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Chapter 22: Conspiracy in the Dark Room
Xiao Yun stepped aside and pressed the answer button, hearing Duan Qingxue's anxious voice from the other end: "Xiao Yun, are you okay?"
Hearing her concerned tone warmed Xiao Yun's heart, and he replied with a smile, "I'm fine."
On the other end, Duan Qingxue said, "That's good. Hurry over; I need to talk to you!"
"Okay, I'll be right there!" Xiao Yun hung up the phone and approached Liu Ziyan, saying, "Sorry, someone needs me for something; I have to go!"
Liu Ziyan could tell that the person who had just called him was definitely Duan Qingxue, and a look of disappointment crossed her face.
Han Xing stepped forward and said, "Alright, if you're really leaving, let me drive you!"
Xiao Yun didn't hesitate and got into her car.
Liu Ziyan seemed to remember something and ran to the car door. She took out a card from her pocket and handed it to Xiao Yun, saying, "Thank you so much, Mr. Xiao. This afternoon, not only did you help me stand up from my wheelchair, but you also drove away those thugs. I really can't repay you enough for this. Please accept this small token of appreciation; don't refuse it!"
Xiao Yun took the card and was surprised to see it contained eight hundred thousand yuan. Since she had already put it this way, he felt it would be inappropriate to decline any further and casually placed it in his bag.
Afterward, Liu Ziyan also told him the withdrawal password.
Watching the car drive away, the bald man turned to Liu Ziyan and said, "Sister Liu, this guy is quite a character. It's a pity we just let him go like that!"
Liu Ziyan pondered for a moment and replied, "I will find a way to bring him back to our side!"
...
Sitting in the car, Xiao Yun was still thinking about the fight in Phoenix City earlier and couldn't help but sigh quietly. In this day and age, doing business really is like what others say: the marketplace is a battlefield. Even opening a hotel attracts envy; who exactly wants to take over Phoenix City?
Little did he know that some matters often come as a surprise; the mastermind behind Gu Tianfeng's actions was none other than Duan Haoran.
At this moment, Gu Tianfeng had received a report from Black Bull. He never expected that the kid following Duan Qingxue would appear at the Phoenix City Grand Hotel, and he was quite capable in a fight.
Gu Tianfeng instructed Black Bull to take his group of brothers to the hospital for treatment, and he would handle the other matters himself.
Soon after, Gu Tianfeng hurried to the Duan Residence.
The Duan Residence resembled a large estate from ancient times, with multiple courtyards, though it was hard to tell how many layers there were.
Duan Haoran lived in the sixth courtyard, where tall wintergreen trees lined the entrance. Even in the heat of summer, anyone who entered this courtyard would feel a chill rising from their feet, as if a breeze passing through the wintergreen trees was not summer wind but rather the frost of late autumn from afar.
Usually, when he had nothing to do, Duan Haoran enjoyed reading in his study. In his study, thick curtains were drawn over the windows during the day, casting a dim light in the room that seemed to be filled with dampness. A candle burned on his desk; under its flickering yellow light, he would read, nap, or make phone calls to issue commands.
It was hard to imagine that a wealthy man renowned in Galaxy City and even known throughout China would spend his days hiding in such a dark place.
At this moment, Duan Haoran was reclining on the sofa in his study reading a book, while a voluptuous young woman stood behind him, gently massaging his shoulders with her delicate white hands.
Ordinary people rarely saw Duan Haoran, but Gu Tianfeng could enter his study freely.
When Gu Tianfeng entered, Duan Haoran merely glanced at his face and immediately sensed that there was urgency in his visit. He set down his book and waved his hand; the enchanting woman quietly exited and closed the door behind her.
Duan Haoran appeared to be in his seventies, looking frail and hunched over. His face had a waxy yellow hue, and sparse white whiskers hung from his chin, giving him an appearance of someone recovering from a serious illness. However, those who knew him well understood that he was actually very energetic; one could tell by the sharp glint in his eyes that he was not an ordinary person.
“Have a seat,” Duan Haoran said as he looked at Gu Tianfeng standing with his hands at his sides. He pointed to a nearby chair and asked, “Is something wrong with Qingxue?”
Gu Tianfeng shook his head and replied, “Miss Qingxue is fine; it’s just that there’s been a bit of trouble in Phoenix City!”
Duan Haoran's expression turned serious as he asked, “What exactly happened?”
Gu Tianfeng then recounted everything that Black Bull had reported to him in detail.
"You mean the troublemaker this time is that young man who is with Qingxue?" Duan Haoran asked.
Gu Tianfeng replied, "Yes, I didn't expect this kid to be so skilled. According to Black Bull, he took on multiple opponents by himself, and they didn't even see how he made his moves."
Duan Haoran's expression darkened as he said, "Where did this Xiao come from?"
Gu Tianfeng continued, "Originally, we had caused some trouble for Phoenix City, and it was about to collapse under the pressure. I didn't expect this kid to stir things up like this. What's even harder to understand is that this Xiao fellow somehow helped Liu Ziyan recover her lumbar spine, allowing her to stand up from her wheelchair!"
"You... you said what? Liu Ziyan can walk now?"
"Yes, Black Bull saw it with his own eyes. He also heard Liu Ziyan and Han Xing say that it was Xiao Yun who cured her back!"
Duan Haoran immediately widened his eyes and muttered, "How is that possible? No matter who it is, as long as they are struck by the Thousand-Year Ice Needle, they will be paralyzed for life and can only live in a wheelchair. Even a Great Immortal wouldn't be able to cure it—what kind of magic did this kid use to make her stand up?"
Gu Tianfeng scratched his head and said, "I can't figure it out either. Could it be that my Thousand-Year Ice Needle has some issue?"
"Impossible." Duan Haoran shook his head and added, "This Liu Ziyan was originally a hidden expert. Now that she has help from that Xiao fellow, if we want to deal with her again, it will probably take some effort!"
Gu Tianfeng asked, "Should I step in and take care of the Xiao guy first?"
"No," Duan Haoran replied. "It's not that I’m criticizing you, but you shouldn't have personally led people to cause trouble in Phoenix City. Now I'm afraid that Xiao Yun has already grown suspicious of you. Since he was able to cure Liu Ziyan, he will surely see through her injuries caused by the Thousand-Year Ice Needle. Moreover, now that he’s back by Qingxue's side, he will definitely tell her about what happened this afternoon. If something were to happen to him at this moment, Qingxue would naturally suspect me. Would she ever let me off the hook for that?"
After saying this, Duan Haoran leaned back on the sofa, closed his eyes, clicked his tongue, and then sighed deeply. He originally looked frail but suddenly seemed to age a few years in an instant; his complexion changed from a waxy yellow to a dull gray.
Gu Tianfeng asked anxiously, "What should we do then?"
Duan Haoran, unwilling to open his eyes, pondered for a moment and said, "In my opinion, your identity as a bodyguard in the Duan Family has probably been exposed. For now, you should hide and carefully investigate Xiao Yun's background. As for those people you sent to cause trouble in Phoenix City, give them some money and send them away; they must not show their faces in the galaxy again. Also, regarding the Phoenix City Grand Hotel, we should avoid touching it for now and think of another way to take it over; otherwise, we won't be able to explain ourselves to the Song Family in Beijing!"
Gu Tianfeng was taken aback and asked, "Boss, there's something I'm not sure if I should ask?"
"Duan Haoran" replied, "We're not strangers; feel free to ask any questions."
"The Song Family of Beijing is indeed one of The Four Great Families of Huaxia, with astonishing power and a reputation that spans both domestic and international realms. Why are they so interested in our Galaxy City and its mere Phoenix City?"
Duan Haoran nodded and said, "This is also my concern. However, since he has given such instructions, I cannot disregard them. There must be secrets unknown to outsiders involved. Now, you should follow my orders and not meddle in this matter further, nor let anyone else know!"
Gu Tianfeng replied, "I will do as you command!"
Duan Haoran waved his hand weakly at Gu Tianfeng and said, "If there’s nothing else, you may leave. I wish to rest alone for a while."
"Understood!"
Just as Gu Tianfeng was about to exit, Duan Haoran called him back.
Duan Haoran said, "Also, find out more about that person named Xiao. With such abilities, what is his intention in getting close to Qingxue? Remember, do not alert Qingxue."
Gu Tianfeng cautiously replied, "Got it, Boss!"
Once Gu Tianfeng left, Duan Haoran straightened up and picked up a photo frame from his desk. It was a picture of Duan Qingxue.
He trembled as he touched the photo of Duan Qingxue and sighed deeply, saying, "Qingxue, I know you resent your grandfather, but do you understand how much pain I feel? I long for your return day and night. Why won’t you listen to me?"
After sighing, he pressed a button on the desk lightly. A clear ringing sound echoed as the door opened, and the young beautiful woman who had exited earlier walked back in.
Duan Haoran addressed the woman, "An Yiran, from now on, you will take over Gu Tianfeng's duties and secretly ensure Qingxue's safety..."
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