The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 411 - 413. Qin Yan Appears (First Update)

Chapter 411: 413. Qin Yan Appears (First Update)

Allen completely ignored the hand on his neck, "Hmm, very good, Xiaoqi, use all your strength, strangle me to death, I definitely won’t resist."

A coldness in Shen Qinglan’s eyes materialized as she looked at Allen, her grip tightening more and more until Allen’s face turned purple, yet he was still smiling. With a ruthless look in her eyes, Shen Qinglan released Allen.

Allen clutched his throat as he coughed, "Cough cough, Xiaoqi, you’re still too soft-hearted now. Who pulled out your claws, was it that man?"

Shen Qinglan’s eyes, which had just softened a bit, instantly turned cold again. Her hand tightened then loosened, loosened then tightened, and finally relaxed, "Allen, since you’re unwilling to help me, then leave." She stood up, her goal this time had been to find out what Allen had that made Qin Yan hesitate, and now she knew, it hadn’t been a wasted trip.

"Wait a second." Allen spoke up, causing Shen Qinglan to pause mid-step, "Xiaoqi, before doing anything, think about your son."

A shadow passed over the depths of Shen Qinglan’s eyes, and she walked away, this time Allen didn’t stop her. It wasn’t until a good while later that Allen reached up to touch his throat, still sore, but it was as if he didn’t feel the pain, and he spoke softly, "Xiaoqi ah, what am I to do with you?"

He looked at the bone ash ring in his hand, a resolute flash in his eyes, and decided to go with it.

**

Shen Qinglan sat in the car, her hand on the steering wheel without moving, waited a long time, before she slowly started the vehicle.

Today, she nearly lost control and got provoked by Allen. She looked at her hands, her eyes filled with a fragmented light.

When she got home, Fu Hengyi was waiting at the door with Anan. Seeing her return safely, Fu Hengyi’s tension eased, and Shen Qinglan smiled slightly as she took her child in her arms.

Smelling the milk scent on the child, she finally felt completely calm.

That night, when the child was asleep, Shen Qinglan discussed her plans with Fu Hengyi.

"You want to use fake ashes to lure out Qin Yan?" Fu Hengyi asked her back.

"Mhm, Allen won’t hand over the ring to me, and even Qin Yan doesn’t know where the real Carl’s ashes are. She cares so much about Carl’s ashes, whether this news is true or not, she’ll definitely come to investigate, then I can find out where she is."

"It is indeed a good method, but you shouldn’t be the one to go. If Qin Yan shows up, I’ll deal with her," said Fu Hengyi.

Shen Qinglan frowned, "Fu Hengyi, you can’t get involved in this." As a soldier, if he got involved in underworld affairs, and it became known, it would be over for him.

"This is me fulfilling my duty as a soldier. Qin Yan has leaked military secrets, causing our soldiers to sacrifice their lives. I have the obligation to protect national secrets from being leaked and the right to apprehend those who have done so."

Shen Qinglan was momentarily stunned. Such a righteous reason meant that even her involvement would be justified. After all, she was protecting national secrets from being leaked, and Qin Yan’s status as a spy from another country was affirmed in just a few words by Fu Hengyi.

As for how Yan Anbang, Qin Yan’s former husband, would fare was no longer within Fu Hengyi’s consideration.

The couple quickly agreed on a plan, and the next day at dawn, Shen Qinglan called Jin Enxi and leaked the information that Carl’s ashes were in her possession.

And when Allen tried to lure out Qin Yan, she had already heard the news one step ahead, which infuriated him so much he smashed everything, "Xiaoqi, don’t you care about family the most? Why are you being so disobedient this time!" Allen spoke angrily, also vaguely regretting that he had provoked Shen Qinglan so much the day before.

The housekeeper stood aside, even when things were smashed onto his feet, he didn’t so much as furrow his brow, standing silently as if he were a sculpture.

"Housekeeper, spread the word that my father’s ashes are in my possession."

"Young Master, it’s too late now, Mrs. Jin probably already knows."

Allen’s eyes were cool with certainty. Indeed, given Qin Yan’s attention to Shen Qinglan, she must have already received the news. Perhaps meeting with Shen Qinglan was a mistake.

"Now spread the word that the ashes in Shen Qinglan’s hands are fake, the real ones are with me."

"Young Master, will Mrs. Jin believe that?"

"Believe it or not, let’s try. If she believes it, good; if not, keep a close watch on Shen Qinglan. As soon as Qin Yan appears in Beijing, bring her back to me first."

"Yes, Young Master." The housekeeper retreated.

Allen’s fury had not yet subsided.

On the other side, Qin Yan had already received the message, "Oh? Carl’s ashes are in Shen Qinglan’s hands, are you sure?"

The man bowed his head, not daring to look at Qin Yan, "I think it’s probably a false message."

Qin Yan chuckled lightly. She too thought it was a false message, but even if so, she wanted to try it. What if it were true? Allen was so devoted to Shen Qinglan; he might indeed entrust the item to her to threaten Qin Yan, also ensuring she wouldn’t dare to move against Shen Qinglan lightly.

"Prepare the plane, I’m going out," said Qin Yan in a cold voice.

The man was startled, "Madam, it’s too risky, you can’t go. The message is more than likely false; they must have set a trap and are waiting for you."

Qin Yan of course knew that, but those were Carl’s ashes. She hadn’t seen Carl for over twenty years. Last night she had dreamt of him, dreamt that Carl was asking her why she still hadn’t avenged him?

"Hurry and prepare, don’t make me say it a third time." Qin Yan was stern-faced.

The man didn’t dare speak again and retreated to prepare the plane for Qin Yan.

The private jet tore across the Pacific sky, leaving a long trail behind.

**

Yan Anbang was tidying up Ya Xi’s former room, taking out her things to air them in the sun, but unexpectedly found a torn photo of Qin Mu from the drawer, ripped into four pieces and taped back together.

Naturally, Yan Anbang recognized the photo—it had been in his study before and had gone missing. Now he realized that Ya Xi must have taken it. Yan Anbang looked at the photo of Qin Mu, who was only five years old at the time, laughing heartily in his embrace for the camera.

"Ding-dong ding-dong." The doorbell rang, pulling Yan Anbang’s thoughts back. He carefully placed the photo in his jacket pocket, close to his chest.

The door opened to a delivery man with a package, "Is Yan Anbang here?"

"That’s me."

"This is your delivery, please sign for it."

Yan Anbang took the pen, signed his name, closed the door, and saw the package was from City G. His heart lurched; he quickly opened the package to find two new items of clothing, likely sent by Yan Shengyu.

He carefully touched the clothes, which were plainly ordinary, yet they made Yan Anbang’s eyes redden instantly. He picked up his phone to call Yan Shengyu but still couldn’t get through, so he dialed the number from the express delivery. A woman’s voice answered the call.

"Hello, may I ask whom you’re looking for?" the sweet female voice came through, causing Yan Anbang a moment of surprise, "I’m looking for Yan Shengyu, I’m his father."

"Ah, so you’re Uncle then. Hello, Uncle! I’m Shengyu’s girlfriend. My name is Zhong Ziwen. Shengyu isn’t home right now."

Yan Anbang was stunned again, not expecting Yan Shengyu to have a girlfriend by now. He glanced at the express package, "When Shengyu gets back, could you pass him a message? Tell him the delivery has been received, I really like the clothes, and I appreciate his thoughtfulness."

"Uncle, do you really like those two pieces of clothing?" Zhong Ziwen sounded very happy, and Yan Anbang faintly guessed something, "Did you send those clothes?"

"Yes, I accidentally found out that your birthday was coming up, so I wanted to get you something. But I couldn’t decide what you would like, and Shengyu wouldn’t tell me, so I just took the initiative and bought two pieces of clothing. I chose the size based on a photo of you, but I’m not sure if they fit properly."

"You’ve seen my picture?"

"Yes," Zhong Ziwen lowered her voice, "I saw the family photo in one of Shengyu’s books. Uncle, you looked very handsome in your military uniform."

Yan Anbang’s gaze darkened as he was reminded again of that once-happy life that he had personally destroyed.

"Shengyu...," Yan Anbang wanted to learn more about Yan Shengyu’s life but didn’t know where to begin.

"Shengyu was promoted last month; he’s now the manager of their department. But because he just got the promotion, he has a lot of work. That’s why he’s still working overtime today, even though it’s the weekend. Uncle, how have you been? I’ve always wanted to visit you with Shengyu, but he never seems to have the time."

Yan Anbang knew in his heart that it wasn’t that Yan Shengyu didn’t have time; it was that he didn’t want to see him.

Yan Anbang chatted with Zhong Ziwen for a bit longer, "Find some time to come back for a meal with Shengyu."

"Okay, Uncle, once Shengyu is less busy with work we’ll come over. And if there’s anything you need, you can call this number of mine; I never turn my phone off. Being on your own in Nancheng, take care of yourself."

"Alright, thank you for your concern. You and Shengyu should also take care of yourselves. It’s good for young people to work hard, but it’s equally important to look after your health."

After hanging up the phone, Zhong Ziwen looked towards Yan Shengyu who was sitting on the sofa with a cold expression, "Shengyu, are you still mad at me?"

Yan Shengyu did not speak.

Zhong Ziwen sat down next to him, trying to hold his hand, but Yan Shengyu avoided her grasp, "I know you blame me for sending something to your father, but Shengyu, he’s still your father after all. Apart from your sister, he’s the only family you’ve got left in this world. Regardless of the mistakes he’s made in the past, he’s like this now, and if something were to happen to him, you’d regret it too late."

Yan Shengyu kept a cold face, refusing to speak.

Zhong Ziwen looked down at the ground, "Shengyu, I also hate my father; my father is a gambling addict. He lost all the family’s money, and to pay off his debts, my mother sold our house. She took on three jobs to support the household and my schooling, and sometimes she even had to cover my deadbeat father’s gambling debts. That’d be bad enough, but whenever my father lost money, he would come home and beat my mother. You have no idea how much I hated him; I wished he would die so my mom and I could be free. However, when he actually did die five years ago, I wasn’t as happy as I thought I would be. I was sad, heartbroken. That kind of sorrow welling up in my eyes, the suffocating feeling in my chest—you can’t understand it right now."

"Perhaps you think I’m meddling too much. We’re just boyfriend and girlfriend, not husband and wife, and I have no right to interfere with your matters. But Shengyu, I can tell that deep down, you care about your father. If it’s possible, go see him. Don’t end up like me, with regrets over a parent who’s gone before you had the chance to repay them."

"You’re upset right now and probably don’t want to see me, so I’ll go home. I’ll come to see you another day. I’ve already made dinner; it’s in the pot. Remember to eat later."

Zhong Ziwen stood up to leave but was stopped as Yan Shengyu grabbed her wrist. With a firm tug, Zhong Ziwen found herself sitting on Yan Shengyu’s lap.

"I apologize. My attitude was wrong just now; please don’t be upset."

Zhong Ziwen smiled faintly, "I’m not angry, I just don’t want you to be upset. If you truly do not like it, I won’t make decisions for you without your consent anymore."

Yan Shengyu buried his head in Zhong Ziwen’s chest and spoke softly, "I’m not ready yet. Give me some time, and once I am, I’ll take you home to see him."

Zhong Ziwen hugged his head, saying gently, "Okay."

At the Yan Family’s house, Yan Anbang sat alone in the living room, staring at the empty house with a sense of discontent.

The doorbell rang once more, and it took him a long time to get up and open the door.

Outside, Qin Yan faced him, her face full of excitement, "Anbang, I’m back."

Yan Anbang’s expression changed in an instant; he pulled Qin Yan inside and then swiftly shut and locked the door behind them.

Qin Yan was caught off guard by Yan Anbang’s forceful shove and fell hard to the ground. She looked up at him, disbelief in her eyes, "Anbang, what’s wrong with you? It’s me, I’m Qin Yan."

Yan Anbang looked at Qin Yan, his gaze dark as night, "I know you’re Qin Yan. You’ve finally come." Qin Yan, do you know how long I’ve waited for you!

A sense of foreboding struck Qin Yan’s heart; she felt she had overestimated herself this time and gotten in too deep.

"Anbang, what’s wrong with you? You’re looking at me like that; I’m really scared." Her face was the picture of softness and vulnerability.

Qin Yan, are you still putting on an act with me? Do you really think I’m a fool? Yan Anbang was filled with rage internally, but as he looked at Qin Yan, he forcefully suppressed this anger.

"Now you know to come back? Where have you been all this time? You left without saying a word, did you want to worry me to death?" Yan Anbang bellowed.

Qin Yan looked at the furious Yan Anbang, and a sense of relief actually sprouted in her heart, "Anbang, listen to my explanation. I was taken away by my ex-husband. He took advantage of your absence, entered our home, and knocked me out and took me away. To punish me, he kept me locked up for several months. I wanted to contact you, but I had no chance. If his enemies hadn’t come after him, I would have had no chance to escape." Qin Yan’s words were laced with tears.

Yan Anbang looked coldly at her performance; the sight of her tears didn’t stir the slightest bit of sympathy in him any longer, only a feeling of disgust. How could he have been deceived by someone with such poor acting skills?

Was it just because of her frail appearance? Hah, Zhao Jiaqing was right, he was blind back then, mistaking fish eyes for pearls.

"Anbang, you have to believe me. Every word I say is true. You know my ex-husband has some ties with the underworld. He knew I had betrayed him, and previously, because you were a soldier, he didn’t dare do anything to me. Now that you aren’t, he..."

"So that means you’ve been with him again these past few months?" His tone was faint, his expression unreadable, it was impossible to guess what he was truly thinking.

Qin Yan’s eyes flickered momentarily, "Anbang, I haven’t. He wanted to be with me, but I refused him, truly. Anbang, though he’s been tormenting me these months, I’ve never been unfaithful to you."

Yan Anbang stared intently at Qin Yan, reaching out to wipe her tears with a gentle touch, "Stop crying."

A glimmer of triumph flashed through the depths of Qin Yan’s eyes. It seemed that Shen Qinglan, that fool, had not revealed her true identity to Yan Anbang. Before coming back, she had hesitated between going straight to Shen Qinglan in Beijing or coming to the Yan Family first. Now it looked like she had made the right bet.

"Anbang, I’ve missed you so much," Qin Yan said tenderly.

Yan Anbang smiled slightly, "I’ve missed you too!"

His expression suddenly changed, and he grabbed Qin Yan by the throat, "You wretch, still playing games with me? Are you having fun?"

Qin Yan clutched Yan Anbang’s wrist. "Anbang, what are you doing? It’s me, Qin Yan."

"Qin Yan, you’ve finally come back. I’ve been waiting for you for so long, or perhaps you’d prefer I call you Mrs. — Jin — !"

Qin Yan’s expression changed in an instant but quickly reverted to one of confusion. "Mrs. Jin? What are you talking about, Anbang? Let go of me; you’re confusing me."

"Addicted to acting, aren’t you? Qin Yan, I’d like to ask you, what am I, Yan Anbang, in your eyes? A fool? Someone you can deceive over and over again?" Yan Anbang’s voice squeezed through clenched teeth, his gaze on Qin Yan as if he wished he could tear her apart.

Qin Yan, facing the furious Yan Anbang, also regretted her overconfidence. It seemed she had underestimated Shen Qinglan, but she soon realized she had done more than just underestimate Shen Qinglan.

Feeling her breathing becoming more difficult, Qin Yan pounded on Yan Anbang’s arm. "Yan Anbang, let go of me... I... I can’t breathe..."

Yan Anbang’s grip tightened continuously until Qin Yan’s eyes began to roll back, and only then did he viciously throw her to the ground. Qin Yan lay there, coughing so hard tears came out. Through blurred eyes, she looked at Yan Anbang, trying to regain the upper hand.

"Anbang, did someone tell you something? I don’t know any Mrs. Jin."

Yan Anbang loomed over Qin Yan, his foot pressing down on the back of her hand. "You don’t know Mrs. Jin? Your acting skills really are wasted outside of the entertainment industry. I’ve made it very clear and yet you’re still playing dumb, do you truly believe I’m still that same fool you once played at will?"

Qin Yan’s gaze shifted dramatically, but this time not with panic but with indifference, with calm.

Yan Anbang had been watching her, noticing the change in her eyes, and sneered. "What, not pretending anymore?"

"Heh, Shen Qinglan told you, didn’t she?" Qin Yan struggled to pull her hand from under Yan Anbang’s foot, wiping away the dust. "I didn’t think she would dare, did she also tell you her own identity?"

"Qin Yan, I only need to ask you one thing, was Qin Mu sent there by your own hands?" Yan Anbang ignored Qin Yan’s words and asked solemnly, his gaze quivering slightly with a tinge of nervousness.

Qin Yan massaged her wrist, sitting on the ground with no intention of standing up. At Yan Anbang’s question, she seemed at ease. "It seems Shen Qinglan has told you her identity. No wonder, how else would you have known about Qin Mu? It appears I’ve still underestimated Shen Qinglan. I thought she would hide her past identity at all costs, but she actually told you. I’ve been too confident, but right now, the most important thing is to leave the Yan Family. The rest can wait until I’m out of here."

"Thinking of leaving? Qin Yan, keep dreaming!"

"Since you know I’m Mrs. Jin, are you so sure you can keep me here? Yan Anbang, I don’t mean to look down on you, but have you seen yourself? Like this, you still think you can hold on to me? If I haven’t left this house by tomorrow, my people will come in." Qin Yan spoke nonchalantly, as if completely unconcerned about her current predicament, but only she knew how tense she truly was inside. She still had unfinished business and could not die at Yan Anbang’s hands.

"Before your people come in, I could kill you and then turn myself in. You are a foreign spy, sneaked into our country to steal classified intelligence. I discovered you, and in a moment of urgency, I accidentally killed you. I believe the judge will be lenient with me," Yan Anbang said calmly.

Qin Yan attempted to intimidate Yan Anbang but forgot that the Yan Anbang before her was no longer the man who once deeply adored her and believed everything she said.

Qin Yan’s gaze shifted minutely as she scrutinized Yan Anbang. "You’ve become smarter over time, but unfortunately, it’s too late. Now, you’re nothing but a lone man with a ruined reputation, a broken family, and a wife and child gone."

"Slap." A heavy slap landed on Qin Yan’s cheek, immediately causing it to swell. She licked the blood from the corner of her mouth and found her teeth had been loosened, which made clear the force behind Yan Anbang’s blow.

"Tell me, did you personally send Qin Mu away?"

Qin Yan glanced at him sideways. "You already know the answer, so what’s the point of asking?"

Yan Anbang’s expression instantly twisted savagely as he lifted Qin Yan from the ground. "She’s your biological daughter, the one you carried for ten months and gave birth to. How could you bear it?!"

"She isn’t, she’s not my daughter, she’s your daughter, my enemy’s child!" Qin Yan roared. "Blame her for having a father like you. It’s her own bad luck!"

"Qin Yan, are you even human? Even a tiger wouldn’t eat its offspring yet you don’t spare even your own daughter!"

"I’ve said she’s not my daughter, she doesn’t deserve to be! She’s too filthy, she has your blood in her veins, she was born only to repay a debt!"

"You wicked woman!" A slap landed on the other side of Qin Yan’s face, "Tell me, was it also you who harmed Ya Xi?"

"Ha ha, ha ha, it was me, Yan Anbang, I still have the video from back then, do you want to see it? Actually, I really did like Ya Xi, with her big eyes full of innocence and joy, so much like myself when I was younger. I really didn’t have the heart to harm her and hesitated for a long time."

A hint of madness flickered in Qin Yan’s eyes, "But who asked her father to be Yan Anbang? You are the one who doomed your own daughter. You didn’t see the panic in her eyes, and the despair in her scream – such a delight to the ears. Do you want to see it? If you do, I can share it with you."

"Ah, I’ll kill you!" Yan Anbang’s expression twisted ferociously as he once again choked Qin Yan’s neck.

"If you kill me, ah, if you kill me, you’ll never see your precious daughter Ya Xi again!" Qin Yan squeezed out the words with difficulty.

Yan Anbang’s waning reason snapped back in an instant, "What have you done to Ya Xi?"

"Heh heh, weren’t you going to kill me? Go on, Yan Anbang, do it quickly, kill me. It would be worth it to have your daughter join me in death." Qin Yan smirked.

Yan Anbang released his grip, instead seizing her by the shoulders, "Tell me, where is Ya Xi?"

"Ya Xi? I invited her over to my house as a guest. My place is beautiful, the scenery doesn’t lose to Xueli City at all. I’m sure Ya Xi will like it there. If she wants to play with the big brothers, there are plenty."

Yan Anbang’s eyes burned red, "Tell me, where is Ya Xi?"

"Want to know? Heh heh, I won’t tell you." Qin Yan’s eyes gleamed with triumph, relentlessly provoking Yan Anbang.

"Anbang, let me tell you one more thing. Do you want to know why Zhao Jiaqing suddenly changed her attitude and was determined to send you to prison? It’s because... " She paused, seeing Yan Anbang’s murderous gaze and feeling content inside, "Because she thought you were responsible for what happened to Ya Xi, all to get revenge on her for losing Qin Mu. Ha ha ha, that foolish woman, stupid her entire life, and yet clever just this once - fortunately helping me with a favor, dying a worthy death."

"Yan Anbang, you beast, even animals won’t eat their own offspring, and you are worse than beasts!" Yan Anbang’s mind suddenly echoed with Zhao Jiaqing’s voice, words he once couldn’t understand, but now made perfect sense in this moment.

"It was you, you did it?" Anger nearly incinerated Yan Anbang’s reason once more.

Qin Yan readily admitted, "It was me, who asked her to be so stupid, not to properly investigate things."

"Zhao Jiaqing was innocent, why did you kill her?" Yan Anbang ground his teeth as he asked.

"Innocent? She was your wife, that makes her guilty. Anyone related to you is not innocent. Yan Anbang, you’re the architect of your own misfortune. You killed my Carl; I want to see your house broken and your people gone! Are you furious? Good, you should be."

Watching Yan Anbang’s angry expression, a sense of perverse pleasure rose in Qin Yan’s heart, and she began to laugh, "Anbang, do you hate me? Want to devour me, is that it? Let me tell you, I’ve hated you for over twenty years, wishing to tear you apart, drink your blood, eat your flesh. But I held back for more than twenty years, just to see you in such despair today. Your hate now, compared to mine, what does it even count for?"

"Qin Yan, do you have a shred of humanity left? Ya Xi and Qin Mu are only children, how could you bear to harm them?"

"I couldn’t bear to, but who asked them to be your children? If you’re going to blame anyone, blame them for not choosing their birth better."

Yan Anbang stared intensely at Qin Yan, using a great deal of effort to suppress the hatred and anger in his heart, "Tell me, where is Ya Xi?"

"At my place, didn’t I just tell you? Have you forgotten so soon? Anbang, it seems you’ve truly gotten old."

"Stop the nonsense, if you don’t tell me where Ya Xi is, then you’ll be joining her in a joint funeral."

Qin Yan had no clue where Ya Xi really was; she had just used that as a bluff to manipulate Yan Anbang into hesitancy.

"Let me go, and I’ll tell you where Ya Xi is," Qin Yan said slowly and deliberately, utterly unafraid in the face of Yan Anbang’s rage.

Yan Anbang scoffed, "Keep dreaming, Qin Yan. If you don’t tell me where my daughter is, don’t even think about leaving through that door. We might as well perish together!"

Suddenly in his hand appeared a military knife, its blade glinting coldly. He pressed the knife against Qin Yan’s throat, "Speak, where is my daughter?"

Qin Yan glanced at the military knife with disdain in her eyes, certain that Yan Anbang wouldn’t dare kill her, "Go ahead and do it."

A fierce glint flashed in Yan Anbang’s eyes, and with a flicker of cold steel, Qin Yan screamed, clutching her arm in shock as she looked at Yan Anbang, "Do you want Ya Xi to die?"

"Speak, where is Ya Xi?" Yan Anbang demanded coldly, ignoring the blood streaming from Qin Yan’s arm, his patience wearing thin. The memory of Ya Xi’s manic state circled in his mind, and he knew not how long his sanity could hold.

"I would rather die than tell you. I want your daughter to have a companion in death," Qin Yan responded coldly.

"Then go to hell!" bellowed Yan Anbang.

**

Beijing.

While shopping with Chu Yunrong and Fu Jingtong, Shen Qinglan suddenly received a message from Yan Anbang indicating that Qin Yan had returned to Nancheng. Her expression shifted subtly, "Mom, Aunt, I need to use the restroom."

"Sure, go ahead. We’ll wait here for you," said Fu Jingtong.

Shen Qinglan strode into the restroom briskly, and after confirming there was no one else there, she made a call to Jin Enxi, "Enxi, where are you?"

"I’m at home," Jin Enxi replied casually.

"Qin Yan has gone to Yan Anbang. Hurry over, and remember to bring some people with you."

Jin Enxi’s nonchalant expression instantly turned grave, "Qin Yan’s come? That’s great. I’ve been waiting for her for a long time," she said through gritted teeth. "I’m leaving right now. An, don’t worry, I won’t let Qin Yan get away this time."

"Be quick. I’m worried Yan Anbang can’t handle her."

"Alright, I’m on my way."

Shen Qinglan tried to call Yan Anbang but got no response. Frowning slightly, she wished she could handle Qin Yan in person if it wasn’t so inconvenient to leave at the moment.

By the time Jin Enxi arrived at the Yan Family home, it was already too late. Another Yan Anbang had left, nowhere was Qin Yan’s shadow to be seen, and there lay Yan Anbang himself, bloodied on the ground, his life hanging in the balance.

Jin Enxi checked his breath and, finding him alive, called the hospital using the Yan Family’s landline, "Yan Anbang, where is Qin Yan?"

She slapped Yan Anbang’s face, trying to rouse him, but his eyes remained tightly shut, unresponsive.

"An, Yan Anbang is seriously injured, and Qin Yan has escaped," Jin Enxi said, teeth clenched.

Shen Qinglan’s gaze grew chilly, a step too late, "Understood. You head back for now. I’ll inform Yan Shengyu."

She still remembered Yan Shengyu’s number, so she called to inform him that his father, Yan Anbang, was hospitalized and in critical condition, and then she let go of the matter.

"Sheng Yu, what’s wrong?" Zhong Ziwen saw Yan Shengyu’s shocked expression, his phone having fallen to the ground unnoticed, and could not help but ask.

Yan Shengyu took off running, and sensing something was terribly wrong, Zhong Ziwen hurried after him. Seeing Yan Shengyu struggling to open the car door, he rushed to help, pushing Yan Shengyu into the passenger seat, "I’ll drive, where do you need to go?"

"The hospital, take me to the hospital. No, to the station, quickly, to the station! I have to get back to Nancheng!" Yan Shengyu said in a frantic tone.

Stamping on the accelerator, Zhong Ziwen drove swiftly toward the station, "Sheng Yu, what on earth happened?"

Yan Shengyu bowed his head, silent, and Zhong Ziwen stopped pressing, having gotten no reply.

Once at the station, the two bought tickets for the next train to Nancheng, which, with luck, would leave in fifteen minutes.

By the time Yan Shengyu reached the hospital, Yan Anbang had already been taken to the ICU, "Doctor, I am Yan Anbang’s son. How’s my father doing?"

After a glance at Yan Shengyu, the doctor spoke, "His condition is very critical. He has multiple puncture wounds and blunt trauma injuries. It’s uncertain whether he’ll pull through."

"Blunt trauma? Doctor..."

"We’re not sure how your father received these injuries. You should ask the police," the doctor suggested, pointing in another direction where Zhong Ziwen noticed two uniformed police officers.

Upon seeing Yan Shengyu, the officers approached, "Are you a relative of Yan Anbang?"

Yan Shengyu nodded, "Yes, I’m his son." He was cooperative with the police investigation, even though he had no idea what had happened. The police wouldn’t be able to get anything useful out of him.

"Mr. Yan, if your father regains consciousness, please let us know immediately. We have some questions that require his assistance."

Yan Shengyu nodded absently, staring intently at Yan Anbang, lying there covered in tubes.

"Sheng Yu, are you alright?" Zhong Ziwen asked worriedly.

Yan Shengyu shook his head, and after some time, spoke softly, "I have never seen him look so vulnerable before." Even when ill in the past, Yan Anbang had seemed well, yet now he appeared completely lifeless for the first time.

"The uncle will be fine. Doctors tend to dramatize," Zhong Ziwen comforted him.

"This afternoon you were just on the phone with him, and now he’s lying here. Did I do something wrong? If I had listened to you and come back earlier, might things have turned out differently?"

"Sheng Yu, don’t think like that. Didn’t the police just suspect a home invasion? No one could have expected such an accident."

Yan Shengyu’s gaze fell to the floor, lost in thought, "You go ahead. I’ll stay with him."

"I’ll stay with you," Zhong Ziwen said, sitting down with Yan Shengyu on the corridor bench.