Chapter Fifty: Offering Solicitude

Shi Yurou had never seen Yan Yuanqing like this before. In the past, Yan Yuanqing had always accommodated her every request, never once showing her such a cold expression. Yet now, she could clearly sense how her sudden intrusion had thoroughly displeased him.

So, without another word, Shi Yurou quietly withdrew.

Once she had finally left, Yan Yuanqing did not take out the jade pendant again. Instead, he simply placed his hands behind his head and lay back on the bed.

Allowing his mind to empty itself, he stared up at the ceiling, his thoughts drifting aimlessly, a thousand notions flickering through his mind.

Soon, in this fashion, Yan Yuanqing drifted into a deep sleep.

In his dream, it seemed he saw his father again, and managed to bring him safely out of Kunlun. But just as his father was about to leave Kunlun, a massive, gaping maw suddenly appeared among the distant mountains, as if out of nowhere.

Even from afar, it reached out and swallowed his father in a single bite, dragging him back. Yan Yuanqing awoke from the nightmare, his throat raw from shouting.

Only then did he realize he was drenched in cold sweat.

He exhaled deeply, trying to calm himself.

Recalling what had happened in the dream, Yan Yuanqing was filled with confusion. Why would he have such a dream? What was that monstrous mouth that appeared at the end? Did it symbolize some mysterious force hidden within Kunlun Mountain?

All of this was shrouded in uncertainty—Yan Yuanqing had no way of knowing.

Yet, despite how terrifying the dream had been, he could still sense the presence of his father within the dragon-patterned jade pendant; the faint, heartbeat-like pulsing was still there.

This gave him immense reassurance.

Were it not for this feature, Yan Yuanqing believed he would have set out for Kunlun immediately to search for his father.

After a quick wash and tidying up, he was just about to leave for the Shi family’s traditional medicine clinic when he suddenly noticed a luxury car already parked at his door.

As soon as he appeared, a driver in a black suit stepped out. His movements were precise and professional in every detail.

“Master Yan, please get in the car,” the driver said respectfully.

But Yan Yuanqing had never seen this man before and had no idea who he was.

“I don’t believe I know you. I’m sorry, you must have the wrong person,” he replied.

The driver smiled lightly. “No need to worry, Master Yan. I am here to pick you up.”

“This is by order of the master. I am to be responsible for your transportation from now on. Wherever you wish to go, I will serve you with utmost dedication.”

“The master?” Yan Yuanqing asked in puzzlement, an image already forming in his mind.

“Yes, Master Shi Chengren,” the driver confirmed.

Yan Yuanqing instantly understood—it was just as he had suspected.

This man whom he had released only yesterday had already arranged for a driver to return the favor today.

Though Shi Chengren was eager to show such attentiveness, Yan Yuanqing doubted that someone as shrewd as him would have been truly moved by his words and actions the day before, or would have decided to change his ways so quickly.

People of such resolve rarely undergo such dramatic transformations overnight.

As the saying goes, “Unsolicited courtesy is either flattery or deceit.”

Yan Yuanqing was certain Shi Chengren was hiding something.

Still, since the matter at hand was only a driver, Yan Yuanqing did not overthink it or act overly cautious. He simply got into the car.

“Take me to the Shi family’s traditional medicine clinic,” he ordered.

“Yes, Master Yan!” the driver replied.