"Brother Lan, who are we waiting for?"
"You'll find out soon. This time, we need to gather clear information about these pharmaceutical factories."
"Why collect information about pharmaceutical factories?"
Shen Xianjun was puzzled. When he saw the list of well-known drug manufacturers, he immediately sensed something was off.
"To make money, of course. Just stay quiet and follow my lead later."
"Make money?"
Still confused, Shen Xianjun memorized the names of the factories and obediently trailed behind Brother Lan.
When the person they were waiting for appeared with that thin mustache, Shen Xianjun barely held back his reaction.
To avoid giving himself away, he clenched his jaw and stayed silent the entire time.
That night, back at his place, Shen Xianjun tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Those factories were wanted by the mustached man, who couldn’t act openly and needed them to pose as foreign investors to drive down the prices.
Regardless of the current policies on foreign investment, Shen Xianjun was certain—anything that man wanted couldn’t be good. These factories couldn’t fall into his hands.
But what could he do?
Especially when the government seemed completely unaware of the danger, Shen Xianjun grew even more anxious.
"These people are so easy to fool. Just throw a little money at them, and they’ll sell everything off, haha!"
At another meal, hearing the mustached man’s accented words, Shen Xianjun felt his heart turn cold.
"I’m going to the capital myself. You and your men will come with me."
The mustached man suddenly pointed at Brother Lan and Shen Xianjun.
"Won’t that be unsafe?" Brother Lan voiced his concern.
"Hmph! The most dangerous place is the safest. There’s an old Chinese saying—‘darkness under the lamp.’"
Shen Xianjun gritted his teeth in silence.
"Fine, I’ll arrange the car. A-Xian, you drive."
Brother Lan spoke, and Shen Xianjun snapped out of his thoughts with a nod.
As the car hit the road, Shen Xianjun fought the urge countless times to send everyone inside to their deaths. He held back until they finally entered the capital.
"Rourou will be overjoyed to hear Brother Lan is back. When do you plan to see her?"
Shen Xianjun lit a cigarette and spoke casually.
"Not in a hurry. Let’s settle in first and finish our business. You’ve driven all day—go rest."
Shen Xianjun nodded.
Brother Lan took the keys and drove off to an unknown destination.
A small car slowed slightly as it passed the Third People’s Hospital but didn’t stop.
"Finally, it’s over! We can enjoy the New Year!"
Xiao Ranran cheered, and Qin Nian smiled in relief as she packed her things.
"Qin Nian, come here. The packing can wait."
Dean Hu beckoned her over.
"What’s wrong, Professor? Is there something else?"
"Your mother-in-law had a fall. She didn’t want us to tell you, but I’m giving you early leave. You can pack later when you have time."
"What? She fell? I’m going home right now."
Qin Nian abandoned her packing immediately.
"Ranran, can you help me with my things? I need to go home."
"Of course."
Xiao Ranran agreed without hesitation.
Qin Nian rode her long-unused bicycle home and found Yang Yufen sitting alone on the sofa, stitching shoe soles.
"Mom, you’re injured! Why are you still working?"
Hearing Qin Nian’s voice, Yang Yufen turned her head in surprise.
"Qin Nian, you’re back! Dabao and Erbao are at their grandmother’s place."
Delighted, Yang Yufen set her work aside and tried to stand.
"Mom, take it slow."
Qin Nian rushed to support her.
"I’m fine. It’s been a month already—no heavy lifting. The kids grow so fast, so I thought I’d make more shoe soles for them. Let me kill a chicken—we’ll have it for dinner."
"No, Mom. I’m taking you to the hospital."
Qin Nian nearly pouted.
"I’m really fine."
Yang Yufen couldn’t help but laugh.
"Mom, I’ll only believe the doctor. It’s still early—we’ll go to the Third People’s Hospital. I’ll take you on the tricycle."
Yang Yufen couldn’t argue. Qin Nian was usually easygoing, but once she set her mind to something, she wouldn’t budge.
After a thorough check-up, the doctor gave his approval.
"You’ve healed well, but avoid heavy work for a while longer."
"Now you can relax. I’ll take care of myself. Since we’re out, let’s buy New Year’s groceries."
Yang Yufen had planned to go the next day, but since they were already out, it made sense to get it done.
"Alright."
Qin Nian felt relieved. Though they’d spent money, knowing her mother-in-law was fine made it worthwhile.
"Mom needs to use the restroom. Wait here."
Yang Yufen spoke, and Qin Nian nodded. In the hospital lobby, there was no need to worry.
As Qin Nian waited, her gaze wandered until she caught sight of a familiar figure. She looked again, this time seeing his face clearly.
Though their time together had been brief, Qin Nian was certain—she wasn’t mistaken.
If he was alive, why hadn’t he come home?
Her body moved before her mind could react, and she started toward the man.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed hers.
"Qin Nian, I’m done. Let’s go."
Yang Yufen appeared out of nowhere, pulling Qin Nian in the opposite direction.
"Mom."
Qin Nian snapped back to reality. Had her mother-in-law not seen him?
"Don’t talk to strangers. There are too many bad people these days."
Yang Yufen whispered, making it clear—she had seen him and deliberately intervened.
Yang Yufen tried to help Qin Nian onto the tricycle, but Qin Nian stopped her, remembering her mother-in-law’s condition.
This wasn’t the place to talk.
"Let’s go buy groceries first."
Yang Yufen said, and Qin Nian had no choice but to ride toward the department store.
The store was packed, and Qin Nian tried to stay close to Yang Yufen, but the crowd pushed them apart.
Suddenly, someone bumped into her, slipping something into her hand. A tall figure brushed past, and Qin Nian quickly hid the object in her sleeve.
"Mom, let’s just get what we have today. It’s too crowded—we’ll come back tomorrow. I don’t want you getting hurt."
Seeing her mother-in-law return, Qin Nian spoke up.
"Fine."
Yang Yufen agreed, and the two women left the store, arms laden with bags.
Back in the residential compound, Qin Nian finally spoke.
"Mom, I saw him again at the department store."
Yang Yufen stayed silent, unsure how to respond.
The two returned home in quiet, where Qin Nian pulled a letter from her sleeve.
