The manager’s scalp tingled as he glanced once more at Chen Li—only to find she was already dead.
But he still nodded firmly. “Yes, Young Master Shen, I’ll make sure everything is taken care of!”
“Good, I appreciate your effort,” Shen Wuxiao replied with a smile, then turned to look at the terrified men and women around him.
“This supreme meal was pretty expensive, and most of you didn’t even touch it. Take it home. Share it with your wives and kids.”
“Living an ordinary life with your family is actually a blessing. Don’t keep thinking about climbing higher—it’s meaningless.”
If someone who hadn’t seen what had just happened witnessed his expression, they would’ve thought he was kind and approachable. But to those who had just lived through the nightmare, his smile was enough to make their legs go numb. Some even lost control of their bladder.
As Shen Wuxiao walked out, he passed by the waiter who had secretly alerted the others.
He reached out and patted his shoulder lightly.
“You… I gave you that ring as a reward, and you still went and tattled on me? Really now…”
Waving casually, Shen Wuxiao walked off.
The room fell into a dreadful silence.
The five men who had rushed in exchanged looks, uncertain where to begin.
The manager stood in place for a long moment before finally pointing at the waiter. “Take him away. Break his legs and throw him out!”
The waiter’s face turned ghostly pale. He burst into tears. “Manager, please… please forgive me…”
The manager remained cold. “You work under me. I didn’t want this to happen—but I’m saving your life. Don’t blame me for this!”
“In this world, even if you’re innocent, if you interfere in someone else’s affairs, you’ll still pay the price. Get him out.”
The waiter finally realized his mistake. Regret consumed him.
If he had just asked Shen Wuxiao for permission before calling anyone in, none of this would’ve happened.
As for the rest of the mess, the manager followed Shen Wuxiao’s instructions exactly.
The remaining guests packed up quietly and left the room in silence…
Shen Wuxiao, now outside, felt completely relaxed. Humming a soft tune, he strolled along cheerfully.
Just as he was thinking of going to check on Jiang Huaiyue and Hong Ye, the two of them came walking out together.
Seeing them, Shen Wuxiao greeted them with a bright smile, walked up, and hugged Jiang Huaiyue as he turned her in a circle.
“Oh, what are you doing? Someone might see!” Jiang Huaiyue said with a blush, playfully slapping his arm. Her heart, however, was filled with sweetness.
“You smell wonderful. Where’s it coming from? Let me find it!” Shen Wuxiao replied mischievously, planting kisses randomly on her neck.
Hong Ye pouted and muttered from the side, “I smell good too, hmph.”
Shen Wuxiao paused, then turned to look at her with a grin. “You do smell good. Like a pig’s elbow simmered in two liters of rice wine with not a drop of water left.”
“Mmm, delicious!”
Hong Ye froze for a second, then her pretty face flushed red. She stomped her foot. “Shen Wuxiao, I’m going to beat you up!”
She charged at him with both hands raised.
Jiang Huaiyue laughed and joined in to help her catch Shen Wuxiao.
After some playful chasing and laughing, Shen Wuxiao took the two women for more entertainment. They played until early morning before he finally took them home.
At the same time—
Zhonghai Cancer Hospital.
In a private hospital room.
Huang Luoyan sat quietly by the bedside, watching the little girl in front of her—Ye Tuantuan—sleeping peacefully.
Her eyes were red, and tear streaks still stained her cheeks. It was clear she had been crying.
She gently held Tuantuan’s tiny hand, stroking it softly.
Reality had been far too cruel to this thoughtful little girl. Her mother was gone, her father missing, and now… a malignant brain tumor.
The doctor had spoken with her earlier that night, saying a decision had to be made soon. The longer they waited, the more dangerous it would become.
He’d given her three days.
With current medical technology, metastatic tumors couldn’t be fully removed. Only chemotherapy could suppress them. While the treatment so far hadn’t been very effective, it was at least doing something.
Eventually, though, surgery would be necessary.
But Tuantuan was far too young.
The doctor had been honest—surgery at this age was extremely risky. The success rate wasn’t high. Even if the operation succeeded, her intelligence and mobility might be severely impacted.
Huang Luoyan understood all too well—her child’s life was more important than anything else. She would gladly take care of her, even if her development was affected.
But that all hinged on one thing: the surgery had to succeed.
It was a massive gamble.
If it worked, Tuantuan could live. If not, she would lose her forever.
Huang Luoyan had raised her since she was a month old. Over five years together, she had come to love her like her own daughter.
She couldn’t lose her.
At that moment, her phone vibrated in her pocket.
Seeing that it was a call from home, her heart sank even further.
She hesitated, wanting to ignore it, but she knew her family too well. They wouldn’t let it go.
Sighing, she stepped out of the ward and into the hallway, standing near the elevator before answering.
“Hello…” her voice was soft and devoid of emotion.
“Yan’er, are you still at the hospital?” her father asked, his tone already displeased.
“What else?” she answered coldly.
Her father sighed. “I just don’t understand why you’re so stubborn.”
“That child isn’t even yours. You’ve sacrificed and worried over her for five years. Isn’t that enough?”
Huang Luoyan didn’t bother replying. She’d heard this argument countless times before.
Sensing her silence, her father got straight to the point. “I didn’t call to lecture you. I just wanted to tell you—there is someone who can operate on that child’s brain tumor. And the success rate is very high.”
Huang Luoyan froze. “Really…? Are you serious?”
Her father’s tone was firm. “Yes. He’s a world-renowned oncologist. With his help, it’s possible.”
“But…” he began.
Huang Luoyan immediately understood. So that’s why he suddenly cared.
It was about that.
She interrupted coldly. “Let me guess—someone with the surname Lu told you this, right? Said he could invite a top expert if I agree to become his woman?”
Her father was momentarily caught off guard, but quickly denied it. “No, not exactly. It’s true that Young Master Lu made the introduction, but he’s not the one interested in you.”
“It’s someone else… Do you remember that man from the restaurant who beat up Young Master Lu?”
“Restaurant?” she murmured.
Images flashed in her mind—of a man both fierce and devastatingly handsome. But she didn’t even know his name.
He fell in love with me? How absurd.
“I don’t know him,” she said.
“You don’t need to,” her father replied calmly. “Just remember his name—Shen Wuxiao. If you follow him, our Huang family will rise to the top.”
“You’ll have a powerful husband. Tuantuan will receive the best treatment. Why not?”
Hearing this, Huang Luoyan leaned weakly against the wall and slowly slid down into a crouch. She covered her forehead, completely drained.
It was clear what this was.
They were taking advantage of her situation.
But Tuantuan’s condition couldn’t wait any longer.
If this man truly had the ability to invite one of the world’s leading cancer specialists, Tuantuan’s chances would dramatically increase.
Though she hated the idea, she started to waver.
“This is a trade… a cruel one,” she murmured to herself.
She pictured Tuantuan crying through every chemotherapy session. She remembered what the doctor said—there was no time left.
Finally, she spoke again.
“I need to confirm whether the doctor they invite is truly a top expert.”
“If he can cure Tuantuan, then… I have no objections.”