Ah Heng knew Xin Dayi’s pure nature meant he couldn’t keep secrets from Siwan, so she quietly waited at home for Siwan’s questioning.

Today, before finding Yan Xi, this matter couldn’t be left unresolved.

The Lu family had long-standing ties with the Wen, Yan, and Xin families, and Grandfather Lu was also a man of distinguished military merit. But in the early 1980s, he had retired from the surging tide, concealing his brilliance and letting his son enter the business world instead. Over the next twenty years as the business grew, a small part was due to business acumen, but the larger part was thanks to Old Lu’s reputation. With support from all sides and green lights all the way, the business naturally had the capital to expand, even drawing the Wen family’s attention. In recent years, after the Wen family’s investment, Lu Corporation showed signs of monopolizing certain industries.

Old Lu was a shrewd man who never directly involved himself in the family business, maintaining clear boundaries with his son and daughter-in-law on the surface. But Chinese people had always been this way – maintain face, and substance would follow. In recent years, after his son’s death from illness, Old Lu became increasingly reclusive. But with only one daughter-in-law, he had to protect her no matter what.

Although Ah Heng had just suppressed Lin Ruomei’s arrogant attitude, as Lin Ruomei said, the Lu family wasn’t necessarily afraid of the Yan family. Moreover, all Ah Heng could rely on now was the Wen family.

But even she couldn’t be sure that, given her grandfather’s usual dislike of Yan Xi, he would show any mercy to Yan Xi while Yan Xi’s grandfather was out of the country…

Ah Heng closed her eyes and smiled bitterly, and when she opened them again, she had already gritted her teeth.

Don’t blame her for being calculating – this time, no matter what, she had to bring Siwan down.

Her words carried little weight, but Siwan was different – he was the only son, grandfather’s precious darling… Just as she was pondering this, Siwan pushed open the door, his face ashen.

“Ah Heng, what do you mean by this?” He was holding back, but his eyes carried a cold light, “Where is Yan Xi now, have you called the police?”

Ah Heng hadn’t slept for two days and two nights, her voice somewhat weary, but she forced herself to stay alert, speaking quietly: “I’ve already asked Brother Hu Ba to search. Dayi said he didn’t take much money with him, so he should still be in City B.”

Siwan suddenly became angry, his chest heaving constantly: “Ah Heng, Yan Xi has always treated you well! He’s been missing for two whole days, yet you have some unreliable people looking for him – what are you thinking?”

Ah Heng remained silent, just watching him.

Siwan looked around, saw a pot of tea still steeping on the table, noticed Ah Heng’s calm and quiet demeanor, then coldly snorted, laughing instead of staying angry: “Was this grandfather’s idea? After all, Yan Xi’s life or death doesn’t matter to any of you.”

Ah Heng lowered her head and smiled: “Your relationship with Yan Xi, his grandfather’s relationship with our grandfather – these things exist. You’ve gone too far with those words.”

She kept saying “Yan Xi” – to Siwan’s ears, it sounded extremely sarcastic, making his heart ache for Yan Xi. After all, he had cherished him for a year; usually, if anyone dared say a harsh word to her, Yan Xi would roll up his sleeves ready to fight. But now…

“Forget it, I understand. I’ll look for Ah Xi myself, no need to trouble you anymore…” Siwan’s expression darkened, his tone cold.

Ah Heng smiled: “In my opinion, better not look for him – even if he comes back, he’s destined to be harmed.”

Siwan froze, then after a while, smiled bitterly: “Wen Heng, ah Wen Heng, I underestimated you before. Never thought your heart wasn’t made of flesh.”

But Ah Heng stood up, her expression severe: “Did I say anything wrong? Young Master Wen keeps thinking about finding his brother, but doesn’t mention a word about who drove your brother to this state! Find him back just to benefit those perpetrators, let them harm him again?”

Siwan clenched his fists: “You know everything?”

Ah Heng looked at him coldly: “Which part are you referring to? Lin Ruomei ordering people to humiliate Yan Xi, or driving him mad? You know who was behind it but still pretending not to know, or following grandfather’s wishes to maintain good relations with the Lu family?”

Siwan’s face instantly turned pale. After a long while, he finally spoke, his throat carrying a hint of blood: “I wasn’t certain Auntie Lin was the one who harmed Yan Xi… she’s always been good to people… wouldn’t treat Ah Xi like that… Ah Xi told me he was drugged, that’s why others…”

Ah Heng frowned, knowing Yan Xi had lied, her heart aching even more. But her expression remained unchanged, showing no trace of distress, her tone calm: “Siwan, now that you know, what do you plan to do?”

She looked at him, her gentle gaze unyielding.

Siwan looked back at her, thought for a moment, then seemed deflated: “Wen Heng, since we share the same Wen surname, whatever hardships you have, I have no less.”

But Ah Heng smiled, somewhat tragically: “A brother is someone else’s brother, a mother is someone else’s mother, living in one’s own home yet feeling like a guest, wanting to protect some people yet having to calculate everything. Does Siwan have these too?”

Siwan couldn’t believe it, fell silent, then muttered somewhat heartbrokenly: “I didn’t know… you thought this way… you bear the Wen name, the same as us…”

“You’re right, I lost control, brother shouldn’t take offense.” Ah Heng smiled, forcibly suppressing the pain in her chest, nodding, “But now, I have leverage over Lin Ruomei, and she certainly won’t let it go. I’m asking for your help now – whatever Wen Heng does in the future, I hope you’ll mediate, get grandfather to turn a blind eye.”

Siwan seemed dazed: “You mean to…”

Ah Heng spoke gently: “If grandfather helps, it will be her death and my life; if not, mutual destruction.”

When Ah Heng found Yan Xi, he was sitting in a secluded alley watching the sunset, wearing that gray sunflower scarf, quiet and well-behaved.

Hu Ba looked at the youth, confused: “Ah Heng, when we just found him, I tried talking to him, but he had no reaction at all. What’s wrong – angry with family, ran away from home?”

But Ah Heng bowed to Hu Ba: “What I said on the phone still stands. If Brother Hu Ba needs anything in the future, Ah Heng will make it happen.”

Hu Ba was surprised but smiled: “You child, thinking such complicated thoughts! I’ll take you up on that help in the future. Quick, go check on Yan Xi.”

The surrounding light was brilliant, the youth sitting on the steps, holding something in his hand, eyes looking into the distance, somewhat lost.

“Yan Xi.” She walked to his side, softly calling his name, finally with a smile in her eyes. This was the most like Wen Heng she had been in these days.

But he did not react, almost frozen in posture.

She crouched in front of him, looking at his clothes, frowned, and smiled: “Running out without a coat, aren’t you cold?” Her tone was like speaking to a child who had run out to play.

She reached out to hold his hand, Yan Xi’s fingertips were ice-cold.

He slowly moved his gaze, empty large eyes paused on her face for a few seconds, then slowly moved away, brief attention.

Ah Heng’s expression froze, she slightly raised her voice: “Yan Xi!”

His fingers twitched, and what he held in his left hand seemed to tighten.

Siwan and Dayi arrived. Everyone hurriedly helped lift Yan Xi into the car.

Ah Heng gazed at him, but his eyes stared blankly at the sky.

That color is such a beautiful blue.

Dayi sat in the car, his eyes red, and from start to finish only said one thing: “Two years ago, he was just like this.”

Siwan’s face was very gloomy as he held Yan Xi’s right hand, silent.

This state…

Yan Xi sat there, skin fair, eyes dark and clear, but without his usual sharpness. Just very quiet, exactly like an expensive doll displayed in a shop window.

Ah Heng watched the car’s direction, and asked Siwan: “Where to?”

Siwan answered concisely: “Hospital.”

Ah Heng lowered her head, her gaze falling on Yan Xi’s left hand. Slender, elegant knuckles, curved posture, tightly gripping something, vaguely something metallic and shiny.

Ah Heng remembered something, it hit her heart, hurting so much she couldn’t catch her breath for a long while.

Tianwu General Hospital in City B is a hospital renowned far and wide for treating mental illnesses.

Ah Heng and Xin Dayi were stopped by Siwan outside the hospital. He said: “Don’t come in, this place… you’re not used to it.” But he was already used to it, gently holding Yan Xi’s hand, step by step, walking away from them.

Dayi was desolate, withdrew his gaze, saw the frightening blood vessels in Ah Heng’s eyes, and joked: “Ah Heng, did you do something bad late at night? Your eyes are so red?”

Ah Heng rubbed her eyes, and smiled: “Yes, did something bad, spent two days and one night finally figuring out how to torment you.”

Dayi ruffled his messy hair, smiling unlike his usual brightness: “Tell me.”

Ah Heng spoke gently: “Tomorrow morning, help buy spare ribs for Yan Xi, how about that?”

Dayi spoke hoarsely: “Just that?”

“What else? For someone like you who loves sleeping in, this is already a huge punishment.”

But this youth’s eyes reddened again, his right hand roughly wiped his eyes, and spoke: “Wen Heng, you don’t need to comfort me like this. Being such a useless brother, unable to help at all – Yan Xi must have had terrible karma from eight lifetimes ago!”

Ah Heng sighed: “Dayi, it’s not your fault.”

Xin Dayi spoke hoarsely: “Ah Heng, why pretend to be so mature? You’re hurting more than anyone, yet still putting on this grown-up act, really annoying!”

Ah Heng smiled, lowered her eyes, and said softly: “Dayi, I’m tired, can I rest on your shoulder for a while?”

Dayi helplessly said “You, ah you,” but pushed Ah Heng’s head onto his shoulder, and patted her head, his movements rough but carrying tenderness: “Wen Heng, in all my years, I’ve never cared for any woman, you’re the first.”

When Siwan brought Yan Xi out, his face was already deathly pale.

“Siwan, how is Yan Xi?” Ah Heng asked him.

Yan Xi stood to the side, his eyes focused only on a fixed corner in the distance, silent and still.

Siwan’s face was bloodless as he smiled bitterly: “Ah Heng, I won’t hide it from you, anyway… it can’t be hidden anymore. Two years ago, when Yan Xi first fell ill, they used psychological suggestion therapy, his condition fluctuated back and forth and took almost half a year to cure. At that time Dr. Zheng, Yan Xi’s attending physician, said if Yan Xi’s illness struck a second time, if psychological suggestion therapy couldn’t cure it, there would be very little hope for recovery.”

“What exactly is Yan Xi’s illness?” Xin Dayi grabbed Siwan’s collar, the patience in his expression at its limit.

Siwan said expressionlessly: “Hysteria.”

Ah Heng remembered their old neighbor Grandfather Huang from Wushui Town, who developed hysteria after his son and grandson died in a car accident. Every day he either cried and made a fuss, or sat in front of his door, constantly muttering his son’s name. In the end, he hanged himself, only discovered by neighbors days later.

In childhood, passing by Grandfather Huang’s house after school, he would sit in front of his door, that gaze also blank and empty.

Hopeless.

Ah Heng was immersed in memories, her heart twisted in pain, a wave of nausea rising from her stomach. She hadn’t eaten for a long time, holding onto the utility pole, vomiting only bile.

“Ah Heng!” Siwan moved to support her, but Ah Heng pushed his hand away. She bent her back, tears gathering in her eyes from the physical reaction.

Siwan frowned: “Why not eat properly? Why don’t you take care of yourself?”

After a long while, she could finally stand straight. Through tear-blurred eyes, she only saw Yan Xi standing there, neither moving nor smiling.

“In this matter, I am helpless. When worried and afraid, naturally can’t eat; when finally rousing my spirits, feeling energetic, eating seems completely unnecessary.”

She wiped her mouth with her sleeve, walked smiling to Yan Xi’s side, gently tucked his scarf, pulling it up to his chin, speaking tenderly: “Yan Xi, let me take you home, okay?”

But Yan Xi tilted his head looking at her, after a while, opened his hand, showing a square and proper plate, with faint traces: 09-68.

He looked serious, his dry lips moving slightly, covering his chest, a single syllable, muffled sound.

“Home, have.”