Chapter 424: Chapter 424 He Almost Died
Xiao Si said this, but his gaze fell on Yu Mu.
The look on his face seemed as if he didn’t care if others knew exactly who he was referring to.
Lan Yan looked at Yu Mu apologetically and said, “President Yu, don’t take it personally. He’s just someone with a sharp tongue and no decorum in his words. He wasn’t talking about you.”
Yu Mu didn’t seem to mind. Smiling, he said, “It’s okay, I’ve known Mr. Xiao for so many years, and I’m very familiar with his personality.”
He knew Xiao Si meant no harm; he simply saw him as a rival in love.
Lan Yan casually asked him, “After the anniversary celebration, are you heading back?”
Yu Mu responded with a hum, “Yes, since there’s nothing important left to handle. What about you guys? Are you staying a few more days?”
Lan Yan: “We’re probably going back too. It’s been raining in B City these past few days—a bad time for any outdoor activities.”
Yu Mu: “There are actually plenty of things to do in B City—it’s just that you came at the wrong time. You should visit in August or September when the weather is cooler and more pleasant.”
On the other end of the call, Mrs. Xiao overheard the voices, and she asked, “Did you guys bump into someone you know? That voice sounds oddly familiar.”
Moments later, Mrs. Xiao remembered Yu Mu’s voice. “Is that the Yu Family boy?”
Xiao Si didn’t say anything, which confirmed it.
Mrs. Xiao instantly understood.
She said bluntly, “What’s the matter? Can’t Yanyan have male friends or admirers? You’re such a double standard kind of man—allowing yourself to have female friends and admirers but begrudging her the same thing? Besides, if someone’s chasing her and you’re sure she won’t leave for them, what are you scared of? Unless you lack what it takes to keep her, and if that happens, well, that’s on you!”
Xiao Si: “…”
She really was his mother—never once on his side.
Mrs. Xiao continued, “Listen up, brat. I’m warning you—don’t go acting foolishly, and don’t do anything unethical. Also, Yanyan is someone with boundaries. Since she chose you, other people naturally don’t stand a chance.”
Xiao Si: “…”
Soon enough, Mrs. Xiao barked again, “Did you hear me? If you hear me, say something. Stop playing mute!”
Xiao Si: “Yes, yes. You’re always right, Mom.”
——
That night, they returned to Yue City.
The original plan was to leave the next day.
However, Xiao Si received a call from the hospital, so they had to leave earlier.
Peng Yiming saw the two exiting the airport and immediately waved at them, “Young Master, Miss Lan, over here!”
After getting into the car:
Xiao Si immediately said, “To the hospital.”
Peng Yiming responded promptly, and the car sped off.
Forty minutes later, they arrived at the entrance of City First Hospital.
Before exiting the car, Xiao Si turned to Lan Yan and said, “You should head home first. I’ll come back after I’m done here.”
Lan Yan nodded.
The phone call earlier had sent them rushing back.
Yet, Xiao Si hadn’t told her what had happened.
She didn’t ask him either.
After Xiao Si got out of the car, Peng Yiming glanced at Lan Yan through the rearview mirror and asked, “Miss Lan, where should I drop you off?”
Lan Yan redirected her gaze and said, “Just take me to Pear Garden Pavilion District.”
“Got it.”
Pear Garden Pavilion wasn’t far from the hospital—just a twenty-minute drive.
“Miss Lan, will you head out again later? Should I wait for you?”
“No need. You can go now.”
“Alright.”
After arriving, Lan Yan put her luggage away but left again shortly thereafter.
She drove out of the underground parking lot.
While driving, she connected the Bluetooth and called Bai Yang. The call was picked up quickly.
Lan Yan wasted no time, directly asking, “Bai Yang, about the matter I asked you to investigate—any results yet?”
Bai Yang’s voice came through the car speakers: “Yes. Two days ago, Dong Junhao’s men went to Hong Kong and brought back a man named Wei Ting. He’s in Yue City now.”
“The Wei Family is in real estate and holds significant status in Hong Kong. As for Wei Ting, he’s a low-key and honest man—a philanthropist without major enemies. He has a wife and a daughter. However, his daughter isn’t biologically his; she’s his current wife’s child from a previous marriage. Oh, and there’s one more thing—Dong Junhao’s men had just brought him away when another group showed up looking for Wei Ting. I looked into it—the person leading them is someone you know: Peng Yiming from the Xiao Family.”
Lan Yan was momentarily stunned upon hearing this.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
She fell silent for a few seconds. “Send me the address.”
Bai Yang: “Sure, I’ll text it to your phone shortly.”
Then Bai Yang asked, “If he really turns out to be your biological father, what will you do?”
Lan Yan: “I don’t know.”
She had never considered this question.
Wei Ting was only found so quickly because of Dong Junhao’s involvement. After meeting Dong Junhao, she had started tailing his people.
Unexpectedly, this led to something significant.
She was curious, though—how did Dong Junhao discover Wei Ting’s existence?
It couldn’t have been Hu Yunqin who told him; that possibility seemed unlikely.
As for why the Xiao Family knew, she had a vague idea.
Half an hour later.
Lan Yan’s car entered the underground parking garage of a hotel.
She called Bai Yang again.
“Get me the surveillance footage for their floor.”
“Alright, hold on.”
Keyboard tapping sounds came through the phone.
Three minutes later.
“Got it. I’ve sent it to your phone.”
“Thanks.”
Bai Yang cautioned her: “They’re heavily guarded. Sneaking in might be tough, and there are definitely people inside the room keeping watch too.”
“Got it.”
“Be careful.”
…
Back at the hospital.
“Doctor Xiao, I didn’t want to call you back, but I was out of options. This afternoon, he suddenly passed out,” said Lu Zhenyu. “If nobody had been looking after him, we wouldn’t have noticed, and he might’ve died here.”
Just recalling it made Lu Zhenyu anxious.
Xiao Si: “Alright, stop nagging. He hasn’t died yet, right?”
The man stood by the hospital bed, looking at Dong Junhao, who lay pale and frighteningly still, an oxygen mask attached to his face.
Xiao Si had just completed a check-up discerning there was no immediate danger.
However, the bone marrow transplant surgery was critical—it couldn’t wait. If delayed further, no divine intervention could save him.
Nearby, Xu Hai winced hearing their conversation but dared not interject. Instead, he asked Xiao Si, “Doctor Xiao, when will my Young Master wake up?”
Xiao Si: “I’m not sure—maybe later, maybe tomorrow, maybe not for a while.”
Xu Hai: “Doctor Xiao, are you joking?”
Xiao Si shot him a look. “Do I look like someone who jokes?”
Panic washed visibly over Xu Hai’s face.
Lu Zhenyu quickly assured, “Don’t worry—Doctor Xiao is just messing with you.”
“…”
Xiao Si wasn’t particularly keen on handling Dong Junhao’s case, but there were matters left to confirm.
He turned to Lu Zhenyu, asking, “How’s the bone marrow registry looking?”
Lu Zhenyu answered, “I checked. He’s truly unlucky—not even one match. But matching rates are low, so family becomes key. Unfortunately, no one in his family qualifies.”
In Lu Zhenyu’s eyes, Dong Junhao was quite ill-fated.
But there was one last possibility—Lan Yan.
Still, he dared not mention it aloud.
If Lan Yan matched, Dong Junhao would be lucky. If not, only waiting for a proper donor remained.
When that would come, nobody could say.
Night had fallen.
Lan Yan donned a hotel server uniform, timing her arrival carefully—just as their dinner was due.
Two guards stood vigil outside the hotel room door.
Lan Yan, pushing her meal cart, was promptly stopped.
One of the bodyguards obstructed her and sternly inquired, “Who are you?”
Lan Yan, disguised in alternate attire and subtle makeup, bore little resemblance to herself.
Her voice acquired a purposeful rasp: “Delivering food for the VIP in room 808.”
The guard scrutinized her for a moment. “Weren’t you different a few days ago?”
Lan Yan replied smoothly, “Yes—the previous staff is on leave. I’m handling the deliveries today.”
After a brief inspection finding no issues, they allowed her entry.
“Leave the food and get out.”
Lan Yan nodded. “Understood.”
She wheeled the cart inside.
As expected, two more guards occupied the living area.
She casually scanned the room but found no sign of a third person.
One guard stood to observe her as she unpacked the dishes at the dining table.
The other retreated toward the rooms.
Watching her sluggish pace, one guard impatiently urged, “Hurry up. Stop dawdling.”
Lan Yan lowered her head slightly and murmured acknowledgment.
In an instant, Lan Yan raised her gaze, her sudden movement catching the guard off-guard before darkness enveloped him—he collapsed unconscious.
Lan Yan swiftly struck his neck, rendering him unconscious.
She quickly but carefully lowered him to the floor before advancing toward the rooms.
“Mr. Wei, dinner is ready.”
Wei Ting turned just in time to see Lan Yan subdue the trailing guard.
He froze.
“You… Who are you?”
He stared at the unfamiliar woman with a spotted face.
Lan Yan finished her task and gestured for silence.
“Relax—I’m not here to harm you. I came specifically to ask you a few questions.”
Wei Ting narrowed his eyes at her youthful voice, contrasting the aged appearance presented by her disguise.
“Can you wait here for a moment? I’ll take care of the others outside first.”
Before he could respond, she turned and left, closing the door behind her.
Wei Ting: “…”
Five minutes later.
The door reopened.
Wei Ting stared at her again, repeating, “Who exactly are you?”
It was Lan Yan’s first encounter with Wei Ting.
Contrary to expectations, he wasn’t balding or overweight—he exuded a refined elegance and commanding presence. His physique was still well-maintained.
His features showcased a sharp nose, expressive eyes, and bold brows. Yet, traces of age lingered on his forehead, and streaks of silver graced his temples.
For some reason, seeing him didn’t evoke strong emotions within her.
“Mr. Wei, you don’t need to worry. I won’t harm you. I just want to ask a few questions—you simply need to answer honestly.”
“What do you want to know?”
Lan Yan fixed her gaze on him, her lips slightly parted. “Do you know Hu Yunqin, Ms. Hu?”
She kept her eyes locked on him, noticing his slight hesitation upon hearing the name.
Yet he replied curtly, “I don’t know her.”
Lan Yan narrowed her eyes slightly. “Are you certain you don’t know her?”
Wei Ting responded, “Miss, you’re hiding your own face from me, yet you expect me to tell the truth? If you want sincerity, shouldn’t you first show some yourself?”
“…”
Lan Yan stepped into the washroom.
In under two minutes, she returned.
Wei Ting looked at her transformed appearance and seemed momentarily dazed. This face…
Lan Yan asked, “Mr. Wei, is this enough sincerity for you?”
Wei Ting replied, “Miss, may I ask why you’re asking this question?”
Lan Yan frowned slightly and retorted with two words: “Can’t!”
Wei Ting was mildly stunned. This young woman’s arrogance was certainly striking.
She carried it with a grace that avoided outright offense.
“Young lady, you’re exemplifying the idea of allowing yourself what you deny others—this isn’t right. If you want to ask for favors, you ought to be fair and answer my questions too.”
“…”
Throughout their exchanges, Wei Ting maintained a warm and composed tone, as if they were engaging in a formal debate.
There had been no actual progress yet.
“Alright!”
Wei Ting’s expression carried a trace of amusement. “Yes, I know her. What’s your connection to Ms. Hu?”
Lan Yan nonchalantly replied, “Distant relatives.”
Wei Ting didn’t challenge her statement.
“Since Mr. Wei acknowledges knowing Ms. Hu, what are your thoughts about her recent online search for a long-lost daughter?”
Lan Yan subtly lowered her gaze, watching him intently.
Considering his social standing, she found it strange that Ms. Hu would leave him and choose Dong Jian instead.
If they had truly been together, what could’ve driven their separation?
Wei Ting answered calmly, “She and I are ordinary acquaintances. I’m not interested in her private affairs.”
“But according to what I’ve heard, you two were once romantically involved. Does Ms. Hu’s missing daughter have anything to do with you?”
His immediate denial came sharply. “Impossible—this has nothing to do with me.”
He refuted her suggestion quickly. Either there was truth to his words, or he was hiding something.