Chapter 214: Chapter 214

Qin Zhiheng seemed oblivious as he walked over furiously.

"From my childhood until now, the only members of the Qin Family I’ve ever met are Qin Jinhai and his immediate family. A family of just four people, yet they are the leading family in Jiangcheng."

"I’ve always found it ironic. I can’t figure out what the other prominent families in Jiangcheng are afraid of, or why they can be intimidated by Qin Jinhai."

"Now I understand. It turns out the Qin Family’s dogs are exceptionally good at biting!"

As Qin Zhiheng spoke, he frivolously patted Qin Yuan’s face, as if patting a dog. He was a head shorter than Qin Yuan and even had to stand on tiptoe to do it.

The next second, Qin Zhiheng’s neck was seized by a hand as strong as iron pincers. Qin Yuan’s eyes were bloodshot. The neck in his hand felt so thin and fragile. One gentle twist, and Qin Zhiheng would be utterly dead. All it would take is for me to use a little strength...

A commanding voice echoed in his mind. The moment the voice sounded, the frenzy in Qin Yuan’s eyes receded like a violent tide. Qin Yuan’s expression returned to impassivity. Releasing his grip, he didn’t spare Qin Zhiheng a glance as he walked straight out.

Qin Zhiheng looked around the study, where he was now the only one left. If not for the distinct pain in my neck, I would have thought what just happened was a figment of my imagination. Qin Yuan’s state just now didn’t seem feigned. He was more like a machine, a machine exclusive to one person, with the remote control in that person’s hands. To think someone could actually control another person to such an extent! I’ve read about it in novels but never expected to encounter it in reality.

Qin Mu watched Qin Zhiheng worriedly from the doorway of the study. Even with the study door open, she dared not enter.

"I’m fine," Qin Zhiheng said as he walked out.

Qin Mu nodded woodenly.

Qin Zhiheng stared at Qin Mu. "You clearly have the looks of a sophisticated, powerful woman, yet you insist on playing the virtuous wife and doting mother. Aren’t you tired?"

The outer corners of Qin Mu’s eyes were strikingly beautiful; a sweep of crimson eyeshadow made them utterly captivating.

"You don’t like it?" she asked.

"Why should I like a mother who has no sense of self? We are independent individuals. You are you, and I am I. Apart from our blood ties, we’re no different from anyone else."

"No one is worth changing yourself for."

"Unless you genuinely want that change."

After saying his piece, Qin Zhiheng strode back to his room and, with a BANG, bolted the door.

He had modified his room, and his laptop was protected by interception software and firewalls he had set up.

Qin Zhiheng reported Qin Yuan’s recent reaction to Lin Huo, his intermediary with Qin Jinhai.

Lin Huo said, "We saw what happened. Qin Yuan is just like the other men in black. Also, Lian Yingya is dead, killed by the men in black. The body was disposed of cleanly. Jinhai speculates that when this matter comes to light, they’ll pin the blame on you to make you an enemy of Lian Yingting. Prepare yourself."

Qin Zhiheng felt a wave of irritation. "I really hate playing games where I don’t even know who my opponent is! How has Qin Jinhai endured this for so long without going mad?"

"That’s precisely why there’s only one Qin Jinhai," Lin Huo said, his tone filled with unconcealed admiration.

"I suspect Qin Jinhai could train you into another Qin Yuan."

"Because Jinhai cares about us."

Right, I shouldn’t have even asked, Qin Zhiheng thought.

Qin Zhiheng hung up the phone.

Qin Jinhai hadn’t slept all night; he had dragged Jian Yao up to study Qin Yuan’s reaction. Jian Yao was so furious she wanted to throttle him, but she was too timid. So, she had to cut her New Year holiday short and sit miserably in front of the computer, watching the footage Qin Zhiheng had sent.

"You’ve actually figured it out," Jian Yao said. "Qin Yuan’s condition is very similar to hypnosis. A skilled psychologist could achieve this."

As a doctor, Qin Jinhai naturally knew that.

"Who in the Qin Family studied medicine and reached the highest levels?"

As soon as Jian Yao asked, she felt like she was describing Qin Jinhai himself. Unless Qin Jinhai had a split personality, why would he create such a mess to torment himself and others?

Qin Jinhai’s face darkened. "Besides me, there’s one other person in the Qin Family who fits that description."

Jian Yao’s curiosity was intensely piqued. If the Qin Family produced two medical geniuses in a row, the title of ’Distinguished Medical Family’ should just be handed over to them. The Jian Family wouldn’t even compare!

"Qin Sheng? But didn’t he just die?"

"That was an imposter. The real Qin Sheng was replaced a long time ago."

Jian Yao was rendered speechless. "..."

Damn it, can’t there be a single normal person in the Qin Family? she thought, utterly exasperated.

After a moment, she asked, "His personality change was quite stark, yet he never slipped up. Were you all just playing along too well with his act?"

"When they made the switch, my dad had been kidnapped. He was held captive for seven days and subjected to inhuman torture. It was understandable that his personality would change after regaining his freedom. It wasn’t that we couldn’t see the issues with the fake Qin Sheng; rather, we were afraid because my real father might still be alive."

Qin Jinhai fell silent for a long moment before adding, "Now it seems he’s not only alive but living very well."

Jian Yao didn’t know how to console him.

"Why don’t you go for a walk with Fu Bing? I’m worried you’ll brood yourself into sickness."

Qin Jinhai ignored her and sent Qin Sheng’s résumé to her.

"Your network in the medical community is wider than mine. Look up Qin Sheng’s classmates from his year. If you find any he was close to, help me ask about him."

Jian Yao wanted to say, "Your network is wider than mine," but the words died on her lips as she remembered that, to the outside world, Qin Jinhai was already dead. A bitter feeling welled up inside her. The person she admired most had been ruined by his own father. And now he had to seek revenge against that same father. How could such a debt ever be reconciled? He, Qin Jinhai, had also been destroyed by his own father. A lifetime unjustly stained by infamy—who could bear such a fate willingly?

Qin Jinhai’s expression remained calm. "I’ll wait for your news."

Qin Jinhai splashed cold water on his face. The bone-chilling water instantly dispelled his fatigue.

Looking in the mirror, Qin Jinhai meticulously reapplied the scars to his face, piece by piece. Only when he had transformed back into Wu Shi did he lie down on the bed, waiting for sleep to claim him.

His heart had long been forged to be impervious, like armor against blades and swords. As long as it wasn’t Fu Bing, he didn’t care who hurt him or by how much. So what if they were kin? When family was no longer family, what was there to care about? If he didn’t care, Fu Bing would care on his behalf. Her methods of vengeance were formidable, yet when it came to confronting the Qin Family, she always held back. Even when she hated him, she still considered his feelings.

Thinking of Fu Bing, an unconscious smile touched Qin Jinhai’s lips. Sleepiness overtook him almost instantly.

Xiaomei blinked, looking towards the upper floor and mumbling softly, "Why is Brother Wu Shi still not up? It’s so late."

Fu Bing held a small kitten, gently stroking the soft fur on its belly. "There’s not much to do today. Let Wu Shi rest well."

Those who died wrongful deaths always carry heavy burdens they can never truly move past. For them, the New Year wasn’t a celebration but an ordeal. All the emotions they usually kept desperately suppressed would surge with particular intensity during such a significant holiday.

Xiaomei was easily placated and quickly brightened. "I’ll go play at the Rongs’ place!" With that, she bounced out.

Aunt Ning and Uncle He had also gone out. Fu Bing asked Mu He about his plans, and seeing he had none, asked him to accompany Aunt Ning and Uncle He. The snowy roads were slippery, making it difficult for Aunt Ning in her wheelchair, so they needed someone strong and healthy to assist.