He clenched his fist over his mouth to stifle laughter, but the upward curve of his eyes betrayed his amusement.
*How is this man so ridiculous? Can’t he read the situation at all?*
Did he think Shi Yi was going to dump him in some remote wilderness or make him fistfight a whale? *This is the funniest thing I’ve heard all year.*
As for "protecting Feng Qi"—that had to be the best joke yet. Experience-wise? Drop him anywhere, no matter how complex, and he could navigate his way out blindfolded.
*Why did Shi Yi even bring him along? For comic relief?*
Well, at least it’d make the trip more entertaining. *Hahaha!*
---
**A remote mountain village in Z City.**
The newly risen sun cast dappled shadows through the trees...
A man bent over, adjusting a bulging sack filled with irregularly shaped objects. When he turned, his refined features—marked by time yet retaining a mature charm—came into view.
With a grunt, he hoisted the heavy sack onto his broad back.
Step after uneven step...
After a long trek, he finally dropped the sack and gazed at the modest wooden cabin ahead, heart heavy with reluctance.
Inside, his wife and son slept soundly.
Leaning down, he pressed a tender kiss to his wife’s forehead. *"This is the last hunt for you. Goodbye, my love."*
He left without hesitation. He could no longer protect them. Not after what he’d done—the bruises and scars covering their bodies from his uncontrollable outbursts.
The antidote had failed. His self-control was slipping. Leaving was the only way.
And... after running for so long, it was time to face his responsibilities.
*How is my sister?* He knew *that man* would never let her go. He knew exactly how ruthless he could be.
*I probably won’t make it back.*
---
**One day later.**
The plane touched down on a private airstrip in the suburbs, its vast expanse capable of accommodating dozens of aircraft.
The moment it parked, Shi Yi rushed out—because the young master was... *in the hospital!*
Only two possibilities came to mind: either the young master was ill, or the baby was coming!
Either way, he needed to get there *now*. A car pulled up just as he reached the tarmac, and he jumped in.
"Ruien Hospital. *Fast.*"
*What, are we racing to a reincarnation appointment?* Only then did Shi Xiaohu realize this wasn’t a mission or punishment. *Great! I can sightsee with the boss! Hehe!*
That idiot’s grinning like he won the lottery. Does he think this is a vacation?
---
**Hospital Room.**
Only Xuan Mohan and Lan Qianqian remained.
The children had left for school—though Lan Tongtong had been reluctant. These past few days, she’d grown clingy, often nestling into her mother’s arms despite Lan Qianqian’s occasional impatience.
She’d fought back tears when leaving. Lan Hanyu accompanied her, both to care for his sister and to operate more freely. The hospital’s constraints hampered his investigations.
He needed answers—*fast*. Xuan Mohan had confessed: someone had drugged Mommy, and in his失控, he’d hurt her, leaving her like this.
With every passing day, the path to acknowledging Xuan Mohan as his father grew more distant. *Fine. I’ll protect Mommy myself.*
---
When Shi Yi barged in, he froze.
A stunning young woman lay in the young master’s arms while he... *fed her?*
*Since when does the young master serve anyone?* And that *smile*—so tender it felt alien. *Am I hallucinating?*
He’d expected marriage to domesticate the young master, but *this* was a metamorphosis.
Shi Yi stood dumbly in the doorway, mesmerized by the scene, completely missing Xuan Mohan’s glacial glare.
Behind him, a blond man shoved past for a better look—giving Shi Xiaohu a clear view too.
The blond’s eyes nearly popped out. Just as he opened his mouth—
"Not a word. Wait outside."
*How do you sound like an ice age while hand-feeding someone?*
*Is this what they call... duplicity?*
But who would Xuan Mohan ever need to flatter?
*Baffling.* But fascinating.
Shi Xiaohu lacked such philosophical musings. The man’s presence alone made his knees weak. Left with no cues, he defaulted to herd mentality and stayed put.
*Dude, take notes from Feng Qi outside.*
Shi Xiaohu: *Sorry, my boss is Shi Yi.*
---
Finally, Xuan Mohan set aside the empty bowl, wiped Lan Qianqian’s lips, and tucked her in.
"I’ll be next door. Call if you need me."
Knowing he meant to discuss matters with the others, Lan Qianqian nodded blankly.
Shi Yi trailed behind, expression grim. The young madam’s injuries were severe—what about the baby?
With wounds like that, even Dr. Mu might’ve been powerless.
*How heartbroken the young master must be...* No wonder they’d been summoned. The two extra men on the plane had been his first clue.
*Three children lost...* But the couple was young. Once the young madam recovered, they could try again. *Next time, I’ll personally guard her pregnancy!*
His dreams of bouncing baby young masters crumbled.
---
"Shi Yi, take a team to secure the docks. No suspicious entries. And *find* that person."
Xuan Mohan would turn S City inside out if needed. The rat hiding in the shadows *would* slip up.
"Chen Yi, assist You and Hao with the drug investigation. *Uncover something.*"
Without sitting—or even pausing—he strode out, pausing only to clasp the blond’s shoulder. The unspoken weight wasn’t lost on either.
"Thanks."
The blond blinked. *Since when does Mohan bother with pleasantries?* Only one explanation fit: that woman meant everything.
*The man who once scorned emotions... now bound by them.*
In his eyes, Xuan Mohan had been destined for eternal solitude. Yet here he was—heart captured.
*Rare. Very rare.*