Chapter 505: Ji Ming’s Hidden Agenda

Chapter 505: Ji Ming's Hidden Agenda

Since learning of Bai Lan's existence, Yi Yanran had been waiting for Yun Mu's people to come knocking.

What she could uncover, Yun Mu and Yi Jue could naturally find out as well. The news of Liu Ling's survival would undoubtedly not escape their notice.

However, Yi Yanran never expected that it would be Ji Ming who found her.

At that time, Yi Yanran had just finished a social engagement. Although everyone knew she was heavily pregnant and wouldn't force her to drink, the entire dinner left her feeling sick from the overpowering stench of alcohol and smoke.

As soon as she stepped out of the hotel, she crouched down and vomited.

Footsteps approached, and she thought it was her assistant, automatically reaching behind her: "Tissue."

But what was handed to her was a luxurious handkerchief, imbued with a sharp, masculine fragrance.

"Ji Ming?" Yi Yanran turned, slightly incredulous, quickly tidying her appearance. "What are you doing here?"

Ji Ming looked at her heavily painted face, finding it hard to reconcile with the image of her on stage. His emotions were complex, and his words came out barbed: "You went to such lengths to become the head of the family. Is this what you wanted?"

Yi Yanran bit her lower lip: "Yes, this is what I wanted."

"You!"

"What do you want from me?" Yi Yanran asked.

Ji Ming averted his eyes, pulling out a photo of the corpse from the news, asking, "Is this charred remains Liu Ling?"

Yi Yanran replied bluntly, "No."

"Then where is Liu Ling?"

"You came to me because you already have a hunch, don't you? Did Yun Mu send you?"

Ji Ming: "Yun Shumo sent me here."

"Let's talk in the car. There are too many people here."

Yi Yanran got into her car first. Ji Ming, somewhat guiltily, glanced around to ensure that Ji Shu, the gossip, wasn't around before getting in and sitting beside Yi Yanran. He asked, "Is Bai Lan actually Liu Ling?"

"I can't be certain, but recently I've felt like someone's been following me. I had the driver check the surveillance, and a car has been following me for several days—Bai Lan's car." Yi Yanran paused, then added, "Who else but Liu Ling would hold a grudge against both me and Yun Mu?"

Ji Ming fell silent, already piecing things together.

"I've said all I needed to say. You should leave now." Yi Yanran's assistant had emerged from the hotel, and she urged him.

But Ji Ming added, "There's one more thing I might need your help with to confirm."

"What is it?" Yi Yanran was surprised.

"To investigate someone, someone from Florenberg."

"Karen?" Yi Yanran looked at Ji Ming, who nodded. Without hesitation, she said, "I can help you investigate Karen, but you must promise me one thing—take care of Liu Ling."

Ji Ming smirked: "Don't worry, she's crossed Yun Mu this time. She won't come to a good end."

"Alright, what do you want to know? I'll tell you everything I know."

"No need, just take me to Florenberg. I'll handle the investigation myself."

Ji Ming's words stunned Yi Yanran. Was he suggesting they go to Fronenberg together?

Didn't he hate the thought of traveling with her?

Seeing Yi Yanran remain silent, Ji Ming was somewhat displeased. "What, you don't want to?"

Yi Yanran shook her head. "No, I can. You decide the time."

Ji Ming glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "We leave tomorrow—remember, not a word to anyone."

After saying that, he pushed the car door open and got out, getting into a flashy red sports car nearby.

Yi Yanran glanced at the handkerchief in her hand, a slight smile tugging at her lips.

Meanwhile, Ji Ming was also smiling as he drove. For some reason, the thought of traveling to Fronenberg with Yi Yanran made him feel excited and expectant, as if something new was about to bloom in his heart.

Just then, Yun Shumo called, and he connected via Bluetooth.

"So? Did Yi Yanran spill anything about Karen?" Yun Shumo asked.

"Nah, she claims she doesn’t know Karen well. I need to go to Fronenberg myself to investigate."

"Not familiar?" Yun Shumo seemed skeptical but finally said, "It’s better if you check it out yourself."

"Relax, I’ve got this. Remember what you promised me—to help me look into Yunzhe’s background. Since you’re from the same family, it should be a breeze for you."

"Yeah, yeah, I got it."

Yun Shumo hung up the phone, and then Yi Jue chimed in. "Why did Ji Ming ask you to look into Yunzhe’s background?"

"Beats me. Maybe he’s trying to track down Yunzhe’s birth parents who ditched him. Isn’t he just some orphan the Yun family took in?"

Yi Jue’s expression darkened. "If you dig anything up, let me know too."

"Why’s everyone so obsessed with Yunzhe’s background? What’s there to investigate about an adopted child from an orphanage, really!" Yun Shumo stood up. "I need to keep tabs on Karen—gotta be extra careful around him lately."

Yi Jue did not stop him, and Yun Shumo ducked behind the railing, peering down.

At that moment, Karen was sitting on the sofa with a cup of coffee, gazing absently at the vase across from him. Dressed simply in white and black, his messy black hair framed his delicate face, making it look soft and calm.

The more you stare at that face... the more girly it looks!

Especially those slightly rosy, soft lips...

Just as Yun Shumo started feeling uneasy and questioning his preferences, Yun Mu walked in.

She first glared at the lecherous Yun Shumo above, then walked up to Karen. "What are you thinking about?"

Seeing Yun Mu enter, Karen's eyes flickered.

"Nothing, nothing..." His gaze dodged for a moment, then he pulled out a list. "Miss Yun, your medical skills are better than mine. Can you tell me what effect these medicines would have if taken with tea?"

Yun Mu glanced at it and chuckled. "Do these really need to be taken with tea? The tea is just a cover, isn't it?"

"How so? Isn't this just calming tea?"

"Calming tea?" Yun Mu raised an eyebrow. "It does calm, but if you increase the dosage, it's not just calming anymore—it can hypnotize and bewitch the mind."

Karen's face instantly turned pale.

Hypnosis? Manipulating someone's mind?

Impossible!

Godfather wouldn't do that to godmother!

Yun Mu, noticing Karen's troubled expression, asked with concern, "What's wrong? Where did you get this prescription?"

Karen quickly composed herself, hastily putting away the prescription and shaking her head, "It's not mine, I was asking for a friend. Miss Yun, I'm feeling a bit tired. I think I'll go rest."

"You don't look well. Go get some rest. You don't need to spend the next couple of days in the lab."

"Alright."

"By the way, this is the medicine I had Yunzhe get for me. It should help with your foot..."

Yun Mu stood up, intending to follow Karen, but as she rose, her expression suddenly changed.

A sharp pain stabbed her lower abdomen.

In the next moment, Yun Mu collapsed straight onto the sofa.

"Yun Mu—"

Upstairs, Yun Shumo let out a startled cry.