"Demolition?"

Yan Wan looked at her former neighbor in disbelief.

Is there any document stating that this area is slated for demolition?

"Yes, haven't you seen everyone building houses?"

The neighbor was busy expanding his house and didn't have time to chat with Yan Wan for long. He left after saying a few words.

Yan Wan stood there, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

"Why is it going to be demolished?"

She murmured softly, then looked up at the old house where she had lived for nearly twenty years, only it had long since been given someone else's name.

"You are... Yan Wan?"

A sound suddenly came from behind.

Yan Wan turned around and saw a kind-faced old lady.

She paused for a moment before remembering who the other person was. "Are you Grandma Wang?"

This old lady's son sacrificed his life while trying to help someone, and her daughter-in-law left. She's raising her grandson all by herself. Even though things are so bad, she still likes to meddle and always secretly helps Yan Can.

"Hey, it's me."

Aunt Wang nodded, her gaze sweeping over Yan Wan, then glancing at the man in black not far away.

So many things have happened. Yan Jian and his wife are dead, and that rich second-generation has gone bankrupt. I heard he was also injured somewhere. Yan Wan's life probably won't be much better.

"You haven't been back for almost two years, have you?"

Aunt Wang's gaze made Yan Wan very uncomfortable. She hummed in response and said that she had been wanting to come back, but had not been able to find the time to leave.

Aunt Wang said, "That's what it's like to have a family. There are so many things to do. You even have to choose the right day to go back to your parents' home."

Yan Wan didn't know what to say.

She really couldn't get away.

But what made it impossible for her to move an inch was not the trivial matters at home, but Gu Chen's controlling nature.

In the early days after her injury, Gu Chen did not allow her to leave his sight for even a moment.

As her injuries healed, Gu Chen's control over her became less terrifying, but even more perverse, employing surveillance, recording, location tracking, and relentless monitoring.

She made many promises in exchange for being allowed to go out today.

"It doesn't feel like much has changed here."

Yan Wan said it casually.

Aunt Wang smiled and said, "A lot has actually changed here. You must be wondering why all those food stalls on the street have disappeared, right?"

Yan Wan: "I don't think I see those familiar stalls."

Aunt Wang said, "That's because they've all moved into the food court now. A big boss bought a piece of land and built a shopping mall. Almost all the shops nearby that sell goods that meet quality and hygiene standards have moved in."

Yan Wan asked her, "Is that also within the demolition area?"

Aunt Wang nodded emphatically and said with a sigh, "Yes, that's why they can make a fortune. They're still making a profit here, and they're getting demolition compensation over there. Buying several buildings won't be a problem for them."

These words left Yan Wan feeling a mix of emotions.

Why didn't she think of buying a house?

At that time, she had so much money, including the money her parents took from her to squander. She could easily buy several courtyards, and she would receive a very large compensation payment if the land was demolished.

With money, she would no longer be controlled by Gu Chen.

But she had nothing.

"Yan Wan?"

Aunt Wang called out a few times before pulling Yan Wan, who was lost in thought, back to reality.

Yan Wan paused for a moment, then asked her another question, "Do you know who ultimately bought my family's house?"

Aunt Wang: "You're going to buy the house back?"

Yan Wan nodded, "After all, this is my home, my parents... this is all I have left."

Aunt Wang waved her hand and said bluntly, "Then you'd better not think about it. It's no use thinking about it. Before the demolition documents came out, you could have paid more money and maybe bought it back, but now... it's difficult!"

Only a fool would sell a house at this time.

Yan Wan naturally knew this, but she was still unwilling to give up. "Then what impression do you have of that person? I want to give it a try."

What if that person is short of money and the demolition compensation won't be available anytime soon?

Aunt Wang: "Let me think about it."

After a while, she said that several people had come before, and each time it was a different person. There were tall and strong men, as well as refined young men, and sometimes a few carefree rich kids.

"I don't know who the real buyer is, but none of them look like they're short of money."

Aunt Wang's words silenced Yan Wan once again.

If money were no object, they would be even less likely to make a move.

"Oh dear, I was chatting with you and didn't notice the time. My grandson will be out of school soon, I have to go pick him up."

After Aunt Wang left, Yan Wan stood there for a while longer.

The gate in front of me was still dilapidated, without even a lock, but the dust on the doorway was thick, and there wasn't even a footprint on it.

Clearly, no one has been inside.

To the people here, Yan Jian and Wang Juan were like plagues. Even if they were dead, they were afraid of getting tainted by their bad luck and were unwilling to go near them.

Yan Wan hesitated for a moment, but finally pushed open the door.

The familiar courtyard, the familiar room.

The only difference is that there are no longer people arguing and no longer that child who is always doing chores or getting beaten.

Memories flooded back, and Yan Wan recalled many things she had intentionally or unintentionally forgotten, yet she felt no guilt whatsoever.

Wang Juan said she had made a mistake.

But who hasn't made mistakes since birth?

All she did was frame Yan Can a few times, almost getting him beaten to death.

Even if she didn't do these things or bully Yan Can, her father would still beat Yan Can to death if he got drunk, lost at gambling, or was unhappy.

Why should she feel guilty?

But her parents were both dead, and Yan Can, whose fate was unknown, became her only family in the world.

She didn't miss Yan Can.

She just wanted to know if Yan Can was having an even worse time than her.

Before Yan Wan could think it over, footsteps came from the doorway.

"Madam, it's time to go back."

The person who came was the driver Gu Chen had hired. He allowed her to go out on the condition that the driver stay with her at all times.

Yan Wan took a deep breath.

In the instant he turned around, the pain, fear, and hatred on his face vanished, replaced by kindness and gentleness.

"Thank you for your help."

As soon as she got in the car and started the engine, Yan Wan saw two figures she would never forget appear on the street corner, with a priceless car parked next to them.

I first met him at the hospital, then again in the villa area, and later, someone I often saw in the news also appeared here.

How could there be such a coincidence in the world?

Yan Wan immediately signaled to the driver, "Stop the car, I want to get out."

The driver ignored him and instead stepped on the gas.

"parking!"

"I told you to stop the car!"

As the car turned the corner, Yan Wan saw the two figures walk into the alley she had just come out of.

She was instantly thrilled.

Yan Can!

That must be Yan Can!

No matter what Yan Wan said or how much she struggled, the driver never turned around or slowed down.

He knew one thing perfectly well.

His boss was that physically disabled madman, not this psychologically twisted pervert.