"How did the discussion with the Hu family go?" Wei Cheng stood by the window with a weary posture, gazing at the vast world blanketed in snow outside, his mind filled with mixed emotions. Every night, his wife would secretly shed tears, thinking he was unaware. Failing to ensure his family's safety as a man truly weighed heavily on his heart.

Cheng Cheng, who had just returned home and changed clothes, was summoned to the study. Since escaping from the mainland, Cheng's father had been spending more and more time in the study, but he wasn't sure how to advise him.

"The Hu family is willing to shelter our people returning to the mainland to fetch Second Brother. They've assured they won't intervene with Hua Yan, emphasizing that they'll only judge us by our own means. Furthermore, they do not want any leaks from this cooperation."

Wei Cheng chuckled suddenly, leisurely remarking, "The Hu family seems genuinely wary of that boy, Hu Li." He held a certain fondness for Hu Li deep within his heart.

Occasionally, he wished he possessed Hu Li's meticulousness and determination to achieve goals by any means necessary. His eldest son, Cheng Cheng, was indeed a rare talent, but his previous exposure had been limited, lacking foresight in handling situations.

"After the negotiations, we decided to finalize everything during the Lunar New Year. At that time, Second Brother has a major inspection and must leave the military district." Listening to his father's evident admiration for Hu Li, Cheng Cheng couldn't help but furrow his brow. He also recalled his brief encounters with Hu Li.

Hu Li was like a block of ice, seemingly unaffected by others' attitudes, his heart unmoved. Wei Cheng wondered what expression Hu Li would wear if something happened to Hua Yan—whether it would be one of frenzied revenge or if he would continue building his business empire after mourning. It wasn't certain if they would ever confront each other face to face.

"Well, this proposal is good. We... should be enjoying a lively Lunar New Year in the mainland right now, and people won't expect anything to happen at this time. Is everything meticulously planned?" Wei Cheng turned to his eldest son, asking earnestly.

"Father, rest assured. We have over a dozen plans and contingency measures. Any potential loopholes have been accounted for," Cheng Cheng replied confidently, his gaze sharp and self-assured.

"Good, then go ahead," Wei Cheng said wearily.

Wei Cheng had guessed some of the reasons behind the Hu family's proposal to join forces with the Cheng family. On one hand, it was beneficial in the long run to cooperate with the Chengs. On the other hand, the Hu family's modus operandi included using others to do their dirty work, and Hu's father truly didn't want to directly deal with Hua Yan in case it came back to haunt them. If Hu Li were to discover these matters, there would be no justification.

At Hu Li's villa, Hu's mother had just finished bathing and received a call from Hu's father. She immediately transformed from a dominant woman into a submissive one.

"Is Hu Li still in the capital?" Hu's father asked.

"Yes, that brat actually went to see that woman on New Year's Eve. It breaks my heart as his mother," Hu's mother replied.

"That's more like my son. Don't forget, I used to neglect the family and stick with you every day," Hu's father chuckled. Initially, the old man had objected to Hu's father's union with Hu's mother because the Ke family was too impatient. However, Hu's father had only married Hu's mother, and Hu's grandfather had obstructed in vain before reluctantly agreeing.

Thinking back to the past, Hu's mother felt melancholic. "Yes, in the blink of an eye, our son is getting married and having children. But I really don't like that woman. I used to be so cautious in front of your parents, handling everything carefully and obediently. I endured grievances and never dared to complain to you."

"But Hua Yan is ambitious and hard to tame. She not only disregards her elders but also acts like nothing happened in front of our son. Her shortcomings really don't fit into our Hu family." Hu's mother poured out her complaints to her husband.

Hu's father laughed heartily, "It seems you've suffered a lot in front of her! From this perspective, this girl also has some merits. I'm not willing for Hu Li to like her..."

"You can't change your mind. She may have a few merits, but overall, she's not suitable for our son." Hu's mother anxiously analyzed.

In fact, Hu's mother was worried and anxious. Although her father had spoken of Hua Yan in a smiling voice, that smile never reached his eyes. As the head of a large family, how could they be so simple?

When they were trained as heads of the family, they learned that emotions must be displayed externally, but others only saw what they were prepared to see.

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As for Hu Li, who had been ice-cold for thousands of years and expressionless, was just a personal temperament. The Hu family has not failed many times in training him to become a normal person with emotional changes, making it easier to deal with others, but unfortunately failed

"It's just that Hu Li's master personally told Hu's father that coldness is Hu Li's innate temperament, and cannot be changed."

"You, you're just overly concerned. Since you dislike her, how could I agree?"

With just a simple sentence, Hu's mother felt as though she had tasted honey in her heart. She felt that Hu's father loved her and still considered her wishes when making decisions.

For several consecutive days, the mainland had been under thick clouds, with the snow accumulating more and more. Today was the day Cheng Xiang underwent a major inspection. The military hospital's medical vehicle had parked early in front of Hua Yan's house.

"Be careful, don't drop this guy!" Holding a large umbrella, Hua Yan, along with Hu Li, Lao Hei, Lao Yang, and Da Pang, carefully lifted Cheng Xiang onto the stretcher and into the car.

"We're being very careful. Although this sir doesn't speak, we dare not be negligent," Da Pang said with a chuckle, hands holding the stretcher.

Everyone smiled upon hearing this.

"Lao Yang, is the security all arranged?" Hua Yan asked with concern.

"Yes, everything's prepared. You don't need to accompany us this time. With me and Lao Hei, it'll be enough. Besides, there are armed police outside," Lao Yang replied, winking at Hua Yan.

"These days, the weather has been unpredictable, and many people have caught colds. Hospitals are likely crowded with children and elderly. Please be careful," Cheng Xiang didn't always take Hua Yan along for every major inspection, but this time, Hu Li was finally by his side, and she agreed.

However, safety was a concern. The more people involved, the harder it was to identify suspicious individuals. They didn't want Cheng Xiang to leave the heavily guarded military district, risking such danger if the medical equipment for major inspections wasn't in these large hospitals.

"Yes, we'll be careful," Lao Yang assured with a smile.

"When we return, I'll play chess with you again!" Hu Li, who had been silent, spoke up. Hearing this, Lao Yang's smile deepened even further.

Lao Hei's eyes also lit up at the prospect. Each time they played chess, Lao Yang and Hu Li played five rounds. At least Lao Hei could challenge Hu Li, a master in his own right. Moreover, Lao Hei's chess skills were even more exquisite than Lao Yang's, and Hu Li enjoyed playing with him.

In the morning, they went to the hospital, but now it was almost evening, and there was still no news. At noon, Hua Yan had called to inquire about the hospital's situation. Lao Yang had said that Cheng Xiang's condition was fine, but doctors were discussing and might change the treatment plan.

In the afternoon, Hua Yan also asked about the hospital's situation, and Lao Yang said everything was fine. However, just now, both Lao Yang's and Lao Hei's phones were switched off. Could something have happened?

Sitting next to her, Hu Li glanced at the local news, comforting Hua Yan. However, his tightly furrowed brows betrayed his current mood.

Suddenly, breaking news interrupted the broadcast, reporting a shootout at a military hospital. The hospital was in chaos, and casualties were still being counted.

Hua Yan and Hu Li were both stunned. From the footage, it was precisely the hospital where Lao Yang and the others had gone today. "Could it be that something happened to Lao Yang and the others?" Hua Yan refused to believe. In truth, based on her experience, she was already quite certain that something had indeed happened to them, but she couldn't admit it.

Hu Li carefully comforted Hua Yan, his gaze flashing with determination. "I'll have Hu Er immediately check the situation. Don't scare yourself."

While Hua Yan remained composed outwardly, her heart trembled. Upon careful consideration, she suspected that Cheng Xiang was the reason for the incident. Lao Yang had also said that Wei Cheng valued family and children greatly, and ultimately, no matter what means were used, he would take Cheng Xiang away from the mainland.

"Has something really happened?" Da Pang, awakened by the voices in the living room, murmured as he watched the television.

"What do you know?" Both Hua Yan and Hu Li were shocked, urgently questioning Da Pang.

Startled by their intense gazes, Da Pang cautiously said, "I woke up early, and my right eyelid kept twitching. It happened to coincide with Cheng Xiang's major inspection, so I didn't dare mention it. I was afraid something might really happen."

The living room fell into a dead silence. Hu Li held Hua Yan close, while Da Pang slumped on the other side.

Suddenly, Hu Li's phone rang. Both Hua Yan and Da Pang watched Hu Li's expression closely. After he hung up, Hu Li's face was grim. By then, Hua Yan understood that something had indeed happened. Da Pang was on the verge of tears from anxiety.

Hu Li took a few deep breaths to calm himself and said, "It's true. Something happened to Lao Yang and the others. Hu Er said that Cheng's family's covert forces had silently infiltrated the mainland."

"There must be someone helping them from the inside," Hua Yan speculated. She believed that without someone covering for them, Lao Qiao and the others, who had been guarding against the Cheng family, wouldn't have let this covert force slip through.

"Probably," Hu Li agreed, pondering who among the capable people in the mainland could be aiding the Cheng family. He wondered if they weren't afraid of being exposed and losing their footing in the mainland, unless their foundation lay elsewhere.

In an instant, Hu Li had some suspicions. Watching Hua Yan hurriedly making phone calls in his arms, he felt more certain about some things.

After calling Lao Qiao, Hua Yan couldn't stop her tears. "It’s Lao Yang and the others who got hurt. Both Lao Hei and Lao Yang are injured..."

"Is it serious?" Da Pang, his legs nearly giving out, asked anxiously.

"Lao Qiao said it's not looking good," Hua Yan replied, her voice breaking as she cried in Hu Li's arms. It was only when she was about to lose them that she realized how much she cherished them. She couldn't help but clash with Lao Yang daily, teasing Lao Hei countless times. Thinking about the old joker Lao Yang, who was serious but shy at heart, and the taciturn but equally shy Lao Hei, Hua Yan felt a pain as if she had swallowed poison, a tormenting agony.

"What about Cheng Xiang?" Hu Li asked, with Da Pang listening intently.

"He’s in the hands of the Cheng family now," Hua Yan said, her emotions complex as she spoke each word.