Chapter 26

The wind picked up, the sky grew dim, and churning clouds gathered to shroud the heavens.

Ye Chunxi pulled her thin coat tighter, her thoughts drifting as she watched a luxury car pull slowly up to the orphanage. Three days ago, a young master from the prominent Mu family in Yanjing had suddenly sought her out, claiming inexplicably that she might be his long-lost sister and insisting on a DNA test.

The results showed a high rate of similarity, confirming them as first-degree relatives. It was official: Ye Chunxi was indeed the true daughter of the Mu family, lost for many years. When the young master offered to take her back to Yanjing, she had declined, using her attachment to the orphanage as an excuse.

As far as he knew, Ye Chunxi had arrived at the orphanage at an older age, likely cast out by her original family. The staff had whispered that she was antisocial and prone to violence; shortly after her arrival, she had pinned a boy two years her senior to the ground until he bled, making everyone else keep their distance. Seeing her wild, untamable nature and knowing her parents were still abroad, the young master agreed to let her stay a while longer. However, pressed by the demands of business in Yanjing, he could not stay, so he left a few guards to look after her before departing.

Just moments ago, Ye Chunxi had asked to visit a few familiar places before heading home. The Mu family had somehow produced a luxury car in no time.

"As expected of a great Yanjing family, keeping a vehicle on standby even here in Jincheng," the orphanage director remarked, appearing out of nowhere, his eyes and words dripping with envy and longing for the wealthy. He turned to her, offering earnest, unsolicited advice. "Chunxi, you must decide on returning to the Mu family soon. Of course, don't forget that this orphanage raised you; you’ll have to look after us in the future."

"I know you’re attached to this place and your friends, but that is your home. You must go back. If you miss us, you can always come back for a visit." He glanced at her expression, baiting her further. "You know the orphanage isn't doing well. The Mu family is powerful and wealthy—don't forget to secure some investment for us once you're back."

Ye Chunxi hummed softly, turning to look at him with cold, clear eyes. "Didn't my brother already give you twenty million?"

When their relationship was confirmed, the young master had written a check for twenty million in recognition of the years the orphanage had cared for her. She had a pair of lively, round eyes, like a young deer, brimming with spirit. As she looked up at him now, a faint chill rippled through her gaze.

The director’s face stiffened for a moment before he frowned, calculating. "That is true, but there are so many children here, and beyond daily expenses, there are other costs. Not to mention the high schoolers with excellent grades, especially Mingjie..." Mentioning him, the director grew more animated. "He’s in the elite class at Hengde High, the best school in Jincheng. It’s no exaggeration to say he has one foot inside Yanjing University. Mingjie is our top student, and we must do our best to support him. You and he have always been close. A wealthy family like the Mu’s wouldn't miss such a small amount of money..."

Ye Chunxi listened in silence, a touch of frost in her deer-like eyes. Not wanting to tangle with him any further, she stepped into the car.

Every time she saw him, she felt an instinctive repulsion.

Ye Chunxi gathered her thoughts and took out her phone. She opened an unfamiliar app to find an unread message sent a few hours ago:
[Everything is handled. Those guys won't bother you for a while. Just focus on reuniting with your family.]

Ye Chunxi typed two words: [Thanks.]

A reply came immediately: [Finally! The head of the Guyue Sect has placed an order for you to investigate someone.]

A link followed. Ye Chunxi opened it to see a concise task:
[Target: Bai Lan.]

Her eyes flickered. After a moment of thought, her slender, jade-like fingers tapped out a response:
[You handle it.]

The person on the other end understood immediately: [Got it, I’ll turn them down right now.]

...

*Patter, patter, patter—*

The rain began to fall. Ye Chunxi looked out the window as the raindrops pelted down, forming sharp, continuous lines that blurred the scenery outside into a mottled haze.

Her phone vibrated once, a red light flashing.

She furrowed her brow, but before she could react, a piercing horn blared in her ears.

A violent collision followed. A deafening crash sounded, made all the more wretched by the backdrop of the rain, as tires skidded across the road, leaving a distinct mark.

In another car nearby, the man in the backseat exuded a cold, noble aura. His white shirt was buttoned to the very top, his tie was meticulous, and his skin was a stark, cool white. A laptop with no markings sat before him. Behind gold-rimmed glasses, his light-colored eyes were fixed on a message on the screen, his expression solemn and focused.

[I’ve breached the barrier. I’m quite close to you; I’ve sent the location information.]

A string of scrambled code followed. Jin Yuchuan clicked on it, but before he could examine it, the sudden, jarring crash triggered a wave of foreboding.

His assistant turned around. "Master Jin, there’s been a car accident ahead."

Jin Yuchuan’s brow tightened. His subordinate’s earlier warning echoed in his mind: "Master Jin, this Bai Lan is incredibly mysterious. Outside of basic details, the Medical Alliance refuses to disclose anything else. It’s as if she’s under special protection. Even if we track her trail, finding her won't be easy."

After finally getting a lead, just one step away, this had to happen. Even wasting a single second could mean missing the chance to find Bai Lan.

Jin Yuchuan suppressed his impatience. "Save them first."

A message popped up on his phone: [Did you find her?]

After a moment of confusion, Jin Yuchuan looked up. The red dot on his computer screen perfectly overlapped with his current location. He stared at the wreckage ahead, watching as a few kindhearted passersby pulled out the injured. He scanned them one by one, his expression grim.

The rain showed no signs of letting up. The helpful strangers held umbrellas for the wounded, including Jin Yuchuan’s own secretary and driver. Jin Yuchuan decisively stepped out of his car with an umbrella and strode over.

He stood beside the group, scanning them one by one.

As a rising star in the medical world and a direct disciple of a titan of traditional Chinese medicine, Bai Lan had used her superb skills to treat numerous intractable diseases and save countless lives. But what was most astounding was her youth. In the field of traditional medicine, the older one was, the more respected one became. Yet her master had stated publicly that Bai Lan was still young—about the same age as his granddaughter—calling her an outstanding representative of the new generation and expressing his hopes to attract more young blood to the field.

The only person present who fit the criteria was Ye Chunxi, lying in a pool of blood.

The blood seeping from her head was being washed away by the rain, staining the ground red.

She felt as if her head were splitting, and when she struggled to open her eyes, everything was a blur. Her senses were fading. Amidst the thick scent of blood, she suddenly caught a pleasant, pine-like fragrance—deep and reserved—that made her unconsciously think of the brother she had just recognized...

In contrast to her growing sense of peace, a panic she hadn't anticipated welled up in Jin Yuchuan’s heart.

He clenched the hand hanging by his side, his voice cold and heavy. "Get her into the car. Take her to the hospital immediately."