After hearing the entire truth, Jiang Lan didn't know what to say. Although she didn't want to believe it was true, the truth was right in front of her, and she had no choice but to accept it.
"You people are really something," Jiang Lan said, a mix of laughter and tears.
Jiang Rong looked at Jiang Lan very seriously and said, "Xiao Lan, you've passed the test. Both in character and ability, you are outstanding. I truly hope you can come to Jiang City with me and become the new family head. Xiao Lan, please say yes? The Jiang family of Jiang City needs you."
Normally, anyone hearing such a request would agree, as it was very tempting.
The Jiang family of Jiang City was stronger than Xun Rong.
Becoming the head there would put her on equal footing with Jiang Mengxin, and she would be able to hold her head high in front of Xu Qin and Jiang Xueyi, no longer being looked down upon.
Moreover, it was to inherit her father's position, which was justifiable both emotionally and logically.
There was no reason to refuse.
Everyone expected Jiang Lan to agree readily, but reality taught them a good lesson.
Jiang Lan chuckled and replied coldly, "I'm sorry, I'm not very interested in leaving Jinling. I think I told you before, Jinling is my home, and I will never leave!"
Her words shocked everyone.
Jiang Rong tried to persuade her, "Xiao Lan, don't be like this. I know your feelings for Jinling are deep, but Jiang City is your root."
Root?
Heh.
If she were to talk about roots, Jiang Lan felt that the vast grasslands were more like her root. She had never had much connection with Jiang City.
"Don't say any more, I will never go to Jiang City. I'm doing very well in Xun Rong, and I like it here."
Actually, Jiang Lan had some unspoken reasons. A large part of why she liked Jinling and Xun Rong was because of Lu Ming.
Lu Ming was in Jinling, Lu Ming was in Xun Rong.
That's why she liked it.
With the conversation reaching this point, Jiang Rong didn't know how else to persuade her.
He looked at Lu Ming and said, "Lu Ming, Xiao Lan listens to you. Please try to persuade her. Our Jiang family in Jiang City really needs her."
"Needs her?" Surprisingly, Lu Ming didn't try to persuade Jiang Lan. Instead, he said to Jiang Rong, "I don't think your Jiang City really needs Jiang Lan. You don't actually need her as the family head; you just need someone to stabilize the current chaotic situation. Once the situation is stable, her value will disappear, and she could be replaced at any time. Therefore, Jiang Rong, I think you should find a suitable candidate from within your own family. For example, why don't you take on the role of family head yourself?"
Lu Ming's words immediately exposed Jiang Rong's "scheme."
Indeed.
At this moment, they didn't truly need a family head, but rather someone to stabilize the situation. After stability was achieved, they could slowly choose a suitable candidate for the position.
Choosing Jiang Lan was merely to stabilize the situation.
"Alright, I understand."
Jiang Rong sighed and cupped his hands towards Jiang Lan, "You don't want to be the family head in Jiang City; I can understand that. Then can you come to Jiang City with me to see your biological father? He is critically ill and is nearing his end."
"No need."
To everyone's surprise, Jiang Lan refused this request as well!
Jiang Xueyi said with displeasure, "Xiao Lan, your dad wants to see you. Can't you go see him? He's dying and wants to see you in his final moments. Is that too much to ask?"
Jiang Lan shook her head, "He doesn't want to see me; he just regrets it being too late. If he truly wanted to see me, he would have had plenty of opportunities. He wouldn't have waited until now. Some mistakes cannot be undone, even if he is my biological father. A person must be responsible for their actions. Jiang Zaiye, he didn't see me before, and now I won't see him."
She was too resolute.
However, everyone could understand Jiang Lan's feelings.
Imagine suddenly someone tells you that you were abandoned by your biological father, that he hasn't seen you for over twenty years, and now he's dying and wants to see you. How would you feel?
Wouldn't you wish he'd just die immediately?
"Alas... a karmic debt," Jiang Xueyi sighed, having nothing more to say. He directly left the office and Xun Rong.
Xu Qin and Jiang Mengxin followed him.
Finally, Jiang Rong said to Jiang Lan, "Regardless, you are still my elder brother's biological daughter. If you encounter any trouble in the future, you can come to Jiang City to find me. I will help you with whatever I can."
With that, he also turned and left.
As they all departed, Jiang Lan felt even more alone.
Fortunately, Lu Ming was still with her.
Jiang Lan stared blankly out the window and asked, "Lu Ming, did I do the wrong thing?"
Lu Ming shook his head, "No, you did absolutely the right thing. People should be responsible for their actions. If you make a mistake, you have to bear the consequences. Just because you regret it doesn't mean you'll always be forgiven."
Hearing Lu Ming's words, Jiang Lan's heart settled slightly.
This day was the most unforgettable day of Jiang Lan's life.
She learned about her origins but wished she hadn't. She had lived more comfortably before.
Fate, it always loved to play tricks on people.
...
The next morning.
Lu Ming was still asleep when he was woken by the urgent ringing of his phone.
He picked it up and saw it was from Shura.
A call from Shura meant there was important news to report. Lu Ming rubbed his eyes as he answered.
"Hello, what is it?" Lu Ming asked.
Shura replied, "War God, the Sun Emissary Dong Gang has made a move! He seems to have sensed something unusual about the White Lotus Sect and is preparing to gather evidence against them."
The undercover agent hidden within the White Lotus Sect was finally taking action.
"Understood, I'll be right there."
After hanging up, Lu Ming dressed and immediately rushed to the villa on Heavenly God Island to meet with Shura and Dragon King.
Upon meeting, Shura said, "According to my informants, Dong Gang seems to have his eyes on the Right Protector of the White Lotus Sect. He swallowed a listening device and brought it into their higher echelons. Our equipment is now connected, and we might obtain unexpected information. If all goes well, Dong Gang will help us obtain the criminal evidence against the White Lotus Sect."
"Mm."
Lu Ming walked over to the monitoring equipment and sat down, beginning to listen to the sounds transmitted by the device.
In fact, according to Dong Gang's plan, he was supposed to record these sounds and hand them over as evidence to the mayor. However, Lu Ming had no intention of doing so.
What a joke, with the Overlord War God present, was the mayor really needed to handle these matters?
Lu Ming had only one principle: to obtain the criminal evidence against the White Lotus Sect and, at the same time, ensure Dong Gang's safety. Both were indispensable.
"Dong Gang, let's see how you perform," Lu Ming murmured to himself.