Rebirth: The Time-locked Girl
Chapter 126 They are just like mother and daughter! Waking up Zhou Heyuan [2nd Update]

Chapter 126: 126 They are just like mother and daughter! Waking up Zhou Heyuan [2nd Update]

One of the photos was indeed Ye Wanlan, secretly taken by Lin Yue.

The other photo was of a woman over forty, but she had taken such good care of herself that she looked just into her thirties.

The photo was taken last month at a banquet organized by several wealthy families in Harbor City.

The woman was dressed in a fitting cheongsam, her posture dignified and graceful.

These two photos placed together did bear a striking resemblance of about sixty percent.

Especially their eyes and eyebrows, almost as if they were carved from the same mold, were one to say they were mother and daughter, absolutely no one would object.

"Zhu Qingxian?" An Jinxiu furrowed her brow tightly, murmuring, "She’s the mistress of the Kang Family; how could she possibly be connected to the people of the Jiangcheng Lin Family?"

There were not a few wealthy families in Harbor City, and the Kang Family was undeniably the first among them.

The status of the Kang Family in Harbor City was the equivalent of the Zhou Family in Jiangcheng.

Although both Harbor City and Jiangcheng were located in the southern part of the Shenzhou Land Continent and both were international metropolises, their development strategies were not the same.

Therefore, there was very little commercial exchange between the two cities.

As far as she knew, the Kang Family started as a pharmaceutical enterprise, spreading their industrial chain to the Global Center, Northern Lands, and the Starman Federal Empire.

"You think so too, right?" Bai Jingxue lowered his voice, "The moment I saw that wretched girl, I felt she looked remarkably like Zhu Qingxian. Could she really be Zhu Qingxian’s illegitimate daughter who was lost to the outside world?"

An Jinxiu’s face became thoughtful.

"However, it’s also possible they just look alike. There are many people in the world who resemble each other," Bai Jingxue added.

"No—" An Jinxiu’s eyes flickered, "Even if it’s coincidence, we still need to confirm the results. I’m giving you a task—find a way to get some of this girl’s hair."

She intended to perform a paternity test for Ye Wanlan and Zhu Qingxian.

Empty words were not convincing; she only believed in tangible evidence.

An Jinxiu also hoped it was just a coincidence, otherwise...

Harbor City would face great turmoil, no longer at peace!

**

At this moment, at the Xu Family.

Xu Lu just received a batch of goods and was in a great mood. He called a few young lords to go to the Yuting Clubhouse for drinks.

After a few rounds of drinks, Xu Lu called over the manager, "What about that girl who accompanied us last time? Hurry up and call her over!"

He had a deep impression of the hostess because it was on that very night that Ye Wanlan had conned him of four hundred thousand.

The manager trembled, "I... I’m sorry, Young Master Xu, Zhou Yixiang has already resigned."

"Resigned?" Xu Lu slammed the table, "Then bring her back to work immediately!"

The manager braced himself, "Yes, Young Master Xu, I’ll make sure it’s done."

"Wait—" Xu Lu suddenly said, "What did you just say her name was? Her surname is Zhou?"

"Yes, yes, her surname is Zhou, but definitely not related to the Zhou Family," the manager smiled appeasingly. "Otherwise, how could she be so poor that she had to work at the clubhouse, right?"

"That is true," Xu Lu nodded in agreement.

He had principles; he would never touch the daughters of wealthy families, only those ordinary civilians were for his amusement.

Suddenly, his cell phone started ringing incessantly.

Xu Lu answered with impatience, "Hello?"

"Brother Xu, something’s happened!" the person on the other end said anxiously, "Mang Hu has disappeared, and so have You Xiaolong and several of his other men. They’re all missing."

Xu Lu’s expression changed, "What happened?"

"I don’t know!" the person sounded scared, "Could they have been taken by enemies? There’s no way to contact them, and there’s not a trace left at the scene, not even on the surveillance cameras."

Mang Hu had many enemies from his days in the underworld, having offended quite a few people.

But they all knew he was now under Xu Family’s protection, and would weigh the consequences of retaliation from the Xu Family before making a move.

"Then why aren’t you continuing to investigate?" Xu Lu barked, "If you can’t figure it out, I’ll send you to Wanta Country to work with spices!"

"Yes, yes, Brother Xu, I’ll look into it right away."

"Get out!"

Xu Lu hung up the phone, his anger not yet subsiding.

Even if a hundred Mang Hus had trouble, it wouldn’t matter to him, but what was at stake was his reputation!

In the whole of Jiangcheng, even Zhou Hechen would have to give him some respect; who dared to overstep against him?

Xu Lu suddenly thought of someone—

Ye Wanlan.

But almost immediately, he dismissed the thought.

Ye Wanlan could only make trouble openly. Even with a thousand guts, she wouldn’t dare do such a thing behind the scenes, and she lacked the ability anyway.

Xu Lu lit a cigarette, his gaze fierce.

Sooner or later, he would make Ye Wanlan pay the price she owed.

**

The next day, in the afternoon, Ye Wanlan was packing her luggage.

The archaeological project that Yan Tingfeng had signed her up for had been approved; it was to last for a week of research in Yan City.

Yan City was her former home.

In my previous life, before I sensed that my end was nearing, I wrote to Ning Zhaozong, hoping that after death my soul could return to Yan City.

Therefore, my grave is also in Yan City, although it has yet to be unearthed to this day.

Perhaps this time in Yan City, I might be able to find my grave.

Moreover, the "Annus Mirabilis" film crew will also be shooting in Yan City, which means Ye Wanlan will stay there longer, causing Lin Huaijin considerable worry.

"When you go to Yan City tomorrow, make sure to stick with the main group," Lin Huaijin reiterated uneasily, "It’s a border area, very close to Wanta Country, with much unrest and lots of thieves and pickpockets."

Ye Wanlan nodded slightly.

During the Ning Dynasty Period, Wanta Country already existed and would pay tribute every month.

"And remember, never drink water offered by strangers," Lin Huaijin added, "Just the other day, someone fell into a coma after taking just one sip of water and woke up in Wanta Country."

Wanta Country is a mining powerhouse with very rich mineral resources, such as jade, turquoise, gold, and silver.

But because the industry of Wanta Country is extremely backward and refugees abound, armed conflicts are frequent.

Shenzhou merchants engaged in foreign trade there often risk their lives.

Ye Wanlan pondered thoughtfully, "I do indeed plan to select some jade material."

Pulling the Sky Company is in urgent need to expand, to craft ancient-style jewelry, but the resources they can procure are very limited, as the jade merchants have all partnered with several large companies.

She intended to visit Wanta Country personally to negotiate with a few suppliers for Pulling the Sky Company.

Aside from the few large mines in Global Center, Wanta Country is known for having the world’s finest jade material.

"That’s out of the question!" exclaimed Lin Huaijin, suddenly agitated, "It’s said that there are people there who practice witchcraft and cast spells. We don’t know if it’s true or not, but better safe than sorry, right?"

"Even if it’s true," Ye Wanlan smiled slightly, "I’d like to see whether they are more impressive or the Shenzhou Penglai and Beiming Sects are."

Weren’t the so-called witchcraft techniques of Wanta Country just the most basic Art and Method of the Beiming Sect?

Even the old gatekeeper of the Beiming Sect knew one or two tricks.

Lin Huaijin was taken aback: "Don’t read too much into those martial arts novels. If you must go, you have to join a regular tour group, alright?"

"Sure, Uncle, I’ll listen to you," Ye Wanlan said languidly, then turned her head, "Starting today, you’ll join me in physical training. When I’m not around, you need to be able to protect yourself."

Lin Wenli didn’t refuse: "Alright."

"Let’s start with the horse stance," Ye Wanlan instructed, "Watch how I do it. By the time I return, you should have mastered the horse stance."

Lin Wenli’s brow twitched slightly.

He was beginning to wonder if his agreement was a mistake.

"By the way, while holding the horse stance you can also work on physics problems," Ye Wanlan added, "Look with your eyes, calculate with your mind; it can cultivate your mental arithmetic skills."

Lin Wenli: "..."

Was this how his cousin always utilized time?

It wasn’t a time management method that a normal person like him could accept.

**

Elsewhere, at First Hospital.

On the hospital bed, Zhou Heyuan lay quietly, his body filled with tubes, the electrocardiogram machine beside him showing steady lines, yet he showed no signs of awakening.

"Hechen, it’s been two years; there’s still no telling when Big Brother will wake up," Sheng Yunyi said worrisomely, "If Big Brother never wakes up, Madam Zhou will be so devastated."

Zhou Hechen shook his head faintly, "Brother’s condition is indeed not good, and Mom and Dad have sought doctors from around the world to no avail."

The likelihood of someone in a vegetative state waking up is very slim, and even if they do wake up, their body’s functions can’t fully recover.

Especially since the damage to the brain is completely irreversible.

That is to say, even if one day a miracle happened and Zhou Heyuan woke up, there’s an eighty percent chance he’ll suffer from severe cognitive impairment.

"Ah, Madam Zhou has also been heartbroken over Big Brother," sighed Sheng Yunyi.

Madam Zhou had been tirelessly running around for Zhou Heyuan’s sake, and today she received a batch of new special medicines from the Global Center, which she handed over to the attending physician.

Her expression was somber because she knew the slim possibility that these medicines could awaken Zhou Heyuan.

On the way back to the ward, two nurses chatted with each other.

"It’s incredible, I don’t know which national medical sage from Yunjing was sent over."

"Awakening someone in a vegetative state, it’s almost like the Taiyi Divine Doctor recorded in the history books."

"Exactly, our ancestors were so wise. It’s just three hundred years too late, alas, it’s heartbreaking to accept."

Madam Zhou stopped abruptly, her voice raised, "What did you say? Someone in a vegetative state has been awakened?"

The two nurses were startled, "Good, good day, Madam Zhou."

"Who awakened the vegetative patient?" Madam Zhou asked frantically, pressing for an answer, "Quick, tell me!"

The nurses trembled, "We don’t know, but the... the dean..."

Madam Zhou didn’t wait for them to finish and rushed straight to the dean’s office.

The dean was discussing medical equipment purchases with a supplier, as they needed to procure a batch of the latest devices from the Global Center, which had been difficult to secure.

Madam Zhou barged in, interrupting the dean’s call. He frowned in displeasure, "Madam Zhou, what is it?"

"Is there hope for vegetative patients?" Madam Zhou couldn’t control her excitement, her voice trembling, "As long as my Heyuan can be saved, the Zhou Family is willing to do anything!"

The dean hesitated for a moment, "I can’t make this decision, I need to ask someone."

In Madam Zhou’s presence, he dialed Ye Wanlan’s phone.