Chapter 936 - 902: Hometown in Memory

Xu Chunliang said, "She has also interviewed quite a few defectors; I think it’s written quite well."

Jin Xin Hui said, "I’ll buy a copy to read someday."

Xu Chunliang was not one to show up empty-handed. He had brought a signed book along and took it out of his bag, handing it to Jin Xin Hui: "A gift for you."

Jin Xin Hui smiled and said, "Thank you so much."

She glanced at the cover and opened the book, noticing the author’s photo and introduction. For some unknown reason, Jin Xin Hui felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity and softly praised, "This author is so pretty."

Xu Chunliang said, "I’m friends with her."

From the kitchen came the voice of Che Shixiong, "Mr. Xu, do you eat garlic?"

Xu Chunliang laughed and said, "I don’t have any dietary restrictions."

Jin Xin Hui flipped through a page, Chapter One—Memories of the Hometown...

Recently, Capital City had been experiencing a lot of rain, and fine rain enveloped the rooftop of Jingfu Building. Huang Youlong sat across from Bai Lan in the pavilion.

"Please!" Huang Youlong gestured invitingly.

Bai Lan picked up the Oolong tea in front of her, took a sip, and found it quite hot.

Huang Youlong lifted his cup and drank it all in one go.

Bai Lan said, "Mr. Huang still retains his old tea-drinking habits."

Huang Youlong smiled and said, "Good habits, of course, should be kept."

Bai Lan said, "Do you know why I wanted to meet you?"

Huang Youlong said, "I’d like to hear the details."

Bai Lan looked at him coldly and said, "Don’t have people following me anymore. If I find out it happens again, I won’t be so polite."

Huang Youlong burst into laughter, looking at Bai Lan with interest. This woman thought that by leaning on Li Bingxing’s big tree, she could do whatever she wanted. What really frustrated Huang Youlong was his father-in-law, Li Bingxing. The old man never treated him like family, and even had people interfering in his affairs.

Huang Youlong gently placed the empty teacup down and, with deep eyes fixed on Bai Lan, asked, "What is your purpose in getting close to Xu Chunliang?"

Bai Lan said, "I don’t think there’s any need to explain my matters to you."

Huang Youlong said, "Although Xu Chunliang is young, he is quite extraordinary. I advise you to be more cautious."

Bai Lan said, "I’ve heard that Mr. Huang and Huichun Hall have personal grievances?"

Huang Youlong frowned, feeling increasingly displeased.

Bai Lan said, "I’ll give you a piece of advice too—don’t let personal grievances affect the Group’s great cause."

Huang Youlong picked up the teapot and slowly filled his cup, leisurely sipping his tea before saying, "Is he dissatisfied with me?"

Bai Lan said, "That’s between you two."

Huang Youlong said, "Tell me honestly, has he developed a murderous intent towards Xu Chunliang?"

Bai Lan’s face turned towards the outside of the pavilion, looking at the increasingly heavy rain. Raindrops fell chaotically on the ground, mirroring her mood at that moment.

"Mr. Xu, is this author a friend of yours?"

Xu Chunliang nodded.

Jin Xin Hui’s expression seemed somewhat excited: "Does she have a scar here?" She pointed to the left side of her collarbone.

Xu Chunliang couldn’t help but laugh: "You might be mistaken; we’re just ordinary friends, and I haven’t seen a scar there."

Jin Xin Hui laughed apologetically, realizing her faux pas. Just then, Che Shixiong had prepared the food and brought it over.

Jin Xin Hui said, "Mr. Xu, don’t mind me. Because of my sister’s situation, I’ve become a bit paranoid and whatever news I hear, I always feel it’s related to my sister." She looked at the photo of Bai Lan. Although it seemed familiar, her memory of her sister was still of a nine-year-old little girl, undernourished, just like a bean sprout.

Che Shixiong said, "Even if you saw her on the street, you might not recognize her."

Xu Chunliang said, "Do you have a photo together?"

Jin Xin Hui nodded sadly, sighed quietly, and took out an old photo, handing it to Xu Chunliang. In the photo, a young and beautiful Jin Xin Hui hugged a skinny little girl. Despite their shabby clothes, the sisters laughed happily."

Xu Chunliang pondered in his heart, after so many years, although Jin Xin Hui might not recognize her sister, her sister should be able to recognize her.

Xu Chunliang sought her opinion and took a photo with his phone.

Che Shixiong was arranging the meal.

Bai Lan received Xu Chunliang’s message. With a conflicted heart, she opened the message. After taking one look, she was suddenly stunned. After glancing again, she quickly stood up, knocking over the teacup in front of her. But she didn’t have time to care about that, and she quickly walked into the rain.

Huang Youlong also noticed her anomaly and couldn’t help but frown.

Bai Lan found Xu Chunliang’s number and dialed, but it was busy! Xu Chunliang was on a call.

Bai Lan ran towards the elevator with incredible speed, but hesitated at the elevator because it was easy to lose signal inside.

Bai Lan decided to abandon the idea of taking the elevator and chose the emergency stairs, dialing repeatedly as she descended.

Only when Bai Lan arrived at the first-floor lobby did she finally get through to Xu Chunliang.

"Hello!" Xu Chunliang’s lazy voice sounded.

"Xu Chunliang, listen to me, I’m not joking with you. Leave the dining place immediately, as far as you can."

Xu Chunliang suddenly realized something. He looked up at Che Shixiong: "Run!"

Che Shixiong didn’t know what was happening; Jin Xin Hui was still in the kitchen.

Xu Chunliang shouted, "Sister Jin!" He and Che Shixiong rushed into the kitchen simultaneously, grabbing the bewildered Jin Xin Hui and dashing towards the store’s entrance. Just as they reached the doorway, the explosion occurred.

An earth-shattering explosion sounded from the kitchen, and a blast wave surged from behind. Che Shixiong threw himself over Jin Xin Hui, and Xu Chunliang felt as if a massive wave struck his back. He exhaled, and with the force of the blast, soared forward like a great bird, landing in the middle of the road.

After entering the Innate Realm, his body’s response had transformed dramatically. Xu Chunliang couldn’t normally leap so far, almost crossing the entire road. Even so, his back felt a faint pain.

A Honda passing by happened to brake suddenly due to the explosion sound, getting rear-ended by a Great Wall behind, followed by a Ford, causing a chain collision.

Xu Chunliang turned to look back, seeing Che Shixiong lying on top of Jin Xin Hui. His shirt was torn by the blast wave, lying motionless, uncertain if he was dead or alive.

Xu Chunliang rushed over, and the disheveled Jin Xin Hui crawled out from under Che Shixiong, coughing and shaking his body.

Xu Chunliang said, "Don’t move, let me check." He felt Che Shixiong’s pulse and judged he was merely unconscious.

Xu Chunliang pulled a thin needle from his needle pouch, selecting acupuncture points: Baihui, Renzhong, He Gu, and Yongquan.

Using the reducing technique, he employed lifting, thrusting, and rotating twirls.

In no time, Che Shixiong took a deep breath, waking as if from a dream. The first thing he did upon waking was to look for Jin Xin Hui, showing his deep affection. Jin Xin Hui hugged him with tears flowing, and they held each other tightly in the rain.

Seeing everyone was fine, Xu Chunliang felt relieved, casting his gaze at the explosion site, observing the post-explosion chaos. A fire ignited by the explosion burned inside Han Shangyuan, thick smoke billowing.

Around them, people gathered to watch the spectacle, and firefighting sirens were heard from afar.

During the escape, Xu Chunliang lost his phone and searched around, estimating that he likely dropped it inside the store during the escape.

Looking at the scene, Xu Chunliang couldn’t help but feel fearful. If Bai Lan hadn’t called at the last moment, even if he had survived the explosion, he would likely have been injured. This explosion was certainly man-made, and Bai Lan knew in advance, perhaps she even orchestrated it.

If she did, why did she warn me? Xu Chunliang’s mind raced as he eyed Jin Xin Hui in the rain. The true reason was the photo he sent to Bai Lan. Could Bai Lan be Jin Xin Hui’s sister?

Jin Xin Hui held Che Shixiong’s face, loudly calling his name. His gaze remained somewhat vacant, as his hearing had yet to recover. Yet Che Shixiong understood internally this explosion wasn’t accidental. Someone wanted Xu Chunliang dead, even at the cost of their lives. Che Shixiong felt a towering rage, locking onto a target in his mind, vowing he wouldn’t allow anyone to harm Jin Xin Hui.

But how did Xu Chunliang know who called him in the end? Che Shixiong remembered Xu Chunliang’s expression changed after that call, urging him to leave immediately. He also recalled Xu Chunliang didn’t leave immediately but helped rescue Jin Xin Hui together, showing his loyalty.

Xu Chunliang not only saved Jin Xin Hui twice, but he also saved me. For the rest of my life, I will readily face any danger for Xu Chunliang!

Before the police arrived, Xu Chunliang approached them and whispered, "No matter what they ask, just say you don’t know."

With partial hearing restored, Che Shixiong nodded. Jin Xin Hui pursed her lips, understanding it wasn’t a coincidence, but feeling incredibly saddened that their hard-won business had gone up in smoke.

Bai Lan appeared under an umbrella among the onlookers, seeing Che Shixiong supporting a haggard woman into an ambulance. They were likely heading to the hospital for an examination.

Sister! Bai Lan silently called out in her heart, recognizing her sister after fifteen years of separation. So much had changed for her; her sister’s youth was gone, but her gentle eyes remained the same. Tears welled in Bai Lan’s crystalline eyes; she had always missed her sister, almost causing her death today herself.

Bai Lan also saw Xu Chunliang being questioned by the police. Seeing him safe made her feel better; she admitted her hesitation. But if he hadn’t sent that photo, would she have warned him to leave? Bai Lan didn’t want to ponder this question.

At that moment, Xu Chunliang turned his face, his gaze pierced through the rain, locking onto Bai Lan hiding among the crowd.

Bai Lan’s blood froze instantly; she didn’t expect Xu Chunliang to so easily discover her. She instinctively lowered her head, wondering if he would call the police.