Chapter Twenty-One: From the Sound of His Voice, He Seemed Near Death

Lin Qingyue stood at the entrance of the living room, happening to witness this scene. She held a glass of red wine, her expression enigmatic, a faint smile playing on her lips before she could suppress it.

"What are you looking at?" a familiar voice suddenly came from behind.

Yan Chuanzhou approached from behind, his gaze fixed on Lin Qingyue’s face, his eyes inadvertently sweeping over the corner of her mouth.

Yet, Lin Qingyue’s expression softened instantly, showing not the slightest hint of anything amiss.

Fearing that Yan Chuanzhou might notice something, she allowed a layer of worry to cloud her eyes, swirling her wine glass as she spoke in a tone laced with concern.

"The anti-fans these days are getting more and more extreme. To think they would actually resort to intimidation."

Yan Chuanzhou’s gaze remained on her face, and he remarked nonchalantly, "What makes you so certain it was the work of anti-fans?"

At these words, Lin Qingyue felt a tightening in her chest. A flicker of panic crossed her expression, but she quickly recovered, explaining calmly, "Things like this are usually done by anti-fans, aren't they? I was threatened in a similar way once before."

As she finished, a shadow of melancholy crept across her brow, as if she had been touched by a painful memory.

"Why have you never mentioned that before?" Yan Chuanzhou’s heart twinged, his tone filled with a hint of remorse.

Lin Qingyue keenly captured this shift. A look of relief bloomed in her eyes as she took a sip of red wine. "Back then, my status wasn't high; I couldn't exactly reach for someone like you. Never mind, it’s all in the past now, nothing worth dwelling on."

The nonchalance in her words only made her seem all the more delicate, stirring an uncontrollable sense of pity in others.

Yan Chuanzhou, not knowing how to comfort her, stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder, his eyes filled with compassion.

As Jiang Chiyu turned her head, she caught sight of this scene, the atmosphere between the two of them thick with ambiguity.

For a moment, her eyes met Lin Qingyue’s, and Jiang Chiyu seemed to catch a glimmer of provocation in her gaze. She couldn't help but lower her head, letting out a helpless, scoffing laugh.

Wei Feng noticed Jiang Chiyu’s reaction and, assuming she still cared for Yan Chuanzhou, felt a surge of jealousy, his eyes flashing with a brief moment of disappointment.

Yet, he didn't forget to step forward, taking Jiang Chiyu’s hand in his and leaning close to her ear to whisper softly, "I am right behind you. Don't cry; a general does not shed tears easily."

Hearing his words, Jiang Chiyu was amused by his tender teasing. "I won't cry. I was just wondering who might be behind this mischief."

The only time she had ever wept was when her entire family was slaughtered, and she stood facing death on the battlefield.

The children of the Jiang family never shed tears lightly.

"That is good. Don't let it worry you; that person will eventually show their true colors."

Hearing her reply, Wei Feng set aside his worries.

Seeing Jiang Chiyu walk past the two of them and into the room, the darkness in his eyes vanished in an instant.

Back in the living room, Fang Yingying walked over with a ghastly pale face, opening her arms to embrace Jiang Chiyu in search of a shred of security. She asked weakly, "Sister Chiyu, aren't you afraid?"

Jiang Chiyu hugged her back, patting her on the back as she replied, "I’ve seen too much to be surprised. Raised under the red flag, and having done nothing to wrong my conscience, I naturally don't believe in ghosts or gods."

Fang Yingying seemed to cling to Jiang Chiyu, shaking her head in denial. "That may be so, but I can't get over the fear in my heart. Anyway, I don't care—I’m sleeping with you tonight."

Jiang Chiyu agreed with an indulgent smile, "Alright."

With the capital infusion from Old Madam Yan already arrived, the director immediately proposed changing the filming location.

But Jiang Chiyu flatly rejected it.

"The truth hasn't been uncovered yet. The culprit will definitely make another move, and changing the location now would only alert the enemy."

However, for the safety of the guests, the director dared not take the risk. "The primary task is to ensure the personal safety of all of you. If she wants to strike again, she will surely continue to follow the production team."

"She is targeting me alone; she wouldn't dare lay a hand on the other guests. Director, please set your mind at ease. Just install cameras around the perimeter to ensure every corner is covered, and that will be enough."

In the end, the director could not sway Jiang Chiyu’s stubbornness and had to agree, arranging for staff to stand guard through the night.

Jiang Chiyu also secretly observed the movements of the other guests.

She noticed that Lin Qingyue had been leaving and entering much more frequently lately.

Even the careless Fang Yingying noticed it. Seeing Lin Qingyue head out again, she leaned into Jiang Chiyu’s ear and muttered, "She’s become so diligent lately. I keep seeing her go out, and every now and then she brings back a small gift. She said earlier it was from a fan she met on the road."

Jiang Chiyu had her own suspicions, but she responded with a calm expression, "She probably has business, or perhaps an invitation from a friend."

"It’s hard to imagine who would be friends with her; she doesn't seem easy to get along with."

As Fang Yingying’s words echoed in her ears, Jiang Chiyu’s thoughts had already drifted away, following Lin Qingyue’s retreating figure.

"I suddenly remembered I have something to do. I’ll be out for a while."

A thought flashed through Jiang Chiyu’s mind. She told Fang Yingying and headed straight out.

Fortunately, Lin Qingyue hadn't gone far, and Jiang Chiyu followed behind her.

At a junction leading to the resort, Lin Qingyue met with a woman wearing a red hat and black sunglasses.

The woman’s posture was fawning and subservient; even without seeing her face, one could tell from her actions alone that she was devoted to Lin Qingyue.

The woman handed Lin Qingyue a shopping bag decorated with a pink heart pattern.

Jiang Chiyu guessed that this must be Lin Qingyue’s little fan.

To hear their conversation clearly, Jiang Chiyu borrowed a hat and a newspaper from a passerby and sat on a bench ten meters away.

She took out her phone, secretly recording a video, and pricked up her ears, listening intently to their dialogue.

However, there were too many people passing by, and the ambient noise was deafening. Coupled with the fact that the two were speaking in hushed tones, she couldn't make out a single word.

Jiang Chiyu could only watch with extreme caution.

Unexpectedly, she was discovered by Lin Qingyue. As soon as the two noticed Jiang Chiyu, they immediately split up and fled.

Seeing them suddenly scatter, Jiang Chiyu felt something was wrong. Her eyes met those of the fan, who immediately took off running, and Jiang Chiyu chased after her at once.

Seeing Jiang Chiyu pursuing the fan relentlessly, Lin Qingyue turned back, caught up to her, and grabbed her arm.

"Let go!" Jiang Chiyu looked at Lin Qingyue with a fierce gaze, her tone heavy with authority.

But Lin Qingyue held on tightly, refusing to let her break free.

By the time Jiang Chiyu looked back, the person was long gone.

She shook off Lin Qingyue, but the latter lost her balance and fell to the ground, a stone embedding itself into her palm.

Lin Qingyue let out a cry of pain. The commotion drew a crowd of passersby, who began to point fingers at Jiang Chiyu.

"How can you bully someone like that? Can't you talk things out properly? Why do you have to get physical?"

"Quick, take her to the hospital. She’s bleeding; it looks quite scary."

Under the barrage of accusations, Lin Qingyue sat on the ground, wailing with her brows tightly knit, looking utterly miserable.

Jiang Chiyu picked up her phone and made a call quite cheerfully.

"Hello? Is this 120? There is a lady here who had a fall. Judging by the sound of her, she’s on the verge of death."