“Is there still no news about Yanshen?”
A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, scattering light like broken diamonds across the Italian marble floor. The gilded columns around the hall gleamed even brighter under the reflection.
In the vast living room, the hand embroidered velvet carpet was thick and soft. The European leather sofa was lined with shining gold studs. Even the bronze ornaments in the corners were polished to a shine. Every detail radiated overwhelming luxury.
“Not yet, but Dad, don’t worry too much. When Ashen misses you, he’ll come back. He just needs some time.”
The man who spoke looked to be in his twenties. He wore gray dress pants, a striped tie, a white shirt, and a gray vest. His hair was perfectly styled without a strand out of place.
He was the young master of the Qing family, Qing Chen, widely praised by the public. His popularity even surpassed that of many celebrities.
“Is he unwilling to come back because he’s angry with me, or has something happened to him?”
Qing Minghong sat on the sofa. At fifty six, his hair had already turned partially white, but his sharp eyes were like those of a predator.
Qing Chen steadied himself and did not look away, meeting that gaze directly. “Dad, he’s a grown man in perfect health. How could anything happen to him? This is a society ruled by law.”
Qing Minghong looked deeply at the son in front of him. He and his wife had been childhood sweethearts. Because of her health, they only had one child, whom he cherished deeply. Yet fate made a fool of him. His biological son had been switched, and the son he had raised for twenty three years was someone else’s blood.
But they had already developed feelings for the child. The Qing family did not lack food or resources. Raising one son or two made no difference.
Since Yanshen returned home these past few years, he had been very satisfied. Even without the best education, the boy was intelligent, steady, calm, and able to handle responsibility.
As for Qing Chen, he and his wife had given him the best education since childhood and placed high hopes on him. But he was not suited for it. He preferred superficial glory and enjoyed living under the spotlight, surrounded by admiration.
In that case, it would not be bad for Yanshen to take on the family responsibilities while Qing Chen lived the life he preferred.
However, ever since Yanshen returned, Qing Chen seemed uneasy and began working seriously in the company.
Qing Minghong had thought this was good. The two brothers could compete and improve together.
Two months ago, he had planned to arrange Yanshen’s marriage. Yanshen firmly refused, and the conversation ended unhappily.
The next day, through Qing Chen, he learned that Yanshen had gone abroad for a trip.
He thought it was fine to let him cool off for a while. After all, the boy had not lived a comfortable life before. Traveling to relax was not a bad idea.
But two months had passed, and he still had not returned.
“Could someone have kidnapped him?”
“No.” Qing Chen spoke with certainty. “The outside world doesn’t even know he belongs to our family. What value would there be in kidnapping someone like that? Have you forgotten? You never released his photos.”
“I did that to protect him. He had just come home. How could he understand the complexities of this circle?”
“Exactly. He’s just an ordinary person. Who would go out of their way to target him?”
“There are two months left before my surgery. Before that, I want you to bring him back.”
“Don’t worry, Dad. Leave it to me.”
“I’ll go to the company now. The project I’m handling is at a critical stage.”
Qing Minghong waved his hand. “Go ahead.”
Qing Chen bowed slightly, stepped back a few paces, then turned and left.
Behind him, Qing Minghong narrowed his eyes, then picked up his phone and called his trusted aide.
“Secretary Li, find out where my son Yanshen has gone.”
Secretary Li had worked by his side for twenty years. He trusted him.
Qing Chen got into his car. As soon as it left the Qing family estate, he received a call.
After a few exchanges, he sneered, his expression turning vicious. “The old man doesn’t trust me? What right does he have not to trust me? I’m the one he raised for over twenty years. Just because of blood? So he loves his biological son and even dares to suspect me? Go ahead and search. When the time comes, just say you couldn’t find him.”
From that height, after falling, even if he were found, only bones would remain.
As if anyone could actually find him.
“Almost there.”
Jiang Qingmi held her phone while speaking. “Come up on the left, the third unit, right? We’re almost there.”
She had come to Li Lanyan’s home for a meal. Qing Yanshen carried Jiang Tuantuan, while she held some fruit.
“Qingmi, over here.”
Li Lanyan appeared at the doorway.
“The food is ready. Is our Tuantuan hungry? What a cute baby.”
Jiang Tuantuan leaned on Qing Yanshen’s shoulder and spoke sweetly, “Hello, auntie.”
Li Lanyan reached out. “Come, let auntie hold you, okay?”
Jiang Tuantuan shook her head and buried her round face into Qing Yanshen’s chest. “I want uncle to hold me.”
“What? You won’t let me hold you?” Li Lanyan did not understand.
Qing Yanshen and Jiang Qingmi both understood. Jiang Qingmi was a little surprised. They had only known each other for a couple of days, yet the child was already so attached.
Qing Yanshen felt completely softened inside. He did not want to put his daughter down for even a second.
Li Lanyan lived not far from Jiang Qingmi. Her rented home had two bedrooms and a living room, but the interior was older. The floor was plain cement, though everything was kept very clean. She lived there with her eight year old son.
“Tongtong, this is mommy’s friend. You met her when you were little. Call her auntie.”
Wang Tongtong was a slightly chubby boy. He looked at Jiang Qingmi and greeted her, then called Qing Yanshen uncle.
Li Lanyan prepared a large table of dishes. Stir fried cauliflower with meat, braised fish, steamed egg with shrimp, stir fried vegetables, hot and sour shredded potatoes, and pickled cabbage meatball soup.
The room was filled with the aroma of food.
“It smells so good, Sister Lanyan.”
Li Lanyan smiled. “You used to love my cooking. It’s been a long time since you’ve had it, right? Just home style dishes. Don’t mind it. Eat more.”
The atmosphere was warm. The two women chatted and laughed. Qing Yanshen remained quiet, his attention entirely on Jiang Tuantuan. He carefully fed her, afraid she might burn herself or choke.
Li Lanyan watched him and nodded inwardly.
“Brother Yanshen, where do you work?”
Qing Yanshen replied calmly, “At a nearby construction site.”
Li Lanyan’s expression changed slightly. “Nearby?”
Her tone became more subdued. “I see. Tongtong’s father works there too. Not to nag, but for Qingmi and the child, don’t learn from those people who gamble and play mahjong. We ordinary people don’t have much money.”
“I have no interest in those things,” Qing Yanshen said.
Li Lanyan looked at Jiang Qingmi. “You don’t know. My husband loves gambling. He’s terrible at it but still addicted. He lost ten thousand before, and last time he lost five thousand. I kicked him out and didn’t let him come home for two months.”
This sounded very familiar.
Qing Yanshen paused, then glanced at Wang Tongtong and seemed to understand something.
“Brother Yanshen, my husband’s name is Wang Bing. You probably don’t know him, right?”
Qing Yanshen said calmly, “I share a dorm with Wang Ge.”
“What?”
Jiang Qingmi and Li Lanyan exclaimed in shock at the same time.