Chapter 17: 17. Handle a funeral together?

“…Miss, have you lost your mind? The old man’s bones aren’t even cold yet!”

“That’s right, Second Sister! How can you make that kind of joke in front of Grandfather’s body?”

As Yuan Youwei’s words fell, Mrs. Xue, Yuan Tao, and the others were dumbstruck, their faces etched with disbelief. The other Yuan family bodyguards nearly dropped their jaws in shock. They had never seen their Second Miss show interest in a man before, but of all people, why Lin Fan? She couldn’t even stop herself from confessing in public!

“Th-th-this…”

Doctor Jiang, who was standing to the side, was utterly flabbergasted. I fanned the flames so hard, fully expecting Lin Fan to fail and face the Yuan family’s immense wrath. Who would have thought this guy’s luck was so outrageous? Not only did he become Yuan Youwei’s lifesaver, but it seems the Flower of Haicheng has also secretly lost her heart to him! Damn it, this is completely unfair! I talked until my mouth was dry, yet not only did you ignore me, Yuan Youwei, you actually became infatuated with Lin Fan?

“Miss Yuan, we only met by chance. There’s no need for such kindness,” Lin Fan said, looking away from Yuan Youwei’s sparkling eyes. He fell silent for a moment before shaking his head.

He had to admit, the woman before him was incredibly vibrant and passionate. Any normal man would find it hard not to be moved. However, his mother had just passed away, and he had just ended his four-year relationship with Su Mengqing. Lin Fan didn’t have the mental energy to consider anything else.

“Alright, it seems my joke was a bit too forward, haha.” The tips of Yuan Youwei’s delicate ears turned red, and a hint of disappointment flickered in her beautiful eyes.

But a moment later, a subtle confidence re-emerged. She was known as the Flower of Haicheng, after all. In terms of beauty, ability, and social standing, she far surpassed Lin Fan’s ex-wife, Su Mengqing. As long as she could keep Lin Fan firmly by her side and continuously launch a gentle offensive… hmph, how could she be afraid he’d run away? It was impossible for feelings not to develop over time.

Thinking about how the Old Master had finally been revived and the spy lurking in the Yuan family had been eliminated by Lin Fan, Yuan Youwei secretly sighed in relief, her spirits lifting considerably. But to maintain the secret, she had to suppress the smile on her lips and force a sorrowful expression.

“Mr. Lin, how about this? Since both our families need to arrange a funeral, why not do it together?” she persuaded softly, a sorrowful expression on her Yu Rong. “Divine Doctor Lin served the world with her medical skills. She shouldn’t pass away so quietly. She deserves a grand and dignified funeral!”

“…”

Lin Fan paused, frowning slightly, but he felt a stir of temptation. Indeed, his mother’s passing had been too sudden, leaving behind many regrets and worries. And since he had just left the Su Family with nothing, he lacked the means to arrange a grand affair. If the Yuan family could help give his mother a grand and dignified departure, it would be one way for him to fulfill his filial duty.

“You don’t need to persuade me. Mr. Lin saved my life. It’s only right for our Yuan family to help send off Divine Doctor Lin,” Yuan Youwei said, her gaze sharpening as she saw the shifting expressions on Mrs. Xue and Yuan Tao, who were about to protest. Her tone allowed no argument. “Besides, it is not yet time to announce the Old Master’s ’funeral.’ This provides the perfect cover!”

“Second Sister, our Yuan family is the most prestigious family in Haicheng! This… this is too humiliating!” Yuan Tao cried out indignantly, looking stupefied.

“Yes, Miss, perhaps you should discuss this with the other elders first,” Mrs. Xue pleaded, her expression complicated.

She truly couldn’t understand. The Young Miss had known Lin Fan for one night, at most. Even though he had saved Yuan Youwei twice, that still wasn’t reason enough to arrange a funeral for his mother! How terrifying it is to be lovesick… Thank goodness I’ve been single for thirty years, making me completely impervious. I’ve never let any of these wretched men get their way! Yet, when she recalled how Lin Fan had suddenly grabbed her waist… Mrs. Xue’s cheeks burned inexplicably, and she shot him a hateful glare.

“There is nothing to discuss. I am the heir to the Yuan family, and right now, all the major powers are watching us like vultures,” Yuan Youwei stated, her expression resolute. “If we hold a funeral for Grandfather according to standard procedure, it will undoubtedly cause a great deal of trouble! We can only speak of face and dignity after we’ve overcome this crisis!”

At her words, Mrs. Xue and Yuan Tao exchanged a look and fell silent.

“…If necessary, I will intervene,” Lin Fan said, finally nodding after a moment of silence.

Although Yuan Youwei was certainly using him, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement, so it wasn’t unreasonable.

“Thank you for agreeing, Mr. Lin. I’ll head back and begin preparations immediately. I’ll come to pick up Mrs. Lin first thing tomorrow morning.” Upon hearing his agreement, Yuan Youwei breathed another secret sigh of relief, a sweet feeling blooming in her heart.

This was the first step to getting closer to Lin Fan! Otherwise, this stubborn man would insist on holding a vigil for his mother and refuse to leave the house, no matter what. She couldn’t exactly keep running over to see him.

Her gaze shifted to the memorial portrait on the wall. Staring at the woman’s kind smile, she silently prayed, Divine Doctor Lin, please, may your spirit in heaven bless me…

She completely failed to notice the old man on the stretcher. His lips were pursed so tightly his face was beginning to turn dark. He was clearly seething, suppressing his anger with great difficulty.

“Doctor Jiang, you’ll be staying with the Yuan family for a few days. We still have matters to clear up,” Yuan Youwei said with a half-smile, turning to Doctor Jiang, who was stealthily trying to open the glass door.

“Ah… Director Yuan, I really did forget to lock my front door! I must get back immediately!” Doctor Jiang’s body shuddered, and he froze in place. Twisting his head around, he forced a smile that looked more painful than a grimace.

“Take the Old Master, him, and Ah Tai. Let’s go!” Yuan Youwei said with a final smile to Lin Fan. Ignoring the drastic change in Doctor Jiang’s expression as he was hauled away by two bodyguards, she led her retinue away in a flurry of motion.

A moment later, the rumble of departing cars in the alley faded into silence.

CLICK.

Lin Fan closed the door and turned off the light. He then squatted before the brazier and began burning joss paper. Raising his head to look at his mother’s portrait, a lump formed in his throat as he murmured under his breath, “Mom, we’ll be moving tomorrow… I’m going to make your funeral the talk of the entire city.”

「Meanwhile.」

In a dimly lit hospital room, Brother Dao lay on a bed, his hand wrapped in thick white bandages, snoring deeply.

“Brother Dao, how did you end up like this?”

A gentle male voice from above startled Brother Dao awake.

THUMP!

As his vision cleared, Brother Dao’s sleepy eyes filled with panic. He scrambled out of bed and knelt before the visitor. The man was young and handsome, dressed in a high-end white suit, but his smile was chilling.

“Mr. Chen Biao, I’ve brought shame to Black Tiger Hall, to Lord Hu, and to you!” Brother Dao trembled, not daring to meet the man’s gaze.

The man was Chen Biao, the deputy head of Black Tiger Hall and the only son of Haicheng’s underground emperor. He was the notorious Black Prince of Haicheng.

“I know all about it. We lost dozens of our elites this time, and now even I, the Black Prince, have become a laughingstock.” Chen Biao’s voice grew even gentler as he sat on the edge of the bed with a smile. Suddenly, he stomped his foot down on Brother Dao’s broken hand.

“Hiss… Mr. Chen Biao, please, listen to me! That brat Lin Fan is just too bizarre!” Brother Dao’s face contorted, and cold sweat poured down his forehead. He grit his teeth against the agony and looked up. “In just a few seconds, he killed everyone I brought with me! I don’t even know how he did it!”

“So, he might be a Martial Artist? How interesting. I love breaking tough guys like him. I especially enjoy the way they look when they finally kneel and beg for mercy.” A sinister smile played on Chen Biao’s lips as he ground his shoe heavily back and forth on the injured hand.

“Also, there’s that Su Gang! He owes us over twenty million in gambling debts! He knows Lin Fan; I think they’re family!” Brother Dao shook like a leaf in a storm. Fresh blood rapidly seeped through the bandages on his hand, and the veins on his forehead bulged from the pain.

“Good. We’ll grab Su Gang first, then, and feel out this Lin Fan’s background,” Chen Biao nodded. Removing his foot, he stood up and walked toward the door. “Next time, if you come crawling back alive by yourself, you know what to do. Black Tiger Hall doesn’t keep failures.”

“Yes, yes! I was wrong! I will never bring shame to Black Tiger Hall again!”

THUD!

As if granted a pardon, Brother Dao collapsed to the floor, soaked in sweat as if he had just been pulled from a river.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep