Lin Fang was merely curious about Qin Ran’s attitude towards Sun Siyuan, but she didn’t expect Qin Ran to bring up Qin Yi. Lin Fang also wanted to know how Qi Biao had ended up in Qin Yi’s body, so she casually asked, “Then how did he become that perpetually icy-faced guy?”
Qin Ran frowned. “No one really knows, not even the doctors. Most people just say his brain was damaged. That year, my brother was critically injured and rushed to the hospital. The doctors had already declared him dead and sent him to the crematorium. But unexpectedly, he woke up just before being pushed into the furnace. After that, he became like this.”
“Wow, that’s incredible. Your brother is a real miracle,” Lin Fang feigned surprise.
“Right? His case caused quite a stir back then. But ever since, he’s turned into an ice block. All the girls who used to chase after him were scared off—except for Ji Xiaorong, who kept pestering him. My parents even pressured him to marry her, but he told her, ‘The only woman in this world who can call me Yi-ge is not you.’ After that, Ji Xiaorong stopped bothering him.”
After a week, Lin Fang and Qin Ran finished auditing the accounts of all the branches of Caixing Company and laid off some employees. Throughout the process, Guo Hongping never showed up, nor did Lin Fang contact her. Guo Hongping simply vanished from the Lin family’s sight.
Guo Hongping was the daughter of Lin Yuanmin’s cousin. Lin Yuanmin and Dong Huixin eventually asked about her because, usually, when Lin Fang was home, Guo Hongping would spend most of her time with her if she wasn’t on a business trip, often coming over for meals. Now that only Lin Fang was around, the elderly couple found it odd.
Both parents had weathered many storms, so Guo Hongping’s behavior wasn’t shocking to them. Since they asked, Lin Fang didn’t hide the truth, simply saying that Guo Hongping wanted to strike out on her own, so she let her go. She didn’t elaborate further.
The elderly couple advised Lin Fang to prioritize harmony in business and didn’t bring it up again.
Meanwhile, the investigation into Fu Hongxia’s interference in the business was also intensifying.
Apart from the vice principal position at Lin’s Talent School, Sun Siyuan took over everything from Lin Guicheng, including the security company specializing in training bodyguards. He hadn’t yet mastered Lin Guicheng’s worldly sophistication, but his ruthlessness surpassed even Lin Guicheng’s.
Soon, those bribed by Fu Hongxia were exposed. Given Sun Siyuan’s style, their fates were predictable. As Zhou Hong later put it, “They probably wished their parents had never given birth to them.”
Lin Fang couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of the security company’s bodyguards, all carved from the same mold as Sun Siyuan—equally icy-faced. She imagined their employers wouldn’t even need refrigerators at home.
By the time the cleanup at Lin Group was complete, winter break was approaching. Ma Miao called Lin Fang, urging her to return for final exams. She could cover for Lin Fang’s absences with sick leave, but exams were non-negotiable.
Qin Yi had vanished without a trace since chasing Fu Hongxia. Even his companions, Xiao Fei and two others, were unreachable. Lin Fang and Qin Ran were frantic with worry. Lin Fang returned to school, and Qin Ran accompanied her back to the provincial capital.
On the day of the exam, Qin Ran visited Lin Fang, showing her something and demanding an explanation.
What Qin Ran held was the wooden carving Qin Yi had shown Lin Fang that night—the one depicting Qi Biao forcibly kissing her. Qin Ran asked, “Why do the faces in this carving look almost identical to the disguises you and I wore recently?”
Lin Fang took the carving but didn’t answer. Instead, she asked, “Where did this come from?”
Qin Ran sighed. “Actually, my brother returned days ago. The bureau arranged for him to be brought back from another city. He’s at Provincial People’s Hospital now. They planned to notify the family once he improved, but he never woke up. He’s still unconscious. To avoid further distress, they had to inform us despite his condition.”
“The people who brought him back said he was clutching this carving so tightly they couldn’t pry it loose. The doctors only retrieved it during surgery.”
“I’ll tell you everything you want to know, but you must take me to see your brother now,” Lin Fang said, her heart aching. She couldn’t wait to see Qin Yi and assess his condition.
Qin Ran had driven over. On the way, he explained that Fu Hongxia’s gang had nearly a dozen core members, each with subordinates of varying ranks and roles, totaling over 200 people. This time, almost all were apprehended.
The operation was a coordinated effort across regions. Fu Hongxia and her adoptive father were killed in the confrontation. Police casualties were severe—over 20 injured or dead. Of the four who went with Qin Yi, he was the only survivor.
“How badly is your brother hurt?” Lin Fang asked, disregarding the source of Qin Ran’s information. She only cared about Qin Yi’s safety.
“Mostly knife and gun wounds. But the doctors say the surgery was successful. Barring complications, he shouldn’t relapse like last time. My dad says once he recovers, they won’t let him be a cop anymore. If he resists, they’ll tie him up at home if they have to.”
Lin Fang relaxed slightly. At least Qin Yi’s life wasn’t in immediate danger.
“Honestly, my brother became a cop out of boredom, seeking thrills. Our uncle has influence in the bureau, so they never gave him dangerous assignments. Last time he got hurt, it was because he argued with Dad and acted recklessly. This time, he led the operation and nearly died again,” Qin Ran said, shuddering at the memory.
In Qin Yi’s hospital room, only a caretaker was present. Qin Ran explained that their parents were busy with work and could only visit briefly during the day. He stayed with his brother during the day, assisted by the caretaker. At night, their parents would visit briefly, but they were too old to stay overnight. Qin Yi’s colleagues took shifts to relieve Qin Ran.
The blanket covered Qin Yi’s injuries, so Lin Fang could only see the scratches on his face. He lay motionless, his breathing the only sign of life.
Remembering Qi Biao’s fierce, domineering face and seeing Qin Yi’s vulnerable expression now, Lin Fang’s heart shattered. “Has he moved at all?” she asked.
Qin Ran shook his head. “No. At first, the doctors didn’t want him moved to avoid reopening wounds. After the stitches were removed, he still didn’t wake. We reposition him, but he never moves on his own. He stays in whatever position we put him until the next time.”
“Qin Ran, it must be exhausting for you to stay here alone all day. I’ll stay with you,” Lin Fang decided.
“Lin Fang, you still haven’t told me about the carving,” Qin Ran pressed, more eager than ever to uncover its secret and the nature of Lin Fang’s relationship with his brother.
“When your brother wakes up, if he agrees, we’ll tell you together.” She needed Qi Biao’s consent first.
“Fine.”
Qin Ran agreed but remained puzzled. “My brother has so many admirers, all prettier than you. They’d swear their love for him in front of me. Last time he was hurt, they fought to stay by his side—though only Ji Xiaorong was sincere. This time, none showed up. Yet here you are, not even close to him, insisting on staying. I really want to know what that carving means.”
Lin Fang gazed at Qin Yi’s sleeping face and murmured, “You’ll know everything when he wakes up—if he’s willing to tell you.”
She asked Qin Ran to fetch a cot from the doctor for her. Qin Ran went to find Xiao Guanpeng.
Xiao Guanpeng was once again Qin Yi’s attending physician.
Hearing Lin Fang wanted to stay, Xiao Guanpeng felt conflicted but personally delivered the folding cot. He paused outside the room, watching through the window as Lin Fang lifted Qin Yi’s blanket and began undressing him.
Qin Ran gasped and moved to stop her, but Xiao Guanpeng held her back, signaling her to wait and see.
Lin Fang meticulously examined Qin Yi’s entire body, front and back, even his private areas. After checking, she redressed him and covered him again.
Just as Qin Ran thought it was over, Lin Fang bent down and kissed Qin Yi’s forehead, whispering something.
Both Qin Ran and Xiao Guanpeng strained to hear: “Yi-ge, wake up. Fang’er won’t hide from you anymore. If you wake up, I’ll marry you and call you Yi-ge for the rest of my life.”
But this rare confession failed to cheer Qi Biao. No matter how hard he tried, his soul continued drifting away from Qin Yi’s body. Hovering in the air, he watched Lin Fang examine Qin Yi and heard her heartfelt words, his heart aching unbearably.
His efforts had finally won Fang’er’s heart, yet he remained alone. The person she spoke to was merely an empty shell.
Refusing to accept this, Qi Biao repeatedly tried to re-enter Qin Yi’s body, to tell Fang’er that he wanted only her, that he’d love her forever. But each time, his soul was repelled, growing weaker until, finally, he succumbed to darkness and lost consciousness.
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