RMM – Chapter 63 The Wang Faction

Liang Bo’an frowned as he looked at the unfamiliar number on his phone. Who could it be? He hesitated for a moment but still picked up the call.

“Hello?”

“It’s Xi Yuechen.”

Both sides fell silent for a beat.

“Is something the matter?” Liang Bo’an was the first to break the silence.

“I heard you’re investigating the Shi family?” Xi Yuechen’s voice was calm, but it carried a natural authority that made Liang Bo’an uneasy.

“Yes.” He waved his hand for the others in the office to leave. Soon, he was alone.

“Any progress?”

The calmer Xi Yuechen sounded, the more uncomfortable Liang Bo’an felt—it was as if everything was within his grasp.

“The Shi family just came to Beijing from S Province. They’re affiliated with the Wang faction. Wang Zhuo personally issued the transfer order. It seems they’re being groomed as a key force for the Wang faction. Shi Yan has a strong track record. But his son, Shi Hai, is a useless playboy. He was used to being arrogant back in S Province, and now he doesn’t know how to restrain himself here either. He went to Mu You not long after arriving, tried to force his way up to the fourth floor. When he was denied entry, he threatened revenge—and actually followed through.”

After speaking, Liang Bo’an paused. There was still silence on the other end of the line, but he could sense that Xi Yuechen was listening closely. He composed himself and continued.

“Shi Yan had just arrived in Beijing when Wang Zhuo sent trusted aides to receive him. That shows how important he is. That Director Liu is just a minor character, a low-level staffer who climbed up—likely with Shi Hai’s help. The Wang faction clearly intends to use Shi Yan heavily. Even the Public Security Bureau shows him respect. Director Liu clung tightly to the Shi family, obeying every command.”

“But Shi Yan didn’t really care about him. This incident was just a convenient excuse to throw him under the bus, claiming his son acted foolishly, and Director Liu actually bought it. Shi Yan said he’d compensate for any losses caused to Mu You. This whole thing could’ve been played up or down. They got ahead of us, so we’re in no position to act now.”

Originally, Liang Bo’an had planned that if Su Ruo’s kidnapping turned out to be orchestrated by the Shi family, they would strike back immediately. But that wasn’t the case, and the Mu You matter was brushed off lightly. If they kept pushing, it might come across as provoking the Wang faction. So, this matter had to be dropped.

“The Wang faction? Did Shi Yan personally get involved in the Mu You situation?” Xi Yuechen sneered. The Wang faction had certainly been busy lately.

“Probably not. It seems to have been Shi Hai’s doing alone.” Liang Bo’an hadn’t found any evidence of Shi Yan’s involvement, so it was likely just Shi Hai acting on his own.

Liang Bo’an had known early on that Shi Hai was behind it, but that was exactly why he hadn’t acted. After the incident at Mu You, Shi Hai was placed under house arrest by Shi Yan and hadn’t been let out since. It looked like a punishment. Although the Wang faction had been making moves recently, they hadn’t openly clashed with other factions. The Xi and Su families were known allies of the Gu faction. Shi Yan didn’t dare offend the Gu faction directly.

So as far as Su Ruo was concerned, the Shi family was safe. Liang Bo’an only held back because he was sure they wouldn’t take any reckless action now.

“Got it.” Xi Yuechen’s voice remained calm from beginning to end.

“That’s all then.” Liang Bo’an prepared to hang up.

“Wait—this is as far as you go too,” Xi Yuechen said, causing Liang Bo’an to pause in confusion.

“What do you mean?”

“About Su Ruo—leave it. I’ll handle it.” Xi Yuechen’s tone was calm, but resolute.

“It’s fine. I’m willing,” Liang Bo’an said after a pause.

“…Do as you see fit.” Xi Yuechen raised an eyebrow, said no more, and ended the call.

Liang Bo’an instinctively wanted to throw the phone. His hand was halfway up before he forced himself to stop and let it fall limply.

Outside, his secretary saw that Liang Bo’an had been standing by the window all afternoon, motionless. His tall, thin figure somehow exuded a desolate chill. No one dared disturb him. She quietly instructed those waiting outside his office to leave. The boss clearly wasn’t in a mood to work.

After hanging up, Xi Yuechen also stood silently for a moment, face grim, thinking about Liang Bo’an’s words.

Shi Yan… the Wang faction. Hmph. Climbing quite the big tree, aren’t they? Making so many moves lately—do they think they’re safe just because someone is backing them?

He let out a cold laugh. This show was far from over. He’d take his time watching.

As for Liang Bo’an—he was no real threat.

He didn’t know how long he stood there. The sky had already been dyed with the sunset’s glow. Sparrows could be seen hopping among distant tree branches.

In the dusky light, Shiyuan looked tranquil and empty, even a little lonely.

It was getting late. The one who had gone to sleep should be waking soon.

Sure enough, when he opened the bedroom door, he saw Su Ruo staring out the window in boredom.

Su Ruo had groggily awakened to find it nearly evening. Looking around, she realized the room was empty—Xi Yuechen wasn’t there. She called out twice, but got no response. She glared at the tightly shut door. Was the soundproofing this good?

Lying there alone was boring. Her hand was injured, so she couldn’t move much, and being undressed meant she couldn’t get out of bed. She could only stare out the window and let her mind wander.

When she heard the door open, she looked up and saw Xi Yuechen—and then noticed what he was holding.

“Where’s He Wen? Did he leave?” She felt like she’d slept for ages.

“He left while you were sleeping.” Xi Yuechen wasn’t about to admit he’d driven He Wen away himself.

“Oh… Are we going home now?”

Even in her daze, Su Ruo could tell this wasn’t their home. She had already taken in the upscale surroundings—this was practically presidential-suite level. Where on earth had Xi Yuechen found this hotel?

“We’ll have dinner here before heading back. The food’s quite good.” Xi Yuechen placed the bag on the bedside table and sat at the edge of the bed.

…Aren’t we supposed to get dressed now? Why are you sitting here?? Su Ruo stared at him, deadpan.

“Sir, could you please step out while I get dressed?”

Xi Yuechen glanced at her, then silently stood up and left. He’d long known this little woman had thin skin…

Only then did Su Ruo glance at the clothes Xi Yuechen had prepared. She couldn’t help but sigh—He Wen really understood her needs. He’d even picked out appropriately conservative clothes… including new underwear.

Considering how she’d looked last night, anyone would’ve known what had happened. He Wen would have to be really dumb not to prepare accordingly.

She looked at her original underwear on the other nightstand. The straps were broken—definitely unwearable… What a beast…

Su Ruo had just raised her arm to start dressing when she froze. Crap… how was she supposed to put these on? Her hands were fully bandaged and useless…

“Sir…” She exhaled softly and reluctantly called out.

“Hm? What’s wrong?” Xi Yuechen quickly pushed open the half-closed door.

“Um… can you help me get dressed?” Su Ruo turned her head away, not wanting to see his face—otherwise she’d catch that knowing smirk of his, as if he’d expected this.

Extremely embarrassed, she let Xi Yuechen help her put on her underwear and clothes, fastening buttons, even standing up to pull on her pants.

Too humiliating. Sure, he’d seen her body before, but this situation was unbearable—especially the part where he helped her with her underwear. Her face was burning. His hands brushed every inch of her skin, making it all feel like it was on fire.

Knowing she likely didn’t want to face him right now, Xi Yuechen smiled slightly and said, “Rest a bit. I’ll go get dinner.” He left Su Ruo in the room to stew in her awkwardness.

Outside, he picked up the Shiyuan internal phone line and asked them to bring up something light to eat.

Then he made a call to Gu Jiawei.

“Help me look into Hongshi Group.”

“No problem. I’ll send it over tonight. But when are we catching up? You know I’m a curious guy.”

“No rush. There’ll be a chance.” Xi Yuechen hung up without waiting for a reply.

“…Damn it, getting addicted to hanging up on me, huh?” Gu Jiawei cursed, staring at his phone.

By the time they left Shiyuan, night had fallen. The twinkling lights made for quite a romantic view. Su Ruo felt embarrassed, realizing this “hotel” was no ordinary place.

“Sir, where exactly is this?” she asked, noticing it still looked like the outskirts.

“Shiyuan. A friend owns it.” Xi Yuechen didn’t forget she had lost her memory—she likely didn’t know what Shiyuan was.

Shiyuan? A hidden paradise? It sure looked upscale… Compared to this, her own Mu You looked tacky.

People came out to see them off. Watching them smile like Buddhas, Su Ruo couldn’t help but wonder—did they know Xi Yuechen? Why were they so eager to please?

Xi Yuechen brought the car around and helped Su Ruo inside. He nodded at the people standing outside, then drove off swiftly.

The leader of the send-off group watched them leave, then grabbed his phone with a blank face and called his boss. Since when had that calm, unapproachable man become so nosy?

Still feeling a bit sore, Su Ruo asked Xi Yuechen to lower the car seat slightly so she could recline more comfortably.

As he adjusted the seat, Xi Yuechen thought he should keep some cushions in the car for situations like this.

“Sir… does the family know what happened yesterday?”

Su Ruo was sure—if her family found out, it would be total chaos.

“They don’t know yet.” Xi Yuechen frowned. How would they explain this to both families? Even though things had turned out fine, the incident still happened.

“Should we tell them? Or just keep it quiet?”

Su Ruo figured the matter had passed, so there was no need to scare the elders with it now.

“It can’t be hidden. We’ll go home tomorrow and explain everything,” Xi Yuechen said firmly.

Su Ruo thought it over and nodded. If they told the families themselves, it was better than letting them hear about it from someone else and living in fear.

Just thinking of her mother-in-law and mother made Su Ruo’s head ache. How were they going to explain all this?