Feng Yue paced her bedroom, her heart racing as the hours ticked by. She could feel the weight of her plan pressing down on her, but she wasn't about to back down now. The entrance exam was tomorrow, and she couldn't let Feng Yan walk away with the opportunity that rightfully belonged to her. If Feng Yan participated and won, she'd rise to heights far beyond Feng Yue's reach. That couldn't happen—not while she was still in the picture.
Sitting on her bed, Feng Yue picked up her phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she dialed the number. A gruff voice answered on the other end, and she cleared her throat before speaking.
"It's tomorrow," she whispered, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "The day before the exam. Everything has to go according to plan."
The man on the other side chuckled darkly. "Don't worry, Miss Feng. We know what to do. She won't be making it to that exam."
Feng Yue felt a knot of anticipation tighten in her chest. She had arranged for a group of thugs to kidnap Feng Yan, ensuring she would be out of the picture on the day of the entrance exam. These men were professionals, skilled in handling such matters without leaving any traces behind. By the time anyone found out what happened, it would be too late for Feng Yan to participate.
After a few more instructions, she hung up, her heart pounding in her chest. The satisfaction of knowing Feng Yan would be out of her way soon was almost intoxicating. But Feng Yue knew better than to let herself get too comfortable. She couldn't allow anyone to suspect her involvement.
Meanwhile, unaware of the dark scheme unfolding against her, Feng Yan was preparing for a busy day. Her mind was focused, as always, on her various tasks and responsibilities. The exam was tomorrow, and while she had completed her preparations, she wasn't one to waste any time.
She still had a few matters to attend to before the exam. First, she needed to check on Du Fan's father. Though Du Fan had assured her that his father was recovering well, Feng Yan wanted to see for herself to ensure there were no complications or relapses in his condition. There was also the matter of the painting she had seen at the antique shop. The painting had been surrounded by an unsettling yin energy, and she had warned the shopkeeper to be careful with it. Now, she wanted to return to the shop and make sure the shopkeeper had taken her warning seriously. She also hoped to inquire about a set of ancient golden and silver acupuncture needles, which were used in advanced techniques that she had been researching. If they weren't available at the shop, she intended to check the auction house.
The day before the exam seemed like the perfect time to handle these matters. Having finished her studies for the day, Feng Yan set out with a clear mind and a determined heart.
Feng Yan arrived at Du Fan's house as the sun hung low in the afternoon sky. The sprawling estate was quiet, a sign of the family's private nature. As she approached the front door, she was greeted by Du Fan himself. His usually calm face brightened when he saw her.
" Feng Yan, you're here. My father has been doing much better, thanks to your treatment," Du Fan said as he led her inside.
"That's good to hear, but I'd still like to check his condition," Feng Yan replied with a polite smile, her tone warm but professional.
Du Fan nodded, grateful for her continued concern. "Of course. This way."
He led her straight to his father's room, where Feng Yan was pleased to see that the elder Mr. Du's complexion had improved significantly since her last visit. His pallor had lightened, and he looked more alert and lively. This time, he was awake, sitting up in bed with a slight smile on his face.
"Miss Feng," Mr. Du greeted her with a weak but sincere voice. "Du Fan told me that you saved my life. I feel much better, thanks to you."
Feng Yan smiled gently and sat beside the bed. "I'm glad to hear that, Uncle Du. How are you feeling?"
Mr. Du gave a slow nod, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Much stronger. I don't feel as fatigued as before. The dizziness has mostly gone away, and I'm able to eat more now."
Feng Yan reached for his wrist, taking his pulse with practiced precision. She closed her eyes briefly as she concentrated on the flow of energy within his body. After a moment, she released his wrist and gave him a small nod.
"You're recovering well," she said, satisfied with what she had found. "But to ensure you continue to improve, I'm going to make a few adjustments to your medicinal diet. There are some herbs that will better balance your recovery process without interfering with each other."
She quickly wrote down the necessary changes to his diet and handed the note to Du Fan, who listened intently to her instructions.
"Make sure you follow these steps closely," Feng Yan instructed. "This new regimen will help stabilize his internal energy and prevent any possible relapse."
Du Fan nodded. "I'll take care of everything. Thank you again, Feng Yan."
Feng Yan rose to her feet, her mind already turning to her next task. "You're welcome. I'll check in again soon to see how he's progressing."
With that, Feng Yan bid them farewell and stepped out of the house, her thoughts briefly lingering on the family she had helped. She felt a sense of peace knowing that Du Fan's father was on the mend. However, she had no idea that danger was lurking just around the corner.
As she left Du Fan's estate, the thugs Feng Yue had hired were already watching her from the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike.