Yin Xi left Yin Zhe behind and went into the kitchen to give instructions to Sister Li before sitting down at the dining table with Qin Si Ye for breakfast.
The children, arranged by Sister Li, had already eaten and were happily playing in the living room.
Yin Zhe looked at the two of them with some confusion. It was already half-past nine. Had they both slept in today?
Lowering her head to eat diligently, Yin Xi felt a knot of unease in her heart, fearing that the children might say something embarrassing in front of the servants and A Zhe.
Fortunately, they were engrossed in their play and didn't mention anything about the morning’s events, as if they knew nothing about it.
After breakfast, Qin Si Ye sat on the sofa and had only exchanged a few words with Yin Zhe when he received a call from Zhao Ze.
“Hello?”
“Hello? President, Miss Meng is not at her residence. According to a servant, she moved out last night,” Zhao Ze said from the other end of the phone.
“Alright. Then withdraw your people. You don’t need to bother with her,” Qin Si Ye said in a low voice.
It seemed Meng Qi had taken his words to heart this time.
Perhaps she felt it would be undignified to be sent back by him. It would be more respectable to leave on her own.
*
At the Jin family's residence, Tang Ran had just walked out of Old Master Jin's room when Jin Jing Chen pulled her into his bedroom.
“Tang Ran, how is it? Have you noticed anything unusual these past few days?” Jin Jing Chen asked in a hushed voice after closing the door.
“No. That Sister Zhang is very diligent. I’ve checked her meals three times a day and haven’t found any signs of poisoning,” Tang Ran replied earnestly.
Jin Jing Chen frowned. “Oh? Have they stopped?”
“Perhaps they dare not act recklessly anymore because you are staying here,” Tang Ran mused.
“Perhaps,” Jin Jing Chen said, lost in thought, and continued, “How is my father doing now?”
“Old Master Jin’s condition is improving day by day. He even spoke a few words to me this morning,” Tang Ran replied with a smile.
“Why don’t you go and see him now? Perhaps he can recognize you already.”
“Okay.” Jin Jing Chen finished speaking, then opened the door and walked towards Old Master Jin's bedroom.
As soon as he pushed the door open, he saw Jin Zhen Ting lying flat on the bed, his aged eyes blinking as he stared blankly at the ceiling.
“Dad.” Jin Jing Chen walked forward and, with misty eyes, grasped his hand.
Jin Zhen Ting turned his head to look at him for a long time. Suddenly, his eyes welled up with tears, and he called out his name, his voice trembling, “Jing… Jing Chen.”
“Yes, it’s me, Dad. You can finally recognize me.” Tears were welling up in Jin Jing Chen’s eyes, but he tried his best to suppress them, not letting them fall.
This was the first time Jin Jing Chen had heard his father call his name in over half a year.
He tightened his grip on his father’s hand.
“I… I want to sit up.” Jin Zhen Ting moved his body slightly, seeking his son’s help.
“Okay. Dad, don’t move, I’ll help you.” Jin Jing Chen turned around, wiped the tears from his eyes, and slowly helped Jin Zhen Ting to sit up.
After sitting up straight, Jin Zhen Ting revealed a smile on his face. “Jing Chen, I feel much better lately, and my mind seems much clearer.
Is it all because of the girl you hired, Tang Ran?”
Jin Jing Chen replied, “She’s just an assistant. The one who truly helped you is an internationally renowned doctor. I’ll tell you more about it later.”
“Oh? That explains it. It seems his medical skills are indeed extraordinary.” A flicker of light appeared in Jin Zhen Ting’s eyes.
“Dad, there’s something I need to make clear to you, and I’ll need your full cooperation,” Jin Jing Chen said, looking at him seriously.
“Alright. You tell me, I will cooperate with you,” Jin Zhen Ting said, smiling and patting his hand. He liked this son, who, though he didn’t grow up by his side, shared his personality and way of doing things. He was much better than his elder son, whom he had raised with him, which was precisely why he preferred him.
Jin Jing Chen leaned close to his ear and told him about the recent events and Yin Xi’s speculations.
“What did you say? How… how could they do that?”
After hearing his words, Jin Zhen Ting’s body trembled uncontrollably as he looked at him in disbelief.
Jin Jing Chen quickly held his hand tightly. “Dad, don’t get too agitated. According to Tang Ran’s observations and analysis, they have stopped now, which is why your health has improved.
I’m currently looking for that female servant. Once we find her, everything will come to light.
For now, in this house, you can only trust me and Tang Ran.
In front of others, you must pretend to be as you were before, otherwise, I’m afraid they might become desperate and try to harm you again.”