CHAPTER 126: CHAPTER 126: QIN SHENG’S MOST SATISFACTORY SUCCESSOR

"How outstanding must Qin Sheng’s choice for an heir be?"

"I don’t know."

"You haven’t met him either?"

"Yeah."

Jian Yao gave a silent thumbs-up. "I’ve realized your Qin family is truly something else, nurturing one freak after another. I wonder if your family just naturally produces weirdos. I used to think you were twisted enough, but now I see my understanding was limited. You Qin family members really know how to play the game."

Jian Yao thought about the myriad of messy affairs in the Qin family and felt exhausted. "Ancestor, what do you plan to do? You’re dead, and Fu Bing knows it too. How will you stay by her side? The identity of Wu Shi might arouse Qin Sheng’s suspicion; you might not be able to keep using it."

"She has a strong sense of trust in Wu Shi; it would be such a waste to give up this identity." Qin Jinhai did not answer the question about what would happen if Qin Sheng found out.

All his considerations stemmed from Fu Bing’s potential reactions.

As for Qin Sheng...

He would find a way to deal with him.

Jian Yao remained silent for a moment. "I don’t want to say anything more. I just wish you and Fu Bing could be happy together. It’s such a pity for you two. Sometimes I think, if I ever meet a woman in the future, I definitely can’t get as fixated as you are. Love should be the icing on the cake for a couple, but you’ve made it your everything. I think that’s too risky."

"Because you aren’t me, and the person you’ll meet won’t be Fu Bing. Your story with her won’t be as fraught with hardship as ours."

Jian Yao forced a smile, not comforted at all.

Qin Jinhai coughed lightly and turned to look out the window.

He wasn’t injured to the point of stepping through Ghost Gate Pass, but his wounds were still far from light.

The lingering poison from the past, coupled with Fu Bing breaking up with him, had completely crushed his will to live.

In the end, he held on, still because of her.

In this lifetime, he could let go of anyone—except Fu Bing.

「Inside the villa.」

Everyone wanted to comfort Fu Bing, but no one knew how.

After Li Yuan left, Fu Bing lay motionless in bed, steadfastly gazing out the window. No one knew what she was looking at or what she was thinking.

Truthfully, Fu Bing wasn’t thinking about anything—no thoughts, no emotional fluctuations.

She couldn’t believe that the sharp, domineering man, so arrogant and powerful, would be gone at the prime age of 27.

Qin Jinhai was full of schemes; he would never let himself die so easily.

A person like him was like the most resilient wild grass—even if burned to ashes.

By the following spring, with a single passing breeze, he would sprout anew, robustly reclaiming all the glory and territory he once held.

If Qin Jinhai chose death, there had to be a bigger scheme in play.

What was that scheme?

What scheme could be more important than the title of the Qin Family’s Second Son?

Fu Bing was utterly puzzled.

Could Qin Jinhai’s next target be her?

If it was because of her, he wouldn’t need to play such a big game.

Fu Bing maintained the same posture until darkness fell.

Han Hu couldn’t stand it anymore and brought in some food. "Eat something first."

Fu Bing only then came back to her senses, realizing half her body had gone numb.

She glanced at the clock. "Have I eaten today?"

Han Hu’s throat tightened at her words. "Not yet. You should eat a little."

"Mm."

Fu Bing’s expression was very calm.

She took the food Han Hu handed her and began to eat slowly, taking small bites and chewing thoroughly.

The only sound in the room was Fu Bing’s occasional chewing.

Watching her, Han Hu felt a pang. "If you’re in pain, just say so. We’ll be here for you."

Fu Bing smiled faintly. "I’m fine. Qin Jinhai will reappear one day. I just haven’t figured out why he would do this."

"You..."

"Do you think I’ve gone crazy? After everything I’ve been through, I’ve realized that death is the simplest thing. Qin Jinhai would definitely not choose death lightly, and neither would I. Even if there’s only the slightest glimmer of hope, we wouldn’t choose death."

"After everything that’s happened between you two, you still understand him so deeply."

"He was once the person I loved most; I understand parts of him. Even though I hate him, I also loved him with absolute clarity."

As Fu Bing spoke, her eyes grew brighter.

Han Hu could sense the change in her. "Fu Bing, I really admire you."

"Don’t admire me. My strength was forged from the hardships I’ve endured. If I had a choice, I would never choose the path I’ve taken. It might seem like I have many choices, ample support, and numerous people who sincerely care for me, but if I were to fall, most of them would leave. That’s reality."

Han Hu didn’t know how to respond. "You don’t have to be so pessimistic."

"It’s not pessimism; it’s seeing the truth. The worst-case scenario is I’ll be alone and unable to survive. So, I’ll just have to carefully avoid anything that could cause my downfall—the kind where everyone abandons you—and ensure that both I and those around me can benefit."

Fu Bing put down her bowl and chopsticks. "I know you all genuinely care about me, and that’s enough. Let’s create more beautiful memories and shared value while our sincerity lasts, so when it’s time to part, no one will have regrets."

Yang Ningzheng and Lu Yuan, outside, heard every word Fu Bing said with crystal clarity.

Yang Ningzheng stubbed out his cigarette, quietly burying his admiration for Fu Bing deep in his heart.

There was already someone who occupied such a significant place in Fu Bing’s heart. It would be difficult for her to accept someone ordinary now.

Yang Ningzheng wasn’t demeaning himself; he knew he was outstanding and possessed many strengths.

But those strengths paled in comparison to Qin Jinhai and weren’t enough to capture Fu Bing’s attention.

Still, for him, just having had the chance to meet and fall in love with Fu Bing in this lifetime was enough.

Fu Bing rested in bed for a month. Her external wounds had long since healed, and she was able to do some rehabilitation exercises each day.

She still cared about her image, only getting out of bed to move around when no one else was home.

She was only willing to walk in front of others once she could do so steadily and quickly.

That very day, she went to see Ren Ye.

Ren Ye had also moved into her residential complex by then, where doctors were readily available if needed.

Matron Ning also visited him often to adjust his prescriptions.

Ren Ye’s condition had greatly improved. Seeing that Fu Bing’s face hadn’t gained much weight, he said, "Lying in bed, just don’t overthink things. The earth won’t stop spinning without us, so don’t feel you have to be so involved."

"Are you feeling better?"

"With your doctor friends looking after me, I can’t help but get better," Ren Ye said with a smile, clearly in good spirits.

"Aren’t you curious about the truth behind the car accident?"

"Ren Zhi looked into it. It was an accident."

"Do you believe that?"

Ren Ye raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to believe it?"

"I don’t."

"Some things don’t need to be clarified yet; there’s no need to trouble yourself over them. You... you’ve been through a lot, but there’s a stubbornness in your heart that prevents you from relaxing." Ren Ye said, his gaze unusually sharp as he looked directly at Fu Bing. "Xiaobing, you’re the most outstanding person I’ve ever met. Don’t push yourself too hard. Think about why you first came to Jiangnan. Wasn’t it to take a break with your loved ones and accompany a friend? You’ve accomplished both. Don’t strain yourself over everything else."