"Aping is dead? How did she die?" Lu Fan was stunned and quickly asked.
"I don't know how she died. The police came and were asking about the incident. She stammered and didn't say anything before she suddenly died," the subordinate said urgently.
"Could she have been silenced?" Lu Fan slapped his forehead, realizing he had forgotten about this. If Aping was just a minor figure, she might have been silenced by her own people before the matter was exposed. This way, a casual excuse could cover up the entire incident.
"Just wait! Someone will come out to take the blame for the temple! Keep an eye on this person! Also... let the incident fester!" A cold smile appeared on Lu Fan's lips.
The meal was hearty and satisfying. Lu Fan was very happy. Jiang Chao had many subordinates, and if utilized well, this could become a hidden force!
Just as he parted ways with Jiang Chao, Lu Fan's phone rang. Lu Fan glanced at it; it was Bai Xuemei calling.
"Lu Fan! Where are you? Come back, I have something to tell you." Bai Xuemei was clearly not in a good mood.
"Alright! I'll be right there!" Lu Fan hung up the phone, turned his car around, and drove towards Bai Xuemei's villa.
In the villa's living room, Bai Xuemei opened a bottle of red wine and took out two glasses. Her expression was not good, making Xu Yang, who was standing nearby, afraid to speak.
"Sister Xuemei! What happened? You're drinking alone at home. You should at least have some peanuts!" Lu Fan said jokingly as he entered and saw the atmosphere.
"Lu Fan! Sit down and have a drink with me!" Bai Xuemei beckoned him to sit.
Lu Fan went over and sat beside Bai Xuemei, smiling slightly. "Sister Xuemei! Did your fifth uncle sideline you?"
"How did you know?" Bai Xuemei looked at Lu Fan in surprise. How did this kid guess?
"To be honest, I bribed a trainee chef at the county hotel. I can find out about any stirrings in the hotel. In fact, I already knew that Bai Bin wanted to control the five hotels." Lu Fan finished speaking, picked up a glass of red wine, and downed it in one gulp.
"You knew all along and didn't tell me? Are you trying to die!" Bai Xuemei suddenly swung her small fists and began to hit Lu Fan.
Lu Fan didn't dodge, letting Bai Xuemei vent her anger. Then he said, "This is your Bai family's business. How could I interfere with your family's power struggles? However, if you don't manage it, you can also relax a bit. Isn't it better to just sit at home and get money?"
"Hmph! If I really stopped doing anything, do you think the Bai family would still give me money for nothing?" Bai Xuemei said indignantly.
"Don't worry, with Old Master Bai around, no one dares to touch your assets. Besides, your little bit of money doesn't make much difference to the Bai family. Even you, as a family member, don't know the Bai family's true strength," Lu Fan said with a sly smile.
"But Fifth Uncle insists on taking away this little bit of mine!" Bai Xuemei said angrily.
"Then let him have it. If he likes managing, let him manage! You can also free up your energy to pursue your own career. In the future, you'll have something that belongs to you, not the Bai family!
Besides, as a girl, you won't be able to take anything from the Bai family! You've known this for a long time, you just still have some lingering hope for the Bai family," Lu Fan said with a slight smile.
Bai Xuemei fell silent. Lu Fan was right. Her previous attempt to develop in the county was forced by the Bai family, and her return to the Bai family was thanks to Lu Fan's extraordinary vegetables and medicinal cuisine. Yet, she still harbored the fantasy of reclaiming everything that belonged to her from the Bai family? It seemed she was indeed overthinking. If her grandfather were no longer around, she was sure she would return to her previous state.
"Then what can I do?" After a period of silence, Bai Xuemei suddenly looked up and asked.
"The country is vast, and there's more than just one provincial capital. How can hundreds of cities not have space for you to develop? What you need to do now is break free from the Bai family. Moreover, if you're willing, I can let you open a hotel in the capital." Lu Fan said.
Lu Fan had long intended to open a hotel in the capital, but he hadn't found a suitable opportunity. It would be a waste not to utilize the Yan family's resources!
"Open a hotel in the capital? Really?" Bai Xuemei's eyes lit up.
"I have the Yan family's resources, so opening a hotel in the capital won't be difficult, will it? If you're willing, you can be the general manager, and we'll co-own the hotel, just like before," Lu Fan said with a smile.
"What about my grandfather? He won't let me leave," Bai Xuemei suddenly said again. Her presence was essential for Lu Fan's cooperation, which was also why her grandfather was willing to let her return. If she left, her grandfather would surely worry about the cooperation with Lu Fan going awry.
"I'll talk to Grandpa about this!" Lu Fan smiled slightly. Old Master Bai was an extremely intelligent person, so this matter shouldn't be too difficult. Moreover, Bai Bin was trying to squeeze out his shares, so perhaps it was time for him to show some anger!
Ring, ring... Suddenly, a phone rang, and Lu Fan quickly picked it up.
"Brother Yan!" Lu Fan answered the phone.
"Lu Fan! Be careful. We received news that a super expert from the Wokou has entered the country and then disappeared. Due to the matter with the Divine Calculation Sect, we suspect this person is coming for you. You must be very careful," Yan Menghan said anxiously on the phone.
"Super expert? How super?" Lu Fan rubbed his nose. Yan Menghan seemed very nervous. Could this so-called super expert be a master in the Transformation Realm?
"It's said that this person is already at the peak of the Qi Realm!" Yan Menghan said urgently.
"Oh! Alright! I understand!" Lu Fan breathed a sigh of relief. The Qi Realm, didn't he also kill that old guy from the Divine Calculation Sect? It seemed there was nothing to fear.
"By the way! Brother Yan! I'm planning to open a hotel in the capital. Can you help me find a good location?" Lu Fan glanced at Bai Xuemei and then said.
"Alright! I'll take care of this matter!" Yan Menghan said and hung up.
"Xu Yang! You... go get some food! I'll have a drink with Lu Fan!" Bai Xuemei said happily, suddenly glancing at Xu Yang.
"Alright!" Xu Yang responded, cast another glance at Lu Fan, and then turned to leave.
"Xiao Fan..." Bai Xuemei leaned against Lu Fan.
"Um... Lu Fan, what do you like to eat!?"
Suddenly, Xu Yang, who had just reached the door, turned around, startling Bai Xuemei, who quickly sat upright again.
"Xu Yang, go to the restaurant and get four dishes to bring back!" Bai Xuemei rolled her eyes. Sigh! When will Xu Yang ever have any foresight!
"Yes, young lady! I'll call them to deliver it now." Xu Yang said as if he hadn't understood.
"You... fine! You can go out now!" Bai Xuemei was almost fainted with anger and simply chased him out.
Xu Yang pouted and walked out, muttering angrily, "Hmph! Xiao Fan already said that you and I are a perfect match!"