When Yan Wan’ying opened her eyes after a moment of darkness, everything has gone back to two hours earlier. Currently, she had just arrived at the place she had agreed to meet her friends.
The thought of being murdered on her way home from there made it impossible for her to sit still.
She immediately got up from her seat, but hesitated as she stepped out of the bar’s entrance.
She had seen clearly that the person intending to kill her was Suozi.
She had hired him to kill Yan Wantong, but in the end, he came to kill her instead. She still remembered the look in his eyes, like that of a mad dog, devoid of any humanity.
She wasn’t sure if he mistook her for someone else or if he intentionally came to kill her. Now, she always felt like Suozi was watching her from the shadows, ready to take her life at any moment.
She didn’t dare to leave the bar.
After hesitating for a long time, she called home, and Third Brother Yan answered the phone.
When Wan Tong returned home, Third Brother Yan was just about to go out.
“Youngest Sister said she’s being followed by someone outside, I’m going to pick her up.”
“Third Brother, I’ll go with you,” Wan Tong spoke up.
Since the family had bought a minivan, it made things easier.
Third Brother Yan nodded. “Alright, you know the way better.”
Before leaving, Eldest Brother Yan also joined them, saying he was more skilled at driving, and if Yan Wan’ying being followed, it could be dangerous, so having one more person would be better.
When they arrived at the entrance of the bar, Yan Wan’ying threw herself into Eldest Brother Yan’s arms, tears streaming down her face. She didn’t want to experience the feeling of being throat-slashed to death again.
“It’s okay, Youngest Sister, don’t be afraid,” Eldest Brother Yan comforted her, wanting Third Brother Yan to take Yan Wan’ying into the car first while he surveyed the surroundings.
But Yan Wan’ying didn’t let him go, saying, “Eldest Brother, don’t look around, I’m too scared, I want to go home.”
During this period, it’s better for her not to live alone. She believed Suozi wouldn’t dare to come and kill her at home.
“Alright, let’s go back first then.”
There were quite a few onlookers nearby because Yan Wan’ying’s commotion was quite loud, especially mentioning being followed, which naturally aroused curiosity.
Yan Wan’ying followed Eldest Brother Yan towards the minivan, and when she saw Wan Tong, she gave her a fierce glare.
Third Brother Yan was next to Wan Tong, so of course, he saw it.
He was somewhat unhappy at once. Youngest Sister was really going too far. They were all family, why was she always targeting Fourth Sister?
He pulled Wan Tong into the car without saying a word.
As the minivan left, Liu Zi turned and slipped into the bar, while a tall, thin figure in the crowd walked out and stood by the roadside, watching as the minivan gradually disappeared at the end of the road.
Inside the minivan, the atmosphere became somewhat tense.
“Third Brother, why haven’t you said anything? Did I offend you?” Yan Wan’ying was already full of anger, and seeing Third Brother Yan’s dark face, she naturally became annoyed.
Did he really only care about Yan Wantong in his eyes?
“I have nothing to say,” Third Brother Yan replied and closed his eyes to rest.
Yan Wan’ying felt choked up, gritted her teeth, and looked at Wantong. “Yan Wantong, why are you here too? Are you enjoying the show?”
“Someone was following you, so I was worried if only Third Brother came,” Wan Tong said calmly.
“So, it’s because you’re worried about Third Brother, not because you’re worried about me, right?”
“…” Wan Tong fell silent. Was it really necessary to expose it like this?
“Yan Wan’ying, that’s enough. Can’t you stop being so willful and radical? What did your Fourth Sister do wrong to you? Last time, you left your Fourth Sister behind on the hillside and slandered her. Did we blame you for it?”
When Third Brother Yan mentioned this, Yan Wan’ying felt provoked, “By bringing this up, are you reminding me? Did I do wrong to Yan Wantong? You might not say it out loud, but you’re all isolating me!”
Third Brother chuckled in exasperation, too lazy to argue with her.
Yan Wan’ying wanted to say something more, but Eldest Brother Yan’s low shout ahead silenced the car immediately.
Although Eldest Brother Yan usually seemed tolerant, if his temper flared, his younger siblings would still be afraid.
From that day on, Yan Wan’ying stayed at home, needing one of her brothers to accompany her whenever she went out. Sometimes when her brothers were busy, she could only stick with Wan Tong.
However, Wan Tong didn’t want to play along with her, so most of the time, she would just shake her off, either at the shop or by going to the company.
Wan Tong wanted to investigate the situation with Suozi, but she didn’t want to alert Yan Qinglu, so she had no way to do it.
Thinking that she could still use a skill for free with Shishi, she had it investigate Suozi.
To her surprise, Suozi was the guy who tried to kill her outside the dance hall that night.
And this time, he was hired by Yan Wan’ying to kill her, but for some reason, he ended up trying to kill Yan Wan’ying instead.
Wan Tong remembered the hundred yuan she received that day. Suozi probably got it from Yan Wan’ying.
Suozi took the money and didn’t want to do the job. Were all Hei Long’s men this disobedient? Or was there another hidden reason?
While pondering this, Wan Tong noticed that Third Brother Yan had been acting strange lately.
He seemed to be in love.
In the plot, Third Brother Yan’s love interest was from the village, a mediocre and selfish girl, who eventually left him and their child. If possible, Wan Tong would certainly want him to find a better partner. And the same went for Eldest Brother yan; he definitely shouldn’t remain single for life.
Things were relatively quiet on Yan Qinglu’s side recently, but since that night, Lin Cui had been going out almost every day. Sometimes when she saw Wan Tong, she would jest a few words, seeming much more relaxed. However, Wan Tong still feared she might have another episode and target Yan Qinglu, who would never fight back.
The more Wan Tong thought about it, the more she realized she couldn’t afford to be idle. There were still many things to worry about.
Seeing the sun outside, Wan Tong stepped out of the branch store, ready for Lin Daxiong to take her to see Yan Qinglu.
In the newly built office building, with no tenants yet, Yan Qinglu stood by the French window in the spacious top-floor lobby, while Chen Hou pushed a tall, thin young man to the ground behind him.
Suozi’s hands were tied behind him, forced to kneel on the ground in a sorry state. When he raised his head, he met the imposing and ruthless figure of Yan Qinglu, resembling that of an emperor.
It was a few months ago that Suozi read about Yan Qinglu on the newspaper. His attire was simple and low-key, but his eyes could kill, with a fierce aura emanating from him. Now standing before Suozi, he was dressed in a suit, neat and tidy. Though his gaze seemed calm and tranquil, when he glanced lightly, it felt like sharp knives slicing through.
Suozi stared at Yan Qinglu closely, but remained silent. The look in Yan Qinglu’s eyes held no killing intent; rather, it seemed like Yan Qinglu was assessing him.
Yan Qinglu sat down on the only chair available, tilting his head slightly with his black eyes half-closed, gazing at Suozi. “What’s your relationship with Yan Wan’ying?”
Suozi struggled a few times but couldn’t get up, still in a sorry state.
“Yan Wan’ying wanted me to kill your woman,” Suozi uttered each word with a bite, then continued to stare at Yan Qinglu.
Suozi was too thin, with large eyes that seemed like they were about to pop out.
“You took money from Yan Wan’ying but still wanted to kill her. Is this how Hei Long taught you to do things?” Yan Qinglu’s expression remained unchanged. Suozi was good at hiding, and it took a long time to find him.
He had broken away from Hei Long and had some contact with Yan Wan’ying during that time, tracking her and even buying a knife.
That day outside the bar, he did indeed appear.
Suozi didn’t respond, only asking Yan Qinglu, “You don’t seem surprised that Yan Wan’ying wants to kill her own sister.”
“I’m surprised why you don’t do the things you got the money for.”
Suozi couldn’t harm Tongtong; Yan Qinglu was confident of that.
“I want to follow you,” Suozi finally said after a long while.
Yan Qinglu narrowed his black eyes slightly. People of all kinds came to surrender, and Suozi wasn’t particularly special in that regard. But Suozi’s recent tracking had exposed Yan Wan’ying’s malicious intentions, which helped him greatly.
“If I remember correctly, you once almost hurt someone I care about,” Yan Qinglu’s voice suddenly turned cold, as if it could freeze the air around them.
Suozi’s eyes were so dry that they stung, but he didn’t flinch. “I want to follow you.”
“Brother Lu, Little Fourth Yan and Daxiong are here,” Chen Hou entered and whispered.
Yan Qinglu frowned, immediately getting up to leave.
But before he took a few steps, Wan Tong’s figure appeared from outside the door, followed by the apprehensive Lin Daxiong.
Wan Tong noticed the figure not far behind Yan Qinglu at a glance, the one Chen Hou had lifted up, wasn’t that Suozi?
“What are you doing?” she asked sharply.
Yan Qinglu remained silent, pulling her out.
Behind them, Suozi heard the clear voice, turned his head dazedly, but only saw Lin Daxiong’s fierce gaze.
In the empty room, the door was locked, and every word echoed.
“Do you know him?” Yan Qinglu pressed Wan Tong against the door, his black eyes staring intently at her.
Wan Tong remained calm in her response. Since Yan Qinglu found Suozi, he must have know neverything, like how Suozi once wanted to kill her, or the deal between Suozi and Yan Wan’ying…
But with the tone he used, she thought he might know even more.
So Wan Tong admitted directly.
“Last time at the dance hall entrance, he took out a knife to attack me, but failed. I saw he was injured and his sister seemed cute, so I gave him a hundred yuan. Later, I received a hundred yuan, probably from him.”
“Anything else?” Yan Qinglu’s voice was full of jealousy.
Wan Tong thought seriously for a moment, then shook her head, “No, that’s all.”
Only then did Yan Qinglu relent, but he held her face and kissed her gently.
However, he couldn’t calm the slight unease in his heart. Looking at her misty eyes, he asked again, “Next time, don’t talk to other men. It makes me uncomfortable.”
“Oh, then I’ll go back and tell my Dad and Brothers not to talk to me anymore.” Wan Tong replied earnestly.
Yan Qinglu : “…”
“Why did you catch that person? Is Hei Long causing trouble for you again?” Wan Tong asked casually.
“It’s not Hei Long.” It’s your sister.
But Yan Qinglu didn’t say the latter sentence in the end.
“What happened?”
“It’s nothing serious, he said he wanted to follow me, so he came on his own.”
“Oh.”
Yan Qinglu lowered his head, his thin lips coming close again, his hands wandering up and down her body.
“It’s a bit chilly today, why are you still wearing a skirt?”
“…”
Wan Tong regretted wearing a skirt now. She thought not wearing tight jeans would be fine, but wearing a skirt was even worse, making it easier for him to be touchy-feely.
As the temperature in the small room gradually rose, there was noise from outside.
Vaguely, Wan Tong could still hear Third Brother Yan’s voice. She shivered and quickly pushed Yan Qinglu away.
“Is it my Third Brother?”
Yan Qinglu’s forehead twitched. He seemed to have heard Third Brother Yan’s voice too.
Every time he heard Third Brother Yan’s voice, his scalp would tingle a bit. Countless times before, whenever he got intimate with Little Fourth Yan Xiao Si, Thrid Brother Yan would show up.
“Is it really…” Wan Tong listened for a moment, ready to open the door and go out.
Yan Qinglu unwillingly pulled her back into his arms, bit her lip fiercely, then dragged her out.
At this moment, the hall outside was chaotic. Not only was Third Brother Yan there, but also a thin, weak girl.
“Brother! Don’t hurt my Brother!” Qiaoqiao ran towards the direction of Suozi, but was stopped by Lin Daxiong.
Third Brother Yan also reached out and pulled Qiaoqiao back, “Don’t be impulsive, your Brother is fine, Qiaoqiao, calm down.”
“Qiaoqiao, I’m fine, be good, go home quickly.” Suozi also got a little anxious, trying to break free from Chen Hou’s hands, but his hands were tied and he didn’t have the strength to struggle.
“Tongtong!” Third Brother Yan saw Wan Tong as if he had seen a savior.
But after seeing Yan Qinglu, his face stiffened again. Why was Yan Qinglu in the same small room as Tongtong, and why were both of their faces so red…
Ah, the pig must have nibbled on his little white cabbage again!
Seeing Third Brother Yan’s expression, Wan Tong knew he was thinking about something unnecessary again. She quickly asked, “Third Brother, why are you here? And who is this?”
Third Brother Yan then remembered the main point, helped Qiaoqiao, who was emotional, up and said, “This is Qiaoqiao. She came to find her Brother. I was afraid something might happen to her, so I followed her here. I didn’t expect…”
He stopped there, furrowing his brow, not continuing.
He didn’t expect this matter to be related to Yan Qinglu, and that Tongtong was here too.
He knows that Yan Qinglu’s influence isn’t insignificant, but after this period of time together, he’s also clear that Yan Qinglu isn’t an unreasonable person.
Yan Qinglu glanced at Chen Hou, who immediately released Suozi. At this moment, Qiaoqiao swiftly ran over and cautiously hugged Suozi, sobbing softly, “Brother…”
“You can leave now.” Yan Qinglu glanced at Suozi, his slightly furrowed brow revealing his disgust for the noisy environment.
However, Suozi didn’t leave. He gently pushed Qiaoqiao aside, consoled her a few times, then looked at Yan Qinglu solemnly, saying, “I can help you.”
Yan Qinglu instantly understood the implication behind his words, but he merely smirked coldly, “Don’t overestimate yourself.”
Suozi tensed up all over, eventually crumbling under Yan Qinglu’s words.
Wan Tong and Third Brother Yan left the office building together, heading straight to the convenience store.
Third Brother Yan seemed a bit absent-minded. He glanced at Zhong Youqian and Liuzi happily gnawing on corn cobs by the street corner opposite, then looked at Wan Tong elegantly eating fish eggs beside him, and sighed, “Tongtong, suddenly I feel like Yan Qinglu is pretty good.”
Yan Qinglu was still very young, but his appearance definitely didn’t allow anyone to underestimate him. He had power and influence, could obtain whatever he wanted, and could protect what he wanted to protect.
Unlike him…
“Third Brother, are you troubled by love? Talk to me, I’ll be your counselor.”
Wan Tong wiped off the tomato sauce from the corner of her mouth and looked at him seriously.
“Who’s troubled by love?” Second Brother Yan suddenly leaned in from behind.
“Troubled by love?” This came from Zhou Rui walking out from between the shelves.
Third Brother Yan glanced at the two of them, twitched his lips, then waved at them, “Go, go, I’m chatting with Tongtong, you guys go elsewhere.”
He couldn’t stand it anymore, his Second Brother was always showing affection in front of him, it was unbearable.
Thankfully, he had his Eldest Brother to accompany him, otherwise, he really couldn’t stay in this convenience store.
Seconf Brother Yan slapped him on the head with authority, saying, “How dare you talk to your older brother like that?”
Wan Tong was on Third Brother Yan’s side. She reached out and touched his head to comfort him, and said, “Third Brother, hurry up and find a Sister-in-law for me too.”
Third Brother Yan blushed immediately, “Hey, how could it be so early?”
Wan Tong chuckled lightly, she was just joking.
But the next moment, she heard Third Brother Yan mutter, “Qiaoqiao is still young…”
Wan Tong nearly bit her own tongue. He had been eyeing Qiaoqiao all this time? Suozi’s younger sister?
—My goodness.
She glanced at Third Brother Yan’s silly smile and could only shake her head.
Finishing her fish eggs, she saw Zhong Youqian, who was originally gnawing on corn, suddenly jump up and pull Liu Zi over in their direction.
She paused for a moment, then turned to look, and saw a petite figure walking in from the doorway.
It was indeed Qiaoqiao, with Suozi following behind her.
He had completely changed from before. His hair was tidied up, his face was cleaned, and he looked almost like a little girl, but his eyes let Wan Tong recognize him at a glance.