Chapter 0023: Sibling Night Talk

The siblings sat in the courtyard, basking in the night's serenity. Chen Liuhe's hand tapped his knee rhythmically, his head swaying slightly as he hummed a Peking opera tune under his breath—one their late grandfather loved most, sung in the Tan school style the old man favored.

It wasn't particularly melodious, lacking the refined charm of their grandfather's rendition, but it still captivated Shen Qingwu, who listened as if entranced.

"Bro, aside from Grandpa's opera, I love hearing you sing the most. It's not pretty, but it's beautiful," Shen Qingwu said softly once his humming stopped.

"Not pretty but beautiful?" Chen Liuhe burst into hearty laughter, brushing a fallen leaf from her hair. "Only my little sister, Shen Qingwu, could say something like that in this whole wide world!"

Shen Qingwu smiled faintly—not a breathtaking beauty that could topple empires, but a serene bloom like a lotus, mesmerizing in its quiet grace. "Bro, you're agreeing?"

No one knew that this prodigy, known in Yanjing circles for her aloofness and disdain for fame and fortune, who even took their grandfather's words with a grain of salt, always obeyed Chen Liuhe without question.

"If I don't agree, will your heart stay calm as still water?" he countered.

She pursed her lips, silent. Chen Liuhe ruffled her forehead. "The old Shen family takes after Grandpa—stubborn as mules. If you're not content to fade away, then I'll let you make your own noise."

Pulling his hand back, he gazed at the night sky. "A year ago, someone dared touch you. Let's see who's blind enough to try again now."

Shen Qingwu stayed quiet, keeping her deeper thoughts to herself. It wasn't about refusing to fade. If life could be carefree, she'd happily stay in this man's shadow forever, hiding every glimmer of her brilliance.

But she knew their days wouldn't stay ordinary. Her brother was playing a grand game in his mind, and she just wanted to help a little—ease his burden so he wouldn't carry it all alone.

After a pause, Chen Liuhe added, "Doesn't matter if it's calm or not anymore. If even the Zhao family can track you down at Bianzhou University, imagine those who've never taken their eyes off us."

Shen Qingwu smiled lightly. Many thought they were hiding—foolish and ignorant. They'd never hidden from anything.

If anything, some should be grateful that their grandfather's dying words had kept her brother—this potential demon—dormant.

The next morning, as Chen Liuhe stepped into the club, he ran into Qin Ruohan returning from outside, her face etched with exhaustion. Judging by her haggard look, she'd pulled an all-nighter.

"Well, well, Boss Qin, you gotta take care of yourself. Don't overindulge—youth's a gift, and women need their glow, but moderation's key," Chen Liuhe teased the moment they met, shedding last night's savior-like intensity for a cheeky, irreverent grin.

Qin Ruohan blinked, puzzled at first, then flushed crimson as realization hit. She glared at him, flustered. "Filthy mind, filthy mouth! I just got back from the hospital—not whatever you're thinking, you shameless loudmouth!"

Chen Liuhe laughed, feigning enlightenment, and shot her a suggestive wink. "Oh, so Boss Qin's into doctors? Uniform kink's a solid choice—we're kindred spirits."

Qin Ruohan nearly lunged to bite him, grinding her teeth. "Chen Liuhe, you—!" Too furious to care about the public setting, she shouted, "I was visiting the injured, not doing whatever that is!"

Her outburst amused him. She was kinda cute when mad—like a feisty alley cat in heat.

Straightening up, he dropped the teasing, worried she might actually cry if he pushed further.

They walked into the club together, Qin Ruohan trailing beside him. After hesitating, she spoke. "Thanks for last night. If it weren't for you, I can't even imagine the consequences."

Chen Liuhe waved it off. "Just happened to be there."

Biting her lip, she continued, "Good thing there were no fatalities. The guard stabbed in the stomach pulled through. I'll compensate them later, and that'll settle it."

Entering the elevator, Chen Liuhe asked casually, "You stayed at the hospital all night?"

"Yeah. With something this big, how could I, the person in charge, not go comfort them?" Qin Ruohan replied, tucking a strand of hair back tiredly.

"I bet you weren't just comforting the injured, huh?" he said, his tone loaded.

Her body stiffened slightly. She met his gaze. "I know I didn't do what you suggested, and you're probably ticked off. But I really didn't want to involve the authorities—it'd stir up too much trouble for the club. I hope you get where I'm coming from."

"It's your call. Handle it how you want—no need to report to me," Chen Liuhe said as the elevator doors opened. He stepped out, turned right toward his office, and noticed Qin Ruohan silently following, despite her office being the other way.

He smirked coldly, ignoring her, and entered his office. She trailed in, standing there wordlessly, watching him.

Chen Liuhe plopped into his chair, propped his legs on the desk, and tilted his head to study her. "Spit it out."

The scene was absurd—hard to tell who was the boss and who was the grunt.

Gritting her teeth, Qin Ruohan said, "Chen Liuhe, I hope you'll let those three go. I promise they won't come after you."

He laughed, incredulous. "How do you know I won't let them go?"

"Because someone like you wouldn't let three loose cannons stay out there," she replied.

He sneered. "So, what's your plan? Buy them off?"

Qin Ruohan admitted, "You know my situation. I'm up against the whole Black Dragon Gang—powerless on my own. I need to stop being so vulnerable."

"So you struck a deal with three fugitives?" Chen Liuhe's voice was icy.

"I had no choice," she confessed.

He stared at her for a long moment before shaking his head, saying nothing more except, "Suit yourself." Since she'd made her choice, he wouldn't argue.

After Qin Ruohan left, his smirk turned into a scoff. This woman was naive to a fault. Those three were killers—fugitives with blood on their hands, untamed and reckless. They didn't know the meaning of rules.

Buying them off? Making a deal with them? A monumentally stupid move. Chen Liuhe wasn't sure if she'd burn herself, but he was damn certain she'd take a hard fall for this dumb decision.

He wouldn't spell it out for her, though. A woman blinded by仇恨, puffed up with pride, and clueless about her limits could use a bitter lesson. If your ambition outstrips your ability, you've got to face the brutal wake-up calls—that's the bedrock of real growth.

Zhang Yongfu moved fast. By noon, he'd sent Zhou Yunkang to the club to get Qin Ruohan to sign a contract. One signature, one thumbprint, and 20% of "Golden Jade Palace" was handed over, just like that.

Qin Ruohan was seething, but against a stronger foe, she swallowed her pride. It only fueled her hatred more—she wouldn't just make the Black Dragon Gang pay; she'd avenge her father's death.

Chen Liuhe stayed out of it, napping in his office. But someone wasn't keen on letting him rest.

After the signing, Zhou Yunkang sought out Chen Liuhe's office uninvited.

It pissed Chen Liuhe off, interrupting his sweet dreams. If he weren't a somewhat educated guy with a shred of manners, he'd have chucked Zhou Yunkang out the fifth-floor window.