Ou Yunchen stood outside the operating room, anxiously peering inside.
Yang Danzhou handed Ou Yunchen a cup of coffee.
If it weren't for Yan Shizong's sudden inactivity recently, he wouldn't have had the time to accompany Z for reconstructive surgery.
Yang Danzhou: "Don't worry, technology is very advanced now, and we've already shown you the simulation of his post-surgery appearance. It shouldn't be too different from his original look."
Ou Yunchen: "Why is the surgery taking so long?"
Yang Danzhou: "It should be soon."
Yang Danzhou glanced at the surgical clock; it had been over six hours.
Perhaps it was taking a little longer than they anticipated, but as long as the outcome was good, Ou Yunchen was willing to wait.
With a click, the surgery light went out.
Yang Danzhou followed Ou Yunchen closely. They stood at the door, waiting for the doctor to emerge.
Doctor: "Mr. Ou, Mr. Yang, the surgery was very successful. If his recovery is good, we will proceed with hair transplantation and follicle activation surgery."
Ou Yunchen thanked him repeatedly. At this moment, Z, wrapped like a mummy, was pushed out.
As Ou Yunchen moved to approach, the doctor stopped him.
Doctor: "The patient needs to be observed in a sterile room for one day. He is still unconscious."
Except for Z's nostrils protruding for breathing, no part of his appearance could be seen beneath the bandages.
Ou Yunchen, still worried, followed the medical staff from a distance, only relaxing when Z was wheeled into the sealed sterile room.
Yang Danzhou: "The doctor said the surgery was a success. I'm sure it won't be long before you see a completely new friend."
With that, Yang Danzhou patted Ou Yunchen's arm, leaving Ou Yunchen standing outside the transparent glass wall.
He stared intently at the person lying inside. The steady rise and fall of the respirator seemed to comfort his long-unseen friend, assuring him that all was well.
***
Now that Z was safe, Ou Yunchen could dedicate more energy to dealing with Yan Shizong.
The Wang family was remarkably patient; even after receiving the photos, they continued their lives calmly.
Ruby knocked on Ou Yunchen's door.
Ruby: "Mr. Ou, Wang Ziran is here."
Ou Yunchen paused, his pen hovering over the paper. Wang Ziran? He hadn't scheduled an appointment with this young man. But could it be that the Wang family sent him to gather information?
Ou Yunchen: "Let him in."
When Wang Ziran entered Ou Yunchen's office, he had lost the childishness from his face. Dressed in a suit, he looked considerably more handsome.
Ou Yunchen: "Young Master Wang, what brings you here?"
Wang Ziran glanced at Ruby, who was pouring tea. Ou Yunchen understood.
After Ou Yunchen asked Ruby to leave and closed the office door, Wang Ziran finally let down his guard.
Ou Yunchen: "Young Master Wang, no one will interrupt our conversation. Please speak freely."
Wang Ziran: "Someone sent a package to our house. It was unsigned, but the contents greatly shocked my parents."
Ou Yunchen: "Oh? What was it?"
Wang Ziran: "Just some old photographs."
Ou Yunchen: "Then it seems to be a forgotten memory, reawakened by photographs."
Wang Ziran: "My parents are investigating who sent the photos."
Ou Yunchen: "You should indeed investigate. With Chairman Wang's influence, I'm sure you'll find out soon."
Wang Ziran: "I hope the person who sent the photos isn't you."
Ou Yunchen: "Does Young Master Wang know something?"
Wang Ziran: "I don't know. I came today to tell you not to do anything you'll regret. Those who threaten the Wang family never end well."
Ou Yunchen: "Of course, I'm just an ordinary person. Besides some wealth, I have no power. How could I dare offend Chairman Wang?"
Wang Ziran: "It's good that you know."
Just then, Ou Yunchen's phone rang. Fan Zhijie's name appeared on the screen. Ou Yunchen quickly covered the phone.
Wang Ziran did see it, but he stared at Ou Yunchen's smiling eyes and stood up.
Ou Yunchen: "Young Master Wang is leaving? Then I won't see you out."
Wang Ziran snorted and left Xi'ou.
***
—Ou Yunchen on the phone—
Fan Zhijie: "Mr. Ou, we've found some information about Lan Jie Cai and Yan Shizong from back then."
Ou Yunchen: "I'm coming over now."
—End of Ou Yunchen's call—
Ou Yunchen rushed to Lan Gongzi. Fan Zhijie was truly a treasure trove. Although the information he dug up was difficult to verify, it always provided enough clues to unearth some truth.
As Ou Yunchen listened to Fan Zhijie's story, he became more convinced that the incident of the industry magnate assaulting Lan Jie Cai, as mentioned by Lan Jie Cai herself, was true.
Fan Zhijie: "According to her, we actually found the hospital where she had an abortion in Singapore. A female celebrity did indeed go there."
Ou Yunchen: "Was it Yan Shizong?"
Fan Zhijie: "It's highly likely. Because in the week before that, Lan Jie Cai hadn't left her house. The last time she was seen was at Yan Shizong's villa. I have a photo, here!"
Ou Yunchen: "You're a truly diligent paparazzi!"
Fan Zhijie: "However, no one believed it at the time. After all, Lan Jie Cai had also been rumored to have a relationship with Yan Shizong, but Zhou Man denied it, saying they were friends and wouldn't fight over the same man."
Ou Yunchen: "Perhaps Zhou Man knows whether it was really Yan Shizong..."
Ou Yunchen glanced at his phone. It was getting late, and he had to visit Z that evening.
Fan Zhijie: "This is all exclusive information, never exposed to the public."
Ou Yunchen: "Let's leave it at that for now. I'll come back for it when I need it."
Fan Zhijie saw Ou Yunchen off in his car. The young paparazzi had just returned with some daily necessities.
These two seemed to have made Lan Gongzi their home, as all the facilities were available. One could imagine that when Feng Lan was alive, these two could never have been her honored guests!