Chapter Two: Kidney Extraction

The sack was removed, revealing Ye Yan’an’s tear-streaked, delicate face. She looked around in panic and realized she was inside a luxuriously decorated villa. In this era, only the rich or noble could afford to build such a mansion in a county town.

A doctor in a white coat approached Ye Yan’an and signaled to the men holding her to restrain her. The doctor then drew a syringe full of blood from her arm.

“Keep her restrained for now,” he ordered. “We’ll decide what to do once the blood test results come back.”

“Yes, sir!” another man replied, producing a rope and tightly binding Ye Yan’an on the spot. She was carelessly thrown into the living room. As she gazed at the extravagant crystal chandelier overhead, despair overwhelmed her.

Within half an hour, the doctor who had taken Ye Yan’an’s blood returned excitedly. “Preliminary blood type match is promising. Her physical condition looks good; there’s a high chance of compatibility!”

Fear etched deeply on Ye Yan’an’s face. Although she didn’t know what was about to befall her, she understood the meaning of words like “kidney” and “compatibility.” Could it be that these people wanted to harvest her kidney?

“Is that true?” a rough voice called from the other side. A large, bald man adorned with gold and silver jewelry, covered in tattoos of dragons and tigers, approached. His fierce expression made it clear he was not to be trifled with.

“Uncle... please, let me go...” Ye Yan’an pleaded tearfully, looking at Liu Dehai. “I’m about to start university, and I still have my grandfather at home...”

But Liu Dehai showed no response to her pleas.

He had been a small-time thug in the county since childhood. By chance, he met a powerful boss and served him loyally, securing his initial capital. In this era of lax social order, his rise to wealth was far from clean. He became the county’s richest man, feared and untouchable.

For the sake of saving his son, Liu Dehai was willing to do anything.

He stepped forward, scrutinizing Ye Yan’an’s tender skin. “Doctor Bai, you’re saying this girl’s kidney can be transplanted into my son? That he will recover his health?”

“That’s correct,” Doctor Bai nodded, holding up the test report. “Unlike previous cases, this young girl has a very high probability of a successful transplant.”

“Good!” Liu Dehai clapped his hands eagerly. “Then let’s proceed quickly. As long as you can save my son, I’ll pay you every penny we agreed upon.”

He crouched in front of Ye Yan’an, smiling coldly. “As for you, consider it a good deed—give my son a kidney. Don’t worry, you won’t be left empty-handed.”

“No... no...” Ye Yan’an shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “Please, let me go...”

“Do you think I’m giving you a choice?” Liu Dehai grabbed her hair and slammed her head onto the ground. “You will give me that kidney whether you want to or not!”

“My grandfather... he won’t allow it...” Ye Yan’an whispered painfully. Her last hope rested with her grandfather.

“Do you think I haven’t looked into your family?” Liu Dehai sneered. “You live with your grandfather, right? He’s over eighty now, a former soldier. Do you really think such an old man, barely clinging to life, can save you?”

“Besides, in Hehe County, I am the law!”

Ye Yan’an trembled violently, her eyes filled with terror.

Liu Dehai smirked at her, then turned back to Doctor Bai. “When can the surgery be done?”

Doctor Bai hesitated. “Not yet. Young Master Liu’s condition isn’t stable. We need to wait until his body can handle the operation. The girl also needs to be nourished properly.”

“No problem.” Liu Dehai nodded decisively. “I’m counting on you. Save my son.”

“Rest assured, Mr. Liu,” Doctor Bai promised.

Ye Yan’an was taken to a room. She remained tied up, guarded constantly by several maids. Lying on the bed, tears flowed relentlessly. She had only intended to come to the county to sell some mountain goods. How did she suddenly get caught up in such a nightmare?

The thought of losing a kidney made her shudder in despair.

“Grandpa... Grandpa...” she murmured, though she knew deep down that her grandfather alone couldn’t save her.

...

Ye Yuan, who was sunning himself in the courtyard, heard a sudden noise at the gate and opened his eyes in confusion. He saw Juanzi limping into the yard.

She had worn new clothes before leaving, but now her garments were filthy and torn.

“Juanzi? What happened to you?” Ye Yuan asked, noticing her tear-streaked face and sobbing.

“Yan’an... Yan’an has been taken!” Juanzi cried out. “They want to take parts from her—like replacing parts for that man’s son!”

Ye Yuan’s head buzzed. He knew “replacing parts” meant organ transplantation.

Drawing a deep breath, he reminded himself not to lose composure. Having survived countless hardships, storms and bloodshed, he was no stranger to adversity.

“Don’t cry yet. Tell me everything clearly,” Ye Yuan said calmly.

Touched by his steadiness, Juanzi calmed down and recounted the entire ordeal, including what the woman at the small shop had said.

Ye Yuan frowned. He had heard of Liu Dehai, the ruthless landlord with connections everywhere in the county. He never imagined his granddaughter would fall into his hands.

“Go home first,” Ye Yuan said slowly. “Leave this matter to Grandpa Ye.”

Juanzi looked up in confusion but shivered suddenly.

Since she could remember, Ye Yuan had always squinted, wearing a perpetually drowsy expression. But now, his eyes were wide open, radiating an awe-inspiring presence.

Those eyes—like a tiger’s—stirred a deep, inexplicable fear in Juanzi’s heart.