16-20

-16-

Huo Qing was worried about Nie Jia's body and entered the operating room without permission. He immediately saw the young man squatting and leaning against the wall to rest. His knees were bent and he seemed to be sleeping on his knees. There was even a nurse in the operating room who was too tired and fell asleep directly on the ground.

"Su Su?" Huo Qing walked over and squatted on one knee in front of Nie Jia and whispered softly.

Nie Jia was cold and sweaty, there was tiredness and weakness in his eyes. He looked up and saw that Huo Qing had come in. He was startled, "You can't come in!"

"The patient has been transferred to the ward, it's okay." Huo Qing wiped the sweat from the end of his brow and lifted the person from the ground.

Nie Jia was quickly taken home by Huo Qing. This time he didn't get tired and fall asleep just after the operation as he did the last time. Although he looked tired, he was in good spirits. He could paint with Ye Xiaojue when he came back.

"Dr. Yan seems to be more cheerful than before." Huo Yun couldn't help saying as she stood next to Ye Xiaojue, looking at Nie Jia, who was sprawled on the sofa resting and acting as a model for Ye Xiaojue.

"Really?" Huo Qing stood with a bowl of porridge and smiled.

Huo Yun nodded seriously: "Although he doesn't talk much, and doesn't like to laugh too much, I just have a feeling." Totally unlike the somber and indifferent Dr. Yan from before. Huo Yun said with emotion: "It is the power of love."

Huo Qing ignored her, walked over to wake Nie Jia from his nap. He fed him a small bowl of porridge and sent him upstairs to rest.

Huo Yun looked down at Ye Xiaojue's painting with a smile, and rubbed her son's head: "The painting is really good. Mom will help you fix two strokes."

"This is a new year gift to my uncle. I want to draw it myself." Ye Xiaojue stopped painting. He planned to enter his studio to isolate himself from his mother so that she could stop disturbing him. He walked away carrying the easel.

Huo Yun snorted, even her son ignored her, so she went to the study to harass Ye Shuming who was focused on his writing.

Three days later, Wang Zong came to report that Meng Qian's grandfather was awake, his consciousness was clear, and his physical condition was recovering very well. This medical case caused quite a stir in the medical field, and the name Yan Su became even more unattainable for the average person.

This was the key opportunity for the original owner Yan Su to break the protagonist's halo completely.

When Wang Zong came, Nie Jia and Huo Qing had taken Ye Xiaojue to feed the ducks by the lake. After listening to Wang Zong's report, Nie Jia tore up the bread in his hands and sprinkled it all on the water surface with a happy smile on his lips. "Good! I should go home again."

Recently Jiang Yang was attacked by Qin Yiran, and his life was not very good. After all, Qins had Huo Qing's support and Jiang Yang was not sure what to do with the Qins. What's more, Qin Yiran also had Gu Xueying beside her. Even if he was not afraid of Huo Qing, Jiang Yang had touched a lot of nails.

Back home that afternoon, seeing Yan Su gossiping with Anna in the living room, Jiang Yang's headache could not help but become worse.

"Yan Su is back." Jiang Yang pulled open his tie and asked politely, "Why were you busy outside during this time? Father is not at home, remember to come back to accompany Aunt An."

Nie Jia leaned on the back of the sofa like a cat and didn't take his words seriously. He only looked at Jiang Yang saying: "Meng Qian's grandpa is safe and sound. You seem to have forgotten something."

Jiang Yang's footsteps paused. He turned around and looked at Nie Jia for a moment, then whispered: "Come to the study." Then he quickly left.

Anna saw that Jiang Yang didn't seem to know the relationship between her son and Huo Qing, so she didn't worry about it anymore. She looked at her son and stood up, asking, "Will you eat at home tonight? Your mother will cook for you."

Nie Jia laughed: "Okay, I will eat at home."

Anna smiled comfortably and stepped into the kitchen.

When Nie Jia entered Jiang Yang's study, Jiang Yang was standing by the window talking to Meng Qian on the phone. Meng Qian was busy taking care of his grandfather in the hospital these two days. Jiang Yang told him to eat well before hanging up.

Nie Jia walked over and directly pulled the chair to sit down, "What about the documents?"

Jiang Yang glanced at him expressionlessly, then threw the phone aside and took a check from the drawer pushing it down the table towards Nie Jia. He spoke with a fake smile on his face. "Yan Su, with your status, 50 million yuan for the surgery should be enough?"

Nie Jia leaned on the back of the chair with his legs folded lazily, picked up the cheque with two fingers, looked at it, and finally pushed it back. "If you are not willing to transfer 10% of the shares to me directly, at least give me a cheque of equal market value. Are you trying to fool me with 50 million?"

"Don't be greedy." Jiang Yang held the cheque and pushed it back to Nie Jia. "We didn't sign any contract. If I want to, I won't give you a penny and you can't take it. Look, for the sake of us being brothers, the operation cost of 50 million yuan is more than enough. Yan Su, don't make it embarrassing for both of us."

"You were so generous before. Did you already decide that Meng Qian's grandfather would die, that's why you dare boast like a river's mouth?" Nie Jia curled his lips mockingly.

Jiang Yang, who couldn't save his face, frowned embarrassedly: "Yan Su, I've never blamed you for what you did before. I also thank you for saving Meng Qian's grandfather. Fifty million yuan is enough. You don't have to become cheap and greedy."

{T/N : couldn't save his face means – was ashamed}

Nie Jia snorted. Jiang Yang was the one who failed to fulfill his promise. He was also unwilling to pay the corresponding remuneration. Instead, Nie Jia became the unreasonable one.

His eyes were calm and indifferent. After a moment of walking around Jiang Yang, he finally slapped his hand on the table and took the check back. "You want to play, I will accompany you."

He just got up and left.

Jiang Yang exhaled, and was also surprised that Yan Su had compromised so happily this time. In the past, whenever something happened, he(Yan Su) would bite him. Although Yan Su had a wide network of people, Jiang's side had Huo Qing's investment which was almost equivalent to Yan Su's connections. After all, those people who couldn't shake Yan Su, couldn't shake him(Jiang Yang) either, that's why he dared to refusr to transfer the shares he had previously talked about. Unwilling to think more, Jiang Yang squeezed his nose bridge and sat tiredly on the chair.

Nie Jia went to the kitchen where Anna was simmering rib soup.

"Mom, here's your pocket money." Nie Jia flicked the check in front of Anna with two fingers.

Anna saw Jiang Yang's signature and was immediately displeased. "Is this a gift? I don't think Jiang Yang is so generous to give you 50 million. Why? He didn't want to give you the shares?"

"He can't afford it. Qin Yiran and Gu Xueying will eat him alive, and he knows it himself." Nie Jia leaned on the edge of the table and picked a piece of carrot to eat.

-17-

"Heart of wolf! Crossing the river and burning the bridge. Just like his father." Anna picked up the check and told the cook to cut the ingredients. When she walked back to the hall with Nie Jia, she looked upstairs and asked in a low voice: "You have a plan? What is it? Or should mother find him to negotiate?"

{T/N : heart of wolf – The phrase is: "狼心狗肺(lángxīngǒufèi) which translates to the heart of wolf and lungs of dog. Its meaning is derived from the characters that it uses: 狼心狗肺 (Lángxīngǒufèi) meaning ~ cruel and unscrupulous; brutal and cold-blooded; ungrateful and heartless.

Cross the river and burn the bridge – means to abandon one's benefactor upon achieving one's goal.}

"You don't need to go. Jiang Yang is willing to keep the valuable things." Nie Jia dismissed it. "Mom, I'll go back to the room first. Call me when the meal is ready."

Anna answered with him a loving gaze, watching him return to his room.

After returning to the room, Nie Jia called Huo Qing and told him that he would stay for dinner and go back later.

"Okay, I'll pick you up at night." Huo Qing's low voice carried a gentle smile, and he paused: "Jiang Yang didn't give you the shares?"

"You guessed it?" Nie Jia lay lazily on the bed and turned on the computer. He tapped the screen twice with his fingertips and immediately pulled out the city map. He smiled and talked with Huo Qing while sending a landmark location and audio anonymously to the Interpol Team.

"Now in this situation, he dare not give you the shares because you did not sign the contract, so he turned his face and did not recognize his promise. You can not even sue him." Huo Qing said.

"Jiang Yang told me the same thing. Are all you businessmen like this?" Nie Jia smiled slightly.

After sending out the documents, he removed his traces, turned off the computer and tossed it aside, lying on the bed and talking with Huo Qing on the phone.

Nie Jia did not allow Huo Qing to intervene in his own affairs. This time it was about Jiang Yang but Huo Qing did not take the initiative to ask questions. His lover was very smart, and besides, he was very overbearing to outsiders. And he(Huo Qing) followed him(Nie Jia).

Jiang Yang did not come down during dinner. Nie Jia and Anna were having dinner together in the kitchen. They chatted about Qin Yiran shopping with her during the day. Anna and Qin Yiran met Jiang Zhaolin's mistress in the mall in which she was a supervisor.

"That woman knew me." Anna gave Nie Jiasheng a bowl of soup and put it on his hands. At this time, she mentioned the matter of being betrayed by her husband. Instead of the initial anger and sorrow, she looked calm and peaceful. "That Xie Ya, she's wonderful. She wasn't afraid to offend a big client today. She stood there and pointed at sāng and cursed huái for more than half an hour. She was so arrogant that she thought she could take off the shelf the place of the main wife."

{T/N: sāng – mulberry tree. huái – locust tree. The phrase translates into ~ to point at the mulberry tree and curse the locust tree. It means – to scold someone indirectly or to make oblique accusations.

Take off the shelf – means something which is available easily.}

Nie Jia immediately froze: "You let that Xie Ya bully you?"

"No, I was too lazy to take care of her, so I pretended not to know, and later guessed and scolded her." Anna smiled disdainfully. "I originally thought, was this woman cheated by Jiang Zhaolin? Even if she was, there is no need to have a child for money. After all, which woman is willing to let her child be taunted by others saying that it is a bastard child? Today, I knew only at a glance, why people vie for money and why she wants to drive me away to support herself."

{T/N : The mtl gave me third-born. The meaning is pretty clear. It's referring to a child born by the third party/ the other woman/ the mistress/ the homebreaker etc. So in short, a bastard or illegitimate child.}

"You think people are too good." Nie Jia looked sullen, with a little bit of sulking in his tone. Xie Ya, he hadn't taken the mother and son seriously, but he didn't expect that woman to be bold enough to dare step on his mother's face.

Anna waved her hands and smiled: "She wants to be Mrs. Jiang, let her dream."

"She can do whatever she wants." Nie Jia said indifferently.

The voice had just dropped, and there was a bang outside, which shocked Anna.

"What's going on?" Anna asked in a loud voice.

The nanny came in from the outside and said, "Master is going out."

"Why did Jiang Yang go out this evening?" Anna asked subconsciously.

The nanny shook her head and said: "Master answered the phone and went out without saying anything. He left in a hurry and didn't even take his coat."

"Don't worry about him." Nie Jia said.

Anna let the nanny go out and asked him in a low voice: "Do you know what Jiang Yang did?"

"Someone was caught, he must be worried. You don't have to be nervous, it's got nothing to do with me." Nie Jia set himself apart so as to not let Anna worry.

When Yan Yu died, she learnt that the criminal police had found her son. She was so uneasy that she hadn't slept all night. She was afraid that the police might have got something wrong and wrongfully got her son involved.

–

In the evening, Huo Qing came to pick him up and greeted Anna before leaving with Nie Jia.

As a result, in just half an hour of their return trip, news that shocked the whole Yue City broke out on the Internet.

Fang Yan was caught.

Fang Yan was the leader of the underground gangs of Yue City. In simple terms, he was a gangster with a very wide range of power. It could be said that the entire Yue City was his site, and he was also the key target of the Yue City police. For the murder, just as the police had suspected Fang Yan, someone had already pleaded guilty for his sake. Due to the lack of evidence and his men acting as scapegoats, Fang Yan has escaped the sanctions of the law and had never even entered the detention center.

Although it was well-known that Fang Yan is unclean, many people were willing to cover for him. His impunity had long aroused the resentment of local citizens. Today, Fang Yan was detained by the police from the clubhouse and brought handcuffed to the police car. This immediately caused a hot discussion in the city.

The masses speculated whether the police had enough evidence to openly handcuff Fang Yan. Could the tumor, Fang Yan be completely removed this time?

In the interrogation room, a middle-aged man in a black coat was calmly sitting, handcuffed to the table. He looked around the small and strange environment around him. There was no tension on his face, just a provocative smile he passed towards the mirror.

"Comrade police, if you want to accuse me of killing, you have to, at least tell me who I killed." The captain of the Interpol came in and Fang Yan raised his hands innocently.

"We don't know who you killed." Said the little policeman who followed in.

Fang Yan chuckled and leaned back in his chair, looking at the policeman with devilishly, "Are you new here? How is your mother?"

"But we will know it soon." The little policeman sat down at the table and said with a smile: "After all, the victim was poured into the cement wall. Our forensic doctors have to spend some effort to remove the cement and determine the identity of the victim."

As soon as the word cement came out, the free-spirited expression on Fang Yan's face suddenly dissipated. He looked serious, and a fleeting panic flashed in his eyes. Then he quickly calmed down and said coldly: "I want to see my lawyer."

"Of course, this is your right." The policeman smiled with a sharp gaze.

In the evening, Fang Yan was handcuffed by the police. Just when the masses wondered what crime Fang Yan had committed this time, the following morning, the forensic officer sent a message to the police. He had finally cleaned off the cement from the body which was found stuck in the wall at a construction site. It was Jiang He, the cousin of Jiang Yang, the chairman of Jiang's Group.

-18-

The news made a sensation across the country.

Jiang Yang, who had not yet gotten rid of the negative news of his fraudulent marriage, was involved in the homicide case overnight. The masses were in heated discussions, and they speculated about what role Jiang Yang played in this case.

Fang Yan was arrested, and as if the news was a bullet flying across their faces, it hit Meng Qian and Jiang Yang by surprise. It's just that these people weren't directly involved with him. Jiang Yang was not too worried. He was invited to the police station by the police to cooperate with the investigation and his face was as stable as mount Tai. The man was neither killed by him, nor was he the commander, naturally there was nothing to panic about.

However, Meng Qian had been uneasy since Fang Yan was arrested, and his soul could not rest, for fear of what Fang Yan would spit out.

"Don't worry, Fang Yan is not an ordinary little thief, he won't talk nonsense." In the office, Jiang Yang finished a phone call with Jiang Zhaolin, pinched his nose bridge and stood up. He spoke words of comfort and held Meng Qian who was standing in a daze by the window.

Meng Qian looked uneasy and smiled reluctantly without speaking, because he knew that even Jiang Yang could not resolve his inner uneasiness. Four days had passed since Fang Yan was caught. If the police did not have definite evidence, Fang Yan should have been released after 24 hours, but now even though Fang Yan had nothing to do at the police station, he was still not allowed to be released on bail. Jiang Yang had not heard anything from him since so many days.

He was the richest man in the Yue City, but in such a small murder case, all his connections seemed to have failed such that even a police inspector in the police station did not tell Jiang Yang anything, even refusing anyone to meet Fang Yan. This was too abnormal.

Meng Qian vaguely felt that this matter was being manipulated. Otherwise, why did the police suddenly go to the construction site, and could accurately find Jiang He's body? They even arrested Fang Yan with a firm attitude. Amongst everyone, even Jiang Yang couldn't get in touch with him. This was absolutely not normal.

Suddenly he thought of the Huo siblings who he had seen outside the operation theater.

Huo Qing personally came to the Jiang residence to find Yan Su, and then appeared in the hospital. At that time, it was Yan Su who was the head surgeon of his grandfather.

He dare not tell Jiang Yang about this detail.

News broke out that Jiang He died after being strangled, and the police quickly found the murder weapon. When a person suddenly appeared and pleaded guilty, his ruse was quickly taken apart by the police and he was regarded a scapegoat. Fang Yan was still being detained in the police station. The rapid progress of the case and the resolute attitude of the police was staggering. After all, the prisoner was Fang Yan. The Yue City police had been exhausting manpower and material resources for many years. Finally, evidence could actually detain Fang Yan in the police station.

However, even more eye-popping news was still forthcoming. Within a few days, the most famous Blackpool Gallery in Yue City was sealed up for alleged money laundering. The person behind the scenes was Fang Yan.

Blackpool Gallery was not only the largest and best gallery in Yue City, but it was also the most famous, because Meng Qian was the contracted painter of Blackpool Gallery.

A few years ago, Blackpool Gallery was only a slightly famous gallery, not a household name. After signing Meng Qian, they continued to sell Meng Qian's works at prices of hundreds of thousands. Meng Qian soon became media's darling. The talented painter according to word of mouth, the prices of his works became higher and higher, and he seemed to be the leader among young painters.

{T/N: means a person loved by the media. Simply put, it means that Meng Qian was media's favorite since they(the media) could get scoops(news) from/about him.}

In particular, Jiang Yang later appraised his ghost orchid at a price of three million yuan, which immediately made Meng Qian famous, and the prices of his works also rose. Not to mention the effects he continued to bring after his engagement with Jiang Yang. After careful calculation, Meng Qian had accumulated a total of 60 million total sales in the Blackpool Gallery since his initial work after signing the contract.

{T/N : The mtl shows photographed. And I have been editing it as auctioned or brought. But the most appropriate translation should be appraised since paintings and other arts have to be appraised for their values. And for Meng Qian's painting to be sold at 3 millions, he must need recognition for his art which Jiang Yang gave. So the price raised that figure. From here on, I will translate it as appraisal / appraised depending on the sentence.}

Although there were countless voices questioning Meng Qian's works since the beginning, Meng Qian was someone who was loved by God. He started to suppress people all along the way, and even won the richest man in the Yue City, Jiang Yang's recognition, attracting the envy of countless people.

But that was all until the previous day. Today, the Blackpool Gallery was closed down for money laundering(by Fang Yan), and the person in charge was taken to the police station for questioning. As soon as the news came out, netizens were shocked, and it remained in the hot search for a long time. The people who ate melons began to speculate since the deceased was Jiang Yang's cousin. The murderer was an underworld gangster. The gangster operated a gallery to launder money. Jiang Yang's fiance Meng Qian was the number one person of the gallery, who knew he was so slick?!

A homicide case involved so many people, even dragging Jiang Yang and Meng Qian, the two celebrities of Yue City, into murky waters. Who knew what other turning points were still left?

{T/N: dragging into murky waters – means pulling/putting someone into troublesome situations.}

After learning that the manager of the gallery was arrested, Meng Qian finally panicked, but he didn't have the time to make preparations. Just as the gallery was seized in the morning, the police rushed to the Jiang residence to take Meng Qian away at noon.

These two days of hot search were the same as some web series/drama, one episode a day, even the hawkers in the vegetable market were talking about it at their leisure.

In this case, the police's behavior was very high-profile and they did not shy away from the media. Whenever there was any progress, the media was immediately notified and the information made public. A few news portals had even set up special topics for continuous reporting.

There seemed to be someone behind the scenes deliberately publicizing the case, hoping everyone knew it.

After Meng Qian was taken away, Jiang Yang also realized this. His lover was handcuffed and taken away by the police. He made countless phone calls to no avail. Even those political figures who were close to him were unwilling to intervene. This moment of powerlessness made Jiang Yang finally realize what despair was.

"He is just a rich man, not an emperor. Thinking that the entire Yue City revolves around him!" Huo Yun turned off her phone after browsing the news page. She laid on Ye Shuming's shoulder and watched the two people walking by the lake not far away. She couldn't help but sigh with emotion. "Our brother Su is so cruel, he didn't reveal anything or say a word. He pulled down Jiang Yang and the other two. Say, how did Su ge know the truth after Jiang He was killed? Or where the corpse was?"

{T/N: reference to Meng Qian and Fang Yan}

"If you are curious, ask Su ge." Ye Shuming poured a cup of black tea for her and hugged Huo Yun's shoulders, basking under the sun with his wife in the yard.

"No, it would be boring to get a spoiler." Huo Yun said.

Ye Shuming laughed: "You're really watching all this as an episode?" But wasn't this case following the smooth rhythm of a ticking bomb, as if it had been buried underground and the blasting time was carefully designed?

"Updated." Huo Yun swiped the latest news.

It was found by the police that the young painter Meng Qian did participate in the money laundering of the gallery, and the police announced the contract between the gallery and Meng Qian. From the beginning to the end, all the works of Meng Qian were exhibited by Fang Yan in order to launder money. That was why even though Meng Qian had just graduated, his works could be sold at a high price of 100,000 or more.

-19-

After Meng Qian was taken away, it immediately caused a heated discussion. Unexpectedly, just after a meal, such shocking news broke out.

The genius painter praised by the world. Who could think about the dirty deal behind the enviable so-called winner of life?

[As early as Meng Qian's rise to fame, I was curious about how these kinds of kindergarten graffiti paintings were sold at high prices of hundreds of thousands. I don't know how Jiang Yang had the face and dared to give the painting to Huo Yun. Huo Yun gave back his painting and smacked his face, it was really cool.]

[The news about Meng Qian being a genius in the past two years is also estimated to be operated by Fang Yan, right? Dared to call him a genius even if he painted like this! Meng Qian didn't even blush at all when he was interviewed! He was doing such big things.]

[Meng Qian is a blasphemy to art. A stinky villain as disgusting as a bed bug.]

When the whole network began to diss Meng Qian, the words Huo Yun topped the hot search.

Huo Yun was recognized as a powerful painter at home and abroad. Her style was beautiful and no one could replicate it so far. Even after four years of silence, her status in the circle was still unshakable. In addition, her background was even more amazing, the eldest miss of the Huo family, Huo Qing's favorite sister. By comparison, Meng Qian was like an ant in front of Huo Yun, whether it was artistic accomplishment or social identity.

Huo Yun had stopped updating her accounts on all social platforms since four years ago, but after Meng Qian was exposed to the money laundering scandal, Huo Yun suddenly spoke.

"People play with art, they have to pay a price. @painterMengQian Don't you agree?"

{T/N : The chinese text was @ 画 孟孟谦. 画 is huà which means to draw/ picture/ painting roughly translating to painter. 孟孟 is mèng mèng where meng could most approximately be the surname Meng as in Meng Qian's name. 谦 is qiān which means modest but here possibly refers to Qian as in Meng Qian's name since Meng Qian is not at all modest >_<. So the whole phrase can roughly be translated to painterMengQian as in Meng Qian's ID for whatever platform this whole dissing is taking place on.

PS: it's on Weibo. Mentioned in the next para.}

Huo Yun previously returned Meng Qian's painting, and now openly judged this case on Weibo, stunning countless people who ate melons. Meng Qian deserved to be called famous, for Huo Yun, who had not posted anything since four years, named and criticized him!

The people who ate melons could only watch the excitement, but people in the upper circles of Yue City could see the clues from Huo Yun's words.

Jiang Yang was able to get Huo Qing's support because he used Meng Qian's painting to please Huo Yun. Now Huo Yun not only returned the painting, but also condemned Meng Qian's behavior on a public platform. So divestment… that good show was really going to happen.

–

In the interrogation room, Fang Yan was handcuffed to the table and was stunned. He was in a daze. He had long lost his confidence which he had when he first entered the police station. He had been imprisoned in the police station for five days now. During this period, he was tortured. Not only did he not have a bite to eat, they didn't even let him sleep. He completely lost the concept of time, and he was about to be driven crazy.

The police just kept him here. No one came to interrogate him except for a simple transcript on the first day. At most every other day, someone came in and gave him a glass of water, or slapped him awake.

At first, Fang Yan was still able to grind his teeth and brace his heart. However, as time went on, Fang Yan gradually became mentally depressed. He couldn't see anyone except the police, and he didn't know the slightest news from the outside world, which made him afraid.

Finally on the seventh day, he saw his lawyer.

Fang Yan wiped his face fiercely, cheered himself up, gritted his teeth and said angrily: "When can I go out? Shit, wait until I get out and take care of this police station!"

"The gallery and the nightclubs have been blocked." The young lawyer sat down and said. Fang Yan was stunned and the fierce expression on his face stiffened. The lawyer sighed and continued: "The people under you are being interrogated. The killer also failed to run. Uncle Yan, it's all over."

"Fart!" Fang Yan pulled at his handcuffs and slammed his hands on the table. "Impossible!"

"Even Meng Qian was arrested." The lawyer looked at Fang Yan's expression changing slowly from shock to panic, and whispered: "Uncle Yan, don't hold on."

Fang Yan clenched his fists, trembling all over his body, "Where is Jiang Yang? Meng Qian was arrested, Jiang Yang just looked at all of it happen and didn't do anything?"

"Jiang Yang?" The lawyer sneered: "Uncle Yan, do you know who is behind this matter? It is Secretary Li, where is Jiang Yang gonna get the courage to work against the secretary?"

{T/N : secretary here refers to either of the following – head of a (government etc) department; section chief; secretary of state; or minister. So, the secretary Li mentioned here is at a position high enough to terrorize Fang Yan.}

Fang Yan slowly let go of his clenched fists, his eyes full of disbelief, and his face paled. How could he think that he would provoke such a big man? How was this possible?! How was it possible?!

"The money laundering incident at the gallery has been found out, and the police is still investigating you bribing the mayor of Yue City. This incident has already become very serious. The provincial government should soon send an investigation team to thoroughly investigate." The lawyer said.

"How is it possible…?!" Fang Yan broke out in cold sweat in an instant, and sat on the chair with wide eyes.

"In fact, none of this was aimed at you. You were implicated. You shouldn't have helped Meng Qian deal with Jiang He since the beginning." The lawyer explained to him regretfully. "It was Jiang Zhaolin's Stepson, Yan Su. A few years ago, Secretary Li's only son was shot in the head while serving in an overseas peacekeeping force. It was Yan Su who rescued him. Yan Su has been dealing with Jiang Yang since returning to China. Everything until now is his doing. He wants revenge against the Jiang Family. Secretary Li is just one of his guns. You put yourself between Yan Su and Jiang Yang. Who do you think will die if not you?"

"How the fuck would I know that that doctor couldn't be messed with?!" Fang Yan stood up with his lips shivering and kicked the chair, his whole body trembling like chaff.

"Uncle Yan, didn't you listen to me? This thing is not aimed at you. Yan Su is going to deal with the Jiang family. Jiang He is Meng Qian's kill, he just used your hands. After Meng Qian and Jiang Yang's engagement, haven't you revised the contract? Meng Qian is the one who reaps the most benefits. As for bribing the mayor, a company as big as Jiang Yang's is there…."

{T/N: contract as in for the Blackpool Gallery that Meng Qian was signed to and Fang Yan used for money laundering. So, Fang Yan has to act as the accomplice rather than the commander. I guess you all understood without me telling but I just wanted to clarify since it took me quite some time to understand. }

The lawyer talked with Fang Yan for two hours before leaving the police station. When he left, Fang Yan, who had already collapsed earlier, called the police in a hurry to confess his crime.

–

After eating, Nie Jia was taking a break with Huo Qing under the shade in the courtyard, accompanying him(Huo Qing) by seemingly sleeping on his shoulder and whispering.

Suddenly, Nie Jia raised his eyebrows and smiled towards Huo Yun who was accompanying her son to tease the dog not far away from them. "Huo Yun, the TV series you have been watching has been updated again."

Huo Yun took out her mobile phone and heard that the case had made new progress in the last few seconds.

Meng Qian not only participated in the illegal money laundering, but was also suspected of bribing the mayor. This made people confused. Jiang's group was previously forced by Yan Su to lose its power. Although Jiang Yang was funded by Huo Qing, and he also got the Pacific Cable project, who knew if he got the contract for the project because of bribing the mayor in secret.

-20-

This was nothing. The most important thing was that Fang Yan had already identified Meng Qian as the chief culprit behind Jiang He's murder. In addition to Fang Yan's confession, the police had also obtained definite evidence proving that Meng Qian was the culprit, and the prosecution team would soon prosecute Meng Qian.

The original accusation of money laundering against Meng Qian had already reached a dead end. The amount was huge, and the imprisonment wouldn't be less than ten years. But as soon as the truth of the homicide came out, there was almost no suspense about Meng Qian's death sentence.

This time, the pan was completely fried, and the entire Yue City was boiling. The people who ate melons said that they did not misread Meng Qian, and that he had done such big things.

The case was dug and became bigger. Although things were going in a clear direction, it made people feel more and more confused.

Jiang He was Jiang Yang's cousin, and Jiang Yang had always treated his cousin well. Why did Meng Qian kill Jiang He? Meng Qian was a painter. He even talked and laughed with Jiang He at the engagement banquet more than a month ago. How could he kill people in the blink of an eye? Did this have anything to do with Jiang Yang?

Soon public opinion once again pushed Jiang Yang to the cusp of the storm, and linked the mayor's bribery to the Jiang Group. Some people even speculated that the entire Jiang Group might be related to Fang Yan's money laundering case.

Jiang Yang had never had a quiet day since the night of the engagement banquet. In the short period of one and a half months, there had been many twists and turns. In his early thirties, he was already in a state of languishment/despair. He argued with the people in his office and those working under him every day. Due to Jiang's involvement in such a scandal, the damage to the stock market was inevitable, not to mention that Secretary Li was constraining him. He had no ability to control the various reports from the news media, and he could only let things develop. Jiangs had once again fallen into a shaky state, they were in a crisis.

He knew that all of this was Yan Su's planning and Yan Su's revenge. He(Yan Su) had stared at him(Jiang Yang) since the beginning of his return to the country. Jiang Yang had thought that Yan Su would retreat after he(Jiang Yang) got Huo Qing's support. But, he realized that he was too careless. After all, he had eased his vigilance against Yan Su and let him take advantage of it.

But how could Jiang Yang know in advance that Yan Su could use secretary Li as his henchman, and through Meng Qian, drag him and the entire Jiang family underwater?!

Seven days later, Jiang Yang saw Meng Qian who had lost weight in the detention center. His pale complexion was piercing and he was brought to the meeting room in a prison uniform. His eyes were surprisingly large against his thin cheeks. His tears fell without his control.

"Jiang Yang..." Meng Qian looked like a little deer trapped in a hunter's cage, looking at his fiance with fear and hope. He looked very pitiful.

In the past, Jiang Yang was willing to accept Meng Qian's coquettishness. While painting, if Meng Qian slept a little late, Jiang Yang would feel distressed, but now seeing Meng Qian's tortured appearance, he heart was full of hatred!

If Meng Qian didn't help Fang Yan launder money and didn't kill Jiang He through Fang Yan, why would Jiangs be involved in this thing?!

"Fang Yan and the man who killed Jiang He, both confessed that you were the man behind the scenes. I have invited the best lawyers in the country to fight this lawsuit. Rest assured, I will definitely not let you be sentenced to death." Jiang Yang sat opposite Meng Qian and said calmly, "The lawyers will try their best to fight to reduce your time in prison. After all, he was not killed by your own hands. If the situation is optimistic, the commutation will be reduced to more than ten years."

{T/N: the action or process of commuting a judicial sentence.}

Meng Qian's expression suddenly turned from grievance to consternation. He looked at Jiang Yang in disbelief: "What do you mean?"

Jiang Yang added affectionately: "I will wait for you."

Meng Qian stiffened before sneering with tears of despair, "Jiang Yang, why would I kill Jiang He, do you not remember? Without you doing those nasty things, why would I need to kill Jiang He? I wanted to protect you! I'm here today to protect your reputation! That's why you are sitting here, unscathed. Do you want to put everything on my head now? Is your conscience eaten by dogs?!"

Jiang Yang's eyes were indifferent as he said calmly: "Your property has been confiscated. Your grandfather is still in the intensive care unit, and the expenses will be around 40,000 a day. You don't want me to cut off your grandfather's medical treatment. Fei, just shut your mouth tightly. Do you understand what I mean?"

{T/N: Fei – The most appropriate meaning is either to reproach or blame or to insist on.}

Meng Qian burst into tears and trembled. He looked at Jiang Yang and gritted his teeth, unable to believe that this was the lover who said he would love him forever.

After Jiang Yang stated the purpose of his trip, he stood up and buttoned up his suit. He looked down at Meng Qian condescendingly and said coldly: "Serve your sentence with peace of mind. I said that I will wait for you, and I will never go back on my words. When you come out, the Jiang family will still have your seat."

After finishing buttoning up his cuffs, he left the prisoners' meeting room ruthlessly.

Meng Qian's eyes were red, and he was clearly tearful, but one couldn't see the slightest sadness in his eyes. They were full of hatred.

"Only an idiot will believe your gibberish again. You framed me, don't think about saving yourself! Let's die together!" Meng Qian stared at the direction of Jiang Yang's disappearance without blinking, gritted his teeth and muttered.

For more than half a month, the public maintained an unprecedented enthusiasm for this case. With jaw-dropping explosions almost each day, the popularity of this case had been persistent for a long time. First, the major portal websites across the country set up special topics to continue the broadcast, and then the national channels also participated in interviewing the person at the center of this case.

It was just that when the reporter went to the detention center to interview Meng Qian, he was rejected by Meng Qian, who was firm in his attitude. The reporter retreated and found Jiang Yang. This was the most influential national channel. Jiang Yang suffered from being discredited by major media during this period of time and had nowhere to redress, so he gladly accepted the interview.

In front of the camera, Jiang Yang showed shock and regret for what his fiancé Meng Qian had done, and made excuses for him. Meng Qian killed Jiang He on impulse only because he brought Yan Yu in and messed up their engagement banquet. Jiang Yang admitted that it was unforgivable. He also said frankly that he still loved Meng Qian deeply, and he would wait for him while Meng Qian served his sentence.

Jiang Yang did not excuse Meng Qian, and in addition to sincerely apologizing for Meng Qian in public, he also showed his affection. Some voices really jumped out and complained for Jiang Yang, claiming that everything was what Meng Qian had done and Jiang Yang was just entangled.

After the interview was broadcasted, Jiang Yang got the effect he wanted to achieve. More and more people complained for him. After all, handsome, rich and affectionate men are always easy to forgive, and Jiang Yang did not do anything. Why should Jiang Yang bear infamy?

It is said that the masses have a bad memory and it's true. After all, Jiang Yang just sighed in front of the camera and people forgot about his deception in marriage.