Ch 20: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

After this day, Huo Siheng became busy with a new project, while Shen Yunxuan was preoccupied with registering her company. As Huo Siming had observed, both of them were workaholics. Meanwhile, Huo Siming spent his days socializing, making new friends, and acting like someone who wanted to make the most of his post-graduation freedom. He seemed utterly harmless.

However, a private investigator hired by Huo Siheng discovered that Huo Siming had secretly contacted two Huo Corporation shareholders. These two had been instrumental in supporting Huo Siheng when he took over the company, yet it turned out they were aligned with Second Uncle Huo. This puzzled Huo Siheng—what kind of benefits had Second Uncle Huo offered them? Why were they willing to disrupt their stable lives to cause trouble?

Shen Yunxuan, however, had a theory. “This is a no-risk, high-reward situation for them, isn’t it? They’ve hidden their allegiance well and act cautiously. If Second Uncle Huo succeeds, they’ll be ‘heroes’ and reap greater benefits within the company. If he fails, they’ll remain unexposed, and since they supported you initially, they can continue enjoying their positions as shareholders.”

She also suspected that Second Uncle Huo didn’t actually want the Huo Corporation but aimed to leverage its projects and assets to exchange for cash or international business opportunities. After all, in her past life, Second Uncle Huo had never appeared publicly, and Huo Siming left for overseas a year later. The Huo Corporation had declined and eventually gone bankrupt without any scandals.

It was likely that in the year Huo Siming took control, he had traded the Huo Corporation for immense personal profit before fleeing abroad, leaving behind an empty shell for Madam Huo. Second Uncle Huo’s primary focus appeared to be overseas. Unfortunately, Shen Yunxuan’s prior attention to international business was limited to industries connected to her family, so she lacked further details about him.

For now, however, they had sufficient information to gain the upper hand. With this, they could preempt and block Second Uncle Huo and his family’s schemes.

Every night after returning home, Shen Yunxuan and Huo Siheng would strategize and refine their plans. Outsiders, unaware of their secret discussions, simply saw a newly married Huo Siheng who had become more family-oriented, never attending evening social events and always returning home to spend time with his wife.

The earlier rumors about their business-driven marriage being cold had disappeared. Now, everyone spoke of their strong relationship, seeing them as model spouses among their peers. Even Shu Yue teased them, saying it had become harder to meet with Shen Yunxuan because “being married makes all the difference.”

Meanwhile, Huo Siheng deliberately kept busy to avoid visiting the family’s old residence, giving Huo Siming no chance to act. As expected, after some time, Huo Siming started to grow anxious. The most effective plans rely on surprise, precision, and speed; delays introduce risk and suspicion.

That was exactly what Shen Yunxuan and Huo Siheng were counting on. A rushed person is more likely to make mistakes.

One evening, Madam Huo caught a cold after being out in the wind. It was a minor illness, easily managed with medication, but Aunt Lan specifically called Huo Siheng and Shen Yunxuan to inform them.

When Huo Siheng and Shen Yunxuan exchanged glances, they immediately knew: it was happening. Huo Siming had finally lost his patience.

The two quickly prepared to head to the old residence. Driving through the serene night, the atmosphere inside the car felt charged, as if they were heading into battle. This night would be crucial. It could determine the future of the entire Huo family. Whether they could expose Second Uncle Huo’s schemes, root out the traitors, and eliminate the threat all hinged on this moment. There was no room for error.

As they neared the old residence, Shen Yunxuan took a deep breath. “Be careful. Even if things don’t go as planned, it’s okay. There will be other opportunities. Your safety is the most important thing.”

She didn’t want him to end up comatose. After spending so much time together, her feelings had grown deep. All she truly wished for was for him to be safe.

Huo Siheng turned to look at her. From the beginning, this plan had been driven by Shen Yunxuan, and he had always thought of her as cool-headed and composed. It wasn’t until this moment that he realized she, too, was nervous and worried.

He held her hand firmly and said with conviction, “Don’t worry. Everything is in place. We’ll be fine. This is a battle we’re destined to win.”

Shen Yunxuan stared at him for a moment, tightened her grip on his hand, and nodded. “Let’s go.”

When they entered the old residence, they encountered Aunt Lan on the way upstairs. Aunt Lan quietly informed them, “Madam has taken her medication and gone to sleep. She’s been a light sleeper lately, so it’s best not to disturb her.”

Shen Yunxuan nodded, then asked with some suspicion, “Did you call us because her condition is serious?”

Aunt Lan hesitated before explaining, “Not really. It’s just that Madam was hospitalized a few months ago and hasn’t been resting well lately. Even a minor illness requires extra care. I was worried she might develop a fever during the night, and I didn’t want to make a decision on my own, so I called you just in case…”

“You did the right thing,” Huo Siheng said. “We’ll stay here tonight. Call us if anything happens.”

“Alright, then, sir and madam, please rest soon.” Aunt Lan smiled and returned to her room.

That night, neither of them slept well. Shen Yunxuan was restless, tossing and turning. This might be the most significant and dangerous thing she had altered since her rebirth.

Conflicts with the Shen and Lin families, no matter how intense, always remained within legal bounds. When she first discovered that Huo Siheng’s car accident had been orchestrated by Huo Siming, her initial goal was simply to find evidence and prevent it. But as the moment approached, the full weight of the situation hit her. This was far more dangerous than she had imagined.

Their opponents were willing to break the law and commit crimes. They would stop at nothing. If something went wrong, Huo Siheng might not survive. If the other side became desperate, even she or Madam Huo could be in danger.

This was no trivial matter—it was a life-and-death battle.

Not long after, Shen Yunxuan felt warmth on the back of her hand. It was Huo Siheng holding her hand.

In the darkness, Huo Siheng’s voice came through. “Get some sleep. Don’t worry. I’ve arranged everything—private investigators, bodyguards, the police. As long as we follow the plan, we’ll be fine.”

Strangely, Shen Yunxuan felt comforted. If someone like Huo Siheng, who hadn’t been through a rebirth and was directly involved, wasn’t afraid, then why should she be? Besides, she wasn’t fighting this battle alone—they were working together, well-prepared and coordinated. There was nothing to fear.

She clasped his hand in return and gradually felt a sense of security. Before she realized it, she drifted off into a deep sleep.

When she was fully asleep, Huo Siheng turned to look at her for a moment, then stared up at the ceiling. How could he not be nervous? But having her by his side these past few days had given him immense support and strength. Because of her, he wasn’t afraid anymore. A car accident might happen, but there was no way he would let it take his life.

The next morning, Madam Huo was both pleased and surprised to see them. “It’s just a minor illness. Why did you two come all the way back? I’ve already taken medicine, and I’m fine.”

Shen Yunxuan smiled and linked arms with her. “We couldn’t stop worrying about you. Besides, we can have breakfast together.”

Huo Siming joined them at the table, grinning. “Big brother and sister-in-law are so filial. No wonder my dad keeps telling me to learn from my brother.”

Madam Huo chuckled. “You’re a good child too, just like your father.”

As they ate, Huo Siming chatted with them about amusing stories from abroad. Everything seemed perfectly normal, just like any other day.

But when Huo Siheng finished breakfast and prepared to leave for work, he found out that his usual driver was unwell with a stomach issue and had to frequently rush to the bathroom.

Madam Huo casually remarked, “Then let Old Fang drive you.”

A servant was sent to notify Old Fang to prepare the car, and Huo Siheng adjusted his tie and left. The event was so ordinary, like breathing, that no one found it suspicious.

Huo Siming glanced at Shen Yunxuan under the pretense of drinking water. Seeing her relaxed and cheerfully chatting with Madam Huo, he felt relieved. The plan was progressing smoothly. Now, all that was left was to wait for news of the car accident.

Shortly afterward, a servant entered the room, making Huo Siming’s heart skip a beat. But instead of announcing the accident, the servant said, “Madam, Mrs. Huo, Miss Shu is here to see you. She says she’s looking for Mrs. Huo.”

Shen Yunxuan smiled. “It’s Shu Yue. Let her in. We planned to interview candidates for the company today.”

Madam Huo sighed. “You’ve already made a lot of money through investments. Why not take some time to rest and relax? There’s no need to start a company—it’s too much work! We’re not short on money, and look at you, you’ve worked yourself thin.”

Shen Yunxuan laughed. “This is just my passion. I think it’s interesting. Don’t worry, Mom. It’s only busy during the startup phase. Once the company is on track and we’re working on projects, I’ll have more time to spend with you.”

Madam Huo was pleased by this response, though she knew how busy young people could get. Patting Shen Yunxuan’s hand, she said, “Just come visit me when you have time. If this is what you like doing, then do it well. Just take care of yourself, and make sure you and Siheng stay healthy. That’s all I ask.”

When Shu Yue came in, Shen Yunxuan introduced her formally. Shu Yue even exchanged a few words with Huo Siming, saying she’d invite him to join them at future gatherings.

At that moment, Aunt Lan suddenly rushed in, panic-stricken. “Madam, bad news! Someone just called using Old Fang’s phone. They said Mr. Huo has been in a car accident and is unconscious. He’s being rushed to the hospital, but Old Fang… Old Fang didn’t make it!”

By the end, Aunt Lan was choking back sobs. This wasn’t part of their plan. The idea had been for Old Fang to feign being blinded by reflected light or suffering sudden chest pain, causing him to veer off the road and cause a minor accident that would injure but not seriously harm Huo Siheng. Old Fang was supposed to protect himself and escape with only minor injuries.

But now he was dead? Was the accident that severe? Aunt Lan grew increasingly anxious, her face pale as she appeared to worry about Huo Siheng’s condition.

Madam Huo shot to her feet, only to feel dizzy and nearly collapse. Shen Yunxuan quickly caught her to steady her. She was frantic. “How could this happen? How is this possible?”

Shen Yunxuan tried to reassure her. “Mom, don’t panic. I’m sure Siheng will be okay. Let’s hurry to the hospital.”

“Yes, yes, let’s go to the hospital! Quickly!” Madam Huo clung to Shen Yunxuan’s hand and rushed out. Shu Yue followed them in a panic.

Huo Siming trailed behind them, exchanging a glance with Aunt Lan. He frowned slightly but maintained an expression of concern as he joined the others. His heart was racing. It had worked. Even though Old Fang’s death was unexpected and had momentarily startled him, upon reflection, it was actually beneficial. The accident now appeared entirely accidental, leaving no room for suspicion.

Aunt Lan’s son had been sent abroad long ago, working for Huo Siming’s family and earning their trust. For her son’s sake, Aunt Lan would never reveal anything.

Now, all that was left was for Huo Siming to play his part convincingly. He needed to seize control in a moment of crisis, ensuring no one saw through his ambition to take over Huo Corporation.

And then there was Shen Yunxuan. This woman was clever and needed to be guarded against. Though she’d only recently joined the Huo family, and lacked a strong foothold, Huo Siming had the secret support of two shareholders. As long as he stayed steady, victory was within reach.

Taking a deep breath, he personally drove the car, speeding toward the hospital with the others. Inwardly, he prayed that Old Fang had truly “died for the cause” and that Huo Siheng wouldn’t wake up.

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆