Jiang Lan's words plunged the atmosphere into an icy silence.
Everyone was stunned.
Xu Qin had thought of all sorts of excuses, but never that Jiang Lan would say something like this.
Yes.
In fact, Lu Ming had always informed them of the dangers in advance. If they had obediently followed Lu Ming's advice every time, they wouldn't have suffered any hardship.
Yet, everyone hadn't believed Lu Ming's words.
The only exception was Jiang Lan.
It was precisely because of Jiang Lan's unconditional trust in Lu Ming that she had avoided one pitfall after another.
This answer left Xu Qin speechless.
"Cough, cough." Xu Qin coughed awkwardly, raising an eyebrow. "That makes it even stranger. You tell me, how could Lu Ming, a mere grave keeper, know so much inside information? And look at his attitude towards Jiang Zhiheng, it's quite ambiguous!"
Changing the subject.
Xu Qin said coldly, "Do you think Lu Ming might be a spy sent by the enemy into our Jiang family?"
At this, everyone gasped.
It wasn't impossible!
Jiang Xueyi analyzed, "He first uses small favors to win us over, then when we're off guard, he seizes the opportunity to usurp the Jiang family's assets!"
The group analyzed with conviction.
The more they analyzed, the more reasonable it seemed.
Xu Qin said, "Jiang Zhiheng clearly had the chance to kill Lu Ming, but he didn't, even after firing four shots. Isn't that strange? Also, Lu Ming being so noble as to sacrifice himself to repay the Jiang family's debt, he's too much of a saint, isn't he? I think he's overdoing the act."
Jiang Xueyi nodded repeatedly. "Makes sense. As soon as things were over, Lu Ming was carried away. Perhaps that was also a ruse, just to lull us into a false sense of security! The current Lu Ming is likely plotting somewhere to steal the Jiang family's secrets!"
Listening to their analysis, Jiang Lan was utterly speechless.
How could there be such shameless people in the world?
"Lu Ming saved your lives, and this is how you repay him?" Jiang Lan was completely exasperated. "If Lu Ming really wanted to harm the Jiang family, he wouldn't have intervened today. He could have just let you all be killed, couldn't he?"
At this moment.
Jiang Mengxin shook her head. "No, no, no. If the Jiang family had been wiped out today, their assets would have been usurped by Cheng Hai, not fallen into Lu Ming's hands."
Xu Qin suddenly understood. "Oh, I see. Lu Ming and Cheng Hai both want to usurp the Jiang family! Lu Ming wasn't helping us today; he was merely stopping Cheng Hai from taking over the Jiang family. This is called... a double-cross!"
Jiang Lan was so angry she wanted to curse.
She looked at Jiang Mengxin and said, "Sister, you still don't trust Lu Ming? He saved your life today!"
Jiang Mengxin said, "I am very grateful to him. To repay his life-saving grace, I have decided to uphold the engagement set by Grandfather and let him continue to be my fiancé. But honestly, there are still many mysteries surrounding Lu Ming. One must guard against others. After the lesson with Cheng Hai, I can't be naive and trust people blindly anymore. I need to be more cautious."
"That's right," Xu Qin said. "Lu Ming saved the Jiang family this time. Regardless of his motives, we must repay his kindness. Your restoring the engagement is considered compensation for him. But one must always guard against others. You can maintain the engagement, but absolutely do not get married! Once you get married, Lu Ming will be an official son-in-law of the Jiang family, and then he can openly destroy the Jiang family and seize the assets!"
Jiang Lan retorted angrily, "You are completely judging a noble person by ignoble standards!"
Jiang Mengxin said, "Xiao Lan, you are still too young and easily deceived. It's not harmful for us to secretly guard against Lu Ming. When we are certain that Lu Ming has no ill intentions, I can marry him and make him official then. It's not too late."
Jiang Lan shook her head as she listened.
"I don't want to talk to you anymore. Your hearts are too dirty!" Jiang Lan cursed and turned to leave the house.
The others stared blankly at Jiang Lan's retreating back.
Jiang Mengxin sighed. "Xiao Lan has grown up, has her own opinions, and no longer listens to us."
Xu Qin coughed and reminded them, "From now on, we not only have to guard against Lu Ming, but also against Xiao Lan! Even if this daughter isn't a spy, she's already been brainwashed by Lu Ming and can't distinguish right from wrong. Lu Ming is likely to use her as a breakthrough to crush our Jiang family!"
Jiang Xueyi and Jiang Mengxin nodded in unison.
Makes sense.
A moment later.
Jiang Xueyi raised another question. "There's one more thing I can't figure out. You tell me, how can Lu Ming, a grave keeper, command armored vehicles and tanks? Where does he get his military authority?"
"Exactly!" Xu Qin said. "This point absolutely cannot be overlooked. We must get him to explain it clearly! If he can mobilize troops to defeat Cheng Hai today, he can mobilize troops to get rid of the Jiang family tomorrow! If we don't clarify where his military authority comes from, he cannot be allowed to return to the Jiang family!"
Jiang Xueyi said, "Mengxin, hurry and call Lu Ming, tell him to come back and explain!"
...
Jinling, Drum Tower Hospital.
Lu Ming lay in the intensive care unit, tubes connected to him all over. The country's top equipment continuously monitored his body.
He gave a dry laugh and said, "Medical Immortal, is this necessary? Back then, when I was fighting in Xijiang, I was shot over a dozen times, and they just wrapped me with bandages."
The Medical Immortal said, "Back then, there were no conditions. Now that conditions are better, you can't just mess around like before. You know, you almost kicked the bucket back then!"
Lu Ming smiled and said nothing more, letting the Medical Immortal 'control' his body.
A moment later, his phone vibrated.
There was a text message.
Lu Ming gave a look, and the Medical Immortal handed the phone to him.
He opened it and looked, finding it both amusing and exasperating.
"What's wrong?" the Medical Immortal asked.
"This Jiang family..." Lu Ming said with a wry smile. "I saved them, and in return, they became suspicious of me, suspecting I had designs on the Jiang family's assets, and that's why I 'double-crossed' to take care of Cheng Hai. Furthermore, because I led an army to the rescue, they are afraid these soldiers will also kill them. Heh, I really don't know what to say."
The Medical Immortal was indignant. "This Jiang family is truly despicable! With their meager assets, does the Dragon Warlord even care? Truly. If you ask me, you shouldn't bother with the Jiang family's affairs anymore."
Lu Ming shook his head. "No, that is my mentor's family after all. I cannot abandon them."
In fact.
Besides the relationship with Jiang Dingbian, Lu Ming had another reason to protect the Jiang family.
That was Jiang Lan.
For some reason, Lu Ming felt happy, comfortable, and warm whenever he saw Jiang Lan now. He had never felt this way before.
For Jiang Dingbian, and for Jiang Lan.
Lu Ming still had to protect the Jiang family, no matter how heartbreaking or wronged he felt.
"Alright, I need to go back to the Jiang family. Treatment ends here."
"No!" The Medical Immortal would not allow Lu Ming to leave.
Lu Ming said, "I've recovered sufficiently. There's no need for further treatment. The Jiang family is waiting for me to go back and explain."
The Medical Immortal was clearly angry.
But he still doted on Lu Ming like a child, sighed, and said, "At least don't go back tonight. If there's anything, come back tomorrow after breakfast, full of energy!"