicable and shameless individuals. Only true scoundrels can come up with a tactic like using Su Nanyin's special identity to spread rumors of scandal about me."
Li Xiufang nodded vigorously.
He strongly agreed with Li Qianfan's statement.
Li Qianfan then asked, "Do you believe that we will gain nothing from visiting the Miao family today?"
Li Xiufang answered without hesitation, "Impossible! The Miao family must pay a heavy price!"
Li Qianfan's eyes flashed, "Shall we make a bet?"
Li Xiufang asked, "Bet what?"
"If we go to the Miao family and gain nothing."
Li Qianfan said slowly, "Then Li Family Village cannot interfere with how I handle this matter. If we gain something, then I will let Su Nanyin die."
Screech!
Li Xiufang slammed on the brakes, shock flickering in his eyes.
Fortunately, he had slowed down and pulled over when Li Qianfan was on the phone.
The cars behind were the flag bearers of Li Family Village, who also braked urgently, thus avoiding a collision.
Li Xiufang sternly said, "Qianfan, how can you joke with your future?!"
Li Qianfan looked at him calmly and said nothing.
"Wait a moment, I'll make a call."
Li Xiufang waited for a long time, then got out of the car.
After more than ten minutes.
Li Xiufang got back into the car.
His expression was extremely complex.
As he started the car again, he said slowly, "This bet, I'll make it with you. And this bet, only the two of us will know."
"Mm."
Li Qianfan nodded and said, "Uncle Fang, you will lose."
Li Xiufang blurted out, "What power does the Miao family have to stop us from slaughtering them?"
"I don't know."
Li Qianfan shook his head, "But I am certain. They used rumors, an old and well-worn tactic, but one that is quite effective against Su Nanyin and me. Therefore, the Miao family can think of despicable tricks that neither you nor I can imagine to stop us."
"I can't think of any."
Li Xiufang gently turned the steering wheel, the car turning right, and said earnestly, "Qianfan, Su Nanyin is truly not as important as your future! If you disregard the rumors and appear by her side, it will confirm the scandal between you. You will not be able to establish yourself in the circle of noble families."
"Uncle Fang, may I ask who made my mother go into seclusion behind the scenes and single-handedly support Dark Blade to attract all the attention and danger?"
"May I ask who acted as my mother and went to the Dragon River to attract experts from the Western Continent?"
"May I ask who faced the patriarchs of the 13 noble families alone, leaked the video of the 26 young masters humiliating 22 internet celebrities, thus provoking their murderous intent?"
"May I ask who handled the aftermath for us after we attacked the Du family, the Xu family, and the Feng family?"
Li Qianfan asked four questions in succession.
Li Xiufang's mouth opened and closed, but he could not say anything.
"It was Su Nanyin."
Li Qianfan lit a cigarette and looked out the car window with a somewhat vacant expression, "For Dark Blade, for my mother, for me, she played the villain, capable of doing anything. So, when she is forced into a corner, should I give up my so-called reputation for her, be unrecognized by the noble circles, and even lose my position as Dragon Lord, what does it matter?"
Alas!
Li Xiufang sighed heavily.
Did he not know or understand what Li Qianfan was saying?!
But knowing and understanding was one thing.
Being able to abandon everything for her was another.
"Uncle Fang, the clear will clear itself, the turbid will muddy itself."
Li Qianfan's eyes suddenly became clear, "As long as I have a clear conscience, that is enough. Also! Only by using despicable means to deal with despicable enemies can we achieve the results we desire. Fighting wickedness with integrity will only lead to utter defeat!"
He raised his hand and extended it out of the car window.
Closing his eyes, he said, "I have decided, from now on, I will be a despicable person."
Alas!!
Li Xiufang sighed again, looking ahead, "We've arrived at the Miao family."
Li Qianfan retracted his hand.
"Today, I must kill at least a few members of the Miao family."
Li Xiufang said coldly, "Qianfan, if you lose, you are forbidden to care about Su Nanyin's life or death!"