The young woman spoke nonchalantly: "That would anger the Yu family and bring about their own doom."
Liu Qingfeng shook his head: "A gentleman knows what to do and what not to do. If the Yu family wants to make a move against me, they should reconsider."
He looked at Shen You’an with a frank gaze: "If there’s anything you need my help with, don’t hesitate to ask."
Shen You’an glanced at him and slowly broke into a smile.
"Mr. Liu, the game has begun."
~
Helian Yu stormed back home, two bodyguards shadowing her every step.
"Well, Liu Qingfeng, you’ve even started having me watched now."
Helian Yu called Liu Qingfeng, but the call didn’t go through.
She called her assistant, who was out of service range.
Helian Yu furiously hurled her phone away.
"Liu Qingfeng, you’ve gone too far."
Housekeeper Liu bent down to pick up the shattered phone and placed a cup of Calming Tea on the coffee table, speaking calmly: "Madam, have some tea and rest early."
Helian Yu suddenly turned to look at him: "Even you are siding with him, aren’t you?"
She nearly forgot—the old man was also a Liu.
Turns out, in this house, she was the only one with a different surname.
"Madam, Mr. Liu must have his reasons for doing things. You should trust him and support him."
"Does he even know that the one surnamed Shen is...?"
Helian Yu abruptly stopped speaking.
"In any case, what he’s doing will end up costing Xixi her life and ruining the Liu family. Call him and tell him I want to see him."
"Madam, do you truly see Mr. Liu as someone who cannot distinguish right from wrong?"
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have achieved his position today.
Helian Yu swallowed her retort reluctantly, her tone firm: "Both he and his son have been bewitched by that vile girl."
"Madam, you’ve insulted not only Mr. Liu but also yourself."
Housekeeper Liu no longer looked at Helian Yu and stepped out of the villa’s door.
The bodyguards closed the door behind him and stood watch like guardians.
Housekeeper Liu turned back for a moment. Through the living room’s floor-to-ceiling windows, he saw the woman’s stubborn, discontented expression beneath the chandelier.
He shook his head at the thought—Madam’s obstinacy was harming both herself and others.
Helian Yu returned to her room, pulled out a new phone from the bedside drawer.
She powered it on and dialed a number.
The phone alerted her of no signal—a call couldn’t be placed.
Helian Yu froze for a moment, then slid open the balcony door, stepped onto the terrace, and waved the phone toward the sky.
Still no signal.
Helian Yu ground her teeth: "Liu Qingfeng, you’ve gone too far."
This villa had now become a luxurious prison.
~
Shen You’an slipped out through the hospital’s back door and sent Gao Yuyue a message, letting her know she had left and asking them to return home.
Gao Yuyue closed her phone. "Uncle, let’s go back. An’an has other things to take care of."
Ren Mingze raised an eyebrow and instructed the driver to start the car.
Shen You’an flagged down a cab and dialed a number.
The call was quickly answered: "An’an, calling your uncle so late—do you need something? I have to work overtime tonight and might get back later."
"Uncle, I’m fine. Just wanted to remind you to stay safe, eat on time, and if it’s too late, sleep at the apartment near the bank."
"That sounds good. I have clients to meet early tomorrow, which will save time."
Shen You’an hung up and then dialed Luo Qian.
"Sis."
"Are you heading out?"
Luo Wan’s voice came through the phone, rambling on: "An’an, why waste money on that? The Hot Spring Villa is so expensive—doesn’t a night there cost a fortune...?"
"A classmate of mine has family who invested in the villa. This time, she got a silver medal at the CMO competition, and to thank me, she gave me several passes. Since it’s the holidays, Xiao Qian can keep you company there for a few extra days."
"Oh, I see! An’an, you’re incredible."
Upon hearing it wouldn’t cost anything, Luo Wan was reassured.
"You’re talking about that girl who came to our house last time, right? Petite, with big, round eyes—such a sweet smile."
"Yes, that’s her."
"That’s great—bring her over for dinner next time. She mentioned she liked the hat and scarf I knitted for you. I’ve just finished a new set, and I’ll give it to her when she visits."
"Sure."
"Oh, An’an, there’s chicken soup simmering in the pot at home. When you’re back, remember to warm it up and have some."
"Sis, the cab is here. I’ll talk to you later."
Luo Qian hung up the phone.
A cab pulled up in front.
The driver was a skinny young man wearing a baseball cap and a mask. He enthusiastically helped Luo Qian load the luggage into the trunk.
He then opened the rear door and gestured for them to get in.
Luo Wan felt slightly embarrassed: "Thank you, sir."
This was the most courteous cab driver she had ever encountered.
The man said nothing. After the two got in, he walked around the front of the car, sat in the driver’s seat, and started the engine.