Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Zhan Haoze shook his head and reached out to pull her into his arms.
Shi Mengwan was held in his arms and she didnât move for a moment. She wanted to look up at him, but he pressed down on the back of her head.
The faint smell of mint from his body wafted into her nose. Shi Mengwan noticed that Zhan Haoze seemed to be different from before.
After a while, he finally let go of her hand. His big hand caressed her cheeks as she looked at him.
âHave you eaten?â
âNo.â Shi Mengwan looked in the direction of the kitchen. âIâm going to cook it.â
âGo.â
Shi Mengwan glanced at him. She wasnât in a hurry to go to the kitchen. Instead, she looked at him.
âAre you really okay?â
Zhan Haoze shook his head. Shi Mengwan bit her lip. He knew that Zhan Haoze was always like this. When he was still her Dear Brother, he didnât like to tell her anything.
âIâll go and cook.â
During the meal, Shi Mengwan kept looking at Zhan Haoze. When she met his gaze, she paused.
âZhan Haoze.â
âHm?â
âI donât really know much about business matters either. However, if thereâs anything you need, you can tell me. I might not be able to help, but I can listen to you.â
Zhan Haoze was stunned for a moment. He looked at Shi Mengwan and nodded slightly. âOkay.â
He said it was okay, but he might not really agree. Shi Mengwan knew, so she didnât ask anymore.
Just when she thought Zhan Haoze wouldnât speak, Zhan Haoze spoke.
âI have to go out tomorrow.â
Shi Mengwan didnât expect him to take the initiative to tell her his whereabouts. The hand holding the chopsticks stopped there and she looked at him in a daze.
âIâll probably be gone for more than half a month.â
âThat long?â
Shi Mengwan bit her lip. Her words were unconsciously tainted with disappointment.
Zhan Haoze didnât say anything. He just continued to eat.
Shi Mengwan knew his personality. He couldnât say anything nice, but she still hoped to see Zhan Haozeâs reluctance to part with her.
But he was so calm. Shi Mengwan didnât wait for Zhan Haoze to say his reluctance, but at night, it was as if he had returned to how he was at the beginning of their relationship.
He took with all his might and plundered with all his might.
In the end, Shi Mengwan felt that her waist was almost broken, but Zhan Haoze didnât stop until she was exhausted and fell into a deep sleep.
When Shi Mengwan woke up in the morning, Zhan Haoze was already gone.
Looking at the empty house, she couldnât help but feel disappointed.
She picked up her phone to check the time and opened the page, but she saw two words on it.
Wait for me.
There were no more words, only these two words. Shi Mengwanâs disappointment suddenly disappeared.
Wait for him, of course she would wait. She had waited for so long. She didnât care about waiting for another half a month.
She just didnât know where he was going or what he was going to do. Come to think of it, half a month really was a long time.
Shi Mengwanâs dilemma didnât last long. She received a call from Su Qingsang. Su Qingsang and Huo Jinyao had decided to return to Rong City together.
Not only did they want to go back, but they also wanted to bring Xiang Caiping back.
The sadness of parting made Shi Mengwan snap out of her earlier disappointment.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Shi Mengwan and Su Qingsang were high school classmates and desk mates. Ever since the two of them met, they had gotten along very well over the past few years because they were very compatible.
Even though the two of them chose completely different majors later on, their relationship had always been very good. The Medical University was also very close to the University of Z.
Although they were still in China even after going to Rong City, it was no longer the same as being in Lin City.
It was the 13th year of the Lunar New Year. Preparing to fly to Rong City, Su Qingsang and Huo Jinyao were at the airport. Shi Mengwan was reluctant to leave. She went to the airport early and talked to Su Qingsang for a long time.
Su Qingsang was also reluctant to part with her. She didnât look very happy either. It seemed that she was thinking about something. Thinking that she was reluctant to leave Lin City, Shi Mengwan didnât think too much about it.
She didnât want to leave either. She didnât sleep well yesterday, and there were dark circles under her eyes.
When Su Qingsang noticed it, she could only instruct her again to not only focus on drawing, but also her health. Shi Mengwan knew that she really cared about her, and she was touched.
After sending Su Qingsang away, Shi Mengwan thought about it for a while and put her energy back to work.
Since she was going to participate in the competition in France, she had to put some effort into it.
On the day of the lantern festival, Shi Mengwan thought of Zhan Haoze again. She still remembered that year when the two of them ate together during the lantern festival, and also remembered that he bought the wine-brewed balls for the lantern festival.
Shi Mengwan didnât want to let her emotions be preoccupied with longing for Zhan Haoze, so she went home.
Mother Shi had prepared for the lantern festival and was waiting for her. When she was eating yuanxiao, she took a photo and sent it to Zhan Haoze after posting it on Wechat moments.
âThe yuanxiao is very sweet. I miss you very much.â
She didnât get a reply from Zhan Haoze. At first, Shi Mengwan kept checking her phone, but then she put it down.
She focused on accompanying her parents and sister.
..
At the same time, in Qing City.
Zhan Haoze was sitting in the car with his assistant, Tang Hua.
âChief Zhan.â Tang Hua put a piece of information in Zhan Haozeâs hand. âIâve checked. The old man isnât feeling well and is in the hospital. He was sent to the hospital yesterday. Today, during the festival, the old man kicked those people away because they were too noisy.â
Zhan Haoze casually flipped through the document in front of him under the lights in the car.
âAre you sure thereâs no one?â
âThereâs a bodyguard at the door and a doctor on duty.â
âLetâs go.â Zhan Haoze placed the document back in Tang Huaâs hands. âLetâs go and meet the old man.â
âBoss.â Tang Hua addressed him how he used to. âIsnât it too early? I heard from the doctor that he has already survived the critical period. It looks like the old man will live for a very long time. We donât have to rush this.â
âNo.â Zhan Haoze stared at the entrance of the hospital with a malicious gaze. âI donât want to wait anymore.â
The entire first floor of the hospitalâs VIP ward was very quiet.
The weather in Qing City had been pretty good these few days. The full moon hung high outside. In the ward, an old man who looked like he was in his 70s was sleeping on the hospital bed with his eyes closed.
The sudden strange sound in the room made him open his eyes. The environment he had been in for decades made him instantly alert. His hand reached under the pillow.
âIf I were you, I wouldnât act rashly now.â
The man deliberately lowered his voice, but it sounded very clear. The old manâs hand paused. The lights in the ward were turned on at this time. He narrowed his eyes.
After getting used to the light, he looked at Zhan Haoze, who was in front of him.
âItâs you?â
âIt seems that you know me. Then I donât need to introduce myself.â
Zhan Haoze walked to the sofa opposite the bed and sat down. His legs were elegantly folded. He looked calm and relaxed.
The old man stared at him for a long time and nodded lightly. âI didnât expect that after so many years, youâd still come back.â
âYeah. I didnât die outside. Iâve disappointed you.â
Zhan Haoze met the old manâs sharp gaze and didnât dodge at all. The corners of his lips curled up with slight mockery. The old man coughed a few times and his face turned a little redder than before.
âYou came back to take revenge?â
The old man narrowed his eyes. His old and shrewd eyes didnât let go of Zhan Haozeâs every expression.
The corners of Zhan Haozeâs lips curled up slightly. He leaned back against the sofa.
âShouldnât I?â
The old man was silent. He stared at Zhan Haoze. âWhat do you want to do?â
âYou should ask me what I did.â
The old man stared at Zhan Haoze. His eyes suddenly appeared alarmed. âWhat did you do?â
Zhan Haoze didnât answer the old manâs question. He got up and walked to the end of the bed. He took out the medical record and looked at it.
âI think itâs better if you donât find out now.â
After putting the medical record back, Zhan Haozeâs expression was indifferent. âOtherwise, Iâm afraid that if you find out and your condition worsens, you might die of anger. That would be my fault. Donât you think so, Grandpa?â
âYou ââ The old man covered his chest because of his words. His other hand pointed at Zhan Haoze, and his face was livid.
Zhan Haoze looked at him without any emotional fluctuation. He looked at this old man, Zhan Kun, who could be considered to be in his dying years.
Zhan Kun had difficulty breathing. He reached out his hand and was about to take the medicine.
The moment he took the medicine bottle, Zhan Haoze grabbed it. He flipped the bottle and raised it slightly.
âGrandpa, why are you angry? You are the pillar of the Zhan family now. If you fall, the Zhan family will be in chaos.â
Zhan Kunâs expression became even uglier. He looked at Zhan Haoze as if he was looking at Asura from Hell.
He raised his hand but didnât get the medicine. He could only reach out his hand to ring the bell for help.
Zhan Haoze saw his movement and saw that his trembling fingers were about to touch the bell. However, he grabbed Zhan Kunâs hand the moment he was about to touch it.
Zhan Kun panted even harder. Zhan Haoze pressed his body back to the bed with an impassive expression. Before he could react, he poured out a pill from the bottle and put it in his mouth.
After feeding the pill, he looked as if he was covered in something dirty. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his hands clean.
After taking the pill, Zhan Kunâs heavy breathing finally stopped. However, his facial expression couldnât recover for a while.
Seeing Zhan Haozeâs actions, his face turned livid again. The color of his face, which was almost swollen to purple, looked terrifying under the light.
âYou... you...â
Zhan Kun pointed at Zhan Haoze and spent a lot of effort to finish the rest of his words.
âYou, what exactly do you want to do?â
Zhan Haoze looked at the expression on Zhan Kunâs face and suddenly smiled. He rarely smiled, and his smile at this time was undoubtedly filled with deep malice.
He threw the handkerchief to the side, bent down, and looked at Zhan Kun. Looking at his old and muddy eyes, he said each word very slowly.
âI came here to take back what I deserve.â
Zhan Kun glared at him, and his hands trembled even more.
Zhan Haoze didnât want to let it go just like that. He moved forward a little, and his voice was even softer than before.
âAfter you get it, destroy it.â
Zhan Kun was completely out of breath. His eyes were wide open, and almost suffocating, his breath was stuck there.
Zhan Haozeâs lips curled into a mocking smile. Before the other party completely fainted, he pressed the bell.
He stood up straight and looked at Zhan Kunâs limp hands. He left the ward without looking back.
When he left, he bumped into a doctor who had rushed over. A few doctors were very concerned about the people in this special ward. When they saw Zhan Haoze suddenly appear, they didnât understand where this person came from.
Zhan Haoze acted as if he didnât see them and walked straight out.
The bodyguards who were still in the ward just now had come back to their senses. They reached out their hands and wanted to stop Zhan Haoze.
Zhan Haoze coldly glanced at the two people. The intimidation of the two bodyguards actually paled in comparison to his. At the same time, they took a step back.
When he came out of the hospital, Tang Hua was already waiting outside.
When he saw Zhan Haoze coming out, he opened the car door for him first. When Zhan Haoze got into the car, he also got into the car.
âBoss?â
âDonât worry, he wonât die.â
Zhan Haoze looked at the inpatient department building outside the car window. His eyes were a little cold. He reached out to take out the document from earlier and looked at it again.
âOld fox.â
âBoss?â Tang Hua looked at him. âAre we going back to the hotel next?â
Zhan Haoze was about to nod when his phone rang. He opened it and saw a message. On it was a bowl of glutinous rice balls.
Looking at the picture and the words, Zhan Haozeâs lips reflexively curled up a little. His finger swiped across the screen and was about to reply.
With a bang, their car was hit hard from behind. Zhan Haozeâs phone flew out and fell on the car.
He turned around abruptly, and Tang Hua turned around with him. The two of them saw three cars following behind them under the night sky. They had surrounded their car.
âBoss?â
Tang Hua looked at Zhan Haoze worriedly. Zhan Haoze narrowed his eyes and said, âSpeed up.â
The driver heard his words and stepped on the accelerator. They accelerated, and the car behind them also accelerated. The car on the right side was once again heading in their direction and ramming towards them with force.
With a bang, the car that Zhan Haoze and the others were sitting in was knocked to the side, and then it crashed heavily into the guardrail on the side.
The car crashed violently, but the three cars behind them didnât plan to let it go. The car behind them also crashed forward at this time.
There was another âpengâ sound. This time, it was even louder than the previous two.
... ..
Shi Mengwan waited until midnight, but she didnât receive a reply from Zhan Haoze.
Her mood sank again. She ate yuanxiao with her parents, admired the vieew of the moon, and chatted with her younger sister.
When she returned to her room, she couldnât fall asleep. Feeling conflicted, she tossed and turned on the bed.
She couldnât help but take out her phone again to take a look. There was still no reply from Zhan Haoze. She bit her lip and couldnât help but feel a little lonely.
She didnât know who said it, but it wasnât because she was lonely that she missed him. It was because she missed him that she was lonely.
She used to think that these words were indulgent, but now she realized that it was true. It wasnât indulgent.
She couldnât help but want to call Zhan Haoze, but she was worried that Zhan Haoze really had something to do. After thinking for a while, she could only continue sending messages.
âGood night.â
After sending these two words, Shi Mengwan waited for a while. Before she could receive a reply from Zhan Haoze, she fell asleep in a depressed and conflicted mood.
..
âDear Brother.â Shi Mengwan looked at Qiao Ze with an obvious smile in her eyes. âAre you serious?â
Today, when the youth returned home, he told her that he had helped her solve the problem of going to school and that she could continue going to school. This news made her exceptionally happy.
âEn.â The youth nodded. Because of the news that he had brought, Shi Mengwanâs eyes lit up. She felt that this decision was the right one.
âThatâs really great.â Shi Mengwan couldnât help but reach out to hug Qiao Ze. âBig Brother, how did you do it?â
Qiao Ze was caught off guard by her hug and felt a little uncomfortable. His hand hung there and didnât move for a long time.
Shi Mengwan finished hugging and realized that she was a little excited. She took a step back and looked at the youth. She felt a little embarrassed.
âUm, Dear Brother, when can I go to school?â
âTomorrow.â Qiao Ze looked at Shi Mengwan. âItâs the nearby fifth high school. Theyâve agreed to take you in. You can register tomorrow. Then you can go to school.â
âReally?â
Shi Mengwan was very happy. âThatâs really great.â
After rejoicing, she looked at the youth with a concerned expression. âThen, Dear Brother, what about you?â
âMe? What about me?â
âIf I go to school, what about you?â
âI wonât go. Itâs the same if you go.â
âDear Brother?â
Shi Mengwan looked at the youth. Even if she didnât understand the key point, she could understand that with Qiao Zeâs current ability, he must have done something to make her not need a Lin City registration to go to school.
She didnât understand what he had done. To her, everything about the young man was like a mystery.
He could always solve all the problems in the shortest amount of time.
âDear Brother, if you donât go to school, then I wonât go either.â
âWhat nonsense are you talking about?â The young man glared at her. âDidnât you want to be a designer? Why? You donât want to be a designer anymore?â
Shi Mengwan bit her lip and looked at the youth as she shook her head. âNo, I want to be a designer, but I want to go to school with you.â
âThatâs enough, you donât have to worry about me.â
The youth looked at her with an unyielding expression. âDonât worry about me for now. Iâve asked the teacher, and she said that you havenât been to school for the past six months, so you might not be able to keep up. Before school starts, you have to buy a semesterâs worth of books to read first.â
âDear Brother...â
âLetâs go. Iâll bring you to buy books.â
Shi Mengwan couldnât win against Qiao Ze, so she could only compromise in the end. She didnât quite understand why the youth didnât go to school himself.
She vaguely knew why, but at that time, she was still young, so she didnât quite understand the answer.
..
Shi Mengwan waited for a few days, but she didnât see Zhan Haoze.
Another half a month went by, and it was already the first month of the lunar calendar. By the middle of the second month of the lunar calendar, the temperature in Lin City began to rise again.
Shi Mengwan still tried to call Zhan Haoze at first, but when she realized that she couldnât get through, she stopped calling him non-stop.
Every day before she went to sleep, she would call Zhan Haoze once, but if she couldnât get through, she would send him another message.
Since no one replied, she would go back to sleep.
As the weather warmed up, Shi Mengwanâs work also passed the preliminary competition of the French fashion design competition. Telling Shi Mengwan to prepare to go to France to participate in the rest of the competition, the other party sent an invitation letter.
This good news more or less made Shi Mengwan feel better, but it only lasted for less than half a day.
She still had no news of Zhan Haoze. The anxiety in her heart was replaced by worry. Did something happen to Zhan Haoze?