Chapter 79 The Sleeping Jade

Yao Tang threw her backpack over her shoulder. “Just take good care of her. She could last another three to five years, or she might pass at any day. Only time will tell.” After all, she was just a doctor who cheated the god of death and borrowed his prey for a given period, not a god herself. She was incapable of granting someone absolute healing.

Cheng Yan pondered her words before asking, “How should we go about caring for the Old Madam?”

Yao Tang fished for a notepad from inside her bag and scribbled on it. “First, she needs to take everything on this list. Later, I’ll make some traditional Chinese medicine specifically in case of emergency.” She tore off the piece of paper and held it out to Cheng Yan.

As he took it, their fingers brushed against each other.

One set was quite cold to the touch, while the other was burning hot.

Yao Tang paused and looked up.

Her eyes locked with Cheng Yan’s, then a smile slowly bloomed on her face. There was a glint of mischief in her gaze.

“Young Master Cheng, I must ask for one of your family’s heirlooms as compensation for my treatment of the Old Madam. Please give me the Sleeping Jade.”

According to the information she had gathered, the Cheng familyseemed to have been using the artifact in an attempt to aid the Old Madam’s recovery. Unbeknownst to them, theSleeping Jadewasn’t of much use in this situation. It would be such a waste should it remain in the household for such a purpose.

Cheng Yan chuckled softly before nodding at Qin Hao. “Go and retrieve it.”

Soon after, Qin Haoreturned with theSleeping Jadein his hands. He respectfully offered it toYao Tang, who grabbed the item and tossed it from one hand to another.

In the end, she pocketed it with a satisfied look on her face.

“Thank you. I’ll be taking my leave now. Also…” she shot Cheng Yanwith a meaningful gaze and spoke her next words slowly. “I’m about to take the college entrance exams. I would appreciate it if you didn’t disturb me while I study. If you encounter any more problems in the future, just look forYu Jing.”

The old man instantly bristled at that. He wanted to protest, but could do nothing more than pout. He had no choice but to obey, anyway.

Cheng Yan raised a sardonic brow.

Study?

If he wasn’t mistaken, Yao Tanghad ranked first in No. 1 High School’s recent exams.

Her results were genuine and irrefutable, too.

He was therefore surprised to hear her demands just now. But he kept his thoughts to himself and only said, “I’ll have Qin Haosend you home.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Yao Tang said casually as she headed for the door. “I still have other errands to run, anyway.”

Cheng Yan watched her go, like a hawk eyeing its mark before going in for the kill. When she was gone, his mouth twisted into a sneer. “Teach theYao familya lesson,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “Make it so that she can sleep and rest easy at night.”

Qin Hao’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief. Was this young master really going to wreak havoc, all so Yao Tangcould get a proper night’s sleep?

But of course, he didn’t say this and only left to do Cheng Yan’s bidding.

Yu Shu’s car screeched to a stop at the entrance of the Cheng residence.

Her chauffeur got out of the vehicle and opened the door for her.

She strutted toward the villa, looking elegant and dignified.

On her way, she passed by a young girl, who seemed to have just exited the very same villa. She was wearing a cap that covered the better part of her face, but Yu Shutook note of the girl’s red and supple lips as well as her well-defined jaw.

Her eyes were inexplicably lured to the girl even as she strode past. Yu Shueven turned around to watch as the girl disappeared n the distance.

For some reason, she felt apprehensive and rather insecure.

This was very strange indeed, especially given Yu Shu’s illustrious background and high status in society. How could some unknown school girl suddenly make her feel so unsure of herself?

It must be her mind playing tricks on her.

Brushing those ugly thoughts away, Yu Shucontinued to the Chengs’ villa, her high heels clicking sharply on the gravel path.

Miles away, Yao Yuanwas stewing in his office.

He had been anxiously waiting for a promotion, having been on the list for quite some time now. Who would have thought that his expectations would be dashed to pieces on this fateful afternoon?

Without any warning, the position he had been coveted for a long time was gone, just like that!

It hadn’t been easy maintaining his current position, and certainly less so to get a chance to rise above it.

After much consideration, Yao Tangdecided to run to his direct boss and ask why things turned out the way they did. “Director Xie, what’s going on? Haven’t you already decided on me for this position?”

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Xie Cheng looked up from the documents he had been perusing. “I just received the official designation orders, too, you know. I found out about it just a few minutes before you did.”

Yao Yuan took several deep breaths to calm himself down, but when he spoke again, his voice was anything but calm. “Does that even mean anything, Director Xie? The matter has already been decided long before, hasn’t it? How come it’s changed, all of a sudden?”

Xie Cheng put his pen down and looked deep into the other man’s eyes. “Think carefully. Have you offended anyone recently?”

Yao Yuan frowned, exasperated beyond reason.

Was it the Ruan Family? But if they had this kind of power in the first place, then why had they chosen to sacrifice Ruan Qing?

Aside from them, he had been on good terms with everyone in his network. He had to be, since it was a very crucial point in his career. Yao Yuanhad been very diligent and careful in every aspect of his work, and with each of his connections. So how could his efforts have gone down the drain within a moment’s notice?

Who, exactly, was the scoundrel who had plotted against him?

Yao Yuan clenched his hands into fists. “I’m telling the truth, Director Xie. I really have no idea whom I could have possibly offended. Won’t you help me find out who it is, so I may offer them my sincere apologies?”

Considering how they had managed to sabotage his superior’s decisions with a snap of a finger, Yao Yuanwas certain that his opponent was no ordinary person. If he didn’t handle this matter correctly, it might spell a lifetime of doom for his professional ambitions.

Xie Cheng nodded and sighed. “All right, don’t beat yourself up too much. There are still plenty of opportunities out there. Just do your best and work hard.”

Yao Yuan forced a smile and excused himself.

Even as he left, he still couldn’t shake off the ominous feeling that settled heavily inside his chest.