"Forget it! Theyâre just kids! Iâll pretend I didnât hear that." Donât think he doesnât know; this girl clearly doesnât like Ningning. Better not keep talking to her; what if Ningning finds out and gets mad at him?
Hai Shen looked at Mr. Su, thinking how unexpectedly adorable he was!
"Lihua." The usually silent Elder Hai suddenly spoke.
Hai Shuangjie, Zhou Yuan, and Hai Lan were all taken aback, even Hai Shen showed a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Ji Lihua is back? How come nobody mentioned it?
"Grandpa!" A deep male voice came from outside the door, and everyone looked up. A young man in black boots walked in with a spirited stride.
Ji Lihua is a child Mr. Hai adopted; all of the old manâs friends sacrificed themselves, leaving behind only this child. Mr. Hai valued him no less than Hai Shen.
Ji Lihua is independent by nature, graduating from the National Security University and entering the Armed Police system directly. Although heâs adopted, even Hai Shuangjie has to show him some respect. Another key point is that the old man entrusts all his resources and special matters to Ji Lihua. The level of importance he receives even makes Hai Shen envious.
"Send Hai Lan to the Border Defense Group for me, without any notice and certainly no special treatment."
"Yes!" Ji Lihua responded expressionlessly, gesturing for Hai Lan to move.
Hai Lan almost fainted upon hearing that there would be no special treatment or backdoor privileges. Why did Ji Lihua have to send her? How could she possibly have a good journey?
"I want my mom or dad to send me," Hai Lan said in a soft voice, pitifully.
Upon hearing this, Hai Shuangjie gave her a fierce glare, scaring Hai Lan to her core.
"Shut up! If you donât want to be kicked out, say nothing." Having Elder Hai send Ji Lihua meant that it was no longer a family matter; it showed that his patience had reached its limit, and he didnât want to say more than necessary.
Frightened to the point where her legs went weak, Hai Lan collapsed to the ground.
"Please go!" Ji Lihua urged again, his voice flat and unwavering, sounding like a death sentence in Hai Lanâs ears.
In fact, Ji Lihua wouldnât say a third time. Hai Lan, being somewhat smart, got up obediently under Zhou Yuan and Hai Shuangjieâs stern gazes and followed Ji Lihua.
She had packed three large boxes, including food, clothes, and some skincare products, all prepared for her time at the Border Defense Group, and personally sent by Hai Shuangjie, ensuring she wouldnât suffer or be bullied wherever she went.
The captain of the Border Defense Group would have to respect her stance. She was only hoping to delay her departure, preferably not to go at all. Unexpectedly, it backfired; she left without taking any of her prepared items, not even a single piece of clothing.
When she arrived at the Border Defense Group, she had nothing beyond the clothes provided; let alone backdoor privileges, even the front door might be tough. Surely Ji Lihua would inform the higher-ups to treat everyone equally.
Watching her daughter being taken away, Zhou Yuanâs face turned extremely grim; she, as a wife, already held little status in the Hai Family. When she first married in, she couldnât compare to her elder sister-in-law, and after the sister-in-law died, she couldnât compare to her younger sister-in-law either. Young and brash, she moved out in defiance and lived on her own for over a decade.
"Dad, I have matters at work, so Iâll leave first."
"Mm!" Elder Hai nodded, with no intent of persuading her to stay.
Zhou Yuan finally understood; sheâs just been waiting for someone to hold a meeting! It turns out she was just a redundant part all along. Before leaving, she gave Hai Shuangjie a fierce glance.