Though the surgery was a resounding success, and despite Chen Yi's body being as resilient as a beast's, the injuries he had sustained were far too severe. For three whole days, he remained in a coma.
During these three days, events unfolded that sent shockwaves through the entire business community of Quancheng.
The head of a prominent real estate development company, one of the most powerful figures in Quancheng, was arrested overnight by the national security department. According to insiders, the man had been enjoying a romantic evening in a villa on the outskirts of the city with a mistress of indeterminate rank. Awakened from his slumber, he was initially furious, berating the intruders and threatening to destroy whoever dared to lead the operation. Meanwhile, the scantily-clad woman at his side, draped in a nightgown as thin as a cicada's wing, hurled sharp and sarcastic remarks at the officers.
However, when an armed soldier struck him to the ground with the butt of a rifle, both fell silent.
Dragged into a vehicle moments later, they began to plead—not with curses, but with desperate appeals for mercy. The real estate tycoon first apologized profusely to the officers, then rattled off the names of influential officials with whom he claimed close ties. Yet the lead officer remained stoic, merely jotting down notes in a small notebook without uttering a single word.
By dawn the next day, those officials received "invitations" to have tea with the special department. Some never returned.
As for the woman, who had been escorted away in nothing but her nightgown, she quickly distanced herself from the tycoon, claiming ignorance of his activities and insisting their relationship was purely ordinary. She even adjusted her neckline provocatively, revealing the deep curve of her chest in an attempt to sway her captors. Yet the officers, cold and unfeeling as machines, didn't spare her a second glance. This left her wondering if her charms had faded with age. But if that were the case, why had Feng Kun been so tireless in his attentions to her just hours ago? She couldn't make sense of it.
The real estate company was sealed off the following day. Its assets were frozen, its land reclaimed, and large numbers of employees were taken in for questioning. Only a handful of key personnel and the tycoon's family members remained untouched.
The Quancheng Public Security Bureau issued a Level 1 alert, ordering all officers to remain on duty 24/7, armed with live ammunition. A citywide manhunt was launched, with authorities urging citizens to report any suspicious individuals.
Even Feng Kun's close associate, Ji Hao, was apprehended by the police. Despite his family's attempts to leverage connections, no one dared intervene. Every official contacted either evaded the issue or outright refused to help, citing strict orders from higher authorities forbidding any interference.
Of course, Chen Yi knew nothing of this, nor would he have cared even if he did.
The world is full of wealthy individuals. Take one group away, and another will soon rise to take their place. With his skills in divination and his silver tongue, the "Great Swindler of Feng Shui Street" would never lack for gullible "fat sheep" willing to throw money his way.
Han Wenxue, after being taken in by the police to give her statement, returned to the provincial hospital and stationed herself outside Chen Yi's ward.
Perhaps her unwavering sincerity moved even the heavens, for the female officer who had been present at the scene that night made an exception and allowed her into the ward, granting her permission to stay.
Initially, Luo Yan had no intention of involving herself. She could see the deep concern in Han Wenxue's eyes for Chen Yi—why would she care about the well-being of her rival in love?
But the girl's persistent devotion was heartbreaking. Except for brief breaks to eat or use the restroom, she spent every other moment waiting outside the ward.
Some kind-hearted officers tried to persuade her to leave, explaining that Chen Yi was under isolation for a serious investigation and could not receive visitors. Han Wenxue merely shook her head, refusing to speak or leave.
In the end, even Luo Yan, as her supposed rival, relented. She brought Han Wenxue into the ward and told her to go home afterward, insisting that staying here would only torment herself without serving any purpose.
When Han Wenxue entered the ward, she finally saw Chen Yi. At that moment, tears streamed uncontrollably down her flawless face.
Chen Yi lay motionless on the bed, his body wrapped in layers of bandages, tubes and wires connected to various machines.
The machines beeped intermittently, as if condemning her for the "sins" she had committed.
She rushed forward, clutching Chen Yi's hand—still pierced by an IV needle—and tried to suppress her sobs. But the sound of her crying grew louder and louder until she was wailing like a child who had done something terribly wrong.
Standing behind her, Luo Yan couldn't help but shake her head with a bitter smile.
Was Chen Yi really so irresistible to women?
After some thought, she arrived at an answer she didn't particularly like.
This charlatan truly had a way of winning women's hearts—even hers had fallen for him.
Han Wenxue cried for a long time. When she finally noticed Luo Yan standing behind her, she felt a pang of embarrassment. She had heard from Feng Kun that Chen Yi had a policewoman as a girlfriend. Coupled with the tenderness Luo Yan had shown while wiping Chen Yi's face that night, Han Wenxue was certain this must be her.
Flustered like a frightened animal, she stammered, "I'm sorry. There's nothing between Chen Yi and me. Please don't misunderstand."
But as soon as the words left her mouth, a wave of unfamiliar bitterness welled up inside her.
Looking at Han Wenxue's tear-streaked face, Luo Yan, despite her desire to project the dignity and authority of a rightful partner, found herself saying, "I'm not misunderstanding. Actually, I haven't known Chen Yi for long either. He's helped me a lot, and I owe him just as much."
"Oh."
Han Wenxue didn't know how to respond. Thinking back to her past behavior toward Chen Yi and comparing it to Luo Yan's magnanimity, she felt a deep sense of shame.
Luo Yan was not only beautiful but exuded a mature charm Han Wenxue lacked. Her kindness and generosity in allowing her into the ward only underscored her superiority.
Moreover, from Chen Yi's gaze that night, Han Wenxue could tell he deeply cared for Luo Yan—so much so that his love needed no words, only a glance to convey it.
For the first time in her life, Han Wenxue felt inferior. It was like an ant trying to shake a towering tree or a star competing with the brilliance of the moon.
She thought she should leave immediately and never return. But the man who had risked his life to save her, now lying in a coma because of her, made it impossible for her to walk away.
"Can I come back again?" Han Wenxue asked cautiously, sensing that her request might be too much. "I don't mean anything else. I just want to wait for him to wake up. Once he does, I'll leave. Is that okay?"
Her voice was almost pleading.
Luo Yan's expression grew complicated. After a moment of hesitation, she finally said, "You can. You're welcome to come back anytime. And when Chen Yi wakes up, you can stay here as long as he doesn't object."
"Really?"
Han Wenxue couldn't believe her ears.
"Why would I lie to you?" Luo Yan said with a faint smile. "But for now, you must go home, get some rest, and take care of yourself. It wouldn't do for Chen Yi to see you in such a state when he wakes up."
With that, Luo Yan handed Han Wenxue a small mirror.
For the first time in days, Han Wenxue looked at herself closely.
Her face was pale and haggard, her hair disheveled, and dark circles heavy under her eyes.
It was no wonder. She had barely slept or eaten in days, her body pushed to its limits. Sleepless nights are a woman's worst enemy, and the added burden of guilt and anxiety had only worsened her condition.
"Thank you," Han Wenxue said softly, her gaze complicated, her lips trembling. "I won't make things difficult for you."
That single sentence carried all her gratitude and her promise.
Luo Yan watched Han Wenxue's retreating figure, even as she herself couldn't fully understand why she had made such a decision.
Perhaps it was because Han Wenxue reminded her of herself.
Though both were beautiful, their beauty was different. Luo Yan was bold and commanding, her physique athletic and toned, while Han Wenxue was delicate and graceful, her long hair flowing and her figure slender.
Luo Yan had grown up an orphan, forging her resilience and calm demeanor through sheer will. Han Wenxue, on the other hand, had been cherished by her family, shaped by an elite education befitting someone from a world of privilege.
Yet their feelings for Chen Yi were the same.
They both owed him a debt—one they could never repay in a lifetime.
When Han Wenxue had thrown herself at Chen Yi's bedside, crying like a child who had made a terrible mistake, something in Luo Yan's heart softened.
She wanted to spend her life repaying Chen Yi. And Han Wenxue? Was she not the same?
Han Wenxue left as Luo Yan had asked, but she didn't stay away for long. Two hours later, she returned.
Though her face was still pale and weary, there was a newfound determination in her eyes.
In her absence, Luo Yan had already secured approval from her superiors to allow Han Wenxue to stay by Chen Yi's side.
After all, Chen Yi was now a patient, and patients needed care. With no family of his own, and Han Wenxue being the granddaughter of his master, the higher-ups chose to turn a blind eye and let it be.
Three days later, Chen Yi finally woke up—rudely jolted awake by the searing pain in his body.
The anesthesia from the surgery had long worn off, and now he fully understood what it meant to reap what you sow.
Every inch of his body throbbed with agony. As someone who had reached the Divine Will stage, his heightened control over his body only amplified the pain, making it unbearable.
The aftereffects of his forbidden technique, drawing malice into his body, also began to manifest.
The spiritual energy that had once flowed freely through him, strengthening his body and accelerating his recovery, now felt sluggish and heavy, like sand mixed into clear water.
Chen Yi wished he could slip back into unconsciousness and wake only when he was fully healed.
But life rarely grants such indulgences, and for someone like Chen Yi, even less so.
"Ah, you're awake!"
A voice, both surprised and flustered, broke the silence.