Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Regarding the character Xie Yunshen, the original text didn't spend much time on him. The few occasional mentions were only to highlight the protagonist's skills, making him little more than a side character.

As for what he looked like, how many family members he had, or any birthmarks on his body—the book didn't mention any of that either.

If it weren't for sharing the same name and profession, Xie Yunshen probably wouldn't even have remembered his name.

After waking up in the book, he had no memories of the original Xie Yunshen, so he had no idea that the man couldn't swim.

However, judging by what Yan Shiqi just said, he seemed to know Xie Yunshen inside out.

Xie Yunshen grew up under the protection of the Yan family. Yan Shiqi was three years older than him, so it was no wonder he was suspicious of Xie Yunshen's recent "unusual" behavior.

Yan Shiqi gestured toward the cabinet. "Get the medicine from the cabinet for me."

Even though he was pale from pain, his voice remained steady and didn't sound weak at all.

Xie Yunshen glanced at the name on the medicine bottle—it was painkillers—then poured him a glass of water.

After taking the medicine, Yan Shiqi wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin from the desk.

But his pain hadn't subsided; his frown still dug into his forehead, as if he was used to this process.

Xie Yunshen said, "Should I have Uncle Zhao call a doctor?"

Yan Shiqi suddenly grabbed his arm, his gaze sharp and intimidating, seeming to see right through him. "You almost drowned as a child, so you've always been afraid of water."

"...Didn't I lose my memory after the concussion last time?"

Truth be told, Xie Yunshen was also startled by his gaze.

"But it was a deep pool."

Xie Yunshen understood his meaning. Even a good swimmer would be scared of a deep pool, let alone someone with a fear of water. Even with a concussion, a person's instinctive fears wouldn't change.

"Don't you have anything to say to me?"

Xie Yunshen replied, "Are you still in pain?"

Yan Shiqi was taken aback, his grip slackening a bit before he slowly released him.

"You can go." His face once again displayed its usual flawless composure.

Compared to the fierce intensity with which he had just grabbed his arm, he seemed like a completely different person.

Xie Yunshen left the study. After he walked out, the lights in the study behind him turned off again.

Xie Yunshen looked at the pitch-black study: Does he really enjoy being alone in the dark?

But... that's just too badass.

————

"Xiao Xie, working out again?"

The butler stood in the garden, waving him over from a distance.

Xie Yunshen was wearing a white sweatsuit. He had been exercising since 5 a.m., and now he had worked up a light sweat.

"What's up, Uncle Zhao?"

The butler was a relative of the Yan family, surnamed Zhao. In the novel, he was always loyal to the family, and Xie Yunshen respected him.

"I need to tell you something important. Mr. Yan is attending Old Mr. Bai's funeral today."

"Oh." Xie Yunshen pretended to frown, acting like it was a serious matter. Actually, he didn't get why it was such a big deal.

Uncle Zhao looked solemn. "The funeral will be crowded and chaotic. You need to watch Mr. Yan's back."

"Me? Isn't Fifth Brother going too?"

"Wuyi, well, he's skilled, but you know that protecting people isn't really his forte."

Xie Yunshen understood—Old Fifth's specialty was killing, not being a bodyguard.

Uncle Zhao leaned in mysteriously. "Cut the act. I know what you can do. With you there, I'll feel better."

He then patted Xie Yunshen's chest with the back of his hand, giving a satisfied grunt to indicate he had grown much stronger.

Xie Yunshen knew about the Bai family funeral—it was a key scene in the novel.

But it was mainly for the male lead to flex and for the romantic development between the leads. He remembered it didn't seem to involve the Yans.

The Bai family was one of the Five Great Families of Southern Province. Old Mr. Bai had recently died of illness, and all five families would attend.

However, in the original plot, Mr. Yan was injured and unable to attend. Now that the plot had changed, the outcome was uncertain.

But if the female lead was there, he remembered the Bai family was the most eager to arrange a marriage alliance with Yan Shiqi. It was even said he later took a liking to her.

So, given the male lead's habit of showing off and his protagonist halo that breaks all the rules... if Yan Shiqi became a love rival, things could get ugly.

He needed to stay vigilant and absolutely prevent Yan Shiqi from having any contact with the female lead.

After showering, he didn't even eat breakfast. Instead, he grabbed a pack of beef jerky and went to the dining room to find Yan Shiqi.

The time for the bodyguards' shift change was usually when Yan Shiqi had breakfast.

Every time, Yi Wuyi was always there before him.

He suspected Yi Wuyi had no personal time at all.

"Fifth Brother, are you a personal bodyguard?" Xie Yunshen whispered as he leaned closer to Yi Wuyi.

Yi Wuyi glanced at him. "Actually, I do everything."

Xie Yunshen looked at the scar on the back of his hand—it had been burned by Yan Shizhou's cigarette butt yesterday.

He instantly understood: someone as straightforward and loyal as Yi Wuyi would handle any dirty work well.

Perhaps because he was attending a funeral today, Yan Shiqi's breakfast looked even simpler than usual—just fruit, vegetables, and plain porridge.

At 8:30 a.m., Yan Shiqi prepared to leave for the Bai family to pay his respects.

The car today was a black Lincoln. As Yan Shiqi stepped onto the running board, Xie Yunshen again raised his hand to shield the roof.

The boss got into the car smoothly, only closing his eyes.

At this moment, only two seats opposite Yan Shiqi in the back row remained empty.

Yi Wuyi paused briefly, then decided to take the front passenger seat to keep the driver company.

Xie Yunshen reached out to stop him, but the car door had already closed mercilessly.

Now, in this confined space, only he and Yan Shiqi remained.

On the partition, today's news played on one side while various stock indices scrolled on the other.

The drive was pretty long, taking about an hour.

Xie Yunshen had gotten up early to work out and hadn't eaten breakfast yet.

He squeezed the packet of beef jerky in his pocket, certain that once they reached the Bais', there would surely be a high-end restaurant for them to enjoy.

He would just wait until they got to the Bai residence.

Yan Shiqi clearly heard him but made no response.

The Bai family funeral was held at a villa in a neighboring city.

Two attendants at the entrance pinned white flowers onto their suits.

During this time, Xie Yunshen and Yi Wuyi stood outside the hall; with no fancy restaurant in sight, Xie Yunshen could only pull out the beef jerky and take a bite—it was rock hard.

While eating, he didn't forget to offer some to Yi Wuyi: "Want some?"

Yi Wuyi said, "But... this is a funeral."

"Don't feel guilty. The old man from the Bai family is faking his death."

Yi Wuyi stared at him in shock, then accepted the beef jerky.

Inside the main hall.

After offering incense, the new head of the Bai family and two elders came over one after another to shake hands with Yan Shiqi.

The elders looked overwhelmed with grief, their faces looking as pained as humanly possible.

Xie Yunshen thought their acting was far too melodramatic.

Yan Shiqi bowed his head slightly, offering a look of sympathy.

Standing behind the Bai family was an elegant woman in blue. Xie Yunshen felt a jolt of alarm—this unique lighting and framing meant she was undoubtedly the female lead, the Bai family's young lady.

The male lead was probably hiding somewhere right now, staring at her...

One of the Bai family elders said, "Mr. Yan, allow me to introduce my grandniece."

With that, the elder turned and gestured to the woman: "Jinyan, this is the chairman of the Yan Group, Mr. Yan."

Yan Shiqi's gaze was already moving politely toward the Bai family members, sweeping right toward their young lady!

Author's note:

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