You Mingxu's mind was in turmoil. Luo Yu's words left her half-understanding, with a vague sense of extreme unease rising within her. Xing Yanjun was also taken aback, turning to look at her, both falling into silent speechlessness.
Luo Yu adjusted his sunglasses and said, "With the son he places high hopes on, and the only daughter born from the woman he loved most—two bargaining chips in hand—your father will be calling me 'father' this time."
Xing Yanjun looked at You Mingxu in disbelief. Though Luo Yu's words were earth-shattering, various thoughts flooded his mind: No wonder he felt an inexplicable closeness and goodwill the first time he met You Mingxu; no wonder Luo Yu brought her along despite violating their father's taboos, yet their father made no move to stop it; no wonder... her eyes and brows bore a striking resemblance to their father and himself—both had phoenix eyes and high nose bridges. Even the aura between her brows resembled their father more than his own—cold, aloof, and inscrutable.
Xing Yanjun stood speechless, but You Mingxu's face turned ashen. She kicked Luo Yu's chair back again and roared, "Bullshit!"
Luo Yu replied nonchalantly, "I've already had your DNA tested. You are indeed his biological daughter. I'll show you the results next time, so you can give up completely."
You Mingxu's eyes reddened with fury. Over the years, she had never dwelled on the thought of her father. Whenever the idea crossed her mind, she coldly dismissed it. In her heart, she believed that man was likely unfaithful. Otherwise, her mother would not have refused to mention him. She considered him dead. Even if he were alive, she would never acknowledge him.
But if Luo Yu spoke the truth, her father was Xing Jifu—the leader of a criminal empire. Her mother was a police officer, a good one who died in the line of duty. How could she have been with such a man?
No, she refused to believe it.
She could not have such a father. If Xing Jifu were truly her biological father, could she still be a police officer? Her life would be over!
Her thoughts churned, her face pale. Moments later, she grew calm. She said to Luo Yu, "I won't believe a word you say. I have no father. Even if I die here today, I will never acknowledge him. He won't acknowledge me either. Don't waste your efforts."
Luo Yu chuckled and said, "You don't understand him."
"He would acknowledge you..." Xing Yanjun suddenly spoke in a trembling voice, "He has always wanted to, but he couldn't overcome his own barriers..."
You Mingxu shot him a cold glance and said, "I have no connection to any of you. Not in the past, and not in the future. Heir, you'd better worry about your own situation. This man has betrayed you all and will likely use you as a bargaining chip to negotiate interests with Yunnan. You'd better hope you don't fall into their hands."
Xing Yanjun's heart sank, and he whispered, "What should we do?"
You Mingxu had never harbored ill feelings toward this Heir and replied indifferently, "Wait and see."
Luo Yu smiled and said, "Is the princess already starting to care for her brother? I'm truly touched."
You Mingxu said, "Shut up. Luo Yu, do you really have the heart to use me as a bargaining chip in negotiations? I don't believe it."
Luo Yu glanced at her. Even in this situation, after hearing such a shocking truth about her origins, she showed no sign of panic. Her expression was provocative and challenging, almost as if she were half-seriously trying to unsettle him.
Luo Yu said, "I don't have the heart. So behave and don't make things difficult for me."You Mingxu and Xing Yanjun fell silent.
At that moment, the car drove deep into a dense forest, where a clearing appeared. Several vehicles and about twenty people were waiting ahead.
You Mingxu's heart skipped a beat. These people had dark skin, cold expressions, and sturdy builds—clearly not the benevolent type.
She glanced at her nail polish again, wondering where Jing Ping and the others were hiding. Jing Ping was well-versed in such operations, and as she looked around, all she saw were vast mountains and forests, with no trace of an ambush.
And Yin Feng.
Yesterday, she had only seen Chen Feng and Tuya; the others hadn't shown themselves. Even if Luo Yu had schemed something against him, it probably hadn't succeeded. Where was Yin Feng now?
Steeling herself, she pushed all thoughts of Xing Jifu to the back of her mind.
She was a police officer.
Her mother had been one too.
Whether Xing Jifu was her father or not, she believed her mother had held fast to her convictions back then, living without regrets or fear.
Her task now was to respond flexibly and help her comrades capture these two groups of drug dealers. Nothing else mattered—not whose daughter she was, not life or death. Only her duty as a police officer was paramount.
Luo Yu raised his hand, and the convoy stopped.
The Yunnan natives across from them remained expressionless.
Luo Yu turned his head and said, "The Heir and the princess should stay put. It's not your time yet." He got out of the car, while the driver drew his gun and stayed behind to watch them.
Huang Long and Guo Feirong also disembarked with their men. On this trip, they were Luo Yu's deputies.
Luo Yu, dressed impeccably like a refined scoundrel, walked forward with a smile and said, "Are you Brother Hui? I'm Luo Yu. Finally, we meet."
Brother Hui also smiled and replied, "Boss Luo, you cut a fine figure. Shall we sit and talk?"
In the forest, there was a smooth, massive rock. The Yunnan group had already placed several wooden stumps nearby to serve as stools. Both sides sat down.
The driver in front, though armed, occasionally turned to observe the situation outside. You Mingxu lowered her head, her fingers gripping the hairpin as she pulled it out. Xing Yanjun noticed her movement but remained silent.
Over there, they chatted for a while, clearly in good spirits. Brother Hui raised his hand, and several of his subordinates brought over suitcases. Huang Long signaled his men to bring the money—dozens of cases neatly arranged on the grass, opened to reveal stacks of hundred-yuan bills. Both sides began inspecting the goods.
Brother Hui, Luo Yu, Huang Long, and Guo Feirong, though smiling, remained highly vigilant.
After the inspection, money and goods were exchanged.
You Mingxu looked up. The surrounding forest was deep and utterly silent. Occasionally, birds fluttered up from the trees, and the wind rustled softly, but no extra sounds could be heard.
She knew the time had come.
"Bang—" The first shot pierced the air. Brother Hui looked down in disbelief at the bloody hole in his abdomen. The drug dealers on both sides reacted swiftly, diving for cover and drawing their guns. And from the surrounding forest, countless police officers emerged.
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