A large hand gently brushed her cheek…
She didn’t realize when her tears had started to fall.
“Are you missing Aunt Tong?” a deep, magnetic voice asked the small woman beside him tenderly.
Lan Qianqian didn’t know how to describe her emotions. They were too complex: flustered, uneasy, and… longing. She didn’t know where her mother had gone. Her mother used to go out every now and then, but she would always tell her when she’d return.
When she asked what her mother was doing, she said she was visiting an old friend, so Lan Qianqian didn’t say anything more. Her mother had always been lonely. Like herself, her mother was an orphan, so it made her happy to have someone familiar.
In reality, this was just Mother Tong’s way of comforting the young girl. She knew the child would feel uneasy at this time, and having a "fellow" would bring some solace.
“Then… what about the children?” Since her mother wasn’t here, who was taking care of the children? Thinking of this, Lan Qianqian felt sad again. She paid too little attention to the children.
“The children are with me, of course. But don’t worry, they’re being taken care of by the housekeeper, and I call them every day. If you’re worried, you can come and stay with us.”
She was busy with design work during this period and was afraid she wouldn’t be able to take good care of the children. Forget it, she wouldn’t bring them back. After she finished this busy period, she would make time to spend with the children.
Lan Qianqian shook her head, her spirits low. “Please trouble you with the children. I’m busy with work lately and probably can’t handle three children alone.”
Xuan Mohan frowned displeasuredly. “Are you being polite with me again? The children are mine too. It’s only normal for me to raise them.”
Lan Qianqian’s heart skipped a beat. Looking at Xuan Mohan’s tone and expression, she almost thought the children were theirs and they were discussing who would take care of them. If the children were really his, would that mean she was one step closer to him?
Lan Qianqian was very agitated now, caught in a cycle of worry and insecurity. Her mother wasn’t by her side, she couldn’t take care of the children, and she wouldn’t even see them for a while. She had to make time to see them. Why had everything become like this?
“Also…” Xuan Mohan’s expression turned serious as he said this.
“What?” There was more? Why did she feel so exhausted?
Xuan Mohan looked intently into Lan Qianqian’s eyes. “When I investigated Aunt Tong, I found no such person.”
What? Lan Qianqian’s face instantly turned pale, and she trembling voice asked, “What do you mean?” Did he mean her mother had been deceiving her all along?
Xuan Mohan felt a pang of sympathy for her. Someone who had been with her under a false identity for over a decade. The girl must have felt terrible.
He placed his hands on her shoulders, wanting to give her strength. “Furthermore, my people discovered that Aunt Tong went to the port with a group of people and landed in H City. It seemed voluntary. Do you want me to continue investigating?”
He gave her ample respect. If she wanted it, he would have people investigate thoroughly in H City. Actually, there was something he hadn’t said: the group Aunt Tong followed consisted of underworld figures, not kind individuals.
Lan Qianqian’s mind was in a mess. She still shook her head. She didn’t want to talk right now. Her mother must have had her reasons for not telling her. She still chose to believe her. Actually, now that she thought about it, she realized there were many differences. Her mother’s speech and demeanor were indeed not those of an orphan.
Because of this decision, it later became someone’s regret and pain…
“You should go back first. I want to be alone for a while.” She was a little tired.
Xuan Mohan had wanted to stay and accompany her, but since she had said so, he could only leave.
He gently stroked her head and said softly, “If you have anything you can’t figure out, come find me. I’ll always be behind you.”
Lan Qianqian forced a smile. “Okay.”
After escorting Xuan Mohan to the door, she returned and collapsed onto the bed. Her thoughts were chaotic, her head felt heavy, but she couldn’t fall asleep…
H City Underground Basement
Dark, damp, cramped…
It was called a basement, but it was no bigger than a doghouse. The height was just enough for an adult to squat in. If they lay down, they had to curl up their legs. Inside, a woman lay quietly on the ground.
“Still not awake? This body is too weak,” a contemptuous, deep voice echoed in the darkness.
“Replying to sir, the woman’s constitution is Yin-cold. She’s had a high fever several times. If this continues, she might not last long.”
“Useless.” With that, he suddenly threw off his clothes and strode away, completely disregarding the woman’s life.
The man behind him also followed him out. As the iron door automatically closed, the basement fell silent once more…
Lan Qianqian, lying on the large bed, barely slept all night. After a quick wash, she skipped breakfast and rushed out. Her priority now was to do her current work well. Regardless, she still had three children to raise.
As she left the complex, just as she was about to hail a taxi, a white car stopped in front of her. The car window rolled down, revealing a gentle, sunny face. “Qianqian.”
He just missed her a little and came to this area for a stroll. He didn’t expect her to be going to work so early and felt a bit of heartache.
Lan Qianqian didn’t expect to meet him at the entrance of the complex. “Why are you here, senior?”
Qin Haojie didn’t answer her question, instead looking into her eyes. “Qianqian, you’re unhappy?”
Although it was a question, Qin Haojie understood very well that Lan Qianqian was unhappy. This was because his favorite was to see the light in her eyes and her bright smile. Therefore, he could tell at a glance. After only a few days, how could she look so dim?
He couldn’t help but worry. Was she facing difficulties at work or something else…
Was her mood that obvious?
Lan Qianqian’s lips curved into a smile. “Senior is still the best. It’s nothing, just a small problem at work.”
She didn’t want to burden her senior. Senior was so wonderful. As she recalled, Senior seemed to be good to everyone, always gentle and courteous.
But she didn’t know that all his wonderfulness came from her. Her appearance had made his life brighter.
“Get in the car, I’ll drive you to the company. It’s hard to get a taxi at this hour, and I have time before work,” Qin Haojie added kindly.
Lan Qianqian didn’t stand on ceremony and was happy to chat with her senior.
“Then thank you, senior. I’ll treat you to a meal another day.” She remembered that last time, Senior had paid for their meal.
Qin Haojie said, as if joking, “No need for another day, how about today?”
But she was supposed to work overtime at noon. She looked up, about to refuse, but seeing his sunny, cheerful face, the words changed direction. “Okay, then you pick the location.”
Qin Haojie’s smile instantly became brighter, more luminous than the stars in the sky, at least that’s what Lan Qianqian thought, and she couldn’t help but stare dazedly.
“Hehe! Let’s go to Yaming from last time, it’s close to your company too.” She looked so cute when she was in a daze!
Lan Qianqian shifted her gaze awkwardly. Why was she so captivated by her senior?
“Aren’t you getting in the car?” Qin Haojie reminded her joyfully.
“Oh, oh!” She had forgotten. Nodding, she pulled open the passenger car door and slipped inside.
Once in the car, Lan Qianqian remembered she hadn’t messaged Xuan Mohan to tell him not to come. As soon as she sent it, the car drove away.
Neither of them noticed a luxurious and imposing business van parked behind them…