Yan Xi's mind suddenly flashed with the image of Fu Yan Ting from the surveillance footage she had just seen. He looked so pained, it couldn't possibly be fake.
Fu Yan Ting's tolerance was known to be high, yet he appeared so tormented. Yan Xi wondered what poison Old Mr. Yao had administered.
Thinking of this, Yan Xi's hatred for Old Mr. Yao intensified.
It was because of Old Mr. Yao that Yan Xi and Yao Wan Qi had been separated for so many years, and that Yao Wan Qi had become deranged. But now, even the deranged Yao Wan Qi had mysteriously disappeared, her whereabouts unknown.
Every time she thought of this, Yan Xi's hatred for Old Mr. Yao grew even stronger.
Hiding in a corner, Yan Xi couldn't help but frown and whisper softly, "Fu Yan Ting, you will be alright, won't you? You'll take good care of yourself, right?"
But her only reply was silence.
Yan Xi frowned deeply. At this moment, how she wished Fu Yan Ting would appear before her and say, "Xi Xi, don't worry, I'm fine."
But now, Yan Xi had no idea where they were holding Fu Yan Ting captive. Fu Yan Ting's phone was also unreachable; he was completely out of contact with the outside world.
Even if Yan Xi wanted to find Fu Yan Ting, she simply couldn't.
Yan Xi knew that if it weren't for her, Fu Yan Ting wouldn't be in trouble. It seemed like every time Fu Yan Ting got into trouble, it was because of her.
Yan Xi also knew very well that she wasn't worthy of Fu Yan Ting.
The next day, the Yao family welcomed an uninvited guest.
After arriving at the Yao residence, Mu Jing Chen, as if familiar with the place, went straight to find Yan Xi. However, upon seeing Mu Jing Chen, Yan Xi appeared distant, even a little wary.
Mu Jing Chen looked at Yan Xi and said, "Xi Xi, what's wrong? We haven't seen each other for that long. Why are you looking at me like that? Don't you recognize me?"
"Mu Jing Chen, are you a good person or a bad person?"
Yan Xi looked at Mu Jing Chen and cut straight to the chase, asking directly.
Mu Jing Chen froze, seemingly surprised that Yan Xi would ask so bluntly.
"Xi Xi, I've come to see you today because there's something very important I need to tell you. Your maternal grandfather wants to kill you. You'd better be careful."
Yan Xi had already known Old Mr. Yao's true nature, so Mu Jing Chen's words didn't elicit much of a reaction from her.
Instead, Yan Xi's gaze towards Mu Jing Chen held a scrutinizing and defensive quality.
A hint of hurt flickered in Mu Jing Chen's eyes.
In the past, Yan Xi had trusted him unconditionally, and they had been friends who could talk about anything. When did their relationship reach this irreparable state?
Mu Jing Chen desperately wanted to mend things now, to explain to Yan Xi, but he didn't know where to begin.
"Xi Xi, I'll go talk to Old Mr. Yao in a while. You disguise yourself as a servant and escape. You recognize my car, so get in and wait for me. Once I'm done talking and leave, I'll take you away."
Yan Xi heard Mu Jing Chen's words but didn't respond, not showing even the slightest reaction.
Mu Jing Chen continued to outline his plan for Yan Xi.
After Mu Jing Chen finished explaining everything, Yan Xi studied him, then suddenly took a deep breath.
Mu Jing Chen asked, "What is it, Xi Xi?"
"Mu Jing Chen, if you take me away like this, aren't you afraid my maternal grandfather will find out and question you?"
"I don't care, Xi Xi. I only care about your safety. Your maternal grandfather wants to kill you now, and I must get you out of here. I can't just watch you walk to your death. I'm telling you, the Yao family is not a place for you. Neither you nor I belong here. Although we come from prominent families, we don't have the fate to survive in them. We are truly kindred spirits."
Old Mr. Yao had already warned Yan Xi, so when Mu Jing Chen told her that Old Mr. Yao wanted to kill her, Yan Xi didn't doubt him. She knew Mu Jing Chen was telling the truth; even if Mu Jing Chen hadn't told her, she already knew of Old Mr. Yao's intention to kill her.
However, hearing it from Mu Jing Chen now, Yan Xi found it utterly amusing.
And Yan Xi indeed couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Seeing Yan Xi laughing heartily, Mu Jing Chen couldn't help but frown and ask, "What is it, Xi Xi? Why are you laughing?"
"Mu Jing Chen, I have two questions for you. Can you answer me truthfully?"
"Alright, ask away."
"Five years ago, when Fu Yan Ting became a vegetable, was it you and my maternal grandfather who colluded to do it?"
Mu Jing Chen looked up at Yan Xi. He hadn't expected her to ask such a sharp question.
If Mu Jing Chen denied it, Yan Xi, being intelligent, would surely know he was lying.
And Yan Xi hated being deceived more than anything in her life.
But if Mu Jing Chen admitted it, it would be the complete end of their relationship.
Mu Jing Chen didn't want to lose contact with Yan Xi like this.
He observed Yan Xi for a long moment before finally asking, "Xi Xi, why are you suddenly asking me this question?"
Yan Xi didn't respond to Mu Jing Chen.
Mu Jing Chen knew Yan Xi's personality and realized that this matter could no longer be concealed. He nodded and said, "Yes, you're right. Five years ago, when Fu Yan Ting became a vegetable, both I and your maternal grandfather were involved. Also, there was Mu Jing Chen's second uncle. But Xi Xi, you can't blame us for this. You can only blame Fu Yan Ting; he was too much of a target."
Yan Xi didn't scold Mu Jing Chen. She then asked, "Then let me ask you again, are you and my maternal grandfather both involved with that mysterious organization? That mysterious organization can produce a drug that, when taken, can make a person lose their sanity?"
Mu Jing Chen was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Yan Xi to ask him such a question.
Looking at Yan Xi, Mu Jing Chen remained silent for a moment before saying, "Xi Xi, why are you suddenly asking me about such things?"
"Mu Jing Chen, you just need to answer me, yes or no."
Yan Xi already had an answer in her heart. She was asking Mu Jing Chen simply to see if he would tell her the truth, if he still considered her a friend.
After hearing Yan Xi's words, Mu Jing Chen fell silent for a moment. After a long pause, he finally said, "Xi Xi, it's best that you don't know about this matter."
"Why? Mu Jing Chen, why won't you tell me the answer? What are you afraid of?"
"Yes, I'm afraid."
Facing Yan Xi's question, Mu Jing Chen was completely honest.
Yan Xi seemed surprised that Mu Jing Chen would say that.
Mu Jing Chen looked at Yan Xi and said with utmost seriousness, "Xi Xi, in this world, you are the person I care about the most, the only person I care about. I don't want you to get involved in these dirty dealings. I'm afraid you'll get hurt by them."