Volume One, Chapter 20: Shen Congwen on a Rampage?

At the hospital, Shen Congwen rushed in with a frantic expression.

"Son, where are your two fingers?"

Seeing Shen Chengcai wailing on the hospital bed with two fingers missing, Shen Congwen trembled with rage. Beside him, his wife sobbed hysterically, "Husband, that bitch Shen Man conspired with that little bastard from the Yan family to cripple our son's fingers."

"And that little bastard even said the Li family's territory belongs to him, and if you dare stick your hand into his bowl, he’ll make sure the Shen family meets a miserable end."

"Dad, I really tried my best to hold onto our family's territory, but... but that Yan Fengjia is too powerful; he’s like a monster, not even human."

Lying on the bed, Shen Chengcai wailed in agony. Shen Congwen felt every cry deep in his heart.

"Where is Shen Man?" Shen Congwen's eyes were bloodshot. "Bring that traitorous wretch to me."

"Sir, Miss... she isn't answering her phone," a subordinate reported after trying to call.

"Running away? She can run from the monk, but she can't run from the temple."

"Send her a message: if she doesn't come to the hospital to see me, I will smash her mother’s spirit tablet and dig up her ashes to feed the dogs."

...

"Master, the two billion in cash from the Junlin Group has been deposited. The senior management is asking when you will return to take charge of the big picture."

On the way back, Yan Fengjia heard the news from Yan Qiluo, who looked over to ask him.

Yan Fengjia slowly opened his eyes, feeling a slight headache. "Tell my Seventh Senior Sister that I am very busy lately with some private matters. Please ask her and the other executives to continue their hard work for now."

However, Yan Qiluo’s expression changed as she glanced at her phone. "Master, that might not go as you wish."

"What do you mean?" Yan Fengjia’s heart skipped a beat.

"Miss Gusu Yanrou seems to have set off in advance. It appears she is coming to Qinghai City to bring you back to assume the position of Chairman."

"What?" Yan Fengjia sat bolt upright in alarm.

If his Seventh Senior Sister came here, his father would inevitably be suspicious. He couldn't let his father know about the tragic past he had endured over the last five years.

Just then, Yan Fengjia’s phone rang. It was an unknown number. His Adam's apple bobbed as an ominous feeling welled up inside him. After about thirty seconds, he tremblingly slid the screen to answer.

Before he could speak, a cold, authoritative voice rang out.

"Fengjia, it has already been three years since Master ordered you to inherit the Junlin Group."

"I have been working my fingers to the bone cleaning up your messes at the group, and now that you’re out, you don't even bother to tell me?"

The atmosphere in the car froze. Yan Fengjia’s mouth twitched. "Seventh Senior Sister, I... there’s a situation at home. I was just about to tell you."

"I will arrive in your hometown tonight. If I don't see you in person, you can think about the consequences yourself."

*Click.* The call ended.

"What kind of situation is this?" Yan Fengjia sighed heavily. How was he supposed to explain his Seventh Senior Sister's identity to his father?

***

Back home, as they ate lunch, Yan Fengjia looked at his father and set down his chopsticks.

"Dad, we might have a guest coming to our house."

His father put down the newspaper. "Oh, a friend? That’s fine. As long as they don't mind our current situation, guests are always welcome."

"Who is it?" Qin Wanqiu asked with curiosity.

Yan Fengjia scratched his head. "When I was in prison, I apprenticed under a master. You could say this person is my senior sister."

"Oh, since she is a fellow disciple, we certainly shouldn't be remiss. When is she arriving?" his father asked, thinking nothing of it.

"Around ten tonight. I’ll need to go out to pick her up."

"Alright. Wanqiu, would you mind clearing out a room? This old house is a bit dated, but fortunately, we have plenty of space."

"Dad, I’ll take care of it in a moment," Qin Wanqiu said, her eyes flickering toward Yan Fengjia.

She wasn't a fool. Seeing Yan Fengjia’s awkwardness, it was clear that his relationship with this so-called senior sister wasn't as simple as he claimed. If Yan Fengjia could get married soon and provide the Yan family with offspring, that would be wonderful.

After the meal, Yan Fengjia helped Qin Wanqiu tidy the room.

"Fengjia," Qin Wanqiu said, "I don't think that’s just your senior sister. Could she be your girlfriend?"

Yan Fengjia was stunned. "Sister-in-law, no, that’s impossible."

Qin Wanqiu smiled. "If she were your girlfriend, that would be great. You’re not getting any younger."

"If things aren't meant to be with that Gu girl, you should get married and have children sooner rather than later."

"After all, Dad is getting on in years. You should let him hold a grandchild while he's still here, don't you think?"

Yan Fengjia sighed helplessly. "Sister-in-law, that’s not the case. You’re really overthinking this."

"Fine, fine, I’m overthinking it. Go on, get ready to head out. I can handle things here."

"Young ladies don't like handsome men who aren't punctual, you know."

Yan Fengjia checked the time; it was indeed almost time. As he walked out the door, he suddenly stopped.

"Sister-in-law, actually... there’s something I’ve always wanted to tell you."

Qin Wanqiu’s body trembled as she bent over to arrange the sheets, her back displaying a graceful, mature curve. Could it be that Yan Fengjia knew about her feelings for him?

"What is it?" she asked, not daring to turn around.

"You never had any contact with my third brother. Because his identity was classified, you probably don't even know what he looks like, do you?"

"That... is true," Qin Wanqiu said, her thoughts in turmoil.

"You are still so young, and you have sacrificed so much for this family. The Yan family doesn't want to hold you back anymore. Have you ever thought about finding your own happiness?"

Qin Wanqiu hadn't expected Yan Fengjia to say this.

"Are you trying to drive me away?" She clutched the bedsheet tightly, her head buried in her chest as if she were about to burst into tears. The Qin family had never cared for her; this home was all she had. If Yan Fengjia, the master of the house, truly wanted to drive her away, she would be completely helpless.

"No, how could I, sister-in-law?"

***

Yan Fengjia didn't notice her distress; he assumed she had only stayed to repay his father's kindness in raising her.

"Regardless, if you ever get married in the future, I will definitely provide you with a generous dowry to ensure no one dares to bully you."

"Okay, I’ll think about it," Qin Wanqiu whispered, her voice barely audible.

After Yan Fengjia left, Qin Wanqiu stood there, her hands gripping her jeans-clad thighs, lost in a daze.

Driving out, Yan Fengjia checked the time—still more than two hours before his Seventh Senior Sister’s plane landed. He wondered if he should buy flowers when his phone suddenly rang.

"Why is she calling?"

Seeing the caller ID, Yan Fengjia frowned. It was Shen Man.

"What is it?" he asked, sliding to answer.

A cold, piercing voice came from the other end.

"You little bastard, you seduced my daughter and crippled my son's fingers. You’ve turned my entire household upside down."

"You don't really think I'm going to let this slide, do you?"

"Shen Man's father?" Yan Fengjia raised an eyebrow.

"It is."

"You, as a father, are truly ridiculous. Since they are both your children and Shen Man’s mother has passed away, shouldn't you be protecting her more?"

"My affairs are none of your business. Boy, if you have any guts, come here. I want to see if you really have three heads and six arms."

"Yan Fengjia, don't come!" Shen Man’s crying voice came from the background, followed by her stepmother’s shouting.

"You bitch, you traitorous dog! You’re just pathetic—instead of protecting your brother, you join an outsider to bully him! I’ll kill you!"

Shen Congwen’s voice returned. "There are family rules. Shen Man has received the punishment she deserved because of you. As for you, young man, if you’re impulsive enough to make a mistake, you must have the resolve to bear the consequences."

"I don't want Shen Man to suffer for your cowardice. The First People’s Hospital. I’ll give you thirty minutes. You understand what I mean, don't you?"

"I don't have time for this," Yan Fengjia said, hanging up the phone.

"Master, where to?" Yan Qiluo asked.

Yan Fengjia gripped his phone, silent.

In his mind, he recalled the time he was taken back to the Jiang family in the Heavenly Palace to recognize his ancestry, only for the old matriarch to immediately reveal her true colors. She had ordered him tied to an operating table. To extract bone marrow to save her precious grandson, she hadn't even given him anesthesia.

That time, he had nearly lost his life, and his newly awakened Jiang family bloodline had been almost completely wasted. Yet, after the surgery, she had shown no gratitude, ordering him to be thrown into the Phoenix Women’s Prison to fend for himself.

His fists tightened uncontrollably. Yan Fengjia took a few deep breaths, his eyes burning with endless killing intent.

"Change the route. Go to the People’s Hospital."