“What’s wrong?” Xie Guanning asked, tilting his head. “Why the sudden interest?”
The kitten had completely lost its edge, flopping onto the ground to show him its soft belly while letting out sweet, melodic meows.
Jiang Yan’s gaze swept over the kitten before landing on the youth’s smiling face. For a moment, he felt a sense of dazed realization.
“Nothing.” After a beat, he spoke slowly, shifting the topic with slight stiffness. “There are other parts of the campus; do you want to see them?”
Seeing he was reluctant to elaborate, Xie Guanning didn’t pry. “I’ll pass.”
He stood up slowly. The kitten gave two meows, its claws snagging slightly on his pant leg as its watery eyes stared at him unblinkingly.
Xie Guanning looked down at it and chuckled. “I didn’t expect to meet you today, so I didn’t bring anything to eat.”
“But don’t worry, I’ll bring you something tasty the next time I come.” He pointed toward the bushes behind them and said seriously, “You wait for me right here, okay?”
The kitten tilted its head and meowed twice, looking as if it understood, yet perhaps it didn’t.
Xie Guanning took two steps back. When the kitten tried to follow, he waved his hand. “Alright, go back now.”
Though the kitten was small, it didn’t look thin; someone must be feeding it regularly, so he wasn’t worried.
The kitten obediently stopped in its tracks. Hardening his heart, Xie Guanning turned and left. Once out of the kitten’s sight, his pace slowed. He looked at the silent man beside him and sighed, “I suppose I’m still not suited for such soft, delicate little creatures.”
Jiang Yan paused, looking at him, a smile finally breaking through his eyes.
Noticing his reaction, Xie Guanning narrowed his eyes. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
Jiang Yan immediately regained his composure. “Nothing.”
Xie Guanning huffed, kicked a small stone, and walked ahead. “One look at you and I know you’re up to no good.”
Jiang Yan followed behind him. He thought that Xie Guanning was sometimes like a kitten himself—beautiful on the outside, but possessing a certain “clingy” charm that one couldn’t help but notice.
Of course, that was something he could never say to Xie Guanning.
He simply asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to see anything else?”
“I’m sure.” Xie Guanning squinted at the sky. “It’s too hot. I’ll explore more once I’ve officially started school.”
Xie Guanning cast a teasing look at him. “Does Marshal Jiang actually have the leisure to admire school night views?”
Jiang Yan chuckled. “Is that so unbelievable?”
Xie Guanning shrugged. “I figured when you were a student, it was just training and sleeping—a strict two-point line.”
“I’m not a robot,” Jiang Yan replied, amused.
They chatted and laughed as they boarded the hovercar. The journey was smooth. Once Jiang Yan dropped him off at his building, he reminded him to rest early.
“Since you aren’t in a rush for money, there’s no need to work so hard. Go to the underground arena less often.”
Xie Guanning waved to show he understood. After saying goodbye, he turned to leave.
Watching his back from the car, Jiang Yan suddenly called out, “Guanning.”
Xie Guanning turned back.
Jiang Yan rubbed his temples and gave a helpless smile. “Never mind. Go on in.”
Xie Guanning frowned, tilted his head, and after a moment of silence, walked back to the car. He leaned down, resting his elbows on the half-down window, eyes narrowed. “What is with you today?”
Jiang Yan looked at him.
Xie Guanning clicked his tongue. “I’m curious. What exactly did Elder Yu say to make you so distracted ever since we left the villa?”
Jiang Yan was startled. “Is it that obvious?”
“You tell me.”
Jiang Yan remained silent for a long time before looking steadily at his face through the window. Xie Guanning frowned, feeling inexplicably self-conscious.
“Maybe it’s news of… a friend’s child,” Jiang Yan said slowly. “A child who went missing years ago, and finally there’s word.”
Xie Guanning blinked. “Isn’t that a good thing?”
Jiang Yan smiled, his voice low and tender. “It is indeed a good thing.”
He looked at Xie Guanning’s face, so close he could see the fine peach fuzz on his skin. Finally, he couldn’t resist reaching out to pat the golden hair on the boy’s head. “Go inside.”
Xie Guanning frowned, thinking the man was being utterly bizarre today. He ducked away from the hand and turned toward the building. Before entering the elevator, he looked back; the car was still parked there.
Recalling Jiang Yan’s tone, he blinked. A child missing for years… To be remembered so dearly, that person must be very lucky.
In the car, Jiang Yan watched Xie Guanning disappear into the building before blinking his stinging eyes. When his terminal chimed with a message from his adjutant, his expression hardened.
The moment he had received the tip-off, he had ordered his adjutant to investigate Xie Guanning’s background. It seemed the results were in.
He pursed his lips and read the adjutant’s message:
Adjutant Ji: The Research Institute did a basic background check on Mr. Xie after the previous incident. The materials are all here. I’ll continue a deeper investigation, but please let me know if you have a specific direction you want me to follow.
Jiang Yan opened the file. The first few pages were basic data, mostly regarding pheromones—very typical of the Research Institute. Following that was a record of his experiences. Jiang Yan scanned through; the boy had been at the top of his class for every exam, always appearing on the list for first-class scholarships.
Knowing how brilliant Xie Guanning was, Jiang Yan didn’t linger on that part. He focused on the final section: Special Circumstances.
Xie Guanning, illegitimate son of Xie Hongyun. Mother originated from Planet Tax; they had a romance while the father was away on business, resulting in the child. The mother died of complications during childbirth. The father brought him back to the Capital Star on March 4, Star Calendar 3048.
It matched what Xie Guanning had told him perfectly. It was a broad, vague summary, lacking even a single detail. Who was the mother? How did they meet? Were there any other relatives? Nothing.
Jiang Yan’s eyes darkened. He tapped his finger rhythmically before sending a new task to Adjutant Ji:
[Investigate the origins further, specifically the mother’s background. Also, check the Xie family’s industrial reach and planetary travel records from that period.]
The reply came quickly: [The mother’s background is doable, but for the rest, it’s been nearly twenty years. Finding specific details might be difficult.]
Jiang Yan: [I will have the First Prince’s men assist you. If you need data access, go directly to the relevant departments. Just ensure the Xie family doesn’t notice.]
With that order, Adjutant Ji felt relieved, though his curiosity grew. What could be so important that even the First Prince was involved? The Xie family—a clan that looked glorious on the surface but had been in decline for years—what could they have done to catch the Marshal’s eye?
Xie… Xie…
Adjutant Ji suddenly thought of something, and his heart leapt. No way. He looked at the end of the file again, matching the dates in his head. If this was true… He took a sharp breath and didn’t dare think further, quickly organizing the task.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yan sent a message to Ji Qingshi:
[Have your men assist Adjutant Ji in an investigation.]
Ji Qingshi replied with a question mark.
Jiang Yan: [It involves something from a long time ago. We need to check surveillance and planetary entry/exit logs.]
Ji Qingshi was curious: [Wait, who are you investigating? Nothing major has happened lately, has it?]
Jiang Yan didn’t reply but forwarded the file Adjutant Ji had sent him.
As the car sped away from the residential area, his terminal remained quiet for a moment before Ji Qingshi began calling frantically. Jiang Yan answered.
“What is the meaning of this?!” Ji Qingshi’s voice was hurried, accompanied by the sound of things clattering in the background. “What do you mean by sending me this file? I said he looked like Xie Zheng before, but… but…”
He stammered for a while before rasping, “Jiang Yan, you aren’t playing with me, are you?”
“Do you think I have that kind of free time?” Jiang Yan drove with focused intensity.
Ji Qingshi was silent for a long time, his breathing heavy. Jiang Yan added, “I’ve already sent Adjutant Ji to investigate. Just have your people cooperate. I’m busy now; I’ll talk to you later.” He paused. “And don’t mention this to the Xie family yet.”
“I understand,” Ji Qingshi replied. “Tell me as soon as you have news.”
Jiang Yan hung up. A moment later, he dialed another number. It rang for a long time before a cold, tired voice answered: “What is it?”
“Mother,” he said directly. “Do you have photos from your youth at home?”
“Yes,” Professor Song replied curtly. “If you need them, have the butler find them. If that’s all, I’m hanging up.”
“One more thing,” Jiang Yan said. “I need you to come back for a visit.”
There was a silence as if she were checking her schedule. “5:30,” she said before cutting the line.
Communication between mother and son was always like this. Professor Song was busy, and Jiang Yan was used to her brisk manner. He sent a message to the butler to find the photos.
Driving down the road, Jiang Yan’s eyes were calm as a still lake.
In the usually quiet manor, the butler hurried upstairs after receiving the message, followed by the curious gazes of the servants. When the hovercar arrived and Jiang Yan walked in, the butler met him.
“Did you find them?”
The butler handed over a thick photo album. “These are photos of the Mistress from her childhood through her university years.”
Jiang Yan flipped through it. The first few pages were of her as a baby, a small bundle, likely taken by his grandparents. Later pages showed her learning to speak and walk. He flipped directly to her mid-teens.
His gaze froze.
In the photos, besides his mother, several other companions of a similar age appeared frequently. Jiang Yan recognized them: his father, a much younger Emperor and Empress, and—
And a girl who was much younger than the current Xie Guanning, but whose features were almost identical.
Jiang Yan’s fingers trembled; his throat felt dry. He kept flipping. These companions appeared more often now from playing together in high school to a group photo in front of the Imperial Military Academy gates after they were all admitted. He watched the girl grow into a mature woman, looking more and more like the Xie Guanning of today.
“What are you looking at?” a voice asked.
Hearing the cold voice from behind, Jiang Yan turned to see a tall woman in a white lab coat. Her expression was as indifferent as it had been for decades, devoid of any obvious emotion.
Jiang Yan couldn’t help but glance back at the album. The young girl in the photos smiled brilliantly, forming a sharp contrast with the chilly face before him now.
“Mother,” he greeted her softly.
Professor Song looked at the album in his hand as she removed her lab coat and stepped further into the house. “First you ask for the photo album, then you insist I rush back. Whatever it is, say it quickly; the lab is very busy.”
Jiang Yan followed her into the living room. As they sat on the sofa, he opened his terminal, pulled up a specific photo, and handed it to Professor Song along with the physical album. “Do you think these two look alike?”
Professor Song was just bringing a cup of tea to her lips. She glanced down at the image, and her entire body instantly froze.
Seeing her reaction, Jiang Yan had all the confirmation he needed.
“Jiang Yan.” His mother looked up at him.
Professor Song was a brilliant woman. For Jiang Yan to break character and demand she come home, only to present this photo—the implications were crystal clear.
Her hand tightened around the teacup. Taking a deep breath, she asked in a low, heavy voice, “Who is this child? Where is he now? How old is he? Have you investigated everything thoroughly?”
“The investigation is ongoing,” Jiang Yan said, proceeding to detail the discrepancies and issues he had uncovered.
“I understand.” Professor Song stood up, her orders brisk and decisive. “You keep investigating. I’m going to the Palace.”
Jiang Yan didn’t object.
The mysterious details could be unraveled slowly, but the most urgent priority was determining whether this child truly belonged to the Xie family. The fastest and most accurate method was a DNA paternity test. Knowing this, Jiang Yan had called his mother back specifically for her influence and resources.
Xie Guanning remained entirely oblivious to the events unfolding at the Jiang residence; he was currently occupied with handling a barrage of media interviews.
The top scholar of the college entrance exams was always a trending topic, bound to remain at the peak of public discourse for some time. When the news of his intention to join the military leaked, it caused an even greater stir.
Journalists, smelling a hot story, swarmed him for interviews. While Xie Guanning wasn’t naturally a high-profile person, he knew that a high level of fame would make the Xie family hesitate to move against him. Moreover, it served as the “sincerity” he had promised Fang Qi. Thus, he maintained a polite and cooperative attitude toward the endless stream of reporters.
Articles flooded the internet, and the waves of discussion grew higher. Some argued that his grades were “wasted” on a military career, while others countered that serving one’s country could never be a waste. Some even sourly commented that his choice was a good thing because it freed up a spot at a top civilian university for someone else. Xie Guanning scanned a few of these comments and then promptly ignored them.
His terminal chimed; it was Wen Li, pressuring him for his location.