Chapter 72 Song Mi, That Woman, Is Simply Reckless Beyond Belief!

Communication could only be temporarily interrupted.

Wen Yanli thought it was Rong Meilin coming, and considered that perhaps letting her persuade would be more effective. In the silence, he glanced at his mother again, then rose and went to open the door.

But the visitor was not Rong Meilin.

Standing outside was someone from the Wen family.

"Young Master Li." The visitor was Chi Heng, Wen Yunlan's driver, who was also an old subordinate from Wen Yunlan's youth. Since retiring from military service, he had followed Wen Yunlan for nearly thirty years.

In terms of age, Chi Heng was his elder. "I happened to be picking up a report for Miss Yanyan, and from a distance in the corridor, you looked like yourself."

"I asked the doctor and found out," Chi Heng's gaze swept past him to look inside, "Your mother, is she alright?"

Wen Yanli finally parted his thin lips, "Mm, just a bit of acclimatization."

Six years ago, when Feng Shengzhi faced liver failure and the need for a transplant, they were aware of it and secretly contributed much effort. In fact, the suitable liver source was only contacted in time through the Wen family's connections.

However, since the master forbade mentioning it, nobody knew.

Chi Heng had known Feng Shengzhi since her early days. Now that he was here, it seemed almost rude not to step inside for a visit.

Still, he had yet to hear an invitation to enter.

Chi Heng waited for it.

Wen Yanli waited too, hoping he would leave voluntarily.

But clearly, Chi Heng wanted to go inside.

Though Wen Yanli was reluctant and saw no necessity, he finally said, "Please, come in."

"Ah, thank you!"

As Feng Shengzhi and Chi Heng exchanged greetings, Wen Yanli's phone rang—it was Pei Qiuyang.

He had already instructed Qiuyang to investigate that woman before boarding the plane yesterday.

There should be some progress.

After exchanging pleasantries, Wen Yanli stepped out of the ward, walking to the end of the corridor before answering, "Hello..."

"Li, why did you take so long to answer!" Pei Qiuyang's voice came through immediately. "Busy drafting legal letters for Mi'er?"

At those words, Wen Yanli's heart sank. "What happened to her? What's going on?"

"Huh? Li, you don't know? You're not with Mi'er?" Pei Qiuyang was genuinely surprised. "What are you busy with, not checking your phone?"

"I'm in the imperial city. What happened?" Wen Yanli's tone grew more urgent.

"It's not Mi'er's business, it's the Shen family! And not just one scandal!" Considering Mi'er's ties to the Shen family, his tone lost some of its usual gossip. "At noon, a sensational incest scandal between Tang Lishi and Shen Yanye was exposed, spanning over ten years. This afternoon, Tang Lishi's son Shen Yanlie publicly came out!"

"How unlucky is Mi'er! Of all the families to work for, she ends up with this Shen family..."

Pei Qiuyang hadn't finished, but Wen Yanli had lost patience, interrupting him decisively, "What about what I asked you to check?"

"Oh, right, almost forgot. But Shen family's business is Mi'er's business, which makes it your business, right?" He chuckled to himself, then answered, "I found out—the woman isn't some coal tycoon's remarried aunt. She's a hostess at a second-rate club in the northern city."

"What name was the hotel room booked under?"

"A man named Liu Hai." Pei Qiuyang paused, sensing this could be a critical clue. "Funny thing, I found that Liu Hai worked as a security guard for Sihai Group's security department a few years ago."

"Liu Hai and Wang Lisha are from the same hometown."

A deep shadow flickered in Wen Yanli's eyes.

—A Shen family scheme?

Which member?

The person who set him up, was it to blackmail Song Mi?

What did she promise, in exchange for the hotel address and room number, so she could arrive in time?

Was it Song Mi who exposed the scandal between Shen Yanye and Tang Lishi?

But his intuition told him it wasn't her.

The launch ceremony for the old city redevelopment was scheduled for tomorrow. He hadn't intentionally inquired, but after living together for so long, he knew more or less what she was busy with.

At such a critical moment, she would never do something so damaging.

His mind was racing when Pei Qiuyang spoke again, "Li, do you think this was the Shen family playing tricks?"

"Except for the just-come-of-age, gay Shen Yanlie, any of Shen family's second, third, or fourth sons could be involved!" Pei Qiuyang didn't understand why Old Shen had so many sons and used none, instead bringing Song Mi in from nowhere.

Since they'd hired her, why not prep his sons beforehand, instead of letting them trip her up and drag her down every day?

Honestly, he thought Mi'er was a genuine powerhouse CEO—smart, bold, skilled, no less capable than those seasoned business veterans!

Just look at Sihai Group's stock price over the past month.

Mi'er as chairman was a perfect fit!

And that was despite her frequent misfortunes: a car accident one day, stabbed the next.

If only the Shen family and that woman surnamed Lu weren't causing trouble, and Mi'er was healthy and spirited, Sihai Group could be booming even more.

He'd actually made quite a profit from Sihai's stock recently—thanks to Mi'er!

After looping back, Pei Qiuyang refocused on the scandal, "Li, do you think it's true? Online reports are detailed, exposing their love nest and even photos of them together."

"Some articles even include pictures from their youth!"

"If it's real, then Shen San is really something—cheating his old man for over ten years?"

Wen Yanli cared nothing for this; his only concern was Song Mi!

Pei Qiuyang kept talking, but Wen Yanli had made up his mind. His tone grew solemn and firm, "A'Pei, do me a favor!"

Caught off guard, Pei Qiuyang felt as if his ears were swept by cold wind, quickly closing his mouth. "Li, why are you being so formal?"

"If you need something, just say it!"

Wen Yanli's brows knitted, his long eyes gleaming with a hidden fierceness, which had yet to fade, "Send two sharp people, try not to let Ye Zhao notice, and protect Mi'er in secret."

On the other end, Pei Qiuyang thumped his chest, "That's easy! I'll handle it right away!"

Even so, Wen Yanli replied sincerely, "Thank you."

If Song Mi hadn't repeatedly rejected Pei Qiuyang, there would be no need to hide from Ye Zhao.

They could even cooperate.

After all, more people meant more safety.

But clearly, Song Mi didn't want to involve Pei Qiuyang.

Perhaps, she didn't want to involve even him.

For example, after what happened yesterday, she only said while comforting him, "We were set up."

Afterwards, she never brought it up again.

First, at that moment, he didn't give her a chance to speak.

Afterwards, she was exhausted—when he carried her to the bathtub, she fell asleep in his arms.

When he returned from buying food, before receiving Feng Jue's call, they could have discussed it.

But the mood was off.

He had planned to ask her after dinner, but then the call came, followed by a rushed flight.

So, till now, neither had exchanged information about their setup.

Of course, he already had a rough idea.

If his guess was right, the woman's real aim was to accuse him of rape.

What puzzled him was the police's mid-incident room check.

After all, defending himself against prostitution charges was much easier than rape.

Drugging first, then calling the police—the plotter sought double insurance?

Or were they monitoring the room in real time, saw him throw the woman out, saw Song Mi enter, and sent the police as a spiteful retaliation when the plan failed?

Given his situation at the time, facing Song Mi... the police could have burst in during a heated moment!

With their identities, prostitution was impossible, so the officers would've come for nothing.

After hanging up, Wen Yanli stood in place for a while before calling Song Mi.

It rang for a long time without answer.

Only after the voicemail prompt did he reluctantly hang up.

He set the phone down, gazed out the window at the hospital's surroundings.

But his eyes had no focus.

All he could think of was Song Mi's face.

Last night, when he sent her a safe arrival message, she hadn't replied.

He'd resisted contacting her all day, not texting or calling, just to see if she would reach out first.

After what happened yesterday, her indulgence of him could only be described as reckless.

Even if she claimed she enjoyed it, treating it as a new adventure.

But his own feelings differed.

She wouldn't risk her body for "play."

Lu Zhizhi's stab hadn't hurt her organs, but pierced between two vertebrae—pain unimaginable.

For most, recovery wouldn't be as swift as hers.

Her figure and stamina were excellent; slender but with taut, athletic lines—not fragile.

It was clear she trained regularly.

He'd seen her draw a gun in one fluid, beautiful, dazzling motion.

He knew she was no ordinary woman.

He suspected she might vanish as quickly as she came.

Right now, her intense interest kept her by his side, lingering, even investing herself.

But what if one day, that interest faded?

He felt as if a hole had been punched in his chest, air leaking out endlessly.

This wasn't the first time he'd had such thoughts, but Song Mi was so captivating, so comfortable to be with, he always forgot.

She brought him unprecedented joy.

Pure pleasure of body and mind.

People not only can't resist pleasure—they habitually chase it, wanting more and longer.

Thus, comes insecurity.

Like him, right now.

Perhaps he was too impatient!

He should give her more time.

If, eventually, she lost interest, would he just let her walk away?

Would he be helpless, powerless?

His brows knotted in thought, when suddenly his phone rang, snapping him back.

But it wasn't who he was waiting for.

It was Rong Xin'an.

He waited a moment before answering, surprised to hear Rong Xin'an say she had just signed a contract with Sihai Group yesterday, "Can I ask you to review this contract for me?"

...

Meanwhile, Song Mi returned to her office and saw a missed call.

But before she could return it, her other phone rang.

The caller was none other than Shen Yanye, who had been missing for most of the day!

And Shen Yanye was clearly in a mood to interrogate her, "Song Mi, are you officially declaring war on me?"

"Have you forgotten that Minghao and his comatose girlfriend's secret is still in my hands?"

Song Mi let out a cold laugh, "Third Young Master, did you lose your brain along with your disappearance?"

"What reason would I have to sabotage myself at this moment?"

She glanced at her watch. "It's not even four yet; I could arrange a press conference now, you and—"

"Hahaha!" Shen Yanye suddenly let out a dry laugh, his sinister tone undiminished even through the phone, "What, you think I'll do as you say?"

"For the so-called company interests, for tomorrow's ridiculous project launch?"

"Hold a press conference with wife and child, clarify, counter-accuse, and throw out lawyer's letters?" Shen Yanye's voice was so manic it sounded almost deranged. "Song, you dare mess with me—have you considered the consequences?"

Since he wasn't planning crisis PR or damage control, Song Mi couldn't be bothered to listen to his threats, "Shen Yanye, I'll only say this once—believe it or not, it wasn't me!"

With that, she hung up.

Afterwards, she walked out of her office and told Ye Zhao to drive her to Qiao Weiwei's bar.

As soon as she got in, Ye Zhao reported what he'd found—he too had traced Liu Hai.

And the strange number that texted her the hotel room yesterday turned out to be registered to Wang Quan, a subordinate of Shen Yanye.

Ye Zhao even tracked the message's base station code.

It was sent from a club.

The very club Shen Yanye frequented. Yesterday at noon, Shen Yanye and Wang Quan had both gone there.

Around two, Wang Quan left first; Shen Yanye left at about three-thirty, his car heading straight to his daughter's school.

After picking up his daughter, the family went to a Western restaurant for dinner, then home.

That night, Shen Yanye did not go out.

Ye Zhao also found out that Shen Yanye visited the club again at noon today.

After one, his car left, but whether he was in it, Ye Zhao's bodyguards couldn't confirm.

So, the mastermind behind the setup against Wen Lawyer was likely Shen Yanye?

Just now, Shen Yanye's accusatory tone over the phone clearly assumed she had exposed his affair with Tang Lishi.

Previously, she'd suspected Shen Yanye himself might have leaked it.

But actually, she doubted he would—after all, an affair with his nominal stepmother was a secret best taken to the grave.

Such a move was more damaging than any calculated risk—why would Shen Yanye suddenly sabotage himself?

Song Mi felt intuitively that something was off.

But she couldn't quite articulate it.

Thinking, she picked up her phone and called Shen Ruming in Switzerland.

...

On the other side, after Song Mi hung up, Shen Yanye smashed his phone.

This woman must have a death wish!

How dare she do this to him!

He'd just gone to the club as usual for a meal, but some bastard had tampered with his drink, turning him into something less than human.

What he did was unspeakable.

When he finally stopped, he checked his phone to find chaos outside!

Dozens of calls from Tang Lishi!

And his wife!

Did he even dare step out of the club now?

Who else but Song Mi knew about this?

She must be tired of living!

Did she really think he wouldn't have her dealt with?

At this moment, Shen Yanye wasn't thinking at all—he called Wang Quan directly, ordering him to find someone and deal with Song Mi today!

...

Just as Song Mi stepped into Qiao Weiwei's bar, her phone rang.

It was Sister Tan.

As expected, Wanjia had replaced Sihai, Huo Qingjue had won. "Song, this time, really..."

"There will be other opportunities, Xiao Song. I believe in you!"

From Sister Tan's change of address, Song Mi knew what had happened.

She couldn't fault Sister Tan for not helping.

After a few brief words, she hung up.

She went upstairs; just as she reached the private room's door, Huo Qingjue called.

Song Mi didn't answer.

Once inside, she sent him the address.

Forty minutes later, Huo Qingjue rushed in, pushing the door open. "President Song."