Long Yunxiao said, “Gangs certainly don’t give anyone any regard, but gangs have their own rules — that’s precisely why the government has not interfered too much in gang affairs all these years. However, once that principle crosses the government’s bottom line, the government cannot stand by and do nothing. It’s clear that the Xing Gang has chosen this time to betray the gang covenant and has chosen to take sides.”

The reason gangs could survive for so long was precisely because they did not take sides. They had their own circle, maintaining a relationship of mutual non-interference with the government, like well water not encroaching upon river water. The Xing Gang’s involvement in this matter was clearly the result of being bought off — and so, they had already shattered the barrier that existed between the gangs and the government.

“Do you have any good ideas?”

“Fight fire with fire.” Long Yunxiao raised his head and looked at her. “Since you’ve come to me for help, I will definitely help you resolve this matter satisfactorily.”

Yan Qing listened and immediately became excited. “Last time, things were resolved smoothly precisely because of your help. I still don’t know how to repay you, and now I’m asking for your help again — I think I’ve grown quite thick-skinned.”

“I said before — between us, you don’t need to say thank you. One day, there will come a time when I need your help.”

“Then why don’t you come ask me for help?”

Long Yunxiao smiled. “I’ve heard that you make excellent desserts. Then make me some desserts.”

“Just that favor?” Yan Qing blinked her eyes. “That’s far too simple.”

“For you it may be simple, but it is what I need — so it is not simple at all.”

Yan Qing was also amused by him. “Alright then. From now on, whenever I have time, I’ll make some for you and have them sent over.”

“It’s a deal.”

Yan Qing took a sip of the coffee. After drinking it, her brows relaxed. “The taste is wonderful — very unique.”

“This whole box is yours. I don’t drink it often myself.”

“You don’t drink it often, yet your brewing skill is excellent.”

Long Yunxiao smiled lightly. “It’s alright.”

He watched her bow her head to drink the coffee, the strands of hair at her forehead softly falling forward, making her face appear even more fair and delicate.

“By the way, how is the Commander doing?”

Yan Qing shook her head. “There’s still no news. The place where the accident happened is extremely remote — even the nearest village or town is dozens of kilometers away, and transportation is inconvenient, with both medical care and communications limited.”

“I wonder whether the Commander can avert this disaster.” Long Yunxiao sighed softly. “The current situation is tumultuous — the long peace that has been maintained for so many years is likely to be shattered.”

This was also what worried Yan Qing. Once fighting broke out and the flames of war spread, the people would surely suffer.

Not only that — civil war made it easiest for enemies to exploit the chaos and move in. One could say it would be a total loss.

But for Shi Guang, all of this was utterly insignificant weighed against his position as Young Commander. His ambition to become the lord of Bei Di made him capable of disregarding everything, even if that meant paying the price of widespread war.

“Here, this is yours.” Long Yunxiao placed the watch back in front of Yan Qing.

Yan Qing asked in surprise. “I’ve already used it once — why are you giving it back to me?”

“Did I ever say it could only be used once?”

Yan Qing was taken aback.

“As long as you need it, you can keep using it. As long as you need me, as long as I can help you, I will do so without hesitation.” Long Yunxiao’s dark eyes gazed at her steadily. “Yan Qing, don’t refuse.”

Yan Qing truly didn’t know what to say. She felt she owed Long Yunxiao far too much.

She had only helped him once, yet he repaid her with everything he had. That depth of gratitude moved her deeply.

“Alright then, I’ll accept it without any further ceremony.” Yan Qing knew Long Yunxiao was not one to fuss over small things — refusing him would do no good anyway.

She quietly hoped that she would never have to use it a second time.

Yan Qing left the headquarters of the Long Yun Society, with Long Yunxiao personally seeing her all the way out.

“What’s this woman’s identity?” Many of the managers within the Long Yun Society were very curious.

Not only had this woman come carrying Long Yunxiao’s emblem, but even when she left, Long Yunxiao personally escorted her out. It was clear that she held a position of extraordinary significance in Long Yunxiao’s heart.

“Go back and wait for my news,” Long Yunxiao said. “I will resolve this matter within three days.”

“Then I thank you very much.” Yan Qing smiled. “I’ll be waiting for your good news.”

Di Huai opened the car door. Jing Zhi, who had been waiting inside the car, quickly came forward and helped Yan Qing up by the hand.

After Yan Qing was settled in her seat, Long Yunxiao was still standing there watching her.

“Go back now,” Yan Qing said, rolling down the car window.

“Quickly close the window,” Long Yunxiao said urgently. “It’s cold.”

Yan Qing smiled and obediently closed the window.

Even as the car drove far away, Jing Zhi was still pressed against the rear window, looking back.

“What are you looking at?” Yan Qing put on the watch.

“Mr. Long is truly devoted to Miss — even after the car has gone so far, he’s still standing there!” Jing Zhi exclaimed.

Yan Qing looked back — Long Yunxiao was indeed still standing in the same spot, watching her car depart.

She had always been clearly aware of Long Yunxiao’s feelings for her, but she knew that Long Yunxiao was a man of great self-discipline, and equally clear-headed. Between them, they maintained the distance of friends — not too far, and not too close.

This way of getting along was very comfortable.

“Alright, stop looking.” Yan Qing helplessly turned Jing Zhi’s head back around. “If Jin Shan sees this, he’s guaranteed to be jealous.”

“Jin Shan wouldn’t be jealous — but the Young Commander surely would.”

Yan Qing laughed. “Then we won’t tell him.”

Just as they were talking, the car suddenly jolted. Jing Zhi instinctively reached out to steady Yan Qing.

“Miss, are you alright?” Di Huai turned back anxiously to look. “A dog suddenly darted out.”

Jing Zhi glared at him. “Weren’t you driving with your mind wandering? Were you thinking about Murong?”

Di Huai turned red in the face and could only let out a dry laugh. “How could that be?”

“Miss, are you alright?” Seeing that Yan Qing’s face had gone a bit pale, Jing Zhi stopped teasing Di Huai.

“Feeling a little nauseous,” Yan Qing said, suppressing the churning sensation in her chest.

Di Huai heard this and was immediately overcome with guilt. “Miss, I’m truly sorry — it’s all my fault.”

Yan Qing waved her hand. “It’s fine.”

She didn’t usually get carsick — even after riding in a car for an entire day she’d be perfectly fine. Yet this time, from just a single jolt, she felt nauseous.

She was a doctor herself. When she realized something might be off with her body, a sudden thought rushed into her mind.

Yan Qing turned her head and looked at Jing Zhi, who was still looking worried beside her. “Jing Zhi, go ask Doctor Zhang to come to the house.”

“Miss, where do you feel unwell?” Jing Zhi grew anxious. “Then let’s get off at the next intersection, and I’ll go fetch Doctor Zhang.”

“Alright.”

Yan Qing said nothing more, and simply had Di Huai continue driving.

She had not been back long before Doctor Zhang arrived in a hurry, carrying his medical bag.

Yan Qing rarely fell ill, which was why Jing Zhi had been so frantic. Returning to the room and seeing that nothing appeared visibly wrong with her, Jing Zhi felt somewhat reassured.

After Doctor Zhang set his medical bag aside, he took Yan Qing’s pulse.

Just as he began taking the pulse on this side, Luo Huaimeng came in with her maid.

“I heard Yan Qing isn’t feeling well — is it because the weather’s too cold and she’s caught a chill?” Luo Huaimeng asked worriedly the moment she entered the room. “I told you not to run around handling all this business by yourself, and you just won’t listen to me. Aiyah!”

Luo Huaimeng knew that all of Yan Qing’s running around was for Shi Ting’s sake, for the sake of this family, and so his scolding was filled with tenderness and concern.

“Doctor Zhang, hurry and take a look — what on earth is going on?”

Doctor Zhang concentrated intently on the diagnosis for a while, occasionally appearing deep in thought. Whenever he furrowed his brow, everyone around him tensed up along with him.

“Congratulations, Second Mistress.” Doctor Zhang suddenly said with a cheerful smile. “The Young Mistress is with child.”

Not only Luo Huaimeng was stunned — even Yan Qing herself was somewhat dazed.

Although she had harbored this suspicion in the car, when it was actually confirmed, she still hadn’t immediately come back to her senses.

It was Luo Huaimeng who spoke first with delight. “Is it really true, Doctor Zhang?”

“The Young Mistress’s pregnancy is still quite early, so the pulse is not yet very distinct — but I can say with certainty, this is a pulse of good news.”

Doctor Zhang had diagnosed many of the Shi family’s mistresses and had never once been mistaken, so his words naturally carried considerable weight.

“Yan Qing, did you hear that? You’re with child!” Luo Huaimeng excitedly grasped Yan Qing’s hands, tears of joy brimming in her eyes. “This is wonderful, truly wonderful.”

Only at this moment did Yan Qing emerge from her daze. When she heard Doctor Zhang’s definitive answer, the wild joy in her heart swept away that dazedness entirely.

She herself was also a doctor, and so she was particularly sensitive to such matters — which was precisely why she had immediately called for Doctor Zhang upon sensing that something was amiss.

Now that Doctor Zhang was telling her she was pregnant, she felt as though her entire heart had been filled to the brim with joy. She was so moved she could not find words.

“Miss.” Jing Zhi and Murong were smiling so wide they couldn’t close their mouths. “Miss, you’re with child — you’re going to have a little baby!”

“Yes indeed, what a blessing.” Jing Zhi pressed her palms together and murmured softly, “Amitabha, thank heaven and earth.”

Yan Qing and Shi Ting had previously reached a mutual understanding — they would not have children immediately after marriage, also to avoid the turmoil of the times.

Later, as the situation gradually stabilized, neither of them intervened further in the matter, leaving everything to nature.

And so, the arrival of this child was both unexpected and yet entirely within expectation.

“This is truly wonderful.” Luo Huaimeng happily wiped away a tear. “When Xingzhi finds out, he’s certain to be overjoyed.”

Yan Qing curved her lips slightly upward, her gaze falling tenderly upon her still-flat belly. Thinking of how a crystallization of the love between them was being nurtured there, a feeling of joy and contentment spread to every corner of her body.

“Doctor Zhang.” Luo Huaimeng asked urgently. “Are there any precautions to take? Does she need to take any medicine?”

Doctor Zhang said with a smile. “Second Mistress, there’s no need to be nervous. The Young Mistress is in excellent physical condition, and from what I can see, the fetus is very stable — there’s no need for any medicine. Simply pay more attention to her diet, avoiding foods that are too cooling and anything that is excessively spicy. Also, exercise regularly — of course, with a steady routine and not to excess. This will all be of benefit for the delivery in due time.”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Luo Huaimeng nodded excitedly over and over. “I’ll arrange two cooks for her to be at her service around the clock.”

Then she grabbed Yan Qing’s hand again and asked, “Is there anything you want to eat or drink right now?”

Seeing how anxious she looked, Yan Qing laughed. “Mother, I’m not that precious. There’s no need to make such a grand fuss.”