Mordgemälde

Kapitel 44

Feng Nian'en was alarmed and grabbed her. She gave a broken smile: "Don't worry, I don't have the courage to commit suicide."

"Miss!" He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to harden his heart, "Why did you join the company? Tell me the reason!"

"Why?" She shook her head blankly. "I don't know either." She rubbed her temples after she finished speaking. "I'm so tired. Please don't ask anymore, okay?"

“I won’t ask anymore.” He pulled her hand away and looked into her eyes. “But no matter what happens, you will always be my lady.”

If these words had been spoken before, Zhang Hanwen would have been furious, but now she felt a sense of pity. Yes, that was probably why she had fallen for him; though not good with words, he always watched her silently, and every time she turned around, she could see him. No matter how dark the night or how far the journey, he would accompany her, even if only in the role of a servant.

“And,” he said with his usual gentle smile, “I can finally grant your request, Miss.”

"Wh-what?" She stared at him blankly.

"Protect the Zhang family! Although we're still a bit short now, I'll definitely have enough strength when that day comes, and I'll definitely be able to do it!"

The confusion in Zhang Hanwen's eyes deepened. What had happened? How could he say such a thing? He couldn't possibly be unaware of how much capital and talent it would take to protect the Zhang family business. It was the consistent style of the Feng family—not making promises lightly, not saying what they couldn't deliver.

"I will do it." As if sensing her doubt, he said, "It's a promise."

Zhang Hanwen's heart instantly calmed down. What sounded like a joke to others couldn't be more true to her. He had made a promise, and he would always keep it. From childhood to adulthood, this man had never let her down.

She believed it wouldn't happen this time either.

=========================================

The novel you are reading is from 99121.com

Jiujiu eBooks lets you read books on your phone and MP3 player.

=========================================

Volume Two, Chapter Fifty-Six: Father's Last Words

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just as Feng Nian'en made his promise to Zhang Hanwen, Feng Mingqian was walking towards Zhang Jiru's room with a letter in his hand.

Feng Mingqian has always held a special position in the Zhang family. He is Zhang Jiru's driver and also his personal secretary, and he is generally responsible for opening and processing all private correspondence. However, the letter he is holding now is clearly unopened, because there is a feather drawn in black pen on the back of the envelope.

For twenty years, he had developed a habit of looking at the back of a letter first, and only opening letters without feathers. This was the first private letter in twenty years that he had given to Zhang Jiru without having read it.

He knocked on Zhang Jiru's door and handed him the letter with the back facing up. Zhang Jiru's expression changed slightly, and then he seemed absent-minded as he gestured for Feng Mingqian to leave.

It finally came. His hand holding the letter trembled slightly. The person—the one who knew his greatest secret—had finally arrived.

************************************

Seventy years have passed already? Lan Ya looked out the window, where the roses seemed to have turned deep red as if gilded by the night, and she felt a sense of disorientation.

Seventy years ago, on a night just like this, the courtyard was also filled with flowers, not just roses, but the air seemed to be filled only with this sweet fragrance. He stood on the high platform, dressed in cumbersome clothes, singing the song that had been passed down for thousands of years.

His voice has always been outstanding, and his appearance is even more famous than his voice. Although he is already an adult, he still has a lot of fans just like when he was a teenager.

That day, he sang "Xi Shi," although his best song was "Farewell My Concubine." However, the lyrics involving the rise and fall of the nation and the battles of heroes could not be sung in the presence of officials and foreigners—perhaps they didn't care, but as ordinary citizens, we had to be careful.

I fear—I fear—that my beautiful face—my youth—will be ruined—and easily—gone…

As he sang, his voice stretched out and became high-pitched, a pang of sorrow rising in his heart as he thought of the beautiful woman who had been sent to the Wu Palace.

At that time, it was a time of war and chaos, and he was just a low-class actor. Although he had people supporting him now, what about the future? He was no longer young, already over twenty. Even if he was blessed with good fortune, his popularity would decline after twenty-five. Although he gritted his teeth and dared not get addicted to opium, which was extremely popular among his peers, his meager savings could not guarantee him a comfortable life in his later years.

Perhaps he's overthinking things. It's uncertain whether the country can survive tomorrow, let alone a small-time actor like him.

To the clear waves, when the reflection appears, I straighten my robe...

He flicked his sleeves, and the sorrow on his face was genuine. The audience cheered frequently, the loudest being none other than Li Erye, who had recently been heavily promoting him. His voice was indeed loud, but he kept shouting in the wrong places; a connoisseur would have thought he was deliberately causing trouble.

He sang, seemingly unconcerned. How many of these people were genuinely there to listen to his music? Even that foreign devil, his eyes were fixed on his face.

However, this was the first time he had ever seen a foreigner like this. His hair was silvery white, with golden eyes, and his features were fairly regular, but his faint smile always carried a hint of wickedness. He had seen many foreigners, but this was the first time he had encountered this type. Judging from the fawning attitude of those people towards him, this foreigner, who seemed both most like and least like a foreigner, was probably quite powerful.

Volume Two, Chapter Fifty-Seven: Father's Last Words

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thinking about this, he realized his idea was contradictory. He looked up, but the foreigner's eyes were still fixed on him. Perhaps noticing his gaze, the foreigner actually raised his glass to him.

This Western-style attitude almost made him laugh at the time, but he later learned that the guy's lineage was somewhat complicated. Seventy years have passed in the blink of an eye?

What do you think?

Lan Ya suddenly turned around and met Prince Ellie's refined face. He was slightly taken aback before realizing that he had been lost in thought. He smiled apologetically and asked, "What did you just say?"

Prince Ellie sighed softly and repeated what he had just said, "How have you been feeling, spending so much time with Fang lately?"

"Fangs?" He pondered for a moment, wondering why Prince Ellie would bring up the newly joined vampire at this time. Was he just asking casually?

“That kid…” He smiled slightly, recalling his ashen face from a while ago, “He has made great progress recently.” If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn’t have believed that the lukewarm guy could have changed so much. Given time, he could become a master at stock trading.

"Really? In what way has it improved?"

Lan Ya was slightly taken aback, not expecting that Prince Ellie, who usually seemed so nonchalant, would pay so much attention to Feng Nian'en. "He should have made progress in all aspects. However, with Ruo Ya in charge of other aspects, I was only responsible for guiding him into the stock market. He was lucky and managed not to lose all the money he got from Cangya."

"You mean his intuition is accurate?" Prince Ellie seemed relieved upon hearing this.

Lan Ya shrugged: "You could say that. Gambling requires not only skill but also luck. I've taught him everything I can. From now on, it's up to him to hone his skills and rely on his own luck. But I think he'll stop once he gets the money he wants. That guy's personality isn't suited to be a gambler."

"Yeah?"

He glanced at the prince, who was deep in thought. "Is there anything else?"

"Oh, that's all. You can go back and rest."

"Then I'll take my leave." He bowed slightly and turned to leave.

According to Ruoya's estimate, at least one billion yuan is needed to protect the Zhang family when necessary, while the amount of money needed to oppose Weite may be more than ten times that amount.

"Go against Weite?" Feng Nian'en almost jumped up when he heard this. That devilish man—he had never even considered it.

"What would you do if you were Long Xinsheng?" Ruoya glanced at him, her tone calm and indifferent.

Joining forces with Weite is the most effective method. "But—" he looked up, "but Suzuka probably won't…" He stopped abruptly. Probably won't what? Won't target the Zhang family? The two families have always been enemies; eliminating the Zhang family would be entirely beneficial to Weite. Just because they didn't act before doesn't mean they won't now. Besides, didn't Tianlong Xinsheng appear at the same time as him?

He was confident he could raise 1 billion in a short time, but 10 billion... even gambling wouldn't bring that fast.

That's why he's standing in front of Suzaku's door now.

"Hi, boy." Seeing that it was him at the door, Suzaku, who was only wearing a towel, was not too surprised. "You finally thought of visiting your elders. Tsk tsk, and you came empty-handed. That brat Cangya is rude. You really are worthy of being his junior."

Feng Nian'en blushed slightly, realizing it was indeed a bit rude of him to be so impolite on his first visit. He stammered an apology, but Xu Zuo laughed heartily, "Alright, no need to apologize. If others see this, they'll think I'm bullying you. Come in." He stepped aside to open the door.

Volume Two, Chapter Fifty-Eight: Father's Last Words

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Alright, no need to apologize. If others see this, they'll think I'm bullying you. Come in." He stepped aside to open the door.

Feng Nian'en froze as soon as she stepped into the room.

Long Xinsheng and Xu Zuo already knew him, so they weren't particularly surprised to see him here. But looking at him now—his white shirt was stained with water, two buttons were missing, his hair was disheveled, his white suit trousers were clearly rummaged through, and even his belt was undone. His usually calm and confident face was now flushed red, whether from anger or shame, it was hard to tell.

Upon seeing him enter—or rather, upon seeing someone enter—Long Xinsheng immediately breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly walked towards the door, saying, "You have something to take care of, I'll be going now."

Those hurried steps were more like an escape than a walk. Feng Nian'en was even certain that he could see the gratitude in his eyes when he first saw her!

"What are you busy with?" With a long arm, he easily pulled the person who had already run to the door back. Long Xinsheng didn't even see how he made the move before he found himself being pulled into an embrace. "He's not a stranger, why are you shy?"

Feng Nian'en swallowed hard, turned his face away, and pretended to admire the room. As a man, he naturally didn't have a good impression of homosexuality, but it was ultimately a matter of feelings, so he didn't think there was anything to despise.

He never imagined that the charismatic Suzaku would have this kind of relationship with Ryu Shinsei.

"Let me go!" Long Xinsheng's angry voice came from behind.

"Sweetie, stop fooling around. People will laugh if they see this. It would be embarrassing for me, an elder, to be ridiculed by the younger generation, and it wouldn't be good for you either." As if coaxing a child, he reached out and ruffled the slightly yellow hair.

"I told you not to touch my hair!" she said, as if she were a pet.

"Why?" he asked, feigning surprise. "I thought you liked it."

The two chatted and joked as if no one else was around. After carefully looking around the room, Feng Nian'en coughed awkwardly and said, "I think I won't bother you today. I'll come back another day."

He lowered his head as he spoke, trying to walk past them.

“Oh, right, kids these days have no manners. They don’t bother to visit their elders.” Suza’s teasing voice pulled him back. “Speak, what do you want?”

Feng Nian'en glanced at the large hand that was still struggling to escape, which was always one step ahead, and at Xu Zuo, who was only wearing a towel around his waist. She felt that this was really not a good time to speak.

He hesitated for a moment, but Long Xinsheng had already spoken: "Didn't you see that he wants to talk to you alone? Let me go!"

“Honey, let me talk to you privately after I get rid of this annoying brat. Don’t rush, I’ll always wait for you.” He said, ruffling his already messy hair again, and raised his face with his usual devilish smile. “Just say it now, or you might not find a suitable time later.”

At this point, Feng Nian'en felt there was no need to ask anything further. Their relationship was so clear that if Long Xinsheng said a word, Xu Zuo would definitely intervene. However, he vaguely felt that Long Xinsheng wouldn't speak up. As a wizard, if he wanted to, Zhang Jiru would probably already be dead, and he would have many other ways to obtain the Zhang family.

Thinking back to the tone and attitude he had used when they spoke last time, he was even certain that this man had obviously chosen the most troublesome path.

Volume Two, Chapter Fifty-Nine: Father's Last Words

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He would not beg for anyone's help; he was determined to avenge this wrong himself.

"Does Weite intend to acquire the Zhang family?" Although the question was addressed to Xu Zuo, his eyes were fixed on Long Xinsheng, his gaze unusually sharp.

Suzaku stroked his chin with one hand, a smile flickering deep within his pale golden eyes. Interesting. Has this guy, who always only knows how to run away, learned to fight back? Turns out, he can be this fun even without alcohol to bolster his courage.

“This is a trade secret.” He patted his forehead, looking troubled. “But let’s just consider it a gift from an elder,” he said, looking at Long Xinsheng. “I’ve made this plan this year.”

Even though he knew it was intentional, Long Xinsheng's eyes still reddened involuntarily. He glared at him and slowly spoke, his voice hoarse, "I will not let anyone ruin my plans, absolutely not!"

It was a gaze filled with hatred, like that of a demonic beast descended from the depths of the earth. But Suzaku simply shrugged indifferently.

"Did you hear me? Zhang Jiru is mine!" The growl was almost out of control. "You just need to stand aside!"

“Are you ordering me around, boy? Or—” He leaned down slightly, close to his ear, “is this your request?”

Long Xinsheng quickly turned his face away. "I won't beg you!" He had used begging as a tactic before, but he would never beg this man, absolutely not!

"Is that so?" A low laugh contained a hint of a sigh, and Feng Nian'en quietly turned and left while the two were talking.

Long Xinsheng's attitude clearly indicated that he didn't need Weite's intervention at all, but this didn't put him at ease. After all, Xu Zuo had given him a definitive answer, although that statement seemed like he was deliberately teasing Long Xinsheng, given his personality, it was hard to guarantee that he wouldn't carry it out. This meant that the Zhang family was likely to be attacked from two sides.

Long Xinsheng and Xu Zuo, one a genius with deep-seated hatred and long-term scheming, the other a vampire with vast funds and rich experience playing the world, it is undoubtedly a pipe dream for him to protect the Zhang family from these two.

Perhaps he really should tell the old man that with his rich business experience and prior preparation, he shouldn't lose too badly. But thinking of that head of bright red hair, he shook his head with a wry smile. Long Xinsheng was right; between Zhang Jiru and Zhang Hanwen, he had clearly chosen the latter.

He closed the car door and was about to insert the key to start the engine when he suddenly remembered Lan Ya's unusual behavior at the last banquet. His hand froze in mid-air, and after a moment of hesitation, he picked up his phone.

Although Lan Ya was temporarily residing at the palace in accordance with the prince's orders, he spent most of his time outside, except for resting. For the past two weeks, Feng Nian'en had been studying the undulating curves in his seaside house.