Plunder-Chapter 278: Incredibly Sweet

Although she said this, Qiao En felt that Yao Chuman was insincere.

For over twenty years, Mrs. Zhou had always seen Yao Chuman as a thorn in her side, targeting her on numerous occasions. Now, for the first time, someone was saying she was innocent, how could she remain calm?

However, Qiao En didn’t press the issue.

She thought of a way to get Yao Chuman to speak willingly.

"Mom, just tell us the truth about what really happened back then," she urged.

Zhou Chucheng spoke up on behalf of Qiao En.

Qiao En simply smiled lightly, "Director Zhou, thank you. We’ll talk some other time when Aunt Man remembers something. I apologize for the inconvenience today."

After finishing her words, she didn’t stay any longer and hurriedly left.

Just as she reached the old mansion’s gate, Zhou Jin’an’s Maybach appeared.

He approached her with a tense expression.

"En’en, what are you doing here?"

He grabbed Qiao En’s arm and looked her over, fearful she might have been slighted here.

"Big brother."

Zhou Chucheng also came out.

However, he was met with Zhou Jin’an’s disdainful glance.

"We’ll settle our scores later."

Zhou Jin’an dropped these words and, supporting Qiao En’s hand, headed toward the car.

Qiao En bowed her head and secretly smiled.

Once they were in the car, Zhou Jin’an fastened her seatbelt, "Next time you come to a place like this, bring me along."

"Are you afraid I’d be bullied?"

Qiao En countered.

Zhou Jin’an glanced out the car window, his face growing darker, "I’m afraid they’ll disgust you and our child."

Qiao En still smiled and remained silent.

The car started and drove toward Chu Garden.

Qiao En was silent, but Zhou Jin’an had many questions he wanted to ask.

"Did you see Yao Chuman?"

Zhou Jin’an asked.

"Yes," Qiao En nodded.

"What did she say?" Zhou Jin’an asked again.

Qiao En pursed her lips and remained silent. Zhou Jin’an turned to look at her, and she mischievously blinked, "Guess."

Zhou Jin’an had no time to guess, but his curiosity was undeniable.

Qiao En remained silent, and he did not ask further.

"What are your plans after acquiring An Corporation?"

Qiao En asked.

On business matters, she naturally trusted that Zhou Jin’an had his own arrangements. However, regarding An Corporation, she had a bold idea she wanted to discuss with Zhou Jin’an.

"I haven’t decided yet,"

Zhou Jin’an answered truthfully.

"What? Interested? How about I give it to you as practice?"

Zhou Jin’an generously offered.

"It should be given, but not to me."

Qiao En kept them in suspense, but Zhou Jin’an immediately guessed.

"No,"

he decisively refused.

Zhou Chucheng indeed played a significant role in defeating An Jinhua, but Zhou Jin’an was reluctant to hand over An Corporation to him.

Qiao En placed her hand on Zhou Jin’an’s large hand, patiently communicating with him.

"Director Zhou sees you as a big brother, but it’s clear you don’t really see him as a younger brother."

"We share the same father but not the same mother, so we are not true brothers,"

Zhou Jin’an explained clearly.

Qiao En rolled her eyes at him, "By that logic, does that mean Xu Cong and I aren’t really siblings either? I see, he’s just an outsider to you."

"That’s not what I meant,"

Zhou Jin’an quickly clarified.

But Qiao En was correct.

However, when it came to himself, he couldn’t help being hypocritical.

"Jin’an, you know about Director Zhou’s capability. He is brave and strategic and can handle major responsibilities. Moreover, he trusts you deeply, striving wholeheartedly for your sake. Today, when Aunt Man disrespected us, Director Zhou was the first to defend us. I believe he is reliable,"

Qiao En expressed her opinion.

Actually, Zhou Jin’an was also aware of this.But, Zhou Chucheng had Yao Chuman behind him, and Zhou Jin’an truly did not want to deal with that woman.

"I know,"

"You don’t know," Qiao En immediately refuted Zhou Jin’an’s statement, her gaze intense.

"United brothers have strength to split gold. Harmony in the family leads to prosperity in all endeavors. Although Yao Chuman is at fault, she is now a senior member of the Zhou family. Some issues may not be because she’s too calculating; perhaps we are too defensive."

This time, Zhou Jin’an fell silent.

"Let me think about it a bit more."

He didn’t give an immediate response.

Qiao En then said, "I saw Yao Jian today at the old house, and he seems to have a peculiar relationship with Aunt Man."

Qiao En relayed everything he had seen and heard to Zhou Jin’an, who seemed unconvinced.

"She’s just that kind of person, a flirt. Now that my dad is dead, how could she endure the loneliness?"

"Zhou Jin’an."

Qiao En’s voice suddenly rose a few decibels.

"Can we not let personal feelings affect our judgment? We shouldn’t prejudge what kind of person Yao Chuman is. I think there’s something fishy going on between her and Yao Jian."

Zhou Jin’an slightly calmed down. These two people both had the surname Yao; beyond that, he couldn’t find any commonality between them.

"What kind of fishiness?"

This time, Zhou Jin’an was smarter.

He knew Qiao En had made his own judgment; he didn’t express his view unilaterally.

"Their relationship is probably not that of lovers; instead, it seems like some other kind of unpublicized relationship."

This was Qiao En’s subjective judgment, without any evidence.

"No rush, I’ll have someone look into it."

Zhou Jin’an said, ready to make a phone call to contact someone.

But Qiao En stopped him, "Let’s have Detective Wu handle this. He’s efficient and reliable."

After all, Yao Chuman belonged to the Zhou family, and this all concerned the Zhou family’s reputation.

Qiao En was considerate, and Zhou Jin’an understood and appreciated it.

When the car pulled over, he reached out and grasped Qiao En’s shoulder, "You, always worrying so much, I really worry that you are exhausting yourself."

"I’m not tired."

"But it pains me;" Zhou Jin’an’s lips were as if sugared again.

Qiao En, who disliked sweetness, immediately dodged him, "Zhou Jin’an, you’re making me sick now."

Too sweet.

"I just want you to be forever in a honey jar."

Zhou Jin’an doted on him and embraced Qiao En again, bending down to peck on Qiao En’s lips, "How is it? Sweet or not?"

"Ugh—"

Qiao En feigned gagging; Zhou Jin’an laughed heartily, embracing Qiao En and kissing him even deeper.

Detective Wu indeed did not disappoint.

That night, after Qiao En contacted him, it took him less than three days to find what Qiao En was looking for.

"This Yao Jian, he was an orphan previously, at the same orphanage as Su Nian, but he was later adopted, and his adoptive father is Yao Chuman’s father."

"So that means they are siblings?"

Qiao En sighed.

"You could say that, siblings without blood relation."

Detective Wu gave his final response.

But Qiao En was still puzzled; if they were siblings, why did Yao Chuman never disclose it to anyone, and even go as far as to deliberately conceal it?

"When did Yao Jian get out of prison?"

Qiao En asked again.

Detective Wu was very thorough in his work; he knew everything about Yao Jian’s situation.

"He was originally sentenced to three years, but because he developed a terminal illness, he is now out on medical parole."

Terminal illness?

Qiao En was shocked.

She had never considered this possibility before.

So, the day at the old house when Yao Jian appeared in Yao Chuman’s bedroom, it wasn’t because of an affair, but due to the unusual conditions of Yao Jian’s health.

That’s why Yao Chuman was so uneasy that day, getting anxious when Zhou Chucheng was about to hit Yao Jian.

"What terminal illness does he have?"

Qiao En inquired further.

"A rare immunodeficiency skin cancer, very difficult to detect. By the time it’s discovered, it is generally in the advanced stages of cancer, and currently, there are no successful treatment precedents."

"So he can only wait for death?"

Detective Wu hummed in confirmation.

Death is not what’s frightening; what’s frightening is knowing that you are going to die but can only wait for it.

She researched a lot about the condition online and gained a basic understanding.

"Jin’an, could you ask your friends overseas if there’s any effective medicine for this disease?"

Qiao En suddenly said to Zhou Jin’an.

He looked puzzled, "Why are you asking about this?"

"A friend of mine has this disease; I’m just inquiring for him," Qiao En casually found an excuse to prevaricate.

But Zhou Jin’an pressed for specifics, "Which friend? Do I know them?"

"Just go and ask first, I’ll tell you later."

Qiao En never thought that her act of kindness would trigger a chain of events, bringing significant changes to her life.