Chapter 427: Enlightenment

Bian Suwen blinked, a hint of surprise flashing across her face as she was reminded by Wang Haoran. “I once took Yan Yuntian’s pulse. His internal energy was incredibly dense, somewhere between seventy to eighty years’ worth. That matches the profile of the one who killed Xiao Chen almost perfectly.”

Tantai Yaoyue’s eyes turned cold, a glint of sharpness surfacing. “Where is this Yan Yuntian now?”

“He’s living in an old manor in Qingling. He’s badly injured, and I’m treating him as we speak. Seeing him is a simple matter,” Bian Suwen answered calmly.

Tantai Yaoyue gave a nod but made no move to leave just yet. Instead, she stood quietly in front of Lin Chen’s grave, choosing to mourn a while longer.

After all, Bian Suwen had said it herself that Yan Yuntian was heavily wounded and under medical care. In other words, he wasn’t going anywhere.

Lin Chen had already been gone for some time. Luo Qingqian and the others had cried, grieved, and eventually come to accept it. But not Tantai Yaoyue. Her sorrow was deeper, heavier. And since she wished to stay, none of the sisters would leave her side.

Wang Haoran, however, was starting to grow a little bored. He motioned for Qiu Qianwei to come over and asked, “Tell me everything that happened between my parents and your Eldest Sister just now. Be objective, don’t bring your own emotions into it. I want the full story.”

Qiu Qianwei nodded, then calmly and thoroughly recounted the entire sequence of events.

Wang Haoran had already guessed most of it, so he wasn’t exactly surprised by what he heard. Still, he couldn’t help feeling speechless.

Zhen Li’s behavior was beyond absurd, and Wang Xiang’s attitude in the matter made absolutely no sense either.

These were no ordinary people. Wang Xiang controlled a group worth tens of billions, and Zhen Li was the CEO of a publicly traded company. In Qingling, they were considered titans of the business world.

And yet Zhen Li, just because someone rubbed her the wrong way, had gone as far as to spit water at them? That was something a loudmouthed street woman would do.

As for Wang Xiang, his words might as well have come from a thug in the alley.

It was laughably out of character for people of their status.

But after mulling it over a bit, Wang Haoran suddenly realized the reason behind their strange behavior.

Wang Xiang and Zhen Li were originally minor villains in Chu Bai’s story arc, the “X-ray Vision” protagonist.

And in plots like that, the villains generally acted normal… until they crossed paths with someone from the protagonist’s camp. At that point, their brains stopped working, and they’d start doing things completely out of line with their identities.

Just like how Zhen Li inexplicably provoked Tantai Yaoyue.

Understanding that, Wang Haoran suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to punch the original author of Chu Bai’s story right in the face.

Too bad he couldn’t actually do that.

Wang Xiang and Zhen Li got lucky this time as they did not get themselves killed. But next time, who knows?

Having fully embraced his new identity, Wang Haoran now saw Wang Xiang and Zhen Li as his real parents. He wasn’t about to let either of them just die off like that.

With that thought in mind, he turned and walked over to the pair.

They’d finished paying respects at the family tomb, and since their son hadn’t left yet, they remained nearby, waiting.

“Son, are we heading back now?” Zhen Li asked.

“Not yet. Let’s wait for the others.” Wang Haoran gestured toward Qiu Qianwei and her sisters, then turned the conversation toward more serious matters. “Mom, you’re the CEO of a listed company. What in the world were you thinking, spitting water on someone?”

“I told you, it wasn’t on purpose,” Zhen Li huffed, clearly on the defensive.

“My girlfriend already told me everything,” Wang Haoran said, unimpressed.

Zhen Li pursed her lips. “That girl of yours really likes to run her mouth.”

“I asked her to tell me. So don’t take it out on her. Understand?” he replied.

A flicker of annoyance softened on Zhen Li’s face as she asked, “Baby, do you really like her that much?”

“She’s beautiful, gentle, listens to everything I say… why wouldn’t I like her?” Wang Haoran said with a chuckle.

“I thought you were just having a fling,” Zhen Li muttered, glancing toward Qiu Qianwei in the distance.

Qiu Qianwei had been watching from afar. When she caught Zhen Li’s gaze, she immediately responded with a soft and graceful smile.

Zhen Li squeezed out a smile of her own in reply before turning back to Wang Haoran. “Alright, baby. I won’t give her any trouble. You have my word.”

“Mom, you’re the president of a public company. Please don’t act like some neighborhood gossip from now on, okay?” Wang Haoran reminded.

“I was just in a bad mood. It won’t happen again,” Zhen Li muttered, a bit embarrassed.

Wang Haoran didn’t quite believe her, so he added, “Here’s the deal—next time you see someone you don’t like, don’t start a fight. Just remember who they are and tell me. I’ll take care of it for you, alright?”

After all, as villains, Wang Xiang and Zhen Li were destined to butt heads with the protagonist’s side. That part was inevitable. But their strength was far too low. Picking fights recklessly was just asking for death.

Wang Haoran’s thinking was simple. Let him be the one to deal with those so-called protagonists.

“Alright, baby. From now on, I won’t provoke anyone. If I see someone I don’t like, I’ll come straight to you,” Zhen Li agreed readily.

“Dad?” Wang Haoran looked over.

“Whatever you say, son,” Wang Xiang replied without hesitation.

【Ding! Host has successfully enlightened Side Character Wang Xiang and Side Character Zhen Li. Plot altered. Villain Points +900!】

The sudden system notification made Wang Haoran pause, then broke into a smile.

He was worried that they were just humoring him, but the message proved that they genuinely changed their stance.

Satisfied, he gave a nod and turned back toward Qiu Qianwei to continue their chat.

Not long after, Wang Xiang and Zhen Li exchanged a few quiet words, then slowly walked in Qiu Qianwei’s direction.

“Uncle, Auntie.” Qiu Qianwei saw them coming and immediately ended her conversation with Wang Haoran. She straightened up, looking a little nervous.

“What’s your name?” Zhen Li smiled as she asked.

“Qiu Qianwei.”

“Then I’ll call you Weiwei.” Zhen Li’s smile deepened as she slipped a jade bracelet from her wrist. “We weren’t expecting to meet you today, so I didn’t prepare a formal gift. But a first meeting still calls for a token of respect. Take this bracelet as a small gesture. I’ll send a proper gift once we’re back.”

“Auntie, I… I can’t accept this.” Qiu Qianwei was overwhelmed by the sudden generosity.

“This bracelet only costs twenty or thirty thousand. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s a sincere gesture from your auntie. Just take it for now. We’ll send a better one later,” Wang Xiang interjected.

Their initial impression of Qiu Qianwei and the others hadn’t been great. But since their son truly liked this girl, their feelings toward her softened. Love for their son extended naturally to his beloved.

And as seasoned business elites, both Wang Xiang and Zhen Li had excellent communication skills. When they weren’t trapped in the bizarre logic of protagonist-driven plots, they knew exactly how to play the social game.

Still unsure if she should accept something so valuable, Qiu Qianwei glanced at Wang Haoran, silently asking for permission.

“My mom means well. Just take it,” Wang Haoran said with a smile, gently patting her head.

Only then did Qiu Qianwei feel reassured enough to accept the bracelet. Her eyes lit up with joy. “Thank you, Uncle. Thank you, Auntie.”