Chapter 149: Teaming Up with Shen Xun's Mother

"Don't mess around." Shen Xun drove Shen Xi home, then returned to Nanshan Villa himself.

There was nothing of his there, but Jiang Lai was.

The car went straight to No. 20 Nanshan Villa; the lights were on, and there were no clothes or pickled vegetables that Qiao Chuan had mentioned—likely Jiang Lai had put them away.

The gate wasn't closed.

He walked in, stood by the gate's camera, and raised his hand to press the doorbell.

The doorbell rang countless times, but the gate never opened.

"Jiang Lai, can you hear me?" he said to the camera, his tone slightly pleading, "See me, we can lay out any issues between us; from this month on, every penny I earn I'll hand over to you to manage, and you'll have full control of the household finances."

"Jiang Lai, we really haven't seen each other, talked properly, or shared a proper meal in a long time."

He truly missed those four years.

"Me and Shutong..." the man's voice faltered, "There's really nothing between us; those are just rumors."

"If you don't want me getting close to Shutong, I promise you."

"As long as you open the door and see me, I'll agree to anything."

The only answer he got was silence.

But Mo Yi heard his words.

When Shen Xun pressed the doorbell, Mo Yi received the notification, and the gate camera's feed was forwarded to her phone.

Mo Yi listened to Shen Xun's near‑confessional words, shook her head, and said nothing of substance.

Then she forwarded the recording to her young master.

Ke Zhongyu and Jiang Lai had just returned from the riverbank.

Ke Zhongying had a little drink, then clung to Jiang Lai's arm, rubbing against her, and Ke Zhongyu worried she'd drool on Jiang Lai.

"Enough already." Ke Zhongyu snapped, "You spineless wretch."

Ke Zhongying yawned and said, "You're just jealous and resentful—who made you the wrong gender?"

Ke Zhongyu: "?"

Is that even human speech?

Ke Zhongying: "So you can't be friends with Sister Jiang Lai."

Who would want to be friends with her?

Ke Zhongyu glanced at Jiang Lai, who was feigning sleep with closed eyes; she'd been listless all night.

Shen Xun truly killed the appetite.

He reminded Ke Zhongying: "Keep it down."

Ke Zhongying nodded and continued to lean on Jiang Lai's shoulder, asleep.

Ke Zhongyu watched the video Mo Yi had sent while on the road.

"Shen Xun?" Jiang Lai didn't know when she'd opened her eyes; her gaze was fixed on his phone screen.

Ke Zhongyu turned his head to meet her eyes, handed her the phone, then produced a Bluetooth earpiece.

Each put one on.

Shen Xun's words came through clearly in Jiang Lai's ear.

Ke Zhongyu observed Jiang Lai's shifting expression—sometimes frowning, sometimes relaxing—unsure what she was thinking.

"What do you say?" he asked.

Jiang Lai took off the earpiece, returned Ke Zhongyu's phone, and said, "I don't have time for him; I still need to see Shen Xun's mother tomorrow."

Ke Zhongyu had already heard from his sister about Jiang Lai's plan.

These days Jiang Lai won't be placated by a few words from Shen Xun.

On the boat, when Shen Xun carried off Lin Shutong, she could calmly pull out her phone to take photos as evidence.

But given Jiang Lai's iron‑clad demeanor, he worried for himself.

Mo Yi's remark that the road is long might turn out to be prophetic.

Jiang Lai was hurt by Shen Xun, like someone who's nearly drowned—now she avoids water at all costs.

At night, Ke Zhongyu brought this up with Ms. Nian.

The other side quickly replied.

Military Advisor:

【You can teach her to swim again.】

【But this requires a lot, a lot of patience and a lot, a lot of love.】

【You need to understand she can't approach the water, you need to guide her toward the water, you need to allow her to linger and test the waters.】

【You have patience; we've cultivated it since you were a child.】

【You also have plenty of love; when I and your dad imagined having kids, you siblings already had that.】

【Mom will always support you, even if you jump straight into hell mode.】

……

The next day.

Jiang Lai opened her eyes; Ke Zhongying was still asleep.

She carefully pulled back the blanket, got up, washed up, went downstairs, and Mo Yi was already making breakfast.

"Miss Jiang, breakfast will be ready soon—I knew you're used to getting up at this time."

"Miss likes to sleep in; Miss Jiang, you eat first, and when Miss wakes I'll make hers."

Jiang Lai sat down: "Thank you, Mo Yi."

"You're welcome." Mo Yi smiled, placed the final dish—fruit, sliced and served—and asked, "Miss Jiang, when do you plan to move? Recently a monkey has moved into Nanshan Villa; it's always noisy and annoying."

How could there be a monkey in Nanshan Villa?

Mo Yi is probably implying someone.

Anyone who can make Mo Yi angry is either connected to Ke Zhongyu or to her.

The only person connected to her is Shen Xun, who last night ran to the gate of an unfamiliar villa and spouted a bunch of nonsense.

"You mean Shen Xun?"

Mo Yi gave a hehe laugh: "You can't hide it from Miss Jiang."

"How could he move in?" Jiang Lai hadn't thought much about it last night—Shen Xun not only can come and go here, but also ran to someone else's villa to shout her name.

Mo Yi: "He came to deliver money."

After saying that, she lightly patted herself—she'd spoken too quickly.

Jiang Lai looked at her doubtfully.

Mo Yi said: "He rented the house at Nanshan Villa; Nanshan Villa is developed by the Ke Clan—isn't he just delivering money to the Young Master?"

Jiang Lai nodded and continued asking: "How did he run to someone else's door and shout my name?"

"That's an empty villa—no one lives there. The Young Master had me lure him over there because he's worried President Shen might disturb you." Mo Yi's eyes shifted as she smiled: "The Young Master cares deeply about Miss Jiang; in his heart, she holds a special place."

Jiang Lai took a sip of milk and looked at her helplessly: "Did the novel you were listening to last night reach this line?"

"Miss Jiang, how do you know!" Mo Yi's face went blank with shock.

Jiang Lai gave a faint smile: "Because you accidentally leaked the audio."

Mo Yi: "……"

"It must be the earphones—I'll switch them."

After breakfast, Jiang Lai called Mother Shen.

"I have time today—let's meet and talk."

"Okay!"

Mother Shen couldn't wait to discuss it; they agreed to meet in half an hour.

As soon as she saw Jiang Lai, Mother Shen asked: "If I help you obtain the evidence, will you sue to recover it, or settle privately? If you sue, I won't help you."

The lawsuit is against Lin Shutong; her son can choose not to appear in court, but he will definitely be affected.

A man's pride is greater than heaven.

As a mother, she still has to consider her son's pride.

Jiang Lai corrected her: "You're not helping me—you're helping yourself recover your son's property."

Mother Shen couldn't refute, still focusing on the previous question: "Will you sue or settle privately?"

"Sue." Jiang Lai said firmly; a private settlement wouldn't get the money, and Shen Xun would definitely intervene.

"No." Mother Shen stood up.

"One hundred million." Jiang Lai threw out a number that shocked Mother Shen: 'Lin Shutong has spent over one hundred million of Shen Xun's money in over three years; only a lawsuit can recover it all.'