Chapter 421: Chapter 421: A Head-to-Head Confrontation with Her
The man walked toward her.
He stood at the edge of the bed, staring down at her from above.
Lan Yan t his gaze, genuinely unsure of what to say.
Xiao Si spoke slowly, deliberately, “I can’t sleep.”
Lan Yan: “…You can’t sleep, so coming to my room will make you able to sleep?”
Before she even finished her sentence, he replied with complete confidence: “Yes.”
She was instantly both exasperated and amused, unable to hold back a laugh.
She rubbed her brow with her hand, lowered her gaze, and let out a soft sigh.
Lan Yan knew he was doing this on purpose—his insomnia was just an excuse.
Seeing that she didn’t respond, he spoke again, “Your bed looks pretty big. You shouldn’t mind if I join, right?”
Lan Yan laughed faintly at his words.
She lifted her eyes slightly, “I mind quite a lot. So, you’d better go back to your own room and sleep.”
Lan Yan had no intention of indulging him.
“Sleeplessness is a painful thing.”
“I’m not the one who’s sleepless.”
“Can you really bear to let suffer insomnia all night?”
“Yes, I can.”
“…”
Xiao Si’s peach-blossom eyes—dark like thick ink—were filled with an aggrieved expression.
Lan Yan glanced at him briefly, then quickly looked away.
This man was trying to soften her heart again by pulling this kind of stunt.
“Stop looking at like that and go back to your room.”
“What if I don’t leave?”
Lan Yan’s gaze shifted back to him, “Then I don’t mind knocking you out. That way, you won’t be sleepless and can sleep soundly until sunrise.”
“…”
In the end, Xiao Si left her room.
Because he knew she might actually act on her threat.
He had entered her room secretly, but he underestimated Lan Yan’s vigilance.
This girl wakes up at the slightest disturbance, truly impressive.
The next morning.
Lan Yan had just finished freshening up and stepped out of the bathroom, only to see a certain soone sitting neatly dressed in a chair in her room.
“Why are you here?”
Xiao Si raised his wrist and glanced at the watch, saying, “You have half an hour left to eat breakfast. Once you’re done, we’re going to the airport.”
Lan Yan: “What? The airport? What for?”
The man stood up, walked over, and grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the door.
“You still haven’t explained why we’re going to the airport!”
“Eat first.”
At the dining table downstairs, it was just the two of them.
Lan Yan asked, “Where are Aunt Yun and Uncle Xiao?”
Xiao Si set a crystal shrimp dumpling on the plate in front of her, “The elderly couple headed back to the old mansion early this morning.”
She was montarily surprised.
It wasn’t even eight o’clock yet—why would they return to the Xiao Mansion so early?
“Is sothing happening at the mansion?”
“No, they’re just bored.”
“…”
Half an hour later, the two left the Xiao family ho in a car driven by Peng Yiming.
Through all this, Xiao Si never explained why they were going to the airport.
It wasn’t until they arrived at the airport and saw Peng Yiming take two suitcases out of the trunk.
Lan Yan arched her brows, “Are you going on a business trip?”
Peng Yiming replied, “Miss Lan, these are yours and my young master’s suitcases, not mine.”
“Huh?”
Lan Yan turned to the man standing nearby, “What’s going on here?”
Finally, Xiao Si leisurely explained, “Ms. Liang booked tickets for us to travel to City B.”
“…”
Lan Yan remained bewildered even as they boarded the plane. She couldn’t figure out what Mrs. Xiao could possibly be planning.
anwhile, at the hospital.
When Lu Zhenyu was doing his rounds, Dong Junhao asked, “Why haven’t I seen Doctor Xiao around?”
Lu Zhenyu: “Oh, Doctor Xiao is on leave. He won’t be around for a while.”
He had only been inford of this earlier that morning.
Dong Junhao froze for a mont, “How long is Doctor Xiao’s leave?”
“I’m not sure. If you need anything going forward, you can reach out to instead—from now on, I’ll be your attending physician.”
Lu Zhenyu glanced over his dical records, “Technically, you should be admitted to the hematology departnt rather than the cardiothoracic departnt. But since Doctor Xiao took your case, I’ll do my best to help manage your condition. However, given your current state, you should undergo a bone marrow transplant as soon as possible; otherwise, your body might not hold out much longer.”
Dong Junhao understood everything Lu Zhenyu said without issue.
“Have you done a bone marrow match before? Is there no one suitable in your family?”
“I have, but no matches in the family.”
Lu Zhenyu furrowed his brows slightly upon hearing this, “Alright then, I’ll keep an eye out for you on my end.”
After speaking, he suddenly stared at Dong Junhao for a mont.
Out of curiosity, Lu Zhenyu asked, “Are you and Lan Yan siblings?”
“You know my sister?”
Dong Junhao deliberately feigned naivete.
He had long since investigated Lan Yan’s situation thoroughly.
Consequently, he was aware of her social circle—her acquaintances were either wealthy, influential, or held positions of power.
So he knew better than to confront her head-on.
Lu Zhenyu was montarily stunned upon hearing this. Lan Yan really did have a younger brother?
“Are you her biological brother or…?”
Curiosity was his only motive; he ant no offense.
Dong Junhao answered candidly, “Sa mother, different fathers.”
Lu Zhenyu: “But Lan Yan’s an orphan. I’ve known her for a while now, and I’ve neither t any of her family nor heard her ntion you all. What’s the sudden appearance of this brother supposed to an?”
“Is this because of the bone marrow situation?”
“…”
After leaving Dong Junhao’s room, Lu Zhenyu mulled over the matter for a bit and ultimately decided to pull out his phone and send Lan Yan a ssage on WeChat.
Lan Yan only saw the ssage four hours later.
After reading its contents, she replied with four words: [Don’t bother with him!]
She put away her phone just as Xiao Si returned with their luggage.
When they exited the airport, soone was already waiting to pick them up.
At the hotel.
Lan Yan looked at the receptionist and asked, “Are you sure there’s only one room reserved?”
The receptionist smiled and replied, “Yes, the online reservation is for just one room.”
Lan Yan promptly pulled out her ID, “Could I trouble you to book another room for , then?”
“Apologies, we’re fully booked.” The receptionist explained politely, “Even though it’s the off-season, our hotel is hosting a corporate retreat, so all the rooms are taken.”
Lan Yan glanced at the man who had been silent all along.
Xiao Si shrugged, “Don’t look at like that. I don’t have anyone here, nor do I have the influence to block out rooms in an entire hotel.”
“If you’re confused, you can call Ms. Liang directly for clarification.”
“…”
Lan Yan couldn’t be bothered to call Mrs. Xiao.
Nor did she feel like switching hotels.
She knew Mrs. Xiao’s intention was to give her so ti to relax and enjoy herself, and she didn’t want to disappoint her earnest kindness.
Since she was already here, she might as well make the best of the situation.
——
anwhile, in Yue City.
At the Dong family estate.
In the study, Dong Jian squinted slightly at his assistant and said in a low voice, “What did you just say?”
Assistant: “President Dong, I said Miss Lan is not in Yue City anymore.”
Earlier today, Dong Jian had instructed him to arrange a eting with Lan Yan. But when he set out to find her, he discovered she had already left Yue City.
“Where did she go?”
“That’s the odd part. We couldn’t trace Miss Lan’s destination at all.”
The assistant hesitated. “Although, it’s curious—she was clearly still in Yue City yesterday. But starting this morning, there’s no trace of her movents.”
It seed as if soone had deliberately wiped her trails to make her untraceable.
“President Dong, we really tried everything—every possible thod—but couldn’t locate her.”
The assistant added a cautious explanation, fearing Dong Jian might accuse them of negligence.
Dong Jian’s expression darkened.
“President Dong, I think Miss Lan is intentionally evading us.”
Dong Jian shot him a sharp glance, “Do you think I need you to spell that out for ? Do you think I’m too stupid to figure it out myself? I pay you people—this is how you do your job? You can’t even find one woman? What use is paying you at all!”
The assistant instantly lowered his head, not daring to make a sound.
Nothing had been going smoothly for Dong Jian recently. DK Group had abruptly withdrawn its cooperation, catching him off guard.
Then, with news of Dong Xiaoxiao being taken into custody by the police spreading, the group had to suspend its financing efforts.
He was riddled with frustrated anger.
But there was one last issue the assistant hadn’t yet reported. Mustering his courage, he spoke up: “President Dong, there’s sothing else I haven’t inford you about yet.”
“Spit it out!”
“While searching for Miss Lan, we discovered sothing unexpected—our second young master seems to have returned to the country. Moreover, he has already t Miss Lan.”
After these words left the assistant’s mouth, the atmosphere in the room turned eerily tense.
Dong Jian hadn’t been aware of Dong Junhao’s return.
“And… the second young master also t with Madam on the day he returned.”
Dong Jian’s expression grew even uglier.
All this ti, Hu Yunqin hadn’t ntioned a word to him!
Ha! Those two—they were clearly in cahoots, keeping him in the dark!
Dong Jian’s voice beca sharp and chilling, “Where is he now?”
The assistant stamred anxiously, “The second young master is currently in the hospital. I spoke with the staff, and they ntioned he collapsed yesterday and was admitted to the hospital. Strangely, though, he’s staying in the cardiothoracic departnt.”
Technically speaking, given his condition, he shouldn’t be in the cardiology departnt. But for so reason…
“Which hospital is he in?”
“City First Hospital—the sa place Madam stayed a few days ago.”
Dong Jian’s mind was a ss; absolutely nothing was going as planned.
An hour later.
Dong Jian arrived at Dong Junhao’s hospital room.
Xu Hai was startled when he saw Dong Jian.
He imdiately greeted him with reverence, “President Dong.”
Dong Jian ignored him, his sharp gaze fixed on the pale-faced man lying in the hospital bed.
Xu Hai took the hint and quietly exited the room.
As soon as Dong Jian spoke, it was with reproach, “You’re absolutely out of line!”
Dong Junhao regarded him with indifferent amusent, “President Dong, you arrived rather quick. I thought you’d take longer to realize I’m back.”
“Pack up your things and return to the international hospital!”
Dong Jian’s tone was commanding, leaving no room for negotiation.
Dong Junhao was completely accustod to his father’s way of speaking.
Without much effort, he replied succinctly, “Not going.”
“You…”
“Why don’t you go bother my sister instead? My affairs don’t need your attention.”
The relationship between father and son had always been strained. Whenever they t, the atmosphere was tense, and three sentences were all it took to guarantee an argunt.
Dong Junhao didn’t even know what was worth arguing about, but he simply couldn’t stand the way his father operated.
To his father, they were less important than the company.
That said, it would be unfair to claim his father didn’t care for them. At least he provided for them financially, and he would clean up their sses when they inevitably screwed up.
But when it ca to corporate interests, his father’s priority was always Dong Group.
“Why don’t you focus your energy on salvaging the company’s losses, President Dong?”
The remark wasn’t technically uncalled for.
But the undertone of sarcasm was unmistakable.
Dong Jian perpetually found himself losing ground when confronting this son of his; he simply couldn’t control him.
Ever since childhood, Dong Junhao had enjoyed defying his father.
The studies his father pushed him toward—he hadn’t pursued a single one of them, and he resisted in every way he could.
Initially, Dong Jian wanted to say more, but he found himself softening his tone.
“Haohao, don’t be stubborn. I want you to go back for your own good. You’re my only son. The future of Dong Group lies with you. If anything happens to you, what would your mother and I do?”
Dong Junhao remained unperturbed as he listened.
“Rest assured. I won’t be burying you and mom before your ti.”
“…”
Xu Hai lingered outside the room without straying too far.
He stayed alert for any signs of trouble within, mainly concerned the quarrelso father-son duo might co to blows.
“Click!”
The door opened abruptly.
Dong Jian stord out, his face visibly grim.
Xu Hai snapped to attention, standing rigidly upright.
“President Dong…”
Dong Jian initially ignored him but then halted in his tracks.
He shot Xu Hai a penetrating glare, “Keep an eye on him. If there’s any incident, I’ll hold you personally accountable!”
Leaving this warning hanging, he strode away.
Xu Hai swallowed hard and returned to the room.
“Young master, did you argue with President Dong again?”
“Do I look like soone who’s capable of arguing with him?”
Xu Hai: “…That must an you said sothing aggravating instead. President Dong’s face was so dark just now it could have dripped ink.”
Dong Junhao had no desire to discuss the topic further.
“Stop wasting ti. How’s the matter I asked you to investigate?”
“Oh, the investigation turned up sothing, but doesn’t seem to offer any actionable insights.”
Dong Junhao’s deep-set eyes bore into him, “Spill it!”
Xu Hai instantly felt a chill down his spine.
“The issue with Miss Dong boils down to a simple love triangle. Miss Dong is infatuated with Doctor Xiao, but Doctor Xiao is interested in Miss Lan. Miss Dong tried to orchestrate a sche to force intimacy with Doctor Xiao at ho but ended up backfiring and trapping herself instead. Unsatisfied, she vented her frustrations on Miss Lan and resorted to throwing sulfuric acid at her. Consequently, she got apprehended…”
“Previously, President Dong approached Miss Lan seeking reconciliation. Miss Lan demanded 5% of the Dong Group’s shares as a condition for letting Miss Dong off the hook. However, President Dong has yet to acquiesce, and Miss Dong has been left unbothered at ho during this ti. Curiously, though, the day after Madam and Madam Xiao simultaneously fell into the water and were hospitalized, Miss Dong was once again taken into custody by the police.”
Dong Junhao raised a brow, “That’s all?”
Xu Hai nodded, “Yes, that’s all.”
“Then why did my mom fall into the water with Madam Xiao?”
Xu Hai hesitated, furrowing his brows, “That part…we couldn’t trace anything related. No leads at all. I’d suggest asking Madam directly.”
“If she were willing to explain, I wouldn’t have asked you to investigate in the first place!”
“…”
Xu Hai knew better than to speak further.
“Find out where Lan Yan is—I need to see her!”
“Oh, alright, I’ll get right on that.”
As Xu Hai turned to leave, the man called him back abruptly.
“Hold on!”
“Anything else, young master?”
“Reinvestigate this bone marrow matching business between and Dong Xiaoxiao.”
“What? Why?”
“Don’t ask why. Just do it!”
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