“Boss, Miss Su’s strange illness has flared up earlier than expected this time. This is a sign that her condition is worsening.”

After completing his examination, Jiang Haojin looked at Lin Huaiyu with a heavy expression.

Based on their previous calculations, Su Weichu shouldn’t have had another episode until two days later.

As expected, Lin Huaiyu’s face darkened with concern.

He gazed at the unconscious Su Weichu lying on the bed, his heart aching at the sight.

It wasn’t until Jiang Haojin injected the suppressant into Su Weichu’s body that Lin Huaiyu finally spoke.

“How is the progress on your experiments?”

“There has been some breakthrough,” Jiang Haojin replied truthfully. “But Miss Su’s cells are… unusual. I need to conduct further tests.”

The two men were so focused on discussing the experiments that neither noticed the slight movement of the woman lying on the bed.

Lin Huaiyu pressed on, “Do I still have enough cells left? You said before that my cells could be used in medicine to control Chuchu’s condition. Do you need to extract more? I’ve been taking care of my health lately—I can handle it.”

“Boss, I understand that you want to save her, but no matter how well you’ve been maintaining your health, it’s still not suitable for you to undergo another extraction.”

Jiang Haojin refused firmly before continuing, “Besides, the last time I extracted your cells, I was able to produce enough suppressant. Miss Su will be fine for now.”

Upon hearing this, the half-conscious Su Weichu trembled slightly.

Lin Huaiyu’s cell extractions… weren’t for Qiao Shan?

Had she misunderstood him all along?

As she reeled from this revelation, the sudden ringing of Lin Huaiyu’s phone broke the silence.

It was a call from the company—an urgent matter required his presence.

After hanging up, Lin Huaiyu cast a tender glance at Su Weichu before leaving with Jiang Haojin.

However, the moment they stepped out, another figure entered the apartment through a different elevator.

Qiao Shan.

An hour earlier, she had received a message from a mysterious sender, informing her that Lin Huaiyu had taken Su Weichu to his private residence.

A man and a woman alone in a secluded apartment—how could she possibly sit still?

Using the passcode given by the mysterious sender, she easily unlocked the door and stepped inside.

Inside the bedroom, Su Weichu lay weakly on the bed.

Hearing the door open, she assumed Lin Huaiyu had returned. Uncertain of how to face him after learning the truth, she quickly shut her eyes and feigned unconsciousness.

But in the next moment, Qiao Shan had already reached the doorway.

She pushed the door open gently and saw Su Weichu lying in Lin Huaiyu’s bed, her outer coat draped beside her.

A surge of jealousy flared in Qiao Shan’s chest.

Her face twisted with rage as she stormed to the bedside and wrapped her hands around Su Weichu’s throat.

“You wretched woman! How shameless can you be? I’ll strangle you!”

“Qiao Shan?!”

Su Weichu’s eyes snapped open, staring at Qiao Shan’s furious, murderous expression.

She instinctively struggled. “What are you doing? Let go of me!”

“What am I doing? I want you dead!”

Qiao Shan gritted her teeth and tightened her grip.

Su Weichu felt her breath slipping away. Her pale face flushed red from the lack of oxygen.

Realizing she couldn’t let this continue, a sharp glint flashed in her eyes. Mustering all her remaining strength, she raised her leg and kicked Qiao Shan hard in the stomach.

Caught off guard, Qiao Shan stumbled backward and crashed onto the floor.

Gasping for air, Su Weichu sat up, her hands rubbing her aching throat as she coughed violently.

“You shameless wench! How dare you fight back?!”

Seething with fury, Qiao Shan lunged at her once again.

But Su Weichu’s patience had run out.

With a sharp gaze, she raised her hand and slapped Qiao Shan across the face—hard.

The force of the impact sent Qiao Shan sprawling to the ground once more.

“Qiao Shan,” Su Weichu’s voice was cold and steady as she rose to her feet, towering over her adversary.

“You’ve provoked me again and again. Did you really think I, Su Weichu, have no temper?”

Qiao Shan clutched her stinging cheek, her eyes flashing with fear and hatred.

“What? Not satisfied?”

Su Weichu arched a brow, looking down at her.

Qiao Shan was just about to spit out a string of curses when a deep, chilling voice cut through the air.

“What are you doing?”

At the doorway stood Lin Huaiyu, clad in a sharp black suit. His flawless features were laced with icy disdain.

Both women froze in place.

Qiao Shan was the first to react.

Seizing the moment, she quickly dug her nails into her own face, raking her skin. Then, she scrambled up and rushed to Lin Huaiyu’s side, playing the victim.

“Huaiyu, you’re just in time! Su Weichu was furious that I stole you from her. She hit me—look! She even scratched my face!”

She looked up at him with teary eyes, hoping he would take her side.

Su Weichu also turned to Lin Huaiyu, curious to see how he would handle the situation.

However, the earlier struggle had drained all her energy. Now, with the tension broken, exhaustion washed over her like a tidal wave.

Darkness swam before her eyes, and before she could fight it, she collapsed.

“Chuchu!”

Lin Huaiyu’s expression changed as he rushed forward, catching her in his arms.

Qiao Shan’s jealousy flared as she watched him cradle Su Weichu with such care.

And then, to her utter dismay, Lin Huaiyu pulled out his phone and immediately called Jiang Haojin.

His concern, his urgency—it all drove Qiao Shan mad with envy.

“Su Weichu! Wake up! Don’t think you can just faint and get away with what you did!”

She stomped forward, reaching out to drag Su Weichu out of Lin Huaiyu’s arms.

But in the blink of an eye, Lin Huaiyu’s gaze turned deathly cold.

His sharp glare cut through the room like a blade.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Qiao Shan flinched.

She had never seen such a terrifying expression on Lin Huaiyu’s face before.

“I—I wasn’t going to do anything,” she stammered, shrinking back. “I was just upset… My face—she hurt me…”

She deliberately tilted her face upward, making sure Lin Huaiyu saw the scratches.

A glint of something dark flickered in his eyes, and for a moment, it seemed as if he believed her. His expression softened slightly.

But then—his tone turned sharp again.

“Why are you here?”

Qiao Shan stiffened.

“I… I just—”

She fumbled for an answer, but nothing came.

Lin Huaiyu clearly wasn’t interested in excuses. His voice was laced with an unmistakable warning.

“I don’t care why you came here. From now on, unless I allow it, you are not to step foot into this place.”

“And more importantly—” His eyes locked onto hers, dark and ruthless.

“You are never to appear before Chuchu again.”

“Huaiyu?!”

Qiao Shan stared at him in shock.

But his unwavering gaze showed no room for negotiation.

“Did you hear me?” His tone was final.

A shiver ran down Qiao Shan’s spine.

For the first time, she felt true fear.

“I… I heard you.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

“Good,” Lin Huaiyu said coldly.

“Now—leave.”

Qiao Shan clenched her fists, swallowing back her rage and humiliation.

With one last glance at Su Weichu in Lin Huaiyu’s arms, she turned and left, her heart burning with resentment.