Chapter 76

Chapter 76

"Now it's your turn," Xie Yunshen said, giving his arm a nudge.

"What?"

"We had a deal: if I do it, you do it too."

Yi Wuyi couldn't even be bothered to check his phone to see who the contact was, shooting back, "I'd rather go wish Shang Guanhong and Bai Le Bai a happy ever after."

Xie Yunshen chuckled, slinging an arm around his shoulder. "Ah, forget it, Lao Wu. I was just kidding around. Top Star's been laying low lately; it's not like we're actually looking for trouble."

Yi Wuyi didn't say yes or no.

"Speaking of which, how come Top Star's been so quiet lately?" Xie Yunshen asked again.

"Ever since Black Impermanence's livestream, Shang Guanhong has been getting roasted online," Yi Wuyi said.

Netizens aren't too happy with Top Star Group right now. Would they really dare make a move now?

However, Xie Yunshen still underestimated how venomous Shang Guanhong could be. He'd just said Top Star was lying low when, not long after, they pulled something.

Way late that night, Lin Jin called him. Xie Yunshen was dead asleep and answered groggily.

Lin Jin's voice on the other end was seething with anger. "Xie Yunshen, have you seen Shang Guanhong's account?"

"Huh? What?" Xie Yunshen closed his eyes, rubbing his temples.

"He posted a necklace online."

Xie Yunshen opened his phone. Shang Guanhong had an official verified account as Top Star Group's General Manager.

It usually only posted corporate news, which Xie Yunshen paid no attention to.

Now, this account had a picture pinned—a necklace with blue and white diamonds.

"I've seen this necklace before. It belonged to my sister," Lin Jin said, his voice grim.

"That was your sister's?"

"What's he doing posting this?" Lin Jin's voice couldn't contain his anger. "He said before he'd take me to get my sister's belongings. I thought he was just stringing me along. But now it looks like he really has them, and he's definitely the one who killed my sister!"

"By posting this picture, he's trying to lure you out," Xie Yunshen said, pressing his fingers to his forehead.

"My sister still hasn't been found... he might have her there too..."

Hearing Lin Jin say this sent a chill down Xie Yunshen's spine, but he couldn't refute it. Top Star was cold-blooded enough for that.

This Shang Guanhong was a real piece of work, using the dead to threaten someone.

No wonder Lin Jin was so worked up.

"In his mind, Black Impermanence is definitely connected to my sister. He wants to force Black Impermanence to show himself!"

"The pendant on this necklace was made by my own two hands... it's my sister's. I couldn't mistake it."

"Even so, he's clearly setting a trap for you. Didn't you say you were planning to propose to Bai Le Bai? Don't go doing anything stupid now."

Lin Jin went quiet on the other end.

Xie Yunshen managed to talk Lin Jin down, but the more he looked at Shang Guanhong's post, the more he felt this cobra was up to no good.

He should have just let Lao Wu send him that "blessing" earlier.

Xie Yunshen went back to bed, but woke up on his own just after five. Every day at this time, he went to the back mountain for routine morning training.

Before, he was alone. Now, he had Yi Wuyi as his partner, and it made it way more fun.

The sky was still dark. It had snowed heavily the night before, leaving a layer on the trees and a thin coat of ice on the branches. It was so cold it felt like the whole world was shuddering. The entire estate was quiet, nothing but the sound of their footsteps.

Even Mr. Yan wasn't up at this hour anymore, which showed just how cold this winter was.

Suddenly, a light cut through the dark sky. Xie Yunshen turned to look. Behind him, the study window cast a square of bright yellow light, and Mr. Yan was standing by the window.

Xie Yunshen was thrilled. He walked to the window and looked up, hopeful. "Mr. Yan, morning."

His breath came out in puffs of mist that vanished into the air.

Yi Wuyi, seeing the situation, went on ahead.

Yan Shiqi pressed his palm against the window frame, looking down at him like a spring breeze in the snow. "Morning."

Xie Yunshen pulled a small packet of beef jerky from his coat pocket and tossed it up. This was his snack to munch on during training.

Then he ran to catch up with Yi Wuyi ahead. "Lao Wu, wait for me."

Yan Shiqi picked up the packet of beef jerky, watching Xie Yunshen walk away.

The wind howled, and the dark forest looked like a huge monster swallowing his shape.

Xie Yunshen must have sensed something and turned back to wave at him. The gloomy, snowy woods suddenly felt brighter.

Xie Yunshen caught up with Yi Wuyi ahead. "Lao Wu, why didn't you wait for me?"

Yi Wuyi said, "Did you want me to stand there watching you and Mr. Yan talk?"

Xie Yunshen was startled, then laughed. "What's the matter? It's not like we were having an encrypted conversation or needed you to keep watch."

Yi Wuyi looked at Xie Yunshen's bright, carefree smile and smiled back. Sometimes, he was kind of jealous of Xie Yunshen. Only someone like him could live without a care in the world.

He understood why Mr. Yan treated Xie Yunshen differently.

In the cartoons he watched as a child, the good guy heroes had an energy stone. Whenever they lost their nerve or their energy ran low, they could draw energy from that stone and bounce back to full health.

Xie Yunshen was that energy stone—his personal recharge, specifically this version of Xie Yunshen.

"Have you seen 'Warrior 777'?" Yi Wuyi asked.

Xie Yunshen froze for a moment, then grabbed his arm. "You know that cartoon?"

"Hasn't everyone in Country A seen it?" Yi Wuyi thought he was overreacting.

"Is that so..." Xie Yunshen murmured to himself.

He had watched it as a child too, but that was in his original world.

Did this book-transmigration world have that cartoon too?

Maybe it was just the same name?

Xie Yunshen took out his phone and searched for that cartoon. The familiar opening song and the exact same main characters immediately caught his eye.

He stood there frozen for a long time, frowning and stunned...

This isn't right...

Yi Wuyi looked at him. "You look really surprised."

"No, maybe I just misremembered." Xie Yunshen suppressed the doubts in his mind and put away his phone.

After posting that picture, Shang Guanhong lay low for two days. Xie Yunshen initially thought the matter was over and was just starting to let his guard down.

Then on the third day, Shang Guanhong posted another photo. The image showed a grave, with the caption: "Are you doing well over there? I'm sorry, the task you entrusted to me might not be completed."

Damn it, what the hell is this cobra up to now.

Xie Yunshen called Lin Jin, and Lin Jin answered.

Before he could speak, Lin Jin's voice came through first.

"Tell me, is the child my sister was carrying Shang Guanhong's?" His voice was hoarse. Though not exactly hysterical, it carried a definite edge of menace.

Xie Yunshen thought back carefully to the previous conversation between Yan Shiqi and Shang Guanhong. Mr. Yan had mentioned a girl willingly carrying a child for Shang Guanhong. Although he didn't specify who, Xie Yunshen could probably guess.

Most importantly, Shang Guanhong hadn't denied it at the time.

"I can't say for sure." Xie Yunshen couldn't and didn't dare to confirm it.

"In any case, my sister was very likely killed by him! But I can't find out which cemetery the grave in his picture is from."

"...Should I ask Mr. Yan for you? Maybe Mr. Yan knows something."

"Okay." With that, Lin Jin hung up.

Xie Yunshen was at a loss for words. This guy.

The next day, when Xie Yunshen brought up the matter, Mr. Yan just said, "What I said was also just speculation, without evidence. After all, Miss Lin's remains still haven't been found."

Xie Yunshen said, "So, you're saying he's posting these things just to lure Lin Jin out? Does he know there are two of us?"

"Black Impermanence and his kidnapper are two different people. Whether Shang Guanhong has discovered this or not makes no difference to him. As long as he can lure out the kidnapper, he can follow the trail to find the real Black Impermanence."

"Does Shang Guanhong have any public events recently?"

"What are you planning to do?" Yan Shiqi stared at him.

"I'm just asking because I'm worried Lin Jin might actually go after him on impulse."

Yan Shiqi said, "If Lin Jin really decides to go, you won't be able to stop him."

Xie Yunshen fell silent.

Chinese New Year's Eve arrived. The Yan Group started its holiday, and Mr. Yan had a rare vacation of over ten days to rest.

"What? I get a holiday too?" Xie Yunshen wasn't quite used to the idea.

"What's wrong with a holiday?" Yi Wuyi looked at him.

"Then who will protect Mr. Yan?"

Yan Shiqi looked at him. "I won't be going out these few days, so no need to worry."

"Mr. Yan, if you're not going out, where are you planning to go?"

Yan Shiqi: "..."

Yi Wuyi: "..."

Yan Shizhou gave him a speechless look. "Is it possible that 'not going out' means not going anywhere?"

Xie Yunshen was stunned for a moment before finally reacting. "Oh, right..."

It wasn't that he truly didn't understand; he just found it a bit hard to accept all at once. This meant he wouldn't get to see Mr. Yan for several days.

Seeing the troubled look in his eyes, Yan Shiqi relaxed his habitually furrowed brow and a smile touched his lips. "If you don't know what to do, it's fine to go have some fun."

Having been a bodyguard his whole life, Xie Yunshen had been everywhere and had zero interest in tourism or the like.

Mr. Yan was taking a break, and Yi Wuyi was returning to the orphanage. Xie Yunshen decided to spend the New Year in his own Tian Gong Hao Yuan mansion.

He originally wanted to bring his grandfather over to stay, but that stubborn Old Xie absolutely refused to leave the Yan Family Manor.

Xie Yunshen planned to sleep for two days and two nights straight in his luxurious home. However, during the day, after sleeping intermittently for nearly seven hours, he became unbearably energetic, his mind extremely active.

So, he started playing video games with Lin Jin next door to clear levels. Although Lin Jin was often called away for consultations or dates with Miss Bai, he also frequently accepted the invitations gladly.

One day, Lin Jin suddenly barged in, looking at Xie Yunshen. "Do you know what relationship Yan Shiqi had with my sister?"

Xie Yunshen looked utterly confused. "What do you mean?"

"I suspect my sister's death is related to Yan Shiqi." Lin Jin's gaze was dark.

Xie Yunshen immediately stood up, his tone cold. "Just say it directly."

He wouldn't allow anyone to slander Mr. Yan.

Lin Jin said self-mockingly, "If it weren't for Shang Guanhong reminding me, I almost forgot. From the very beginning, the information I got from the private detective pointed to the Yan family as the most likely suspects!"

"Lin Jin, do you have any brains? Can you believe what Shang Guanhong says?"

Now he finally understood. Shang Guanhong posting those pictures and saying those things online was all for this move.

"I don't trust Shang Guanhong, and I don't trust Yan Shiqi either. Don't forget, he was the one who told you about my sister's pregnancy! How did he know that?"

"Don't tell me Shang Guanhong knows it was you who kidnapped him?" Xie Yunshen's expression turned grave and wary.

Lin Jin slumped onto the sofa dejectedly. "Am I that stupid? I just found out some things from the photos he posted."

"What did you find out?"

Lin Jin looked at him. "Why should I tell you? You and Yan Shiqi are on the same team."

Xie Yunshen was truly speechless with him. In the original story, Lin Jin was played like a fool by Shang Guanhong. Who would have thought it would still be like this now.

"So, you're only good for being Shang Guanhong's pawn!"

Lin Jin thought for a moment and decided to compromise a step. "I can tell you, but you can't tell Yan Shiqi."

Without a second thought, Xie Yunshen said, "Then I can't promise that."

"You..." Lin Jin was pissed off. "Hmph, I think you're the one being played like a pawn by Yan Shiqi."

"So what? Shang Guanhong is from the Top Star Group, he's in cahoots with that scumbag Yang Zhongxu! Mr. Yan is their enemy. I ask you, who do you choose?"

"Sorry, I don't have as much moral sense as you. All I know is, whoever hurt my sister is my sworn enemy," Lin Jin said fiercely.

It wasn't like this matter had no effect on Xie Yunshen, but he always believed Mr. Yan wasn't that kind of person, just as Mr. Yan believed in him.

Xie Yunshen decided that after returning, he must, as agreed last time, have Yi Wuyi send a sarcastic "blessing" to that bastard Shang Guanhong.

As for why Yi Wuyi should send it, it was because the alias "White Impermanence" had some pull with Bai Le Bai...

However, after falling out with Lin Jin, he could only play games or work out alone.

That evening, he sat cross-legged on the floor, chin in hand, watching the snow fall outside for hours, unable to figure out why he had suddenly lost interest in everything—food, games, exercise, motorcycles, novels...

Like a tree in full growth suddenly uprooted, its roots loose, irregular, and damp, drifting in mid-air, becoming hollow.

It was the seventh day of the holiday break.

He sent a message to Mr. Yan:

"Mr. Yan, you know a lot. Do you know why a person might suddenly turn into a corpse?"

Mr. Yan replied: "Bring your corpse back."

With a bang, Xie Yunshen slammed the door shut without a second thought, got on his black motorcycle, and rode through the falling snow back to the Yan Family Manor.

When he returned, the manor was all lit up, and the smell of something delicious wafted from the kitchen—Uncle Zhao had specially brought in a team of chefs to prepare dinner.

A group of children filled the usually quiet Yan Family Manor with noise and life.

Fortune bags hung from the flowers and trees in the courtyard, and bunches of little red lanterns dangled from the branches of the ornamental pines.

At the entrance of the main building, Uncle Zhao was having the servants shovel the snow.

Xie Yunshen grabbed a small lantern and asked Uncle Zhao, "Uncle Zhao, where's Mr. Yan?"

Uncle Zhao smiled dotingly. "Mr. Yan should be in the study or the second-floor living room. Xiao Xie, you... where have you been off to? Finally decided to come home? I was just about to have your grandfather call you for the New Year's Eve dinner."

So it was already New Year's Eve eve.

Xie Yunshen hurried up to the second floor, first glanced into the living room—no one—then walked down the corridor, pushed open the study door, and saw the familiar figure indeed sitting on the sofa.

In the quiet study, he burst through the stagnant air like a gust of wind, smiling: "Mr. Yan! It's been too long!"

Mr. Yan squinted slightly at the draft he brought, feeling him grab his shoulders, then a firm hug.

Yan Shiqi looked at the little snowflakes in his hair and smiled. "Is there a corpse as full of energy as you?"

The study was warm and cozy, with a hint of incense mixed with the rich smell of old books.

Xie Yunshen loved this smell so much he was stunned for a second. "That's because I'm happy to see you. Aren't you happy to see me?"

Seeing his hopeful look, Yan Shiqi looked away and went "Hmm."

"Hmm... what does that mean?" Xie Yunshen was clearly dissatisfied.

Yan Shiqi said, "It means I'm also very happy."

"Even though you look reluctant, you must be telling the truth..." Seeing him turn his face away, Xie Yunshen stepped around to face him again, smiling. "Haven't been out much these days, Mr. Yan?"

Mr. Yan had to meet his gaze. "No, I've been resting these days."

"Insomnia?"

"Not too bad."

"So you did have insomnia. Insomnia causes headaches."

"..."

Mr. Yan looked at him and finally couldn't help but smile. "Not to that extent."

Xie Yunshen looked at Mr. Yan, remembering what Lin Jin had said, and the gloom that had been weighing on his heart these past few days dissipated.

He was now even more convinced that Mr. Yan, with such a resolute gaze, could never harm an innocent person.

Yan Shiqi reached out and gently patted the snowflakes on his head; some were already starting to melt.

Xie Yunshen had never felt this particular warmth from someone else's touch; it was different from when Mr. Yan ruffled his hair.

It felt warm and comforting—a sign that someone cared enough to be gentle with him.

Mr. Yan's sleeve carried that faint, familiar scent.

He lowered his head, feeling strange, his mind wandering as he looked at the surrounding decorations and scattered details.

"What are you doing with that little lantern?" Mr. Yan looked at the small lantern in his hand, which he had been clutching since entering.

Xie Yunshen came back to himself. "It looked cute, so I just picked it up."

Yan Shiqi said, "Even Shi Xin doesn't play with these lanterns anymore."

Xie Yunshen put the lantern up to his left eye, squinting to look through the plastic, the red light casting a glow on Mr. Yan's face. "But I quite like it."

Mr. Yan looked at his vibrant face and instinctively reached out, stopping abruptly just before touching his cheek, instead putting a hand to his own forehead.

"Mr. Yan, what's wrong?" Xie Yunshen thought he had another headache.

Yan Shiqi regained his composure, showing him a calm side. "Suddenly my vision blurred."

Xie Yunshen was confused for a second—aren't you only in your thirties?

Just then, Uncle Zhao said at the door, "Mr. Yan, dinner is ready."

The New Year's feast was about to begin.

"Let's have dinner together tonight, Lao Wu is here too." Yan Shiqi stood up; he was wearing a thin white shirt.

"Wait a moment, it's too hot." The heat in the room was cranked up. Xie Yunshen took off his black jacket and slung it on the coat rack, right beside Mr. Yan's coat.

"Let's go, Mr. Yan."

Before leaving the room, Mr. Yan glanced back at the two coats on the rack.

This year's family feast, because Third Uncle lived close by and Yan Shixin had been staying at the manor, Third Uncle and Third Aunt also came.

Yan Shiqi sat at the head of the table, Third Uncle's family took the seats to the left, and Yan Shiying sat across from them.

Yi Wuyi sat on the right. Seeing him, Xie Yunshen patted his back and sat down next to him, not forgetting to flatter him: "Old Five, how are you even more handsome now?"

Yi Wuyi looked at him: "I thought you wouldn't be back until after the holidays."

At that moment, Yan Shizhou also came down. Seeing an empty seat next to Yi Wuyi, he sat down beside him without hesitation.

Yi Wuyi didn't look at him, but Yan Shizhou kept staring at the side of Yi Wuyi's face.

"I sent you texts. Why didn't you reply?"

Yi Wuyi said, "Third Young Master, if you need something, just call. Don't text."

Xie Yunshen ate his meal while leaning in, bowl in hand, to enjoy his friend's drama up close.

He really regretted it—he should have come back sooner. He wondered how much gossip about Old Five he had missed.

Yan Shizhou: "You don't even answer my calls!"

Yi Wuyi: "If it's a private matter, don't call."

Yan Shizhou: "How do you know it wasn't about business?"

Yi Wuyi: "Because there isn't any business between us."

"Cough!" Xie Yunshen coughed, nearly choking as he tried to hold back a laugh.

Old Five usually didn't talk much, but when he did, he had a way of shutting people down.

Suddenly looking up, he noticed Mr. Yan was watching him. Thinking he'd annoyed the big boss, Xie Yunshen quickly straightened his posture and focused on his food.

Yan Shiying, meanwhile, was in no mood to enjoy his younger brother's embarrassment.

Just moments ago, he had mustered the courage to send a text to Miss Bai, wishing her a happy New Year.

But all he got back was a big red exclamation point.

Yan Shiying gave a bitter smile.

Third Uncle and his wife looked at them, shaking their heads helplessly.

Throughout the New Year's Eve dinner, the three Yan brothers each had their own things on their minds.

Yan Shiqi asked Third Uncle about the Global Contribution Award.

"I've already submitted the project, but whether it's picked for the international award is confidential. I don't know either; we'll have to wait until the global awards are announced."

"Can Gao Langdong really win the award?" Yan Shiying asked.

"If he has the ability to complete in vitro baby cultivation, it's not impossible for him to win a major award in other areas as well."

Xie Yunshen thought to himself, of course it's entirely possible—Gao Langdong is the most brilliant biologist in the book.

As soon as Yi Wuyi put down his bowl and chopsticks, Xie Yunshen swiftly hooked an arm around his neck and said: "Old Five, how long has it been since we trained? Now's the time!"

With that, he headed toward the training room.

Yan Shizhou tried to stop Yi Wuyi from behind but was a step too late. He stared after them, his face dark with frustration.

After an exhilarating workout, right before bedtime, Xie Yunshen suddenly remembered his coat was still in the study.

He figured he should also check if Mr. Yan had gone to sleep yet.

Arriving at the study, he didn't find Mr. Yan there. Xie Yunshen reached out to retrieve his coat.

He took a few steps out, then turned back, looking at the solid wood coat rack where Mr. Yan's lonely overcoat hung, appearing particularly solitary in the study.

Xie Yunshen stood there for a while, then hung his own coat back up, placing it next to Mr. Yan's overcoat like they were the best of buddies.

This way, it looked much better.

Satisfied, Xie Yunshen left.