The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 376 - 378. She is Mrs. Jin (first watch of the night)

Chapter 376: 378. She is Mrs. Jin (first watch of the night)

Leaving the Yan Family, Jin Enxi looked at Shen Qinglan disapprovingly, "An, what you’re doing is simply too risky."

Shen Qinglan’s expression was indifferent, "He won’t talk."

"What if he does?"

"If by any chance he does, then it would mean that I have let down Sister Mumu," Shen Qinglan said, a flicker of killing intent passing through her eyes.

Jin Enxi immediately understood, "I will keep an eye on Yan Anbang at all times. If he really dares to do that, I will make sure he understands why flowers are so red." The words were chillingly cold.

And, indeed, Yan Anbang had no thought of disclosing Shen Qinglan’s identity to anyone. Just now, Shen Qinglan had spoken about some of Qin Mu’s childhood to him, and he was staring blankly at the portrait of Qin Mu, looking at the faint yearning in her eyes, a sudden intense pain gripping his heart.

Shen Qinglan said, Qin Mu’s greatest wish was to return home, but until she left this world, her wish remained unfulfilled; she even lay alone in the cold ground without a single soul to visit her.

After Shen Qinglan left Devil Base, she once went to the burial site to look for Qin Mu’s body, but so many years had passed, and the area was already overgrown with vegetation. Moreover, in order to prevent wild animals from scavenging her body, she had buried it deep without any marker. Now, even if she wanted to find it, there was no way to do so.

"An, do we really need to have Yan Anbang work with us? If Qin Yan really comes back, do you really think just Yan Anbang alone could hold her?" Jin Enxi didn’t understand Shen Qinglan’s actions today.

Shen Qinglan smiled faintly, "Do you really think I want Yan Anbang to help me? I just want him to see Qin Yan’s true face."

"Why don’t you just tell him about Qin Yan directly, why reveal your own identity?"

"Enxi, what kind of person do you think Yan Anbang is? Do you think someone who can become the Chief of Staff in South City Military District is really a fool? Do you think he would believe whatever we say? Devil Base is a special existence that ordinary people can’t even access, and I know so much about Qin Mu’s affairs, do you think he wouldn’t be suspicious? Instead of letting him guess and doubt, it’s better to admit it outright, which is more credible."

Jin Enxi still didn’t quite understand, "Even if we let him continue to be deceived by Qin Yan, so what? It’s his own stupidity, to the extent of destroying his own family for a woman like Qin Yan, it’s all retribution for his own actions. Why should we tell him the true reality?"

A cold look flashed in Shen Qinglan’s eyes, "If we don’t tell him the true face of Qin Yan, how would he ever realize he’s wrong?"

Jin Enxi was slightly stunned.

Shen Qinglan continued, "Only when people who make mistakes realize they have erred will they feel regret."

"Will Qin Yan really come back then?" Jin Enxi asked.

Shen Qinglan nodded firmly, "She will. If she didn’t plan to come back, she wouldn’t have bothered to arrange such an elaborate way to leave. Wouldn’t it be simpler just to leave?"

Jin Enxi really understood then, what Shen Qinglan did today was essentially a psychological strategy. She didn’t need to do anything to Yan Anbang personally; knowing the truth, Yan Anbang would torture himself to death.

It had to be said, for someone like Yan Anbang, Shen Qinglan’s approach was indeed the most trouble-free.

"Moreover, do not underestimate the vengeance of a mad man. If Qin Yan really dares to appear before Yan Anbang again, it won’t be easy for her to escape, not unless she reveals her trump card. For us, that would be a good thing, as we could see how strong Qin Yan really is."

Jin Enxi’s eyes sparkled, "This plan is really killing several birds with one stone."

"An, you really see things clearly." Jin Enxi gave a thumbs-up.

Shen Qinglan smiled faintly. Such a tactic was person-dependent. She was ninety percent certain that even if she revealed her identity to Yan Anbang, this man wouldn’t spill the beans. But with others, the outcome might not be the same.

"Shall we head back to the hotel now?" Jin Enxi asked.

Shen Qinglan nodded, "Let’s go back and check on Ya Xi."

When they returned to the hotel, Ya Xi was still sleeping. Shen Qinglan did not disturb her but found Yan Shengyu instead, "Regarding Ya Xi, what do you plan to do?" Shen Qinglan asked straight to the point.

Yan Shengyu replied, "I will send Ya Xi back to Xueli City in a couple of days. This place is a painful reminder for her, and it’s better for her to leave. If possible, I’d rather she never returns." Even he himself would leave this place and might not come back for quite some time.

"That’s probably for the best. I heard that there’s more behind your mother’s death, what do you plan to do about it?"

Yan Shengyu was taken aback, "I don’t know. Right now, there’s no trace of Qin Yan, and I even suspect she has already left Nancheng. But no matter how long it takes or what price I have to pay, I will find her and make her pay for her actions."

"You’re now the only family Ya Xi has left. Whatever you do, I hope you’ll consider Ya Xi’s feelings," Shen Qinglan said lightly.

Yan Shengyu chuckled, "Do you really see me as that impulsive in your eyes? Don’t worry, even just for Ya Xi’s sake, I won’t do anything illegal or disorderly."

His father was unreliable, and his mother had left again, and if anything happened to him, Yan Xi really would go crazy, so even though Yan Shengyu wanted to know about Qin Yan, he hadn’t considered risking himself.

Seeing that he was thinking clearly, Shen Qinglan felt relieved, "If you need my help, please feel free to ask."

Yan Shengyu smiled, warmth in his eyes, "Thank you, Shen Qinglan. Even when my family misjudged you, you were still willing to lend a hand during the hardest times."

"I’m not as noble as you think," Shen Qinglan said indifferently. If not for the sake of Qin Mu and Yan Xi, she would have chosen to remain a bystander to the Yan Family’s affairs.

"Regardless of the reasons, I still want to thank you. I’ll be leaving this place in a few days as well. After your child is born, I will come to Beijing to see you."

Shen Qinglan didn’t refuse, but said, "Take care of yourself when you are alone out there." After speaking, she stood up and left.

She didn’t wait for Yan Xi to wake up. Instead, she handed a box to Doug to give to Yan Xi, and then left Nancheng with Jin Enxi.

**

In Country Y, at a certain estate.

Allen slowly opened an underground passage, and the dark stairs appeared before him; he slowly walked down.

Below were a series of cells, just like prison rooms. One of the rooms held a woman. Allen walked up and stood in front of the woman, "Qin Yan."

Qin Yan raised her head and turned on the light. It took her eyes a moment to adjust, she squinted, and then reopened them, "Allen, you’ve finally come."

The last time in Nancheng, she received a call from the housekeeper, saying there was trouble in Country Y and that she needed to return immediately. After her return, Allen had locked her up here, where aside from three meals a day brought by someone, she was alone in the entire underground prison.

Xu Nuo carried a chair and placed it on the ground; Allen sat down on it, "Go out first," he said to Xu Nuo.

Xu Nuo’s expression darkened slightly, and without a word, he turned and left.

Allen watched Qin Yan quietly, "Have you thought things through after being locked up for so long?"

Qin Yan laughed softly, "Allen, you must be the most ridiculous person I have ever seen. That woman betrayed you and even almost killed you, yet you still want to protect her. Do you really see yourself as a lovesick fool? But indeed, you are more lovesick than your father. I remember when your mother betrayed your father, she was given to his subordinates by him and was tortured to death."

"Shut your mouth," Allen shouted angrily, "You are not worthy to mention my mother."

Qin Yan remained calm, playing with her nails, which she had just had done; beautiful despite being locked up for who knows how long.

"If you don’t like it, I’ll drop it. But Allen, I also didn’t expect that the housekeeper was your man. He has been loyal to me for over twenty years. Can you tell me when did the housekeeper betray me?"

"He never betrayed you," Allen said.

Qin Yan was taken aback, then understood the meaning behind his words and couldn’t help laughing out loud, "Okay, okay, I had no idea the housekeeper had always been your man. Allen, I have to admit, in this respect, you surpass your father."

"Tell me, how long do you plan to keep me locked up?" Qin Yan asked with a stern face.

Allen watched her quietly, "As long as you don’t bother Shen Qinglan, I can release you right now."

"Heh, Allen, have you really gone mad? Yan Anbang and Shen Qian killed your father, and you don’t avenge your father, and now you even stop me from seeking revenge. Are you really doing all this for a woman?"

"He died because he was inferior," Allen stated coldly. He never liked his father—a man cold to the marrow, with a soul filthy to its core. Ever since his mother died, he thought relentlessly about making that man join her in death.

"You can’t say that about him, Allen. He is your father. Even if your mother died because of him, it was because she betrayed your father first," Qin Yan became agitated. That man was a godlike figure in her heart, and she wouldn’t allow anyone to slander him, not even his own son.

Allen’s gaze was icy. If it wasn’t for the affair between that man and the woman before him, would his mother have become so despondent and desperate to do what she did? When that man first brought Qin Yan back home, his mother had treated Qin Yan like a daughter, but the outcome was that her beloved betrayed her with her husband.

A flicker of disarray passed through Qin Yan’s eyes. Thinking of the dead woman, she still wasn’t entirely unfeeling even after so many years. She admitted that if she had to say sorry to anyone in this world, it was that woman.

But she loved Carl, and she wanted to be with him. And Carl liked her too. Their love was innocent, love was not a crime. If anyone was to be blamed, it was that woman for being too fragile.

"Qin Yan, if you can’t stay out of trouble, then just stay here," Allen stood up to leave. Qin Yan’s expression shifted and she called out to him, "Wait a moment."

"Allen, you can’t do this to me. Think about it, this is good for you too. If others find out Shen Qinglan’s true identity, then she surely won’t have a place in Beijing. When you appear before her then, moved by your presence, she will naturally come back to you. And you won’t even have to be the bad guy. Isn’t this killing two birds with one stone?"

"It’s no wonder you—the Mrs. Jin who has been invincible among men—have such a sharp tongue," Allen said. "Qin Yan, or perhaps you’d prefer I call you Mrs. Jin?"

Qin Yan’s face changed slightly, "Allen, you know that ’Mrs. Jin’ is the title I hate the most, why must you do this?"

Allen’s face showed a trace of disdain, "Qin Yan, don’t project your thoughts onto me. Shen Qinglan’s identity cannot be made public, and if you dare to let it slip, I certainly won’t let you off. I’ve made this clear long before, and since you treat my words like farts, you might as well stay here. I think the environment suits you."

Qin Yan’s face turned a ghastly shade of pale green, "Do you plan to imprison me for a lifetime? Aren’t you afraid they will come looking for you to demand my return?"

"Is there anything wrong with that? Mrs. Jin appears and disappears unpredictably, no one knows her true face, and who could know that Mrs. Jin has already been switched? Besides, who in this world could know that Mrs. Jin is in my hands?" Allen said with a laugh, but however you looked at it, the smile was filled with malice.

Qin Yan’s face darkened; in the past, in order to maintain mystery, she never showed up publicly as Mrs. Jin and fully authorized the housekeeper to represent her. People in the underworld knew the housekeeper but not her. The person she thought she could trust most turned out to be the deepest in hiding.

Qin Yan stared intensively at Allen, "If this time I wasn’t planning to tell the Shen Family about Shen Qinglan’s disappearance years ago, you wouldn’t even let the housekeeper be exposed, would you?"

Allen laughed without saying anything, but his meaning was obvious. Indeed, had it not been for the housekeeper telling him that Qin Yan had decided to make a move on Shen Qinglan, he would have still chosen to observe Qin Yan’s performance.

Shen Qinglan’s betrayal had made Allen angry, even resentful. If he found an opportunity, he would still strike at Fu Hengyi, but he couldn’t bring himself to be ruthless towards Shen Qinglan; he couldn’t bear to see her get hurt.

If Shen Qinglan’s identity as Mei were exposed, the people of the underworld definitely wouldn’t let her off, and even if he wanted to keep her safe, it would be very difficult.

The reason Devil Base had made those in the underworld tremble with fear was partly because they never missed their targets, and on the other hand, because their base was too mysterious. Apart from the insiders, no one could find it.

Allen left the dungeon, with Xu Nuo waiting at the entrance. Allen glanced at Xu Nuo, "Without my permission, if you dare to let her out, you know the consequences."

Xu Nuo’s gaze flickered slightly, "Master, I understand."

Without looking back, Allen left. Xu Nuo looked at the entrance to the dungeon, closed the door, and followed behind Allen.

Had it not been for eight years ago when Qin Yan had rescued Allen from the sea, relying on Qin Yan’s murderous intent towards Shen Qinglan alone, Allen would have dealt with her first.

"I’m going to Beijing, get ready," Allen said to Xu Nuo following behind him.

"Yes, Master."

**

Beijing, the Fu Family’s home.

Shen Qinglan had not been back from Nancheng for long before she received a call from Ya Xi. Ya Xi had called to say goodbye, probably Yan Shengyu had told her, and she had decided to return to Xueli City immediately.

"Sister, thank you for the gift you sent, I really like it," Ya Xi said, her voice still hoarse, but her tone was much calmer.

"It’s good to leave. The environment in Xueli City is very nice, good for your health."

"Sister, will you come to Xueli City?" Ya Xi asked.

"I will."

"Great, then I’ll wait for you in Xueli City. Sister, I wish you and the baby health and happiness."

After hanging up the phone, Shen Qinglan’s eyes were filled with melancholy. Fu Hengyi held her hand tightly, and Shen Qinglan smiled, "I’m fine, just reflecting on how unpredictable life can be."

When she first met Ya Xi two years ago, Ya Xi was a little girl unaffected by the ways of the world, innocent and cheerful, with a bit of a spoiled rich daughter’s temper that was somewhat endearing. Now, in just a short two years, everything has changed beyond recognition.

"I will accompany you to Xueli City to see her in the future, together with our child," Fu Hengyi said softly.

Shen Qinglan nodded, "Yeah, Ya Xi really likes children."

**

Time flew by, and the weekend came in the blink of an eye. Shen Junyu got up early and drove to Wen Xiyao’s home. The door was opened by Mrs. Wen, "Jun Yu, come in. Xiyao is still asleep; I’ll go wake her up."

Shen Junyu didn’t object. Today they were scheduled to take wedding photos, and they were going back to Hai City for the shoot. It was about time and they couldn’t delay any longer.

Wen Xiyao was roused from bed by Mrs. Wen, only then remembering the significance of the day. Her groggy mind instantly cleared, "Mom, why didn’t you wake me up earlier?" As she spoke, she rushed to the bathroom.

Wen Xiyao came out ready in just half an hour, and Shen Junyu raised an eyebrow, "This speed is quite impressive."

Ignoring his teasing, Wen Xiyao pulled him along, eager to leave. "Quit the chitchat and let’s move, or we’ll miss our flight." There was a trace of annoyance on her face, she couldn’t believe she would oversleep on such an important day, probably she was the only one capable of that.

Shen Junyu grabbed her, "There’s time, eat breakfast first."

Mrs. Wen echoed too, "Xiyao, come have breakfast first."

Wen Xiyao shook her head, "No, I really can’t. If we take the time to eat, we will miss the plane."

"I’ve already rescheduled the flight, there’s time, eat first," Shen Junyu said.

Wen Xiyao was startled, "When did you reschedule it?"

"Just now. I’ve also spoken with the photographer, they will wait for us in Hai City. The weather has been great there these past few days, even if we can’t finish today, we can continue tomorrow."

Wen Xiyao was ushered to the dining table by Shen Junyu, still a bit slow to react. She remembered a friend who, because she was one hour late for her wedding photoshoot, made her partner so angry that he left her on the spot and the wedding preparations turned rocky thereafter, ultimately coming to nothing. Comparing this to Shen Junyu’s actions, Wen Xiyao suddenly felt that she was actually very fortunate.

She smiled softly, settling down to eat, "Have you eaten yet?"

Shen Junyu nodded, "I’ve eaten. There’s plenty of time for the next flight, so don’t rush your breakfast."

Mrs. Wen had been in Beijing since the Lantern Festival, busy with wedding preparations alongside Chu Yunrong. The more she interacted with Shen Junyu, the more satisfied she was with him: he was mature, responsible, and tolerant, and his care for Wen Xiyao showed in every little aspect of life.

After breakfast, Wen Xiyao and Shen Junyu rushed to the airport and flew straight to Hai City.

Though it was already spring in Beijing, the temperature was still quite low. Swimming for the underwater wedding photos would be too cold, so Shen Junyu had decided to take the pictures in Hai City with Wen Xiyao.

Now in mid-February, there was still about a month and a half until the wedding.

The climate in Hai City was starkly different from Beijing, akin to summer versus winter. Stepping off the plane, Wen Xiyao immediately shed her heavy coat, "Ah, it’s so much nicer here."

"How about we move the wedding to Hai City?" Shen Junyu suggested seriously.

Wen Xiyao glanced at him, "The wedding is nearly all arranged, the invitations have been sent out; changing the location now would be a joke!"

"We can call to inform those who received invitations. The climate in Beijing is still a bit too cold; if we move the wedding to Hai City, we could have an outdoor ceremony." The more Shen Junyu spoke, the more appealing he found the idea.

Wen Xiyao was speechless, "Stop making trouble. My mom and aunt have been busy with these preparations for so long, you can’t just change the venue with a single sentence."

Shen Junyu realized she had a point. Preparations in Beijing were nearly complete, and changing venues now would not leave enough time; a hurriedly arranged wedding is never as good as one prepared meticulously.

Shen Junyu reluctantly abandoned the idea.

Instead of returning to the Wen family home, they went directly to the beach, where the photographer was already waiting. Once the makeup was done for Wen Xiyao and Shen Junyu, they headed to the seaside. Looking at the calm sea, Wen Xiyao couldn’t help but ask, "Junyu, are you sure you’re okay?"

She remembered Shen Junyu couldn’t swim, and though he claimed to have learned, Wen Xiyao still worried.

Shen Junyu had been practicing swimming and diving recently and had done so several times, so naturally, he wasn’t afraid, "No problem."

As it turned out, the whole wedding photo shoot went very smoothly.

They even took a set of photos against the night scenery by the sea, and by the time they got back to the Wen family home, it was already nine in the evening.

At the Du family home, Mrs. Du returned from outside with a displeased look. Seeing the expression on his wife’s face, Du Honghai asked, "What’s wrong? Didn’t you go out for a gathering with friends? Why do you look upset?"

Mrs. Du was about to speak, but upon seeing Du Nan enter the room, fell silent, waving her hand dismissively, "It’s nothing, just ran into a few people I’d rather not see, annoying."

"Mom, who did you meet that’s got you so upset?" Du Nan asked, curious.

"It’s just... never mind, it’s nobody. Go rest, you’ve worked all day, you must be tired. I’ll feel better after digesting it a bit."

Seeing that her mother didn’t want to talk, Du Nan smiled, "If they’re unimportant, don’t let outsiders upset you. It’s not worth it."

Mrs. Du waved her hand again, "Alright, go rest now."