“So there’s such a thing, thank you for the reminder, young lady.”
“You’re welcome.”
Song Zhiyi felt that this woman had a strong aura, unlike an ordinary person. She sensed they probably had the capability to investigate the cause, so she didn’t say anything more.
**
Bai City.
Lin Huaiyu had just completed a mission and returned home only a few days ago. His subordinate and close friend, Chen Li, was already being driven half to death by his demands.
“Ah Yu, aren’t you deliberately punishing me? There are no clues at all—where am I supposed to find this girl for you?”
“Didn’t you say your investigative skills are the best in the entire regiment?”
“I still need enough clues to go on!”
Lin Huaiyu also knew the clues were insufficient—after all, that woman had left in too much of a hurry.
That woman said to act as if nothing had happened, but he couldn’t just shirk responsibility. Moreover, from her tone, she seemed like a pitiable person. Having given her innocence to him, who knew how difficult her days ahead might be. He had to find her.
Chen Li wanted to say more, but seeing his expression, he swallowed his words.
He changed the subject, his tone lightening a bit: “By the way, I heard your grandfather is returning from the hometown by train today?”
As soon as he finished speaking, the doorbell rang downstairs.
The guard came to inform that there was a phone call for Lin Huaiyu.
Lin Huaiyu stood up and strode quickly to the reception room to answer the phone.
“Huaiyu, it’s Auntie. Today on the train, your grandfather suddenly had a heart attack. His face turned pale, and he almost didn’t recover.”
Lin Huaiyu’s heart sank sharply, his voice instantly tense: “How could that be? How is Grandpa now?”
“He’s fine now, and your grandfather has rested.” Lin Huiying let out a long sigh of relief, her tone filled with gratitude. “Thanks to a kind young lady on the train—her medical skills are incredible. With just a few silver needles, she pulled Dad back from the brink of death in no time!”
Lin Huaiyu’s expression eased slightly.
“That girl also quietly reminded me,” Lin Huiying’s voice dropped very low, “she said your grandfather’s pulse was strange, possibly indicating a chronic poison.”
“What?!”
Lin Huaiyu’s pupils constricted sharply, the air around him turning icy.
“Let’s not make a fuss for now. Replace all the tableware at home,” Lin Huiying remained calm and composed. “Investigate the food at home discreetly and see who’s behind this.”
“Understood, Auntie.”
Lin Huaiyu’s expression darkened. How dare someone set their sights on his grandfather.
**
The train pulled into Bai City Station, the world outside blanketed in white snow.
Song Zhiyi carried her simple luggage and followed the crowd off the train. On the platform, she immediately spotted a familiar figure.
Her aunt, Zhong Shuxian, wearing a brown wool coat, stood on tiptoe, anxiously scanning the crowd.
“Auntie!”
Song Zhiyi called out, her eyes already growing warm.
“Zhiyi! Over here!”
Seeing her, Zhong Shuxian’s face immediately broke into a smile. She hurried forward, grabbed her hand, and looked her up and down.
“Good child, how have you gotten so thin? Did you suffer at the Song family?”
The warmth of her aunt’s palm and that gentle, heartbroken expression struck the softest part of Song Zhiyi’s heart.
In her previous life, she had heard that her aunt later didn’t fare well either. After remarrying, something happened—no one knew what—and the entire family lost contact.
Now that she had money in her pocket, she wondered if she could use some connections when the time came to protect her aunt well.
Song Zhiyi fought back her tears and shook her head. “Auntie, I’m not suffering. I just missed you.”
“Silly child, if you missed me, you should have come sooner.”
Zhong Shuxian patted her hair affectionately and led her outside.
“Come, Auntie will take you home. You’ll stay with us in the military unit compound for now.”
Following Zhong Shuxian, Song Zhiyi transferred buses and arrived at the gate of the military district compound. Her heart sank.
Wasn’t this the very military district where Xie Xingwen was stationed?
How could it be such a coincidence?
Song Zhiyi’s hands clenched quietly at her sides.
As she followed her aunt into the residential building, a young girl with braided hair greeted them at the door.
“Mom, you’re back! Is this Cousin Zhiyi?”
The girl’s eyes were big and bright, and her round, smiling cheeks were utterly charming.
“Yes. Shuangshuang, say hello.” Zhong Shuxian nodded with a smile.
“Hello, Cousin Zhiyi!” Shuangshuang warmly pulled Song Zhiyi to sit down. “It’s been so long since I last saw you! You’re so pretty! You must be tired from the journey. Have some water!”
Song Zhiyi’s face, flushed pink from the wind outside, paired with her watery almond-shaped eyes and gentle smile, revealed two sweet dimples at the corners of her mouth—a sweetness that could enchant anyone.
Her cousin’s warmth eased the tension in Song Zhiyi’s heart slightly.
Shuangshuang sat close to her and whispered shyly, “Mom, the Li family called again just now.”
Zhong Shuxian’s smile faded a little as she patted her daughter’s hand.
“There’s no rush. That Li boy is too slick with his words. I don’t like him. I’ll think of another way for you.”
Her tone was gentle but firm.
Song Zhiyi wanted to ask what was going on but didn’t know how to bring it up.
In the evening, Uncle Du Yuanhong returned.
Dressed in his military uniform, he was tall and stern. When he noticed Song Zhiyi in the house, a faint displeasure flickered in his eyes.
After dinner, Song Zhiyi excused herself early to unpack her luggage but overheard her uncle and aunt talking quietly in their room.
“Didn’t I tell you that Old Li’s son is coming to stay with us for a few days next month?” It was her uncle’s voice, restrained but polite. “Old Li passed away, and I mentioned before that I wanted his posthumous son to marry our Shuangshuang. This visit would give the two young people a chance to get to know each other. Now, with an outsider here—and an unmarried young woman at that—isn’t it a bit awkward?”
“Zhiyi came to me because she was mistreated at home. I can’t turn her away. My poor sister only has this one daughter.” Her aunt’s voice followed, tinged with irritation. “Besides, I’ve been meaning to talk to you. I don’t want Old Li’s son marrying our Shuangshuang.”
Standing outside the door, Song Zhiyi understood everything.
It seemed she had come at the wrong time. Her aunt was taking her in under pressure.
Besides, it wasn’t as if she had no money.
Early the next morning, Song Zhiyi made an excuse to go out for a stroll, but her real plan was to find a place to stay outside.
There was a service center in the military compound, and she thought she might inquire about rental options there.
Just as she reached the entrance of the service center, a familiar female voice called out from behind her, sounding pleasantly surprised.
“Little girl? Is that you?”
Song Zhiyi turned around and saw the middle-aged woman she had met on the train earlier—Lin Huiying.
Lin Huiying approached with a beaming smile. “What a coincidence! I never expected you to live in this compound too. Which family are you with?”
Song Zhiyi smiled politely.
“Auntie, my aunt lives here. I’m visiting family.”