Retired for A Hundred Years: Re-Employment for the Apocalypse Bigshot!-Chapter 223: Forcing Her to Choose

Lin Yuanyang finished speaking and ignored the expressions of the others, directly introducing the people in the room to Ji Ning.

"This is my grandmother, and sitting on the sofa is my stepmother..."

Ji Ning looked at Old Madam Lin and politely greeted, "Hello, Old Madam." Then, she turned to Li Meifang, whose expression was obviously unpleasant, and said with a smile, "Mrs. Lin, we meet again. I heard from Mr. Lin that you are very unhappy with the gift I sent, suspecting that I was cursing the child in your belly? I must defend the chrysanthemum a bit here. Chrysanthemums have been revered as one of the four noble flowers since ancient times, symbolizing good fortune and longevity. Chrysanthemums come in many colors and have some ornamental value when in full bloom, including yellow, white, red, and green. They are beneficial for dispersing wind and clearing heat, calming the liver, and aiding eyesight. They’re beneficial for people with excessive liver fire. So, Mrs. Lin, I believe my gift was appropriate, but your backbiting is somewhat ignorant and lacks the demeanor of a noble family..." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"You..."

Li Meifang’s face turned pale and then red, red and then pale again, her breathing getting noticeably heavier.

Old Madam Lin frowned slightly, displeased with Ji Ning’s directness, but out of respect for Lin Yuanyang, said nothing, replying mildly on behalf of Li Meifang, "Miss Ji, this was my fault, this old woman is not very knowledgeable. At the sight of a chrysanthemum, thoughts of death arose, which led to a misunderstanding. I must apologize to you on behalf of this old lady."

"Grandmother..." Lin Yuanyang’s expression changed slightly, but Ji Ning clasped his shoulder.

She accepted the apology calmly with a smile and said, "Alright, I accept your apology."

Old Madam Lin: ...

She held her breath in her chest, feeling quite uncomfortable.

Ji Ning didn’t care whether she was comfortable or not. Her expression shifted, and she pressed her wrist Smart Brain, projecting a light screen that displayed an investigation certificate issued by the Security Bureau.

"I am Ji Ning, an A-level detective from Beijing Security Bureau, and this is my colleague Lin Yuanyang. We are currently investigating a major security incident, and we need everyone’s cooperation for questioning. I need a room for conversation, and those whose names are called follow me inside. The rest remain in place. From this moment onward, no one is allowed to enter or leave this villa! Lin Yuanyang..."

"Yes, group leader!"

Lin Yuanyang nodded slightly, pressing a few buttons on his wrist Smart Brain.

The sound of mechanical locks echoed throughout the Lin Family villa.

Lin Yuanyang had locked down the Lin Family villa and altered the security permissions.

The faces of the Lin Family members changed repeatedly, especially Old Madam Lin who spoke with trembling voice, "Xiao Yang, what is this?"

Lin Yuanyang reassured, "Grandmother, don’t worry, it’s just a simple inquiry. For everyone’s safety, no one in the villa can leave during this period."

Old Madam Lin felt a sigh of relief, and was about to instruct the Lin Family to cooperate when Li Meifang’s shrill voice suddenly sounded, "Why can’t we move in and out? This is illegal detention. Even if you are from the Security Bureau, you have no right to restrict a citizen’s movement."

"Alright, remind me before I leave to take her back to the Security Bureau for questioning," Ji Ning suggested, marking something on the Smart Brain screen without even glancing at her.

Li Meifang’s face instantly turned the color of liver, particularly upon seeing her name highlighted on the screen.

"Anyone else want to go to the Security Bureau? You can exit the villa right now," Ji Ning glanced around the living room.

Everyone remained silent.

Li Meifang was so angry her face turned white, and her stomach tightened in what seemed like contractions.

Aunt Pan rushed over in fright, shouting for a doctor.

Old Madam Lin was also scared, "Meifang, are you okay? Are you feeling unwell?"

Li Meifang held her stomach, her face slightly pained, "Mom, my stomach feels uncomfortable."

Old Madam Lin was filled with anxiety, her tone was harsh with Ji Ning, "I don’t care about your Security Bureau’s regulations, this is the Lin Family. If something happens to my daughter-in-law and grandchild, I’ll risk this old life of mine to report you to the Security Bureau."

"Grandmother..."

"Xiao Yang, that’s your sibling. Even if you don’t get along with her, you can’t just stand by and not help, and be disrespectful to your elders!"

Old Madam Lin interrupted Lin Yuanyang sternly, her face taut with stern severity.

Lin Yuanyang’s fist gradually tightened, making an effort to suppress his emotions.

Ji Ning rested a hand on Lin Yuanyang’s shoulder, her gaze swept over Li Meifang surrounded by people, and said faintly, "Old Madam Lin, since I’ve spoken, I guarantee the safety of everyone’s life in this villa. Even if she’s at death’s door, I can ensure she makes it to the hospital for treatment."

Old Madam Lin didn’t believe her at all, but Ji Ning lightly patted Lin Yuanyang’s shoulder, "Should you doubt, ask the airport police department. Half a month ago, Lin Yuanyang was stabbed in the chest, and at death’s door, it was I who saved him. I have great confidence in my abilities..."

With those words, the faces of Old Madam Lin, Li Meifang, and the others changed instantly.

Old Madam Lin glanced at Lin Yuanyang with guilt in her eyes, her mouth trembling slightly as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words, her expression complex.

Li Meifang, however, after her initial shock, bore a look of guilt and fear in her eyes.

Afraid of being discovered, she immediately lowered her head, desperately suppressing her physiological tremors.

Ji Ning observed all expressions of the Lin Family members, her eyes coldly amused, "Back to the topic, in Beijing Airport, supposedly the safest place, such an audacious assassination occurred. Old Madam Lin, are you sure you don’t want to thoroughly investigate?"

Old Madam Lin’s guilt reached its peak, and even as Li Meifang began to groan, she didn’t draw her attention.

The child in Li Meifang’s belly was certainly important, but Lin Yuanyang was a beloved soul-tied to her heart for so many years.

Whether palm or back, both are precious, and she couldn’t bear to send black-haired children to heaven before herself.

At the thought that he almost died, Old Madam Lin felt her chest hurting, nearly stumbling to the ground.

Fortunately, Aunt Xu, who had been attending her, supported her arm, "Old Madam..."

"I’m fine."

Old Madam Lin took a breath, forcing herself to stay composed, looking sharply at Ji Ning.

This little girl, though young, had precise methods.

She had systematically pushed her into such an intricate situation.

Old Madam Lin knew Ji Ning was forcing her to make a choice.

Either continue muddling through for the sake of family harmony or clearly stand by Lin Yuanyang and offend Li Meifang.

After a long pause, Old Madam Lin sighed heavily, seemingly aging several years, being guided by Aunt Xu to another sofa, her tone firmer than before.

"Fine, investigate as you said! No one in this villa may leave a step without my permission!"

Li Meifang’s face grew even paler, biting her lip furiously to stifle her rageful outcry.

Her fingernails dug deeply into Aunt Pan’s arm.

Aunt Pan winced in pain, wanting to shake off those hands, but she dared not.

Old Madam Lin leaned back against the sofa, closing her eyes as if allowing Ji Ning to do as she pleased.

The maids and servants inside the room were immediately panic-stricken, secretly watching the expressionless Lin Yuanyang, and Ji Ning, who was smiling but not at all gentle.

Ji Ning’s gaze swept over everyone inside, finally settling on the person on the sofa, "Since there are no objections, let’s start with you, Pan Min."