Ou Xueman nodded. Although she didn’t know when she had provoked this notorious organization, she understood the severity of the situation. Even Owen gave them some leeway, indicating that even kings of the business world found it difficult to confront them.
“The largest financial group supporting the Yamaguchi-gumi is Japan’s Sakura Financial Group.” Di Xihuang half-closed his eyes, a dangerous glimmer visible beneath his eyelashes.
Ou Xueman was stunned, then realized, “You mean Tian Mu Xiang Hui?”
He nodded, gazing out the window as if reminiscing, “Quite a few women who were involved with me received warnings from her. At the time, I knew about it, but I was too lazy to care.”
“Warning? She’s warning me? Warning me about what? Because of you?” Ou Xueman felt angry. She had originally sympathized with her unrequited love, but now it seemed that this pitiful person must have some hateful qualities.
Di Xihuang buried his face apologetically in her neck, whispering, “Xueman, I’m sorry for dragging you into this. I didn’t consider it thoroughly. I thought they would only target Tong Yixuan, but I didn’t expect they would also target you. This time, I absolutely will not stand by and do nothing. No one can harm you.” The thick murderous intent at the end of his words made him seem like a demon about to feast on blood.
“Owen, listen to him. This situation is serious, but as long as you are under Xihuan’s wings, the Yamaguchi-gumi won’t dare be too blatant,” Owen’s serious expression carried a chilling intent.
“Why?” Ou Xueman glanced at the tall figure by the window, enveloped in sunlight, resembling Apollo from mythology, yet still dressed in mysterious black.
“The Yamaguchi-gumi has some reservations about him, though I don’t know why,” Owen said thoughtfully.
At this moment, Di Xihuan’s low roar startled everyone, “Know your limits, don’t force me to take action.” His words were powerful and intimidating.
“I understand,” Ou Xueman touched her forehead, sighing silently.
In the spacious car, piano music softly drifted, punctuated only by the sound of her fingers quickly typing on the keyboard.
The man beside her gazed deeply forward, his concentration revealing his thoughts.
Just as she thought the silence would continue, he suddenly said, “Before joining the Yamaguchi-gumi, members cut off their pinky finger and give it to the boss as a sign of loyalty. Be careful when you see someone missing a finger.”
Ou Xueman slightly turned her face to look at him. Feeling her gaze, the coldness on his face disappeared, replaced by a gentle smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll be by your side.” Suddenly, a hint of gloom spread in his eyes as his long fingers intertwined with hers. “Maintaining this empty marriage is just because I want to protect Tong Yixuan.”
He changed the topic, probably in response to her unasked question, “Can you tell me why?” Earlier, when she inquired, he hesitated. What inside story could evoke such hesitation?
The sunlight through the skylight revealed the guilt and helplessness in his eyes. “Only three people in this world know that person’s secret. One is in a vegetative state, one has gone missing, and the other is me.”
Ou Xueman was shocked, almost paralyzed in thought, struggling to analyze the meaning of his words. After a moment, her subconscious made a guess.
Who ‘that person’ was remained unclear, but one in a vegetative state and one missing – could he be talking about Tong Baifu and Tong Yixuan? When did she know the secret of ‘that person’?
“The one who went missing…” Ou Xueman paused, observing his expression, “Is it Tong Yixuan?”
He gripped her hand tighter, his tone heavy, “Yes, that person wants to eliminate all potential threats.”
A chill rose from her feet, spreading through her body. Her voice trembled, “Someone wants to… kill?” She bit back the last word that nearly escaped her lips.
Instinctively shrinking into the large chair, her breath turned into light mist in the cold air, “What kind of secret could… require… killing?”
Sensing her fear, Di Xihuan stopped the car by the roadside, embraced her, and softly said, “Xueman, it’s not that I don’t want to tell you everything. Some things are better left unknown as there are too many grudges involved.”
Her bewildered eyes looked at him, “What about you? Don’t you know?”
Gently letting her lean on his chest, he replied, “I’ll be fine because that person knows I would never betray her in this lifetime.” A hint of pain surrounded his words, drawing Ou Xueman into speculation.
“If you want to protect Tong Yixuan, why did you only think of looking for her today?” Ou Xueman asked tentatively.
Di Xihuan furrowed his thick eyebrows, “It’s not that I haven’t searched for her; she seems to have vanished. Owen searched for eight years with no news. The only clue is her entry record in China’s customs, indicating she is still in mainland China, as there is no exit record.”
He continued, “Tong Yifeng went to China once eight years ago and has been in England since. Logically, he wouldn’t leave Tong Yixuan alone. However, after eight years of surveillance, she never appeared by his side. Why?”
Ou Xueman was stunned. No wonder Tong Yifeng never came to SZ to see her; he was aware someone was watching him. How many things were still unknown to her? What were Owen and Tong Yifeng hiding? Most importantly, what significant information had she unknowingly learned?
As the car continued up the mountain road, she felt a melancholic unease when the familiar red-tiled, white-walled villa appeared. Memories flooded back, and tears welled up; despite the eight years, everything remained unchanged, filled with deep, happy memories.
“This is the Tong family’s old house. You’ll stay here temporarily. Tian Muxiang Hui and the others are at my mountaintop villa.”
I don’t think you’d want to share a room with them,” he said, leading her by the hand, not noticing her low mood.
“And don’t worry, I won’t stay here, so you won’t have to worry about me turning into a night wolf,” Di Xihuan said with a mischievous smile.
“Oh,” Ou Xueman responded absentmindedly, causing him to look back at her worriedly. He caught a glimpse of the tears she hadn’t hidden.
“Xue Man, are you still worried?” He ached for her unease and blamed himself for dragging her into this grudge.
“No, it’s just…” She hadn’t even noticed the tears welling in her eyes, forcing a faint smile that appeared fragile in his eyes.
Her delicate fingers lifted his chin, forcing him to meet her gaze. He wanted to convey his determination, “Xue Man, there are things I can’t tell you. I can only say that I have a complicated relationship with the Yamaguchi-gumi. Because of this, they don’t dare to openly oppose me. So rest assured, no one will touch you while you’re here, and I will always be by your side.”
When Di Xihuan let her stay in this room, even though he said it was Tong Yi Xuan’s, she didn’t hesitate to move in.
Although somewhat surprised, she needed to comfort her wavering heart with memories of past happiness, not caring if it raised his suspicions.
Returning to this room, the night sky outside the bay window remained deep blue, the bright moon filtering through sparse tree branches, casting light and shadow on the floor. The night was quiet and soft, as if everything had been frozen in time eight years ago, just as she left.
Walking barefoot on the smooth floor, she curled up in the bay window cushion as before, her heart filled with complex emotions while looking at the familiar yet slightly strange night scene.
She never expected to return under such circumstances, and unexpectedly, it was he who brought her back after many years. Yet, she couldn’t and dared not tell anyone that she was the original owner of this room.
