From just past three in the afternoon, Qin Chuan and Qi Yan sat for a full two hours before finally leaving the bar.
Qin Chuan truly valued Qi Yan, and she certainly had the qualifications and capability. To this day, Qin Chuan still had no clear understanding of how many informants Qi Yan had placed within the Han family or what their strength was.
In any case, when it came to intelligence, Qi Yan was second to none. The Han family, a colossal entity, was incredibly powerful. Qin Chuan, with his brothers, the Lin siblings, Dan Xiongjin, and Wang Bailin, had all deployed people to search for information with all their might, but the results were minimal.
It was understandable. They were newcomers. Even with significant financial investment, it was difficult to bribe direct family members or confidants of the Han family.
Those people were sharp as ever and wouldn't betray everything for a little immediate gain. Such things required time and process.
Clearly, in this regard, neither Qin Chuan nor anyone else could compare to Qi Yan. She had quietly laid her groundwork long ago.
Informants were not only positioned around Han Guangyao but also around Han Zongshu, Han Zongren, and Han Zongyi, the three brothers. She even had people positioned around the wives of these three brothers. The thought alone was terrifying.
That afternoon, Qin Chuan and Qi Yan spent a very long time discussing this plan. They went through many scenarios, encompassing almost every possible eventuality.
Upon returning to the villa, Qin Chuan quickly gathered everyone and explained the plan to them. After hearing it, they all clapped and praised it, each one excited.
“Qin Chuan, when can we meet that mysterious ally? I’m becoming more and more interested in him!”
Wang Bailin couldn't help but ask Qin Chuan, wanting to meet Qi Yan.
“Let’s wait a bit longer. My friend is a bit of a recluse and dislikes being in the public eye. I mentioned it to her this afternoon, and she didn't agree,” Qin Chuan explained with a smile.
Everyone expressed their regret and could only drop the matter, continuing to discuss the meticulously planned operation.
Meanwhile, in the luxurious ward of the private hospital belonging to the Han family, where Kong Nanchao was staying, many people had gathered.
Not only were the Kong family members present, but Han Guangyao had also arrived, along with Han Zongren, the second son of the Han family, and his wife, Miao Fengying.
On the hospital bed, Kong Nanchao, who had been in a coma, had long since awakened. Han Guangyao was personally inquiring about his well-being, a look of concern etched on his face.
The Kong family members standing nearby, however, did not look pleased. Many had grim expressions because their visit to Han Guangyao that afternoon had yielded no results.
Han Guangyao had informed them that the assailant who injured Kong Nanchao had yet to be found. The Han family had already contacted the police and would also dispatch all their personnel to do their utmost to bring the perpetrator to justice.
“Nanchao, you and I may not be blood relatives, but our bond is stronger than that of brothers.”
“We’ve experienced over a hundred battles, big and small, throughout our lives, and we’ve even taken bullets. I thought we would finally have peace from here on out, but I never expected that in your old age, you would have to suffer such great pain.”
Standing by the hospital bed, Han Guangyao tightly held Kong Nanchao’s thin arm, his face filled with pain and sorrow.
“This is my dereliction of duty; I failed to protect you!”
“To be injured like this on our own territory! Every time I come to the hospital and see you injured, I feel immense guilt and self-reproach!”
Not far away, Han Zongren and his wife Miao Fengying, the second branch of the Han family, watched their elder’s performance with faint mockery hidden in their eyes.
They had already learned the truth of that day’s events. They knew that Kong Nanchao had been beaten to this state right in front of Han Guangyao by those two individuals, with Han Guangyao making no move to intervene. If it hadn't been for the fear of him dying that day, Kong Nanchao might have truly been beaten to death.
These two understood their patriarch better than anyone. Over the years, they had already placed their own informants by his side.
They even knew that those two individuals had done the same. It was an unspoken understanding among them.
After the patriarch finally finished his act, the group politely declined the farewells of the Kong family and left the hospital together.
Upon reaching the ground floor, as Han Guangyao was about to get into his car, Han Zongren was nudged by his wife and quickly called out, “Dad!”
Han Guangyao, who had stopped his movement, turned his head. His face was filled with authority, his gaze sharp, like an old lion, inspiring involuntary fear.
Years of bloodline dominance and various encounters made Han Zongren genuinely fearful, and his body trembled.
Even though he was over fifty years old, the years of pressure from his father still made him afraid.
However, this time, faced with significant interests, Han Zongren mustered his courage and said, “Dad, I have something to tell you.”
Behind him, Miao Fengying’s eyes were also fixed on her father-in-law.
Han Guangyao stood by the car door and coldly swept his gaze over his second son and daughter-in-law. “Whatever it is, we’ll discuss it tomorrow. I’m tired today.”
With that, he prepared to get into the car and leave.
“Dad, we won’t take more than a few minutes of your time. Just a few minutes. Aren’t you willing to grant us this small matter?”
Seeing Han Guangyao about to leave, just like on previous occasions, Miao Fengying could no longer hold back. She quickly walked over and said loudly.
Han Guangyao seemed not to hear her. He got into the car, his expression cold.
The bodyguards standing around blocked Miao Fengying from approaching. Miao Fengying suddenly became furious, slapping the nearest bodyguard across the face, her expression frosty:
“You’re just a lackey, a slave of my family. Do you really think you own this place just because you have a good master!”
“Believe it or not, I can make sure you never see the sun tomorrow!”
The bodyguard, after being slapped, remained silent but still steadfastly performed his duty, preventing Miao Fengying from getting close.
Inside the car, Han Guangyao, who had been leaning back in the soft seat, preparing to rest his eyes, slowly opened them. His pupils were as cold as ever, making it impossible to discern his emotional fluctuations.
“Dad, we only need a few minutes of your time, just a few minutes!” Miao Fengying said hurriedly.
“No matter what, Zongren is your child, isn’t he? We believe we are no worse than others. We handle any task you assign with perfect order. Why are we the only ones left out this time?”
“This is unfair to us!”
“We deserve the same treatment!”
Miao Fengying blurted out everything on her mind in one breath, feeling a great sense of relief. Then, she immediately became nervous again, staring intently at her father-in-law.
Han Zongren also anxiously watched his father, wanting to see what answer his father would give this time.
Not long ago, they couldn’t even get near their father’s door. Tonight was a rare opportunity, with his elder brother and third brother absent.
Inside the car, Han Guangyao’s cold gaze slowly swept over Miao Fengying and his son, remaining silent.
Just as everyone felt a glimmer of hope, suddenly, they saw a look of extreme mockery appear on Han Guangyao’s wrinkled face.
“Unfair?”
“All the family’s industries were built by me, bit by bit. They are my private property, and I can distribute them as I please. What business is it of yours!”
“I’m not dead yet, and this family is not a place for you to point fingers!”
Han Guangyao’s furious scolding was like sharp knives, piercing the chests of Han Zongren and Miao Fengying, causing immense pain.
“If you have such courage, then leave my Han family! Don’t covet my assets. Establish your own enterprise and carve out a successful career for yourselves!”
In the end, Han Guangyao didn't fail to add insult to injury, directly cornering Han Zongren and Miao Fengying, leaving them with livid faces and looking extremely awkward.
The couple watched as the patriarch closed the car door and the vehicle slowly drove away.
Standing in their spot, the couple exchanged glances. Their faces were filled with gloom, their eyes flashing with malice and ruthlessness.