Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Her peaceful life because of his arrival... Secretary Shen, "?" Is that what he said? It didn't seem like it. But looking at the boss's expression, he seemed to agree wholeheartedly. The first rule of being a secretary is to listen to the boss. If the boss says something wrong, then still follow the first rule—listen to the boss. Secretary Shen smiled, "Yes, boss. Because you're special, that's why Youth Lin deliberately kept her distance from you." At Simenkou Paichusuo, Lin Meiyan stood at the entrance for a while before pulling Qiaoqiao inside. Qiaoqiao keenly sensed something. She looked up at Lin Meiyan and whispered, "Mommy, are you not familiar with that uncle?" If they weren't familiar, why would he come looking for her in the middle of the night? If they weren't familiar, why would he personally drive her to find her mommy? Lin Meiyan paused, then stroked Qiaoqiao's hair and said softly, "We were familiar before, but not now." "Mommy hasn't contacted him in five years, so it's normal that we're not familiar." The one she was familiar with was the Yu Jianghai of the past, not the one now. Qiaoqiao let out an "oh" and thought to herself that Mommy was keeping something from her. Clearly, in her previous life, Mommy hadn't contacted this friend to find her. Could this be the butterfly effect from her rebirth? Qiaoqiao didn't know. She only knew that being in front of Mommy made her feel so content. Only in front of Lin Meiyan did she show more of her childish side. After being lost once, she had lost her sense of security and become especially clingy. No, only Qiaoqiao knew that wasn't it. It was because she had gotten a second chance and could see her young mother again that she felt grateful. Lin Meiyan was happy to have her cling to her. She held Qiaoqiao's hand the entire time as they went in to give their statements, from six to seven-thirty—a full hour and a half. After Officer Qian finished recording everything, he suddenly looked at Qiaoqiao and asked, "The trafficker said you sold the traffickers in return?" Qiaoqiao didn't seem surprised he would ask this. She stuck out her little tongue. "Yes. My mommy does business and sells things every day. They were selling me—" She paused, then looked up with her big, sparkling, innocent eyes. "So why can't I sell them?" Officer Qian sighed inwardly, thinking, why was he bothering to argue with a four-year-old? As for the traffickers' testimony, he would just take it as them spouting nonsense. Sometimes investigating too thoroughly wasn't necessary. With that thought, Officer Qian stamped the case closed. He stood up and said to Lin Meiyan and Qiaoqiao, "The traffickers have been caught. As for the specific sentencing, you—" He was about to say "wait for notification" when Wang Xia suddenly ran over from outside and called out. Officer Qian said "one moment" and followed Wang Xia out. He asked, "What's wrong?" Wang Xia glanced at Lin Meiyan and Qiaoqiao inside, then pulled Officer Qian a good distance away. Only after making sure they couldn't hear did she stop. She whispered, "Master, the Municipal Public Security Bureau called." Officer Qian frowned. "Why would the Municipal Bureau call at this hour?" Wang Xia subtly gestured toward the two people inside. Officer Qian understood immediately. He turned and went to the office to take the call. After hanging up, his expression turned grave. "The Municipal Bureau is applying pressure, telling us to execute the traffickers this time." "Execute?" Wang Xia was shocked. "There hasn't been a death sentence for traffickers in years, has there?" Most of the time, traffickers were caught, sentenced to a few years based on their crimes, and then released. For families who had lost their children, it was a lifetime of torment. Officer Qian said, "The Municipal Bureau has obtained evidence of murder against these traffickers." So it wasn't just child trafficking. Wang Xia was stunned. "How could it be so fast?" They were all in the same system—didn't investigations take time? Officer Qian's expression was complicated. "Someone pulled strings behind the scenes." "Who?" Wang Xia asked, then already guessed the answer. She said nothing, and neither did Officer Qian. He pointed to the sky above. "It's good to have connections up there." He murmured, "These traffickers should have been executed long ago." Instead of being sentenced to a few years and then released to roam free again. With that thought, Officer Qian grew more solemn. He turned and re-entered the interrogation room. "Comrade Lin, I just received a call. The traffickers in this case will be transferred to the Municipal Public Security Bureau." He paused, then hinted subtly, "Don't worry—they definitely won't have a good outcome." Lin Meiyan was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected it to be so fast. Officer Qian hadn't expected it either. He smiled meaningfully. "This case has too many implications. The higher-ups have stepped in to take charge." "Once the verdict is reached, I'll let you know right away." Lin Meiyan was momentarily stunned, then immediately understood who had pulled the strings. She stood up with Qiaoqiao and said softly in gratitude, "Thank you, Officer Qian. Once this case is over, you're welcome to come eat at our Linji." "All the officers from Simenkou Paichusuo who come to eat, I'll treat them all." Officer Qian laughed heartily and shook his head. "That won't do. We can't take advantage of the people, not even a single cent. That's our most basic principle. But stopping by to show support is fine." With that, he stood up and personally escorted Lin Meiyan and Qiaoqiao out. "Comrade Lin, if you ever need anything or run into any trouble, feel free to come find me anytime." "If there's anything I can help with, just say the word." Why had Officer Qian's attitude changed so drastically? Who was the reason? By the time they left the police station, it was almost nine o'clock. Qiaoqiao had been up half the night without sleep and was now utterly exhausted, her eyelids constantly drooping. But she refused to let go. She also couldn't bear to let go of her mother. Lin Meiyan held her, patting her little shoulder and soothing her softly, "Sleep now. Eat when you wake up." With those words, Qiaoqiao drifted off into a drowsy sleep. She wasn't light anymore—she looked to be over thirty jin. Lin Meiyan struggled a bit to carry her. Fortunately, Gu Kaihua had gotten word and came over with his eldest son, Gu Xiaolin. The moment he saw Lin Meiyan holding the child, Gu Kaihua immediately moved to take her. "Yanyan, let me carry Qiaoqiao." The road from the police station to the Gu residence was no short distance. Carrying her all the way back wouldn't be easy. Lin Meiyan was indeed struggling. Just as she was about to let go, Qiaoqiao groggily opened her eyes and called out softly, dependently, "Mommy." After calling out, she nuzzled into Lin Meiyan's arms and reached out to grab the hem of her clothes. Qiaoqiao was afraid this was all a dream—that when she woke up, her mother would be gone. Seeing how dependent Qiaoqiao was, Lin Meiyan let out a soft sigh. "Uncle, I'll carry her myself." Gu Kaihua opened his mouth as if to speak but held back in the end. As they walked back, he couldn't help muttering, "This child, isn't she just wearing you out?" Lin Meiyan lowered her head with a smile, revealing a stretch of fair neck. "She was just lost. She doesn't feel secure. It's normal for her to want me." Only then did Gu Kaihua fall silent. The Gu family lived on the third floor, and the stairwell was narrow. Lin Meiyan carried Qiaoqiao all the way up. The Gu household was full of people. Everyone, led by Ye Qiuju, was waiting for Lin Meiyan and Qiaoqiao to return. When she saw Lin Meiyan come back carrying the child, Ye Qiuju let out a sigh of relief and immediately pressed her palms together, repeating, "Bodhisattva protect us, Bodhisattva protect us. You're back, you're back." Even early in the morning, June weather was oppressively hot and muggy. Lin Meiyan had carried Qiaoqiao all the way back, sweating profusely. Her skin was naturally fair, and with the heat, it flushed pink—like a perfectly ripe peach. Ye Qiuju was about to unleash her fury when Lin Meiyan stopped her first. "Auntie, it was Qiaoqiao who wouldn't let go. Uncle did offer to carry her." Only then did Ye Qiuju back down. Lin Meiyan tried to put Qiaoqiao on the bed, but even when she set her down, Qiaoqiao would tremble and refuse to let go. She had no choice but to keep holding her. Ye Qiuju hesitated before asking, "Meiyan, how did you find this child?" At that question, everyone else in the room turned to look. Lin Meiyan said softly, "The police helped." Everyone wore an expression that said, "You think we're fools?" Seeing that she couldn't keep it hidden, Lin Meiyan held Qiaoqiao and lowered her lashes before telling the truth. "I asked an old friend from when I was sent down to the countryside for help." But when she mentioned that old friend, her tone was somewhat complicated. Likewise, so was her state of mind. Back then, she had burned her bridges to return to the city, leaving without a word for five years, telling no one where she had gone. After returning to Jiangcheng, she had lived five peaceful years. Until now. Lin Meiyan knew that the peaceful life she and her daughter had built was shattered. Because Yu Jianghai had appeared. "Yu Jianghai." "Yu Jianghai." At the Jiangda faculty housing, Father Yu had gotten word from outside early in the morning. He had just finished class when several old colleagues came to ask. "Dean Yu, you kept saying your Jianghai wasn't married, a lone man." "But I heard your Jianghai has a daughter already?" Father Yu held a thick stack of lesson notes, adjusting his black-rimmed glasses. He looked surprised, the picture of an intellectual. "My Jianghai isn't even married. How could he have a daughter?" "You must be joking with me." The other man glanced at him. "You really don't know?" Father Yu was puzzled. "What? Know what?" "Last night, the Jianghai Dicai boss's daughter was kidnapped. Your Jianghai nearly turned Jiangcheng upside down looking for her. You really don't know?" Father Yu's expression suddenly turned grave. "I don't know." Everyone exchanged glances. Father Yu clutched his lesson notes and picked up his black briefcase, his expression rigid. "Thank you for telling me." When he got home, Mother Yu took one look at his face and knew he'd already heard the news. She stepped forward to take his briefcase and explained quietly, "Old Yu, this matter—" "Call Jianghai home." Father Yu's expression remained unchanged, neither pleased nor displeased. Yu Qingya beside him whispered, "Dad, what are you doing? When my brother wasn't married, you were the one worrying." "Now that my brother suddenly has a grown daughter out of nowhere, shouldn't you be happy?" Father Yu said nothing, only repeated, "Call Jiang Hai back." Yu Qingya and Mother Yu exchanged a glance, both looking somewhat worried. After a moment, Father Yu went into the study and closed the door behind him. Mother Yu turned to make a phone call. The Yu family lived in the faculty housing of Jiangda, and given Father Yu's seniority, they had had a telephone installed in the home long ago. Mother Yu went to the sofa. The colorful crocheted sofa cover with its openwork pattern wrinkled up at her arrival. Just like Mother Yu's mood at the moment, she was somewhat hesitant to call her eldest son. Over the years, her eldest son had become successful in his career, and had grown increasingly sharp and taciturn. Even she, as his mother, was somewhat afraid of him. Yu Qingya beside her noticed her mother's hesitation and whispered, "Mom, do you think that daughter is really his?" That "her" — they didn't even dare mention the name. Because that name was taboo in the Yu family. Mother Yu shook her head, but she knew her child. He was stubborn—once he set his mind on something, he would never change it. Hadn't it been that way all these years? Mother Yu sighed. Thinking of her husband shut away in the study, she finally dialed the number. The phone rang for a few minutes. Someone picked up. It was Secretary Shen, who answered with a soft "Hello." As soon as Mother Yu spoke, Secretary Shen recognized her voice. He immediately straightened up, summoning his full attention to respond. "Auntie Yu." "It's like this," Mother Yu said, her voice betraying no particular emotion. "Is Jiang Hai there?" Secretary Shen glanced at the bedroom behind the office, its door tightly shut. He covered the receiver and lowered his voice. "The boss was very busy yesterday and just fell asleep." Mother Yu hesitated for a moment. "Then have him come home once he wakes up." Secretary Shen responded with a polite "Of course. Don't worry—once the boss wakes up, I'll be sure to tell him." Only then did Mother Yu hang up. Secretary Shen let out a soft breath. Every time he dealt with the Yu family, he had to stay on high alert, afraid of saying a single wrong word. He had just hung up when the door behind the office opened. Yu Jianghai stood at the doorway, wearing a gray shirt and dress trousers. He looked somewhat lean, but the thin shirt was stretched taut over his muscles—slim yet powerful. He said nothing. He stood entirely at the boundary between light and shadow—cold, detached, and aloof. Secretary Shen immediately stepped forward. "Boss." His head bowed, his manner deferential. "My family?" Clearly, Yu Jianghai had been woken by that phone call. Secretary Shen nodded. "It was Auntie Yu. She said to come home once you've slept." Yu Jianghai said nothing. Secretary Shen noticed his weary expression and the dark circles under his eyes. He turned and pulled open the drawer, taking out the Zhegu Cha brought back from the island, and brewed him a cup. Whether the boss went home or not, given his habits, once woken at this hour, he would likely find it hard to fall back asleep. Yu Jianghai took the cup and took a sip, then looked out at the dusk beyond the window, his voice low and hoarse. "Let's go." Two words without context. But Secretary Shen understood. He immediately grabbed the car keys and followed. Just as the two stepped out, Lu Qingyuan came over with a stack of bidding documents. "Why are you heading out?" "There are still several bidding documents waiting for Old Yu's signature." Lu Qingyuan was just past thirty, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, very refined and scholarly. But those who knew him well understood—he had founded Jianghai Dicai together with Yu Jianghai in just a few short years. How could he be a good man? Yu Jianghai glanced at the thick stack of bidding documents. "You review them first. I'll be back later." His expression revealed nothing. This made Lu Qingyuan instinctively look at Secretary Shen. "What's going on? Who got Old Yu riled up?" He teased, "You found your daughter last night—isn't that a good thing?" Why did he look like someone owed him eight million? Secretary Shen silently lamented. President Lu really had a knack for poking at sore spots. Yu Jianghai stood at the doorway, looked up at him with an unreadable expression, and the smile on Lu Qingyuan's face vanished instantly. "Alright, alright, I won't say anything more." "Go early and come back soon. There are still several documents here that I can't decide on without you." Yu Jianghai ignored him and strode out of the Jianghai Dicai office with long, quick steps. Lu Qingyuan watched his retreating figure and muttered to himself, "Found your daughter, and you're still not happy?" At that, Lu Qingyuan adjusted his glasses. "Wait a minute—Old Yu, haven't you been looking for your wife all these years?" "How is it that you didn't find your wife, but found a daughter instead?" "Isn't this just becoming a dad out of nowhere?" At the end of the corridor, Secretary Shen heard this and his steps faltered slightly. He didn't dare lift his head to look at his boss's expression. He only felt that this one-and-a-half-meter corridor was far too narrow. When Jianghai Dicai was first building its offices, he should have suggested making the corridors two meters wide! That way, he could have curled himself up in them. Secretary Shen was terrified, but fortunately Yu Jianghai walked ahead in silence, which allowed him to let out a quiet sigh of relief. He turned back, wishing he could glare Lu Qingyuan to death. President Lu really was something else. If he wanted to die, he shouldn't drag him along! Downstairs, the first phase of Jianghai Dicai was bustling. After the rain stopped, people came and went in an endless stream. Yu Jianghai silently watched the passersby, while Secretary Shen waited quietly beside him, until Yu Jianghai got into the car. Only then did Secretary Shen take the car keys and immediately head to the front driver's seat. Before starting the engine, he asked in a low voice, "Boss, are we heading back to the Yu residence now?" "The call earlier said your parents are still waiting for you." He thought it through well—Mother Yu had just called and woken up the boss, so where else would the boss be going after coming downstairs if not back to the Yu residence? He really was worthy of being the boss's right-hand man! Thinking what the boss thinks, doing what the boss does. He deserved his high salary! Yu Jianghai opened his eyes, his sharply defined face reflected in the car window. His tone was calm, betraying not a trace of emotion. "Go to Simenkou." Secretary Shen, "Huh?" He wasn't the boss's right-hand man. He was the boss's biggest headache!