Jin Ye's heart plummeted, his chest heaving with an unshakeable tremor, a sorrow surging towards his skull.
He roared, "Luo Zhu—"
Luo Zhu burst through the door, looking anxiously at Jin Ye, "Mr. Jin!"
Jin Ye raised his furious, sharp eyes and demanded, "What happened to Su Xiao Rui?"
"Su Xiao Rui…"
Luo Zhu frowned, looking puzzled, "She, what happened to her?"
Shao Zheng Gang cursed with a sob, "What happened? You only know now that the child is gone?"
Tears streamed down his weathered face, his emotions a tempest of indignation.
No wonder Xiao Xu had abandoned everything to leave Jiang City. There was nothing here worth her lingering for; she had left wounded.
"You always claimed to love Xiao Xu, yet you couldn't even protect her daughter?"
"You are so incompetent, why wouldn't you let her go!"
"I'm telling you, you'll never come near my daughter again!"
Shao Zheng Gang sobbed loudly, his body trembling with agitation. He pointed a finger directly at Jin Ye.
Luo Zhu was completely flustered. Xiao Rui was gone?
Back then, he had assumed that with Madam's return, the young lady would naturally be with her.
But…
Jin Ye's heart ached. He didn't retort to the accusations. His fists clenched tightly, tears welling in his enraged, pained eyes.
"I need to know everything that happened here, in detail!"
As he spoke, his voice choked with emotion, yet firm with resolve.
Luo Zhu saw Jin Ye's bloodshot eyes, the veins bulging on his arms, his entire being submerged in shock and grief. He couldn't help but worry, "Mr. Jin, please take care of yourself."
"Send Mr. Shao back."
Jin Ye took a deep breath. His thin lips moved, and his cool voice finally emerged.
Luo Zhu said softly, "Understood, I'll investigate immediately."
Seeing Jin Ye close his eyes wearily, his grief-stricken aura seemingly genuine, Shao Zheng Gang still gritted his teeth and left.
He would keep his promise and not reveal Xiao Xu's whereabouts!
Jin Ye watched the closed door, the atmosphere returning to quiet. All pain and sorrow were laid bare.
He could still hear the girl's spoiled, soft voice echoing in his mind…
"Daddy, you're the best, I love you~"
"Xiao Rui finally has a dad!"
"Daddy, you're so handsome, how do I do this problem?"
These images seemed as vivid as yesterday. Jin Ye's nose stung, and he covered his eyes, forcing back tears.
He felt his heart tremble, filled with a bittersweet sorrow.
No matter what, he had to find the killer!
To bring justice for his little angel!
In the afternoon, Jin Xiao Xi knocked on the ward door, his small face very serious.
"Daddy!"
Jin Ye had just been administered medication and had fallen asleep not long ago.
Hearing his son's voice, he turned to look. He saw the child who resembled him, yet was clearly different due to his growth, approaching.
In a daze, Jin Ye thought Xiao Rui had returned.
"Xiao Rui."
His deep, hoarse voice emerged, tinged with guilt.
Jin Xiao Xi had intended to demand an explanation, but upon seeing his father, wrapped in bandages on the hospital bed with a pale face, he couldn't help but cry.
He rushed forward and carefully hugged Jin Ye's arm.
Jin Ye, mistaking him for his lost Xiao Rui, held him tightly and didn't let go, his rapid breaths betraying his agitated emotions.
"Daddy," Jin Xiao Xi called out, confused.
As if waking from a dream, his heart tightened in an instant. The cruel reality caught Jin Ye off guard.
Ultimately, he regained his composure.
"Is there something you need?" Jin Ye released Xiao Xi's hand and asked heavily.
Seeing his father return to his cold demeanor, Jin Xiao Xi felt angry, but seeing him on the hospital bed, he couldn't bring himself to be harsh.
In that moment, his young expression shifted back and forth, his inner turmoil evident.
Seeing Xiao Xi's hesitation, Jin Ye frowned, "Speak, what is it?"
Jin Xiao Xi decided to be direct, "Why are all of Mom's clothes gone? The maid said you had them put away, why?"
Mentioning this brought back Jin Ye's memory of the previous incident.
He had been slapped twice by Su Ding, who seemed utterly indifferent to him. Coupled with her current hiding, his resentment intensified.
She hadn't told him about Xiao Rui's situation, keeping everything from him!
"She is no longer part of our family. Why do you care about her?" Jin Ye said coldly.
Upon hearing this, Jin Xiao Xi's eyes widened in anger, "Dad, how could you say that?"
"Am I wrong?"
Jin Ye leaned back against the hospital bed, his well-defined hands rubbing together.
Jin Xiao Xi looked up at him, his cold expression making it seem as though his earlier pain was an illusion. He didn't understand why.
"Dad, do you really want to completely forget everything about Mom?"
Jin Xiao Xi clenched his fists tightly and asked this question with utmost seriousness.
Jin Ye continued to avoid his gaze, saying faintly, "Yes."
"Fine, you will forget, but I won't!"
Jin Xiao Xi quickly turned away, unwilling to let his tears be seen, and pushed the door open to leave.
"Bang!"
Jin Ye watched the door slam shut. Didn't his heart ache as well?
He tightened his grip, controlling his emotions.
He picked up his phone and dialed a number, "Was Shao Lin sent to the別苑 (biéyuàn - separate villa)?"
"Yes, she has been settled. Any developments will be reported to you immediately."
Jin Ye's eyes turned sinister, his voice seeming to emanate from hell.
"You doing this…"
After arranging everything, his dark, icy eyes gleamed with fierce determination.
To find the real culprit, he would start with her.
…
Southern Territory.
Early in the morning, Su Ding heard the deafening sound of her gate being knocked upon.
She hurried downstairs in her pajamas, only to see five men in suits standing in the yard.
"Who are you looking for?" she asked, frowning with an unfriendly tone.
The leader stepped forward, and all five bowed to her in unison, "Miss Su, hello!"
Su Ding recoiled, her suspicion growing.
"Miss Su, please don't be offended. We are here to present you with a token of our gratitude."
Through the gate, she saw the man holding a delicate gift bag with both hands and offering it forward.
Su Ding observed the men, then slowly opened the gate.
"What token of gratitude?"
"We received your assistance last night in protecting our master, and we have come specifically to express our thanks."
The leader handed over the gift bag, "Please do accept it."
Su Ding then belatedly remembered saving a strange old man last night.
So they were here to express their thanks.
She had thought he wasn't an ordinary person. "It was just a small effort. You don't need to give a gift."
"No, Miss Su, please accept it."
The man said firmly, standing straight, conveying an unspoken message: "You won't leave unless you accept."
Su Ding did not want to get entangled with the locals.
She simply took it, "Alright, I accept. Please take your leave."
The man nodded slightly and continued, "Also, I have something to say to Miss Su."
Seeing the man's change in demeanor, Su Ding realized this was his true purpose.
"Go ahead."
The man said in a gentle tone, "We hope Miss Su will keep what happened last night a secret. This is not only our master's request but also for your own safety."
"The more you know, the faster you die?"
Su Ding stated the implication directly. Seeing the man's expression slightly change, she chuckled, "Alright, I understand. I am also new to the Southern Territory and do not wish to invite trouble. Please do not come here again in the future; it would be better for both of us."
The man smiled slightly, "That would be for the best."
With that, he led his subordinates away with practiced efficiency.
Su Ding closed the gate and turned back into the house.
She casually placed the gift bag on the table, opened her laptop, and checked QQ as usual.
That person hadn't replied, but an email suddenly popped up…
The sender was—
Jin Xiao Xi?