Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Hospital.

Ward.

After watching the video on his phone, Pei Sheng turned to Yan Tingshen, who was handling emails on the hospital bed. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Mr. Qin's maternal grandson, Qi Xianghe, took a fall down the Qin family’s staircase not long ago."

Yan Tingshen replied, "Why are you telling me this?"

"It seems this matter involves Young President Qin."

Yan Tingshen’s fingers paused on the keyboard.

He glanced at Pei Sheng. "Explain."

Noticing his unusual reaction to Young President Qin, Pei Sheng pursed his lips and elaborated, "At the time of the incident, Young President Qin and Qi Xianghe were both in the stairwell."

Yan Tingshen's brow twitched slightly. "Was he hurt again?"

Pei Sheng naturally understood who "he" referred to. "No, Qi Xianghe was the one hurt—he broke his leg."

Yan Tingshen withdrew his gaze and opened the next email. "What are you trying to say?"

Pei Sheng put away his phone as well. "I heard Mr. Qin immediately had Young President Qin taken back to the hospital. I think there might be more going on here. Boss Yan, to avoid trouble, should we consider transferring hospitals?"

Yan Tingshen typed two words before his fingers returned to the keyboard.

Within seconds, the sound of typing resumed. "Not necessary."

Pei Sheng looked at him. "I’m concerned you’ll get dragged into this because of him."

Yan Tingshen replied calmly, "He’s already caught up in this because of me."

Pei Sheng said, "That’s all the more reason to be cautious, isn’t it?"

Yan Tingshen finished replying to the email and glanced at him. "You think I wasn’t careful enough last night?"

Pei Sheng opened his mouth but had nothing to say.

He understood Yan Tingshen’s meaning.

With the enemy in the shadows and them out in the open, what happened last night was inevitable, no matter how careful they were.

"But..."

"A Yan-family-owned hospital won’t be safer than here."

Yan Tingshen said, "If you think there’s more going on here, look into it."

Pei Sheng gave him another look.

Something this minor wouldn’t normally get his attention—let alone over something so roundabout.

Unsure how far Yan Tingshen’s ties to Qin You went, Pei Sheng asked, "This is an internal matter for the Qin family. Wouldn’t that be overstepping?"

Yan Tingshen paused.

He said, "Then drop it for now."

Pei Sheng was about to speak when a clamor of footsteps suddenly echoed outside the door.

"Excuse me, sir! Visiting hours require appointments. May I ask which patient you're here to see—"

"What? Do I need an appointment to see my own son? That's ridiculous!"

Hearing this voice, Pei Sheng frowned and glanced at Yan Tingshen again.

Just then, the door was thrown open.

The visitor pointed at the hospital bed and said to the nurse, "This is the patient I'm here to see. Now go schedule that appointment."

The nurse instinctively looked at Yan Tingshen. "Um..."

Yan Tingshen nodded slightly.

Only then did the nurse relax and turn to leave.

The visitor scoffed, passing by Pei Sheng, who was seated in a wheelchair, with open contempt. "What are you doing here?"

Pei Sheng kept his face blank. "Mr. Yan."

Yan Lihui ignored him and walked toward the bed.

Seeing the injuries on Yan Tingshen's neck, face, and the arm suspended in a sling, he tsked. "How embarrassing, ending up like this. And you even kept it quiet, not even telling your own father? If I hadn’t gone to the company today and couldn’t find you, then asked your grandfather, I wouldn’t even know you were here. What, that you'd stay in someone else’s place instead of a Yan family hospital?"

Yan Tingshen got right to it. "What do you want?"

Yan Lihui’s expression darkened, clearly displeased by his attitude, so he cut the act and stated his purpose directly.

"Wire me five million."

Just as Qin You reached the door of the ward, he heard this sentence.

Followed by the target’s voice: "Reason."

"A son giving money to his father is only right. What reason do I need?"

Qin You had meant to stay out of it.

Though, according to the original host’s memories, the target’s parents were indeed a real handful, this was still the target’s family matter. As an outsider, meddling would just make a mess.

"Host, opportunity!" The system buzzed excitedly. "By extracting the original host’s memories, it’s confirmed that the target has always wanted to cut ties with his parents. If you can help him achieve that, his approval rating will shoot up!"

Qin You turned back. "Approval rating?"

He remembered the system mentioning approval-related tasks.

The system said, "Exactly, host! If you unlock the main quest for approval, you won’t have to complete timed crisis missions!"

Hearing this, Qin You immediately signaled to a nearby nurse.

Before entering, he verified, "The target genuinely wants to cut ties with his parents?"

The system extracted the data again and confirmed firmly, "Absolutely certain!"

So Qin You walked into the room.

Pei Sheng, facing the door, noticed him first. "Young Master Qin?"

Qin You still ignored him and walked toward the hospital bed.

By the bed, a middle-aged man who looked somewhat like Pei Sheng but had a completely different build turned to look at him.

He gave Qin You a blatant once-over before turning back to Yan Tingshen, his tone impatient: "Do I need your permission for pocket change?"

Pocket change?

Qin You glanced at the man’s soft, pampered body.

Even as Yan Tingshen’s assistant, Pei Sheng’s annual salary didn’t come close to that sum. And though Pei Sheng still had personal assets after his family’s company went bankrupt, five million was no small sum for him now.

With that thought, he stepped in front of Yan Tingshen, facing Yan Lihui.

Yan Lihui frowned at him. "What do you want?"

"Skip the report," Qin You said. "Let’s make it an IOU instead."

Yan Lihui could hardly believe his ears. "An IOU? Are you out of your mind?!"

Pei Sheng also froze in surprise.

Asking for an IOU over five million? To Yan Lihui, that was outright insulting.

"Money doesn’t grow on trees," Qin You said, glancing back at Yan Tingshen. "A Sheng is still working despite his severe injuries."

Then he turned to Yan Lihui again. "Do you know what that’s called, sir?"

Yan Lihui found him utterly unreasonable and snapped, "What?"

"Gritting through pain—now that’s admirable."

Qin You’s smile didn’t waver. "Unlike some people, perfectly healthy but leeching off others without shame. Not working is one thing, but shamelessly living as a parasite—that kind of person—"

Yan Lihui shook with fury. "How dare you mock me?!"

Qin You raised an eyebrow. "Oops. Guess I gave you too little credit."

Yan Lihui, seething, tried to push past him to glare at Yan Tingshen. "Are you just going to stand there and let him humiliate me like this?!"

Qin You sidestepped, blocking his view, and said with a smile, "My hospital, my rules. A Sheng’s under my care. Here, I decide everything concerning him."

Hearing this, Yan Tingshen looked at Qin You, his eyes glinting faintly.

Someone standing up for him like this—he had almost never seen it before.

Having someone shield him? That was new.

The last time he’d experienced it, it had also come from Qin You.

Weird.

Back then, he’d have been fine on his own—he didn’t need Qin You to take the hit for him. Yet Qin You had stepped in without hesitation, getting injured in his place and sparing him worse harm.

And now, five million meant nothing. He didn’t need Qin You to stand up for him, but if this parasite rant could drive Yan Lihui away, he was all for it.

So, on top of saving his life, Qin You actually had his back—not just once.

Since he was the one benefiting, why keep pretending not to see it?

"What?" Yan Lihui sneered at Qin You's words. "You decide everything for him? Who the hell do you think you are! You must be crazy, completely clueless. Did you even ask him? If you really can make decisions for him, that would truly be—"

Suddenly.

His mockery was interrupted by five calm words.

"He's right."

Yan Lihui's mouth hung open, his face frozen in shock.

Beside him, Pei Sheng also looked surprised.

His eyes darted between Yan Tingshen and Qin You.

While he could never match Yan Tingshen's abilities, Pei Sheng believed no one knew Yan Tingshen's temperament better than he did.

In his memory, since childhood, Yan Tingshen had been the pinnacle that all their peers looked up to. As they grew older, this sense of reverence only deepened, becoming an insurmountable chasm.

This divide felt like natural dominance, establishing an understanding: whenever Yan Tingshen appeared in any circle, people naturally followed his lead since he never made mistakes, and it was always Yan Tingshen who controlled the overall situation—this was simply how things were.

Now, this understanding extended beyond their circle. After all, the Yan family was different from the Qin family. Running the company wasn't as simple as giving orders.

Growing up, Pei Sheng had long grown accustomed to Yan Tingshen giving orders.

It never occurred to him that one day, this man would unconditionally accept another person's arrangements.

Yan Tingshen closed his laptop.

He repeated flatly, "Here, everything about me—he decides."

Qin You gave a soft laugh, turning back to glance at him and winking his left eye as a signal.

The system exclaimed, "That's right! Host, just like that! Seduce him!"

"..." Qin You suppressed his smile and looked back at Yan Lihui. "If you won't sign an IOU, then please leave."

Yan Lihui stood rigidly, taking several deep breaths to suppress his rage as he glared at Qin You. "So you're Young Master Qin? You've got guts! Offending me today—you’ll regret it!"

With him being bankrupt, how much weight did such threats even carry?

Qin You remained unfazed. "Then I’ll be waiting."

Yan Lihui’s breathing grew heavier. He turned back to Yan Tingshen. "Forget the money for now. There’s something else I need to discuss with you today."

A calm voice cut in. "Sorry, but my patient needs rest."

"..." Yan Lihui slowly turned back to Qin You. If he thought he could win the fight, his clenched fists would have already smashed into that face.

Just then, security rushed in.

Seeing this, Yan Lihui didn’t press further. He shot Qin You a cold look, shoved past the lined-up guards, and stormed out.

The security team followed him out, leaving six black-suited bodyguards stationed at the door.

Noticing Yan Tingshen’s gaze, Qin You said, "They're with me."

Yan Tingshen glanced at him.

Even after the trouble at Qin Corp, Qin You’s first act upon returning to the hospital was to make arrangements—for him.

"Thank you."

"Don't be so formal with me."

Qin You smiled and said, "Just come find me if anyone bothers you again in the future."

"..."

Pei Sheng listened quietly to their conversation. Hearing those words, something about them made him remember, his eyes dropping.

He had thought he and Yan Tingshen were the same—used to handling everything alone.

Yet, unexpectedly, Tingshen had already found someone to split the load with, no longer needing to shoulder the pressure by himself.

What had just happened in this hospital room felt strangely familiar.

If only he, too, could have a friend like Qin You...

But oh well.

No point wishing for 'what ifs.'

—

"It increased!" The system exclaimed proudly. "The target's favorability went up! See, host? My suggestion worked!"

"How much?" Qin You asked.

The system brought up the data screen—the numbers were clear.

9% → 10%

"Just one percent."

Qin You asked, "Is it enough?"

"...No." The system's excitement faded as it muttered, "That's weird. Getting to 10% this fast is unusual. Why hasn't the task activated? Unless... the target's favorability dropped. But how could that be? You guys really hit it off this morning..."

"No record at all?" Qin You asked.

The system replied, "No, the favorability log was only generated after the emergency task unlocked..."

After listening, Qin You thought to himself.

If the system's data was right, this was the only possible conclusion: the favorability had dropped.

He glanced at the target, who was taking his meds with water from the nurse.

The system had assumed their morning chat went well.

But after the upheaval three years ago, the target had become hard to read. Looking back now, that conversation probably backfired.

He went over what they'd said.

Did talking about the past bother him?

Or just didn't trust his help?

"But Master, the rise in relationship points means things are improving!"

Worried that the already unmotivated master might lose heart, the system quickly offered encouragement: "Keep going, and you'll make it!"

Qin You let out a soft sigh.

Handling his difficult father only earned him one point in relationship progress—this was gonna take forever.

"Besides, Master, the target's starting affection level for you is as high as ten percent! That shows he truly appreciates you for saving him. With this foundation, the follow-up tasks will surely go smoothly."

The system, with keen insight, continued its analysis: "Even if the main affection task can't be unlocked right now, as long as you spend more one-on-one time with the target, it'll work out."

Qin You: "..."

Suddenly.

His phone rang from his pocket.

It was Cui Ling.

His tone had reverted to the formal politeness of their first meeting.

"Young Master Qin, are you still at the hospital?"

"Yes."

Cui Ling said, "Please wait in the ward. I'll arrive in an hour."

Qin You asked, "What's the matter?"

Cui Ling replied, "Not something to discuss on the phone. I'll explain when I get to the hospital. Goodbye."

Then the call ended.

Qin You gave a dry laugh, putting his phone back into his pocket. Seeing the medical staff enter and with Yan Tingshen also present, he didn’t linger. After a quick nod at Yan Tingshen, he turned and returned to the ward.

Before Cui Ling arrived, the police showed up first.

Shortly after completing the statement, someone knocked.

Cui Ling was still giving instructions to the bodyguards behind him when he knocked. Upon entering the ward and hearing the distinct game sounds filling the room, his grip on the documents tightened. He scowled, looking toward the hospital bed.

The PRODIGAL HEIR was sprawled out, only giving him a sidelong look at the noise, hands still moving. "You're here. What is it?"

Cui Ling was baffled. "How could you possibly still be playing this game?"

Even if he wasn't taking the Chairman’s assigned tasks seriously, given the incident at the company that afternoon and his injuries, Cui Ling couldn’t fathom how Mr. Qin had the composure to play games so casually.

Qin You glanced at him again, slightly raising his injured left hand. "What else can I do? I'm stuck here."

Cui Ling: "..."

He took a deep breath, letting it go, and stiffly changed the subject. "I came to get you discharged, Young Master Qin."

Discharge?

Qin You asked, "Reason?"

Cui Ling replied, "The Chairman instructed that until we get to the bottom of Manager Qi's situation, it's better for you to recover at the Zeshui Bay estate. Until you're fully healed, Li and his team will be responsible for your safety."

Qin You said, "This place is secure."

Seeing his indifferent reaction, Cui Ling couldn’t help but ask, "If this situation is really suspicious, it means someone wants to harm you. Aren’t you afraid?"

Qin You turned to the six burly men behind him, "Why would I be?"

Cui Ling didn’t know where his fearlessness came from, but seeing that he wasn’t putting on an act, he hesitated for a moment before dismissing the others. He then explained to Qin You, "Vice President Qin, the truth is, the CEO’s illness struck suddenly, and the chairman has been suspicious all along. Now that you’ve returned to the country and encountered trouble, he’s too worried to sit still."

So that was it.

No wonder even Qi Xianghe caused such a scene.

Qin You put down his tablet, "But leaving the hospital isn’t necessary."

Cui Ling replied, "Apologies, Vice President Qin, but the chairman is only concerned for your safety."

With that, he reopened the door to the ward.

The six men, following his lead, stepped forward in unison, prepared to force the issue if needed.

The system freaked out, "Host, if we leave, we lose our chance to finish the mission!"

Qin You sighed in frustration.

His original plan was to clue Qin Hengzhong in about Qi Xianghe’s schemes, hoping the chairman would keep the Qi family in check and give him a few days of peace.

But things had spiraled out of control.

"Vice President Qin, we need to leave now."

Qin You got up from the bed.

At the door, he glanced at the neighboring room and said to Cui Ling, "Stay here."

Then he walked toward Yan Tingshen’s ward.

Inside the room.

Having witnessed Qin You’s displeasure several times before, Pei Sheng didn’t approach this time.

Qin You didn’t notice him either. As he walked toward the bed, he asked Yan Tingshen, "Feel like getting out of here?"

Yan Tingshen said, "Leave?"

Qin You replied, "Your father already knows you’re here. He’ll show up eventually. You could crash at my place. At least you’ll have peace."

Yan Tingshen didn’t respond immediately.

Qin You had already reached his bedside, "Haven’t we worked well together? What are you worried about?"

Cooperate?

Yan Tingshen looked up, locking eyes with him—those always-charming, seemingly sincere peach-blossom eyes.

Nearby, Pei Sheng listened to their conversation, debating whether to step out.

He dismissed Qin You’s offer outright.

With a pitch like that, no way Tingshen would—

"Alright."

Pei Sheng froze.

He turned to look at Yan Tingshen, and it took him a long moment to process the reply.

Indeed, now that Mr. Yan knew of Tingshen's whereabouts, the company would find out soon enough. Staying here wasn’t really an option anymore.

But...

Even so, moving in with Qin You wasn’t necessary.

With so many alternatives available, knowing Tingshen’s personality, why would he choose to stay at someone else’s home?

At this thought, Pei Sheng paused.

Tingshen’s personality.

Right. When it came to this young master Qin, Tingshen had already made many exceptions—what’s one more?

Snapping back to reality, Pei Sheng noticed Yan Tingshen moving and opened his mouth to speak but stopped, remembering how Qin You treated him.

Qin You spoke up then: "Get changed first. I’ll wait outside."

Yan Tingshen replied, "Mm."

The system marveled: *Host, you’re brilliant! Some alone time, huh?*

Qin You brushed it off and walked out.

So much for alone time. Medical staff, security, housekeepers, and assistants like Cui Ling were always around.

As he pushed the door open, Cui Ling was waiting outside. Thinking Qin You had gone to say goodbye to Yan Tingshen, he asked, "Young Qin, are we heading out now?"

Qin You said, "Get things ready. A Sheng’s coming with me."

"..." Cui Ling blanked for a second. "What?"

Yan Tingshen?

Coming along?

This wasn’t just some casual thing.

Was he wrong? Were the spoiled heir and Yan Tingshen not just acquaintances after returning home but had connections before?

But now, of all times, taking Yan Tingshen to Zeshui Bay?

He chose his words carefully. "Young Qin, the Chairman won’t go for that."

Qin You shot him a look, suddenly recalling he was still Qin Hengzhong’s spy.

The original host getting caught chasing after the target—Cui Ling had probably snitched.

For now, Qin Hengzhong might buy that he was just tight with Yan Tingshen. But once the misunderstanding faded, the original storyline would kick back in.

He had to stop that from happening.

Cui Ling continued, "Besides, the hospital’s better equipped. Let—"

Qin You cut him off, "Assistant Cui."

Hearing his tone, Cui Ling looked at his smiling face, "...Qin You?"

Qin You met his gaze, "What’s between A Sheng and me—I won’t tolerate anyone interfering. Including the Chairman."

Cui Ling sensed the deeper meaning behind his words and frowned, "But—"

"No excuses."

Qin You said, "From now on, as long as it concerns A Sheng, don’t ask about it either."

Cui Ling was puzzled, "What do you mean by 'ask'?"

"The safest thing is not to say a word."

Qin You said, "Otherwise, regardless of whether the Chairman backs you, I’ll have you out of Qin Corp."

Cui Ling fell silent.

He wanted to question the heir’s empty-sounding threat, but after nearly a day of interaction, he could tell Qin You was not the kind of pampered rich brat who could be easily manipulated. On the contrary, Qin You was firm and uncompromising.

It was just that, for now, such resolve was wasted on nonsense.

Besides, Qin Corp was, after all, the family’s business, and Qin You was currently the sole heir. If he were Chairman, he’d have no other option.

In the end, he looked down, "I understand."

Qin You gave his shoulder a pat and then asked, "You ever dated anyone?"

The topic shifted too abruptly, leaving Cui Ling stunned for another two seconds, "...Yeah."

Qin You said, "Perfect. Need your advice on something."

Cui Ling was bewildered, "Go ahead."

Qin You said, "How do you make someone like you fast?"

Make them like you?

Cui Ling grew even more confused.

But the next second, it hit him, and a wild idea popped into his head.

He stared at the hospital room behind Qin You, then back at Qin You.

"Qin You... seriously?"

Cui Ling’s thoughts spun, "Regarding... these matters, pretty sure I’m not supposed to ask..."

Qin You smiled, "Just assume it’s not about him."

*Then don’t admit it!* he wanted to say.

Cui Ling: "..."

Make it three days.

Cui Ling: . . .

In just three days?

Falling in love?

With Yan Tingshen?

Not even in three years!

Try three lifetimes...

Author's Note

Cui Ling: You might as well just fire me...