"If that's the case, we're in trouble. We need to find Uncle Qiao and clarify what's happening!" Rulu realized the seriousness of the situation. He stood up and quickly walked out of the room.

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

  "Uncle Qiao, are you in there? Can you open the door?" Rulu knocked loudly on Mayor Qiao's bedroom door, calling out to him.

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

  "Dad, what's going on? Please come out and say something!" Nana also called out, knocking hard on the door.

  The situation remained the same—still no response from inside. Rulu and Nana waited outside for quite some time, but the door didn't open. They looked at each other, both seeing panic and anxiety in the other's eyes.

  "Uncle Qiao, are you in there? If not, we're coming in!" Rulu felt they couldn't delay any longer and was about to break down the door.

  Just then, with a creaking sound, the door opened automatically, and Mayor Qiao appeared before Rulu and Nana.

  Seeing her father, Nana hurried over and grabbed his hand, anxiously asking, "Dad, what happened? Can you tell us?!"

  Mayor Qiao looked gloomy and haggard. He gazed at Nana and Rulu with tired eyes and spoke in a low voice, "It's Nana and Rulu. Nana, has your mother come home yet?"

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

  "I see. Well, go prepare yourselves and pack your luggage. Our entire family must leave tonight," Mayor Qiao said.

  Hearing this, both Nana and Rulu were shocked. Rulu asked, "Does that mean the Governor really intends to harm us?!"

  Mayor Qiao was also surprised: "You already knew?!"

  Rulu and Nana nodded slowly. Mayor Qiao sighed, saying with a sorrowful expression, "I originally didn't want to tell you this because I was afraid you'd worry, but since you already know, I'll tell you. The Governor wants to control our entire family. If we don't leave the concession area before tomorrow, our entire family will be doomed."

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  Nana exclaimed in shock, "How can this be? Dad, aren't you the mayor? How can he treat you like this? Aren't there any laws?"

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

  Rulu said, "But can we escape? The concession area is filled with Sanctuary troops and is completely under their control. If the Governor discovers us on the way, things will be even worse."

  A hint of cunning flashed in Mayor Qiao's eyes as he said, "Actually, I anticipated something like this might happen long ago and made preparations in advance. I've also contacted others to help us. We should be fine."

  Rulu said, "If that's the case, then that's excellent."

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

  Afterward, Mayor Qiao's family quickly took action. They packed their belongings, placing valuable items in suitcases and bags. Late that night, when everyone else was asleep, Mayor Qiao, his wife Mrs. Qiao, along with Rulu and Nana, quietly left their home and headed to a deserted street with their luggage.

  With a whooshing sound, a large black van appeared out of nowhere and screeched to a halt in front of Mayor Qiao's home. A tall, burly middle-aged man and five strong young men got out of the van and quickly approached Mayor Qiao's family.

  Upon seeing these men, Mayor Qiao's face changed immediately, as the leading tall, burly middle-aged man was none other than the Governor he had met earlier that day.

  "Mayor Qiao, so late at night, where is your family heading?" the Governor asked with a malicious smile, narrowing his eyes as he stared intently at Mayor Qiao's family.

  Although Mayor Qiao was extremely alarmed, he pretended to be surprised and smiled ingratiatingly, saying, "Oh, what a coincidence, Governor! Well, you see, it's my daughter's birthday today, and we're going out for dinner to celebrate."

  "Hehe, dinner? Going out for dinner in the middle of the night, carrying so much luggage? I thought you were trying to move," the Governor said sarcastically.

  "Well, that's... that's..." Mayor Qiao's smile became stiff as he tried to explain, "Actually, after dinner, we're going to visit a friend. These things are gifts for them..."

  "Hehe, I see, so you're going to a friend's house?!" The Governor laughed strangely. Suddenly, his face darkened as he shouted, "You old fool! Instead of doing the work I assigned you, you're trying to run away. Do you think you can escape?!"

  "No, I'm not trying to escape, Governor. Please don't misunderstand," Mayor Qiao said in panic.

  "Still not being honest? You old man, did you think you could fool me? I think you need to be taught a lesson!" the Governor said menacingly.

  After saying this, the Governor raised his right foot and kicked Mayor Qiao hard in the stomach. Pain showed on Mayor Qiao's face as he curled up and fell to his knees with a thud.

  "Sir, please, spare us. I will definitely complete the task you assigned me," Mayor Qiao pleaded, kneeling on the ground and hugging the Governor's feet.

  "Take this old man away!" The Governor kicked Mayor Qiao away. Two of his strong men came over, grabbed Mayor Qiao's arms, and dragged him toward the black van parked on the roadside, ignoring his struggles and resistance.