Chapter 18 This Doesn't Make Sense

After receiving permission, Tang Yan left the Li household early in the morning under the pretense of work. Li Chuzhe no longer kept a close eye on her—he’d already flown off to another country for a business trip.

When Tang Yan heard that Li Chuzhe was going abroad, she nearly floated off the ground with relief. That morning, she met Song Xieling at a café, still using her alias—Su Xiao.

“Song Xieling, did you find anything at your family’s place?” Tang Yan wore sunglasses, pretending to scroll through her phone.

Then Song Xieling pulled out a file folder from her backpack. “This has information about my brother. You have to help me find a treatment for him first. Only then will I hand over the evidence.”

Even though Tang Yan was wearing sunglasses, Song Xieling could still feel the threat radiating from her eyes when they locked gazes. After a long silence, Tang Yan flipped open the folder.

“Awd… Obstructive awakening disorder. I’ve come across this condition before. It’s like nerve damage or blockage in the brain—something our current medical science can’t pinpoint precisely.”

Listening to Tang Yan’s analysis, Song Xieling knew just how dire the situation was. The chances of a full recovery were practically nonexistent. But then Tang Yan shifted tone.

“Still, I *can* get your brother temporarily conscious.”

“Really? All the medicine we’ve tried so far only let him hear us,” Song Xieling said, eyes suddenly alight with hope—like he’d just found salvation.

“It’s temporary. Not a cure. I can’t guarantee anything.”

“That’s fine. As long as he wakes up—even just for a moment—I’ll take it.” Song Xieling beamed, his face glowing like he’d just won a treasure.

Tang Yan then laid out the next steps of their plan.

Unbeknownst to them, Mo Yao had just happened to be shopping nearby and caught the whole scene. She’d previously heard Mo Boyu whisper that something was off about the Song family. Now she saw Song Xieling acting suspiciously—like he was trading secrets. Without hesitation, she stormed into the café.

“Song Xieling! What are you doing here? Don’t go chasing after crumbs and lose the big picture!” Mo Yao scolded him like an older sister, hands on hips, her cute little face all serious and sharp.

“What are *you* doing here?” Song Xieling quickly changed the subject, trying to avoid drawing attention.

Mo Yao wasn’t budging. She wanted to see what kind of game Song Xieling was playing. “What are you doing here, sneaking around like a ghost?”

Song Xieling glanced at Tang Yan. She gave a barely noticeable nod. Then Tang Yan stood up and walked out.

Only then did Mo Yao notice someone else was there. “Who is she?”

“Just a friend,” Song Xieling said casually.

Tang Yan disappeared completely from the café. Mo Yao stayed seated across from Song Xieling, her bright eyes narrowing like a detective on the case.

“Listen, Song Xieling. I’m warning you—don’t do anything that harms Li Brother. If you do, neither the Mo family nor the Li family will let you off easy.”

Song Xieling blinked. He had no idea what she was talking about. “Mo Yao, what are you even saying? I’m just meeting a friend.”

“Good. Because I’m out shopping. You’re coming with me.”

It wasn’t really about shopping—it was about disrupting Song Xieling’s plans.

“I’ve got bodyguards, remember? I can’t hang out with you,” Song Xieling said, already standing.

But Mo Yao was faster. She blocked his path with lightning reflexes. “No way. You don’t leave unless you walk with me.”

He knew full well that this heiress was notorious for her tantrums. With a sigh, he relented. “Where to?”

“You follow me,” she said, already turning toward the door.

And just like that, Song Xieling was dragged away against his will.

Hiding behind the corner, Tang Yan watched them go—her mission stalled once again. She pulled out her phone and typed:
**Help me contact the deep.**

A sultry male voice answered instantly. “Morning, sunshine. What’s up?”

“Did you finish that tech breakthrough? Is it related to AWD?”

“Yeah, baby. You’re interested in me now? How sweet.”

“Cut the fluff. How’s it going? This mission depends on it. I need your help.”

Tang Yan frowned, a cold shiver creeping up her spine.

A pause. Then the sound of fingers tapping keys.

“Just hit the final stage. What kind of effect do you need?”

“Temporary consciousness. Can you do that?”

“Yes—but the side effects are brutal. Could cost a life.”

“Got it.”

She ended the call, sinking back into uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Li Chuzhe was in Country Zho, negotiating a partnership with a top-tier pharmaceutical giant—the **Sasa Group**, known for cutting-edge drug development.

“Mr. Li, the contract’s ready. Please review it,” the Sasa representative handed over the document with sincere respect.

Li Chuzhe scanned it in seconds, then nodded. “How does the boss see it?”

The head of Sasa, a self-made tycoon with a ruthless streak but generous with talent, smiled. “I think it’s viable. If Mr. Li agrees, we can sign right away.”

But Li Chuzhe didn’t move. He pressed the contract down with one hand, tapping the table with his index finger.

“Still… I heard you made a massive deal recently. Your drug output’s skyrocketing. I worry—what if these drugs end up in my family’s hands… and something’s not right?”

Sasa’s leader remained calm, unfazed by the sudden tension. He chuckled lightly. “Mr. Li, you’re overthinking. You know our reputation. Even if production triples, we wouldn’t falsify results. We’d never ruin our own brand. Rest assured.”

“Fine. I’ll stay here for a while. We’ve got time on the contract,” Li Chuzhe said, signaling his assistant to take the papers. Then he turned and walked out.

The assistant, Xiao Li, followed silently, dazed. He almost bumped into Li Chuzhe’s back when the man stopped abruptly.

“Sorry, boss.”

“What were you thinking?” Li Chuzhe sat in the backseat, checking his phone. No messages. No calls.

Xiao Li hesitated, glancing at him from the driver’s seat.

Li Chuzhe noticed. “Out with it.”

“Boss… this deal is huge for the Li family. And the terms are favorable. I don’t understand why you’re holding back…”

Li Chuzhe stared ahead, frowning. “In just one year, output doubled. Still think that’s reasonable?”