"This is one of the mysteries of this river," Yan Aohan explained. "The surface temperature looks normal, but once you go in, you find the truth. It’s like pouring alcohol on a hot oil pan. It looks hot, but underneath, it’s cold. This river has a protective layer on top. Unless you’ve been in the water, you’d never know."
Zhu Yanyi understood. That made sense. If the whole river were thirty degrees below zero, things would be different.
Yan Aohan held Zhu Yanyi’s hand as they walked slowly along a winding path of pebbles. Ahead lay a large lawn. Zhu Yanyi recognized it immediately. It was the same place where the bonsai had shown her Yan Jiahua and Zheng Jiyun meeting earlier.
But this place did not look peaceful or safe.
"This lawn is nice, but it needs tidying up," Zhu Yanyi said. She bent down and pulled out a weed with a strange flower. The flower looked like a snake’s head, and the leaves had dark spots. It looked creepy. She didn’t like it at all.
"Snake-Attracting Grass," Zhu Yanyi said seriously to Yan Aohan. "You live near people here. Why do you have this grass? It’s asking for trouble. You should find someone to pull it all out. Luckily, not many are blooming now. If they all bloomed, it would bring a flood of snakes."
Yan Aohan paused, then said, "It seems someone has big plans." He looked at Zhu Yanyi. "Ani, do you have medicine? Something to stop snakes from attacking, but keep the grass?"
"Yes," Zhu Yanyi nodded. "I don’t have much with me right now. But if you want, I can make some when we go back. I have plenty of herbs."
"Good. Make some for me when we return. I want to see how many people are involved," Yan Aohan said with a faint smile.
Zhu Yanyi shrugged. She didn’t mind making the medicine. It wasn’t hard. But she wanted to do it soon. She didn’t want accidents. Once the first Snake-Attracting Grass flower opened, the rest would bloom within seven days. It was better to spread the medicine early.
"Let’s go back," Zhu Yanyi said, pointing to the scattered blooming flowers. "I need to make the medicine soon. Once the first one opens, the rest will bloom in a week. Looking at how many are open now, I guess there are four or five days left before they all bloom."
"Alright. Let’s go back first. After I handle things here, I’ll bring you back to walk around properly," Yan Aohan said. He knew what was important.
As Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan prepared to leave, a girl walked up. Seeing Yan Aohan, she looked surprised and happy. "Family Master, you’re back?"
Yan Aohan frowned slightly. "Who are you?"
The girl seemed shocked that she didn’t remember her. Her eyes looked hurt. Zhu Yanyi smiled inside. This girl was really acting. But she stayed quiet and watched the show.
"Family Master, my name is Chen Feifei. I was hired as a daily caregiver here," Chen Feifei said seriously.
"Surname Chen?" Yan Aohan frowned. "Who hired you?"
Strangers had to pass many checks and approvals to enter. Yan Aohan was sure his memory was correct. He had never seen Chen Feifei’s application.
"Family Master, I am Yan You’s wife’s younger sister," Chen Feifei introduced herself. She looked very wronged, which was annoying.
Zhu Yanyi raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Yan Aohan frowned and took out his phone. "Yan You, this is Yan Aohan. Come to the lawn immediately."
Yan You was in charge of logistics for the Yan family. Hearing this, he was startled and rushed over. Seeing Chen Feifei there, he realized something was wrong. "Family Master."
"Who allowed her in?" Yan Aohan asked Yan You coldly.
Yan You hurriedly replied, "Family Master, she is my wife’s only younger sister. My wife couldn’t bear to see her suffer outside, so I brought her back."
"Strangers need approval from the upper elders of the Yan family. Who approved it?" Yan Aohan asked again.
Yan You lowered his head. After a moment, he said, "I spoke to the Fifth Elder."
"Does the Fifth Elder represent the entire upper leadership of the Yan family?" Yan Aohan asked coldly.
It seemed that without the Zheng and Yang families, the Yan family was starting to rot from within. This was the last thing Yan Aohan wanted to see.
Yan Aohan looked coldly at Yan You, then made another call. "Tell all elders to go to the meeting room immediately."
She glanced at Yan You, then at Chen Feifei. She made a slight cutting motion with her hand. Chen Feifei’s body went soft, and she fell to the ground. Yan You was shocked. "Feifei!"
Yan Aohan made another call. "Yan Zuo, come to the lawn. Take Chen Feifei out of the Yan family grounds immediately."
Yan Zuo arrived within a minute. Seeing the situation, he understood everything but said nothing. "Family Master."
Yan Aohan nodded slightly. "I have blocked Chen Feifei’s memories of the Yan family. Take her out immediately. She is not allowed to stay here. Also, Yan You brought someone in without permission. Send her to the Punishment Hall for ten lashes as a warning."
"Yes," Yan Zuo agreed at once.
Yan You smiled bitterly but did not object. At least his sister-in-law was safe, and he had indeed been careless.
Yan You was not stupid. Yan Aohan had called the elders to a meeting. This meant the elders themselves might be in trouble.
After handling this, Yan Aohan said nothing more. He simply held Zhu Yanyi’s hand and left.
Zhu Yanyi did not dislike Yan Aohan’s cruelty to other women. Instead, she felt more satisfied. Her eyes were full of smiles.
Seeing Zhu Yanyi like this, Yan Aohan laughed helplessly. "Are you really that happy?"
"Of course I am happy," Zhu Yanyi nodded seriously. "My husband doesn’t care about other women. If I weren’t happy, that would be fake."
Yan Aohan rubbed Zhu Yanyi’s head, smiling. "Your satisfaction is my luck."
Back at the Yan residence, Zhu Yanyi said to Yan Aohan, "You go handle your business. I will go make the medicine powder."