After I stopped trying, a rich woman trained me into a demon emperor.

Before this, Liu Jianguo picked up the red secure phone in front of everyone.

Speaking calmly into the microphone, this high-ranking official uttered three words that would determine the fate of a powerful family in the capital.

"Charge it as treason."

"Investigate thoroughly and freeze assets."

Anyone who obstructs will be dealt with on the spot.

After hanging up the phone, Liu Jianguo turned around, his back, which had been slightly hunched due to the corpse poison, straightened like a javelin.

That long-absent aura of authority from above, like mercury spilling onto the ground, enveloped the entire venue.

The officials and security personnel present broke out in a cold sweat, and their breathing unconsciously slowed down.

This is the essence of power.

A single word can determine life or death.

A single word can overturn a century-old prestigious family.

Although the Song family had the backing of high-ranking officials in the capital, their influence in Jiangnan Province was essentially over.

Liu Jianguo strode up to Zhou Ran without hesitation, clasped his hands together, and bowed deeply.

"Mr. Zhou, I am deeply grateful for your life-saving grace."

Liu Jianguo's voice revealed a sense of relief at surviving the ordeal and a deep sense of awe.

"From now on, in the Jiangnan region, seeing you is like seeing me."

"Anyone who dares to disrespect you, sir, is slapping Liu Jianguo in the face!"

Upon hearing this, the way those around him who had been speculating about Zhou Ran's identity looked at him completely changed.

Their expressions were a mixture of fear, awe, and bewilderment.

How could a high-ranking official in charge of a region perform the rites of a disciple?

Who exactly is this young man?!

This means that from this moment on, Zhou Ran is the undisputed uncrowned king of Jiangnan!

Faced with such reverence that could drive anyone mad, Zhou Ran remained calm and didn't even reach out to help.

He simply nodded slightly and accepted the greeting with composure.

He took all of this for granted.

Zhou Ran casually drew a talisman, flicked his finger, and demonic fire swirled around it.

The ashes, like stardust, dissolved into a glass of clear water beside it.

"Drink it, and remove the remaining roots."

Without the slightest hesitation, Liu Jianguo picked up the cup and drank it all in one gulp.

A warm current burst forth from his dantian, washing over his limbs and bones. The lingering, bone-chilling coldness completely dissipated, and a feeling of rebirth and comfort spread throughout his body.

"Thank you, sir!"

Liu Jianguo had a rosy complexion and was in high spirits, as if he had become ten years younger.

Zhou Ran waved his hand:

"The matter is settled, I'm leaving now."

"I'll send a car to take you!"

Liu Jianguo hurriedly said,

"There are several specially made bulletproof Red Flag trucks in the mansion..."

"No need."

Zhou Ran turned around and walked towards the door.

Chen Ya was already waiting there. She reached out and took his arm naturally, acting as if she were the mistress of the mansion.

Watching the two figures walking closely together from behind, old man Chen Guodong stroked his chin and couldn't help but smile:

"My daughter has such a sharp eye."

……

Half an hour later, on Jiangcheng Old Street, there was a hot dry noodles stall facing the street.

Steam billowed from the large iron pot, filling the air with the powerful aroma of sesame paste and chili oil.

The greasy little stools and the mottled folding tables were surrounded by workers who had just finished get off work and students looking for food.

Who would have thought that Zhou Ran, who was just moments ago deciding the fate of the governor-general's mansion with a single word, is now sitting right here?

"Boss, two bowls of hot dry noodles, extra sesame sauce, extra spicy!"

Zhou Ran called out skillfully, broke apart the disposable chopsticks, and tapped them on the corner of the table.

Chen Ya was sitting opposite him.

This wealthy woman, who usually spends money like water, was dressed in an exquisite haute couture suit. She should have been under a crystal chandelier, but instead, she was huddled casually by this simple little table.

She rested her chin on her hand, her captivating eyes fixed on Zhou Ran without blinking.

This man, just a moment ago he was high in the clouds, looking down on all living beings;

The next second, they can sit peacefully among the common people, savoring the simple pleasures of life.

This extreme contrast made Chen Ya's heart tremble more than any deliberate display of power.

"Sister Chen, the noodles are here. Don't just look at them, they won't fill you up."

Zhou Ran pushed a bowl of mixed noodles in front of her.

Chen Ya chuckled, picked up her chopsticks, elegantly lifted a noodle and put it in her mouth, her eyes sparkling with allure.

"Xiao Ran, I'm convinced now that the most successful investment I ever made was keeping you here in that shabby gym."

"Cough cough..."

Zhou Ran almost choked on a mouthful of chili oil.

Chen Ya pulled out a tissue, leaned forward, and gently wiped the sauce from his lips, whispering warm breath in his ear:

"Tonight, I heard from my dad that he's going to host a family banquet for you. Old Master Xiao couldn't sit still. He said that you've been living at the Xiao family home for a while now. It's ostensibly to celebrate your success, but actually..."

It's all for the sake of stealing a son-in-law.

"Stealing a son-in-law?"

Zhou Ran was taken aback.

"yes,"

Chen Ya smiled slyly.

"Right now, you're a hot commodity."

……

That evening, the Chen Family Manor was brightly lit.

The head seat at the long dining table is empty, awaiting the main character of the evening.

On the left is Chen Guodong, whose tough and ruthless aura cannot be concealed even in casual clothes.

To his right was Xiao Zhenguo, who had just recovered from a serious illness, but his hawk-like eyes were still sharp.

These two old men, whose mere stomp could shake the entire city, were now like fighting cocks, refusing to look at each other.

As soon as Zhou Ran entered the room, two burning gazes locked onto him simultaneously.

"Xiao Ran is here!"

"Quick, sit here with Uncle Chen!"

Chen Guodong was the first to make a move, pulling out the chair next to him.

"I still have a few bottles of specially supplied Maotai. Tonight, it's a night for us to drink until we drop!"

"Old Chen, your wine's practically turned into vinegar!"

Xiao Zhenguo, not to be outdone, tapped the table.

"Mr. Zhou, this way please!"

Hongli specially asked a Michelin-starred chef to make your favorite protein powder.

Zhou Ran: ......

Zhou Ran stood there, feeling as if the air on both sides was crackling.

I finally managed to sit down in the middle, but then something even worse happened.

On the left, Xiao Hongli was dressed in a red evening gown, exuding a cool, moonlit aura.

Right now, he was carefully peeling the king crab legs, picking out the snow-white crab meat bit by bit and putting it into Zhou Ran's bowl.

On the right, Chen Ya, dressed in a black lace cheongsam with a curvaceous figure, was holding a decanter, with half of her body almost pressed against Zhou Ran.

She poured him amber-colored red wine, her arm brushing against his arm intentionally or unintentionally.

"Zhou Ran, let's eat crab."

Xiao Hongli's voice brooked no argument.

"Xiao Ran, let's drink."

Chen Ya's voice was so sweet it melted your heart.

Their gazes collided in mid-air, sparks flying.

Zhou Ran was caught in the middle, with an iceberg on his left and a flame on his right. He could only bury his head in his rice and pretend he didn't exist.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the two old men finally dropped their pretenses.

Fueled by alcohol, Chen Guodong slammed his hand on the table, the sound booming like a bell.

"Old Xiao, let's not beat around the bush!"

I've taken a liking to Xiao Ran; she's destined to be the son-in-law of the Chen family!

"If anyone dares to lay a finger on him again, I'll send an entire army of artillery to bombard him!"

After saying that, he glared defiantly at Xiao Zhenguo.

The meaning is obvious:

I have a gun, what do you have?

"You shameless old bastard!"

Xiao Zhenguo immediately flew into a rage, slamming his fist on the table and standing up.

"Xiao Ran is clearly the son-in-law of the Xiao family!"

Hongli's dowry is all prepared. All Xiaoran needs to do is nod, and the entire Xiao Group will be under the Zhou family name tomorrow!

"So what if you have a few stinking bucks?"

"Being rich is all that matters!"

The two old men, whose combined age was over a hundred, were arguing so fiercely that their faces turned red, and it looked like they were about to have a real fight at any moment.

Finally, exhausted from arguing, the two turned their heads simultaneously, staring intently at Zhou Ran, and demanded in unison:

"Xiao Ran, what do you say?"

Whose son-in-law are you anyway?!

The ultimate, potentially fatal, question has arrived.

All eyes immediately turned to Zhou Ran.

He slowly put down his chopsticks and wiped his lips with a napkin.

Then, he calmly got up, picked up the wine bottle, filled Xiao Zhenguo's glass first, and then filled Chen Guodong's glass.

Finally, he picked up his glass, smiling with a mixture of helplessness and self-righteousness.

"We're all family, so let's not speak like strangers."

"Why bother making such a clear distinction?"

One sentence, and the entire room fell silent.

Chen Guodong and Xiao Zhenguo exchanged a glance.

The anger on his face gradually dissipated, replaced by a strange expression that seemed to say, "It's not entirely impossible."