Chapter Fifteen: The Old Master's Conditions

"Qin Yang, are you alright? About those police officers this morning..." Seeing Qin Yang return unharmed, Tao Caijie finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She had been at work when several policemen suddenly brought her home, asked her to unlock Qin Yang’s room, and seized a few things. Anxious and unable to return to her company, she had waited at home for his return, worry gnawing at her.

Qin Yang felt a gentle warmth in his chest—he hadn't experienced such genuine concern from another in a long time. He smiled and said, "I'm fine, it was just a misunderstanding. Thank you for worrying about me, Sister Tao."

"As long as you’re fine. Get some rest, I’ll go pick up Xiaomei and make dinner later," Tao Caijie replied, allowing him no chance to decline. She hurriedly put on her coat, grabbed her bag, and left. Qin Yang could only return to his room, tossing his backpack onto the floor. Though he had suffered much from poverty as an orphan, now that he had come into a million in cash, he suddenly realized that money wasn't as important as he'd once thought.

Moreover, this money had been taken from Fatty Liu, and in his heart, he had already set it aside as compensation for Gao Xiaolan. This sum belonged to Gao Xiaolan.

"Congratulations, you have fulfilled Gao Jinfai’s last wish. Hell’s favorability toward you has greatly increased," the butler’s voice echoed.

Qin Yang smiled. "Is there a specific value for this favorability?"

"There isn’t," replied the butler. "Favorability is a rather abstract attribute. Some high-ranking undead may choose to submit to Hell or not, depending on their own preferences, but higher favorability gives Hell priority in such choices."

"That sounds good," Qin Yang replied.

The two were chatting when a knock sounded at the door. Qin Yang rose quickly to answer it and found Yang Yaxin, looking pale, with Gao Xiaolan by her side. She gave Qin Yang an apologetic glance and said, "There’s been some trouble at home, and it’s inconvenient for outsiders to stay at Xiaowu’s place. I’d like to leave Xiaolan with you for a while. When things are resolved, if Xiaolan wants to move in with me, she can. Is that alright?"

Qin Yang was momentarily taken aback by her odd expression but, seeing it was not the time to probe, he nodded. "Of course, that’s no problem. Please, come in."

"No, I have to go—things at home are urgent," Yang Yaxin said with a bitter smile. "I’m leaving now, Xiaolan. I’ll come visit you, I promise."

"Alright," Gao Xiaolan replied.

Gao Xiaolan looked around Qin Yang’s home with curiosity and also expressed her gratitude for Yang Yaxin's care these past few days. Clearly in a hurry, Yang Yaxin said nothing more and quickly left. Qin Yang grew more curious and asked, "What exactly happened?"

"I don’t know," Gao Xiaolan shook her head. "Sister Yaxin got a call this morning and she’s been like this ever since. She won’t say anything about it."

"I see." Qin Yang frowned.

Gao Xiaolan then looked up, asking, "Brother Qin Yang, do you think Director Liu will be brought to justice?"

"Of course," Qin Yang smiled, gently smoothing the stray strands of hair on her forehead. "Xiaolan, don’t dwell on those things anymore. What you need now is to grow up happily. The pain of the past has nothing to do with you anymore, understand?"

"Yes," Gao Xiaolan nodded.

He helped her tidy up a room, but when he saw her sitting on the bed, gazing sorrowfully at a photo of her and her father, he felt a pang of helplessness. Tao Caijie soon returned home with Xiaomei. She was visibly surprised to see Xiaolan, but after Qin Yang’s simple introduction, her heart was filled with pity for the girl’s past. Tears fell uncontrollably as she prepared a table full of delicious food to welcome this new member into their family.

In the following days, Qin Yang did his utmost to talk openly with Gao Xiaolan, hoping to help her step out from the shadow of her father’s death. The innocent kindness of Cheng Xiaomei, too, seemed to work its magic on the sixteen-year-old girl. It was obvious that Gao Xiaolan was beginning to smile more.

However, what puzzled him most was Sun Qi’s silence. Based on Sun Qi’s personality, there was no way she would ignore an armed home invasion; she would normally be investigating nonstop. Yet she’d vanished in recent days, putting a halt to Qin Yang’s plan to use her help in tracking down the mastermind behind Fatty Liu.

That afternoon, Qin Yang continued his heartfelt conversations with Gao Xiaolan, determined to help her recover. But an unexpected guest interrupted them.

Seeing Wang Zhibing’s hesitant expression, Qin Yang frowned, sent Gao Xiaolan to rest in her room, and asked, "Just say what you came to say. Don’t stand there hemming and hawing."

"Young master, your father heard about what happened. He’s very disappointed," Wang Zhibing said with a wry smile. "There are some things he can’t know entirely, so..."

Qin Yang seemed unconcerned, finding a more comfortable position to sit. "And what else did the old man say?"

"He said that if the million really belongs to you, he wants me to take it away right now." Wang Zhibing shrugged helplessly. "If it isn’t yours, the old master intends to handle it officially and send you to the police. You must know, he’s just waiting for you to slip up..." He trailed off, shifting awkwardly.

"So he wants to force me into a corner so I’ll agree to his conditions?" Qin Yang narrowed his eyes.

Wang Zhibing nodded. "The old master is counting on it, pushing you to the brink. I’ll be blunt: in his eyes, that million is dirty money. He’s forcing you into a tight spot. As for Gao Xiaolan, he’ll offer some compensation. But if you don’t want to lose the money, you’ll have to agree to one thing—go on a blind date."

"A blind date?" Qin Yang curled his lip. "Is she at least beautiful? If not, I’m not going."

Wang Zhibing found Qin Yang’s frankness both within expectations and somewhat surprising. Still, it made him glad—his task was complete, after all. "Of course, she’s a real beauty. I’ve met her. Her family background isn’t as strong as ours, but she’s not without means. Madam herself arranged this match."

Qin Yang rolled his eyes. "I’m still evaluating your taste in women. Fine, when is it?"

"Tomorrow evening, in Jianghai City. I’ll pick you up at dusk." Wang Zhibing added, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll get going. Yang’s Jewelry has run into major trouble. The old master sees this as a chance to break into the Haitian market. I’m going to negotiate with them, see if we can acquire Yang’s Jewelry."

"Wait, since when did he become interested in the jewelry business?" Qin Yang asked in confusion. "The Hailong Group is already like an aircraft carrier at full capacity. Aren’t you afraid it’ll capsize?"

"You’ll have to observe the true strength of Hailong Group bit by bit, young master," Wang Zhibing replied with a mysterious smile. "Our presence in Haitian market is still weak, but I believe that, too, will soon be history."