Chapter 42

Yan Fanqing's arrival caused the expressions of the three people inside the room to suddenly change,

Fu Ran was at a loss, "Brother Ci, Yan Fanqing isn't..."

Even in his fury, Yan Moci gave a cold laugh, "Heh, heaven has a gate but he doesn't take it, hell has no door yet he breaks in."

"Today, here, I will take his life."

Su Xiyan rolled her eyes, grabbed Yan Moci and headed for the room, she asked Fu Ran, "Where around here can we hide?"

His matter-of-fact tone made Fu Ran instinctively reply, "My office's wardrobe! That's the only place in this lab where a person can hide!"

Su Xiyan made a clear gesture and headed straight for the wardrobe.

Yan Moci wanted to shake off Su Xiyan's hand, but the soft contact made him reluctant to pull away.

Noticing Yan Moci's resistance, Su Xiyan calmly said:

"Yan Moci, why would you refuse surgery even at the cost of your life?"

"It's not to make you act impulsively now; I can set aside our grudges. Can't you, a grown man, stop being so petty?"

Just those two brief sentences made Yan Moci's heart feel utterly settled and warm.

How could Yan Moci not know that Su Xiyan was caring for him, both just now and now?

On the contrary, he, though his heart felt fondness for Su Xiyan, his childhood experiences made him instinctively reject anyone's closeness, and he was even unwilling to reveal to others his inner self, riddled with wounds.

For the first time in his life, Yan Moci surrendered the initiative to himself, unconsciously following Su Xiyan; watching her frail yet unexpectedly reliable back, he couldn't help but ponder,

"Su Xiyan, despite never receiving her parents' love since childhood, how can she be so steadfast and brave?"

Lost in thought, Su Xiyan had already brought Yan Moci to the wardrobe.

Opening the wardrobe door, Su Xiyan shoved Yan Moci inside.

"Stay inside for now; I'll go meet Yan Fanqing to see whether his visit this time is coincidence or probing."

Saying that, Su Xiyan was about to walk out of the room.

But unexpectedly, the next second,

a sturdy, slender yet powerful arm suddenly shot out from the wardrobe, pulling her straight inside.

"Doctor Fu, are you in?"

Faced with the voice sounding again outside, Fu Ran felt as tormented as an ant on a hot pan.

After Yan Moci and Su Xiyan's figures completely disappeared, he let out a long breath and pretended nothing was wrong as he opened the lab door.

"Professor Yan, hello; I was just doing research inside and arrived a bit late, I hope you don't mind."

Yan Fanqing smiled gently, showing no sign of impatience from having waited.

"It's fine, Doctor Fu; I was the one who was too rash."

Yan Fanqing received the news that after the old master left the old residence, another vehicle departed from the old residence, heading toward the university where he was located, Jingdu University.

Yan Fanqing originally thought it was Xiwei returning from the old residence to school for class.

But, having just run into Xiwei in class, he unexpectedly learned that, due to her major courses these two days, Xiwei had been staying at the school and had not gone home.

Yan Fanqing's heart suddenly began to pound.

To be able to use the old residence's car—could it be him?

Seeing the large sign by the road reading "Welcome International Neuroscience Expert—Dr. Fu Ran to Our Campus for a Lecture," an unbelievable thought suddenly flashed through Yan Fanqing's mind.

Without time to think further, he followed Fu Ran's trail here.

Just outside the house, he had clearly heard faint male-female arguing from inside, but now only Fu Ran was present.

Moreover, Fu Ran appeared calm on the surface, but his eyes betrayed panic.

Yan Fanqing's suspicions grew greater; that person Yan Moci has always been unfathomable, and his subordinates have long been hidden talents, their identities mysterious.

Could it be that, as that person said, Yan Moci might have already awakened?

Countless thoughts raced through Yan Fanqing's mind, yet his face showed nothing; after feigning interest and asking a few academic questions,

His gaze began to sweep around the lab, and he complimented, "As expected of the renowned Doctor Fu, the research lab the school provided you is truly impressive."

Fu Ran dared not relax, and he humbly said, "Professor Yan, you're too kind; I never expected you, a finance professor, to have such extraordinary insight into neuroscience."

Yan Fanqing laughed, "Just a personal little hobby."

"Doctor Fu, may I have the honor of touring your lab?"

Fu Ran gestured, "Please, let me show you around."

Fu Ran led Yan Fanqing on a tour of his research lab; the equipment introduction was dull and tedious, yet Yan Fanqing listened with keen interest.

His expression shifted slightly as he guessed, this Yan Fanqing probably comes with ill intent.

Having seen everything at a glance, after finishing the tour, Yan Fanqing still seemed unsatisfied, his gaze lingering meaningfully on the one place he hadn't visited yet,

Fu Ran's office, and he asked, "May I have the honor of visiting your office?"

Fu Ran unconsciously glanced toward the wardrobe; noticing his action, Yan Fanqing became even more determined to obtain it.

He emphasized, "Doctor Fu, I wish to discuss some neuroscience research with you in greater depth."

Fu Ran had no choice but to steel himself and say, "Okay."

"Yan Moci! Why did you drag me in too?! Weren't you supposed to have me cover for you!"

"Besides, this wardrobe is so tiny—how are we supposed to stay in here?!"

Su Xiyan widened her almond eyes and lowered her voice.

"Heh, since he's already confirmed that Yan Fanqing and Su Xiyan had no prior acquaintance, there's no need to let Su Xiyan deal with that two-faced scoundrel Yan Fanqing."

"Like this now, isn't that enough?"

Gazing at Su Xiyan within arm's reach, Yan Moci whispered.

Yan Moci's breath brushed Su Xiyan's earlobe, causing a faint tingling; she clenched her teeth and hissed:

"Rascal."

Su Xiyan, who had been pulled into the wardrobe from behind, had nowhere to put her feet; she could only curl up entirely in Yan Moci's embrace. To steady her balance, Su Xiyan had to slightly lift her head and press close to Yan Moci's neck, her jade‑white arms entwined behind his neck.

Seamless, with not a gap.

At such close proximity, Su Xiyan felt somewhat uncomfortable and wanted to move a little.

But she heard Yan Moci's restrained voice: "Don't move around."

Su Xiyan flared, "It's all your fault, you had to drag me in!"

"Shh."

A breath brushed past her ear, and Su Xiyan heard Fu Ran and another unfamiliar male voice drawing nearer outside.