"If that’s the case, then it’s bad news! We need to find Uncle Qiao and figure things out!" Rulu realized the seriousness of the situation and stood up, quickly walking towards the door of the room.


    Although Nana didn’t want to disturb her father, she didn’t stop Rulu and followed him out of the room, arriving at the door of Mayor Qiao''s bedroom.


    "Uncle Qiao, are you in there? Can you open the door?" Rulu knocked hard on the bedroom door, calling out loudly.


    There was no response from inside the room, as if no one was there.


    "Dad, what’s going on? Please come out and say something!" Nana also called out, banging on the door with urgency.


    The situation remained unchanged; there was still no response. Rulu and Nana waited outside for quite a while, but the door didn’t open. They exchanged glances, seeing panic and unease reflected in each other''s eyes.


    "Uncle Qiao, are you in there? If not, we’re coming in!" Rulu felt they could not delay any longer and prepared to force the door open.


    Just then, the door creaked open, and Mayor Qiao''s figure appeared before Rulu and Nana.


    Seeing her father, Nana rushed over and grabbed his hand, anxiously asking, "Dad, what’s going on? Can you tell us?!"


    Mayor Qiao looked gloomy and haggard. He glanced tiredly at Nana and Rulu and spoke in a low voice, "It’s you, Nana and Rulu. Has your mother come back yet?"


    "Mom hasn’t returned, but she should be home soon," Nana replied.


    "I see. Then you both need to prepare your things. We’re leaving here tonight as a family."


    At this news, both Nana and Rulu were taken aback. Rulu exclaimed, "Does that mean the governor really intends to harm us?!"


    Mayor Qiao was also surprised, "You both know already?!"


    Rulu and Nana nodded slowly. Mayor Qiao sighed, his expression sorrowful as he said, "I was afraid you would worry, so I didn’t want to tell you. But since you already know, I’ll tell you—the governor wants to control our family, and if we don’t leave the concession area by tomorrow, we’ll be finished."


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    Nana exclaimed, "How can this be? Dad, you’re the mayor! How can he treat you like this? Isn’t there any law?"


    Mayor Qiao shook his head, "This is the concession area, and the people from the Sanctuary have the highest privileges here. Although I’m the mayor, I’m not one of them. They can erase us at will without facing any consequences. The previous mayors are the best examples. Now, our only option is to escape."


    Rulu said, "But can we really escape? The concession area is heavily guarded by the Sanctuary’s military, completely under their control. If the governor discovers us on the way, things will be even worse."


    A glimmer of cunning flashed in Mayor Qiao’s eyes as he replied, "Actually, I anticipated this situation long ago and prepared in advance. I’ve contacted others to help us, so it should be fine."


    Rulu said, "If that’s the case, then that would be great."


    Nana added, "I hope our family can safely get through this crisis."


    Afterward, the Qiao family quickly sprang into action. They packed their belongings, placing valuable items into suitcases and bags. Late that night, when it was quiet, Mayor Qiao, his wife Mrs. Qiao, and Rulu and Nana quietly left their home, taking their luggage to a secluded street.


    With a whoosh, a large black van suddenly appeared from nowhere, stopping with a screech in front of Mayor Qiao’s home. A tall, burly middle-aged man, along with five strong young men, got out and quickly approached the Qiao family.


    Upon seeing these men, Mayor Qiao’s expression changed instantly because the leading burly middle-aged man was the governor he had met earlier that day.


    "Mayor Qiao, what a late hour! Where is your family headed?" The governor wore a sinister smile, squinting his eyes as he stared at the Qiao family.


    Though Mayor Qiao was extremely panicked, he feigned surprise and smiled, "Ah, what a coincidence! It’s you, Governor! You see, it’s my daughter''s birthday today, and we are just about to go out for dinner to celebrate."


    "Hehe, dinner? Out at midnight for dinner, and carrying so much stuff? I thought you were moving!" the governor said sarcastically.


    "Uh, well..." Mayor Qiao’s smile became stiff as he struggled to explain, "You see, after dinner, we’re going to a friend’s house. These are things we need to bring to him..."


    "Oh, I see! Off to a friend''s house, huh?!" The governor said with a strange laugh, but then his expression darkened as he shouted, "You old fool! Not only did you fail to do what I ordered, but you also think you can run away? Do you really think you can escape?!"


    "No, I’m not trying to run away! Please don’t misunderstand, Governor!" Mayor Qiao exclaimed in panic.


    The governor glared menacingly, "Still trying to be dishonest? You think you can fool me, old man? I think it’s time for you to be dealt with!"


    After saying this, the governor raised his right foot and kicked Mayor Qiao hard in the abdomen. Pain flashed across Mayor Qiao’s face, and he curled up, collapsing to the ground with a thud.


    "Please, sir, spare us! I will definitely do what you asked!" Mayor Qiao pleaded, kneeling on the ground and clutching the governor’s foot.


    "Take this old fool away!" The governor kicked Mayor Qiao aside. The two strong men beside him stepped forward, seized Mayor Qiao''s arms, and, ignoring his struggles, forcibly dragged him toward the black van parked by the roadside.