After seeing his last patient, Chen Shen watched as the receptionist, Xiao Mi, entered and placed a note on his desk. “This is from Miss Xu Yueyao in the VIP ward,” she said.
Chen Shen read the note: “I’ve been discharged. Thank you for taking care of me these past few days. Let’s grab a meal sometime.”
As he finished reading, Chen Shen recalled the fleeting glimpse of a graceful figure he had caught earlier while attending to a patient. Smiling, he tucked the note into a book and stared absentmindedly at the apple she had given him yesterday.
Meanwhile, at the Pear Garden, Zhan Feng saw the two men who had come to report back and learned that Xu Yueyao had been discharged that day.
“Young Master Zhan, we can set off now,” Zhan Feng said to Zhan Rong Xuan, who was dressed entirely in black. Standing by the window with his back to the light, his silhouette stretched long and lean. Clad in a black suit and a black shirt, he exuded an indescribable sense of solitude. His features were cold and profound—a straight nose, tightly pressed lips—but when he turned around, his deep eyes seemed capable of instantly illuminating the entire world.
“Let’s go,” Zhan Rong Xuan said, putting on his sunglasses and turning to leave. Zhan Feng and four others, all dressed in black, followed closely behind.
At Zhan Yunzheng’s funeral, the atmosphere was exceptionally quiet. Everyone wore black and kept their heads bowed. Zhan Rongting and Zhan Rongjing stood to one side, with Zhan Rongjing softly sobbing.
Dressed in black, Zhan Rong Xuan carried an aura of aloofness and noble elegance. He stepped forward to place a white flower before the portrait, gazing at Zhan Yunzheng’s face in the photograph. The corners of his lips curled slightly. Second Uncle, if you happen to meet your elder brother and sister-in-law, be sure to kneel and beg for their forgiveness. This is your nephew’s final piece of advice.
Zhan Rong Xuan then approached Zhan Rongting. Their eyes met, and an unspoken understanding passed between them.
“Big Brother,” Zhan Rongjing called out, her eyes red.
“Ah Jing,” Zhan Rong Xuan said softly, patting her shoulder. Unable to hold back, Zhan Rongjing stepped forward and hugged him, weeping quietly.
“Rong Xuan is here,” Zhan Rong Xuan heard as he turned to see his third uncle, Zhan Yunye, and his daughter, Zhan Rongjun, who was dressed in a sharp black suit with short hair, presenting a masculine appearance.
Zhan Yunye greeted Zhan Rong Xuan with a kindly expression before turning to Zhan Rongting. “Ah Ting, have you investigated thoroughly? Was Second Brother’s death really an accident?”
Zhan Rongting replied expressionlessly, “Yes, Third Uncle.”
“Ah! Who would have thought Second Brother would meet the same fate as Elder Brother and Sister-in-L-law all those years ago,” Zhan Yunye said sorrowfully, his words carrying a double meaning. The expressions of those present shifted subtly.
Zhan Rong Xuan’s eyes turned icy, and he clenched his fists. He said to Zhan Rongting, “The old master is looking for me. I’m heading to the ancestral home.” With that, he turned and left.
Zhan Rongting nodded to him, inadvertently catching a glimpse of Zhan Rongjun watching Zhan Rong Xuan depart, a fleeting flash of malice in her eyes. He lowered his head without a word.
On the way to the ancestral home, Zhan Rong Xuan gazed out the window and asked Zhan Feng beside him, “What have you found?”
“Third Master has been meticulous in his actions over the years. In recent times, Zhan Rongjun has mostly taken the lead. Her methods are identical to Third Master’s—she handles every matter with clean precision, winning people over within the group in a subtle, imperceptible manner.”
“It seems the most docile-looking snake is often the most venomous. No wonder Zhan Rongting is so troubled and eager to divert my attention.”
“Young Master Zhan, what do we do next?” Zhan Feng asked.”Have you played Whac-A-Mole? Keep a close watch—whoever sticks their head out gets hit, no mercy, uproot them completely.” After speaking, Zhan Rong Xuan closed his eyes, resting his slender, pale hand against his temple as he settled into repose.
“Understood,” Zhan Feng replied. He had intended to mention Xu Yueyao’s discharge from the hospital, but seeing how exhausted Zhan Rong Xuan looked, he ultimately said nothing.
Upon arriving at the old mansion, Zhan Rong Xuan went to his room, removed his all-black attire, and took a shower. By the time he left the room, he had changed into casual wear, which accentuated his tall, slender frame and unintentionally exuded an air of confidence and ease. A few stray bangs fell across his forehead, lending him a more youthful appearance. He then made his way to the study of his grandfather, Zhan Zhenting.
The old master was in the final stages of copying a painting of galloping horses. Zhan Rong Xuan watched quietly from the side until his grandfather finished. Only then did he take the painting to dry it, then carefully put away the painting tools.
“I heard you have a woman now?” the old master asked as he walked over and sat down at the Go board.
Zhan Rong Xuan’s hand, holding a brush, paused. He hadn’t expected his grandfather to bring this up. After setting the brush down, he took a seat opposite the old man. “Yes.”
The old master picked up a black stone, placing it on the board as he spoke. “A man shouldn’t be without a woman by his side, but he also shouldn’t have only one woman. To achieve great things, don’t let a woman tie your hands.”
Zhan Rong Xuan held a white stone, focusing intently on the game without saying a word. He understood what his grandfather meant. His father had been a romantic, truly in love with his mother, which had disappointed his grandfather. So much so that even the cause of his father’s death had been brushed aside as an accident, with no further investigation.
Zhan Zhenting glanced at his most beloved grandson, the perfect successor he had personally molded. He knew that over the years, Zhan Rong Xuan had been investigating his father’s death, and today’s outcome satisfied him. Unlike his father—Zhan Yunxiao, his eldest son—who had been too soft-hearted and kind, utterly unfit to be a successor.
Looking at Zhan Rong Xuan before him—cold, decisive, confident… embodying everything an heir should be—he felt immense pride. Recalling the master’s prediction that the Zhan family’s next generation would be sparse, and considering Zhan Rong Xuan’s aloof, indifferent nature toward women, he had long been worried. To his relief, it seemed his grandson had come to his senses quickly and now had a woman. Old Master Zhan was pleased.
On the way back to Liyuan, Zhan Rong Xuan gazed out at the scenery, reflecting on his visit to the old mansion. He had expected his grandfather to question him about his second uncle’s affairs, but no such inquiry came. The deceased was his own second son, yet he showed no reaction, reminding Zhan Rong Xuan once again of the Zhan family’s cold-blooded nature. His grandfather always said he wasn’t like his father but like him. Yet Zhan Rong Xuan knew he resembled his father—both of them despised this heartless place.
He closed his eyes in anguish, but when he opened them again, his usual composure had returned. Remembering his grandfather’s words, he asked, “That woman… Xu… Yueyao, how is she?”
“Zhan Shao, she has been discharged from the hospital and is now at Hua Mansion,” Zhan Feng replied.
“She’s been discharged? When?” Zhan Rong Xuan frowned, recalling her tear-streaked face. Had her wounds healed?
“She was discharged today, on Young Master Chen’s recommendation,” Zhan Feng explained, having already clarified the details.
“Zhan Shao, shall we go to Hua Mansion?” Zhan Feng asked cautiously.
“No. Is everything arranged there?””Everything is arranged. Before Miss Xu moved in, the driver and housekeeper were already in place. The clothes were all tailored to Miss Xu’s measurements, and jewelry, handbags, and other items were all delivered by the mall manager—all the latest seasonal collections. I also transferred the living expenses for this month today.” Zhan Feng reported to him one by one.
Zhan Rong Xuan wasn’t concerned about these details. Recalling her mention that someone coveted her beauty, he added, “Arrange someone to keep an eye on her.” After speaking, he closed his eyes.
Zhan Feng looked at Zhan Shao and, judging by his tone, thought to himself that it seemed Zhan Shao had no romantic feelings for Miss Xu and was still suspicious of her. “Understood, Zhan Shao. I’ll make the arrangements.”