Chapter Ten: Qin Xue’er’s Recovery

“It's you again, Xiao Ye!”

The moment he saw Xiao Ye, Shangguan Hongfei's eyes nearly burst with rage, his voice raw with fury. Not long ago, Xiao Ye had promised them a week’s grace, yet now he had personally slain his grandson. Huanpu Tian had been right after all—Xiao Ye was not to be trusted.

The members of the Shangguan family gathered around, whispering among themselves.

“This is clearly a warning—killing the chicken to scare the monkeys!”

“If Xiao Ye refuses to let us live, then we need not abide by his rules!”

“Join the Jianghai Business Alliance! Drive Xiao Ye out of Jianghai City for good!”

A tide of indignation surged among the Shangguan clan. Watching the video of Shangguan Yang’s brutal death, tears streamed down Shangguan Hongfei’s face as he hurriedly ordered the television to be turned off.

Xiao Ye was deliberately giving him a show of force.

“Father, Xiao Ye tortured Xiao Yang! You must avenge him!” Shangguan Yang’s parents were overcome with grief, tears and sweat mingling, their breath coming in ragged gasps.

Shangguan Hongwen wiped his tears, the fire of rage burning even brighter in his eyes.

“Rest assured, with Xiao Ye so arrogant, I will avenge Xiao Yang!”

“Xiao Ye, even if it costs me the entire Shangguan family, I will grind your bones to dust!”

His glare was ice-cold, his voice thunderous in the grand hall.

...

Elsewhere, Xiao Ye found a place for Old Lady Li and Qin Xue’er and spoke to them.

“You’ll stay here for now. Once things settle, I’ll arrange a better residence for you.”

Old Lady Li nodded, voicing no objection to Xiao Ye’s arrangements. Ever since discovering her son-in-law’s true identity, she found Xiao Ye increasingly pleasing in her eyes. After the events of the day, much of her resentment had faded.

Especially when she saw the four great families kneeling before her like beasts—her heart soared with satisfaction. In fact, she wished Xiao Ye and her daughter would marry right away.

After saying his farewells, Xiao Ye was about to leave when Old Lady Li caught his sleeve.

“Don’t go, Xiao Ye. Stay here with Xue’er—after all, she’s your fiancée!”

Xiao Ye paused abruptly, glancing at Qin Xue’er in her wheelchair, his heart sinking.

“Why hesitate? Xue’er’s emotions are unstable right now. She needs comfort. With you here, I can feel at ease myself,” Old Lady Li insisted, pulling him to Qin Xue’er’s side.

Xiao Ye sighed inwardly—not out of fear, but worry that Qin Xue’er might not accept him in her current state.

Yet as Xiao Ye approached, Qin Xue’er’s lashes unmistakably trembled. Her expression remained vacant, but Xiao Ye could sense her emotional turmoil.

It seemed she too wished him to stay.

“Very well, I’ll stay,” Xiao Ye agreed, and Old Lady Li, without further ado, wheeled Qin Xue’er toward the bedroom.

“I’ll help Xue’er freshen up. From now on, you two will live together.”

With that, she pushed Qin Xue’er into the bathroom.

“Don’t blame me, daughter—this is for your own good. If we can rely on Xiao Ye, who in Jianghai will dare bully us? For the sake of our future, you must do your best tonight.”

Her words pierced Qin Xue’er’s ears like knives, and her eyes quickly reddened with tears.

...

Once everything was settled, Xiao Ye quietly opened the door to Qin Xue’er’s room. She lay on her side, facing away from him on the large bed. Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a pale glow over her figure, the small blanket unable to hide her graceful form.

Her breathing was steady, and Xiao Ye felt a rare sense of peace, a smile unconsciously touching his lips.

Though the bed was vast, Xiao Ye laid his bedding on the floor. He would never take advantage of someone in distress.

Just as he prepared to sleep, a raspy voice broke the silence.

“Stay with me.”

Those three simple words sent a jolt through Xiao Ye.

“Xue’er, you spoke?” He rose swiftly, excitement shining in his eyes.

To hear the voice of his beloved again filled him with overwhelming joy.

Qin Xue’er repeated herself, and Xiao Ye gently lay beside her, his arm draped over her.

Feeling his warmth, her body trembled involuntarily.

Their bodies pressed together, the room shrouded in silence.

After so many years, Xiao Ye finally touched the woman he loved; his nose tingled with emotion. He had thought he’d never have another chance in this lifetime.

The silence spoke volumes between them.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

“Who is it?”

The voice of Red Dragon came from outside.

“Lord Xiao, I have urgent news to report!”

Xiao Ye frowned. Red Dragon only sought him out in moments of crisis.

He was about to get up when Qin Xue’er’s arm tightened around him. Her body trembled, but her grip was strong.

Xiao Ye understood—she didn’t want him to leave.

“I’m not available right now. We’ll talk tomorrow,” Xiao Ye called out.

Red Dragon nodded and withdrew.

All night, the two remained in the same position, hands tightly clasped.

...

The next morning, Xiao Ye woke as usual. Hearing Qin Xue’er’s steady breathing, he quietly left the room.

“Lord Xiao.”

Outside, Red Dragon had been waiting for him. Guards were stationed around the house, vigilant.

“What’s the matter?”

Red Dragon waved, and two burly men in black were brought forward.

“Last night, the guards discovered an attempted intrusion. Someone tried to launch a surprise attack against you.”

The two masked men trembled, seized by terror.

“Who sent you?” Xiao Ye narrowed his eyes, his tone sharp.

“The Shangguan family. They’re furious about you killing Shangguan Yang. They paid a hefty sum and hired two assassins from the Killer Alliance to deal with you.”

Red Dragon pulled off their masks, revealing two blond, blue-eyed faces.

“Spare us, hero! We only acted on the Shangguan family’s orders!”

“Please don’t kill us—we’ll do anything you ask!”

Both men spoke fluent Mandarin, evidently seasoned in their trade.