Chapter 16

Chapter 16: She’s a Madwoman—Why Provoke Her?

Qin Xian ranked third in the Qin Family, with an older brother and a second sister above him.

He’d been spoiled from childhood. He didn’t have to manage the company, and he got dividends every year. It was no surprise he’d grown into an arrogant, untouchable brat.

There was no way he was swallowing this humiliation.

He paused, then said, “What about Brother He Chen…?”

“He Chen is your brother. Of course he’ll take your side.” Madam Qin smiled faintly. “He’s already handed the matter over to us to handle.”

Only then did Qin Xian relax. Sometimes, even he couldn’t read Zhou He Chen.

It was Zhou He Chen’s hot-and-cold attitude toward Ye Wan Lan that had given her the illusion she could replace Sheng Yun Yi.

Qin Xian sneered. “Where is Ye Wan Lan right now?”

“She went back to the Lin Family.” Madam Qin’s voice stayed calm. “A Xian, you rest for now. This afternoon, I’ll go with you for a ‘visit.’”

Then she turned to Sheng Yun Yi with a gentle, apologetic look. “Yun Yi, A Xian’s emotions are still unstable. Could I trouble you to stay with him today?”

Sheng Yun Yi paused, then nodded. “Of course. After all, I share responsibility too.”

“Then I’ll be counting on you.” Madam Qin squeezed her hand warmly. “It’s a good thing you’re here. Otherwise, none of us could calm A Xian down.”

She knew the Zhou and Sheng families intended to form an alliance by marriage. But until it was settled, there were always variables.

Among all the young ladies in their circle, Sheng Yun Yi had the best background and the best education. If she could marry into the Qin Family, that would be ideal.

Madam Qin left the hospital room, giving the two of them space.

—

That afternoon, at River City No. 1 High School, Ye Wan Lan sat in the counseling office for a follow-up.

“Classmate Ye, you’re recovering really well.” Rong Yu looked pleased. “As long as you keep it up and stop consuming yourself from the inside, you’ll be back to a normal life very soon!”

Ye Wan Lan gave a soft hum.

Too bad she’d never be able to go back.

But she believed one thing: instead of devouring yourself, it was better to go mad and wreck the world at destruction level.

Yan Ting Feng watched her quietly. His eyes were pitch-black, holding the faintest hint of a smile, but coldness glinted deep beneath it.

A ringtone broke the silence. Ye Wan Lan answered. “Qing Li.”

“Sister Lan, bad news!” Cheng Qing Li spoke fast. “People from the Qin Family are on their way. They’ll reach your uncle’s place in ten minutes—exactly like you predicted!”

Rong Yu and Yan Ting Feng both shifted, clearly catching every word.

“Mm.” Ye Wan Lan’s expression didn’t change. “I know. Is everything ready?”

“All of it.” Cheng Qing Li still sounded uneasy. “But Sister Lan, the other side is the Qin Family. A River City elite family—”

“A River City elite family?” Ye Wan Lan’s tone stayed light. “I’m beating up exactly that kind of rotten elite family.”

Rong Yu couldn’t help blurting, “What did you do?”

Ye Wan Lan summarized it blandly. “Nothing.”

“Nothing?!” Rong Yu nearly choked. “You snapped a grown man’s hand, and you call that nothing?”

Ye Wan Lan rolled her wrist and smiled. “Want to test it?”

“No, no!” Rong Yu recoiled and immediately hid behind Yan Ting Feng. “I’m weak! I can’t take that!”

Yan Ting Feng blinked softly and met her gaze.

His face still carried that familiar gentleness, eyes warm and mild, as if filled with the sweetest affection.

Ye Wan Lan simply said, “Doctor Rong, thank you for today. I have something to do. I’m leaving.”

“Hey, wait—” Rong Yu started, but the door was already shutting.

He stood there, stunned, then slapped his forehead in despair. “It’s over. She’s completely broken. How is snapping someone’s limbs ‘nothing’?!”

Yan Ting Feng rubbed the jade ring on his finger, tone gentle. “It really is nothing.”

Rong Yu stared. “…What?”

Yan Ting Feng’s voice stayed soft. “You should’ve crushed the bones, too. The remaining flesh can still be used to make medicine.”

Rong Yu: “…”

Then, in horror: “You’re broken too!”

—

At the Lin Family home, Madam Qin arrived with a team of bodyguards. Sheng Yun Yi stayed beside Qin Xian, who sat in a wheelchair.

He was awake, but injuries like this took time. He could barely move.

“Open the door,” Madam Qin ordered.

The bodyguards stepped forward and pounded hard, the sound rattling the air.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

The door opened. Xu Pei Qing appeared.

She swept her gaze over the Qin Family’s formation and remained unnervingly calm. “What is it?”

Madam Qin froze for a beat.

She hadn’t expected an ordinary woman to face this kind of scene without flinching. But perhaps ignorance really did make people fearless.

“I’m not here for you,” Madam Qin said, looking down her nose. “But you have a niece with rotten character. If I want her to come out, I’ll have to start with you.”

A bodyguard reached for Xu Pei Qing.

A hand came down on his shoulder from behind—firm as iron.

Crack.

The bodyguard’s bones shifted violently. His strength vanished in an instant.

The girl appeared without a sound. Only a faint breeze stirred; leaves rustled down from the trees.

Xu Pei Qing stood behind her, protected as if behind the strongest wall in the world.

Madam Qin’s brows drew tight.

This was her first time seeing Ye Wan Lan.

Before today, she’d assumed anyone who became a stand-in must be cheap and low.

But the girl in front of her was sharp as a blade—an edge you couldn’t look at directly.

Ye Wan Lan’s gaze was calm. “You probably don’t want to know the price of touching my family.”

“Oh?” Madam Qin laughed, amused. “What price? Big words. Too bad you don’t have the ability to match.”

Did she really think the Lin Family in River City could be compared to the Lin Family in Yun Jing?

Some brute strength, and not a trace of manners.

Madam Qin waved a hand. “Enough. I’m here for you. My son was unconscious for a whole week. I’m very unhappy. Tell me—if you lived properly, where would the Qin Family’s face go?”

Ye Wan Lan’s voice stayed even. “When your son pushed me into the water and broke my hand, I didn’t call the police. That was already me giving you face.”

Madam Qin’s expression twisted. “Say that again?!”

Sheng Yun Yi frowned.

Ye Wan Lan was too different today.

Could someone really change that much after brushing against death?

“You say I pushed you into the water and broke your hand. Do you have evidence?” Qin Xian stared at Ye Wan Lan, eyes sinister. “How are you going to call the police? Can you even arrest me? What a joke!”

“Miss Ye, listen to me.” Sheng Yun Yi tried to keep her voice gentle. “Don’t act on impulse. Calling the police won’t be good for anyone.”

Then she turned to Qin Xian. “A Xian, Miss Ye might have her reasons. Each of you take a step back. I’ll be the witness—don’t blow this up.”

Qin Xian only got angrier. “Yun Yi, stop speaking for her! Last time she harmed you, wasn’t that enough? You’re kind, but she’s vicious. I’m asking what evidence she has!”