Read Chapter 8: — RARE BLOOD

Huashi organised a staff blood drive in early summer.

Mufeng went because refusing would have been absurd for a healthy twenty-five-year-old who spent half his meetings telling other people to set an example.

The blood centre called him back two days later.

He was A negative—rare in China.

A nurse asked whether he was related to the Hua family.

"No."

She looked embarrassed. "Sorry. It's just that another donor in our rare-blood registry has the same type. And you resemble him."

She showed Mufeng a file before a colleague remembered privacy rules and took it away.

The photograph belonged to He Jiazhen, Chairwoman Hua Suxian's only son.

The resemblance was startling.

So was the medical context Mufeng learned in fragments. Jiazhen had inherited a severe kidney disorder from his father. He had spent years in and out of hospitals in the United States and might eventually need a transplant.

Mufeng tried to dismiss the coincidence.

Then an anonymous envelope arrived at his office.

Inside was part of Jiazhen's DNA report.

No explanation.

That night Mufeng dreamed of people holding enormous syringes and chasing him through a hospital corridor.

The next day Cai Jiahan entered his office without waiting for permission.

Cai showed photographs from a recent visit to Hua's American home. He spoke of family history, inherited disease, money, and the enormous value of Hua's overseas assets.

Finally he said, "You still believe you rose this quickly because of talent?"

Mufeng's expression hardened.

"Say what you came to say."

"Jiazhen has waited years for a kidney. You have the same rare blood type. You are young. Healthy. Conveniently close to the family."

The idea was monstrous precisely because it fit too many unexplained facts.

Why had Huashi rescued Yifeng?

Why had Hua personally insisted on Mufeng's promotion?

Why had someone hidden behind the screen to observe him before he was hired?

Why the DNA report?

Cai leaned back, satisfied with the damage he had done.

"Wake up, Li Mufeng. You're not a prince. You're spare parts."

After Cai left, Mufeng walked behind the screen and stood where the hidden woman had once stood.

For the first time in his life, success felt like a trap.