Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Li Yushan and He Chen had known each other for several years. When she first entered the agency with a group of interns, the department leader had asked several reporters to lead them.

The other reporters had been elderly, all except He Chen, who was very young, and the others were unwilling to choose her.

Li Yushan had chosen He Chen at that time, and only she had remained in the batch of intern reporters.

It was just that she didn’t know much about He Chen’s personal affairs, and He Chen also never asked about her. Li Yushan found it easy to get along with this kind of friend. She only knew Qu Zixiao after seeing his assistant come pick up He Chen one day, and she had only found out about him after He Chen revealed the surprising matter to her.

At that time, Li Yushan had felt like He Chen was too low-key. She was obviously a hidden rich wife, but she still wore flip flops and market clothes.

She had been very shocked at that time.

But she was even more shocked now.

Last time in Continent M, Li Yushan had only managed to remain calm and sober because she didn’t know the group of mercenaries.

At this moment, looking at the figure of the woman sitting inside by the window, her brain stopped working for a second. “God… God Qin?”

She thought she had come to have dinner with He Chen, but who would tell her why this woman was in front of her?

Qin Ran and Cheng Mu had arrived a long time ago.

When He Chen came in, she was still drinking a cup of tea.

Upon seeing Li Yushan beside He Chen, she raised an eyebrow.

“Miss Chen, sit down.” Before He Chen came over, Cheng Mu dragged two stools out and let them sit.

Li Yushan was a little stiff, but He Chen put down her camera and casually sat down. She took a glass of water and said, “This person is your fan. She even cried when she watched the game. She wants to go to the divisional game, but doesn’t have a ticket.”

This year’s global tournament wasn’t in China, but Yang Fei had given her a ticket.

Qin Ran turned to Cheng Mu. “How many do we have left?”

Cheng Mu thought for a while and replied, “Yang Fei took a total of nine, Young Master Lu took two, Young Master Jiang took two as well, and one was given to Qiao Sheng. We have four tickets left.”

Qin Ran paused for a while and then turned back to Li Yushan. “Are two tickets enough?”

Li Yushan had yet to react.

Qin Ran tapped her fingers on the table and asked again calmly, “Enough?”

He Chen patted Li Yushan on the shoulder. “Wake up.”

“Huh?” Finally returning to her senses, Li Yushan slowly realized what Qin Ran had said and quickly nodded. “One-one is enough!”

Qin Ran looked lackluster and said slowly, “Prepare two.”

Cheng Mu noted this down. “Yes.”

With everyone here, the waiter started serving the dishes.

“How’s your cousin?” He Chen gave Qin Ran a piece of meat.

Qin Ran took a slow bite and then put down her chopsticks blankly. She took a sip of tea and said, “He’s taking over my grandpa’s mess.”

Since He Chen had helped Cheng Juan investigate some things before and had also seen the USB flash drive given by Qin Ran, she somewhat knew what mess Mu Nan was taking over, and just smiled. “Then, he can work with Giant Crocodile. How did you find it?”

Qin Ran’s grandpa had reached his peak professionally, but when the pressure gate research had been at its peak, he had suddenly disappeared, leaving only a few works behind.

“Auction house.” Qin Ran paused for a while and tapped the chopsticks with her white and slender fingers. “Cheng Jin checked that the underground auction house has my grandpa’s voluntary auction. Mu Nan’s just going to show his face.”

He Chen was a little puzzled.

If Mu Nan had refused to take over the Mu family and was focused on physics, why was he taking care of these matters and even going to the underground auction site?

However, she hadn’t come for this matter today and didn’t delve into it.

Speaking of business, she had asked Qin Ran to check some news about her sister yesterday.

When He Jinxin was fighting in the bureaucracy, He Chen had only been 13 years old and had been in junior high school. At that time, she hadn’t known anything about her.

It wasn’t until later that she accidentally joined 129 and faintly discovered that He Jinxin had entered the bureaucracy to investigate her grandpa’s death over a secret-level nuclear weapon.

However, this S-level classified information was old, and He Chen had only found a few vague contents.

He Jinxin’s identity was very secretive. 129 didn’t have many collections and didn’t pay attention to some small gossip, either. If she wanted to find out who had bullied He Jinxin back then, she would probably have to ask Qin Ran to take action.

As the two talked, Li Yushan couldn’t understand a single word.

But Cheng Mu clearly heard them.

After listening to their conversation, he just looked at He Chen with ineffable words. He thought that only He Chen dared to ask Qin Ran to check some gossip…

…

The next day, at 7 AM.

At Ting Lan.

Cheng Wenru came to find Cheng Juan early in the morning.

Cheng Mu looked up from where he was squatting beside the flower pot. “Miss, Master Juan hasn’t gotten up yet?”

Cheng Wenru looked down at the time on her phone in surprise and confirmed the time. “Are you sure my Third Bro is still sleeping?”

At this timing, shouldn’t he have already finished his run, taken a shower, and eaten breakfast?

Cheng Mu nodded earnestly. “Master Juan said last night that if you come early, you can go to the study first.”

Upstairs.

Already awake, Cheng Juan checked the time on the alarm clock by the window and got ready.

Cheng Juan hugged the frowning Qin Ran in his arms and only got up to gently open the door when her eyebrows were peaceful again.

He just opened the door when he saw Cheng Wenru coming up the stairs.

The two looked at each other.

Cheng Juan paused and then closed the door casually.

“Good morning.” He walked slowly to the next room and got ready to change clothes.

Raising an eyebrow, Cheng Wenru glanced at him. “Didn’t Ran Ran’s Little Aunt tell you to sleep next door?”

Cheng Juan opened the door and chuckled softly. “You’re thinking too much.”

Cheng Wenru was speechless.

Half an hour later, in the study room.

When Cheng Juan entered, Cheng Wenru was looking at a document on the table, staring at the familiar name on it—

He Jinxin.

She was a politician with quite a reputation in Beijing recently.

Many forces had been showing signs of wooing her.

“Since when were you in charge of the inspection court?” Cheng Wenru raised her head and glanced at him.

“I’m just checking some things.” Cheng Juan poured himself a cup of tea.

Cheng Wenru nodded and didn’t ask further. “A few people from the inspection institute have been looking for me recently. This He Jinxin is a brilliant talent.”

Cheng Juan raised his head upon hearing this and said calmly, “Don’t interfere with the affairs of the inspection institute for now.”

As for the reason, he didn’t elaborate.

Cheng Wenru knew that his words weren’t groundless and nodded thoughtfully.

After a while, she thought of something else. “When will that Lou Yue leave? So many people here are miserable and are even worse than Kenneth.”

Turning on the computer with his distinct bony fingers holding the mouse, Cheng Juan raised his eyebrow faintly. “I can’t control this person.”

If it was Kenneth, he could still advise him otherwise.

“Fine.”

Cheng Wenru was at her wit’s end. Regarding Lou Yue, Qin Ran could still chime in, but she was in her special period now, and even Cheng Wenru didn’t dare to bother her with this incident in front of Cheng Juan.

After discussing with him a few matters, she went out and waited for Qin Ran to wake up.

After Cheng Wenru left, Cheng Juan picked up the inspection court’s documents again and frowned.

He sat in his chair thinking for a few minutes, then picked up his phone and called Chang Ning.

…

A week later.

It was He Jinxin’s birthday. He Chen went home with a birthday gift to see the He family busily preparing for the celebration.

She didn’t see He Jinxin from beginning to end.

Father He didn’t criticize He Chen as usual today.

Grandma He only nagged a little about why He Jinxin didn’t come home early this year as usual, then stopped.

After seeing that He Jinxin wasn’t home, and Grandma He was nagging at her, He Chen listened for a while and then went out.

When she went out, she saw a man hurrying in.

“Brother-in-law, you came back alone?” He Chen glanced at him and raised an eyebrow.

It was her brother-in-law, Yu Xuan.

Yu Xuan’s expression seemed a little tired, but he still smiled when he saw her. “Yeah, you’re going out now?”

The light outside was weak, and He Chen didn’t see his expression. She said casually, “I have work tomorrow morning. By the way, I’ve left Sister’s birthday gift to my aunt. Help me pass it to her later.”

“Okay.” Yu Xuan nodded.

After He Chen left, the smile on his face suddenly disappeared.

Instead of seeing Grandma He in the He family’s house, he went directly to find Father He.

“How’s Jinxin now?” Father He asked anxiously.

Under the light, Yu Xuan’s complexion wasn’t good, and he had dark eye circles under his eyes. He shook his head and sighed. “She’s being guarded, I can’t see her.”

“How could it be…” Father He fell into a chair in despair. “Jinxin wouldn’t break the law and leak secrets…”

“You didn’t tell her younger sister and the others about Jinxin?” Yu Xuan recalled He Chen and the servant’s attitudes just now.

Father He was taken aback for a moment before he reacted and shook his head, smiling bitterly. “It’ll only make them worry, especially Xiao Chen. She has a good relationship with her sister, she won’t be able to hold back if she finds out. She’ll be able to do anything. At that time, I can’t let her hold you back.”

Yu Xuan nodded. “I’m here today to tell you something. No matter what the investigator asks you, just say you don’t know.”

“I-I know, son-in-law.” Father He grabbed Yu Xuan’s hand and knelt down. “You must save Jinxin…”

“I know, I’ll do my best. Please get up quickly…”

…

After leaving, Yu Xuan stood at the door for a long time before returning home with a headache.

He returned to the Yu family’s house.

“Young Master, you’re back? The chief prosecutor is waiting for you inside,” Father Yu’s secretary whispered. “Be careful what you say, he’s angry.”

Yu Xuan entered the hall.

A few people were sitting happily on the sofa.

“Xiao Xuan, you’re back?” A woman with delicate makeup put down the child in her arms and smiled at him.

This woman looked about the same age as Yu Xuan and was actually his stepmother.

Without even looking at her, Yu Xuan turned directly to his father. “Dad, I have something to tell you.”

“If it’s about that woman, I advise you not to think about it. Divorce her soon, or cut off relations with me.” Father Yu didn’t even bother looking up.

“Dad, you know that she’s not that kind of person!” Yu Xuan’s veins bulged.

“Then, how did she obtain the case record of that year’s incident? No matter what the reason, the use of private power to obtain the S-level classified information is a serious crime. As someone who knows the law, it’s even more unforgivable for her to break it! Yu Xuan, I think you’re in over your head. Do you want your own father to go to prison too! If you still want to involve yourself in her business, get out of the Yu family today. I don’t have a son like you!”

Seeing them argue, the woman handed the child in her arms to him. “Old Yu, don’t be angry. Look at your little son.”

The woman glanced at Yu Xuan and said gently, “Xiao Xuan, listen to your father and divorce soon…”

Yu Xuan stared at her coldly.

Without a word, he directly turned around and left.

After he left, Father Yu’s expression worsened. He stopped holding his child and went upstairs with a solemn face.

The woman casually teased her child while the servant beside her leaned over and whispered, “Madam, if you talk to the Eldest Master like that…”

Upon hearing this, the woman gave the child to the servant and looked down at her fingers covered with nail polish. “No worries, the two can’t beat the storm.”

When He Jinxin and Yu Xuan had successful careers last time, she had been in awe of the two. But now…

Not to mention Father Yu’s refusal to get involved, even if he did, He Jinxin wouldn’t be able to get out. Thus, the woman didn’t feel a need to please them.

Rats leave a sinking ship, everyone kicks a man who is down.

…

The next day.

At the entrance to the Universal Photography Exhibition.

Chen Yu looked at the door awkwardly, then at the ticket in his hand, and smirked. “Film Emperor Qin, this is the film exhibition that Miss He was talking about?”

A “small” exhibition at the national level?

After a long while, he comforted himself and said that it was understandable since she was the little niece’s friend, after all.

Qin Xiuchen reached out to pull his mask up, narrowing his pretty eyes. However, he still appeared rather calm. “Let’ go in.”

The two walked inside.

Although Qin Xiuchen had covered his face and was even wearing a fat T-shirt with little taste, his slender figure and elegant aura still couldn’t be concealed, and he still stood out among the crowd.

Even with his head down, he still attracted a lot of attention.

“Hey— Miss He?” Chen Yu handed the ticket to the ticket inspector and went in with Qin Xiuchen. When he looked up, his eyes lit up at the sight of He Chen in the crowd. “Miss He, wait for us.”

He glanced at Qin Xiuchen again. “Shall we go together with Miss He?”

Qin Xiuchen pressed his hat down and glanced in front to see He Chen. His footsteps suddenly paused, and he curled up his clean fingers before nodding faintly. “Okay.”

Along the way, Chen Yu was talking to He Chen when he suddenly fell into weird silence at the sight of a booth placed in the exhibition center.

Chen Yu murmured, “I feel like a hot search is coming up soon…”

He Chen coughed, and her phone rang at this time. While glancing at Qin Xiuchen, she picked up Guan Chi’s call.

Guan Chi told her very seriously that Grandma He suddenly fell ill and was in emergency treatment.

He Chen suddenly raised her head, her fingers trembling.

Grandma had always been healthy, so how could she suddenly be sick?

Suddenly, her mind exploded, and the people around her faded into the background.

A cold sweat broke instantly on her back.

At her side, Qin Xiuchen noticed her strange reaction and leaned over to whisper, “What’s wrong?”

He Chen looked up helplessly at him. “My grandma is in the Second People’s Hospital for emergency treatment…”

Qin Xiuchen stared at her face and pursed his lips. “Let’s go to the hospital first.”

He took her out and directly walked through the crowd to the exit, relying on his height and long legs. They were squeezed by the crowd two or three times, but Qin Xiuchen frowned and directly reached out to hold her hand in his and protect her from the crowd.

…

20 minutes later, they arrived at the hospital.

Qin Xiuchen went to park the car while He Chen went straight to the emergency room.

At the door of the emergency room, Father He, Mother He, and the butler were all present. Father He was talking to Madam Guan at the moment.

“Is grandma alright?” He Chen glanced at Mother He emotionlessly.

Mother He’s eyes were red as she nodded slightly. “She’s out of danger.”

He Chen heaved a sigh of relief. She leaned against the wall and almost lost her strength. “Mom, what on earth happened? Why did grandma suddenly fall ill? She has always been in good health.”

Mother He only cried and shook her head, refusing to say a word.

“What happened?” He Chen’s heart froze for a moment. He Jinxin had always been the one to handle the He family’s affairs. Recently, He Chen had been busy looking for those who had bullied He Jinxin and hadn’t paid much attention to the He family’s affairs.

She also became serious upon seeing Mother He’s reaction and turned to Father He. “Where’s my sister?”

“Stop making trouble!” Father He’s eyes were red and dark. “You can’t handle the matter even if I tell you.”

“You…”

Guan Chi pulled He Chen aside before she could speak and told her the truth. “This incident hasn’t surfaced in Beijing yet. We just learned that something has happened to Sister Jinxin, and even your brother-in-law is also at a loss…”

The atmosphere continued to sink in the corridor.

There was only the sound of Mother He’s suppressed cry.

Thousands of thoughts buzzed in He Chen’s mind, and she decided to find He Jinxin and ask her to clarify the matter. She took a deep breath. “Mom, I’m going to find my sister. Don’t worry.”

“Really? Can you see your sister?” Mother He looked up.

“Don’t listen to her nonsense. Your sister is being held now, and even Xiao Xuan can’t see her. And you think you can see her just by saying it? He Chen, don’t cause them trouble, it’s not the time to act in a huff!” Father He’s temples throbbed.

He had always been worried about He Chen messing around.

That was why he had kept this matter hidden from her.

He Chen glanced at him and remained silent.

What? He didn’t understand his daughter at all!