Chapter 5: Who Did It?

At the hospital, the doctor once again tended to Xiaoxiao’s eye injury, cleaning and suturing it anew. Li An’an waited anxiously outside the door, while Mo Han stepped out into the corridor, took out a cigarette, and lit it with a sharp snap. Although fragments of his memories as the Lord of the Netherworld had returned, he had always been a smoker before. At moments like this, quietly smoking a cigarette helped steady his raging emotions.

Exhaling a plume of smoke, Mo Han’s eyes narrowed slowly. Today’s events, he blamed both the Tan family and the Li family. If not for the Li family’s insatiable greed, his daughter’s corneas would never have been sold to the Tan family. Of course, some of the blame lay with himself—before his memories awakened and his strength returned, the Li family had never taken him seriously.

“Li Bing, I’ll settle this debt with you. I’ll make you regret ever being born!” As he thought of how it was Li Bing who took his daughter to the Tan family, the murderous intent in Mo Han’s eyes became impossible to conceal.

Those passing through the corridor felt the icy aura emanating from him, shivering involuntarily, fear flashing in their eyes as they hurried away.

“And Old Master Li, do you really think you can keep that hundred million you got for my daughter’s corneas? I’ll make you cough up every last bone fragment!” Mo Han took another fierce drag from his cigarette, but the thick smoke could not entirely calm him.

Suddenly, hearing footsteps behind him and catching the familiar scent of perfume, Mo Han didn’t need to turn around to know Li An’an had come over.

“Tell me, will Xiaoxiao’s eyes ever be cured?” Li An’an asked softly as she joined him.

“They will. I’ve already obtained the corneas—her eyes can be healed,” Mo Han replied with steady conviction.

“That’s good,” Li An’an nodded. After a moment’s silence, she asked, “Mo Han, may I ask you something?”

Mo Han turned to her, knowing what she wanted to ask, and nodded gently.

“How come I never knew you could fight like that?” Li An’an inquired.

Mo Han was silent for a moment. “Before, it was just that they never pushed me this far.”

His unspoken meaning was that he had always been capable of such things. As for the matter of his past-life memories awakening, he had no idea how to explain it to Li An’an—he doubted she would understand, no matter what he said.

Li An’an gazed at him deeply, a sense of unfamiliarity in her eyes. But she didn’t press further; perhaps, in her heart, she accepted his explanation. Still, she felt as though Mo Han had suddenly become another person—more profound, more somber. Yet she didn’t dwell on it; after all, given the circumstances, it was understandable for Mo Han to be so changed by grief.

At that moment, there was a commotion behind them. The two turned to see the doctor emerging after tending to Xiaoxiao’s wounds.

Li An’an immediately rushed over.

Mo Han dropped his cigarette butt, crushed it underfoot, and strode forward.

“Doctor, how is my daughter?” Li An’an asked anxiously, seeing her sleeping daughter on the hospital gurney.

The doctor, a woman in her forties, removed her mask and looked at Li An’an. “The wound has been treated. She’ll be able to go home after a few days of rest.”

“Doctor, we’ve recovered my daughter’s corneas. When can you restore her vision?” Mo Han asked.

The doctor glanced at him. “Your daughter is very young—undergoing repeated surgeries would be very hard on her body. My suggestion is to wait half a year.”

She paused, then added, “But there’s another problem. Her corneas have already been removed. Normally, they can only be preserved for four to six weeks. Any longer, and the cells will die, rendering them useless.”

Li An’an’s heart skipped a beat. “So, within four to six weeks, she’ll need another surgery, correct?”

The doctor thought for a moment. “There is a special preservation method that can keep them viable for over a year, but it’s very expensive.”

“How much?” Li An’an asked.

“At least five million,” the doctor replied.

Five million?

Li An’an hesitated. Though the Li family was a small clan, her branch was never favored by the old master. They held only minor positions and scraped by on their small annual rewards. Coming up with tens of thousands was barely possible—five million was utterly out of reach.

“Thank you, doctor. I’ll bring the money soon—please use the special preservation method,” Mo Han said.

The doctor nodded. “I’ll put in the application for you.” With that, she left.

A few nurses helped settle Xiaoxiao into a ward. After they left, Li An’an finally asked, “Where will you get five million?”

“Don’t worry. Five million is nothing—I’ll get it. Look after Xiaoxiao. I have to go,” Mo Han said, turning to leave.

Li An’an reached out instinctively, watching his retreating figure. Words caught in her throat, unspoken. Today, Mo Han felt unfamiliar—yet, he also gave her a sense of security she’d never felt before.

In the end, despite the countless questions in her heart, she chose to believe in him.

She trusted that since Mo Han had spoken with such certainty, he must have his way.

…

At the same time, in the Tan family villa on the outskirts of Qian City, a stifling atmosphere filled the air.

The Tan estate covered a vast area—within a five-mile radius, all the land belonged to the Tan family. At that moment, the manor was packed with people, from the front gate to the grand hall, with black-suited bodyguards standing on high alert. Inside, the atmosphere was even more oppressive.

At the head of the hall sat a middle-aged man in a black mandarin-collar suit, his hair slicked back, his eyes deep-set and piercing. A natural aura of authority surrounded him—he was Tan Taijun, head of the Tan family.

On either side sat the family’s main decision-makers. Each one was a prominent figure in Qian City, few dared to cross them. Yet now, at Tan Taijun’s summons, they had all gathered here.

Tan Taijun glanced at the rain pouring down outside, the drumming sound further agitating his mood.

“Big Brother, you called us back—just say what you need to say. Don’t keep us guessing,” Third Brother Tan Tailun finally broke the suffocating silence.

The others turned to Tan Taijun as well.

Tan Taijun rotated the jade ring on his thumb, raised his head, and looked at them. “Fifth Brother has been crippled—three broken ribs, severe lung injuries. Even if he recovers, he’s ruined…”

“What? Who did this?” Tan Tailun shouted, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.

The others’ faces turned icy cold.

Tan Taijun inhaled deeply and continued, “And, Xiao Rong has been crippled as well—his right eye destroyed, his nose broken, his right leg smashed and needing amputation. Even if he heals, he’ll be permanently disabled!”

A gasp swept through the Tan family.

The killing intent in their eyes reached its peak.

“Who? Who did this? Big Brother, tell me—I’ll slaughter his entire family right now!” Fourth Brother Tan Taiguo roared with rage.

Tan Tailun and the others’ eyes blazed with fury.

Someone had dared strike at the Tan family? It was nothing short of a death wish!