Before long, the information from Bi An Yan reached Ziong MingDe's phone.

An address, a time, that was it. There was no more information, no cliché threats.

But Ziong MingDe knew how Bi An Yan operated.

When Bi An Yan wanted to make someone submit, he would go straight for the most important people and things in their life.

He would stop at nothing, there were no means he wouldn't use, and nothing he couldn't achieve. All he pursued was efficiency.

After thinking for a moment, Ziong MingDe replied to Bi An Yan's message.

- Up to you.

Just two words, but they already conveyed all the information Ziong MingDe wanted to send to Bi An Yan.

It meant that no matter what methods or ways Bi An Yan used, he would not compromise on the matter of participating in the experiment.

This also meant that even if Bi An Yan targeted the Uesugi family or the friends and classmates in the "Ziongzong" circle, it had nothing to do with Ziong MingDe.

Several years ago, when Ziong MingDe realized that he might become enemies with Bi An Yan in the future, he started thinking about how to confront him.

When Bi An Yan was on their side, he was a mentor whom they could rely on completely. He would protect, guide, and teach them. Not only could he help them overcome the past and give them the present, but he would also lead them to find their own future.

But when Bi An Yan became an enemy, he was not bound by any moral constraints. He was not limited by material or human resources, only pursuing efficiency and results.

Therefore, Ziong MingDe intentionally avoided establishing deep connections with anyone.

Now, facing Bi An Yan's threat, Ziong MingDe believed that he had no burdens to worry about.

The Uesugi family? They were only important to the "Ziongzong" persona, not related to Ziong MingDe.

Koga mother and daughter? They were only important to the "Ziongzong" persona, not related to Ziong MingDe.

Katagiri Mai? She was only important to the "Ziongzong" persona, not related to Ziong MingDe.

Manranyama Souren? Kurashige Yui? Ito Aruno? Eiji Hayamizu? They were only important to the "Ziongzong" persona, not related to Ziong MingDe.

If there was something, just come directly to him. He didn't care about anything else.

That's what he thought.

At least, he believed he had achieved that a year ago.

However, the person we understand the least is often ourselves.

The next day, Ziong MingDe safely spent his time at school, although he remained on high alert, nothing happened.

Then, he returned home safely with Uesugi Yui and the two little girls.

The more peaceful it was, the more uneasy Ziong MingDe felt.

Soon after, his bad premonition came true.

The atmosphere at home was abnormal.

Uesugi Tano and Uesugi Yukino were both at home, but usually, they didn't come home this early.

"We're back~!"

"Welcome back~!"

The usual greetings, the usual help with household chores, the usual preparation for dinner.

But something was off.

Uesugi Tano's playful banter was missing.

The slightly noisy but pleasant laughter was missing.

Uesugi Tano was troubled by something, but he hadn't communicated with his family yet.

Ziong MingDe patiently waited until after dinner, but Uesugi Tano didn't seem to have the intention to open up, so Ziong MingDe could only choose to eavesdrop.

That night, outside the Uesugi couple's bedroom, Ziong MingDe finally heard it.

Uesugi Tano had been fired from the company due to problems with the project he was in charge of.