Chapter 53: You Are Not Ah Wei!

Chen Mingjun was so startled that he nearly cried out.

How could a perfectly normal young woman suddenly speak in a cold, chilling male voice? And what was that suffocating murderous aura just now?

"Director Chen, are you all right? Why do you look so pale? Do you need me to take you to the hospital?"

Qin Chuan instantly reverted to Qin Youyou’s gentle tone, his face perfectly expressing concern and anxiety.

“Damn, am I hearing things now?”

A wave of self-doubt washed over Chen Mingjun.

“Xiao Qin, did you just hear a man talking?”

He asked, probing.

Qin Chuan shook his head with a look of total innocence.

Chen Mingjun wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and instinctively glanced at his watch, only to find that five minutes had passed.

But he could have sworn only a single threatening sentence had been spoken! How could five minutes have gone by?

“Am I getting senile dementia?”

That thought left him drenched in cold sweat, and he immediately decided to take the afternoon off for a medical checkup.

As for the confusion he’d just experienced, Chen Mingjun convinced himself it must have been a hallucination.

Seeing this, Qin Chuan breathed a silent sigh of relief.

His flawless plan had almost been exposed by a few personal habits—what a close call!

“Director Chen, as you know, most of us young people are always broke by the end of the month, so could you please treat us to this meal today?”

Qin Chuan felt he deserved a little compensation from Chen Mingjun, considering the scare he’d just endured.

But Chen Mingjun was already numb, his mind filled with dread about his own health.

If he was nearing the end, what use was saving money anyway?

A famous actor once said: the greatest sorrow in life is to die with your money unspent.

So, without a moment’s hesitation, Chen Mingjun paid the bill, feeling not the least bit resentful about being taken advantage of.

In fact, he felt a bit relieved and even happy, recalling an old proverb: “Disaster is averted by spending some money!”

Perhaps it was just his imagination, but after settling the bill, Chen Mingjun felt his steps were noticeably lighter.

And so, Qin Chuan and Chen Mingjun returned to the school, chatting amiably along the way.

Well, at least Qin Chuan was enjoying himself; under his subtle psychological guidance, Chen Mingjun was now convinced that he’d simply misread the time back in the private room.

Shortly after the two parted ways and returned to their offices, a food delivery worker in a striking uniform discreetly tugged at his collar, revealing a tiny concealed communicator.

He spoke softly into it, “Target is behaving normally.”

“Continue surveillance. Once confirmation comes from the other side, proceed with the abduction as planned.”

“Understood.”

After this brief exchange, the young delivery worker made a token circuit around campus and then slipped quickly into a restroom in the academic building.

When he emerged, his uniform had been replaced by a black tracksuit, making him look every bit the university student as he headed straight for Lecture Hall 103.

According to reliable intel, Qin Youyou would be teaching there that afternoon.

Compared to Qin Chuan’s smooth navigation, Qin Youyou was struggling.

No sooner had she left the Brilliant Pavilion than she encountered her first predicament: she had never driven such a high-end sports car, so it took her quite a while to get it started.

Next came the second predicament: she didn’t know the way back to the Lan family estate, so she had no choice but to follow closely behind Lan Jin’s car.

However, Lan Jin, as if in a fit of pique, drove at breakneck speed—leaving the usually cautious Qin Youyou feeling completely out of her depth.

At last, they arrived at the Lan family’s old residence, whereupon Qin Youyou faced her third awkward situation: many people came to hand over work to her, and she was left utterly bewildered.

Even more, when so many people greeted her, Qin Youyou had no idea how to respond without giving herself away.

But the most crucial problem was that she sensed Lan Jin had noticed something off about her.

“Awei, you’re acting really strange today!”

Lan Jin suddenly came over and spoke with utter certainty.

Qin Youyou felt a jolt of panic, but kept her face composed and responded with a look of utter confusion, as if to say: What’s strange?

“First, Awei always parks in the garage, never at the front gate like I do.

Second, Awei walks very quietly, almost making no sound, but today you scuffed along the floor.

Third, Awei never wears perfume, but today you put on Hermès’ rare collection—women’s perfume at that.”

Lan Jin listed three pieces of evidence, making Qin Youyou’s heart leap to her throat.

The problem was, even with her usual cleverness, she could find no way to refute these points.

The first was a personal habit of Awei’s she simply hadn’t known.

The second was due to Brother Chuan’s shoes being too large—if she didn’t scuff along, they might fly right off.

And the third… Well, she was a woman, after all, and loved the rose fragrance of that perfume, so she always dabbed on a bit.

“Out with it—what’s going on? If you don’t confess, I’ll sentence you to clean the sewers for half a year!”

Lan Jin threatened, shaking her little pink fist.

Three dark lines appeared on Qin Youyou’s forehead. This eldest young lady of the Lan family was so noisy—absolutely unfit to be her future sister-in-law, far from mature or steady enough.

Unaware she’d just been branded “unqualified as a sister-in-law,” Lan Jin continued to menace Qin Youyou.

“Well? Out with the truth, hmm?”

Lan Jin stepped closer, searching for more anomalies.

Qin Youyou instinctively took two steps back, her mind racing but unable to come up with a convincing response.

“Could Brother Chuan have messed up this time?”

For the first time ever, Qin Youyou began to doubt Qin Chuan’s decisions.

But just as Lan Jin was about to press her further, an elderly voice sounded from behind.

“Jin’er, enough. I have serious business to discuss with Awei.”

Lan Jin turned to see her grandfather, Lan Weimin, standing not far behind.

“Grandpa, be careful. Awei’s almost been taken down by a cunning woman today—there could be trouble!”

Lan Jin warned.

Qin Youyou’s lips twitched: You’re the cunning woman! I simply possess extraordinary wisdom.

Wisdom—do you even know what that is?

Do you have any?

Lan Weimin frowned. “Jin’er, what are you saying?”

“I mean I don’t want a grandmother who’s only in her twenties!”

Lan Jin declared firmly.

“Nonsense!”

Lan Weimin, a shrewd old fox, had already guessed a few things.

Qin Youyou, meanwhile, was about ready to lose her temper. This eldest Miss Lan was not just spoiled and childish—her taste and perception were both sorely lacking.

Forget being her sister-in-law, she wasn’t even qualified to be her brother’s friend.

“Once this is over, I’ll be sure to report all this to Brother Chuan,” Qin Youyou resolved silently.

“Awei, ignore that girl and come with me to the study,” Lan Weimin beckoned, leading the way upstairs.

Qin Youyou hurried after him, though several times on the stairs she nearly lost her shoes.

With trepidation, she entered the study, only to meet Lan Weimin’s scrutinizing gaze.

Qin Youyou met his eyes without backing down; she refused to appear timid, knowing that would only arouse suspicion.

“You’re not Awei,” Lan Weimin suddenly said in a low voice, just as Qin Youyou’s thoughts began to wander.