HBWMA -Chapter 409 When Wolves Meet

Whale Harbor Premium Rehabilitation Center.

In the height of summer, everything seemed especially full of life.

Just after lunch, the leisure square was more crowded than usual—more than twice as many people as on a normal day. Caregivers pushed wheelchairs or supported elderly residents as they strolled across the lawn, chatting and laughing.

In front of a cluster of hydrangeas, a frail old woman stood staring blankly at the purple-blue petals.

Her hair was silver-white, and her face bore not only wrinkles but also scars of varying sizes. They were old wounds, uneven and sunken, etched into her face alongside the lines of age.

“Old sister, enjoying the flowers?”

A group of elderly men and women passed by, greeting her with smiles.

Xia Suxin’s eyesight wasn’t good. She looked around at the sound of the voices before finally finding them.

She smiled and replied, “Yes. Xia Chen says my eyes aren’t great, so I should look at flowers and plants more often when I can.”

“Oh? Xia Chen came again? Old sister, you’re truly blessed—your grandson is both handsome and filial.”

“You make me so envious! Xia Chen studies at Whale Harbor Medical University, right? That’s amazing! I knew from the first glance that child would have a bright future.”

“Old sister, where is Xia Chen?”

Xia Suxin had a gentle temperament. She waited for everyone to finish talking before smiling and answering, “He was worried I might get thirsty, so he went to fetch me some water.”

Hearing this, everyone’s eyes filled with envy.

At their age, they desired nothing more than filial children and grandchildren.

Xia Suxin’s young grandson was famous throughout the entire rehabilitation center for his devotion. Whenever he had time, he would come visit her, personally taking care of everything, big or small.

After a few more casual exchanges, the group continued their walk, while Xia Suxin, still smiling, returned her gaze to the hydrangeas.

—

In the lobby corridor, Xia Xingchen was holding a thermos of freshly boiled water, about to head downstairs when two dark figures suddenly blocked his path.

He lowered his head and stepped aside, but they refused to let him pass.

Xia Xingchen looked up—just as the other party threw a punch straight at him.

—

The afterglow of the summer sun filtered through white gauze curtains, scattering into flecks of golden light.

Zhou Yanheng sat in a rocking chair by the window, his eyes half-closed. The golden light rested on the bridge of his sharp nose—one might mistake him for some wealthy young master idling away the afternoon.

In a forty-square-meter room, more than twenty burly men stood packed together. In the corner, the sounds of fists and kicks striking flesh echoed relentlessly.

Xia Xingchen tightly protected his head, gritting his teeth without making a single sound.

This “greeting” lasted about ten minutes—until Zhou Yanheng lifted a finger slightly. The men immediately stopped, folding their hands and stepping back to either side.

Zhou Yanheng sat up, a faint smile on his lips as he examined the “stray dog” lying on the ground.

Xia Xingchen took a few labored breaths, clutching his chest as he slowly got to his feet.

“Young Master Zhou has quite a unique way of greeting people.”

“Not bad—you’ve got some guts.”

As if he had expected this, Zhou Yanheng pulled out a prepared file and read it aloud, word by word: “Xia Xingchen, nineteen years old. Graduate of Whale Harbor Yucai High School. Admitted to Whale Harbor Medical University with a top-eight national ranking. Due to outstanding academic performance, specially selected into the Shen Corporation’s specialized experimental research group.”

Xia Xingchen adjusted his crooked glasses. “What else has Young Master Zhou found out?”

Zhou Yanheng casually tossed the file at his feet.

“An orphan. Raised by a grandmother who collects scrap. At fourteen, you accidentally killed someone and were sentenced to twenty years in prison. One year later, the case was overturned—you were declared not guilty and released.”

Xia Xingchen smiled faintly, his eyes cold. “That file isn’t something ordinary people can access. Impressive methods, Young Master Zhou.”

Zhou Yanheng stood up and slowly walked toward him.

“So… are you one of the Shen family’s hidden pawns?”

Xia Xingchen said, “Young Master Zhou is so smart—you’ve already guessed it, haven’t you?”

Zhou Yanheng let out a cold laugh and glanced at the burly man beside him.

The man understood immediately. Slipping on his knuckle guards, he grabbed Xia Xingchen by the collar and drove a heavy punch into his abdomen.

Xia Xingchen’s pupils shrank sharply. He let out a muffled groan and collapsed.

“Don’t provoke my temper. Your worthless life isn’t even enough to amuse me.”

Clutching his lower abdomen, Xia Xingchen nodded with difficulty. “Yes.”

Zhou Yanheng said, “The evidence of your murder and body disposal is solid, yet you got an acquittal? Looks like your backer isn’t ordinary. This medical facility costs no less than six hundred thousand a year—where does a student like you get that kind of money?”

Xia Xingchen coughed lightly. “Part-time jobs.”

A hint of interest flickered in Zhou Yanheng’s eyes. “Underground boxing? Or killing and robbing?”

Even his underground fighting connections had been uncovered—clearly, this man had come prepared.

Xia Xingchen removed his glasses and met Zhou Yanheng’s gaze. “What exactly does Young Master Zhou want to ask?”

Zhou Yanheng got straight to the point. “Who is your boss?”

Xia Xingchen frowned slightly, thought for a moment, then shook his head. “I can’t tell you.”

“Looks like you’re not afraid of death.” Zhou Yanheng turned as if to leave.

“Young Master Zhou!” Xia Xingchen called out. “If I don’t speak, I’ll die today. But even if I do, I’ll still die. My life may be worthless, but if I can gamble it for a better future—even a rotten life wants to live well. Please, give me a chance.”

Zhou Yanheng paused and looked back at him. “You’re asking me for a future?”

“Yes.”

His expression remained unreadable. “What makes you think I’d be willing to give you one?”

Xia Xingchen fell into brief silence.

That night of the storm at the mountain villa, Zhou Yanheng had clearly known someone had infiltrated the estate. Yet not only had he failed to warn anyone, he had even cooperated with the pirates without any sense of boundaries. That kind of madness showed he had no moral bottom line at all. Only someone like that would accept him simply because he found him interesting.

Those in power detested having their thoughts guessed, so although Xia Xingchen had some confidence, he didn’t dare say it outright.

After a moment’s consideration, he chose his words carefully. “Young Master Zhou, even taming a beast requires a process. If you want me to betray my master, you have to at least throw me a piece of meat first.”

Zhou Yanheng turned around, a hint of amusement appearing in his superior gaze.

“A prey with personality is indeed worth a bit more effort. But how do you prove you’re different from the rest?”

Xia Xingchen replied, “Haven’t you already investigated my entire background? I’m sure you understand my value better than I do.”

The words were bold, but perfectly suited Zhou Yanheng’s temperament.

The reason he had come to see Xia Xingchen today was because he had already guessed that Xia Xingchen was a hidden agent for someone in the Shen family. Based on Xia Xingchen’s actions that night, Zhou Yanheng suspected that person was most likely the “maggot” in the Shen family that Zhou Guochao had mentioned.

The timing wasn’t right. Zhou Guochao had forbidden him from interfering in the cooperation between the Zhou and Shen families. Not wanting to anger his grandfather over such a small matter, he had no choice but to hold back.

But obedience was only temporary. Just because he wasn’t intervening now didn’t mean he was withdrawing from this game with the Shen family.

Meeting Xia Xingchen today was his first move in resetting the board.

So far, he was fairly satisfied with Xia Xingchen’s response.

With a faint smile, he took a handgun from his bodyguard, cocked it, and pressed it against Xia Xingchen’s forehead.

“Last question—what is your relationship with Jiang Huashan?”