Zhou Zijun tightly shut his eyes, his entire body curled up as he tumbled from the chair.
He felt an indescribable pain—first a scorching heat, then an icy chill… finally a tearing, nearly detached agony.
Never before had he felt such despair. Was this the end? The dual assault on his mind and body made Zhou Zijun feel as though he had been cast into an alien dimension!
After what felt like an eternity…
“Hel…p…” a hoarse, strained cry for help escaped his lips.
Yu Wen stood frozen in horror, screaming incoherently. As if only through this could she alleviate the terror consuming her.
Her son—now incomplete!
“Why? Why? We already begged for mercy! You’ve beaten us, taken our money! Why must you destroy us like this?!”
“That’s the Zhou family’s only son! Just kill me instead! Kill me! Give me back my son!”
They had actually severed her son’s family jewels!
Yu Wen’s entire world collapsed. Every breath tore at her heart with fresh anguish. Everything she’d ever done was for her son—what purpose remained now?
Her daughter dead, her son maimed!
Her convictions shattered, her thoughts descended into chaos!
Zhou Yuanyao watched everything with vacant eyes, incapable of speech, only able to weep helpless, useless tears.
The torment continued…
Meanwhile, Zhou Ye sat in his living room, eating noodles prepared by Sister Yun, waiting…
“Thud!”
Several heavy objects hit the ground. Ten minutes later, the door swung open.
Yu Wen supported Zhou Zijun as they struggled forward, leaving a trail of blood in their wake. Zhou Yuanyao carried Zhou Zijiao—the entire family presented a pitiful yet intact spectacle.
The sight filled Zhou Ye with satisfaction.
Yu Wen venomously cursed: “Zhou Ye, I hope you die a wretched death!”
“Fine. I’ll await that day.”
Zhou Ye responded calmly.
Zhou Yuanyao collapsed weakly to the ground, sobbing: “Zhou Ye, take us to the hospital! I’ll give you money! I’ll return everything your parents left you! Please? I’m your uncle! Your own flesh and blood!”
Zhou Ye raised an eyebrow in mock surprise. Now he’s family? Now we’re relatives?
He sneered: “Not interested.”
Zhou Yuanyao wept in despair: “Zhou Ye, we’re still family! If you don’t get us to the hospital, we’ll die! What good would our deaths do you? You’d truly have no family left! Whatever we did wrong before, we’ll change! Xiao Ye, save us!”
Then he added frantically: “Save us, and I’ll pretend today never happened! Your uncle won’t seek revenge, okay?”
“Heh… revenge? If you want to call the police, go ahead. Need me to dial for you? I wonder what charges await the future Steel Factory director who consorts with gangsters—even collaborates with them to kidnap his own relatives?”
Yu Wen screamed in rage: “You! You’re the criminal!”
“Really? Who would believe you? Where’s your evidence?” Zhou Ye regarded them with contempt.
Seeing their miserable state, Zhou Ye felt satisfied. And tired.
Early next morning, Zhou Ye woke to find the living room and courtyard empty—apparently some kind souls had taken them to the hospital.
Who could it be?
He had business to attend to today, so he headed directly for the address Bald Head had given him.
It was a bright-looking brick-tiled house with a wide wooden door that exuded a strong sense of history!
“Miss Zhou, please come in!”
The courtyard was very clean. In the main hall stood a square rosewood table with an enamel mug on it, steeping tea. On the wall facing the table hung a portrait of the great leader—nothing about it resembled the residence of a gang leader.
In a rocking chair beside the table sat a white-haired elderly woman, listening to a story playing from a tape recorder.
“Son, who is it?”
Bald Head chuckled and said, “Mom, it’s the doctor I invited. She’s here to examine you!”
Zhou Ye stepped forward to take her pulse, but Bald Head stopped her.
He whispered, “Miss Zhou, I’ll do anything for you, please go easy on me!”
A hint of pleading flickered in his eyes.
Zhou Ye sneered. Such a wicked man actually had a filial side—was he afraid she would resort to tricks?
After the pulse diagnosis, Bald Head anxiously asked, “Miss Zhou, how is it? Yesterday you said it could be treated, right? The county hospital said they can’t treat the blood clot in my mom’s brain. Now my mom has lost her eyesight!”
“I know.”
Unhurriedly, Zhou Ye took out the Silver Needle. Before Bald Head could react, she inserted it.
“You—”
“Shut up!”
Bald Head immediately fell silent.
In no time, a large amount of blood suddenly flowed from the old woman’s ears…
“Mom!”
Bald Head cried out in panic.
“Miss Zhou, what are you doing? How is my mom?”
Zhou Ye ignored him and continued with the acupuncture.
After finishing, she said softly, “Give this pill to your mother. Once a day for seven consecutive days! During these seven days, bleeding from anywhere is normal! Don’t interfere! She will recover after seven days!”
Bald Head was stunned, looking at his mother, then at Zhou Ye.
“Thank you!”
In the end, he chose to believe her.
Outside the courtyard gate, Zhou Ye said, “In exchange, you will be my enforcer from now on.”
Bald Head looked firmly at Zhou Ye. “Miss Zhou, you saved my mother. You are my benefactor. From now on, whatever you say, I will follow you to the death!”
“Keep your word.”
“Yes! My surname is Luo. You can call me…”
“Brother Luo?”
“Ah! Sure!” Brother Luo seemed affirmed and even showed a simple, honest expression.
“Just… what about my antidote?” Brother Luo remembered the pill Zhou Ye had forced him to take earlier and asked awkwardly.
Zhou Ye gave him a disdainful look and left.
Follow to the death?
Hah…
“Son!”
“Ah, Mom, are you feeling better?”
Brother Luo looked worriedly at his mother. Since falling ill, this was the first time she had stood up on her own and was feeling her way around…
“I’m much better. Miss Zhou’s medical skills are excellent. I can see a little light with my eyes now!”
Mother Luo said happily.
“Really?” Brother Luo was astonished. He knew Miss Zhou’s medical skills might be good, but he hadn’t expected them to be this remarkable!
Thinking this, he cherished the pill in his hand even more.
Five days later, the Zhou family members returned.
It was also the beginning of March. The Song Family sent some food and various coupons.
Zhou Ye did not refuse, which relieved the watching Zhou family members.
This was Zhou Yuanyao’s last resort—and the best one!
In the study at night:
“Wife, from now on, let’s act as if Zhou Ye doesn’t exist. We need to plan carefully. Tomorrow, I will go to the Song Family!”
“My work needs to be put on the agenda too. Zhou Ye clearly holds a grudge against us. If she sabotages things in the meantime, we’re finished!”
“Old Zhou, all our money is gone! I truly hate her to death! I wish I could kill her! How dare she even destroy our Zhou family’s jewels! She deserves to die! I hate this so much…”
This was Yu Wen’s voice.
“Wife, you must calm down. Once my job is reinstated, I’ll find an opportunity to finish her off!”
Zhou Yuanyao said viciously.
“Alright, Old Zhou. Once you’ve figured out how to do it, I’ll go find people! It’s time to use those connections! All because Zhou Ye ruined my plans!”
Yu Wen agreed.
While schemes were being calculated behind closed doors, outside…
Zhou Ye let out a silent, cold laugh…
Little did they know, the next day would bring them a massive surprise.