Chapter 19 Conspiracy

  Although both of them were guessing in their hearts that Yu Xiaopeng would not let go, the other party was in a hidden position, and they themselves were in an open position. Even if they knew clearly what the other party would do next, they could only be cautious and defensive, and there was no other way to do it.

  On the night when Cong Ye sneaked into the small building, Yu Xiao Peng habitually went to the room with Yan Qing Cheng's photos on the wall after changing into a robe. He pushed open the door, turned on the light, and noticed that the window curtain was lifted at one corner. His face sank, and he quickly walked over to examine it carefully. After looking around the room and finding no signs of disturbance, he sat down in front of the slightly old dresser, propped his chin with his right hand, and fell into deep thought.

  "Who could it be?"

  Without thinking, Yu Xiaopeng also knew that someone had entered the room during his absence. The key was only in his own hands and those of Lin Li, as well as company secretary Li Xiaoyuan. Lin Li had been with him at sea all day, while Li Xiaoyuan had just happened to be arranged by him to go to Quancheng, a thousand miles away, and was not even in Guanhai City.

  "It must be him."

  Yu Xiaopeng said in a soft but firm tone.

  Yu Xiaopeng was very familiar with Cong Ye's experience, growing up in an orphanage, not being admitted to university after high school, choosing to enlist, becoming a scout soldier, and serving under Squad Leader Zhi Xiaokang. Through investigation, Yu Xiaopeng knew that Cong Ye valued loyalty, had his own ideas, and was decisive in his actions. Originally intending to take the military academy entrance exam within the troops, he chose to retire after Zhi Xiaokang's sacrifice, then rushed to Guanhai, moved into Zhi Xiaokang's home, and accompanied Yan Qingcheng day and night, inseparable.

  Just thinking about this, Yu Xiaopeng's temper became unbearable.

  Things were originally going well, everything was under his control, proceeding in an orderly manner, but suddenly a thorn appeared. How could Yu Xiaopeng, who had been smooth sailing since childhood, not be angry? What's even more hateful is that several times he sent people to make trouble in Rizhao Lane, not only failed to drive away the thorns, but also suffered losses and lost face.

  "What a waste of resources!"

  Yu Xiaopeng attributed everything to his subordinates' incompetence, and even a retired soldier with no foundation could not be dealt with.

  Yu Xiaopeng stood up, looked at the photo of Yan Qingcheng on the wall and gently stroked it with his right hand. His mind was filled with images of Yan Qingcheng, from that autumn morning nine years ago when he went to the First Hospital for a check-up and accidentally saw the beautiful doctor Yan Qingcheng, Yu Xiaopeng made up his mind to get her no matter what.

  Things developed beyond Yu Xiaopeng's expectations. In his mind, he had always thought that there was no woman in this world who did not love money and wealth, only believing in love. So, Yu Xiaopeng quickly revealed his identity and family background to Yan Qingcheng, and almost every day, he would go to the hospital, either sending her flowers or inviting her out for dinner. However, Yan Qingcheng didn't even accept the flowers he sent, let alone go out with him. The more Yan Qingcheng refused, the more it sparked Yu Xiaopeng's competitive spirit, and at the same time, his infatuation grew day by day.

  Just as Yu Xiaopeng was feeling anxious and didn't know what to do, Zhi Xiaokang suddenly appeared in front of Yan Qingcheng. Moreover, Yan Qingcheng grabbed Zhi Xiaokang's hand and said to Yu Xiaopeng:

  "Please don't come looking for me again, I already have a boyfriend."

  He immediately pointed to Zhi Xiaokang beside him and introduced:

  "Zhì Xiǎo Kāng, active serviceman."

  At first, Yu Xiaopeng didn't take Zhi Xiaokang seriously and didn't care about their relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend. He continued to pester Yan Qingcheng at the hospital every day until Yan Qingcheng personally told him:

  "We're getting married soon."

  Yu Xiaopeng only felt that things had developed beyond his control. In a fit of anger, Yu Xiaopeng racked his brains to think of ways to sabotage Yan Qingcheng and Zhi Xiaokang's wedding. He didn't care if it was a military marriage or not, nor did he care that intentionally sabotaging a military marriage was against the law. Just as things were coming to a head, his father suddenly ordered him to go work at the provincial government office. Yu Xiaopeng really didn't want to give up on Yan Qingcheng, but facing his father, who made him feel constrained just by looking at him, he had no way out. He immediately ran to his grandfather's side, wanting his grandfather to plead for him and delay going to work for two years, but unexpectedly, his usually doting grandfather said the same thing as his father.

  "Xiaopeng, you're 27 this year, right? When Grandpa was your age, he had already started a family and established his career. Take a look at yourself! Listen to your dad's words, report for work tomorrow, and from now on, you must work hard and not be idle anymore."

  From a young age, Yu Xiaopeng had always thought that if he couldn't have something, then no one else should either. But this time, Yu Xiaopeng didn't succeed in doing so. So even though Yu Xiaopeng went to work at the provincial party committee under pressure from his father and grandfather, his heart remained in Guanhai City, on Yan Qingcheng's body.

  "Aren't you tired of sleeping? You only know how to run here and look at those few rotten photos. If you miss her that much, why not just take her by force? With the Yu family's power, it's not like taking a woman is difficult, let alone killing one. Wanting to settle things wouldn't be as simple as drinking water?"

  Yu Xiaopeng was annoyed that Lin Li interrupted his contemplation, but it didn't show on his face. He turned to look at Lin Li, then slowly walked over and gently wrapped his arms around her slender body, which was only clad in a thin silk nightgown, as they headed towards the third floor together.

  "Xiaopeng, don't blame me for speaking bluntly. That woman, even if she was great back then, is now nothing but a withered flower and a fallen willow. Why bother wasting so much thought on her?"

  "Alright, it's getting late, go to sleep."

  Yu Xiaopeng spent three years working in the provincial party committee, after which he went into business. Although he had his father and grandfather's backing, the business world is still a challenging place, and these few years have tempered Yu Xiaopeng to the point where he seems like a completely different person. The air of pampered indulgence that once surrounded him has long since disappeared, replaced by an aura of wealth, elegance, and maturity. It can be said that the current Yu Xiaopeng is a veritable ladies' man.

  When Lin Li heard Yu Xiao Peng's gentle words, she didn't dare say anything else. The two of them hugged each other and lay down on the bed. Lin Li curled up in Yu Xiao Peng's arms like a docile little cat.

  Perhaps it was because of looking at Yan Qingcheng's past photos in the second-floor room earlier, Lin Li felt that Yu Xiaopeng was exceptionally passionate tonight. Until he made Lin Li soft all over, Yu Xiaopeng was still hacking away at her with a big knife. For a while, the third-floor room was filled with the sounds of birds and flowers, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of intimacy between men and women.

  Soon after that, Lin Li, who was already exhausted, fell asleep quickly. Yu Xiao Peng, however, lay with his eyes wide open staring at the ceiling, feeling not a bit sleepy.

  "Zhì Xiǎo Kāng, Yán Qīn Chéng, Cóng Yè."

  Yu Xiaopeng silently recited these three names in his heart. When he mentioned Zhi Xiaokang, a faint cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth that was hard to detect.

  "You're next, Cong Ye."

  "Yan Qingcheng, indeed a name that matches her appearance. Still so enchanting even in her thirties. Hmph, one day I'll make you take the initiative to throw yourself into my arms."

  Yu Xiaopeng had just been intimate with Lin Li, but in his mind, he was thinking of Yan Qingcheng. He had only pursued Lin Li because she looked extremely similar to Yan Qingcheng. Since Lin Li followed him to Guanhai City and saw the old photos of Yan Qingcheng on the second floor, she understood Yu Xiaopeng's intentions. However, she was greedy for Yu Xiaopeng's wealth and feared his power, so Lin Li could only compromise, occasionally complaining that Yu Xiaopeng treated her as a substitute.

  For the past few days, Cong Ye and Yan Qingcheng had been living in their own little world together, and Yu Xiaopeng knew all about it. Although the white sedan that had been tailing Cong Ye hadn't appeared again, the level of technology in this era made it easy for Yu Xiaopeng to find out everything he wanted to know.

  "Let you enjoy for a few more days, those who don't drink when toasted will be punished with a penalty drink. If he doesn't hit his head and bleed, after suffering enough, he won't turn back."