Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

His eyes widened as he took the blow of Qiao Nian’s words. Qiao Nian was now saying in a distant manner, “Uncle Shen, if there’s nothing more, I’ll take my leave first. My friend’s waiting outside.”

Shen Jingyan’s muscles were all tense by now as he tried to force a smile. “Mm, alright.”

After all, he had experienced all sorts of situations. He managed to recover quickly and picked up the car keys on the table. He got up as well and asked, “Do you need me to send you there?”

Qiao Nian lowered her cap once again and declined his offer. “No need, they’re just nearby, I’ll go over on my own.”

He looked out and saw many cars on the wide road. He wasn’t sure which car Qiao Nian was referring to. Qiao Nian had gone to the bar counter to settle the tab and had left the cafeteria.

Only then did he fall back into his seat and sip on his coffee.

When he took a sip of this Blue Mountain previously, he did not find it bitter. But now, there was a taste that made it hard to swallow.

Shen Jingyan only took a small sip before putting it back down. He looked for his cell phone and scrolled through to find Wei Dongshan’s contact. There was a moment’s hesitation as he considered whether to call him to ask if he had figured out Qiao Nian’s relationship with Su Huaiyuan.

He had been in the business circle for so long, but this was the first time he had felt this lost and troubled. It was as if a huge hand was wrapped around his neck, suppressing him, leaving him with no good way of dealing with Wei Qi’s matters.

He was still hesitating.

Out of the blue, his cell phone rang.

Shen Jingyan saw the caller ID and frowned. He received the call and held the phone up. “Hello?”

He had just said a word and then listened to what the other party had to say. His expression changed, and he accidentally knocked over the cup of coffee on the table. Paleness took over his usually elegant look, and his expression practically crumbled. He clenched his teeth and squeezed out the words, “What did you say? Wei Qi has been taken away?”

He had just asked Qiao Nian out for a chat and threatened to hurt Chen Yuan’s family. The next moment, Wei Qi was taken away from the hospital.

Shen Jingyan had lived all these years, and this was the first time he was slapped in the face this way.

Hearing Wei Ling’s anxious voice, he took a deep breath to calm himself. Then, he quickly picked up his bag and said, “Wait for me, I’m coming right over.”

…

A black Phaeton was parked right outside First High School.

The school day had ended early for some of them, and a few students were walking out the gate. A couple of them would look over curiously every now and then.

Ye Wangchuan was seated leisurely in the backseat. He had one arm rested on the window as his deep eyes looked out.

Gu San had drawn the window down as well. He stuck his head out to scan the surroundings, then said to the man in the back, “Master Wang, didn’t Miss Qiao say she’d take five minutes? It’s been almost 10 minutes, where is she?”

He was a bit worried about Qiao Nian. “Should I call her to ask where she is?”

“No need, wait a bit more.” Ye Wangchuan retracted his gaze. He took a packet of cigarettes from the drawer, took one out, and lit it.

A spark emerged, then he drew a slow and deep breath. The cigarette rested between his slender fingers. His eyes were dark and deep, like the unchartered waters, hiding currents beneath.

“Has Cai Gang replied to your message?”