The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 230. Unexpected Death (First Update)

Chapter 230: 230. Unexpected Death (First Update)

After leaving the estate, it was getting late; Han Yi took Yu Xiaoxuan straight back to the set. Seeing that Yu Xiaoxuan had started filming, Han Yi didn’t leave, but instead found a spot to sit down.

Yu Xiaoxuan’s scene was a fight scene with a male actor, involving her bending her leg and driving it into the male actor’s lower half.

Although it was all acting, watching Yu Xiaoxuan’s expression, Han Yi felt a twinge between his legs and secretly decided to be cautious of this girl’s legs in the future.

"Han Yi, help me go over the lines," Yu Xiaoxuan had just finished a take and ran over, holding the script in her hand.

Han Yi came back to his senses, "Okay."

As they were going over the lines, suddenly, a warning shout broke out near them. Han Yi looked up only to see some stacked boxes used as props toppling over towards them.

All Han Yi could do was wrap his arms around Yu Xiaoxuan, and then the boxes crushed them to the ground. Yu Xiaoxuan, shielded in Han Yi’s embrace, heard a muffled groan.

The set erupted into chaos, and by the time the crew had moved the boxes, Han Yi was drenched in sweat from the pain. Yu Xiaoxuan was still recovering from the shock. Seeing Han Yi in this state, she panicked immediately, "Han Yi, are you okay?"

Han Yi didn’t respond; he was in so much pain that he was gasping for air; Yu Xiaoxuan was about to cry, "Han Yi, what’s wrong with you? Say something."

Han Yi opened his eyes, looked at Yu Xiaoxuan with her eyes brimming with tears, attempting to give her a comforting smile but unable to muster one. He tugged at the corners of his mouth, "I’m fine, don’t cry."

Yu Xiaoxuan didn’t want to cry, but warm blood trickled from Han Yi’s hair onto her face. Wiping it with her hand and seeing the bright red injury, tears just unstoppably rolled down.

"Han Yi, don’t die."

Medical staff quickly arrived, and Yu Xiaoxuan followed them onto the ambulance. Han Yi was fortunate; the box had hit his back but, being a prop box, it was empty, and no internal damage was done. His head had been struck, though, leaving a wound and causing a mild concussion.

When Han Yi woke up, Yu Xiaoxuan was by his bedside, holding his hand, her eyes swollen like walnuts.

Han Yi smiled helplessly, wanting to withdraw his hand but not wanting to wake her, so he remained motionless, softly observing Yu Xiaoxuan’s profile with tenderness in his eyes.

"Han Yi, you’re awake," Yu Xiaoxuan opened her eyes, meeting his gaze excitedly.

Han Yi nodded, but felt a wave of dizziness and couldn’t resist closing his eyes. Yu Xiaoxuan panicked, "Han Yi, what’s wrong, are you uncomfortable?"

Han Yi closed his eyes briefly, waiting for the dizziness to pass, and then opened them again, "I’m fine, don’t worry."

"Who’s worried about you?" Yu Xiaoxuan retorted stubbornly.

Han Yi chuckled, "You’re not worried, yet your eyes are swollen like walnuts."

"It’s because I haven’t slept well, and my eyes are swollen. Besides, you ended up in the hospital trying to save me, I couldn’t just leave you," Yu Xiaoxuan explained.

After Han Yi woke up, the doctor came for an examination and found no serious injuries; he would be discharged in a few days. Yu Xiaoxuan wanted to buy Han Yi some porridge, but being in a foreign country, there was none nearby. She took a taxi especially to Chinese Street for this bowl of porridge.

An hour later, Yu Xiaoxuan returned, "Where have you been? Weren’t you just going to get food?"

Seeing Yu Xiaoxuan, Han Yi couldn’t help but worry. This was a foreign country, and Yu Xiaoxuan was unfamiliar with the place; what if she got lost?

Sweat was on Yu Xiaoxuan’s forehead, she lifted the porridge she was holding, "Wasn’t it for getting you something to eat?"

Han Yi already smelled the familiar aroma of the porridge, closed his mouth, but his eyes expressed a tender warmth.

"I don’t have the energy to eat myself, feed me," Han Yi looked at the porridge unmoving.

Yu Xiaoxuan glanced at Han Yi’s unscathed arms, "Your head is injured, not your hands."

Regardless, Han Yi continued to stare at her without moving. Yu Xiaoxuan, seeing the bandages wrapped around Han Yi’s head, finally sat down beside his bed resignedly and began to feed him, "Here, eat."

Han Yi took a sip of the porridge, "It tastes good."

"Of course, I ran to several stores just to find it," Yu Xiaoxuan said with some pride.

Han Yi had finished the bowl of porridge, and Yu Xiaoxuan did not leave. Instead, she sat beside him, looking at her phone which held pictures he had taken of her at the estate today; most of them featured her alone, but there was one with both of them.

Han Yi had his arm around her shoulders, and she leaned into his chest, facing the camera with a sweet smile. Suddenly, Yu Xiaoxuan’s mind flashed with the image of Han Yi holding her in his arms, shielding her with his body.

"Han Yi, why did you save me at that time?" Yu Xiaoxuan suddenly asked, looking at him seriously.

Han Yi smiled slightly, a sliver of light flashing through his peach blossom eyes, and laughed derisively, "Rather than seeing you hurt and feeling heartbroken, I’d rather get hurt myself, at least my heart would still be intact."

Yu Xiaoxuan found herself at a loss for words, staring at the self-mocking smile on Han Yi’s lips. For some reason, her heart suddenly began to race, "Han Yi, do you like me?" The words slipped out, but as soon as she finished speaking, she realized what she had said, and her face instantly turned crimson.

"I was just talking nonsense, don’t take it seriously." She hastily stood up, intending to flee.

From the hospital bed, Han Yi rose and grabbed her hand, not letting her leave, "Yu Xiaoxuan, I do like you, even I don’t know when I started to like you. Seeing your smile makes me happy, seeing you sad makes me feel sad too, and I get angry seeing you laughing and talking with other men. Yu Xiaoxuan, I do like you. Do you like me?"

Do you like me?

Those words echoed in Yu Xiaoxuan’s ears. She stood with her back to Han Yi, who couldn’t see her face. Han Yi turned her around to face him, Yu Xiaoxuan looking down.

"Yu Xiaoxuan, look at me," Han Yi coaxed gently.

Yu Xiaoxuan didn’t look up, her face flushed with heat, her ears tinged red. She had never thought Han Yi would confess his feelings for her.

Seeing no response from Yu Xiaoxuan, Han Yi’s heart grew colder bit by bit, eventually feeling thoroughly chilled. He loosened his grip on her hand, letting it fall, "It’s okay if you don’t like me; just consider what I said as a joke."

Yu Xiaoxuan kept her head down, turned around at his words, and walked away, leaving Han Yi with a cold look in his eyes, clearly he had deluded himself.

"Han Yi, I don’t know if I like you right now, give me some time to think it over clearly." At the door of the hospital room, Yu Xiaoxuan suddenly said, and to Han Yi’s ears, it sounded like music from heaven. He looked towards the direction of the door, catching just a glimpse of Yu Xiaoxuan’s clothing.

Han Yi’s lips curled up into a wide smile, laughing like a child.

For the next few days, until Han Yi was discharged, Yu Xiaoxuan did not appear. Han Yi couldn’t help but wonder if she had come to realize that she didn’t like him and had run away.

Thinking this, Han Yi grew more anxious and decided to leave the hospital a day early, heading straight to the set, but Yu Xiaoxuan was nowhere to be seen. Upon inquiring, he found out that her family had encountered an issue two days ago and she had rushed back to her country.

Han Yi called Yu Xiaoxuan, but her phone was turned off. He then called Shen Qinglan, "Little sister-in-law, do you know where Xiao Xuan is?"

Shen Qinglan said something that instantly changed Han Yi’s expression. He hung up and drove straight to the airport, purchasing a ticket on the earliest flight back to his country.

When Han Yi hurriedly arrived at the Yu Family residence, Shen Qinglan opened the door, "Little sister-in-law, where is Xiao Xuan?"

Shen Qinglan pointed towards Yu Xiaoxuan’s room. Han Yi walked over and knocked on the door, "Yu Xiaoxuan, it’s me, Han Yi, open the door."

There was no response from inside.

"She locked herself in there after coming back from the hospital yesterday," Shen Qinglan stood behind him, gazing at the tightly shut door with a mournful expression.

Han Yi’s throat felt incredibly dry, "How could Yu Xiaoxuan’s parents suddenly..." He had just received the news that Yu Xiaoxuan’s parents had died two days ago in a traffic accident, and Yu Xiaoxuan hadn’t even seen them for the last time.

"A truck driver was drunk driving," Shen Qing responded.

Two days ago, Yu Wei had been driving his wife to the airport, intending to visit their daughter in country F. Midway through their journey, as they passed through a traffic light, suddenly a large truck came head-on and crashed directly into Yu Wei’s car. The small sedan was crushed under the truck, killing Yu Wei and his wife instantly.

It was later discovered that the truck driver had been under the influence of alcohol.

Han Yi had always known that Yu Xiaoxuan had a very happy family, her parents loving and doting on their only daughter. The sudden death of her parents was an unbearable blow for Yu Xiaoxuan.

Shen Qinglan handed a key to Han Yi, "Go and see her."

Han Yi took the key, opened the door, and walked in.

In the room, Yu Xiaoxuan sat on the floor, expressionless, holding her parents’ photo in her arms.

"Xiaoxuan." Han Yi squatted down and called softly. Yu Xiaoxuan showed no reaction. Han Yi sat down beside her, his back leaning against the wall.

"Xiaoxuan, I understand how you feel. I have lost the person I loved the most too. You probably don’t know, but my mom passed away when I was twenty, literally driven to death by my dad’s mistress.

At that time, I was studying abroad. By the time I returned from overseas, I hadn’t even seen my mom for the last time. I asked my father, and he had registered to marry the mistress who drove my mom to death less than three months after my mom died. Moreover, he even brought that woman into our home. To placate my maternal grandfather, my grandfather ousted my father from the company and directly handed over the company to me before he died. My father, wanting to take over the company, joined forces with the company’s shareholders and executives to try to oust me, and I was only twenty-five years old."

Han Yi narrated his own story in a low voice, unsure how much Yu Xiaoxuan was absorbing.

"Actually, my parents’ relationship was good at the beginning, but after I was born with congenital deficiencies and poor health, my mom dedicated most of her energy to taking care of me, neglecting my father, without even being aware of my dad’s infidelity. I grew up in an unhappy family. You’re much luckier than me. At least your parents loved each other and loved you. As for me, everyone who loved me has left, leaving behind only my own father who’s constantly eyeing me, ready to kick me out of the company to replace me."

Yu Xiaoxuan’s eyes stirred slightly.

"That year when I was twenty-five, when my father and the company executives tried to oust me, I directly fired many who opposed me. That incident severely hurt Han Group, and it was almost unable to survive. I often stayed up several nights in a row, just trying to figure out a way to save the company, while my father was thinking of using me for an arranged marriage. He secretly set up a marital arrangement for me, the condition being a ten percent share of the other company. Haha, in my father’s eyes, my role was just to exchange for money, even though at that time, my father was not short on money. My grandfather had left the company to me, but he had left him a large sum of money, enough for him to live extravagantly for the rest of his life. Yet he still felt it wasn’t enough."

Han Yi paused for a moment, no longer speaking, recalling this past even though he felt no affection for that father anymore, but his heart still ached with pain.

"What happened then?" Yu Xiaoxuan spoke, her voice hoarse.

Han Yi’s eyes brightened, "Then I staged a show for my so-called fiancee. I made her see me kissing another woman. That even made the headlines of entertainment newspapers and magazines. It was a slap in the face on the spot, and the marriage between the two families was naturally called off. That’s when my reputation as a playboy began."

"Do you know what happened to my father afterward? I set it up so his true love got addicted to gambling and lost all the money my grandfather had left him, leaving them to live by my grace."

"Yu Xiaoxuan, I am a cold-blooded, heartless person. Since my grandfather and mother passed away, I’ve had no so-called family affection left in my heart. I hated this world and sought to destroy everything, until you appeared."

"I don’t know when I fell in love with you. When we first met, you and your sister-in-law went on a blind date. At that time, I was sitting not far from you with Hengyi, our attention was all on your sister-in-law, barely noticing your existence. I didn’t even remember what you looked like. Later, your sister-in-law called me, asking me to reserve a place for a public audition, and that’s when I started to notice you."

"To be honest, you’re not my type of girl. Your looks aren’t that beautiful, your figure not hot enough, and even your temper is bad, just like a little wild cat with claws, a bit foolish, unaware even when being plotted against."

"I keep an eye on you from time to time; I didn’t even realize when I had lost my own heart. By the time I noticed, you had already moved in here," Han Yi said as he took Yu Xiaoxuan’s hand and placed it on his chest, allowing Yu Xiaoxuan to feel his heartbeat.

"Yu Xiaoxuan, I have no relatives left in this world, so would you consider being my family? I know my past isn’t clean, and had I known that one day I would fall in love with someone like you, I would have certainly kept myself pure for you. I can’t change the past, but in the future, there will only be you. I won’t let my mother’s tragedy be replayed on you. I’ll take the place of your parents, weep with you, laugh with you, and provide you all the happiness you want until the very last moment of life. So, Yu Xiaoxuan, would you let me be your family and stay by your side forever?" Han Yi’s voice was gentle, deep, yet earnest.

"Will you really stay with me for a lifetime?" After a long time, Yu Xiaoxuan spoke.

"Yes," Han Yi affirmed.

"Han Yi, my parents are gone, and now I have nothing left," Yu Xiaoxuan cried. It was the first time she had done so in many days. Since returning from the hospital, she hadn’t even had the energy to cry.

Han Yi held Yu Xiaoxuan in his arms, gently patting her back, "No, you still have yourself, and I will always be by your side, never leaving you. I will give you a home. We will have a child, and I will make your life perfect again."

Yu Xiaoxuan clutched the front of Han Yi’s shirt, sobbing loudly. Shen Qinglan stood at the doorway, watching the two people inside hugging each other for warmth before turning and walking away.

The funeral for Yu Xiaoxuan’s parents was scheduled for three days later. During those three days, Han Yi was constantly by Yu Xiaoxuan’s side, never leaving her alone. Yu Xiaoxuan still spoke very little, often sitting alone in her room staring blankly, but she at least ate a little.

The funeral was organized by Shen Qinglan, Fang Tong, and Han Yi. Not many people attended that day, aside from a few from Shen Qinglan’s side and the relatives from the Yu family. Han Yi stayed by Yu Xiaoxuan’s side throughout, even seeing off guests in the capacity of a son-in-law of the Yu family.

After the funeral services had concluded, it was already evening. Han Yi had just finished sending off a group of Yu family relatives to the hotel and returned to find several familiar faces sitting in Yu family’s living room, remembering they were also present at the funeral earlier that day.

A woman in her forties sat beside Yu Xiaoxuan, her face stricken with grief, "Xiao Xuan, we never expected such a tragedy to happen. You are your parents’ only bloodline, so you must take good care of yourself."

Yu Xiaoxuan’s face showed little expression, her emotions had been very low these days due to the sudden demise of her loved ones. It was already commendable that Yu Xiaoxuan could muster the strength to attend their funeral.

The woman was Yu Xiaoxuan’s second aunt. Seeing no response from Yu Xiaoxuan, she exchanged a look with Yu Xiaoxuan’s second uncle, "Xiao Xuan, I know the departure of your parents has hit you hard, but you are still young, and the road ahead is long. Even if not for yourself, you should rally for your parents’ sake."

Finally, Yu Xiaoxuan looked up and glanced at the woman, "Thank you for your concern, Second Aunt. I am fine."

Second Uncle signaled to the Second Aunt, who then said, "Xiao Xuan, from now on you will be like a child to your Second Uncle and me. We will treat you like our own flesh and blood. Move in with us, and I’ve prepared a room for you right next to your cousin’s; the two of you sisters can keep each other company."

Yu Xiaoxuan listened to these words without any fluctuation in her gaze, just looking at her aunt by marriage without speaking. Her second uncle glared at his wife, "Xiaoxuan, your aunt is right, from now on you are our child. You will come home with us tomorrow, and Second Uncle will take care of your father’s company. Once you find a husband, the company will be your dowry."

At last, Yu Xiaoxuan reacted. She looked up at her second uncle, "Second Uncle, Dad has only just died and you’re so eager to take over his company—are you not ashamed?"

Second Uncle’s face turned pale, "What do you mean by ’wanting your dad’s company’? I am taking care of it for you. You’re a big star now; where would you find the time to manage the company? This company was your father’s life’s work; we can’t just watch it be destroyed."

The aunt nodded strongly in agreement, "Xiaoxuan, you misunderstand. We don’t want your company. It’s your father’s legacy to you. We won’t take it. Second Uncle just said, he’s managing it for a few years. When you get married in a few years, it will be your dowry. We women, when we marry, we suffer if we don’t have dowries to bring with us. You are the only bloodline of your big brother and sister-in-law; how could we stand to see you bullied?"

"Manage? Help?" Yu Xiaoxuan scoffed coldly, her eyes on her second uncle and aunt, "Once I hand over the company to you, will I even be able to take it back?"

Yu Xiaoxuan knew exactly what her second uncle and aunt were like. When her father was still alive, they were always eyeing the family company, always coming over to persuade her father to let Second Uncle help out in the company. If it wasn’t for her mother’s persistence, Second Uncle might already have joined the company.

That’s also why Second Uncle’s family resented her mother, thinking if it hadn’t been for her mother’s interference, they would have already acquired the company.

"Xiaoxuan, what are you saying? We are your close relatives, the only family you have in this world. Aren’t these words too hurtful for your Second Uncle’s heart?" Second Uncle said painfully.

Second Aunt’s face looked ugly as if Yu Xiaoxuan had wounded her deeply.

"Who says Xiaoxuan has no family in this world, am I not human?" Han Yi’s cold voice came from the doorway, and when Second Uncle and Aunt turned, they saw the young man they had seen at the funeral.

Han Yi had been by Yu Xiaoxuan’s side all day; they naturally recognized each other.

"Who are you?" Second Uncle scrutinized Han Yi and asked.

"I am Yu Xiaoxuan’s boyfriend, soon to be her husband, and her family member," Han Yi sat down next to Yu Xiaoxuan.

"Xiaoxuan doesn’t have a boyfriend. Young man, you should be honest," Second Uncle pushed his glasses up, speaking sternly.

Second Uncle was the type of person Han Yi saw often; he smiled, but his smile did not reach his eyes, "Second Uncle, right? Xiaoxuan is currently in the prime of her career, so she hasn’t made our relationship public. Her parents know about me being her boyfriend. If you don’t know, it just shows you don’t have a good relationship with Xiaoxuan’s family."

Second Uncle’s face turned iron blue, but before he could speak, Han Yi continued, "You just mentioned taking Xiaoxuan home. I don’t think that’s necessary. I’m her boyfriend, and I will take care of her. If Xiaoxuan doesn’t have time to manage the company, we will hire professional managers. They are professionals and surely better than amateurs like you."

His words were blunt, leaving Second Uncle and Aunt with ugly expressions but unable to retort under Han Yi’s cold gaze. They only looked at Yu Xiaoxuan, "Xiaoxuan, see what kind of man you’ve found? Are these even human words to say? We meant well and look how he speaks about us. If this gets out, how can we face anyone?"

"Since Second Uncle and Aunt are not that kind of people, naturally, they wouldn’t be coveting our family’s company right after my dad died. Since that’s the case, you should head back. Don’t bother yourselves with the company’s affairs; I will hire professional managers and ensure my father’s efforts won’t go to waste."

Second Aunt’s face stiffened, and she forced a dry smile, "Xiaoxuan, a professional manager is still an outsider, they won’t be as devoted as your own family. Second Uncle isn’t busy with much and managing the company for you won’t cost you money, hence saving your money and giving you peace of mind."

Yu Xiaoxuan looked up directly at her, "After all is said and done, Second Uncle and Aunt still want our family company, don’t you? Let me tell you directly then, even if I sell the company, I will not hand it over to you. You can give up on that hope. By the way, I forgot to tell you, my dad made a will two years ago, and after their deaths, all his property is mine; even if you took me to court, you would have no chance of winning."

Second Uncle’s face darkened as he looked angrily at Yu Xiaoxuan, "Yu Xiaoxuan, I am after all your real uncle. Is this how you speak to your elders?"

Yu Xiaoxuan retorted without weakness, "You know you are my elder, do you remember my dad was your biological brother? My dad has just passed away, and here you are, so eager to take away his company. Don’t forget, my dad was the one who started this company from scratch without either money or effort from you. Now you expect to reap the benefits? Do you think I’m an idiot?"

"Fine, fine, fine. Yu Xiaoxuan, since you’re so ungrateful, well, let’s just wait and see," Second Uncle stormed off, followed closely by Second Aunt, who shot a fierce glare at Han Yi.

Drained of all her strength, Yu Xiaoxuan collapsed on the sofa, her eyes empty and void.

Han Yi looked at her worriedly, "Xiaoxuan, are you alright?"

Yu Xiaoxuan’s focus centered on Han Yi’s face as she softly spoke, "Han Yi, hold me. I’m cold."

Han Yi’s heart tightened. He held Yu Xiaoxuan close, feeling her slight tremors, "Yu Xiaoxuan, don’t be afraid. You were very brave just now, and you need to stay brave and strong. Even if you aren’t brave, it doesn’t matter; you still have me. You’re not alone. Remember, no matter what you lose in the end, you still have me. I will guard your father’s legacy for you."

Yu Xiaoxuan nodded fiercely, burying herself in Han Yi’s embrace, saying nothing. She was so tired, really tired.

"Han Yi, now you’re all I have. You must never betray me," Yu Xiaoxuan whispered, her voice trembling.

Han Yi chuckled lightly, "Silly, I will never betray you."