Everyone tensed up.
Even they knew of the illustrious Su Ning, Miss Su, who was the true master behind this recruitment... Naturally, they were also aware of her various exploits.
Setting aside her reputation for the moment.
In short—
She held the power to decide their fates; whether they lived or died rested solely on her whim!
Suddenly, a frail little boy lunged in that direction with open arms, as if trying to hug something. His parents realized what he was about to do... this was the exact posture used for begging while fleeing from famine.
No matter who it was, people always had a soft spot for young children.
Because of this, he could always beg for at least a little bit of food. Perhaps this left a deep impression in the child's mind, making him instinctively want to repeat his old trick when faced with difficulties.
Aside from the boy's worried parents, a glimmer of hope sparked in the eyes of the people in line. Wasn't it said that this Miss Su might be a good person with a cold exterior but a warm heart...?
Perhaps it would actually work?
However.
The very next second.
The crowd watched as the boy, before even touching the ground, was intercepted mid-air by Su One. He was tossed to the side, firmly pinned down with one hand, while the other quickly patted him down from head to toe.
"No dangerous items."
Su Ning nodded coldly. Although she knew the chances of an assassination attempt were extremely low, it was better to be safe than sorry; she only had one life.
"Confirm his biological age."
Instances of dwarfs disguising themselves as children to carry out assassinations were not unheard of.
Su One nodded, prying open the boy's mouth to inspect his teeth. They were yellow, thin, and tiny, resembling malnourished corn kernels, but they definitely belonged to a child—there was even a half-grown permanent tooth on the bottom row.
Only then did the others react.
Shock, fear, and deep wariness filled the air, but no one dared to make a sound. Only the boy's parents dropped to their knees, desperately kowtowing and pleading in anxious, bitter voices.
"He is just an ignorant child, please be kind and spare his life. Whatever the mistake, the fault is entirely ours."
"We beg you."
"Ding..."
Hearing this notification sound, Su Ning's previously unruffled expression shifted. She was startled. She had long since turned off the reward notifications for nameless commoners. Could it be squeezed out from Lin Sen and the others?
She hurriedly glanced at the reward information.
The good news: it wasn't Lin Sen's group, nor was it the Su family. This meant her base as a villain was still solid, and she didn't need to worry about being stabbed in the back.
Another piece of good news: it was a tier-one plot character. Actually, three of them. Two were newly introduced characters, and the other was an acquaintance, Zhao Xuewen.
The bad news: the reward was too large.
"Ahem, reminding the host that the acquired reward amount has exceeded one hundred million. The spending mission is about to begin. After deducting expenses, there are 86,210,042 yuan remaining. Please complete the mission within two years."
"Penalty for failure: Death."
As the system's voice echoed in her mind, Su Ning felt a stabbing pain in her heart. She almost thought she was dreaming. So unexpectedly, it had already started?
"I'm going to kill them!"
Every word seemed to be squeezed through gritted teeth.
Not far away.
Inside a car parked in a hidden corner, Xing Qiu couldn't bear to look anymore and withdrew her gaze. Her heart aching, she reached out to stroke the head of Zhao Xuewen—no, he should be called Wu Xuewen now—beside her.
But her hand met empty air.
"You still refused to believe me before," Wu Xuewen said, biting his lower lip with a stubborn voice.
"You actually said that although Su Ning had minor faults for selling grain at low prices, she didn't compromise on major principles. Now the facts are right in front of you. Is there such a 'good person' in the world who doesn't compromise on major principles?!"
He clenched his fists tightly, glaring agitatedly at Xing Qiu in front of him, oblivious to the man in the front seat who looked up, catching sight of this scene through the rearview mirror with deeply furrowed brows.
"I was wrong."
Xing Qiu replied softly, trying to comfort him rather than taking offense at the child's rudeness.
Her heart was filled with intense guilt.
Seeing was believing. To think that Su Ning could be so ruthless toward such a pitiful refugee child; it was evident just how cold-blooded and heartless she was.
What about her own poor child then?
Had he also been bullied by Su Ning... At this thought, Xing Qiu, who already felt she owed her child so much, felt a heartache so intense she could barely breathe.
A hand reached over from the front seat and brushed against her face, wiping away a tear that was just about to fall. The hand was then fiercely swatted away as Xing Qiu asked coldly:
"What are you doing?"
"Wiping your tears."
In the front seat, Wu Xu replied nonchalantly. Before she could lose her temper, he added, "We've seen enough, let's go now. If we wait any longer, the road ahead will be completely blocked."
Delaying time was secondary.
If someone discovered he was in Beiping, things would turn disastrous, putting all three of them in danger.
"No."
Wu Xuewen immediately objected. He had many reasons, such as wanting his parents to clearly witness Su Ning's wicked deeds and understand the suffering and grievances he had endured. Perhaps he could even get this mysterious yet obviously powerful biological father to help him seek revenge.
To teach Su Ning a harsh lesson.
The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he met a pair of cold, piercing eyes... He froze.
His body involuntarily leaned toward Xing Qiu. Thrilled, Xing Qiu pulled the child into her arms, but said, "The train is almost due. We can't stay here any longer. Let's go."
"Are we just going to let Su Ning continue doing evil like this? We can't..."
"Can't what?"
Wu Xu started the car, interrupting with a scoff. "Can't just watch and do nothing? Want to go up there and uphold justice? It's a pity your old man is just made of flesh and blood. I can't fight a hundred men alone, nor can I catch the bullets from Su Ning's subordinates."
Besides, apart from his initial shock, he didn't think Su Ning was doing anything excessive.
In fact, he felt a bit of admiration in his heart.
The world was in chaos. He knew of at least ten renowned figures who had died simply because they weren't cautious enough. Being rich and ruthless wasn't a real skill; having status without arrogance and valuing one's own life was true capability.
Miss Su of Beiping truly lived up to her reputation.
Wu Xuewen was left speechless.
"Why are you frowning at such a young age?" Xing Qiu reached out to smooth his brow and said softly:
"Don't worry. If Su Ning continues to act so unscrupulously, someone will eventually step in. Besides, there are still many suspicious points about her identity. Given how rich she is, she won't face a shortage of schemes and conspiracies in the future."
"I know."
Hearing this, Wu Xu in the front seat poured cold water on the idea:
"From another perspective, schemes and conspiracies are also stepping stones to climb higher. I'm afraid Su Ning might even be wishing for them..."
"Wu Xu!"
"But no matter how formidable she is, she's still just a merchant. She can't reach the highest tier. You are my son. Once we return to the Northeast, you won't need to fear her at all. In a while, we might even have her apologize to you in person."
Wu Xu quickly changed his tune.
"Really?"
"Of course."
Although it hadn't been made public yet, relying on his old man, he knew that their Marshal was inclined to side with the Southern Government. If it had been a bit later, his trip to Beiping wouldn't have been so nerve-wracking—
Chen Huaiqian was quite capable too.
In a short period, he had managed Beiping so well that it was as solid as an iron bucket.
Thinking of that scenario, Wu Xuewen smiled cheerfully. Countless thoughts churned in his mind. He couldn't help but look up out the window at Su Ning's back, just about to say something.
When she unexpectedly turned her head.
An icy gaze slashed toward him like a sharpened blade... There was no mistaking it. It was not a vague glance, but a look that had locked onto him with absolute precision.
It was as if they had been spotted long ago.
In that instant.
Blood rushed through Wu Xuewen's veins, and a cold sweat broke out along his spine. He almost forgot to breathe... His heart pounded like a drum as he desperately tried to reassure himself.
It was impossible. No matter how formidable Su Ning was, Su Ning was still only human. There was no way to know he would be here.
