Ye Fan felt his mind explode. Not long ago, at Old Master Shen's birthday celebration, he had accompanied Shen Tianyin.
At that time, although the old master had some chronic ailments, his life was absolutely not in danger.
Ye Fan, though unskilled in medicine, had a sharp eye. Old Master Shen did not have the look of someone at death's door.
If that were the case, there could only be one possibility: someone wanted the old master dead. Who could it be?
"How could the old master suddenly be like this? He was fine just a few days ago!"
Ye Fan's brows furrowed deeply, his expression instantly turning grim.
Ye Fan did not have a particularly good impression of Old Master Shen, but in his heart, he did respect him.
Shen Tianyin sobbed, her shoulders shaking continuously.
"The official notification just informed me; I don't know the specifics. Ye Fan, I must go back to see my grandfather one last time."
As he spoke, Shen Bao also hurried in from outside.
"Tianyin, let's go back immediately."
He nodded at Ye Fan, his face etched with apology.
Shen Tianyin nodded heavily. Though reluctant to part with Ye Fan, her grandfather's position in her heart was too important; no one could replace him.
Just as the siblings were about to leave the living room, Ye Fan made up his mind and strode quickly forward.
"Wait, I'll go back with you."
"What? But your here..."
Shen Tianyin was overjoyed, but then she remembered the importance of the Thousand Buddha Mountain mission to Ye Fan and her face showed hesitation.
But Ye Fan smiled, "We just went through a great ordeal. Let them rest here for a few days. Once they've recovered their strength, it won't be too late to explore the treasure."
Knowing that Ye Fan was finding an excuse to accompany her back, Shen Tianyin felt even more touched.
"Ye Fan, thank you."
She looked at him sincerely, finding it difficult to speak.
"There's no need to be polite with me. Let's set off immediately."
Since they had already reached the halfway point of Thousand Buddha Mountain, the path down the mountain remained difficult.
It was not until noon that the three of them reached the foot of the mountain. They then retrieved their car and sped towards the Shen family in Jiang City.
The Shen Residence.
Old Master Shen's face was pale, his brows furrowed in agony, and his mouth clenched tightly, as if he were grinding his teeth.
"How could the old master be like this? He was fine this morning."
A collateral branch member of the Shen family had already come to look after Shen Shiyun.
At this moment, Shen Shiyun was wearing a white dress, her face filled with grief, her eyes red-rimmed, with faint tears swirling.
"It's all Shen Tianyin's fault for angering him. The old master is someone who highly values his reputation, yet he deliberately seeks to make things difficult for his eldest son, causing the old master to often cough awake in the middle of the night, and his condition worsens daily. All of this is due to Shen Tianyin's addiction."
Knowing that the matter could no longer be concealed, Shen Shiyun directly chose to frame her.
As long as Shen Tianyin could be kicked out of the Shen family, everything would be his in the future. As for the old master's life or death, it was of no importance to him.
Seeing that Tianyin Pavilion's business was getting better and better, and the old master was constantly praising Shen Tianyin, Shen Shiyun naturally felt a sense of apprehension.
Especially this time, when Shen Tianyin went to Thousand Buddha Mountain with Ye Fan, it caused Shen Shiyun to panic.
Therefore, he planned this conspiracy.
Upon hearing his words, several important members of the Shen family harrumphed angrily.
"Shen Tianyin, as a member of the Shen family, betrays the family. Such a person should have been expelled from the family long ago."
"If the old master has any mishaps, Shen Tianyin is a sinner of the family and must not be let off lightly."
"Convene a family meeting, Shen Tianyin must give an explanation."
For a time, voices condemning Shen Tianyin rose one after another, as if she were the culprit, the source of all evil at this moment.
Seeing the crowd in the family roused, a hint of triumph flashed in Shen Shiyun's eyes.
This was the result he desired: to drown Shen Tianyin with the collective condemnation of others.
Just then, three figures strode in.
"This is the Shen family. Who gave you the right to speak so carelessly here?"
Shen Bao roared angrily. They had heard these people verbally attacking Shen Tianyin from outside, and their fury erupted instantly.
He knew the truth of the matter better than anyone, so the suppressed rage at this moment burst forth.
Upon hearing Shen Bao's roar, those people were startled and fell silent, turning to look over.
But when they saw it was Shen Tianyin and the others, they immediately began to curse again.
"Shen Tianyin, you are a traitor to our Shen family."
"How can the Shen family have a shameless person like you? Get out quickly!"
"This is the Shen family. What right does an outsider have to be here?"
A torrent of words, not a single one complimentary.
Shen Tianyin's face turned pale, her body swaying slightly. Many of these people were elders she deeply respected.
She had never imagined that one day, these people would look at her with such expressions.
Ye Fan, supporting Shen Tianyin, his face sank even deeper.
Although he was broad-minded and disliked verbal disputes, even so, at this moment, he fell into a rage.
"Are all members of the Shen family like this? The old master is in critical condition, and instead of thinking about how to treat him, you are here pressuring Shen Tianyin. I'd like to ask, what are your intentions?"
His words were sharp and to the point, and a terrifying aura suddenly erupted from Ye Fan.
Like a stormy sea, it instantly enveloped everyone.
This terrifying aura suppressed them, making them feel a strong sense of suffocation.
"The Shen family's affairs are none of your business."
A young man said angrily, pointing at Ye Fan with extreme coldness.
"Are you talking to me?"
Ye Fan asked coldly, simultaneously releasing Shen Tianyin and slowly walking towards the young man.
"You, what are you going to do? This is the Shen family. If you dare to lay a hand on me, the Shen family will not..."
Before the young man could finish speaking, Ye Fan abruptly lifted his foot and, with lightning speed, kicked him hard in the stomach, sending him sprawling to the ground.
The young man writhed on the ground, the intense pain causing him to tremble. After struggling for a while, he couldn't get up.
"Let me say it again, we are here to visit the old master. If anyone dares to speak disrespectfully again, this will be their fate."
Silence. An extraordinary silence. These people were completely stunned by Ye Fan's terrifying demeanor and dared not utter another word.
Only Shen Shiyun's face darkened. He had not expected Ye Fan to be so fearsome.
In that instant, he even felt as if he couldn't breathe.
However, for the sake of his interests, he could not let this matter rest.
"Mr. Ye is right. Regardless of whether the old master's worsening condition is related to my sister, we have no right to prevent my sister from visiting. Esteemed relatives and friends, I ask you, for my sake, not to trouble Tianyin for now. Everything can be discussed after visiting grandfather."
These words were spoken with utmost perfection. They not only completely absolved him of his responsibilities but also appeared gracious, dignified, and magnanimous in the eyes of the crowd. Such a person was destined for great things.