Hearing him say that, Shen Lin fell silent for a moment before asking, "Mu Lan, have you considered another possibility?"
"What?"
"Let's suppose the people who kidnapped Ji Ting really were acting on Ji Yanzhi's orders."
"Not! A! Chance!" Shen Mu Lan frowned, his tone adamant. "Why would he hurt Ji Ting? Even putting their relationship aside, Ji Yanzhi would still need a motive, wouldn't he?"
Shen Lin looked at him meaningfully. "Shili Group isn't some ordinary company. Inheriting that kind of immense wealth would be enough to drive anyone mad."
Shen Mu Lan opened his mouth, then took a deep breath, as though his chest felt tight. "I'll admit Ji Yanzhi's rotten temper does make him seem like a villain sometimes. But he can be durian, stinky tofu, or snail noodles-he'd never be a pile of... like his dad."
He suddenly froze mid-sentence.
A hidden smile crept into Shen Lin's eyes. "A pile of what, Mu Lan?"
"Wait, hang on..." Shen Mu Lan raised a hand, desperately trying to catch the thought that had flashed through his mind. After a long moment, he looked up in a daze. "Why are we assuming Ji Yanzhi is the culprit? Why not assume he's innocent? If that's the case, then there are two victims in this kidnapping!"
Shen Lin almost failed to suppress his smile. That was his little brother all right-loyal and clever. With just a little nudge, he had grasped the key point.
He feigned confusion. "Ji Ting is obviously the biggest victim. So the other one is... Ji Yanzhi?"
"Exactly!" Shen Mu Lan grew excited. "He's been framed so badly. Doesn't that make him a victim too?"
"Then tell me, who would want to hurt both brothers?"
"It has to be..."
Shen Mu Lan abruptly stopped himself. No, he