The plane landed smoothly, and the early autumn in Nanjiang City was still hot. Zhou Yao looked at Su Li next to him worriedly, who had been absent-minded ever since he got on the plane.
"Boss?"
"We've arrived? Let's go." Su Li quickly regained his composure.
According to the fuzzy memories from his dream, he found the old street. The old street had been renovated several times and looked different from his memories, but when he looked closely, he could still find some familiar scenes.
Zhou Yao watched as Su Li's hand brushed over the bamboo fences, as if he was cherishing something.
"Boss, were you from Nanjiang City before?" Zhou Yao couldn't help asking.
"Probably," Su Li said with a smile. He didn't hide the feeling of joy bursting out of every pore. It really felt like coming home.
He bought Zhou Yao a milk tea at the street corner, then walked slowly along the street until that familiar yet unfamiliar little shop.
It was covered in dust.
There was no hustle and bustle, no customers coming in and out.
There were no wooden signboards or wooden sliding doors either.
There were no lush flower beds at the door or small blackboards writing today's specials.
There was no smiling mother who always stood at the door.
Su Li stared at this place for a long time. He felt this dusty and dilapidated look was really unsuitable.
"Yao, go ask the owner of this house if he is willing to sell the house to me." Su Li said.
Although Zhou Yao was very puzzled, he still agreed and went to the neighbor's house to ask for the contact information of the owner.
Soon he came back, "The owner is an elderly couple, but they have passed away already. Their children have settled overseas. I have emailed them."
"Um." Su Li stood at the door and looked at it for a long time. "Let's find a house to stay in Nanjiang City, and then find a carpenter."
"Boss, how long do you plan to stay in Nanjiang?" Zhou Yao was taken aback. He thought Su Li was only here to take a look. He didn't expect that Su Li was going to stay.
"I don't know. I should be here for the near future." Su Li said, "And there are some other things that I want you to help me find out as soon as possible."
Zhou Yao was puzzled, but he didn't dare to persuade Su Li and could only go to get things done.
Su Li sat in the back seat and slowly closed his eyes. When he woke up, he felt refreshed. He hadn't had such a good sleep in a long time.
Zhou Yao had already parked the car in the hotel parking lot and was just waiting for him to wake up.
"Boss, you're awake?" Zhou Yao was organizing the handover of follow-up work. After all, if Su Li was going to stay in Nanjiang City long-term, many tasks needed to be transferred over to proceed smoothly.
"I booked dinner at the hotel. Shall we go upstairs?"
"No, let's go to Wang's Restaurant." Su Li fumbled with his phone for a while.
Zhou Yao opened the navigation. Fortunately, it was not too far, less than half an hour later, they arrived.
There were many people at Wang's Restaurant. The welcoming lady at the door politely told them that they might have to wait for a while.
Su Li didn't mind. He sat in the waiting area.
While they were waiting, he saw a rugged-looking but depressed man in slippers shuffling over slowly.
The welcoming lady whispered for a while. One left and soon an old man with a square face came out.
"Dad." The man still spoke slowly.
"You still know to come over?" The square-faced old man frowned.
The man looked up at him. "I've bought the tickets. I'm leaving tonight. I won't work at home anymore."
"Bastard! Where do you still want to go!" The old man was furious. "Have you forgotten how your grandfather died? You are still so stubborn. If you dare to leave today, don't come back to this family again!"
The man's hand reaching out to support the old man stopped in midair, then slowly dropped. "Brother Da Wen and Brother Bo Lin are both good people. They will definitely take good care of you. Dad...then I'm leaving..."
The man left after speaking, without seeing the tears falling down instantly from the old man.
"Tsk, the old man clearly couldn’t bear to part with his son, yet still had to say those words. And the son didn't even know how to speak gently." Zhou Yao frowned as he watched.
Su Li didn't feel like eating anymore after watching this. He stood up, "I'll go back first. You can eat by yourself. I’ll reimburse you after you’re done."
"Boss?" Zhou Yao was surprised.
Su Li waved his hand. "I'll walk around by myself for a bit."
Zhou Yao didn't chase after him. Su Li had been acting very unusual ever since he arrived in Nanjiang, he didn't know what Su Li was thinking about either, sometimes smiling and sometimes frowning.
Since Zhou Yao was Su Li’s college classmate, he didn't pry too much and continued to wait happily for a seat. After all, he had checked that Wang's Restaurant was said to be very tasty.
He didn't know where the boss found this restaurant either.
Su Li walked quietly on the streets. It was very quiet. He felt a sense of safety like returning to the womb, and everything relaxed.
Even when he returned to the hotel, he was still in a soft and comfortable state.
"Su Li, let's talk." Li Qingqing waited at the door, looking at him as if seeing a lifesaver.
"I don't think there's anything left to talk about." Su Li said, "I've made it clear. I don't want to waste money or marry you."
"But I've compromised! What more do you want? Su Li! Don't go too far!" Li Qingqing felt extremely humiliated.
"Can't you understand? I said I hope to never see you again. I don't want to have any contact with you in the future." Su Li said emotionlessly.
Li Qingqing was stunned, seemingly not expecting Su Li to say such things.
Su Li called the hotel front desk and asked security to escort Li Qingqing out.
Li Qingqing didn't react until she left. The man who loved her so much and indulged her so much, how could he change suddenly just like that?
She only regarded him as a brother. She didn't even love him, was it wrong for her to reject Su Li?
How could Su Li not help her? Su Li obviously liked her a lot...
But Su Li would not explain anything more to her.
Su Li’s good mood for the day had been ruined. He opened a bottle of red wine for himself, didn’t turn on the lights, and sat on the sofa looking at the stars on the horizon.
Soon, Su Li went to retrieve the graphics tablet he brought with him. He hoped to quickly draw down what he could still remember. Otherwise when he forgets, he really won't have a way.
As soon as Zhou Yao returned to his room, he received a message from Su Li: “Nanjiang City Maternal and Child Health Hospital, check if 32 years ago, there was someone called Ding Sha who gave birth to a child there.”
"Okay, Boss." Although he was very curious why the boss was checking someone else's birth record, the quality of an excellent secretary was not to ask more questions. Zhou Yao replied and then went to wash up and rest.
Just as he lay in bed, Zhou Yao suddenly flipped up from the bed again. 32 years ago...
Was the boss checking his own birth records?
Zhou Yao was suddenly wide awake.
The boss had always been working hard to find his parents. Could he finally have some clues?
Zhou Yao couldn't help feeling excited for him.
Su Li was slowly recalling and drawing. He first sketched lightly to outline a beautiful female portrait - it was Ding Sha's appearance.
Looking at the sketch, he slowly began to draw in detail.
The night was still long, and he could draw on.
