The villain turns into the infatuated second male lead

The sound of rain was gentle, with autumn rain resembling countless strands of silk descending vertically from the sky.
A hoarse, tense voice came clearly to Yin Zhiyi’s ears, each word distinct. Through the curtain of fine rain, his handsome face showed no sign of emotion. His eyes, like deep swamps that one could easily get lost in, stared intently at the person in front of him, who wore a resolute expression. His usual gentle smile was gone, leaving his emotions unreadable.

The world was silent, even the sound of rain seemed lost.

With no answer forthcoming, Qiu Yiyuan’s mood sank with the passing time, and an indescribable fear and pain quickly filled his eyes. He staggered slightly, barely managing to steady himself, as a chill seeped into his bones.

For the first time, he felt arrogant and reckless, wondering why he hadn’t waited more patiently. With naive infatuation, he foolishly believed that Ling Su liked him. He had been too hasty.

“You Like me?” Yin Zhiyi repeated these three words slowly, as if he had heard something amusing, with a slight curl of his lips. “I’m not like what you imagine. No matter what I’m like, would you still like me?”

Instead of the expected agreement or rejection, Yin Zhiyi’s ambiguous words lingered in Qiu Yiyuan’s heart. After the initial excitement, he did not rush to answer.

What did Ling Su mean by that?

No matter the hidden meaning behind these ambiguous words, he had his answer in that moment. He had already thought it through. After a moment of hesitation, he responded with tender affection, “Yes, no matter what you’re like, I will like you.”

Hearing this, a ripple seemed to spread across Yin Zhiyi’s otherwise calm heart. As he wiped the rain off his face, he suppressed the twisted, cruel smile that wanted to rise, allowing the rain to obscure his subtle, barely visible expression, waiting for the prey to take the bait.

How naive and infatuated. When the truth comes, will this love really remain as unchanging as he claims now?

He especially loved to destroy such false beauty.

“Can we be together?” Qiu Yiyuan asked almost tremblingly, with a hint of hope, hoping his clumsy confession would make Ling Su understand his unwavering love.

They stood amidst the diminishing rain. Before a definite answer could be given, a shadow fell over them. A black umbrella shielded them from the drizzle, and Uncle Zhang handed the spare umbrella to Yin Zhiyi, seemingly unaware of the conversation that had just taken place.

“Xiao Yuan, it’s time to go. If you get sick, I won’t be able to explain it to the chairman,” he said, holding the umbrella, his shoes stained with mud, indicating his hasty arrival. His deep voice was firm.

Qiu Yiyuan lowered his eyes slightly to glance at him, his lips pressed tightly together, saying nothing. His cold face showed no signs of backing down. He slowly turned his head, stubbornly gazing at Ling Su with those eyes full of surging emotions, holding his breath, waiting for the salvation the other might offer.

Yin Zhiyi leisurely opened the black umbrella, the cold handle stimulating his nerves. His pale face let the rainwater drip down, as if he had figured something out, his dark pupils filled with a trace of amusement. “Then let’s try?”

Qiu Yiyuan’s tension immediately loosened, his expression softening. He looked deeply at him and said, “Okay.”

He then left without hesitation, not wanting Uncle Zhang to see the thoughts he was hiding. Only the fine sweat on his palms revealed his excitement and exhilaration.

Yin Zhiyi’s gentle gaze silently watched the two walk away. The tall, upright man in his drenched clothes showed no signs of dishevelment, naturally enjoying the elderly man’s umbrella service. As the black car drove off, his cold and distant demeanor vaguely echoed the Qiu Yiyuan who once dominated the business world.

The car window slowly rolled up, the eyes briefly meeting through the misty rain before being completely obscured.

Yin Zhiyi watched the expensive car gradually disappear, speaking in a soft, ever-gentle tone that carried a hint of deadly cruelty: “I really want to see your expression when you learn the truth. It must be wonderful.”

For that, a slightly more complicated task seemed acceptable.

An invisible balance formed in his heart as he seemed to weigh the stakes. A moment later, a clear and simple plan formed in his mind, knowing that revealing the truth himself was often the cruelest.

Before that, he would need to closely mimic his past voice. If he could deceive some of his former subordinates who weren’t fully aware of his past, it would aid his future plans.

“Will your love still be as steadfast as now?” His lazy tone trailed off, his lips curling into a faint smile.

A light blue screen suddenly appeared amidst the rain, quickly forming text in front of him.

【Ding——System determines host has preliminarily completed the task, gaining 50% of the luck value, and possesses the initial conditions for plundering.】

【Ding——System has autonomously activated the plundering of the world’s source. The host may stay for four years. Please transfer out during the carrier’s existence and promptly detach the soul from the mission plane.】

The long-missed system prompt halted Yin Zhiyi’s steps towards the hospital parking lot. He carefully reviewed the text on the screen. The passersby seemed oblivious to the strange screen, walking past him on the path.

“Plundering the world’s source?” He mused, rubbing his brow, contemplating the meaning behind the message.

If the system’s intelligence was as he suspected, merely following programmed procedures, the information it provided was likely 80% credible.

If taken literally, the system bound itself to him to approach the protagonist and obtain luck value, which might be the medium for the system to plunder the world’s source. This meant he still had some utility value, making it a mutually beneficial relationship.

However, he kept some doubts to himself, focusing on the second piece of text and the accompanying transfer button. He pondered, “Four years, the time when Ling Su dies in the original storyline.”

This meant that no matter how he altered the story, Ling Su was destined not to survive.

He had not expected the task to be completed so easily. In his original plan, he had expected to wait a few more years, allowing his relationship with Qiu Yiyuan to deepen over time. By then, Qiu Tongfu would likely have passed away.

As it stood, four years seemed too long.

“However, it’s not a bad thing.” His low, hoarse voice was tinged with a dark glow, his fragmented words carried away by the wind.

“System, do you want to plunder more luck value?”

The day Qiu Yiyuan returned to the Qiu family, Yin Zhiyi moved out from Xia Wanshi’s place as explained, and returned to his own house near the hospital, with the familiar furnishings unchanged, thanks to regular visits from housekeeping, the house was as tidy as he left it.

Beep beep.

The phone alert sounded just as he finished freshening up. He casually opened the interface and found messages from Xia Wanshi and Qiu Yiyuan, along with some work-related ones.

He opened the message from Xia Wanshi first, without any extra expression on his face.

Xiao Shi: After careful consideration, my parents decided to reject the cooperation with Xizhou Real Estate. After thorough investigation, we learned that many people have been owed payment for four or five months. Thank you! Ling Su, you are my savior.

Through the words, he could clearly sense the girl’s heartfelt joy. He sent a brief “you’re welcome” and then, recalling the conversation interrupted by Qiu Yiyuan last night, hesitated a moment but refrained from questioning her directly. Instead, he opened another message.

Qiu Yiyuan: Cute jpg.

A plain emoji, but knowing Qiu Yiyuan rarely used emojis, he was slightly surprised. He then opened a collection of hundreds of cute emojis, seemingly kept by Ling Su, and expressionlessly sent one back.

The chat window showed the other party typing several times, but no message was sent.

He chose not to pay attention, browsing Xia Wanshi’s updates, hoping to find clues. He noticed a cryptic post from last night:

Today, I resolved a young couple’s misunderstanding~

“What does that mean?” He narrowed his eyes slightly, deducing from the time and place that the couple she mentioned was likely him and Qiu Yiyuan. Could it be that she had persuaded Qiu Yiyuan to confess his feelings to him?

Unable to piece it together, he pondered, when another message alert popped up from Qiu Yiyuan.

Qiu Yiyuan: There were a lot of things to do when I got home. I couldn’t message you right away. Sorry about getting you wet today. Sorry jpg.

He looked at the amusing apology emoji, a faint smile appearing on his face. The mundane task became interesting with Qiu Yiyuan’s involvement. Recalling his former aversion and hatred, and seeing his current implicit flattery, the contrast was intoxicating, making him want to burst the fragile and beautiful bubble.

After casually sending an emoji, he informed his parents about his new relationship, preventing them from arranging blind dates. He also responded to Xia Wanshi’s congratulatory message, feeling a sense of impending storm in the peaceful atmosphere.

The first to react were his parents. They were not thrilled about his decision, showing open dislike. They even coldly warned him to think it over and not be blinded by infatuation, considering the potential controversy and gossip.

He ignored his parents’ admonitions. He let them say their piece, his expression nonchalant, his lips slightly curled up.

No one noticed the subtle changes in his emotions; no one seemed to think his decision strange. The flood of blessings and criticisms overwhelmed him, keeping him busier than ever.

It took some time for Qiu Yiyuan’s message to arrive, sent when the sun had set, and the crescent moon hung high in the sky. In the quiet night, Yin Zhiyi sat alone in the empty living room, the solitary figure watching TV with feigned interest, eyes glancing at his phone now and then.

The message came through with the sound of an alert, illuminating the screen. The dim light of the television cast a faint glow on his cold, rigid face.

Qiu Yiyuan: Ling Su, I have something to tell you.

Without changing his expression, he typed out a response, his thoughts swirling with possibilities: Had Qiu Yiyuan discovered something? Would he confess?

The delay in the reply intensified his unease, but Yin Zhiyi, adept at masking his emotions, let his thumb hover over the message, waiting for the inevitable. After a few moments, the phone buzzed again, displaying Qiu Yiyuan’s words:

Qiu Yiyuan: I want to introduce you to my friends. Do you have time this weekend? I think they’ll really like you.

The sudden invitation to meet friends took him by surprise. The usually stoic man showed a fleeting frown, feeling the unease vanish, replaced by a hint of amusement. The tension between them seemed to dissipate, the mood lightened.

He sent an affirmative reply, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint smile. He knew the road ahead would be long, filled with twists and turns. But for now, the game continued, and he relished the unfolding drama, anticipating the moment when all pretenses would be shattered.

The casual remark that had once been a source of misunderstanding had now become true. Xia Wanshi had no idea that what she had painstakingly concealed was actually Schrodinger’s secret.

After finishing some tasks, it was already ten o’clock at night. Yin Zhiyi, who had to follow rounds in the inpatient department the next day, pondered for a while before deciding to call Qiu Yiyuan via video chat, fearing that the latter might bombard him with emojis all night.

Ding-dong.

Qiu Yiyuan, who had locked his door and was dealing with work on his computer, kept his attention on the chat window on his phone. It was his first time in a relationship, and besides following his instinct to talk to Ling Su, he was unsure of what else to do. Worried that his frequent messages might annoy him, he sent cute and funny emojis instead.

Upon hearing the familiar notification sound, he quickly glanced at his phone on the desk. It was Ling Su calling.

His pupils constricted; he instinctively reached for his earphones, straightened his already neat hair, hesitated, then unbuttoned two buttons on his shirt collar before coldly answering the call.

“Busy?” Yin Zhiyi glanced at his open collar, pretending not to notice the alluring collarbone, and smiled.

Qiu Yiyuan nodded slightly, noticing Ling Su’s clear eyes, and suppressed the faint disappointment in his heart. He briefly showed his computer screen with the camera before focusing it back on his face, his expression softening somewhat. “Yes, and you?”

“I’m busy too. I just moved back from Xiao Shi’s place,” Yin Zhiyi said in a calm and gentle voice.

“So soon?” He paused, noticing the different background behind him, unlike the decor of Xia Wanshi’s piano room.

“Since you’re not there, of course, I moved out.” Yin Zhiyi’s lips curled in a teasing smile as he stroked the end of his long eyebrow.

Qiu Yiyuan, who had initially thought Ling Su was being considerate by not wanting to shuttle between two places, felt a sweet sensation despite his previous calm demeanor. He took a sip of water to calm the heat rising within him.

Even though only a few days had passed, he felt like so much had happened, making it seem like a lifetime ago. Staring at the smiling and handsome man on the screen, he unconsciously licked his lips and hesitantly asked, “Ling Su, are we in a relationship now?”

“Otherwise?” Yin Zhiyi responded with a low laugh.

“It feels unreal,” Qiu Yiyuan leaned back in his office chair, looking a bit dazed.

“You can request to cancel,” Yin Zhiyi teased, raising an eyebrow.

“No!” Qiu Yiyuan frowned, immediately rejecting his suggestion with sincerity. “I want to be with you forever.”

“Alright,” Yin Zhiyi replied gently, his deep eyes seemingly filled with a mysterious starry sky, drawing people in.

“Once you’ve promised, you can’t go back on it,” Qiu Yiyuan’s face relaxed, feeling lighter and happier than ever. Leaning closer, he asked in a magnetic voice, “By the way, has anyone been bothering you?”

“No, why?” Yin Zhiyi’s eyes flashed briefly, asking without a change in expression.

“That’s good. It’s nothing; I’ll handle the situation,” he shook his head, finally easing his concerns about Yin Miaoyan. Since she hadn’t fully disclosed everything to his father, there was still a chance to fix things. He would make sure to deal with her properly later.

The call lasted over an hour, ending only when Yin Zhiyi mentioned he had work the next day. Qiu Yiyuan reluctantly hung up, feeling a sense of loss as he stared at the screen.

Although their current interaction was more than he had ever dreamed of, he couldn’t help but desire more. Unfortunately, given the current situation, he had to continue to endure.

Having finally appeased his boyfriend, Yin Zhiyi relaxed in bed, gazing at the white ceiling as he reviewed everything that had happened since his rebirth, pondering how to proceed with his plans.

He knew he could leave this mission world at any time, so he didn’t mind taking some risks in the next steps. Besides, he had already planned to take action before completing the mission. The thrill of walking the edge of danger was unparalleled, captivating him.

The current challenge was figuring out how to link two individuals with no prior connection in society.

As he considered this, an image from today’s clinic flashed in his mind. He remembered that Qiu Yiyuan had taken home his medical records, which, while only containing useless information, bore his handwriting.

In modern society, many things can be authenticated by professional agencies, and Yin Zhiyi was well aware of the unique anti-counterfeiting characteristics of his handwriting.

What would Qiu Yiyuan think upon seeing handwriting highly similar to that of his lover and enemy?

Once a seed of doubt is planted, it inevitably leads to a search for the truth, with subsequent evidence reinforcing the belief. Now, hus task was to make Qiu Yiyuan’s discovery seem natural; perhaps Xia Wanshi could be a useful tool.

“Let’s play this love game for three months,” he murmured with a hint of pleasure, turning off the last light in the room.

The next morning, as sunlight streamed through the window, he awoke to see numerous missed calls from Ling Su’s parents, asking when he would introduce his new girlfriend to them.

“Too bad, it’s a boyfriend,” he casually responded, not sending his true thoughts. He suspected that Ling Su’s parents might faint from anger upon learning the truth.

After dealing with numerous relatives, even the game-playing Yin Zhiyi couldn’t avoid furrowing his brow.

He checked Ling Su’s substantial savings and contacted a private detective he had previously worked with, instructing him to follow Qiu Yiyuan discreetly, ensuring not to get too close and frequently change personnel. He was willing to pay a higher fee for this service.

To maintain close contact with Qiu Yiyuan, he would send a message during breaks, unfazed by the syrupy tone of his messages.

A week later, the routine had not grown tiresome.

Ling Su: Did you miss me?

Even Yin Zhiyi hadn’t expected Qiu Yiyuan to respond to his message just seconds after it was sent. He glanced at the clock, surprised that the workaholic Qiu Yiyuan would reply during work hours.

Qiu Yiyuan: Yes.

Sitting in his spacious, minimalist office, Qiu Yiyuan stared at the computer screen with a faint smile. He had edited and re-edited his response, ultimately leaving only the single word “yes.”

He had wanted to send a more affectionate message, but fearing it might ruin his image or scare Ling Su, he decided to stick to their usual mode of interaction, taking things gradually.

At the Haiyue Group office building, a few secretaries were overwhelmed with work, reluctant to report to the newly appointed CEO, Qiu Yiyuan, known for his stern reputation. The task fell to Secretary Song, who nervously knocked on the office door, maintaining a professional demeanor while delivering her report.

To her surprise, the feared scolding never came, and the quiet office was only filled with the sound of occasional typing.

Confused, she glanced at Qiu Yiyuan, seeing the CEO deep in thought with a faint smile on his typically stern face.

“???” She was shocked by the sight of her seemingly love-struck boss and quickly exited, maintaining her composure.

“How did it go?” Secretary Wu, another secretary, asked, concerned, thinking Secretary Song had been scolded.

“The CEO… seems to be in love,” Secretary Song hesitated, revealing the startling possibility, leaving her colleagues stunned.

After changing into casual clothes in the dressing room, Yin Zhiyi headed to the hospital cafeteria. He idly opened his chat with Qiu Yiyuan, noting that the latter’s last message was half an hour ago. Just as he wondered if work had kept him busy, he spotted a familiar figure ahead.

“What brings you here?” He tilted his head slightly, surprised, and walked toward Qiu Yiyuan, subtly observing the surroundings.

“I wanted to see you,” Qiu Yiyuan replied simply, explaining his reason for driving over during his lunch break, despite the forty-minute drive from the Haiyue Group office.

“Should I treat my boyfriend to lunch since you came all this way?” Yin Zhiyi noticed his nervousness and teased in a light tone.

The term “boyfriend” seemed to have a magical effect, stirring emotions within Qiu Yiyuan. His eyes darkened slightly as he replied, “What are you planning to treat your boyfriend to?”

Yin Zhiyi smiled, his eyes scanning him up and down before pointing to a nearby private restaurant. “Let’s go there.”

In a quiet corner of the restaurant, they sat across from each other, silently enjoying their food. After their meal, they exchanged some updates about their lives. Qiu Yiyuan wanted to share more, but he wasn’t sure what topics would be appropriate for this stage in their relationship. So, he cautiously maintained their current dynamic, fearing he might scare Yin Zhiyi away if he rushed things.

Yin Zhiyi, observing his subtle demeanor, found it amusing and continued the conversation lightly, teasing him now and then, finding the situation increasingly interesting.
“How have you been since you got back? Your adoptive brother didn’t do anything to you, did he?” He scrutinized Qiu Yiyuan, his delicate and fair face full of concern and worry. If one listened carefully, they could detect a hint of disdain for the so-called adoptive brother in his tone.

He was impressed by his own acting, which naturally conveyed layered emotions. While his primary goal these past few months had been to develop feelings with Qiu Yiyuan, he hadn’t forgotten to pursue other matters concurrently.

Qiu Yiyuan, not yet aware of the harsh realities of society, spoke calmly when someone mentioned his now deceased adoptive brother: “He’s already passed away, you don’t need to worry.”

“Is that so?” Yin Zhiyi paused dramatically as he poured water, a look of relief crossing his face. “That’s good to hear. I was really worried about your safety before, but it seems I was overthinking.”

Hearing this, Qiu Yiyuan felt a faint warmth in his chest, a small ripple of emotion. After the waiter served the dishes, he earnestly reminded Yin Zhiyi, “However, the shareholders who were once on the same side as him have completely turned against us. There’s still a lot to deal with, so be careful.”

Although he didn’t think others could figure out his relationship with Ling Su, it was always good to remind the other party to be cautious.

“It seems those people are giving you a hard time,” Yin Zhiyi said, lowering his eyes thoughtfully.

At that moment, a phone rang on the table. Yin Zhiyi glanced at the screen and, upon seeing the name Xia Wanshi, smiled meaningfully. “Hello, Xiaoshi?”

Qiu Yiyuan remembered that their parents had intended for them to marry, so he perked up at the mention of Xia Wanshi, casting a hesitant look between Ling Su and the table.

“Ling Su, have you had lunch? My parents want to thank you in person and treat you to a big meal when you have time, okay?” Xia Wanshi’s clear voice came through the phone.

Noticing Qiu Yiyuan’s anxious expression, Yin Zhiyi waved his phone screen in front of him, speaking softly, “No need, I’m with my boyfriend.”

“Ah? Qiu Yiyuan? Long time no see. How is he?” She asked in surprise.

“He’s doing well. Did you know his adoptive brother has passed away?” He casually continued the conversation with her, noticing Qiu Yiyuan’s relaxed expression.

“Yes, my parents keep up with such matters,” she nodded, then teased, “He’s probably very busy now, taking time during his lunch break to have a meal with you? I’m so jealous.”

“Heh…” Yin Zhiyi chuckled softly. When he caught sight of Qiu Yiyuan’s ears turning a suspicious shade of red, a flicker of something crossed his eyes. “Indeed, he’s very busy. Those shareholders who were once on the same side as Yin Zhiyi are quite difficult to deal with.”

“Ah… Qiu Yiyuan is with you? He should be able to get into his adoptive brother’s residence, right? Given his solid relationships with those shareholders, he might be holding some leverage,” she suggested with a brightened gaze.

“Is that so?” Yin Zhiyi feigned surprise, looking at Qiu Yiyuan.

“Maybe?” Qiu Yiyuan’s eyes flickered.

Given Yin Zhiyi’s personality, it was unlikely that he would leave any important documents in the villa where they lived together. But after his father’s condition worsened and he was confined to the hospital, he was the only one left in the villa, so it was possible he had left some crucial documents there.

“Okay, I won’t disturb you lovebirds anymore. Bye-bye,” Xia Wanshi said cheerfully, her tone indicating she was in a good mood.

“Okay.”

After hanging up, Yin Zhiyi tapped his fingers on the table. Seeing that Qiu Yiyuan had taken the hint, he changed the subject. “Let’s eat.”

He had never lost contact with Xia Wanshi. Ever since he decided to be open about things, Yin Zhiyi had been considering using her to pass on messages, subtly influencing her during their casual chats.

Even if this plan didn’t work, he had other strategies. However, his handwriting was quite distinctive, and if Qiu Yiyuan saw it, he might make a connection. It was the simplest and most effective way.

Reflecting on this, he regretted not installing a camera in his former study.

“It seems like you come here often,” Qiu Yiyuan remarked as he glanced at the dishes on the table, trying to make conversation.

“Sometimes the food at the hospital doesn’t suit my taste, so I come here,” Yin Zhiyi smiled, casually dismissing the question.

Qiu Yiyuan, merely trying to learn more about Ling Su, noticed that none of the dishes had any chili peppers, despite asking for his opinion when ordering. It felt a bit peculiar.

His adoptive brother also seemed to dislike spicy food.

Due to the short lunch break, he couldn’t continue spending time alone with Ling Su after the meal. They walked side by side toward the parking area, chatting casually.

Ningchuan City was transitioning from summer to autumn. A gentle breeze rustled the green leaves on the branches. The man beside him, warm and refined, was chatting with him leisurely. Partings always came unexpectedly.

“I…” Qiu Yiyuan stopped by the car, looking at Ling Su, whose expression was gentle, especially at his smiling lips. He averted his gaze and hesitated to reach out to him, but then pulled back his hand.

“What’s wrong?” Yin Zhiyi observed him with amusement, his lips curving slightly.

Dark emotions churned in Qiu Yiyuan’s eyes. Since they agreed to date, they hadn’t even held hands. The intimate moments only existed in his dreams. He cleared his throat, “We’re dating now…”

“Hmm? Do you still find it unreal?” Yin Zhiyi saw his shy demeanor, noticing the faint redness at the tips of his ears, and leaned in a bit closer.

His handsome face was just inches away, his straight nose and well-shaped lips almost close enough to touch, causing Qiu Yiyuan to instinctively step back, his breathing becoming erratic.

Compared to his own unrestrained thoughts, his lover’s eyes were clear and gentle. Qiu Yiyuan suddenly found it hard to voice his wish to hold hands and perhaps go further.

“No, I… I have to go.” His voice was a bit strained compared to usual. He quickly opened the car door and got in, his movements smooth, as if escaping from a dangerous situation.

He had just wanted to hug and kiss Ling Su when he got close.

For a couple, such a request wasn’t unreasonable, but the inexperienced Qiu Yiyuan couldn’t bring himself to say it while looking at Ling Su’s handsome face, feeling that any extra touch would be a desecration.

“Goodbye.” Yin Zhiyi waved, his eyes darkening as he caught the fleeting desire in Qiu Yiyuan’s eyes, feeling satisfied with how easily he could tease him.

Once a mode of interaction in a relationship was established, it was hard to change. His lack of initiative in physical contact made it unrealistic for Qiu Yiyuan, who was clearly being led.

As night fell in Ningchuan City, Yin Zhiyi sat leisurely on the sofa. After estimating the time, he sent a greeting message to Qiu Yiyuan, but unlike usual, there was no immediate response. Instead, a text from the detective he had previously contacted came through first.

“Everything has been normal recently, but this afternoon, the target sent a phone to the brand’s service center for repair.”

Is repairing a phone noteworthy information?

He sat quietly at his computer, staring at the word “phone.” Suddenly, something clicked, and he chuckled softly. He then asked the private detective what brand the phone was.

“XP.”

The two-letter brand name appeared on the screen, and he understood the situation. Although XP was a very common brand, he remembered that the Qiu family didn’t use this old domestic brand. However, the phone Ling Su had lost happened to be an XP.

Is this the thing he didn’t want me to know?

Yin Zhiyi was already convinced, but out of caution, he called Xia Wanshi. Without revealing his purpose, he gleaned the information he wanted from her casual conversation.

After hanging up with her, who was unaware that her deliberately hidden information had long been discovered, Yin Zhiyi remained calm and composed.

He had indeed used Ling Su’s phone to contact the people who had hunted Qiu Yiyuan, but he had deleted all content, including the app. It’s not impossible to recover completely, but that requires Qiu Yiyuan’s willingness to investigate, an opportunity he had created. Even if it failed, he had many other plans.

Self-revelation is a cheap trick; he preferred to see Qiu Yiyuan struggle with doubt and eventually accept the truth in despair.

“This makes things easier,” he said leisurely, twirling his phone in his hand and crossing out the original plan.

Ding dong.

He paused, glancing at the screen showing a new unread message. It was from the private detective.

The core message was that their people had been detected; the target was well-protected. Despite deploying personnel at every frequent location and rotating them, nothing suspicious had been found, leaving the detective’s agency a bit embarrassed.
Even if the money wasn’t his own, Yin Zhiyi, who had never been short of material wealth, wouldn’t care about such a small amount. After a moment, he transferred the money to the account sent to him previously.

Yin Zhiyi, who had been fostered in Qiu Tongfu’s family, already came from a good background. When his parents passed away, they left him a large sum of money and some shares in the Haiyue Group.

In the main residence of the Qiu family, a large house with only a few servants, Qiu Yiyuan sat alone in the living room on the second floor. Although Qiu Tongfu had regained his freedom, he was gravely ill and bedridden, confined to a place on the first floor that was lavishly equipped with advanced medical equipment and personnel.

After coming home from work, Qiu Yiyuan didn’t take out his phone. This sprawling mansion felt like an invisible cage, trapping him inside. Any unusual behavior on his part would be reported to his father within five minutes.

Until all the power transfers were complete, he was unwilling to risk involving Ling Su in any trouble for a momentary indulgence.

As he took the elevator to the second floor, he glanced at the surveillance camera above, his polished shoes clicking on the floor as he walked to his room. It was only there, with the door locked, that he could finally breathe.

In the original layout of the house, besides Qiu Tongfu’s former residence on the third floor, there were two rooms on the second floor where he and Yin Zhiyi had stayed. The remaining rooms, including study rooms and numerous guest rooms, were spread across both sides. On his way back to his room, he inevitably passed by Yin Zhiyi’s old study.

“Maybe he has some leverage,” a clear and pleasant voice echoed in his mind, prompting him to stop in front of the closed door of Yin Zhiyi’s study. He hesitated, looking at the door.

The shadows of his past made him fear and hate this person who once shared the same roof. Although he was now deceased, the deep-seated fear and loathing still kept him from wanting to approach anything related to him.

With a tentative attitude, he reached out and turned the doorknob. The scent of sandalwood wafted up to his nose, and the desk was spotless, likely due to the regular cleaning by the household staff. Even the water in the kettle was warm.

The oppressive atmosphere of the study made him frown instinctively, as if Yin Zhiyi were still sitting in that chair, his handsome, pale face slightly smiling as he spoke the most heartless words in the gentlest tone, chilling in its cruelty.

“Let’s just look around quickly and leave,” he thought coldly. He didn’t want to stay in this place for long. Although those trying to seize power in the company were troublesome, their failure was only a matter of time, as they were already working on acquiring shares from some of the shareholders.

The room where Yin Zhiyi had stayed was destroyed the day Qiu Tongfu was released from the hospital, leaving only this study intact. If Qiu Yiyuan wanted to find anything, it had to be here.

He flipped through several documents related to the company, then moved on to some obscure books. He didn’t see any diaries or any leverage on potential business partners.

His patience was wearing thin, but he had only gone through a fraction of the study. He continued, pulling open a cabinet and unexpectedly finding a letter written in bold handwriting.

Judging by the content, it seemed to be a casual piece written during a practice session. He set it aside, noting that the documents beneath it bore signatures, but seemed unimportant.

Suddenly, his movements stopped. He opened and closed his mouth, as if something seemed off. He unfolded the casual practice sheet, vaguely recognizing something.

The handwriting style was distinct and unique, with every stroke and turn standing out. It would be difficult to replicate without extensive practice.

“No way, I must be mistaken,” he muttered, trying to convince himself that the handwriting could belong to someone else. However, the bold strokes spelling out Yin Zhiyi’s name made it impossible to deny.

He had always been at odds with his adoptive brother and had never paid much attention to his handwriting preferences. It was only now that he realized how unique and distinctive his writing was, almost identical to Ling Su’s.

He hadn’t considered the possibility that they were the same person; after all, such an outlandish idea would be dismissed by anyone who believed in logic and science.

He merely recalled how Ling Su had seemed like a godsend, rescuing him in his time of need, and the similarities in their habits and quirks. It was hard not to draw connections between the two.

“There are so many similar handwritings. Ling Su doesn’t even know Yin Zhiyi. What am I thinking? Am I doubting him again?” His voice was low and hoarse, tinged with a sarcastic laugh.

But the initial sense of familiarity when he first met Ling Su and the unconscious habits he exhibited were now causing him to waver in his conviction.

Did Ling Su know Yin Zhiyi?

His eyes darkened as he returned to his room.

He compared the handwriting from the medical records he had brought back from the hospital with the sheet of paper. Despite Ling Su only writing half a page as a routine procedure, the short text bore a striking resemblance to the handwriting in his hand. Such similarity would be impossible without prolonged practice.

His gaze flickered with unease. As countless speculations raced through his mind, his phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. The screen displayed a familiar name: Ling Su.

“Ling Su, don’t lie to me,” he took a deep breath, closing his eyes. In the darkness, countless details emerged in his mind, details he had deliberately ignored, never connecting his lover with his enemy.

But now, it seemed there might be a connection between them.

Was their encounter that night really a coincidence?

He dared not think further. If everything was false, wouldn’t that make him a fool?

Since when did Yin Zhiyi have such far-reaching influence, manipulating even his heart? Did he leave such a trap even after death?

“No, this is all just my conjecture. Perhaps Ling Su doesn’t know him. Maybe he just happened to come across similar handwriting and copied it,” his expression softened slightly, staring at the medical record in silence, fully aware that this hasty explanation couldn’t convince himself.

Beep, beep.

In the quiet room, his expression turned numb as he dialed a number. The person on the other end quickly answered, respectfully asking for his instructions.

After a moment of hesitation, as countless coincidences clashed in his mind, he spoke in a cold tone: “I want copies of the medical records written by Dr. Ling Su, a neurosurgeon at Ningchuan City’s First People’s Hospital. I need them by August 20th, and as many as possible for September as well.”

After a pause, during which the person on the other end waited anxiously, he added, “If possible, also collect his handwriting from his student days.”

“Okay, I’ll have them ready by tomorrow. Should I deliver them to the usual place?” The person on the other end sounded relieved at the relatively simple request.

“Yes, I also have two documents here. Arrange for a professional to verify the handwriting.”
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