Chapter 47: Who Is the Mastermind Behind the Scenes

Beep, beep, beep...

Zhang Yantong’s phone rang. She answered, only to learn that the assassin had already been killed by someone else, but the culprit couldn’t be found. According to the forensic report, the time of death was less than ten minutes ago, and the killer had cut the assassin’s throat with a sharp blade. Standing nearby, Shrimp immediately realized Mouse must have done it, and couldn’t help but silently praise him. So long as the enemy was dead, it was a job well done.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen with the police?” Li Ruo noticed Zhang Yantong’s troubled expression.

“The assassin is dead,” Zhang Yantong replied, her head lowered.

“Dead? Who did it?” Li Ruo was momentarily stunned before forcing a smile. “Well, at least he’s dead. That’s better than him escaping, don’t you think?”

“But if the assassin is dead, we have no way to trace who was behind it. President Li, have you offended anyone recently?” Zhang Yantong’s gaze was direct and searching. Relying on her instincts as a police officer, she knew that a killer wouldn’t target Li Ruo with such ferocity without a reason. She boldly speculated that Li Ruo must have made some powerful enemies in business.

“Captain Zhang, I’m afraid you don’t fully understand how things work in the business world,” Li Ruo said with a dry laugh. “Which company would be hit hardest by Tianya Group’s entry into real estate? Who would be most affected? It must be them.”

A sharp intake of breath left Zhang Yantong. In all of Jianghuai City, aside from Siyang Group—a real estate conglomerate—there were hardly any other contenders. Zhang Yantong was left speechless. While Siyang Group was not as powerful as Tianya Group, it belonged to her uncle, Zhang Siyang. This realization left her dumbfounded.

“Captain Zhang, this has nothing to do with you,” Li Ruo said calmly, shaking her head.

“No,” Zhang Yantong replied firmly, locking eyes with Li Ruo. “President Li, if it turns out that Zhang Siyang is responsible, I will personally bring him to justice for you.”

“That’s not necessary. I’ll defeat him in the marketplace,” Li Ruo straightened her back and smiled. “I have no interest in playing dirty. Captain Zhang, if you get the chance, please tell Zhang Siyang for me—if he has the guts, let him face me fair and square in business.”

“Well...” Zhang Yantong’s cheeks flushed red. She wanted to defend her uncle, but his recent actions left her cold. He had always treated her well, but after a certain incident, he’d severed ties with her father, leaving a deep rift between their families. In the years since, he’d thrown himself into business, and she’d rarely seen him.

“President Li, I think we should return now,” Deputy Captain Jin said nervously as he eyed Li Ruo. At a time like this, extreme caution was necessary. The safest place was Tianya Group headquarters. Deputy Captain Jin knew his own limits—Ye Chen was gravely injured, one of his two best men had disappeared, and the one who remained was unreliable. Now, everything depended on themselves.

“No, I must wait for the outcome of the operation,” Li Ruo replied, standing her ground.

“President Li, it’s too dangerous here,” Deputy Captain Jin pressed.

“What if it’s dangerous?” Li Ruo glared at him. “Are you the president, or am I?”

Deputy Captain Jin frowned, falling silent. He could only stand guard at Li Ruo’s side. Shrimp glanced at him, said nothing, and walked over to stand by Li Ruo. Ye Chen had made it clear—no matter what, Li Ruo’s safety came first. Shrimp took those words to heart.

The group clustered in the corridor, their gaze fixed on the door of the emergency room. The red light above was a constant source of pain. Li Ruo’s mind wandered to memories of time spent with Ye Chen. That young man always seemed older than his years, sometimes revealing a fleeting melancholy in his eyes—although it was rare, she could always catch it.

Leaning back in her chair, Li Ruo closed her eyes in thought, replaying the first time Ye Chen came to interview at her company, all the way to the moment when he shielded her with his own body. The image of blood staining her vision left her dazed, and she unknowingly drifted off to sleep.

She was awakened by the sound of beeping. The emergency room door opened, and Director Qian Wanke removed his mask. Several nurses wheeled out a stretcher carrying Ye Chen, who lay weak and pale, hooked up to various IVs—a sight that tugged at the heart.

“Director Qian, how is the patient?” Li Ruo hurried over, hair in disarray. She was a mess, but she no longer cared.

“You... you’re Li Ruo?” Director Qian was taken aback, peering closely at her.

“Yes, Director Qian, my father knows you,” Li Ruo replied anxiously. “How is the patient?”

“Fortunately, you brought him in time. His condition is now under control. However, the next twenty-four hours are critical. If he survives this period, recovery should be quick. If not, there’s a risk of lung infection and death,” Director Qian said gravely.

Everyone was stunned. Shrimp, shocked, lunged forward and grabbed Director Qian by the collar. “Old man, you’d better save my big brother, or you won’t get out of here alive!”

Director Qian was hoisted off the ground, strangled and panicked, struggling for air.

“Let go!” Zhang Yantong rushed forward to intervene, but Shrimp’s strength was like an ox—she couldn’t budge his arm. Alarmed, she drew her gun and shouted, “Let go, or I’ll shoot!”

With a thud, Shrimp dropped Director Qian, who stumbled against the wall. Luckily, he landed back-first and didn’t break any bones. He waved his hand. “Tongtong, I’m fine, put the gun away.”

“Director Qian, are you alright?” Zhang Yantong quickly holstered her weapon and rushed to help him.

“I’m fine, I’ve seen worse,” Qian Wanke said with a wry smile. He patted Shrimp on the shoulder. “The patient is stable for now. There’s no use panicking, though I understand your feelings. I hope you’ll respect medical staff in the future.”

With that, he left with his assistants and nurses. Ye Chen was transferred to the intensive care unit, under constant medical supervision. Thanks to Zhang Yantong’s connections, he was given a private room filled with all manner of medical equipment—multi-function cardiac monitors, wireless telemetry ECG monitors, phone-transmission monitors, ECG machines—anything one could imagine.

The screens displayed a shifting array of data that only trained professionals could decipher. Li Ruo glanced at the monitor. “Ye Chen’s blood pressure is low, and his heart rate is slow. Why aren’t you giving him a transfusion?”

“Oh, Director Qian said that transfusing blood would increase vascular pressure and tax the heart and lungs. Since his lungs are injured, forcing them to work harder could cause internal bleeding,” a young nurse replied, glancing at Li Ruo. “President Li, you know medicine too?”

“Not really. I just took a few elective courses abroad, mostly about medical devices,” Li Ruo replied with a bitter smile. She gazed at Ye Chen on the bed, eyes closed and lips still stained with blood. Her heart ached—why must he always use his body to stop bullets?

Suddenly, her mind flashed back to their first meeting, when Ye Chen had sneaked into the interview room. She had asked him what he would do if his employer’s life was in danger.

His answer had shaken her—he raised his head and solemnly declared that he would use his life to uphold the duties of a bodyguard. The memory brought a sting to her nose and tears to her eyes. Why did he have to go to such lengths? Why couldn’t he take care of himself? Why act so recklessly?

“President Li.” Lin Ziwen took out a tissue and handed it to her.

“Thank you,” Li Ruo whispered.

“Don’t be sad, President Li. Ye Chen will be alright,” Lin Ziwen said softly, sensing Li Ruo’s grief. Ye Chen’s injury pained her as well. Since he’d joined the company, Lin Ziwen had grown fond of this humorous and mischievous man. For reasons she couldn’t explain, she liked standing behind him, watching his back. Her instincts told her he had stories hidden within. She hoped that one day, when he turned around, he would notice her there. But for all this time, Ye Chen had never seemed to notice her at all.

“I hope so,” Li Ruo said. “Let’s go. Let him rest and recover.”

“Alright.”

Li Ruo left with Lin Ziwen and the bodyguards from Tianya Group. Zhang Yantong stayed a while longer, giving Ye Chen a deep look before leaving as well. Shrimp had watched the expressions of Zhang Yantong, Li Ruo, and Lin Ziwen, and was dumbfounded. He muttered to himself, “Big brother, when did you get so charming? Looks like all three of them like you. You’re in trouble now!”