The Su family's turmoil continued, with ripples still spreading across Jiangnan.
However, with key figures like Su Shanshui and Qin Fengwu in command, Jiangnan did not descend into complete chaos.
Three days later, Chen Jinzhao was lying in Ninghai City People's Hospital, listening to Tao Qiyue's report.
His hospitalization was not by choice; it was insisted upon by Yu Mengzhi and others. Chen Jinzhao stayed to ease their minds, treating it as a few days of rest.
After hearing Tao Qiyue's report, Chen Jinzhao frowned and said, "It seems the Su family is truly determined to break down before building anew. Enemies who recognize their own limitations and possess the resolve to correct their flaws are the most formidable."
"So, are we inadvertently forcing the Su family to reform?" Tao Qiyue asked, puzzled.
Was this helping the Su family?
Chen Jinzhao suddenly smiled, "Don't worry. Correcting one's flaws isn't that simple. Otherwise, why would dynasties eventually be overthrown by others? At a certain stage, the illness becomes too deep-rooted to be cured. If Su Shanshui is too hasty, he might not provoke the interest groups supported by the Su family. After all, disrupting someone's livelihood is akin to killing their parents; it's not a joke."
"Qin Fengwu might not genuinely be helping the Su family either; he is a very ambitious man."
"And Qin Fengwu is very far-sighted."
After Chen Jinzhao's thorough analysis, Tao Qiyue realized that Qin Fengwu was the biggest beneficiary of this upheaval, a perspective she had never considered before.
"In other words, we achieved our goal in this turmoil, Qin Fengwu got what he wanted, and only the Su family took a hit?" Tao Qiyue's expression was strange, and she suddenly felt her own intellect lacking.
She even thought—
This turmoil was initiated by Chen Jinzhao and Qin Fengwu working together, and both got what they desired.
Chen Jinzhao chuckled, "Even if the Su family realizes it, they can only swallow their pride and accept it."
The Su family had no other choice.
Tao Qiyue regained her senses, "I see. It seems I'm not suited for management, only for frontline work."
Otherwise, she wouldn't even know who was responsible for her demise.
"How is it with Yu Huaiqing?" Chen Jinzhao asked.
Tao Qiyue replied truthfully, "A few days ago, there were indeed suspicious individuals who intended to make a move. However, after the incident with the Su family, those people disappeared. They probably don't want to draw any more attention."
"Oh, right."
"How are you feeling now? Has the wound healed?" Tao Qiyue changed the subject.
Chen Jinzhao glanced at the wound on his arm. The scar had healed, and in a few days, there would be no trace of the injury. "I'm almost fully recovered. Perhaps I can be discharged today."
Tao Qiyue nodded.
After a brief chat, Tao Qiyue left the ward to return to her work.
When Chen Jinzhao was free, he contacted Su Wen by phone. Su Wen told Chen Jinzhao that due to over twenty members of the Su family being taken in for investigation, and Su Shanshui's eagerness to implement drastic reforms within the family, Su Wen had been assigned a good position. This move was intended to demonstrate that the Su family would no longer prioritize personal connections but meritocracy.
For Su Wen, this was an excellent opportunity.
Chen Jinzhao asked, "What are your thoughts now?"
Su Wen pursed his lips before replying, "I still prefer to work under Instructor Chen. The Su family is beyond saving."
He had a faint feeling—
The Su family would perish at Chen Jinzhao's hands, and he simply wanted to choose his allegiance in advance.
Chen Jinzhao nodded, "Work hard, and I won't treat you unfairly."
"The Su family is in my hands, Instructor, please rest assured."
That afternoon.
With nothing to do, Chen Jinzhao wandered aimlessly in the hospital.
After circling for a good portion, he returned to his ward and found Xu Nianqing waiting outside the door. Chen Jinzhao stood at a distance, pondering for a long time before ultimately deciding not to meet Xu Nianqing alone.
"Do not stand in a suspicious place or wear a suspicious hat."
Chen Jinzhao turned to leave, not even intending to let Xu Nianqing know.
After a few steps, Chen Jinzhao heard footsteps behind him, which made him pause instinctively.
Before he could turn around, someone embraced him from behind.
As expected, it was Xu Nianqing.
Chen Jinzhao first looked around. Seeing no familiar faces, he breathed a sigh of relief and then said to Xu Nianqing, "What's wrong? Can you let go first? We might be misunderstood..."
"I don't..."
Xu Nianqing's voice was choked with sobs.
Her tears softened Chen Jinzhao's heart because Xu Nianqing had always been a rational woman, rarely showing such emotion.
When it came to matters of the heart, he was indeed a bit weak.
He had finally made up his mind to cut ties with Xu Nianqing, and now she showed up at his door?
And she was crying profusely.
Chen Jinzhao released her hands, turned to face Xu Nianqing, whose eyes were red and swollen from crying, and asked with a slight frown, "Tell me, did someone bully you? If so, I'll have Yu An avenge you."
"No, no one bullied me," Xu Nianqing wiped her tears.
"Then what is it?" Chen Jinzhao was perplexed and eager to get an answer from Xu Nianqing.
Xu Nianqing hesitated, then cautiously looked around before pulling Chen Jinzhao to a quiet, secluded corner. Chen Jinzhao found her caution even more peculiar.
It was as if they were thieves.
Several times, Xu Nianqing prepared to speak but couldn't help but sob quietly.
Chen Jinzhao frowned, "Can you tell me what's wrong? Don't make me worry too much."
"Then I'll tell you directly..." Xu Nianqing said.
"A few days ago, Yu Mengzhi contacted me and told me about the anomaly in your body. So, I asked her to collect some blood samples from you. Coincidentally, you were hospitalized with an injury these past few days, and she easily obtained the samples to take back to my lab for detailed analysis."
"The results did show an abnormality."
Chen Jinzhao's expression froze.
Especially recalling Xu Nianqing's tearful state earlier, he realized the result might not be good.
"Is it very bad?" Chen Jinzhao asked with a sigh.
He patted his body, unable to find a cigarette pack, and let out another sigh.
Xu Nianqing wiped her tears and replied, "I don't know how to describe it. Your metabolic rate is far beyond that of an ordinary person, which is already an unusual phenomenon. I suspect someone intentionally stimulated your body's potential. While the surface results seem good, granting you immense power, there is a fatal downside—"
"Your lifespan might be halved compared to a normal person."
"That means your lifespan limit might be around forty years old, perhaps thirty, maybe even tomorrow or today..."
After Xu Nianqing finished speaking, she was weeping uncontrollably.
Chen Jinzhao stood still. "So this is the true price. I should have realized that for everything I gain, I must also lose something. This world is fair."
Now, he suddenly understood that his name was also fitting.
The future is distant, seize the present.