Volume One, Chapter 10: If You Want to Die, I'll Help You

“Mr. Yan, is that you?”
As the sun dipped below the western hills, Yan Fengjia received a call from Shen Man.

“Yes, it’s me. Speak,” Yan Fengjia replied calmly.

“Hmm~ I might have some leads here, but it’s not convenient to discuss over the phone. Could you come over to my place?”

Yan Fengjia furrowed his brows, narrowing his eyes slightly. “What’s so inconvenient? You insist I come to you personally—don’t try any tricks on me. If I can save your life, I can certainly take your illness back as well.”

Shen Man was a woman driven solely by self-interest, with immense ambition. She was not as naive as Gu Qinghan; she was a woman of great cunning and depth. Ever since Yan Fengjia cured her illness, her attitude had shifted to one of arrogance, even attempting to recruit him to work for her—this much was already clear.

A soft chuckle came from the other end. “Mr. Yan, you are my lifesaver. I am not ungrateful. Regarding the poisoning of Elder Yan, I do have some clues, but given the identity of the culprit, I...”

“Location,” Yan Fengjia said.

“Come to the entertainment club. This is my territory.”

Yan Fengjia ended the call. “Dad, sister-in-law, I’m heading out for a bit. I’ll be back soon.”

Qin Wanqiu had just returned from a walk with Yan’s father and happened to see this.

“Fengjia, just do your best with this matter. Although our family isn’t wealthy now, we can still manage some small business,” Yan’s father said, assuming Yan Fengjia was going to settle some debts.

Yan Fengjia didn’t explain, simply nodding. “Alright, Dad. I understand.”

Watching Yan Fengjia stride out, Yan’s father sighed deeply. “What has happened to this child over the past five years? He seems like a completely different person.”

Beside him, Qin Wanqiu knew a bit of Yan Fengjia’s secret. Yan Fengjia was the warden of Phoenix Women’s Prison, a figure revered even by the Li family.

From the start, she never worried about the Yan family going bankrupt.

It was just... after what had happened between them in prison, meeting again was unbearably awkward.

...

At the Shen family’s entertainment club, inside the executive president’s office.

“Come in,” Shen Man said, and Yan Fengjia strode in, hands in pockets, long legs purposeful.

“Mr. Yan, you finally came,” Shen Man said, her jet-black hair cascading over her waist and hips, wearing a tight black skirt that hugged her curves. Her long legs, clad in sheer black stockings, lent her an air of seduction as she moved.

“Please, sit. I have some fine wine here I’ve been saving—it should be nearly sober now. Perfect timing. Care for a taste?”

Yan Fengjia sat down but cut her off immediately.

“Enough talk. I’m pressed for time. Tell me everything you know.”

Shen Man flicked her hair and motioned for her secretary to leave.

Then she crossed her legs, the black stockings shimmering as she sat opposite him.

“Mr. Yan, our investigation shows that the Li family has risen rapidly over the years.”

“The Li and Yan families have long clashed over business philosophies—everyone in Qinghai City knows that.”

She pushed a tablet toward him.

“The business model of the Yan Donglai Mall, established by Elder Yan, has garnered strong support from the local government and citizens.”

“This has dealt a heavy blow to the Li family’s operations, which have been in the red for years.”

“Recently, they allied with the Su family, which led to Elder Yan’s bankruptcy. Are you aware of this?”

“I already know,” Yan Fengjia’s face darkened with killing intent. “So it was the Su and Li families conspiring because my father trusted Su Chen, and that led to the poisoning?”

“That’s one possibility. We can’t rule out that both of them know about it.”

“They’re courting death,” Yan Fengjia’s eyes reddened.

Yan’s father was his inviolable core. When his own strength was insufficient, he had been forced to return to the Tian Palace Jiang family to reclaim his roots for the sake of the Yan family.

Today, he was willing to sever every hand that dared to reach for his kin.

“Mr. Yan, I should warn you, the Li family is at its zenith. I hear they even have powerful backers that make even my Shen family wary.”

“If you confront them head-on, I don’t think that’s wise.”

Yan Fengjia smiled coldly, the tablet in his hand cracking instantly.

“Avoid their sharp edge?”

“You know nothing about me. Don’t judge me so easily, understand?” Yan Fengjia stared intently at Shen Man.

That faint glimmer of murderous intent scared Shen Man’s face pale.

“Mr. Yan, what I mean is, if you can secure my position as the future chairwoman of the Shen family, I can help you deal with Li Tianchen.”

“No need.” Yan Fengjia stood and left.

He already had what he wanted. Now that the mastermind behind the poisoning was confirmed, everything became simpler.

“Mr. Yan, won’t you at least consider helping me first?”

“With your methods, you definitely can’t beat Li Tianchen. His backing is far greater than you imagine.”

“Then watch closely. Oh, and one more thing...” Yan Fengjia paused at the door, pointing a finger at Shen Man with a warning.

“You think you’re clever, but to me, you’re utterly foolish.”

“If you want to use me to reclaim your position, you’d better be clear about your status and attitude.”

“Of course, I’m not a man who goes back on his word. I said there would be great rewards.”

“Once I’ve dealt with Su Chen and the Li family, I’ll help you take the seat you desire.”

“Thank you, Mr. Yan, truly thank you.”

Though she didn’t know Yan Fengjia’s full hand, his confidence made her realize one thing:

This fourth Yan sibling might actually pull it off.

---

At that moment, Yan Fengjia’s phone rang. It was Qin Wanqiu.

“Sister-in-law, what’s wrong?” Yan Fengjia’s tone softened slightly.

But the next second, a cold voice came through, and Yan Fengjia’s expression darkened sharply.

“Are you Yan Fengjia?” Li Tianchen sneered.

“The Li family?” Yan Fengjia had killed Li Ao; it was only a matter of time before they found out.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Good. You admit it. I’m at your house now. Your sister-in-law doesn’t want to tell me the cause of my son’s death—why don’t you?”

Yan Fengjia smiled. “I killed your son.”

No hiding it. He gave Li Tianchen exactly what he wanted to hear.

Silence fell on the other end—terrifyingly so.

But Yan Fengjia heard the heavy, nearly uncontrollable breathing.

“If you’ve got the guts, good. I’m waiting at your place. I hope you can own up to it, or both Elder Yan and your sister-in-law will die.”

“Don’t worry. I happen to have something to discuss with you. Oh, and call Su Chen over too.”

“Fine. Whatever you want.”

After hanging up, Yan Fengjia left without looking back.

“Li Ao was killed by him?” Shen Man stood frozen in the office, disbelief etched across her face.

She had considered many ways Yan Fengjia might exact revenge but never imagined such ruthless decisiveness—utter disdain for the law.

Watching Yan Fengjia leave, Shen Man faced a choice:

Trust that Yan Fengjia could help her rise swiftly and decisively, aiding him to confront Li Tianchen at any cost—or wait and see.

She quickly made her decision.

“Everyone, follow me—everyone at the entertainment club,” she ordered.

“Where are we going?”

“To the Yan family.”