Chapter 15: Foster Father

Fu Yunshen didn't care much: "Hmm?"

This time, the reply from the other side was quite rapid.

"Three people, all on the hunting list. I've sent you their files."

"Don't die before I've even met you."

Fu Yunshen's eyelashes fluttered, and he gave a light laugh: "Don't worry, meeting once is doable."

The red text faded, and the screen finally returned to normal.

On the previously empty desktop, three folders had appeared, named

Sharpshooter No.4; Killer No.5; Hypnotist No.7.

Fu Yunshen scanned them but did not open the folders to look.

He closed his laptop, stood up, checked the time on his wrist, and headed out.

**

Today happened to be the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, and there were many people selling lanterns on the streets.

Although the 12:30 sunlight was bright, it wasn't dazzling; it was a perfectly appropriate warmth.

Ying Zijin turned her head, watching several children skipping rope not far away, her expression softening slightly.

Having grown accustomed to days of fighting and killing, this sudden stillness felt somewhat surreal.

With her hands in her pockets, she leaned against the railing, looking lazy. As she took in the scenery, she began to reorganize her memories.

The Jiang family had a charitable foundation that specifically provided scholarships to students in remote areas.

She happened to be one of them, the kind that was originally quite inconspicuous.

A year ago, Jiang Moyuan had intended to bring her to Shanghai under the pretext of sponsoring her studies at Qingzhi No.1 High School.

It was a very sudden decision.

She hadn't been very willing at the time because her foster father, Wen Fengmian, had severe asthma and needed care.

But Wen Fengmian had said that this was his life and it couldn't be changed, so he hoped she could go out and have a better future.

But no one expected that "going out" would result in this.

The Ying family took her back, but through adoption.

Because Ying Zhenting had suppressed the scandal of the Ying family losing their eldest young lady, he directly had the adopted daughter replace her original identity, including her name and date of birth.

In the beginning, Zhong Manhua and Ying Zhenting were relatively good to her.

Until Ying Luwei was injured for the first time, and until she repeatedly embarrassed herself in elite social circles.

Coupled with the comparison to Ying Luwei—the number one socialite and the eldest lady of the Ying family—an adopted daughter from a small county simply could not compete.

Ying Zijin narrowed her eyes.

The memories in her mind were one-sided; they could not reveal the full picture of events.

It was a pity that with her current divinatory abilities, she was not yet able to directly view her complete past and future here.

However, generally, a diviner does not calculate for themselves.

Memory told her that since returning to the Ying family, they had not allowed her to have even the slightest contact with her former family.

Fearing she might pick up "bad habits" again, they had forcefully severed her ties with the Wen family.

Fearing she would run away, Zhong Manhua had even locked her ID card in a cabinet, repeatedly warning her that she was the young lady of the Ying family and should not go to Qingshui County to be pestered by those "impoverished people."

As for Wen Fengmian, they had already given him a hundred thousand; the Wen family should be satisfied.

People in a small county had probably never seen that much money.

Although Qingshui County was not far from Shanghai—only about two hundred kilometers—as Ying Luwei's living blood bank, she was being watched at all times.

Thus, for a whole year, she had not been able to return to Qingshui County even once.

This was true ingratitude.

Ying Zijin took her ID card out of her pocket to look at it, feeling a bit of a headache.

New technology had its downsides; everything felt restricted.

But she had to return to Qingshui County. Wen Fengmian's health was poor, and his kindness in raising her was too great for her to ignore.

After thinking for a moment, Ying Zijin picked up her phone and began searching for the nearest traditional Chinese medicine shop on the map.

**

Thirty minutes later.

Zhongshan South Road.

Just as she stepped out of the taxi, Ying Zijin caught a faint scent of herbal medicine, which calmed her irritability caused by lack of sleep.

She pressed her temples. She wasn't sure if it was because she had died once, but since waking up this time, her temper control was somewhat poor.

It seemed she would also need to refine some calming medicine.

Ying Zijin first entered a bank.

It was the afternoon, so there were few people, and the service windows were mostly empty.

The girl was still wearing a simple black shirt, buttons fastened meticulously, with a khaki coat over it.

Deep black trousers, Martin boots, and a half-ponytail.

Ascetic and cold.

Her appearance was so outstanding that passersby couldn't help but look.

While taking a number, Ying Zijin turned her head and inadvertently caught sight of a golden iris on the wall, her expression pausing for a moment.

It took a while before she belatedly remembered that she was the one who had casually drawn that logo years ago.

She hadn't expected that after all these years, the Laurent family had expanded their bank from Europe to the entire world.

Ying Zijin yawned and walked slowly to the counter.

Her phoenix eyes were misty, like moonlight falling on a branch, complementing the porcelain-white skin beneath her collar; she was beautiful enough to make one's heart tremble.

The teller blushed and quickly averted her gaze: "Hello, Miss."

"I'll withdraw two thousand first," Ying Zijin said, handing over her black card and ID, "and then I'd like to open a bank card and transfer one million into it, thank you."

One million was a large sum in other banks, but at Laurent Bank, it was quite common, so it didn't require much procedure.

"Alright, please wait a moment." The teller took the items and quickly began processing the transaction.

Ying Zijin thought for a moment and asked, "If I deposit money here, how long can it be protected?"

The teller froze for a moment before answering, "As long as you have proof, it can be for as long as you want."

Ying Zijin nodded and leaned back lazily in the chair, yawning.

Perhaps her gold could eventually find its way back to her.

**

Across the street, at the traditional Chinese medicine shop.

Lu Fang was hunched over the checkout counter doing homework. After struggling for a long time, he couldn't solve the final derivative problem and threw his book aside in frustration.

He stood up, intending to find some snacks, but as he looked up, his gaze was captured by a figure behind the glass window.

"Sis, isn't that that person?" Lu Fang asked, half-curious and half-disdainful. "She's from a county; what is she doing at Laurent Bank? Does she even have money?"

Laurent Bank was the only global international bank, and those who entered were either rich or powerful.

It was true that Ying Zijin was part of the Ying family, but she was merely an insignificant adopted daughter, and her grades were at the bottom of their elite class.

"Who?" Ying Zhili was busy writing orders and only gave a casual glance upon hearing him.

Upon seeing her, her expression darkened.

Lu Fang added, "Sis, didn't you say she gave you attitude yesterday?"

"Exactly," Ying Zhili sneered. "Not much talent, but quite a temper. Does she really think I want to provide her with medical care?"

If Ying Luwei hadn't come to ask her, she wouldn't bother serving an adopted daughter.

Just as Lu Fang was about to comfort Ying Zhili, he saw the girl exit Laurent Bank and walk toward them, making him surprised: "Sis, why is she coming over? She's not here to buy medicine, is she?"

Currently, traditional Chinese medicine was far less popular than Western medicine. Their shop dealt in pure traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients; usually, only hospitals placed orders, and they rarely had individual customers.

"Buy medicine?" Ying Zhili scoffed. "We won't sell to her."

(The Ying Empress actually has relatives who truly love her!)

*A certain younger brother with only one surname: I'm impressive, right?*

*Ying Empress: You, just say less.*

*Younger Brother: QAQ*

*Laurent Bank: Prototype is the Medici Bank, a financial empire that once controlled Europe. If interested, you can look it up.*

(End of Chapter)