“Is that woman really dead?” Father Hu tapped his finger rhythmically on the desk. Since the New Year, when Hua Yan went missing, Hu Li had been restless, tirelessly searching for her all over the country and neighboring nations. It seemed that without seeing her body, he wouldn’t find peace.
This woman had such a significant impact on Hu Li that she almost destroyed his genius son. Thinking about this, Father Hu couldn't help but want to grind her bones to dust to vent his anger.
Standing in the room was Long Da, the man who had once kidnapped Hua Yan. His face showed hesitation, as if there was something he found difficult to say.
Impatient, Father Hu said, "Don't tell me you haven’t figured it out?" His tone was severe, making Long Da's legs weak.
"Master, I've already used every available resource, but I really can't determine whether Hua Yan is alive or dead." Long Da was frustrated too; if she was dead or alive, at least there would be some peace of mind. But now, with no sign of life or death, it was no wonder the master was displeased.
Suddenly realizing something, Father Hu's expression softened, and he asked, "Hu Li hasn't found any clues either?" Though it was a question, his tone was affirmative, confident in his subordinates' capabilities.
"Like you, Master, he hasn’t made any progress." Long Da finished and waited attentively for the next instruction.
A few seconds later, Father Hu's eyes lit up with joy as he said something inexplicable: "Hmm, things will soon return to normal." Seeing Long Da’s confusion, Father Hu explained with a happier smile, "Hu Li will return to the company soon."
Whether genuinely or superficially, if Hu Li could be cold-hearted enough, he would channel more energy into developing his career. The sooner he passed the family head's assessment, the sooner he would gain the power to control all the family's overt and covert forces. This was undoubtedly what he desired most.
Not knowing the woman's fate was a good thing; it would only fuel Hu Li's ambition. How could Father Hu not be pleased with such an outcome?
"Fetch some wine; let’s have a few drinks." Father Hu's happiness grew as he gave the order to Long Da.
Though Long Da hadn't fully understood all of Father Hu's words, seeing his master so happy put him at ease. He was accustomed to drinking with Father Hu, who never indulged with women and wouldn’t seek their company even when Madam Hu wasn't around.
Among the prominent families, Father Hu was the epitome of self-restraint. Now in his fifties, he had no mistresses or illegitimate children. Although Father Hu's own father had tried to send women his way, hoping for numerous descendants, those women were either openly or secretly dealt with by Father Hua.
At this moment, an elderly man with white hair and a woman opened the doors of Muyun Pavilion. The old man, looking at the shop covered in white cloth, wept bitterly, with endless sobs escaping him. The woman behind him, also in tears, tried to comfort the inconsolable old man.
It was now early February. Hu Li had informed Father Hua that Hua Yan had an accident. Unable to eat or sleep, he booked a flight back that very night. After meeting with Hu Li, Fatty, Old Qiao, and others in the capital and learning the whole story, the old man spent a day and a night without drinking a single drop of water. By the next morning, he emerged with a head of white hair. If not for the hope that Hua Yan would appear alive before him, he might not have continued living.
Old Qiao had hoped Father Hua would stay at the military district where Hua Yan was, but Father Hua insisted on returning to Haibin City to reopen Muyun Pavilion. Secretary Zhang, also devastated by the news of Hua Yan, prepared to help Father Hua restart the pavilion.
Hu Li returned to Haibin City with Father Hua, wanting to help him. But Father Hua refused adamantly. His attitude towards Hu Li had grown cold, his demeanor filled with resentment and distance.
After hearing what had happened, Father Hua somewhat guessed that the Hu family was involved. Knowing that Hu Li's pain over Hua Yan's disappearance was no less than his own, he still couldn’t greet him with a smile.
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Father Hua declined the help of Secretary Zhang and Hu Li in organizing the shop. He and Aunt Chang began cleaning Muyun Pavilion themselves, each wipe bringing back memories of his well-behaved, occasionally mischievous daughter who loved to snack. Tears streamed down their faces as they worked.
"How about I treat you to a drink?" Secretary Zhang, sitting in Hu Li's car, asked him. Since hearing about Hua Yan, Secretary Zhang had been deeply depressed, as if a close family member had suddenly disappeared. The sadness was indescribable.
"Okay," Hu Li replied, driving to a small tea house next to the entertainment center. Secretary Zhang noted the location, glanced at Hu Li's tired face, and gave a bitter smile.
When they ordered, both men, without discussing it, chose dishes Hua Yan loved. They exchanged a glance and a sad smile, their eyes filled with sorrow.
After a few drinks, Secretary Zhang asked, "Do you think Xiao Yan is doing well somewhere?"
"She must be," Hu Li replied hoarsely. "She can adapt to anything. It won’t be long before we see her again." His voice, rough with emotion, added to the sense of melancholy.
"Yes, wherever Xiao Yan goes, she can make herself comfortable... When will you return to the company?"
Since the New Year, the cooperation between Feise Carnival and Asia-Pacific had faced obstacles. The supply of jadeite had been delayed, and the quality had declined. After investigation, Secretary Zhang discovered that the Hu family's matriarch was behind these issues. Despite multiple negotiations, he learned that Mrs. Hu disliked working with them and wanted to end the contract.
This cooperation had been Hua Yan's initiative, and Secretary Zhang didn’t want it to end. Knowing she was missing made him even more determined to keep it going, feeling it was a way to stay connected to her and a source of emotional support.
"I'll go back tomorrow. Our cooperation continues." Hu Li raised his glass to toast Secretary Zhang, conveying all his thoughts in that single gesture.
Subsequently, Haibin City's Asia-Pacific, Feise Carnival in the jade industry, and Muyun Pavilion, a favorite among high society for its precious jade jewelry, all experienced remarkable growth, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.
The once occasionally gentle Hu Li was gone, replaced by a workaholic. He became more decisive and ruthless in his actions, with his heart sealed off.
"Master, Miss Li has invited you to dinner again, and Madam has also called about it." Hu Er entered the room to find Hu Li buried in work, his heart aching at the sight but feeling powerless. Unless they found Miss Hua Yan, nothing would change.
"Overtime," Hu Li said without looking up. Just as Hu Er was about to close the door, Hu Li looked up and asked with a complex expression, "No news yet?"
"Not yet," Hu Er said, pain flashing in his eyes as he quickly looked down. The master asked this many times a day, but despite Hu Da and his trusted men searching non-stop, there was still no news of Miss Hua Yan.
Veins bulged on Hu Li's hand gripping the pen. He restrained himself from flipping the table over. As each day passed with no news of her, his heart bled, and soon it would be an ocean of pain.
But he knew he couldn't collapse. He needed to gain more power to keep searching for her, even if it meant scouring every inch of the earth.
Touching the warm white jade thumb ring, his emotions surged. He silently promised, "Xiao Yan, wait for me. I will find you."
In an armed base in the Golden Triangle, the atmosphere was lively today. The wooden platform was surrounded by a colorful crowd. They were all eagerly waiting to see the woman saved by Brother Qiang, curious about her beauty and skills that had warranted this martial arts competition.
Some noticed the targets had been changed and asked curiously, "Can this woman shoot too?"
"I think she sweet-talked Brother Qiang into letting her mess around. We old men can surely handle her. Why make such a big fuss? Besides, I heard people from other bases are here too. This just embarrasses us and holds Brother Qiang back!"
The burly man spoke angrily, and if Hua Yan were here, he might have beaten her up.
The man who asked the question chuckled lewdly and lowered his voice, "I sneaked a peek at that girl once. Her skin is fair, her eyes are alluring. No wonder Brother Qiang dotes on her so much."
Ma Zi, who knew more about the inside story, couldn't contain his excitement at the moment. He had already pictured a scenario: if that woman turned out to be nothing but a pretty face, he would persuade Brother Qiang to let him have a taste once Brother Qiang grew tired of her. The mere thought made him drool uncontrollably.
In the small attic, A Shui followed behind Hua Yan, trying to console her. "Xiao Yan, do you want me to talk to Brother Qiang and call off this competition?" Originally, he thought Brother Qiang just wanted to test Hua Yan's skills casually.
Now that it had turned into such a grand event, if Hua Yan made a fool of herself, she would face an even worse fate. He was deeply worried, especially since she fit his temperament so well.
Hua Yan, dressed in loose, comfortable casual clothes, was about to tie her pants legs with a binding cloth when she heard A Shui, who was sticking to her like a shadow. She laughed out loud.
Suddenly, she stood up, her feet moving like the wind, and in an instant, she was behind A Shui. She grabbed him and pressed him to the ground.
A Shui let out a muffled groan of pain, his eyes filled with tears, and he looked at Hua Yan accusingly. Hua Yan immediately let go, and A Shui complained, "Can't you be gentler? I'm just an old man; I can't take such rough treatment!"
"How are my skills?" Hua Yan asked, raising an eyebrow proudly.
"Your speed is pretty good, but I'm worried that your strength might not match those brutes. They are bloodthirsty people, living on the edge of life and death," A Shui said with concern, hoping she would reconsider.