Qin Hanyue took his laptop and busied himself with it for a while.
The project was quite big, and Qin Hanyue had to put in some effort.
Seeing that Lin Cheng had been sneaking into his room with his clothes late at night at 11 or 12 o'clock for the past few days to take a shower, leaving the bathroom for Qiao Ying to use, Qin Hanyue helped out with this little favor.
"I've compared all the global DNA databases, and the person you're looking for isn't in any of them." Qin Hanyue's hands kept moving as he spoke.
"The remaining ones are from some special industries, like government and military's special departments. Their information is encrypted multiple times."
"And then there are some black organizations, which will take some time."
Lin Cheng: "Thanks for the trouble."
Qin Hanyue busied himself for a good while longer, but still didn't find anything.
He closed his laptop: "The person the Duke is looking for does not have their DNA data recorded in any system."
Lin Cheng nodded slightly. Although he knew hopes weren't high, he still felt somewhat disappointed: "Thank you, Mr. Qin."
Lin Cheng quickly collected himself and looked towards Qiao Ying, who was playing games beside Qin Hanyue: "May I ask Miss Qiao for a favor?"
Qiao Ying glanced up at him.
Lin Cheng: "My uncle wants to meet you."
He took out his phone: "Would it be convenient to have a video call with him?"
Having just received help from someone, then immediately asking them for a favor like this was quite improper. Qin Hanyue's face turned cold immediately.
Lin Cheng said: "The plot requires it."
Qiao Ying ignored him.
Lin Cheng: "A video call isn't necessary, but in a couple days my uncle may want to come see you in person."
Having just finished a game and easily taken first place, Qiao Ying ignored Huo Chengdong's pleading for another round in the game, and directly logged off. She casually threw her phone aside, looked at Lin Cheng expressionlessly.
Something about the way Qiao Ying looked at him made Lin Cheng inexplicably nervous. Clearly this was a cooperative relationship, clearly this was his territory, but Lin Cheng wanted to say that he was merely suggesting it earlier, not threatening her.
To be honest, although it would be impolite, Qin Hanyue really wanted Qiao Ying to firmly reject Lin Cheng, then kick Lin Cheng out.
Qiao Ying took a sip of water: "Fine."
It was tiring playing games anyway.
She had actually agreed so readily, Qin Hanyue looked at her, seemingly unable to accept this. His parents had wanted to treat her to a meal, and they had to wait a whole two years before she agreed.
Although it was just acting, a video call was less trouble than meeting face-to-face, but petty Qin Hanyue was extremely unhappy about this imbalance.
Qiao Ying patted Qin Hanyue: "Go on."
Qin Hanyue felt even more aggrieved, but still got up to fetch the prosthetic mask and brought it over for Qiao Ying to put on.
Lin Cheng made the video call, stood up with his phone, and sat down next to Qiao Ying, saying to Qin Hanyue again: "The plot requires it."
Fortunately Qin Hanyue was well-mannered, otherwise he would have spat out a couple dirty words.
The video call connected very quickly, and the screen showed a refined and handsome middle-aged man. His eyebrows and eyes resembled Lin Cheng's, especially the eyes, but his gaze was much warmer than Lin Cheng's.
"Uncle, this is Little Yin."
Lin Cheng pointed the camera at Qiao Ying.
"Hello, I'm Lin Cheng's uncle."
Lin Cheng's uncle had a faint smile, and spoke gently. He seemed cultured, with a steady temperament, very affable and charming.
Qiao Ying looked at the screen and nodded slightly: "Hello."
Lin Cheng's uncle smiled and generously complimented: "So beautiful."
Unlike Qin Hanyue's solemn and taciturn father, Lin Cheng's uncle was talkative, and his words and tone made people feel at ease.
Lin Cheng's uncle was once the most influential and prestigious prince in Country C. He was very perceptive, and could tell Qiao Ying was not lively. He didn't ask much, or make the conversation awkward, even when Qiao Ying didn't speak.
Qiao Ying was quite willing to listen to Lin Cheng's uncle speak. His way of talking reminded her a little of Qin Hanyue, probably their gentle tone made people feel at ease listening, calming the heart.
Lin Cheng's uncle held a watering can and was watering flowers, asking Qiao Ying if she liked flowers.
Qiao Ying casually responded: "They're alright."
"My sister, Lin Cheng's mother, really liked flowers. I'll bring over some pots of flowers I planted myself as a greeting gift when we meet, I hope you'll like them."
Lin Cheng: "Gardening is my uncle's only hobby now. To him, the flowers he grows are more precious than gold."
Indeed, although Qiao Ying didn't know much about flowers, she recognized that the few pots of orchids on the flower stand were all extremely valuable, with each plant worth at least a few hundred thousand.
Qin Hanyue watched the harmonious "family of three" dryly.
The hand Qiao Ying had resting on her leg was suddenly held. She didn't look down, but stroked Qin Hanyue's mole-marked knuckle with her thumb, still listening to Lin Cheng's uncle expressionlessly.
One had to admit, the vibe of the three people on the sofa was quite strange.
Without context, it would be impossible to understand their complex relationships.
Lin Cheng's uncle put down the watering can.
He said to Qiao Ying: "Don't worry, no one from the royal family will give you trouble. Lin Cheng can protect you, and if he can't, I'm still here too."
"Feel free to enjoy your time in Country C, don't worry about anything else."
Perhaps because of his fondness for Lin Cheng, or because he had a daughter too, Lin Cheng's uncle really liked his nephew's girlfriend.
After hanging up the video call, Lin Cheng said: "I haven't seen my uncle smile so genuinely for a long time."
He glanced at their held hands, and tactfully left: "I won't disturb you two then. Sacre - let's go."
He even called Fourth Master Sacre to leave with him.
Qin Hanyue moved closer to Qiao Ying: "Your uncle really likes you."
Qiao Ying took off the prosthetic mask: "Of course, I'm so outstanding."
Qin Hanyue: "You seem quite fond of this fictional uncle too."
Qiao Ying felt a sourness coming from him, and couldn't help worrying that he would develop psychological issues if this continued.
So she explained reassuringly: "Lin Cheng's uncle is a bit like you."
Qin Hanyue: "How so?"
Qiao Ying: "Temperament, tone of voice, the way he looks at people - I'm talking about how you are with me."
He's not like that with others.
Qin Hanyue smiled, feeling comforted: "So that's why you were willing to entertain him?"
Qiao Ying: "Feel better?"
Qin Hanyue: "Of course."
Qiao Ying glanced at him, used a bit of force to pinch his tiger's mouth, leaving a fingernail imprint: "Grow up."
Qin Hanyue smiled and suddenly said: "I'd also like to ask Miss Qiao for a favor."
Qiao Ying: "What is it?"
Qin Hanyue moved his face closer to hers: "Have a video call with my parents, your future in-laws."
Qiao Ying: "Get lost."
A whole day passed, and Lin Cheng still hadn't gone to deal with the nobles gathered in the great hall.
Night fell, but those people didn't seem to have any intention of leaving. The butler served them meals and arranged for their stay.
The next day, those people ate breakfast and continued gathering in the great hall. They seemed intent on forcing Lin Cheng to come out and resolve things, forcing Lin Cheng to compromise through this shameless approach.
This continued for three consecutive days.
Fortunately the castle was large enough that it didn't affect Qiao Ying and the others upstairs at all.
Lai En contacted Qiao Ying to arrange a meeting.
Lin Cheng brought Qiao Ying and the others out through a back door, leaving those people continuing their sit-in protest in the great hall.
Since Lin Cheng himself was a homebody, and there was plenty of food at home, their lives were basically unaffected.
