Chapter 228: Secret Plot

"Is there anything else?"

Chen Che turned back around and looked at Jiang Lan.

"That..."

Jiang Lan subconsciously smoothed the hair hanging by her ear, gave a light cough, and said, "The relationship between Gu Lao and me is not what the rumors say..."

"Huh?"

Chen Che frowned, not having heard clearly.

Jiang Lan could not help but blush. She did not even understand why she was explaining herself, yet she unconsciously continued, "It is true that Gu Lao is my godfather, but we do not have any messy romantic relationship.

Gu Lao has been upright his entire life; even when he was in the government in his youth, he was known for his integrity and incorruptibility. He dedicated his whole life to Jinling and has no wife or children.

My husband, Scorpion, was an orphan who met Gu Lao by chance. The two of them were not related by blood but were closer than father and son. Gu Lao truly treats me like a daughter."

Chen Che did not speak, simply observing her quietly.

Jiang Lan raised her eyes to glance at Chen Che, feeling somewhat flustered. She bit her lower lip and continued, "Later, after my husband passed away, in order to protect Jiang Kui and Xiao Guo, I had no choice but to take over the Scorpion Society. Gu Lao treated me even more like his own daughter and gave me his full support.

That is why those rumors about our relationship started, but I do not care about my reputation. I had no other choice; I only wanted to protect my family, and for that, I can endure all the gossip!"

After Jiang Lan finished speaking, she seemed to let out a sigh of relief, and a look of ease appeared on her face.

"I understand. It is often much harder for a woman to accomplish something than for a man, and she has to pay a greater price."

Chen Che looked at Jiang Lan with a puzzled expression, "It is just, why are you telling me all this?"

Jiang Lan's expression froze slightly. Even she herself knew the answer to this question, so how was she supposed to answer Chen Che?

"That... um..."

Jiang Lan stammered, unable to say a word, while her cheeks grew increasingly hot. Finally, she thought of a topic and hurriedly said, "Bai Xiangjin is not acting normally today. You provoked him so much, yet he actually endured it."

"He is indeed not acting normally."

Chen Che followed her train of thought and pondered, "Logically speaking, he is my greatest obstacle to managing the Scorpion Society, but today he did nothing more than set a dog on you; he did nothing else."

"Bai Xiangjin has always been one to seek revenge for the slightest grievance. Based on my understanding of him, he must be plotting something. You need to be careful."

Jiang Lan calmed down a little and continued.

"Rest assured, I have already dealt with the Huang Family. A mere Bai Xiangjin cannot stir up any trouble."

Chen Che clearly did not dwell on the previous topic, waved his hand again, and turned to leave.

"Tch, arrogant jerk!"

Jiang Lan watched that retreating back, her red lips curling into an alluring arc as she muttered softly.

"Mommy!"

At this moment, a crisp, familiar cry reached them.

Jiang Lan beamed with joy and opened her arms: "My baby!"

Jiang Xiaoguo broke free from the servant's arms and kicked her little legs as she threw herself into Jiang Lan's warm embrace.

The servant walked over and said, "Ma'am, a gentleman said just now that it was too noisy here and asked me to take Guoguo down."

"Alright, I understand."

Jiang Lan felt a warmth in her heart and looked again at the figure standing at the entrance of the hall, who appeared to be giving instructions to Shen Qi.

Jiang Xiaoguo followed Jiang Lan's gaze, and Chen Che's figure came into view. Her large, watery eyes immediately sparkled with brilliance.

She stretched out a chubby finger, pointed at Chen Che, and called out clearly, "Daddy..."

Jiang Lan was stunned, her pretty face instantly turning red to the tips of her ears. Her already naturally alluring eyes now radiated an indescribable, tender charm.

…………

That night.

A meeting was held at Bai Xiangjin's residence.

Those invited were all of Bai Xiangjin's followers in the Scorpion Society; even Lu Wenhui, who should have been recuperating in the hospital, attended.

Most of these followers were the backbone of the Scorpion Society, the core personnel of the middle management.

At the head of the conference table, Bai Xiangjin had a somber expression, listening quietly to the others speak.

"To think that Jiang Lan would actually let an outsider take over her management of the Scorpion Society! If she wanted to abdicate, Second Master Bai is clearly the most suitable successor. This woman is truly clueless!"

"Gu Zongzhao is dead, and her backer is gone. It is understandable that she is in a rush to find a new backer to save her life."

"Even if she wanted to find a backer, wouldn't it have been better to find one of Gu Zongzhao's former students or subordinates? What is the point of finding some green kid?"

"Chen Che is not just some green kid. Young Master Bai not only fell victim to his treachery, but the Huang Family was also harmed quite badly by him. An ordinary green kid would not have such capabilities."

"So what?! The Huang Family's foundation is still there, while his Qibao Association in Jinling was slaughtered to the last man by the Huang Family, leaving him with only one subordinate, Shen Qi!"

"That's right, we don't need to be afraid of him!"

Lu Wenhui held up his plaster-cast hands and said furiously, "We must kill him! Otherwise, looking at his attitude today, if the Scorpion Society is really handed over to him, then none of us will have a way to survive!"

"Right!"

"Exactly, get rid of him!"

"The Scorpion Society is ours; we absolutely cannot let it be given to an outsider!"

The subordinates were emotionally agitated and stood up one after another to express their stance. Afterward, they all looked at Bai Xiangjin, asking for his opinion.

"Bai Ye, what is your intention?"

The person closest to Bai Xiangjin asked.

The others all looked at Bai Xiangjin with expectant expressions. His submission to Chen Che today had not only surprised them but, more importantly, angered them.

But at the same time, they all secretly guessed that Bai Xiangjin must have a plan, so they did not show too much disappointment.

And when they received Bai Xiangjin's invitation, their suspicions were confirmed, and they were all extremely excited.

At this moment, they were waiting for Bai Xiangjin's order, ready to charge into battle without hesitation.

Bai Xiangjin looked up, a beast lurking in his eyes, gradually baring its fangs and claws.

"Chen Che killed my son, and today he even severed Lu Wenhui's hand and slapped me. These incidents, one after another, are enough to show his arrogance and contempt for everyone.

The hatred between him and me is a death knot; either he dies or I die. How could I allow such a person to take charge of the Scorpion Society?"

Bai Xiangjin said, "And there is Jiang Lan. She is clearly just a vase, yet she insists on being the pillar. If not for Gu Zongzhao supporting her, could she have reached where she is today? How much have the brothers suffered all these years with the Scorpion Society in her hands? She must die too!"

"That's right, Bai Ye is correct!"

"Both Chen Che and Jiang Lan must die; the leader of the Scorpion Society can only be Bai Ye!"

"But if we really kill Jiang Lan, I'm afraid it won't be easy to answer to Hong Lao."

At this moment, someone raised a concern:

"Hong Lao is the oldest veteran of the Scorpion Society, having been here even before Scorpion renamed the organization to the Scorpion Society. Although he disagrees with Chen Che taking charge, he has always supported Jiang Lan. If he insists on protecting Jiang Lan, then the other Elders will follow his lead."

"That makes sense, but there is no need to worry."

Bai Xiangjin said, "Without Gu Zongzhao's protection, the current Jiang Lan is not a Beauty Scorpion at all, but a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. It doesn't matter if we can't kill her; after all, even if she isn't the president, she is still the boss's wife. You all love eating dumplings so much, so when the time comes, I will bestow her upon you."

"Bai Ye is wise!"

The crowd erupted, all standing up and raising their arms in cheers.

"I have long craved Jiang Lan! Now that there is such an opportunity, it is truly wonderful!"

"I have envied Scorpion's good fortune with women for years; now I finally have a chance to be Scorpion for once!"

"Then what are we waiting for? Kill Chen Che, play with Jiang Lan!"

Bai Xiangjin watched this scene, the corners of his lips curling into a sinister smile: "We cannot be careless about this matter. Although that Chen Che is hateful, I have to admit that he does have some real ability. Therefore, if we want to kill him, we must be cautious, and then cautious again."

"Bai Ye, when do you say we should strike? We all listen to you."

Lu Wenhui held up his hands and asked impatiently.

"Yes, we all listen to you!"

The others chimed in as well, all appearing eager to give it a try.

Bai Xiangjin looked at Lu Wenhui and the others, the corners of his lips curling into a satisfied and sinister smile.