"Young master, should we inform Young Master Hu about this news?"

Jiucheng pondered for a long while, hesitating. If he told Hu Li the news, his connection with Hua Yan would grow even more distant. The more he thought about it, the harder it was to make a decision.

After a long time, the person standing by started to walk away. Suddenly, Jiucheng finally spoke, "Tell Hu Li... no, I'll go personally. Prepare the car."

"Yes, young master."

Hu Li, who had just finished a meeting at the top floor of the Asia Pacific building, walked to his office only to find his chief secretary pacing nervously outside. Seeing him, the secretary hurriedly approached, worried about being reprimanded. "Arbitrator, I couldn't stop him. He got into your office."

The young man, eloquent and just past twenty, had initially dazzled the secretary with his appearance, causing a momentary lapse that allowed him into the arbitrator's office. Now, the secretary regretted it deeply.

"Did you say someone broke into my office?"

"A young man, just over twenty."

"You're dismissed. Go back to work. Finish the materials I asked for as soon as possible."

Entering the room, Hu Li saw Jiucheng lounging on the sofa as if he owned the place. Hu Li's mouth twitched; it was indeed him.

"What do you want?"

"First, answer my question. Do you have any secret plans you can't let anyone know about?"

Why would he ask that? Could he have heard something? If he tried to intervene, Hu Li couldn't guarantee their safe escape. Despite his concern, Hu Li thought, since Jiucheng came here, he must not be simply trying to oppose him.

Dealing with smart people, there's no need for excessive cover-ups. Hu Li said, "Of course, in such a large company, there are things that can't be discussed."

Jiucheng seemed to understand his thoughts and smiled slightly. "Don't play word games with me. I know something that could greatly harm your plan. If you don't listen, you might regret it."

Hu Li couldn't afford any mistakes in his plan. Given Jiucheng's background, it wasn't hard for him to obtain critical information. His words carried weight. "What news? What do you want in exchange? But if it's related to Xiao Yan, don't bother."

Jiucheng felt a mix of emotions but finally said, "Don't look down on me. I just want you to treat Xiao Yan well for the rest of your life."

"Thank you." Although Jiucheng was eight or nine years younger, Hu Li didn't underestimate him. If he said this, he must mean he wouldn't interfere between them anymore.

Suddenly, Jiucheng's expression turned gloomy and he said angrily, "I don't need your thanks. I don't care. I've been following a woman named Hu Si. Recently..."

After hearing Jiucheng's words, Hu Li's face turned serious, his fingers gripping tightly. If Jiucheng hadn't coincidentally been watching her, his plan might have been ruined by her.

"You don't need to worry. If you need help, just ask. Do you need my help with Hu Si?"

"Thank you." Hu Li had too many things to handle at the moment. If Jiucheng was willing to help, it would be perfect.

Jiucheng laughed mockingly. "You're really cunning, using people so smoothly."

"You're quite willing, aren't you?" Hu Li wasn't embarrassed. He added, "When my plan is executed, I need your help with one thing."

Hu Li looked serious. Jiucheng stopped joking and asked, "What is it?"

"I need to move the Li family. I need your assistance."

"You're talking about Li Dong's family, right?" Seeing Hu Li nod, Jiucheng laughed. "So you've always had this in mind. That's quite ruthless. Alright, I'll help you. Tell me the details."

An hour later, after they discussed their cooperation, Hu Li said, "It's late. I won't keep you."

Jiucheng said angrily, "Can't you hear my stomach growling? Shouldn't you at least buy me dinner?"

Hu Li didn't get angry and laughed. "If we sit together and drink, it will attract attention. For our plan to succeed, we need to be careful. Do you agree?"

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Jiucheng reluctantly agreed but said, "You're so troublesome. I'm leaving."

After sending off the grumpy Jiucheng, Hu Li didn't have time for dinner. He gave orders to Hu Da, Hu Er, and others before heading to Muyun Pavilion.

By now, the streets were lit with flickering lights, and the smell of food filled the air. As soon as Hu Li stepped into Muyun Pavilion, he saw Hua Yan's father and Aunt Chang worriedly supporting a feverish Hua Yan down the stairs.

"What happened?" Hu Li asked worriedly, trying to help Hua Yan.

"Xiao Yan was fine at noon, but when we closed up in the evening, we found her on the chaise longue with a fever, unconscious," Hua Yan's father said anxiously, forgetting his displeasure with Hu Li.

"I'll drive her to the hospital," Hu Li said, already carrying Hua Yan outside.

Hua Yan's father and Aunt Chang locked up and followed.

At the hospital, Hua Yan was burning with fever, still delirious. The doctor said it was a cold, but couldn't explain why the fever hadn't subsided after half a day. They waited from evening to midnight, then from midnight to dawn.

"Uncle, you and Auntie should go home and rest. Otherwise, when Xiaoyan recovers, she'll worry if you both fall ill."

Seeing that Hu Li was genuinely concerned for Huayan, her father and Aunt Chang felt slightly less dissatisfied with him. Moreover, what he said made sense. In the end, they didn't feel comfortable leaving, so they made do by sleeping on the sofa in Huayan's hospital room.

Huayan felt as though she were inside a furnace, the intense heat causing her unbearable pain. As time passed, she began to gain more and more memories in her mind. Initially, she couldn't wake up, but then she got lost in sorting through those memories, unaware of the passage of time.

It wasn't until she heard a familiar and missed voice calling her repeatedly that she followed the sound and opened her eyes.

Seeing Hu Li, unshaven, eyes red and full of worry, Huayan's heart raced. Her throat was dry, and her voice cracked as she called out, "Hu Li..."

"Xiaoyan, do you... do you remember the past?" he asked, suddenly feeling that her gaze had become familiar, and daring to make a bold guess.

"Why do you care? You got engaged to someone else while I was away!" Huayan suddenly turned away, her back to Hu Li, angry.

His earlier joy was shattered by her accusation, and Hu Li immediately felt miserable. "Xiaoyan..."

Hearing Hu Li's hesitant tone, Huayan, exasperated, said, "What, no excuses? Hmph..." A few days ago, he had already told her everything. She didn't expect that upon regaining her memory, she would deliberately be difficult, venting her displeasure. Seeing Hu Li looking both indulgent and easy to bully, Huayan couldn't bring herself to say anything more.

Suddenly, Huayan pulled the covers over herself and began to cry. It was a mix of joy and anger, the myriad of past and present events stirring up a whirlwind of emotions within her. It was hard to express in words, and only tears could release her pent-up feelings.

Hu Li couldn't care about anything else anymore. He pulled her out from under the covers, holding her gently and speaking softly to comfort her. Meanwhile, her father and Aunt Chang, who had already woken up, were silently watching the couple, with Aunt Chang almost getting up in joy but being held back by her father.

Smelling the familiar scent of Hu Li, Huayan's heart finally calmed down a lot, though her tears still soaked his chest.

In the following days, Huayan remained in the hospital to recover her strength. During this time, Hu Li spent twenty out of twenty-four hours each day in the high-level ward with her, either chatting with her or working on documents while she slept. The ward was filled with a peaceful and joyful atmosphere.

Hu Li took one day to fully explain his plan to Huayan. After hearing it, her first response was, "Are you crazy?"

However, after further explanation from Hu Li, although she felt a bit guilty towards Hu Li's parents, she quickly overcame it and firmly stood by his side.

After that day, Hu Li spent less and less time at the hospital, but more and more people came to visit, including the secretary, Jiucheng, Old Qiao, and Wu Lin. Each time, Huayan had long conversations with them, lasting no less than two hours.

During this period, Huayan's father also frequently interacted with the secretary, with Wu Lin always by his side assisting. Half a month later, Muyun Pavilion closed its doors once more, and Huayan's father and Aunt Chang disappeared.

Huayan, who had been staying in the hospital, had also left.

At the same time, two major events occurred in Haibin City.

First, Li Dong, the son of the influential Li family, was prosecuted for illegal business activities. The Li family estate was also targeted by political enemies using Li Dong's situation and other issues, causing the Li family to fall from grace overnight, losing their former glory. The engagement between Li Jiaojiao and the young master of the Hu family was also called off by the Hu family.

Secondly, it was announced that the young master of the Hu family, a Chinese expatriate, had passed the family head position assessment. However, he disappeared on the same day. Despite mobilizing all their resources, the Hu family couldn't find any trace of Hu Li.

Along with him, Hu Da, Hu Er, and others who were always by his side also vanished.

In a high-level hospital room in a military district in the capital, Old Yang was arguing with Old Qiao, though he was actually upset with Huayan.

"Xiaoyan said it was sudden and didn't want to leave any lingering effects, so she didn't come to say goodbye. Besides, she mentioned that once you're discharged, you'll go there to recuperate as well. And you definitely want to see some of our old leaders. Although they can no longer contribute to the country with their abilities, as long as they're there, I feel confident even in the face of the toughest challenges."

"Hmph, that heartless girl. I worried about her every day, and she not only ran off to enjoy herself but also took that Hu family boy with her," Old Yang said, his tone shifting from resentment to pride, while Old Qiao could only shake his head helplessly.

He also envied the girl, young and choosing an easy and happy life over high office. However, given her ability to see through things and heal superhuman warriors with jade, neither the military nor the government dared to mess with her.

Character determines destiny. He had always aspired to be an official and achieve great things. Now, at over fifty, he still wasn't allowed to retire. The only consolation was that his position kept getting higher and higher.