The chairman of the chamber of commerce lived in a villa halfway up the mountain.
A wealthy second-generation youth from Jiang City's social circle led Sheng Yuxiao slowly uphill, asking curiously as they walked, "Why did Young Master Sheng think of looking for someone who has already passed away?"
"You don't need to worry about that. Is there usually anyone at home?"
"Yes, his son's family of four still lives there."
"That makes it easier then."
"Not really..." The rich kid gave a wry smile. "They'll definitely think we're crazy. His son isn't just anyone either; he's the Chief Inspector of Jiang City. I usually avoid going anywhere near there."
"It is a bit troublesome. Rich and powerful people are often arrogant, but don't worry. You just need to take us there."
"Alright, alright."
The rich kid agreed, but he couldn't help secretly glancing back in Qin Sui's direction.
Why did this person look so much like that Qin Sui from Jin City's social circle? Impossible! Absolutely impossible! These two families don't get along; even the rich kids in Jiang City's circle knew that...
"Oh, we're here." The rich kid suddenly stopped, pushing down his doubts.
Sheng Yuxiao stepped forward to knock on the door.
"Hello, who is it?" A Filipino maid poked her head out. "Who are you looking for?"
"Is your master home?"
"He is, but if you have any business, please contact his office directly to make an appointment."
"I'm from Jin City," Sheng Yuxiao raised an eyebrow, his demeanor somewhat overbearing.
The rich kid's heart skipped a beat. Being so arrogant at the Chief Inspector's door didn't seem like a good idea.
Even though Young Master Sheng also came from an impressive background...
But to everyone's surprise, the Filipino maid actually hesitated and asked, "Could you tell me your name? I'll inform the master."
Sheng Yuxiao scoffed lightly, "Just go and report it like that."
After much hesitation, the maid actually went.
The rich kid watched in amazement.
Why...?
At this moment, Sheng Yuxiao turned to Li Xiaoya: "Xiaoya, do you know why she gave in?"
Before Sheng Yuxiao could finish, Qin Sui chimed in: "Because the words 'Jin City' can spark imagination. Dressed impressively and acting imperiously, others dare not take him lightly."
Sheng Yuxiao: "...I taught him that."
Qin Sui, without looking up: "Yes, just adding a footnote for you."
"..."
The rich kid thought to himself that this person seemed even more like Qin Sui now.
They waited for less than half a minute before the maid came out again, saying politely, "Please come in."
The rich kid couldn't help but curse, "Damn!"
They really pulled it off!
But then he thought, being in Jiang City's circle, he wouldn't dare act like this. Coming from Jin City and not being part of this circle, they had nothing to fear.
Besides, Young Master Sheng had always carried himself with an air of arrogance; not everyone could pull that off.
Wait... why were both Young Master Sheng and the person who looked like Qin Sui glaring at him coldly?
"Watch your language. Can't you be a bit more cultured?" Sheng Yuxiao scolded him.
The rich kid was bewildered.
Who doesn't swear a little?
Sheng Yuxiao rubbed Li Xiaoya's left ear, while Qin Sui rubbed her right ear.
Li Xiaoya couldn't take it anymore and darted through the door first.
The two men at the door regretfully rubbed their fingertips before following her in.
The rich kid was left behind, a string of ellipses floating in his mind.
Someone was already waiting in the reception room.
The man stood up, smiling as he said, "I thought it might be you..."
Li Xiaoya's eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape.
Huh?
But they hadn't expected it to be him.
The man said, "Old Mr. Zhang hasn't gotten up yet. You'll have to wait a while. Have you had breakfast? Would you like to join us?"
"By the way, I didn't get a chance to ask yesterday, who might these two be?"
"Sheng Yuxiao."
"Qin Sui."
They each gave their names.
The man thought to himself that those who could accompany Old Mr. Zhang were indeed not ordinary people.
"You're quite famous in Jin City's circle. Young people these days are becoming more and more impressive..." The man rambled on.
He was about to ask about Li Xiaoya's background.
But Li Xiaoya interjected first: "We're not here to see Grandpa Zhang."
"Huh?"
"Is Chen Huiguang your father?"
"...Yes, why?"
"Is Yue Xingli your stepmother?"
The man felt even more perplexed, but because of Old Mr. Zhang, he still answered these seemingly random questions: "Yes."
"Yue Xingli is my grandmother."
"What!"
"May I ask where Grandma is now?"
"She passed away in a nursing home a few months ago."
Li Xiaoya's expression immediately drooped, but she quickly regained her composure: "May I ask about the things she left behind..."
"Are you here to collect her belongings?"
"Yes, can I take a look?"
At this moment, Old Mr. Zhang slowly walked out, supported by someone. Seeing Li Xiaoya, his eyes lit up: "You've come to see me so early? Have you had breakfast?"
Li Xiaoya honestly replied, "I came here looking for the belongings."
Old Mr. Zhang paused for a moment: "What a coincidence, then..." He turned to look at the man.
The man immediately said, "Please follow me. All the items are kept in this room."
He took out a key and opened the door.
A gust of air rushed through, stirring up a cloud of dust.
Sheng Yuxiao and Qin Sui moved simultaneously.
One shielded the front, while the other pulled Li Xiaoya back.
But Li Xiaoya was already eager to enter. She ran in and saw many unopened gift boxes.
Beyond those gift boxes, not far away on the dressing table, sat a package that had never been opened, neatly arranged.
It wasn't hidden at all.
As if it had been waiting for the right person to come and open it one day.
Old Mr. Zhang squinted, staring at it for a moment before saying, "That's a military-issue package. Was your mother a soldier?"
"No, it's from my father, sent to my mother."
"Where's the paper knife?" Sheng Yuxiao held out his hand.
"I'll go get it." The man quickly returned with one.
"Let me." Sheng Yuxiao patted Li Xiaoya's shoulder reassuringly. "It's easy to get cut."
Li Xiaoya bit her lip tightly, holding back her emotions.
The package was not small.
After opening the outer box, the contents inside were still individually wrapped.
The first things to be unwrapped were cards.
Three savings cards.
Then two sets of clothes, one a military uniform, the other civilian clothes.
Old Mr. Zhang's breath caught, and he unconsciously pressed his hand to his chest. He didn't want to search for his son's belongings, but now... piece by piece, all the evidence that he had once existed in this world cruelly appeared before his eyes.
When you touch the clothes, you feel as if he's still right in front of you. But the harsh reality is that he's already gone.
Highly empathetic, Old Mr. Zhang's breathing became labored, even the Chief Inspector beside him could hear it.
"Sir, why don't we sit to the side and wait?"
"It's fine, it's fine."
If a child this big could endure such pain...
Old Mr. Zhang stared intently.
At this moment, Li Xiaoya pulled out a box of medals.
She lifted the lid, and they clinked together inside.
Old Mr. Zhang said hoarsely, "Your father was an extraordinary man. He has a first-class merit medal."
Li Xiaoya nodded silently.
Then she found a letter. The letter had been crumpled, looking a bit wrinkled...
She carefully put it in her bosom, then took out the military officer's ID below.
She opened the ID.
There was a photo attached to it...
A living person, in the end, reduced to just a small, tiny photograph.
Li Xiaoya murmured, "Dad."
Old Mr. Zhang suddenly pushed away the Chief Inspector beside him and collapsed onto the dust-covered dressing table.
His throat made a hoarse sound, gasping for air, his aged fingers pressing on the red-background photo: "Xinian, oh Xinian..."
