Zhan Yichen understood Zhang Xinyi's intentions perfectly. He had no desire to engage in a drawn-out conversation with a young girl. He stood up and pulled her aside. "Just tell me what you want. Since you're her sister, and she's not here, I will naturally take care of her family on her behalf."
As he expected, Zhang Xinyi seized upon his words and immediately stated her demands.
"It's like this," she began. "I'm graduating soon, but I have no funds for my university tuition and living expenses. My parents are working hard just to pay off debts. If they can't scrape together my tuition by the time school starts, I'll definitely be expelled. And my phone is old too. When I go to university, my classmates will laugh at me for using such a shabby phone."
She rambled on, her core desire being money. She deliberately mentioned her parents' debt-ridden labor, likely knowing that her words alone could end their current zero-income situation.
Zhan Yichen's initial intention was to prevent the family from constantly bothering Mu Linjing. Now that Mu Linjing was gone, this was no longer necessary.
He took a card from his wallet. "This card contains enough money for all your educational expenses. As for your parents, tell them they don't need to work at the shop anymore starting tomorrow. I have no problem giving you this money, but I have one condition."
Looking at the card in his hand, Zhang Xinyi nodded repeatedly. "Okay, okay, brother-in-law, just tell me. We'll do whatever you ask."
"When you go back, you are not allowed to depend on your aunt's family for everything, as you have before. If they call me and say you're still acting the same way, then this kind of life you have now will never end."
"I understand. I'll tell my parents immediately."
Seeing the money, Zhang Xinyi's eyes saw nothing else. Naturally, her sole focus was obtaining the card, and she agreed to anything Zhan Yichen said.
Zhan Yichen released his grip and placed the card into her palm. "Take the money and leave. Today's occasion is not suitable for your presence, and there's no need for you to do anything for your sister."
Zhang Xinyi had completely forgotten the emotional pleas she had made earlier. She clutched the card and left the Zhan residence. However, Zhan Yichen's indifference led her to believe that this method of asking for money was both easy and lucrative.
For a family with vampiric tendencies, this was undoubtedly a new host. As long as Zhan Yichen still harbored feelings for Mu Linjing, their credit card would never be maxed out.
Seeing the family leave, Wei Yumeng asked Zhan Yichen who they were. Upon learning they were Mu Linjing's "vampire" relatives, Wei Yumeng advised him against indulging them, warning that they would become a permanent burden.
However, Zhan Yichen's feelings had begun to extend to those connected to Mu Linjing. If he couldn't be good to Mu Linjing, he would at least take care of everyone related to her. Besides, there would come a time when this family would eventually repay their debts and return to their hometown, at which point they would undoubtedly start draining Mu Linjing's parents.
His actions were aimed at satiating the family once and for all, saving Mu Linjing's parents a great deal of trouble.
Learning his intentions, Wei Yumeng no longer tried to dissuade him. However, she still planned to inform Aunt Mu, so that Zhan Yichen's efforts would not be a silent act of charity. For a proud scion like him to show such consideration for Mu Linjing's family was the best proof of his sincerity.
Even though Aunt Mu had apologized, what was an apology worth in the act of tearing a couple apart?
What she wanted was for Uncle Mu and Aunt Mu to eventually let go of their grievances, to stop dwelling on the mistakes of someone long dead, and to cease their apprehension towards the Zhan family.
Their opposition had placed pressure on Mu Linjing, and was one of the significant reasons for her sudden departure.
To help Mu Linjing release the pressure and return, she needed to alleviate it. Persuading both sets of parents was something she could do for the couple.
Wen Yulan's funeral was not a grand affair, and she was buried the next day. Looking at his mother's photo on the tombstone, Zhan Yichen gently caressed it. "Mom, don't worry. I won't let you rest here in vain. I will get revenge for you."
When he went to the Ji mansion to save Mu Linjing that day, he had injured Mu Bai's leg from outside the window. When they left with the Mu family of three, Mu Bai was only severely injured and unconscious. He likely wouldn't be in mortal danger. However, blood debts must be repaid with blood. In this conspiracy, Wen Yulan paid with her life, and Mu Bai should pay an equivalent price.
An equivalent price meant life itself.
Now that Wen Yulan's funeral arrangements were complete, dealing with the Ji family, who were a tumor that needed to be uprooted, should also be put on the agenda. The longer this cancer remained, the greater the harm it would inflict.
If it weren't for Jiang Siyu sacrificing herself to embrace the four of them, four more people would have been annihilated in the explosion in country Y.
Speaking of Jiang Siyu, they had all been unconscious due to the explosion. When they woke up, the scene had already been cleared. Jiang Siyu had directly crashed into the vehicle carrying the bomb, and along with the driver, was reduced to only fragmented remains in the explosion.
The cleanup crew collected their remaining bodies and placed them in the incinerator. Now, they were truly without remains. They had no way to mourn her except to erect a cenotaph in her name.
Indeed, since the person was dead, all rituals were merely to satisfy the wishes of the living. The only thing they could do was ensure Jiang Siyu's sacrifice was not in vain.
Their best approach to dealing with the Ji family was to lure them back to the mainland. This would help eliminate their overseas influence and strike a decisive blow, leaving the Ji family with no chance of recovery.
Zhan Mohan re-investigated the detailed information of the Zhan family and discovered that not all of them had relocated overseas. Ji Tong's father, Ji Qun, remained in the country and was a key figure in their arms and drug smuggling route.
This information was newly provided to Zhan Mohan by Fang Xun. He examined Ji Qun's file. "Where did you get this information? If the details you've provided are accurate, then this Ji Qun will be the key to bringing down the Ji family. Once we have evidence of their smuggling, no one involved, whether domestic or foreign, will escape."
Fang Xun replied, "Mr. Zhan, the person who provided me with this information is someone you also know. He is waiting outside right now."
Hearing this, Zhan Mohan's curiosity was piqued. "Then bring him to my office."