Chapter 10: Entrust the Qiao Family to Me

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Staring at the corpse on the bed, my face turned pale, and dizziness overwhelmed me. The man lying there looked as if he were simply asleep; except for his unusually pale complexion, he was indistinguishable from an ordinary person. Yet, I knew—I was dead.

Before seeing my own body, I still harbored a sliver of hope. What if I wasn’t truly dead, just unconscious or reduced to a vegetative state? Maybe there was still a chance I could wake up.

But now, my corpse lay on an iron bed, motionless, my chest unmoving.

So, I really was dead.

Collapsing weakly to the floor, I raised my hand and looked at my nearly translucent fingers. Agony filled my chest; I wanted to cry, but no tears came.

Is this the world beyond death? No tears, no feelings, invisible to anyone, unheard by anyone—like a restless spirit from a ghost story on television.

Was I doomed to exist like this forever?

I had no idea where I was to go next. I no longer needed to stay by Qiao Yanxin’s side. Then where was I supposed to go?

A profound despair blossomed within me, but faced with my current state, I was utterly powerless.

Suddenly, steady footsteps echoed nearby. Startled, I instinctively wanted to hide, but then remembered with a bitter smile—no one could see me.

Soon, a pair of feet came into view. Looking up along those feet, I saw the killer from before. This time, he still masked his entire face, making it impossible to recognize him.

He wasn’t alone; another person followed behind him.

The killer pointed at my body on the bed.

“That’s him. How much do you think he’s worth?”

Worth? Alarm bells rang in my mind. Were they planning to harvest my organs to sell? But I had been dead so long; logically, my organs would be useless.

Before I could think it through, the man lifted my shirt to inspect me, then nodded in satisfaction.

“His body is pretty intact.”

Hearing this, the killer’s lips curled into an unrestrained grin.

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“Of course. When I killed him, I deliberately avoided cutting him.”

The man nodded. “This corpse is perfect for making amber. You don’t have to pay me much, just two thousand as a token. I’ve never made human amber before, but I’ve always wanted to. Unfortunately, I never had a body. Now, the two of us can fulfill each other’s wishes!”

Excitement gleamed in the man’s eyes as he spoke.

My mind went blank. They… were going to turn me into amber?!

Even in death, I was not allowed peace. I didn’t know what I had done to offend these people.

I watched as the man dragged my corpse onto a vehicle, apparently to transport it somewhere.

My pupils contracted sharply, and I rushed forward to stop them—only to collapse onto the floor in an instant.

When I came to, the surroundings had changed. There was no basement with corpses. Instead, I was in the old Qiao family mansion.

“Kneel!”

A commanding voice rang out. My body trembled uncontrollably, my knees buckled, and I snapped back to reality.

Before me stood Grandfather Qiao.

I hadn’t seen him in a long time. I’d heard his health was poor, and he rarely left the mansion, forbidding the younger generation from visiting him.

Now, dressed in a traditional Tang suit, he sat solemnly at the head of the hall, looking much improved.

Seeing Grandfather Qiao gave me a sudden anchor. I immediately rushed forward, throwing myself at his feet.

“Grandfather, please save me! Don’t let them turn me into amber!”

But Grandfather Qiao couldn’t hear a word I said.

His face darkened as he stared at someone lower in the room. Following his gaze, I saw Qiao Yanxin kneeling on the floor.

Grandfather Qiao’s solemn voice echoed through the hall.

“On the day you married Yunzhou, why did you run away? And what about the things you’ve done recently? Do you realize how many paparazzi caught you? When this leaks, how will outsiders see you? How will they see the entire Qiao family?”

After saying this, his chest heaved violently with anger.

Qiao Yanxin pressed her lips tightly, silent.

She dared to defy her parents but not Grandfather Qiao. Though she wanted to defend herself, no words came out.

“Someone, bring the family law punishment.”

The family law of the Qiao clan was a bullwhip soaked in saltwater.

It was clear Grandfather Qiao was serious.

The Qiao family had always upheld strict discipline; they could never tolerate Qiao Yanxin’s behavior.

Even if she wanted to flirt with Gu Tingchu, she should have been careful not to be caught.

Moreover, she had run away from her wedding.

Grandfather Qiao looked at her with bitter disappointment.

“How many times did I tell you as a child? Have you learned the Qiao family rules or not?”

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Seeing the sleek black whip, Qiao Yanxin’s parents swallowed hard.

Though she was indeed at fault, she had her reasons. Besides, she was their only daughter—they had to protect her.

Qiao Yanxin’s father stepped forward, pleading gently, “Dad, Yanxin had important reasons. She didn’t do it on purpose. Please spare her this time. Besides, isn’t the family law punishment a bit too harsh?”

Grandfather Qiao gave him a cold glance.

“Keep talking, and I might just punish you too.”

Qiao Yanxin’s father fell silent immediately.

He knew Grandfather Qiao was capable of such severity.

The whip sliced through the air with a sharp crack.

Qiao Yanxin straightened her back. Though her palms sweated nervously, she showed no fear.

Just as Grandfather Qiao was about to strike, someone suddenly spoke up.

Curious, I turned to see an unexpected figure.

Gu Tingchu.

Why was he here during the Qiao family’s judgment?

Before I could ponder, Gu Tingchu said, “Grandfather Qiao, if you want to punish someone, punish me. Yanxin didn’t mean it; it’s all my fault. Punish me instead.”

Grandfather Qiao gave him a cold look, then brought the whip down.

Qiao Yanxin let out a muffled groan as her clothes were torn open on her back.

Gu Tingchu gasped and rushed forward.

Grandfather Qiao snorted coldly. “Get away. Someone like you doesn’t deserve to be in the Qiao family.”

Despite the pain, Qiao Yanxin still defended Gu Tingchu. “Grandfather, please don’t say that.”

Grandfather Qiao was furious, his face red and eyes blazing, about to speak when someone else interrupted.

Qiao Zhuxin stepped in slowly, a mocking smile on her face as she looked at Qiao Yanxin kneeling on the floor.

“You really care about this man.”

Qiao Yanxin coldly retorted, “Little Aunt said she wouldn’t return to the Qiao family anymore. Why are you here today?”

Qiao Zhuxin silently walked to a seat and sat down, then spoke calmly.

“Qiao Yanxin, I’ve changed my mind. Rather than let the Qiao family decline under your incompetence, it’s better to hand it over to me.”

“Since you refuse to cherish it, from now on, I will take charge of everything in the Qiao family.”