The night breeze blew through the dense vines, causing a few fallen leaves to flutter lightly across the paving stones.
The villa's courtyard was unusually quiet and empty.
It was as if all sounds had been deliberately hollowed out, even the chirping of insects seemed to have been artificially blocked.
The main hall door was ajar.
A soft yellow light shone from behind the paper door, casting a warm glow on the stone steps.
Yet it lacks any human touch.
When Chu Wuyang stepped in,
Just then, I heard the crisp, steady sound of a chess piece being placed on the board.
The aroma of tea mingled with the scent of old wooden furniture wafted towards me.
The entire hall seemed to be sealed off by silence.
Grandpa Jin sat upright at the mahogany chess table, a purple clay teapot held between his fingers, slowly pouring tea.
My gaze fell upon the evenly matched game of chess.
He didn't even lift his eyelids when he heard the noise.
Jin Qilin stood to one side, offering a respectful reminder.
"Grandpa, Miss Chu has arrived."
Only then did Old Master Jin seem to react.
He glanced sideways at the hall entrance, his expression flat, his polite tone tinged with insincerity.
"Chu girl, you're here."
Then, he asked a question in a rather casual tone.
Have you eaten?
The tone was like a casual greeting.
The tone sounded like a greeting, but it didn't convey any sense of hospitality whatsoever.
The tea set was full, but only one cup and saucer were prepared for him.
Chu Wuyang glanced at the desktop and smiled sarcastically to himself.
They ask others if they've eaten, yet they won't even pour them an extra cup of tea.
This is truly the Kim family's consistent way of treating guests!
But it doesn't matter, she couldn't eat anyway.
She stood still, without any intention of exchanging pleasantries; her expression was calm and serene, and she remained silent.
Grandpa Jin didn't care whether she responded or not; he simply raised his hand in a gesture of invitation.
"Please sit down."
Jin Qilin, as if having completed his mission, stepped back and said...
"Grandpa, I'll leave first—"
"etc."
It was Chu Wuyang who interrupted him.
Old Master Jin raised an eyebrow.
As if he had expected her to speak, he slowly supported his cane with one hand, his gaze remaining fixed on her face, waiting for her to continue.
Chu Wuyang spoke calmly and steadily, each word uttered with authentic clarity.
"I want to see Jin Xuan first."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Jin Qilin smiled enigmatically.
"Miss Chu is quite impatient."
Wu Yang completely ignored him.
His gaze was fixed steadily on Old Master Jin, his tone revealing calmness and firmness.
"You invited me here for tea, so there must be something I need to do."
"My agreement to come implies that this conversation has value in terms of exchange."
"Between us, it's not about who's superior or inferior, but about each getting what they need."
She paused, then added coldly,
"Moreover, whether this 'exchange' can be realized depends on whether you have enough bargaining chips in your hands."
“If Jin Xian is the bargaining chip, then I have the right to inspect the goods first.”
"I need to check if Jin Xuan is safe and sound first, otherwise there's no point in discussing anything else!"
She was truly fed up with the arrogant attitude that the Jin family, those in power, always had.
Especially those hypocrites who are all smiles and polite on the surface, but who look down on everyone in their hearts.
Just thinking about the vile and despicable faces of the younger generation of the Jin family...
That tells you that this family is rotten to the core.
She didn't believe they had any credibility or morality—she only believed what she saw.
Grandpa Jin shook his head and laughed, his aged voice deep yet imposing.
"She's still sharp-tongued and unwilling to suffer even the slightest loss."
"You are much more difficult to deal with than the rumors suggest."
Then, changing the subject and speaking with a pointed remark,
"If I didn't know you so well, I really wouldn't be able to do anything with you."
"With my old bones, I'm afraid you'll wear me down to the grave... Fortunately, I've found your weakness."
Chu Wuyang's eyes flashed with impatience, and she retaliated in kind.
"You still talk too much nonsense."
She scoffed dismissively, showing no respect whatsoever.
Jin Qilin stood to one side, his expression shifting slightly. His previously lazy demeanor softened somewhat as he glanced at Chu Wuyang.
Old Master Jin was rebuffed, but he wasn't angry. He just chuckled softly, waved his hand, and gave Jin Qilin an order.
"Take her to see him/her—to put her mind at ease."
They went to a separate courtyard on the west side of the villa.
The courtyard wall was covered with vines, and the night breeze rustled through the branches and leaves.
A damp, medicinal smell wafted up.
As Chu Wuyang approached, she saw several medical staff in white coats going in and out, their steps hurried and their expressions tense.
A heavy silence hung in the air.
Her heart sank suddenly, and she had a bad feeling.
"What's wrong with Jin Xuan?"
She suddenly stopped, her eyes turning cold.
What did you do to him?
Jin Qilin walked ahead, and upon hearing this, he merely tilted his head to the side, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.
"Miss Chu is being far too unreasonable."
"These people are the ones we called in to rescue people,"
He paused, his tone perfectly insincere.
"Shouldn't you be thanking me?"
Chu Wuyang disdained to deal with him.
I bypassed him and headed straight for the half-open window in front of me.
The room was dimly lit, and she immediately spotted Jin Xuan on the bed.
The boy lay there quietly, his face as pale as paper under the moonlight.
His body was wrapped in layers of gauze, and even his cheek was covered with thick medical tape.
Only the slight rise and fall of his breath reminded her—he was still alive!
The regular beeping of the electrocardiogram monitor by her bedside became her only solace.
Her heart suddenly clenched, her eyes reddened, and her throat felt choked as if pricked by needles.
It had been five or six years since she last saw this younger brother, whom she always disliked but who still loved to follow her around.
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