Chapter 16: Don’t Ask What Shouldn’t Be Asked

"I don't have time to go home just yet," Yunyi said flatly, voice calm but firm. "If you've got something to say, say it here."

She'd remembered something the moment she saw Sun Xiaoyan — the original owner's job was about to be reassigned to the countryside. There was no way she was going to let the Sun family benefit from it.

Xiaoyan's face twitched in frustration, but there was no time to argue. She leaned in, lowering her voice.

"My third brother… he's in trouble. He's being held. Could you… could you help us? Maybe ask someone to pull a few strings and get him out first?"

Yunyi feigned surprise, voice raised just enough for the surrounding neighbors to hear.

"He's being held? What happened? What did he do?"

Xiaoyan's face went pale, then red."It's just a misunderstanding! Please don't ask. If we wait too long, who knows what'll happen to him in there…"

Hah.Yunyi chuckled coldly inside. Asking for help and still trying to hide the truth? Some nerve."If I don't even know what he did, how could I possibly ask someone to help? If you won't explain, then find someone else."

Xiaoyan panicked."Yunyi, how could you turn your back on my third brother?!"

Yunyi gave a half-smile."Why would I help him? What is he to me?"

Xiaoyan had no answer to that.

That's right. Because Old Master Chu disliked her brother, and her family didn't want to be seen as scheming, the relationship between her third brother and Yunyi was never made public.

Even when her brother visited the Chu household, it was always under her name.

Even if she revealed the truth now, no one would believe it — they'd only think she was trying to manipulate and take advantage of an orphan girl like Yunyi.

Yunyi wanted everyone to see it clearly. She was cutting ties — cleanly, publicly, and finally. So that the Suns would stop trying to guilt or use her again.

"I've got things to do. I'm leaving."

By the time Xiaoyan snapped out of her daze, Yunyi was already gone.

All that was left were the whispers and judgmental stares of the watching neighbors.

Elsewhere, a jeep rolled to a stop outside a small courtyard house.

A middle-aged man dressed in a sleek black Zhongshan suit and polished leather shoes stepped out.

He scanned the surroundings briefly… then raised his foot and stepped inside.

The man ignored everyone else in the courtyard and headed straight into the main house.

Inside, someone hurried up to him, all smiles and flattery:"You came here yourself, sir?"

The man lowered his voice, tone sharp:"Sun Laoliu — is everything arranged?"

Sun Laoliu nodded quickly, face filled with sycophantic glee."Absolutely, sir. I've followed your instructions to the letter. Everything will go exactly as planned."

But the man's eyes turned cold. His voice cut through the air like a blade:"You better. If anything goes wrong tonight — even a hair out of place — you and your boys can forget ever surviving in Jing City."

Sun Laoliu's heart skipped a beat. He bent forward, nearly bowing."No, no! I wouldn't dare double-cross you, sir! Not me!"

The man let out a cold snort."Good. Make sure you remember that."

As he turned and left, a younger thug stepped into the room, muttering under his breath:"Boss, who the hell is that guy? Telling us what to do like he owns the place…"

Sun Laoliu glared at him, eyes sharp:"Don't ask questions you're not supposed to."

Then he turned to another man entering from the side:"Send someone to keep an eye on things. We can't afford any mistakes tonight."

Meanwhile, Yunyi arrived at an old communal courtyard, easily making her way to the second section.

In the yard, Wei Hongyan was in the middle of cooking. The moment she saw Yunyi, she raised her spatula in surprise."Yunyi?! What brings you here?"

Before she could say more, a smack landed lightly on the back of her head.

Her mother scolded:"What kind of question is that? Go invite Yunyi in already!"

It was the first time Yunyi had visited since Old Master Chu passed away.Madam Wei's heart ached at the sight of the girl.

Seeing Yunyi arrive at this hour, she worried the child might be in trouble.She quickly beckoned:"Come on in, Yunyi. Let's get you settled."

(End of Chapter)