In the quiet of the study, Qian Sisi stood before her grandfather, Qian Dafeng."Yao Yao," he said, his voice low but commanding, "repeat to me—word for word—what Mr. Lin told you."
Qian Siyu straightened her posture, her tone solemn."Mr. Lin said you've been poisoned, Grandfather. Not the kind that strikes suddenly, but a slow, long-term dose—small amounts over time, so subtle that you never noticed."
She paused, then added, "He also said your old injury flared up because the one who poisoned you got impatient and suddenly increased the dosage. That's what triggered the attack.And for someone to do this… it must be a person close to you."
Qian Dafeng's expression darkened as the pieces clicked into place. He didn't need evidence the way Siyu did—years in both the underworld and business had trained him to trust his instincts.
In one stride, he left the study, calling to the man outside."Wu Chenglong, my doctor… there's something wrong with him. Bring him here immediately."
Wu Chenglong blinked in surprise."What? You mean Dr. Hua?"
"Yes," Qian Dafeng said sharply.
Wu nodded and turned to leave, but before he could take more than a few steps—"Wait."
Wu stopped, turning back."Yes, Master Qian?"
"Don't bring him here yet. Watch him—personally. Unless it's absolutely necessary, don't let him know we're on to him."
Wu Chenglong's eyes narrowed with understanding."Got it."
Siyu emerged from the study, looking at her grandfather."Grandfather… you mean Dr. Hua is the one who poisoned you?"
"Possibly," Qian Dafeng replied, his tone flat. "I've thought about it carefully. No one else could have pulled this off without me noticing. Only someone I trusted completely—like Dr. Hua—could."
Siyu's lips pressed into a thin line. She knew her grandfather's capabilities. If even he believed only Dr. Hua could do it, then the likelihood was frighteningly high.
"Yao Yao, go to the company. I suspect they've made a move there as well.If someone is desperate enough to kill me now, then they've already prepared to seize control of the company the moment I die.Find anything suspicious, and you'll have your rat—and the hand pulling the strings."
Qian Dafeng had built his empire from nothing. He had seen every kind of trick, every kind of betrayal. And now, he knew exactly where to strike back.
"Understood." Siyu nodded and hurried toward the garage.If she was late, the evidence might vanish.
Qian Dafeng's gaze hardened. He had never imagined that his own family would harbor such a snake… one that wanted him dead. The Qian family needed a cleansing.
Without hesitation, he issued an order:"All family members—no matter what they're doing—will attend the family meeting tomorrow night at 8 p.m. in the conference hall."
Meanwhile, in the company offices, the second and third branches of the Qian family were deep in conversation.
"Second Brother," said Qian Dayong, head of the third branch, "Big Brother's awake. And… his injuries have healed."
Qian Dajun, head of the second branch, frowned, his brows knitting tightly."If that's true, then the Qian family's authority will stay in his hands. Our share of the pie… might never come."
"It's all because of that bastard! How does he have such skill? Is he the disciple of some divine doctor?" Dajun spat, his voice laced with venom.
Dayong sneered."Whoever he is, if he dares to meddle in Qian family affairs, he's already chosen the road to death."
Dajun's gaze was cold and calculating."No. We must act, or Big Brother will hand the entire family to that useless girl. I'm old—I'll never take the head seat. But my grandson, Hao… he will. And the second branch will hold the reins."
A knock at the door interrupted them.
Both men turned as Qian Siyu walked in, smiling innocently."Second Grandpa, Third Grandpa—Grandfather's awake. But… why do you both look so unhappy?"
The two exchanged quick glances. Dajun forced a laugh."Unhappy? Impossible. He's my elder brother—why wouldn't I be happy?"
Dayong quickly added with a smile, "I'd trade my life for his without hesitation."
He tilted his head, curiosity in his eyes."Yao Yao… this Mr. Lin, this divine doctor—who exactly is he?"
Dajun leaned forward."Could you introduce us? I'd like to thank him in person for saving my brother."
Siyu's smile didn't falter."Mr. Lin is very busy, but when he has time, I'll arrange it."
Inside, she was certain—they were involved in the poisoning. But she didn't yet know who had initiated it, or how they had linked up with Hua Ning.
Without revealing anything, she excused herself and left.
The moment she was gone, the two uncles also left the office.
Inside his car, Qian Dajun pulled out his phone."What happened? You told me the medicine would kill him."
On the other end, the man sounded confused."The medicine was flawless—it should have been fatal."
"Fatal, my ass! Not only is he alive, but his old injury is gone, and he's broken through to Grandmaster level!" Dajun's voice was ice."Useless! You're a useless piece of trash!"
The man stammered, "Impossible! I mixed it myself—"
"I don't care! You failed. Pack your things and destroy every trace of evidence. I'll arrange for you to leave the country. You know what will happen if you're exposed."
Hanging up, Dajun's face was black as coal."Who the hell is that kid? How does he have medicine that miraculous? I've endured, plotting for years—years! And now, just as victory was in my grasp, some punk jumps out of nowhere to ruin everything!"
His voice dropped to a lethal growl."If I don't kill him, I'll never sleep soundly again."
He dialed another number."Do it. Whatever it takes—finish him. And yes… you're authorized to unleash the trolls."
In a black van tailing Lin Chen, a scar-faced man ended a call, his face grim."Orders from the Second Master—we end that brat's life."
A heavyset man beside him frowned."But… he beat a Grandmaster. Do we even stand a chance?"
Scarface smirked, pulling out a laptop."Idiot. You think we'll do it ourselves? All we need to do is track him and lock his position."
He tapped away, accessing a dark web site.A few keystrokes later, Lin Chen's profile photo appeared on the screen.