Gu Qichen looked at Qin He's worried expression, a slight curve forming on his thin lips. "You don't need to trouble yourself with these trivial matters. I can handle them."
Qin He chuckled. "How will you handle it? Will you really throw Yang Hao into the deep mountains and old forests with no mobile signal?"
"That's not entirely out of the question."
Qin He shook her head. "It won't work. Doing so would only make Ranran unhappy. What the world or human nature is truly like, she needs to see for herself to grow."
Gu Qichen's gaze was doting and gentle. "As long as I'm with you, I only want you to be happy."
"I'm very happy right now," Qin He smiled.
However, she quickly thought of something else, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Although Ranran's matter is urgent, regarding Shen Yicong—are there any new investigation results?"
After Qin He returned, the news she received was that Shen Yicong had died in that explosion. But given Shen Yicong's cunning and resourceful nature, she didn't believe he would die so easily.
"The temporary investigation results state that Shen Yicong's current predicament is due to internal strife within the Lev organization. The former leader, codenamed Eagle, died at Shen Yicong's hands. The person who came to retaliate against him this time was Eagle's brother, Black Eagle."
Qin He squeezed her temples. "As long as this organization isn't completely eradicated, we're not truly safe." Especially with the high probability of Shen Yicong still being alive, their current peace could shatter at any moment.
Qin He looked at Gu Qichen. "How is the research on the Wan Fang Lun progressing?"
"After using it at the auction to identify members of the Lev organization, I had Yu Jing send the Wan Fang Lun to Country M. They have advanced equipment there. After a scan, they discovered that every four or five pages within the book, there's a hidden compartment containing extremely thin gold threads."
Gu Qichen's brow furrowed deeply. "The patterns drawn by all the gold threads have been rendered, but we still don't know what those patterns are for."
Qin He nodded. She was now certain that the opponent's objective must be these patterns. Considering this book was from the Song Dynasty, certain patterns from that era...
Qin He's mind was in a whirl. "I'll check when I get back. Send me those designs then."
Gu Qichen actually didn't want Qin He to worry. She had just escaped death and returned from Ice Sea. He couldn't bear to see Qin He take any more risks, but understanding Qin He's personality, Gu Qichen still nodded.
After their conversation, Qin He didn't linger at the Gu family's old residence. Gu Qichen escorted Qin He back to the Qin family. She had a gathering to attend at the Calaya Club that evening.
Not long after Qin He returned home, people from the Gu family's old residence delivered the jewelry. Qin He instructed the butler to store all the jewelry in the treasury and guard it carefully. She didn't truly want Gu Ranran's jewelry; these items would be returned sooner or later.
After resting at home for a while, as it approached the time for the gathering, Qin He changed her clothes and drove to the Calaya Club. The Calaya Club was originally under Yan Chen's ownership, and the staff there were already very familiar with them. Upon seeing Qin He, they immediately led her to the private room where they often gathered.
In the private room, Yan Chen and Xiao Liyan had already arrived. Qin He saw An Rui and Zhu Chan'er. She was somewhat surprised. Xiao Liyan was understandable, but Yan Chen, who frequently changed girlfriends, had been dating Zhu Chan'er for so long. It seemed he was serious this time. Qin He remembered Zhu Chan'er harbored some hostility towards her, so she smiled and sat on the sofa opposite the four of them.
"Qin He, long time no see. Did you miss Brother Chen?" Yan Chen asked with a roguish smile.
Zhu Chan'er frowned slightly, casting a glance at Qin He.
Qin He ignored him and turned to Xiao Liyan. "Brother Yan, long time no see."
Xiao Liyan nodded. "Yan Chen and I received news when you returned from abroad. We were planning to visit you, but Qichen insisted on stopping us, saying you weren't well and needed rest. How are you recovering?"
"I'm much better now. I heard from my family that you and Brother Chen were also helping a lot during the time I was missing." Qin He smiled, then turned to Yan Chen. "My brother told me you even returned to Haicheng to help. That must have been tough."
Yan Chen leaned against the sofa, his expression exaggeratedly miserable. "You know that. I usually try to avoid my old man. Going back for your matter, I almost didn't escape."
Zhu Chan'er beside him frowned slightly, her voice melodious. "Brother Chen, Grandpa is doing it for your own good. He surely wants you to take over the Yan family's company soon."
Seeing Zhu Chan'er speak, Qin He stopped conversing with Yan Chen. Xiao Liyan and An Rui both noticed Zhu Chan'er's attitude towards Qin He. They chatted with Qin He about recent events, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
"I heard from Qichen that you organized this gathering yourself? It seems to be for Ranran's boyfriend, right?" Yan Chen interjected.
Qin He nodded and explained the background of Gu Ranran's boyfriend. "I don't think this guy is good, but Ranran is smitten. I thought since Brother Chen doesn't look like a good person, it would be best if that Yang Hao came to meet you. If you two can keep him in check, that would be ideal."
Yan Chen immediately protested. "What do you mean 'doesn't look like a good person'?"
Xiao Liyan frowned. "Even if someone can be kept in check, they have to be sensible. From your description, this Yang Hao is just a bold hooligan. For him, being with Ranran is a life-changing opportunity. I don't think it will be very effective."
Yan Chen raised his eyebrows, full of disdain. "For someone like that, just tie him up and scare him a little."
"Absolutely not," Qin He quickly said. "If it were that simple, Gu Qichen and I would have already solved it. We wouldn't have to trouble you two. Ranran is very protective of him now, afraid that others will hurt Yang Hao. When Yang Hao arrives later, you two should at least be outwardly friendly towards him. Otherwise, I'm afraid it will trigger Ranran's rebellious streak. The worse you treat Yang Hao, the more he'll feel this love is genuine and precious."
Xiao Liyan nodded. "That makes sense. But Qin He, you underestimate people's greed. For a family like the Gu family, even a little bit leaking from their fingers could be wealth that Yang Hao would risk his life for..."
Qin He sighed. "I know. Let's just meet him first."
As the three of them were chatting, there was a stir outside the door. The waiter pushed open the door, and Qin He looked up to see Gu Qichen walking in from outside. Following him were Yang Hao and Gu Ranran.
Qin He's face immediately lit up with a smile. "Ranran's here. Did you come with your brother?"
"No, we just happened to meet in the elevator."
Gu Ranran linked arms with Yang Hao, a sweet smile on her face as she walked in, then began introducing the people in the private room to Yang Hao.