A group of people had been causing a ruckus together for most of the day, with constant laughter and chatter. Eventually, Lu Xiangxiang and Liu Shangxiang left the villa.

Chu Biyao was the same. Everyone had their own work to attend to; they couldn’t stay with Ye Fan forever.

Finally, Mengyao and Ye Fan had some time alone.

It wasn’t long before Zhang Lu came to visit.

"You’re finally back in one piece. I was really shocked when I heard something happened to you," Zhang Lu said sincerely, with a hint of lingering concern in her eyes as she looked at Ye Fan.

"It’s nothing, just a little problem," Ye Fan said nonchalantly.

"A little problem?" Zhang Lu clicked her tongue, speaking bitterly, "You call that a little problem? You have quite the nerve."

"That’s all in the past. Let’s not talk about my injury. Why are you here?" Ye Fan said.

"Why am I here?" Zhang Lu found his words somewhat awkward and said, dumbfounded, "From the way you’re talking, it sounds like I’m not welcome. I came to see how you’re doing and to express my concern. Is that not allowed?"

Saying this, she looked at Mengyao with grievance, complaining, "Look at him. What’s his attitude? How can your man be like this?"

"Ye Fan didn’t mean anything by it. Don’t you know him by now?" Mengyao smiled.

Ye Fan explained, "I just felt like you had something going on. My way of asking was wrong. I apologize, okay?"

"That’s more like it," Zhang Lu quickly smiled, then straightened up seriously and said, "The person who happened to be on the same flight back home as you—I looked into them and found some unexpected news. It might be useful for you."

The inexplicable presence of Yu Weidong naturally caught the attention of Ye Fan and Mengyao, so Qiu Wen had Zhang Lu look into it.

"Tell me the specifics," Ye Fan said calmly.

"His name is Yu Weidong, a key aide of the Zhao Family, who has been assisting the eldest Zhao son, Zhao Hai, in expanding overseas business. It’s been a great success. The Zhao Family’s overseas business is vast, and in this aspect, it’s stronger than the Chu Group," Zhang Lu explained. "Currently, the Zhao Family is headed by the eldest son, Zhao Feipeng, while the second son, Zhao Zhongtian, lacks accomplishments. The elderly Mr. Zhao is ill and staying in the hospital. It’s no exaggeration to say that all of the Zhao Family’s overseas business is managed by Zhao Hai, while Zhao Feipeng handles domestic affairs. Zhao Hai is Zhao Feipeng’s son. Together, they control 90% of the business. In a large family like the Zhao Family, this holds significant prestige, whereas Zhao Zhongtian’s reputation in the Zhao Family is minimal."

Zhang Lu first gave a brief overview of the Zhao Family’s situation.

"What does the Zhao Family have to do with us? And why does Yu Weidong seem hostile to me?" Ye Fan curiously asked.

Of course, Mengyao understood the Zhao Family—this was a family business even more formidable than the foundation of the Chu Group.

In terms of financial strength, the Chu Group is not far behind. But in terms of status in the business world and international influence, here is where the Chu Group cannot compare.

"Naturally, it relates to you. Zhao Hai died while you were hospitalized, in a car accident. But the truck driver who hit him disappeared. Reliable sources suggest Zhao Hai’s death was not accidental but a murder. After a lot of twists and turns, the organs Zhao Hai donated to the hospital ended up in your body. The heart you received in the operation was Zhao Hai’s," Zhang Lu said. "With this understanding, I’m sure you realize why Yu Weidong is hostile toward you."

"Thinking about it that way, Yu Weidong’s hostility is understandable, and his out-of-the-blue attitude is somewhat acceptable. But why suspect us of Zhao Hai’s death?" Mengyao exclaimed.

"Zhao Hai died, and his heart ended up in Ye Fan’s body. This is a crucial point of suspicion, because at that time, Ye Fan urgently needed a matching heart. Through hospital records, finding a matching heart wouldn’t be an issue. Then, killing the heart’s owner to get the heart is what Ye Fan needed, and that’s where the suspicion lies," Zhang Lu said. "Moreover, with Terminator’s reputation, many would be happy to do this. Killing one Zhao Hai wouldn’t mean much—to owe a favor to Terminator, or to Fire Phoenix and Butcher, is quite a return."

"Is that how you see it too?" Ye Fan looked at Zhang Lu bitterly. He knew there was some logic in her words; finding a matching heart’s owner, then killing them, and just like that, getting the heart needed for the surgery.

As for who might be the behind-the-scenes hand in Zhao Hai’s murder, that’s hard to guess. Who knows which force it might be?

Perhaps it was someone wracking their brain to get close to Terminator, Fire Phoenix, and Butcher.

Ye Fan firmly believed this wasn’t the work of Fire Phoenix and Butcher; it could only be someone else or another force.

"Leaving personal feelings aside, from a criminal investigation perspective, this is a strong suspicion," Zhang Lu stated honestly. "Considering this angle, you indeed seem suspicious. I’m sure many people, to curry favor with Terminator, would kill Zhao Hai. Regardless of whether you agreed or hinted at it, this is a widely accepted fact. Compared to your importance, Zhao Hai’s life or death doesn’t mean much."

That’s certainly true; surely many people and forces would commit such illegal acts to curry favor with Terminator.

"As for the Zhao Family, news that you’re Terminator can’t be hidden. Looking at the world stage, every significant force knows the fact that you are Terminator," Zhang Lu continued. "In addition, an announcement had been made on the underground black market about high-priced purchasing of matching hearts. Although this matter was quickly withdrawn, many were aware of this news. Considering all these factors, it’s not hard to deduce that the motive for Zhao Hai’s murder could be related to you. This possibility is great. With the Zhao Family’s capabilities, obtaining this information would be quick."

"After your analysis, I sound like a villain?" Ye Fan frowned and said. "Someone or some force killed an innocent person to curry favor with me, so I could have a new heart. How absurd does this sound?"

"From the surface information, your suspicion is significant. If the Zhao Family can’t find the real culprit, suspicion falls on you by default," Zhang Lu said gravely. "Zhao Hai’s death is a great blow to the Zhao Family. If the Zhao Family retaliates because of this, it would be a big trouble." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"If the Zhao Family retaliates based on baseless speculation, that would be terrible," Mengyao said, her expression darkening.