250: Chapter 250 Ye Qingcheng was a step too late; the Si family siblings from the Southwest met.

At this moment, the sky was gradually darkening. At the entrance of the mountain road in Beibu Gulf, Ye Qingcheng's brow was furrowed with a grave expression. She led two teams of fully armed SWAT officers and police, searching for Sister Hong's traces along the winding mountain road.

After an unknown amount of time, the sky had turned completely dark. Fortunately, they discovered the tire tracks of the motorcycle at the peak of the mountain road.

Everyone's spirits were lifted; they finally had a lead. They followed the tracks forward, only to arrive at the edge of a steep cliff.

Ye Qingcheng shone a high-powered flashlight and cautiously peered down the cliff. She saw the waves crashing violently against the bluish-gray rocks, and the black motorcycle lay shattered into pieces, scattered across the stones.

Seeing this scene, Ye Qingcheng's heart couldn't help but sink.

Several police officers nearby, seeing this, began to whisper among themselves.

“Could the suspect have fallen off the cliff because they were in too much of a hurry to escape?”

“Falling from such a height, I'm afraid their chances are slim...”

Listening to the various comments, Ye Qingcheng remained silent as she inspected the surrounding environment with her flashlight. Soon, she noticed a bay where many fishing boats were moored.

Immediately, she waved her flashlight and asked those beside her, “What place is that?”

The SWAT officer beside her followed the light and looked over. After a moment, he replied, “Oh, that's the pier of Beibu Gulf Fishing Village, where the fishermen dock their boats.”

It seemed Sister Hong had abandoned the vehicle to escape! It was unclear how long she had been gone; she was likely one step too late.

Ye Qingcheng immediately ordered, “Go to Beibu Gulf Fishing Village. Also, notify the Coast Guard—not a single boat is allowed to leave the village tonight!”

“Yes!” The team members who received the order acted immediately without any hesitation.

Police cars roared past, sirens piercing the silence of the mountains, as they sped toward Beibu Gulf Fishing Village, leaving only a trail of dust behind.

...

On the other side, on Changle Street, in the Supreme Emperor Box of Sway Club, Si Wenruo strolled in, accompanied by Si Hongfei.

“Eldest Young Master, please wait a moment. I will go and invite the Young Miss over.” Si Hongfei spoke respectfully, bowed slightly, and quickly exited the box.

Si Wenruo looked around with a hint of curiosity and amusement in his eyes. He casually picked up a bunch of translucent grapes from the table, tasting them while picking up the remote to mindlessly flip through songs.

Just as he was becoming somewhat impatient, the door to the box was pushed open abruptly, and Si Yao walked in with reluctant steps.

“Oh, Yaoyao~ You've finally come. How long has it been since we siblings last met? Come here, let your brother get a good look at you.” A flash of joy appeared in Si Wenruo's eyes as he opened his arms and stepped forward, seemingly wanting to give the sister he hadn't seen in a long time a loving hug.

Unexpectedly, Si Yao's reaction was quite the opposite. She raised her long leg, the tip of her foot pointing directly at Si Wenruo's heart, her tone cold: “Don't move, or I might not be able to control my strength.”

Si Wenruo's smile froze on his face. He stopped awkwardly and gave a dry cough, trying to diffuse the sudden embarrassment: “Look at you, still such a fiery temper. I'm your biological brother; why treat me like an enemy?”

Si Yao lowered her foot and crossed her arms, her brow furrowed, clearly showing no joy at Si Wenruo's arrival: “Cut the crap! Tell me straight, what did you come to Magic City for?!”

“What else could I be here for? I missed you, of course, so I came to see you,” Si Wenruo rubbed his nose and replied with a smile.

Si Yao wasn't buying it. Her expression darkened, and her voice grew even colder: “Stop playing games with me! If there's something, say it; if not, get lost.”

“Oh, Yaoyao, you're running a business here; how can you drive away a guest?” Si Wenruo helped himself to another grape, a playful smile on his lips. Completely ignoring Si Yao's reaction, he sat leisurely on the sofa with his legs crossed, looking quite relaxed.

Si Yao's eyebrows arched slightly, her gaze provocative and her words playful: “Oh? You're a guest? Well, since you're a guest, this box has a minimum spend. As the Eldest Young Master of the Southwest Si Family, you wouldn't be looking for a free ride, would you?”

Hearing this, Si Wenruo was instantly amused: “What's this? Yaoyao, are you actually planning to fleece your own brother?” he teased, his face full of mockery.

“You said it yourself, you're a guest,” Si Yao replied, refusing to back down. At the same time, she picked up a walkie-talkie and shouted to the waiter outside: “Supreme Emperor Box, bring ten Black Gold Dragon Sets!”

“Holy crap~” Si Wenruo wailed inwardly, but on the surface, he feigned composure and shrugged with a bitter smile. He had no choice; he still had to talk to Si Yao about Lintai, so he could only bite the bullet and accept the challenge.

A moment later, ten beauties dressed in glamorous outfits lined up. Each held a black leather case containing six bottles of champagne that shimmered with an alluring golden light. At the end of the line followed a male waiter holding a POS machine.

Si Yao took the POS machine from the waiter, walked over to Si Wenruo, and beckoned him with a finger, a cunning smile on her face: “Young Master Wenruo, that will be 888,888. But since you're my brother, I'll give you a discount—one million will do~”

Si Wenruo smiled helplessly, looking at Si Yao and complaining: “Yaoyao, you're quite the businesswoman. This is the first time I've heard of a discount working like this...”

Si Yao simply spread her hands, her face showing a hint of impatience: “Others can have the change rounded down, but not you. If you can't afford it, then please leave.”

“Fine, fine, fine. As the Eldest Young Master of the Si Family, I can afford a million.” As he spoke, Si Wenruo took a bank card from his bag and handed it to Si Yao.

Si Yao took the card without ceremony and swiped it through the POS machine.

With a series of beeps, the transaction receipt was quickly printed.

She briskly tore off the receipt and tossed it, along with the bank card, back to Si Wenruo with a bit of flair. Then, she returned the POS machine to the waiter and waved her hand at everyone present, signaling them to leave.

Si Wenruo's gaze followed the departing beauties out of the box, his eyes filled with an unconcealable greed.

Si Yao noticed this and glanced at him with disdain, a mocking smile curling her lips. She said airily, “How about I arrange a beauty for you too?”

Si Wenruo's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, waving his hand in refusal with slight embarrassment: “Uh... that won't be necessary.”

Si Yao sat on the sofa, crossed her legs, and folded her arms across her chest, appearing somewhat impatient: “Alright, since the money's been spent, just say it. What's the matter?”

Si Wenruo shrugged helplessly, picked up a bottle from the table, poured himself a glass, and slowly spoke: “It's about that fiancé of yours, Young Master Zhao Lintai of the Zhao Family of the Capital. He went to the Old Manor yesterday to see the Old Master.”

“What fiancé! Don't bring that up!” Si Yao's brow furrowed in displeasure as she crudely picked at her ear. “Get straight to the point!”

Si Wenruo raised an eyebrow with a teasing smile: “Fine~ the point. This Young Master Zhao seems very satisfied with you. I heard you've already met in Magic City? The Old Master sent me to ask for your opinion.”

“He's satisfied with me?” Si Yao looked surprised, as if this result was unexpected. “Did Zhao Lintai say that himself?”

Si Wenruo nodded and explained, “The Old Master's original intention was to cancel this engagement. Dad actually wanted to break it off too, but it was hard to bring up for the sake of appearances. But who would have thought that this Young Master Zhao from the capital would be so taken with you, acting as if he won't marry anyone else.”

At this point, Si Wenruo sighed, looking very troubled, and continued, “Not only that, the kid even brought out his grandfather, Zhao Weiguo. Sigh, the old man of the Zhao Family called our Old Master this morning. According to him, if the Old Master breaks the engagement, he'd be a man of bad faith. You know the Old Master has spent his life being honorable; he had no choice but to reluctantly agree.”

“Damn it, that bastard Zhao Lintai says one thing to your face and another behind your back!” Si Yao cursed angrily, her face full of indignation.

“Hahaha,” Si Wenruo couldn't help but laugh. He took a sip of wine and continued, “From the sound of it, did you and Zhao Lintai have some kind of agreement?”

“Stay out of my business; it has nothing to do with you,” Si Yao responded coldly.

“How can it have nothing to do with me? You are the heir to the Southwest Si Family; your marriage is the Family's top priority,” Si Wenruo said solemnly.

“Piss off! If you like the heir status so much, you take it!” Si Yao snapped. “Go back and tell them that no matter what promises they made to the Zhao Family, I, Si Yao, will absolutely not marry him!” After speaking, she turned to leave.

“Wait, Yaoyao!” Si Wenruo hurriedly called out to her. “Don't you want to know how the Old Master's health is?”

Si Yao's steps faltered. She turned back, a flash of complex emotion in her eyes. She remained silent for a moment before finally softening her stance: “How... how is he?”

Hearing Si Yao say this, the corners of Si Wenruo's mouth curled up. He thought to himself that it seemed the girl still cared about the Old Master.

He sighed softly, a grave expression appearing on his face as he slowly spoke, “Sigh, the Old Master's health has some problems. At the beginning of the year, he went into seclusion to attempt to break through to the Huajin Stage, but unfortunately, he failed. It also triggered old injuries, and now his legs can no longer stand.”

Upon hearing this, Si Yao's heart instantly sank, as if pressed by a thousand-pound boulder. As a Martial Artist of the Anjin Stage, she naturally understood the Old Master's physical condition; if he could successfully reach the Huajin Stage, his lifespan would be greatly extended. But failing to advance would undoubtedly accelerate his aging. Thinking of this, a flash of worry appeared in her eyes, though she forced herself not to show it.

Seeing her reaction, Si Wenruo also sighed. He took out his phone, waved it in front of Si Yao, and said softly, “I have recent photos of the Old Master on my phone. Do you want to see?”

Si Yao sighed silently and turned back toward Si Wenruo.

Si Yao was silent for a moment, but eventually, she couldn't resist the concern in her heart and walked toward Si Wenruo. She reached out and grabbed the phone; the screen showed her grandfather sitting in a wheelchair. Looking at that familiar yet aged face, her heart was filled with mixed emotions, and her eyes unconsciously grew moist.

“Yaoyao, I didn't come to Magic City this time to persuade you to go back,” Si Wenruo comforted her softly. “Actually, Dad doesn't want you to marry into the Zhao Family of the Capital either. The Zhao Family is weak now; Zhao Lintai simply wants to use our Si Family's power to revive his own.”

Si Yao looked up at him, a flash of coldness in her eyes: “I'm not stupid. I know exactly what Zhao Lintai is planning.”

“Mm, so I want to give you an idea.” Si Wenruo paused before continuing, “Why don't you find someone you like as soon as possible and seal the deal? Better yet, get pregnant quickly. That way, even if you have a prior engagement with Zhao Lintai, so what? It would just mean the Old Master has to step forward and apologize to the Zhao Family. With the Old Master's current situation, what can the Zhao Family do? At worst, we just give Zhao Lintai a share of the Si Family's industries.”

“Gee, thanks!” Si Yao glanced sideways at Si Wenruo, then asked in a low voice: “Is this your idea, or your father's?”

“Oh, listen to you. Isn't my dad your dad? Although he didn't say it explicitly, I bet that's exactly what he's thinking,” Si Wenruo replied, playing it off.

However, Si Yao did not respond. She gave Si Wenruo a cold look and continued: “Is there anything else? If not, please leave!” After speaking, she turned to leave the box.

“Hey, hey, hey, don't go! There's so much wine; how can I finish it all by myself?” Si Wenruo shouted hurriedly upon seeing this, but Si Yao left without even looking back.

“Think about my suggestion!” Si Wenruo yelled toward the outside of the box, then shook his head helplessly, muttering to himself, “This girl is getting harder and harder to get along with.”

...