The villain turns into the infatuated second male lead

“This… I can only try,” Xiao Li said hesitantly. Taking this approach might very well make Qiu Yiyuan notice something was off, and then her situation would become much more difficult, potentially wasting the years of cultivation and effort that Yin Zhiyi had invested in her.

“It’s okay, just do your best,” Yin Zhiyi reassured her gently. If not for the insincerity in his smile, it might have been convincing.

“Alright, I’ll head over to Qiu Yiyuan now,” Xiao Li said, nodding heavily. After hanging up, she cleared the call record completely and drove to the reserved private room where she was scheduled to meet Qiu Yiyuan.

During her university years, she had caught Qiu Yiyuan’s eye. She had thought that the most innocent-looking person was the one Yin Zhiyi had planted as his deep cover.

Adjusting her black-rimmed glasses, she walked into the room with a serious expression. The person at the desk had bloodshot eyes and a dispirited look she had never seen before.

“Hello, Mr. Qiu,” she greeted with a professional smile. Her gaze fell on the old phone that Qiu Yiyuan pushed over, quickly understanding the purpose of the meeting.

This process was not long for her, but as she focused on restoring the lost data, she could clearly sense the anxiety of the usually indifferent CEO.

Her eyelids twitched, realizing that the lost data must be extremely important. However, Yin Zhiyi had not instructed her to spy, so she could only follow the steps and restore the data, placing it back on the desk.

“Mr. Qiu, it’s done,” she said with a slight bow, her eyes quickly glancing at him.

She noticed the man’s handsome face was far from calm, with his dark eyes struggling. After she called out a few times, he seemed to awaken from a trance and finally turned his attention to the phone. He hesitated, as if about to face a great danger.

“Leave,” he ordered coldly, realizing his throat was parched and slightly hoarse only when he spoke.

Once the door closed behind her, he turned his gaze back to the restored phone, taking a deep breath to steady his trembling body.

He mindlessly scrolled through the screen, seemingly unsure whether to check the information. An inexplicable resistance in his heart made him freeze, a faint voice in his mind rejecting the urge to continue.

“When did you become so indecisive?” He scoffed to himself, gritting his teeth and first opening the cleared browsing history.

The moment the search terms appeared, he was stunned, his breath catching.

His face remained expressionless as he continued to scroll, finding dozens of searches from August 21st related to lightning appearing on clear days in Ning Chuan City, including terms like Haiyue Group and Yin Zhiyi.

It was almost impossible for him to keep scrolling. His limbs felt as if they were weighed down by lead, making every swipe on the phone painstakingly slow, and the software that appeared after the restoration hovered uncertainly.

His eyes reddened as if bloodshot, feeling as though he would be lost forever if he delved deeper. His fingertips seemed to sink into quicksand, struggling and sinking further. He was unclear about his mindset as he opened the software and finished reading the only conversation left in the chat window.

Suddenly, his eyes flickered, fixating on the timestamp of the message, which was one hour after Yin Zhiyi’s accident.

Logically, a deceased person could not log into their account and send messages.

The chaotic clues now seemed to connect into a line. If it weren’t for the conclusion being too unbelievable, everything seemed so reasonable.

“Ling Su? Yin Zhiyi?” The silent questioning echoed in the quiet private room. Qiu Yiyuan heard his own mocking laughter, but it felt so distant.

The sword that had been suspended finally left a deep scar in his heart.

He felt as if his heart was trapped in a stifling and confined space, a sense of oppressive panic flooding from his chest to his limbs. There was no possibility of reconciliation between him and Yin Zhiyi, and now… everything with Ling Su was over.

In the two months of their acquaintance, Yin Zhiyi had played with his former enemy as if it were a puppet, and Yin Zhiyi must have been laughing at him like a monkey. Any affection was merely self-indulgence.

In the dizzying moments, he realized the dampness on his face. Overwhelmed by despair, he clutched his chest with a grimace, his eyes filled with a mix of love and hate, collapsing helplessly to the floor. He never realized that someone could defeat him so thoroughly without a fight, causing such a deep heartache.

In the tranquil and elegant bedroom, the slender figure sat by the computer, leisurely watching the various expressions of the handsome man on the screen. Especially the moment when he realized the truth and fell into despair, trembling all over, was particularly interesting to him.

“This is what they call psychological warfare?” Yin Zhiyi propped his elbow on his face with a relaxed expression, in stark contrast to the man’s breakdown on the screen.

Suddenly, as he looked up, the scene showed Qiu Yiyuan collapsing to the floor, clutching his chest, his forehead striking the ground and bleeding, his brows furrowed even in unconsciousness, seemingly trapped in endless nightmares.

He instinctively picked up the phone on the desk, halting his call for an ambulance. He blinked and chuckled, “Almost forgot, as the protagonist, your life is quite tough.”

Since Qiu Yiyuan was unlikely to die from knowing the truth and he had evidently only believed about eighty percent, he decided it was safer to notify Xiao Li to arrange for medical treatment.

After the screen of the old phone was shrouded in darkness, he could no longer see Qiu Yiyuan’s situation. Guessing that someone might have put the phone into their pocket, he got up and went for a walk.

The autumn weather in Ning Chuan City was pleasantly mild, the most comfortable season of the year for Yin Zhiyi. He strolled along the grass path downstairs, vaguely remembering that he had brought Qiu Yiyuan here last time, the first time the latter had visited Ling Su’s home.

“Hm… should I call him ‘brother’ or ‘boyfriend’?” he glanced at the messages on his phone, pondering aloud.

Calling him ‘brother’ seemed inappropriate, though Qiu Tongfu publicly claimed adoption, Yin Zhiyi, knowing Qiu’s interest in the shares left by his parents, had not agreed to that designation.

Back then, he was a solitary figure, eventually forced to move into the Qiu family estate, compelled to cultivate an image of Qiu Tongfu as someone who repays kindness and is passionate about charity. Legally, they had no connection.

Moreover, Qiu Yiyuan had always called him by his full name and avoided any contact with him as much as possible. Watching the young man with a cold face, Yin Zhiyi thought the only time he looked embarrassed was when he was being toyed with; otherwise, he was extremely dull.

Thinking this, he calmly sent a message in the tone of Ling Su.

After several hours, the person should have woken up. He was somewhat eager to test Qiu Yiyuan’s attitude.

Unfortunately, although Qiu Yiyuan did wake up, he didn’t struggle in pain as Yin Zhiyi had anticipated.

Seeing the prominent red exclamation mark on his phone, he let out a helpless smile. “Ah, deleted. Really heartless.”

It seemed that the first thing Qiu Yiyuan did after waking up was to delete him from his friends list, showing no intention of continuing to entangle himself. His decision to cut ties was decisive and clean, and Yin Zhiyi had overestimated his importance in Qiu Yiyuan’s heart.

[Host, do you wish to exit the task world?] A(light blue) screen suddenly appeared.

“Did you finish plundering the world’s source?” Yin Zhiyi muttered to himself.

[The system is currently engaged in a tug-of-war with the world’s will and has obtained the required amount of energy.]

The (light blue) screen answered mechanically, not revealing that Yin Zhiyi’s actions had significantly reduced the difficulty of the plundering process. It was only because of Qiu Yiyuan’s immense emotional turmoil that it had exceeded the required amount of energy.

“Isn’t this enough? Of course, we’re staying for now.” Yin Zhiyi grinned, his expression meaningful.

Since Qiu Yiyuan had unilaterally blocked him, he seemed to have truly vanished from Yin Zhiyi’s world. Calls went unanswered, and he pretended to be deeply emotional by changing his number and continuing to make contact until he was forced to change numbers.

The complete cessation of contact over the past three months seemed to signal his determination. If not for Xiao Li’s help in occasionally monitoring Qiu Yiyuan’s movements, he would have truly thought that this relationship, which could be considered his first love, was inconsequential to Qiu Yiyuan, who could easily let it go.

In the dimly lit, stuffy bedroom with the wooden door firmly locked, all he saw through the phone camera was a black background.

At first, the rustling sounds didn’t seem noteworthy to him. He thought Qiu Yiyuan might have been exhausted from work and preferred to retreat into the darkness to calm down. However, the intermittent moaning sounds made him realize something was wrong.

“Ah… Mm…” The muffled groans were like a kite with a broken string, drifting freely in the air, the intense and unabashed desire evident. With a hoarse voice: “Ling Su…”

The computer screen in front of him was completely black. Yin Zhiyi leaned back in his chair, staring at the empty black screen without moving.

He lowered his eyelashes. It was the first time he had heard someone moaning in such a passionate way while masturbating, and that person was Qiu Yiyuan. His feelings were indescribably complex.

After a satisfied sigh, the screen seemed to freeze, with no further movement.

He suddenly wanted to see the expression on Qiu Yiyuan’s face at that moment, but unfortunately, the old phone had already been stuffed back into the cabinet, and there was faint sound of water in the dark, probably Qiu Yiyuan going to shower.

Ending the video, Yin Zhiyi tilted his head and pondered.

The wedding ring he had custom-made at a local jeweler was ready for pick-up. It could have been collected a few days ago, but he preferred to combine his errands.

After confirming the route that Qiu Yiyuan would take the next day, he went out that evening.

“That’s not the first time.” Yin Zhiyi recalled Qiu Yiyuan’s bizarre behavior last night, and although he couldn’t see the details, from his reactions, it seemed like this kind of thing happened frequently, and he had happened to catch it this time.

The unexpected delight from last night prompted him to change his mind.

He remembered that Qiu Yiyuan’s car would pass through this secluded path soon, which was the long-awaited reunion.

It wasn’t to test if he could reconcile with the lingering feelings of Qiu Yiyuan, but rather to tease his dear “brother.”

As he repeatedly considered how to react when he saw Qiu Yiyuan, he had already exited the car and stood by the roadside, staring intently at every car passing by.

After nearly half an hour of waiting, a familiar black car appeared in his view. Yin Zhiyi’s lips curved into a smile, and unexpectedly, he stood right in front of the road.

The location was remote, and sometimes it took ten minutes to see a car. The sudden appearance of a person startled the driver.

Fortunately, the driver reacted with good judgment, stopping the car far enough away to have time to brake. Anyone else would have been too scared to act as recklessly as Yin Zhiyi.

The driver’s face turned the color of liver, and Qiu Yiyuan in the backseat was jolted by the sudden stop. He frowned, about to ask what happened, when he saw Ling Su’s face in his line of sight… No, he didn’t actually know what to call him.

“Xiao Yuan, could you please get out of the car?” Yin Zhiyi softly called out a familiar nickname, noting the fleeting panic in Qiu Yiyuan’s eyes with increasing certainty.

The driver, realizing that the two seemed to know each other, hesitated and turned to his boss for instructions.

Qiu Yiyuan frowned. He actually wanted the driver to turn around and leave, but his hand had already opened the car door first, the slight sound making him pause, and he bit his lip, forcing himself to get out of the car.

“What do you want to do?” Qiu Yiyuan’s voice was cold and carried a hint of detachment.

He didn’t want to interrogate. When he saw those messages on Ling Su’s phone, it was clear that their relationship was over, and the person in front of him might even be… his enemy, the one who attempted to kill him, his father, and seize the Qiu family’s assets.

Although he thought this, Yin Zhiyi clearly didn’t follow common logic.

He didn’t answer his question and swiftly embraced him, the warm, solid chest close enough for Qiu Yiyuan to feel the heartbeat. The person in his arms stiffened for a moment, then his eyes clouded with confusion before snapping back to clarity.

Qiu Yiyuan suddenly struggled free, his face dark and terrifying.

“What are you doing?” His heartbeat was uncontrollably rapid, a mix of disgust and tension, and he quickly retreated several steps to distance himself from the other, feeling uncomfortable all over due to the unexpected embrace.

“My parents want me to bring a partner home. When are you free?” Yin Zhiyi quietly watched the person in front of him, with a clear smile in his eyes.

The soft words seemed to stir Qiu Yiyuan’s heart, causing it to flutter and feel a hidden joy. He bit his lip, trying to suppress the reaction.

“We’re already done, Ling Su.” Qiu Yiyuan said sharply.

Yin Zhiyi’s smile faded, and his clear eyes dimmed slightly. “Do you remember? You once said that no matter what kind of person I was, you liked me.”

A sharp pain stabbed at Qiu Yiyuan’s chest for a moment. He gazed deeply at the person in front of him, who seemed so different from the Yin Zhiyi he remembered, the one he once thought was his one true love.

That bouquet of tulips, though no longer the same, was still carefully protected. He wanted to throw all his questions at him, but he was more afraid that once the veil of illusion was torn away, they wouldn’t even be able to play the role of ex-lovers.

Qiu Yiyuan didn’t know how to regard this person. He tried to separate him from Yin Zhiyi in his mind, his eyes growing colder. “Even if we signed a contract, it could be nullified, let alone words spoken.”

“So those words were all lies?” Yin Zhiyi’s bitter smile.

The victim-like appearance deeply hurt Qiu Yiyuan, causing his eyes to redden. He couldn’t help but speak hoarsely, “Do you really need me to say what you’ve done? What should I call you?”

“If I said I truly loved you?” Yin Zhiyi was silent for a moment, his expression serious.

Those few words seemed to carry immense weight. Qiu Yiyuan was stunned, his lips moving without speaking. He had to admit that his heart fluttered and rejoiced because of the person in front of him.

“Enough, just like this.” he said sharply.

With that, he turned and headed back to the car, warning, “Don’t continue to pester me. Let’s leave each other some dignity.”

Unfortunately, Yin Zhiyi made no move to stop him.

He only stood silently by the roadside, allowing him to retreat and the black car to gradually disappear from view.

Qiu Yiyuan felt a deep discomfort throughout his body. He gritted his teeth, frustrated, and kicked the front seat, saying coldly, “Drive.”

“Uh… Yes.” The confused driver, who was caught off guard, responded.

“How adorable.” Watching the other party leave, Yin Zhiyi got back into the car and went to the store to pick up the wedding ring, highly satisfied with Qiu Yiyuan’s reaction.

Thinking about this, Yin Zhiyi took advantage of the red light to pull out the delicate gift box from his pocket. He gently opened the box with his index finger, revealing the intricately crafted ring, planning to give Qiu Tongfu a surprise before leaving this world.

“The president of Haiyue Group, Qiu Yiyuan, and the daughter of Yin Wei Company, Yin Miaoyan, will hold their wedding in November. At that time, celebrities from various industries will gather at the event. We invite all media to witness this couple’s happy moment…”

The giant GG screen at the intersection displayed this news, with the host joyfully reporting it. The footage continuously switched between recent images of him and Yin Miaoyan together.

The news of the marriage between the two leading companies was widely publicized in the media. Yin Zhiyi glanced indifferently at the endlessly looping footage, and a notification popped up on his phone.

Tonight, the traffic seemed unusually slow. Normally, the wedding would be four years later, but now, due to his provocation, Qiu Yiyuan had agreed to Qiu Tongfu’s request and seemed to genuinely intend to become the perfect husband for Yin Miaoyan.

“It looks like I need to adjust the plan a bit.” he pondered briefly and chose not to contact Xiao Li but instead reached out to the stubborn brother, Li Xingyan.

Though Li Xingyan lacked intelligence and only had physical strength, he was the most suitable and loyal force available for this matter.

What could be more heart-wrenching than witnessing a white moonlight die for oneself?

Perhaps there is something more, but for Qiu Yiyuan, this was the most effective and stirring.

Yin Zhiyi’s clear face showed a touch of tender yet cruel smile as he calmly sent a message to Li Xingyan. It was evident that Li Xingyan had already learned from his sister that “Yin Zhiyi is not dead but was plotted against by the Qiu family.”

After clarifying the details, Yin Zhiyi happily hummed a tune. Unfortunately, his phone pinged with a notification, showing the name Xia Wanshi, who had clearly also seen the news and was now cursing Qiu Yiyuan for being a heartless man.

Xia Wanshi was unaware of the unusual circumstances between them. Previously, when she had time, she would occasionally ask about the relationship with the big boss, but Yin Zhiyi hadn’t disclosed the current situation. The sudden wedding invitation from the Qiu family left Xia her dumbfounded.

Returning to the Qiu family estate, Qiu Yiyuan’s expression was unsettled. His icy aura made people unwilling to approach him. Only Yin Miaoyan, holding a white cat, came close.

Gently stroking the soft fur, sh noticed him staring blankly at the cat, and he seemed to recall the bloody scene of Xiao Jiu being held by Yin Zhiyi. His pupils contracted sharply, and he instinctively took a step back.

“Are you afraid of cats?” she was surprised that her new pet frightened Qiu Yiyuan. Instead of feeling guilty, she laughed out loud, “I didn’t expect you to be afraid of cats. It’s so cute!”

“Um, try not to bring it next time.” Qiu Yiyuan’s expression remained cold as he distanced himself further from her.

Since he agreed to the marriage under heavy pressure, she frequently used the excuse of visiting Qiu Tongfu to come to the main Qiu residence. He could only endure her presence, planning to do his best in his role as he intended to forget Ling Su and fulfill his responsibilities.

Despite his intention to move on, when he saw the white cat, his mind involuntarily flashed with images of Yin Zhiyi and Ling Su. He had increasingly become unsure about whom he truly loved, and that clear, gentle voice still seemed to linger in his ears.

“It won’t hurt you,” Yin Miaoyan comforted the cat in her arms, smiling. “I’m here to protect you!”

“…” Qiu Yiyuan’s mouth twitched, unsure of how to respond.

Seeing his indifference, she lost her enthusiasm and intentionally sought another topic, “When my brother said this to me, I thought it was so cool. Why don’t you react at all?”

“Is that so?” he replied calmly, his voice devoid of extra emotion, as if all feelings had been buried with Ling Su deep within his soul.

“I remember when I was about seven years old, my brother and I sneaked out to play, and suddenly a white cat pounced on me. I was very scared and cried out for my brother, even though he was only a bit older than me…”

Her face showed a nostalgic expression as she recounted this childhood anecdote. “But he bravely threw the white cat to the side of the road to protect me, and he told me this…”

As she recounted the childhood story, her eyes were full of admiration, not noticing his increasingly somber expression.
“Maybe the truth isn’t as you see it?”

Is the truth really not what it seems?

Qiu Yiyuan’s eyes flashed with a cold light. At that moment, he had never desired so strongly for the truth to be different from what he saw, or perhaps… both truths.

He suddenly felt that he might never have truly understood what kind of person Yin Zhiyi was. He found himself unconsciously focused on his stepbrother’s every move, both hostile and fearful. What did Yin Zhiyi think of him?

Maybe he wasn’t as bad as he thought, or maybe there was some misunderstanding. After all, over the past few months, the gentle Ling Su might have been affected by Yin Zhiyi’s presence. Would Yin Zhiyi feel any sorrow over his indifference?

His internal walls began to waver, but no matter what kind of person Yin Zhiyi was, he could not erase the fact that he was his enemy who nearly caused his death and the loss of his inheritance.

Their enmity could not be reconciled. Allowing romantic feelings to shake his resolve seemed too contemptible.

He sneered and declined Yin Miaoyan’s request to continue the story. He staggered upstairs, perhaps forgetting to take the elevator due to his emotional turmoil, and walked aimlessly down the corridor beside Yin Zhiyi’s study.

“…” he stopped his intended steps and coldly turned the door handle of the study.

He had hurriedly flipped through Yin Zhiyi’s handwritten notes in the past and left in shock, not returning since. Perhaps to avoid unnecessary associations, he had not come here again until today, when he strangely found himself at the door.

The dimly lit room felt as gloomy and oppressive as his current mood. He fiddled with the objects that had been neatly arranged.

He didn’t know why he was doing this, but just being in the room, smelling the different scent from disinfectant, seemed to calm his inner turmoil.

Click.

After rummaging through the entire study, he suddenly heard a faint sound behind the bookshelf.

He had intended to see if Yin Zhiyi had left a diary but found nothing. He squinted suspiciously and moved a book slightly, his eyes catching the glimpse of a hidden compartment in the wall.

“What’s this?” his voice was low and hoarse, a suffocating feeling rising in his chest.

He took a deep breath, trying to dispel his unease, and pulled out the items from the hidden compartment: scattered photos, an appraisal report, a newspaper, and a USB drive.

The blurry photos, possibly due to age or poor quality, only vaguely showed a few indistinct figures. He placed them on the bookshelf and chose to read the newspaper beneath.

The newspaper from twenty years ago was something he wouldn’t normally remember deeply, as he was only a child under ten at that time. However, when the headline came into view, he immediately realized something was wrong.

“Wild beast attacks humans. Haiyue Group Chairman Qiu Tongfu and second largest shareholder Yin Anhe were on a snow mountain trip and met with an accident!”

After a ten-hour search, the rescue team found only one survivor. According to Mr. Qiu, Mr. Yin died while saving his brother during the crisis, attacked by an unknown wild beast…

The following content was hastily read, and Qiu Yiyuan’s hand trembled slightly as he held the newspaper. He compared the description of Yin Anhe’s clothing with the figures in the blurry photos and recognized that the figures were clearly wild beasts, and the person who pushed down his companion to be devoured by the beasts was identifiable.

Although he couldn’t clearly see the expression of the fallen person, from the description of Yin Anhe’s clothing in the news, the highly saturated yellow cold-weather jacket made him understand. He recalled the news months later of Yin Anhe’s wife following him in death due to the loss of her husband.

He plugged the USB drive into the computer and quickly found the only video file.

Due to the age, the video quality was not clear, but it was evident that the traveler was recording their snow mountain trip. Due to altitude and angle issues, the video inadvertently captured a distant scene.

“Is it all false that you died to save me? Dad…” Qiu Yiyuan’s face turned ashen as he slowly left the study.

So Yin Zhiyi had actually known the truth all along, plotting all these years to avenge his parents?

At the moment of discovering the truth, he felt a strange sense of relief.

“Am I also one of your targets for revenge?” Qiu Yiyuan felt a moment of disorientation.

He wasn’t angry with Yin Zhiyi. It was to be expected since the Qiu family had caused him to lose his parents. Based on his understanding of his own father, Yin Zhiyi’s mother might have discovered the truth or refused to accept it as an accident, leading to the need for Qiu Tongfu to be silenced…

“The person you should hate is me.” Despite Yin Zhiyi’s extreme methods, Qiu Yiyuan felt he still had no right to hate him.

Had he been wrong all along?

He should have felt hatred and disappointment towards his father’s actions, but when that news struck him like a bolt from the blue, tearing apart his already fragmented soul, he felt a hidden sense of relief rising within his inner turmoil.

It was as if he had found a reason for relief, attributing all of Yin Zhiyi’s wrongdoings to deep-seated enmity, freeing him from lingering resentment towards the things done to the Qiu family. Yet, after this momentary joy, he quickly thought of something, his whole body feeling as if it had plunged into an ice cave, his lips trembling as he could not speak.

The hatred between them was so deep that it seemed impossible to resolve, adding another heavy shackle to the deadlock.

The mistakes made by the Qiu family could not be repaid even if he sacrificed his life.

Unknowingly, Qiu Yiyuan found himself at the place where Qiu Tongfu was recuperating on the first floor. He stared fixedly at the old man with various tubes and instruments attached to him.

Never before had he felt so lifeless. He dismissed the attending medical staff, and the old man on the bed opened his murky eyes.

“Dad, do you still remember Uncle Yin?” Qiu Yiyuan handed the photo in his hand to his father, his voice surprisingly calm.

Qiu Tongfu glanced at the photo casually, and after recognizing its content, he quickly realized something and sighed with relief, “I’ve been looking for it for so long; so it was with you.”

His reaction was fully seen by Qiu Yiyuan. His eyes widened as if a long-suppressed volcano could no longer bear it. His breathing became heavy, “You said that you adopted Yin Zhiyi to honor Uncle Yin’s kindness, but it was all a lie. You killed his dad and then his mother, didn’t you?”

“Did he find these pieces of evidence too?” Qiu Tongfu asked weakly, with a casual tone, “Without keeping his parents from reuniting, how could I get that 30% of the shares? How could the Haiyue Group become a monopoly in the Qiu family’s hands?”

Unfortunately, despite Yin Zhiyi being only eleven at the time, he sensed something was amiss and did not agree to the adoption.

At that time, Qiu Tongfu thought it was just a child. By forcefully taking him in and fostering a relationship, he could gain a good reputation and ensure an accident would happen without anyone noticing.

He initially had no malicious intentions, but since the Yin family was a widow with a huge fortune, it was better to keep it rather than letting it fall into others’ hands. Although he did not ultimately succeed, there was still a chance to acquire the shares back.

Qiu Tongfu’s indifference left Qiu Yiyuan stunned, as if he had been numbed by the realization. As the person nurtured by the other, he soon regained his composure, a barely discernible smile on his lips, but his eyes grew colder, “Dad, I will handle this matter. You can rest assured and look forward to the wedding between me and Miaoyan.”

“I have always trusted you with your actions. However, Yin Zhiyi might have copies of these documents with others. This scandal must not be leaked,” Qiu Tongfu said tiredly, closing his eyes, not noticing the coldness in his son’s eyes.

“Understood.” Qiu Yiyuan lowered his eyes, and as he turned around, his expression had already disappeared.

With Qiu Tongfu’s condition, he wouldn’t live much longer. Since there was no chance with Yin Zhiyi, Qiu Yiyuan had completely given up on that hope. He only wanted his father to witness the grand wedding in the last moments of his life.

Then, he could go to prison peacefully.

The city of Ning Chuan in November was nearing the end of autumn. The azure sky was as clear as the sea, and the gentle breeze brought a touch of coolness to the luxurious wedding venue. The guests were mingling and chatting, their interactions being recorded by the media with cameras.

Yin Zhiyi, dressed in an elegant dark suit, looked even more handsome amidst the crowd. Despite being among many, he stood out. His gaze swept over the seated guests and soon found Li Xingyan, who was positioned at the media table. His lips curved slightly.

From the look on the other’s face, it seemed he had tried to sneak a weapon in, having likely spent considerable effort to avoid security checks.

Li Xingyan maintained a serious expression, thanks to his vantage point allowing him to see the scene ahead more closely. He held the camera, pretending to be focused, but his attention seemed to be elsewhere, and he didn’t recognize Yin Zhiyi, who was using Ling Su’s body.

As Yin Zhiyi surveyed the scene, others were also drawn to his striking appearance.

“Hello, what’s your name?” The girl sitting diagonally opposite him smiled brightly, greeting him warmly. Those seated here were either dignitaries who had cooperated with the Haiyue Group or had fortunes worth billions.

“My surname is Ling.” Yin Zhiyi smiled gently, not intending to engage in a deeper conversation.

Li Xingyan’s invitation was from an unknown media source, while Yin Zhiyi’s was forcefully given by Xia Wanshi. Even though it was a rare chance to connect with the Qiu family, she still persuaded her parents to give up on it for her childhood friend.

The entrance of the bride and groom caught the attention of the guests. Under the spotlight of all the media, Qiu Yiyuan, dressed in a black wedding outfit, maintained a calm demeanor as he looked at Yin Miaoyan, who was smiling sweetly as she linked arms with her father. Applause filled the room, while he remained indifferent, staring blankly ahead.

His detached demeanor made it seem as though the wedding had nothing to do with him.

Due to his illness, Qiu Tongfu could not attend the wedding in person and could only watch the live broadcast from the main residence through his subordinates, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

Yin Zhiyi swirled the champagne in his glass, his delicate face showing a faint smile, his eyes dark with a sickly hue, as he looked with interest at the exceptionally handsome and tall man beside the emcee.

Even though he appeared somewhat unapproachable, his deadly charm made countless noble ladies’ hearts flutter.

“It’s so unfair, why does Yin Miaoyan get to marry him?” A heavily made-up woman next to him complained.

Yin Zhiyi narrowed his eyes slightly, watching as Yin Miaoyan was handed over to Qiu Yiyuan by her father. After the two turned their backs to listen to the priest’s vows, he slowly set down his champagne glass and gazed intently at Li Xingyan.

This was the perfect opportunity.

“Mr. Qiu Yiyuan, do you take Miss Yin Miaoyan to be your wife, to love and cherish her through poverty and illness, to respect and protect her, and to be absolutely loyal to her, giving your life…” The priest’s deep voice recited the vows solemnly.

Qiu Yiyuan listened quietly to the almost sacred vows, his lips forming a straight line.

Despite the situation, he couldn’t help but feel regret. His heart was pierced with a sharp pain like thousands of ants gnawing at him. He opened his thin lips, and the words ‘I do’ seemed to be blocked by an invisible force.

No, he didn’t want to.

“Ah——”

Suddenly, screams filled the large hall.

Li Xingyan, holding a camera, put down his equipment and pulled out a dagger from somewhere, aiming it at Qiu Yiyuan’s back. The sharp blade gleamed coldly.

The unexpected attack startled the guests, who quickly backed away. Apart from the pre-set cameras, other media members, forgetting their eating utensils, scattered away from the armed Li Xingyan. Only Yin Zhiyi, with a serious expression, rushed forward.

The commotion behind made Qiu Yiyuan feel something was wrong. He instinctively crouched down to avoid the incoming dagger, while Yin Miaoyan, her face pale, stumbled back a few steps. Seeing that the attacker was not coming after her, she quickly ran off the stage.

“Bodyguards!” Qiu Yiyuan shouted angrily.

Soon, the nearest bodyguards rushed in to try to disarm Li Xingyan. Unfortunately, their impulsive actions resulted in one of them suffering a deep cut, revealing that the attacker was unexpectedly skilled.

“You scum of the Qiu family, give Mr. Yin back!” Li Xingyan shouted angrily, kicking away the injured bodyguard and attacking Qiu Yiyuan. If he couldn’t act soon, he’d lose his chance entirely!

Realizing this, Li Xingyan kicked the pained bodyguard and lunged at Qiu Yiyuan. Despite being agile moments ago, his body suddenly slowed.

“Yin Zhiyi…” Qiu Yiyuan’s gaze flickered. The name drew his attention just as the cold blade was about to strike.

If he ran now, the arriving bodyguards could use their numbers to subdue the attacker. As he thought this, his hand touched the solid podium, and his pupils constricted.

There was no way to retreat!

His throat went dry, and he turned to the side, trying to avoid vital areas. If he could just hold on for a few more seconds, someone would stop this crime. He furrowed his brow.

At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared between Qiu Yiyuan and Li Xingyan, blocking their line of sight. The handsome face showed a determined smile as he bravely faced his fate.

“Ling Su…” Qiu Yiyuan stared in disbelief at the person who had shielded him, feeling a surge of fear and no time to ponder why Yin Zhiyi was here or why he chose to die in his place.

His eyes reddened. He knew that if he didn’t do something, he would lose the other person.

Slicing sound—

The sound of the blade piercing through the heart was nauseating. Li Xingyan’s hand was freed from the dagger and subdued by the bodyguards, struggling and shouting.

“Cough…” Qiu Yiyuan could not hold back a large spurt of blood, his gaze gradually fading.

He looked at the person beneath him, whose warmth still lingered. He didn’t even have the strength to force a smile. His thin lips moved slightly, and his eyes met Yin Zhiyi’s in the air. Then he fell forward, pressing his bloodied lips against the other’s.

The warm and soft, yet unfamiliar sensation seemed to lessen the pain. Qiu Yiyuan’s furrowed brow finally relaxed, his expression content.

His body went limp as he collapsed, and Yin Zhiyi caught him, resting his forehead on Qiu Yiyuan’s shoulder, his breath gone.

The situation had somewhat exceeded Yin Zhiyi’s expectations. At that critical moment, Qiu Yiyuan’s response and strength, which were almost beyond human description, showed how much he had been prepared. He trembled as he held Yin Zhiyi, turning their positions, and allowed the dagger to penetrate his own heart.

Warm blood sprayed across half of Yin Zhiyi’s face. His expression remained calm and unmoved, as if nothing could shake him.

He held the still-warm Qiu Yiyuan with one hand, and with the other, he gently wiped the blood from his lips. The residual red against his pale, handsome features created a seductive and devilish beauty, making it almost impossible to look away.

“Why?”

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