Brother Doudou: One must have a conscience, have a conscience, you know—

Shen Ming paced back and forth in the corridor with a gloomy face.

Ding. The elevator door opened, and a sudden flash of inspiration struck Shen Ming like a bolt of light. He looked over—there was the brother in misery he’d been longing for... oh wait, it was Xiao Cheng finally back!

“Awesome, Xiao Cheng, you’re finally here!”

Shen Ming’s face lit up with undisguised joy.

Ye Cheng: “...”

Go screw yourself, Doudou. Just you wait—I’m getting my insurance card ready now!

Ye Cheng nodded. “Doudou, let’s talk in private.”

Shen Ming was taken aback. Couldn’t they talk right here? Why the need to step aside... Huh?

Out of the corner of his eye, the short-haired woman appeared in his line of sight. Shen Ming fell silent. If that was the case, then yeah, they definitely needed to talk in private—otherwise, they’d end up blowing their own cover before they even got started.

The two went around the corner to whisper for a bit. Soon, Shen Ming returned, putting on a serious face.

“Oh, Xiao Lan, come over here for a second. The missus has something she wants to tell you, and she’s got a pretty important task for you...”

The short-haired woman nodded and walked over.

A few minutes later.

Watching the short-haired woman drive away, Shen Ming shook his head. “Sigh, Xiao Lan, don’t blame me. It had to be this way.”

Ye Cheng’s plan was simple: first, get the short-haired woman out of the way to prevent any surprises, then lure the target in... hehehe!

...

Great Sea City, the harbor.

A luxurious cruise ship docked.

Clang! Before the ship even came to a full stop, something—no, someone—came crashing down from dozens of meters up.

“Aaaaaah—”

Along with the scream came a wealthy woman’s shriek. Du Wanyi landed smoothly, a short-haired woman tucked under her arm, steady as can be—far more thrilling than any roller coaster.

One blink, and they were down. The wealthy woman was now a mess, hair disheveled and nerves shot.

They just hopped off like it was nothing?

Her knees had to be tougher than titanium alloy!

After getting off the ship, Du Wanyi stood like a lioness surveying her territory. In the distance, a dark crowd of the Du family approached, along with a truck carrying the madam’s fully repaired Kawasaki.

Earlier, the young miss had stabbed it up badly, and the madam had cried over it for ages. After a day in the shop, it was good as new.

Back in action!

The wealthy woman stared at the half-ton beast in front of her, puzzled. “Wanyi, aren’t you going to need a crane for this thing?”

Bikes were expensive and fragile. If they tried to carry it down by hand, they’d risk scratching or damaging it—

“No need for all that. Watch me.”

Du Wanyi walked toward the half-open truck, then... effortlessly lifted the bike down.

Thud!

As she set it on the ground, there was a heavy impact. The ground seemed to bounce twice—or maybe that was just the wealthy woman’s imagination.

Wealthy woman: “???”

“Wanyi, you just... carried it down like that?”

Her eyes were wide with terror. She knew her best friend was “pretty strong” and “pretty tough,” but this was unreal.

What was she? A forklift?

Even a forklift had to find the right angle for leverage—her Wanyi just picked it up and hauled it off?

The wealthy woman trembled. Du Wanyi, having carried down the motorcycle, then went for the wealthy woman herself.

Wealthy woman: “???”

Before she could react, she was plopped onto the back of the bike.

“Hold on tight to me.”

Du Wanyi put on her helmet, twisted the throttle, and the bike roared. After a couple test revs, she slammed the gas. A powerful jolt of acceleration slammed into them.

The wealthy woman shrieked and hugged the madam in front of her. Now she understood why she’d been told to hold on tight.

If she didn’t cling on, she’d be thrown off for sure.

“Ah, slow down, Wanyi, slow down...” The wealthy woman’s voice was trembling with fear. She was already thinking about what would happen to her little Tongtong if she died.

Wait—even if she did die, her little Yu could still take care of Tongtong... So what was there to be afraid of?

Her mind cleared up in an instant. She straightened up and started enjoying the scenery.

You know what? Life’s beauty really was on full display right now... How beautiful. What was this?

If she had to guess, it must be that near-death feeling—the famous “life flashing before your eyes” thing, right?

In less than ten minutes, the madam pulled the bike to a smooth stop in front of the hospital where the young miss was staying. The wealthy woman’s soul was still trailing somewhere behind.

“Huh? We’re here already? So fast. Wanyi, slow down. My legs are shaking... take it easy...”

“Oh, Wanyi, take it easy...”

Apparently annoyed by how slow the wealthy woman was moving, the madam just hoisted her over her shoulder and took the stairs. The elevator was way too slow compared to her running from floor to floor.

After all, the elevator had a wait time—the madam, on the other hand, could hit full speed instantly.

Within half a minute, the madam was on the right floor. Shen Ming was already waiting by the elevator.

“Brother Ming, over here.” The wealthy woman, still slung under the madam’s arm, finally caught up with her own spirit. She glanced at the familiar figure by the elevator—wasn’t that her Wanyi’s beloved Doudou?

Though the wealthy woman had married and had kids early, she was actually younger than the madam. Naturally, she saw herself as a little sister. So the madam’s husband, who doubled as Wanyi’s favorite punching bag and stress toy, earned himself the title “Brother Ming” from her.

Made perfect sense.

Shen Ming: “???”

You’re kidding me. I’ve been waiting here by the elevator, and you two come busting in through the fire exit?

Shen Ming’s mouth twitched. He remembered what Ye Cheng had said earlier: “Doudou, keep an eye out. The madam might come up the stairs. If she’s climbing in through a window, don’t worry—I’ll handle it. If she’s coming from outside, that’s your department. Just...”

Shen Ming: “...”

Are you two playing some kind of mental warfare here?

Shen Ming suddenly felt the overwhelming weight of being thrown into a high-level game. Being a genius wasn’t enough—genius was just the entry requirement here.

“Haha, I see, Wanyi. Maybe you should put her down first.” Shen Ming forced an awkward chuckle.

They were all around the same age. The wealthy woman was brilliant and capable in her own right, yet here she was, being carried around like a kid by the madam.

Yeah... that was a bit weird.

Du Wanyi put the short-haired woman down. “Is my little Hanhan sick? Did he miss his mom?”

Shen Ming thought: No, he stayed up all night gaming and is now asleep.

But he nodded. “Yeah, probably. While I was watching over him, I kept hearing him call out for you... I don’t know if he was dreaming about something.”

Those words were more or less what Ye Cheng had briefed him to say.

And in a way, it wasn’t a lie. Wanting to kill the madam—that was also real.

Du Wanyi was moved, covering her mouth, her eyes reddening as tears swirled in them. "I... I'm not a good mother, wuwuwu... Hanhan, Mommy is here, don't be afraid..."

Du Wanyi said this as she walked toward the guillotine... oh, no, toward the hospital room.

Shen Ming: "..."

Alright, it's up to you now, Little Cheng.

Bang!

The door to the hospital room closed.

Shen Ming breathed a sigh of relief. Great, finally sorted. Whatever happened next was none of his business. He had to make a quick getaway.

"Brother Ming, long time no see." The noblewoman revealed a very dignified and appropriate smile.

Shen Ming was taken aback. "Yeah, it's been a while since I last saw you. Wanyi didn't cause you any trouble when she came over, did she?"

The noblewoman: "..."

"No, Wanyi... was well-behaved."

There was one thing left unsaid: if you don't count the horror movies, the baths, the phone calls, the jumping into the sea... all those miscellaneous incidents, then yes, she was well-behaved.

Shen Ming knew exactly how much truth was packed into that "well-behaved."

He smiled and shook his head.

"Ha, don't take it to heart. That's just how Wanyi is—a bit scatterbrained. By the way, now that you're down here, how long do you plan to stay? Got any arrangements?"

The noblewoman shook her head, furrowed her brow slightly, and sighed. "I haven't decided yet. Haven't figured out what's next either. Coming along with Wanyi is just a way to clear my mind. My husband doesn't have much time left."

Her words carried a faint sadness as she gazed at the white clouds drifting in the sky.

Shen Ming knew the noblewoman wasn't a fragile person—on the contrary, she was incredibly strong-willed. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to go along with that husband of hers.

"Xiaoxia, I don't know how to comfort you, but don't worry too much. You know Wanyi's personality. If things really come to that..."

"Mm, thank you, Brother Ming, I understand. But I don't want to burden Wanyi like that."

Before Shen Ming could finish, the noblewoman interrupted him.

"I just want to live a good, quiet life with my Tongtong—plain and simple."

Shen Ming fell silent.

Everyone has their own choices. Take the noblewoman, for example. In her youth, she chose to marry a man much older than herself, and there was plenty of nasty gossip from the outside world.

Many people couldn't understand it, including Shen Ming's own partner, who even went so far as to charge over and pick a fight at the guy's turf.

In the end, it was Shen Ming who talked her down. He had a vague sense of why the noblewoman had made that choice.

Growing up deprived, a lack of security, no real concept of family, and a longing for a steady kind of affection—all those factors piled up and eventually led to the situation and the outcome back then.

Shen Ming saw it all clearly and explained it to Du Wanyi when she wanted to go cause a scene. As a result, he got tied up and beaten for three days...

Shen Ming: "..."

Ah, painful memories. Let's not dwell on them.

"By the way, Xiaoxia, I didn't see your child around." A mental image emerged in Shen Ming's mind of a soft, timid little blonde girl hiding behind the noblewoman.

Hmm, adorable. Just a bit on the small side. When he saw her back then, he was unbearably envious.

Other people's daughters were so clingy. His own Hanhan... sigh.

The look on her face basically screamed, "I don't want to talk to you." If he dwelled on it too long, he'd just end up with tears in his old father eyes.

"Brother Ming, are you talking about Tongtong..."

The noblewoman and Shen Ming chatted casually outside. She chose not to go in and play the nosy bystander—it was better to wait out here.

Even among the closest friends, you still need to leave some personal space for each other.

"Ah——"

A scream came from inside the hospital room, shattering the calm. With a click, the door swung open, and Ye Cheng scrambled out, practically rolling.

His eyes were full of terror, but there was also a faint glint of excitement and the thrill of revenge!

Whoa, that felt good!

"Run, Brother Doudou! Madam figured out your plan!" Ye Cheng shouted, then bolted down the stairs.

Shen Ming: "..."

What do you mean, my plan? Isn't it your plan, you little...

Wait... His plan?

His plan!!!

Shen Ming: "???"

In an instant, the expression on Shen Ming's face twisted into sheer terror...