Chapter Thirty-Four: It Seems Everyone Is Harboring Some Secrets

“Where is Liu Yanyan? Have you caught her?” Wen Yan grasped Qiao Chenye, demanding an answer.

Qiao Chenye’s eyes darkened. “During your unconsciousness, some things happened. Grandpa’s health is fragile, so I can’t do anything to Liu Yanyan yet.”

Noticing the change in Wen Yan’s expression, he reached out to touch her cheek, but she turned her head away.

His hand froze mid-air before he reluctantly lowered it, his voice low and tinged with barely concealed restraint. “For now… I can’t take action. But I will make her pay.”

Wen Yan suddenly spun to face him, disbelief and fury blazing in her eyes. “Why not? She kidnapped me, tried to ruin my reputation! She wanted to kill me! You’re the greatest villain here, and you can’t even deal with a madwoman? If she’s not eliminated, how can my child be safe?”

“Wen Yan, don’t be so agitated. I know, I know you feel wronged, but it won’t be for long.” Seeing her calm slightly, he quickly asked, “Wen Yan, who exactly called me to report your location?”

Wen Yan met his gaze. “If I tell you, will you believe me?”

“How else am I supposed to know? Should I believe you or not?” Qiao Chenye’s earnest look only strengthened her confidence.

“I’m not the real Wen Yan, and this isn’t my world,” Wen Han said seriously, clearly not joking.

Glancing at Li Jingyan’s image, Wen Yan instructed the system to call him.

The system strongly objected, urging the host to reconsider and avoid exposing herself so hastily. But Wen Yan had made up her mind, and the system could only cooperate.

At that moment, Qiao Chenye’s phone rang—it was the same empty number as before.

He put the phone to his ear; it was indeed Wen Yan’s voice, though the real Wen Yan in front of him was silent.

“Wen Yan doesn’t belong here. Of course, if you try hard enough, maybe she’ll belong to you~” the system’s voice trailed off, forcing Qiao Chenye to believe it.

The system trusted Wen Yan, but this kind of plot twist was a first even for it.

Qiao Chenye gripped her icy hand tightly, his gaze solemn as if making a vow. “Yan Yan, trust me. I want her gone as much as anyone. But this grudge must be settled thoroughly—no loose ends.”

“Give me some time. I promise you, neither you nor the child will face any more threats. Everyone who hurts you will pay dearly—but not now. We need a foolproof opportunity.”

Wen Yan stared into his eyes, trying to discern truth from lies.

She saw the hidden ruthlessness and unwavering resolve, yet the words “can’t act yet” still felt like a thorn in her heart.

Finally, she pulled her hand away and nodded coldly. “Fine. I’ll wait for your news.” Without looking at him again, she picked up her phone from the bedside, still charging.

The screen showed multiple missed calls and a WeChat message from Li Jingyan.

She opened the message:
“Wen Yan, I don’t know where you’ve gone. When you see this, come home immediately. I’m waiting for you.”

Suddenly, the hospital room door was flung open. Assistant Liu hurried in, anxious and forgetting to knock. “Boss! Bad news! Director Qiao… he’s announced publicly that he’s acknowledging the illegitimate son! The old mansion is already in an uproar! Everyone’s waiting for that son.”

Wen Yan’s heart jolted—the plot was accelerating! The scene of Li Jingyan returning to the Qiao family was arriving far sooner than expected.

She immediately told Qiao Chenye, “You need to go back to the old mansion and see what’s happening. This can’t be simple.” She threw off the blanket and got out of bed. “I’m fine now. I’ll discharge myself and go meet Li Jingyan.”

Qiao Chenye’s face darkened ominously. An illegitimate son? Qiao Guodong was pulling this stunt at such a critical moment? He glanced at Wen Yan deeply. “Be careful. Call me immediately if anything happens.” With that, he strode away, exuding coldness.

The Qiao family’s old mansion was brightly lit but filled with a strange atmosphere.

As soon as Qiao Chenye’s car stopped, he saw servants bustling about, some cleaning and preparing the long-empty, well-lit guest room upstairs.

Curious yet cautious expressions adorned their faces.

“I hear the long-lost eldest young master is coming back?”

“Yes, the old master and Mr. Guodong personally instructed it. Seems important…”
“And what about young master Chenye?”

Whispers ceased abruptly as Qiao Chenye’s icy gaze swept over them.

He strode into the living room, where the old master was directing adjustments to the furnishings. Qiao Guodong appeared to help but his eyes flickered with concealed pride.

Suppressing the fury inside, Qiao Chenye steadied the old master’s arm. “Grandpa, your health isn’t good. Let them handle these things. You should rest.”

The old master’s face showed a mix of complexity and excitement. “Chenye, you’re here! Wonderful! Your brother… your Uncle Guodong has found your brother! Our Qiao bloodline is finally reuniting! What a joyous occasion!”

The old man seemed oblivious to the storm lurking beneath this “joy.”

Qiao Chenye lowered his head, a faint, humorless curve forming on his lips. He said nothing but gripped the old master’s arm tighter, his heart like it was submerged in ice—cold and bitter.

Just then, the butler hurried in with news:

“Old master, sir, young master Chenye… that… that young master Li Jingyan has arrived.”

Supporting the old master, Qiao Chenye made his way to the door. Immediately, Qiao Guodong rushed forward, assuming the airs of the family head.

Outside the gilded gates of the mansion, Li Jingyan stepped down from a luxury car summoned at the last minute. Following closely was Wen Yan, apparently arriving with him.

Li Jingyan’s eyes betrayed shock and greed upon seeing the palace-like estate, though he maintained a composed facade. Wen Yan’s expression was calm, her gaze indifferent as she took in the surroundings, as if merely passing through.

Servants and butlers lining the path watched curiously, whispering even more intensely:

“So this is the long-lost eldest young master?”

“He looks nothing like young master Chenye in bearing…”

“And who’s the lady beside him? So beautiful…”
“I heard she’s legally married to this eldest young master…”
“Oh my, what a connection…”

Qiao Guodong glanced at Li Jingyan, then at the ashen-faced Qiao Chenye, feeling triumphant that his carefully laid plans were finally underway.

But he failed to notice that Qiao Chenye’s murderous glare wasn’t entirely fixed on Li Jingyan—it was locked on Wen Yan, standing calmly beside Li Jingyan.

Qiao Chenye had thought he had wrested Wen Yan away from Li Jingyan, but now he realized he had underestimated the legal bond between these two. The sense of loss and jealousy nearly consumed him.

As for Li Jingyan, he had once felt only jealousy and disdain toward Qiao Chenye, the man who had stolen his identity for over twenty years. But now, seeing Chenye’s obvious emotional turmoil over Wen Yan, a poisonous thought took root in his mind—

If he could truly possess Wen Yan, what a fatal blow it would be to Qiao Chenye. This woman, once beyond his reach, now seemed the perfect pawn in his game of revenge and conquest.

At that moment, Liu Yanyan clung tightly to Qiao Guodong’s arm as she approached. The family seemed reunited, but each harbored their own secret schemes.

She glared at Wen Yan, who stood unharmed and even more strikingly cold and radiant than before, hatred so fierce it nearly shattered her teeth, blood seeping from her gums unnoticed.

Qiao Chenye stared at Wen Yan; Li Jingyan watched Qiao Chenye; Qiao Guodong reveled in his illusion of control; Liu Yanyan seethed with resentment. Only Wen Yan, beneath her calm exterior, watched everything with detached clarity, ready to engage in the coming struggle.

The old master sat as the unshakable anchor of the family, content with this “reunion,” unaware of the dark currents surging below. Each heart concealed a beast, waiting for the right moment to break free and shatter this fragile, ornate façade.

The storm was quietly gathering at the Qiao family mansion.