Chapter 278 Zi Yicheng's Reflection
Ye Shengeslept soundly all the way, her sleep undisturbed no matter how bumpy the road, nestled securely in Zi Yicheng's arms. Perhaps it was because the person she could rely on was by her side, protecting her, and she no longer had to be on guard.
Ye Mu'en sat in the passenger seat, turning his head to glance at his sister from time to time. But as soon as he saw Zi Yicheng staring intently at his sister's sleeping face, a fire ignited within him.
"Young Master Zi, why would Young Master Shang Shiyan appear here? Could he bring us trouble?"
Ah Liang, who was driving, voiced the question in his heart.
Zi Yicheng frowned. Only when he saw that the little girl didn't stir from Ah Liang's voice did he relax.
"Don't concern yourself with other people's affairs, but you must secure West Mountain for me."
Seeing that Young Master Zi was unwilling to say more, Ah Liang stopped thinking about Shang Shiyan. It was true, Young Master Zi never meddled in others' business.
Elder Fan and Elder Dang's hearts skipped a beat when they saw their young disciple being carried back. Was she injured?
"Don't worry, Elders. Shenge is just tired, but it's still best to give her a check-up."
Ye Mu'en quickly reassured the two elders, not wanting them to be frightened if Shenge was fine.
Elder Fan quickly took her pulse and sighed as he looked at the girl's face.
"Is there something wrong?"
Zi Yicheng tensed upon hearing the sigh.
Elder Fan shook his head as he looked at Zi Yicheng.
"It's nothing, she's just tired. Shenge's body has already recovered a lot."
Zi Yicheng did not relax. Elder Fan would not sigh without reason.
"Elder Fan, is there something you're not telling me? I want to know Shenge's full condition."
Zi Yicheng's words were firm, even carrying a hint of command.
Elder Fan glared at Zi Yicheng irritably. This fellow, who usually seemed gentle and amiable, would occasionally exude an oppressive aura. He was truly disrespectful of elders and younger ones.
"I sighed because this girl Shenge has already been in danger twice. I don't know if someone else's trouble has innocently implicated my disciple. I just don't know how many more times my disciple's body can withstand it."
As soon as Elder Fan finished speaking, Elder Dang nudged his old friend with his elbow. Old Fan still didn't realize how terrifying Young Master Zi was.
At the same time, Elder Fan's words also made Zi Yicheng and Ye Mu'en's expressions turn grim. Ye Mu'en, in particular, harbored resentment towards Zi Yicheng because of this statement.
As early as the first time he discovered something was wrong with Han Yuyan, he had wanted to eliminate this troublemaker. But Zi Yicheng insisted against it, saying they would use Han Yuyan to deal with certain people.
He hadn't paid much attention then, thinking Zi Yicheng wouldn't have trouble dealing with Han Yuyan. But now, he realized Zi Yicheng had failed his trust.
Zi Yicheng felt a pang of guilt at being exposed. He truly hadn't done well. He hadn't expected Han Yuyan to be so obsessively fixated on Shenge.
"It's my fault. It will never happen again."
Ye Mu'en snorted heavily and turned to leave the room. While Zi Yicheng was at fault, wasn't he himself also to blame? Hadn't he also failed to protect his sister? His sister's safety should not have depended on others in the first place. He had become too comfortable at the Bai Rong team, neglecting even the most basic safety hazards.
Zi Yicheng also followed out of the room, offering no explanation for his mistake, and simply left the Ye residence.
Ye Mu'en knew Zi Yicheng had gone to resolve the trouble. If someone else was taking action, he wouldn't be needed.
Ye Mu'en thought of his parents and returned to his room to leave a message before driving away. He feared that if he made his parents wait any longer, they would fall ill from worry.
Zi Yicheng had indeed gone to Ah Liang and the others' house. His first words upon entering surprised everyone.
"Leave two of you to manage affairs on West Mountain. The rest are to go out and pursue Han Yuyan with all their might. If you don't have enough manpower, request reinforcements. I want Han Yuyan's life."
Ah Liang and the others exchanged glances, their expressions no longer carrying their usual nonchalance.
"Yes. Ah Sen and Ah Ting will stay. The rest, follow me."
With Ah Liang's command, everyone left the courtyard in an orderly fashion.
Zi Yicheng stood in the courtyard, lost in thought, reflecting on his mistake. Had his time at the Bai Rong team made people outside forget who Zi Yicheng was?
Grandma Bai, supported by Aunt Bai, tiptoed quickly into the Ye residence. Seeing her sleeping granddaughter, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
"My little darling, how could this have happened? Why would the 'Killing Sky Blade' come to bother my granddaughter? Look how thin her face is. She only just recovered and already suffered so much."
The other aunts from the Bai family also had red eyes. They hadn't slept since learning of Shenge's disappearance. The thought of their family's only girl being in mortal danger made them restless.
"Mom, stop crying. It's good that Shenge is back safe. From now on, we'll guard Shenge at home. If any bad guys come, I'll kill them with my knife."
Aunt Bai the second wished she could be hacking someone with a knife right now. The anger in her heart was still unreleased, making her feel suffocated.
While the women in the house were indignant, the men in the courtyard remained silent.
Bai Chufan and the others had been playing in the mountains when their little cousin had an accident. When they returned, it was like a thunderbolt had struck them.
They had searched many places in the county but found no trace of their little cousin.
"Was it that gA who did it?"
Elder Fan nodded. He had met Han Yuyan many times and never imagined he would be such a ruthless person, truly utterly wicked.
If it weren't for them, Xiao Tiantian would never have made it to the hospital. This was a life, and it was the life of a child only a few years old.
"Han Yuyan, that beast, is a disgrace to humanity. I used to think he was a decent young man, but it turns out..."
"Then what was his purpose? What could he gain by kidnapping Shenge?"
Bai Chufan thought they had all gone into hiding. Why would they still provoke people who had withdrawn from worldly affairs?
Elder Fan's gaze was deep, as if he had thought of something. For the first time, malice and deep hatred appeared in his eyes.
"That Han Yuyan boy is not honest. Keep a close eye on Shenge in the future. I fear he might strike again."
"Hmph, let's see him try to do it again. I'll beat him to death."
Bai Chumo swung his strong arms, looking as though he could kill Han Yuyan at any moment.
Zi Yicheng walked back at this moment and heard Bai Chumo's words, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Han Yuyan will absolutely never appear before Shenge again."
Elder Fan scrutinized Zi Yicheng, feeling that he had returned to his former demeanor of being at the center of power.
"I imagine so. Those who dare to covet your cherished treasure are wasting air by staying alive."
Zi Yicheng remained noncommittal. Shenge was his, and no one else could even look at her.
Grandpa Bai, who had been silent all along, smiled and fanned himself with a palm-leaf fan. His Shenge had met a good man. As long as he had the ability to protect his precious granddaughter, he would approve. It seemed Zi Yicheng was indeed good.
Of course, Grandpa Bai felt he was the best. Didn't his wife live as freely as a young girl? That was because he never let her worry about anything. She lived as happily as she pleased; that was his capability.
"Xiao Zi, you can come to me for some pointers later. Just look at your grandmother."