As Gao Mingyuan was escaping through the window during the fight, he vanished before anyone could pursue him.
"Don't worry, I've already dispatched men to notify every district. He won't get away," the deputy director assured them.
Soon, 'Mei Qiu' and his subordinates were apprehended. Their crimes—kidnapping, extortion, and even attempted murder—were extremely grave, and they were to face legal retribution.
"Thank you for your help this time, Zi Yu," Gu Xingdong said.
Looking at the couple, He Ziyu hesitated before asking, "Is this a convenient time? I'd like to talk to you about Rui Rui."
Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong exchanged a glance, realizing the moment they had anticipated had arrived.
From He Ziyu and Gao Mingyuan's conversation, they had already harbored some suspicions.
"...When Ming Rui was lost, my mother fell gravely ill. Our family never gave up searching for him over the years, but there was no news. I originally didn't plan to bring Rui Rui back so soon, but now that it's basically confirmed that the woman surnamed Zhu was responsible, I absolutely cannot let her into my He family."
"You want to take Rui Rui back to the capital?" Although mentally prepared, Chen Lishu still found it hard to accept once it was confirmed.
Gu Xingdong put his arm around her shoulders and said softly, "Let Zi Yu finish speaking."
He Ziyu continued, "I know how much you care about Rui Rui... but my parents are getting older, and bringing the child back sooner would allow him to spend more time with them."
Gu Xingdong paused for a moment before replying, "Rui Rui is no longer a child; he has his own thoughts. While we've never deliberately hidden his origins from him, this is all very sudden, and I'm worried he might not be able to accept it immediately."
As if a thought occurred to him, He Ziyu chuckled, "Indeed, that child seems sensible, but he's actually quite willful. Well, even if we're eager to return, it doesn't have to be in the next day or two. I'll have to trouble you to do some convincing with him."
After He Ziyu left, Gu Xingdong glanced at his watch. It was almost time for Rui Rui to be dismissed from school. He said to Chen Lishu, "Let's go pick up the child first."
Chen Lishu nodded, then suddenly remembered how worried her family must be during her absence.
Sensing her thoughts, Gu Xingdong explained, "To prevent Mom and the others from worrying, I told them that Zhang Xue and Li Weimin were having some relationship problems, and you went to stay with her. Be careful not to slip up when we get home."
Chen Lishu found herself both amused and exasperated. "Their engagement is already set, and you come up with such an excuse..."
At that moment, Rui Rui was attentively listening to the teacher lecture. His deskmate, Fatty, nudged his arm and whispered, "Gu Rui, my mom said she's taking me to my great-aunt's place in the capital for summer vacation. We're going to see Tiananmen Square and the flag-raising ceremony."
"Oh," Rui Rui replied, his long eyelashes drooping slightly, casting distinct shadows on his fair lower eyelids in the sunlight.
Fatty continued, "By the way, where are you going for the holidays? Aren't you just going to your grandma's village again? What's so great about the countryside? Going to the capital is where it's at."
Rui Rui looked up, seeing his smug expression, and said, "I was originally thinking of bringing you a slingshot and bird eggs. Since you think it's not that great, forget it."
"Really? You're really going to bring me a slingshot? I've wanted that slingshot of yours for a long time," Fatty exclaimed excitedly. "The countryside is good after all! Gu Rui, you're the best! You can't go back on your word. When I get back from the capital, I'll bring you roast duck. I heard my mom and dad say that Beijing roast duck is especially delicious."
"Yan Youze!"
Hearing the teacher call his name, Fatty instinctively flinched.
"Stand up and answer this question."
Fatty's chubby face immediately crumpled like a steamed bun.
The teacher frowned. "Gu Rui, you say."
Rui Rui stood up, glanced towards the blackboard, and leisurely explained his problem-solving approach and the answer.
"No talking during class. Both of you, sit down," the teacher instructed.
...
Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong arrived at the school gate and waited for a while longer before the dismissal bell rang. Shortly after, Rui Rui emerged, carrying his schoolbag.
"Mom and Dad?" Rui Rui blinked in surprise upon seeing them both there. However, his face soon lit up with a smile. He waved goodbye to his deskmate Fatty, then ran a few steps to greet them. The family of three got into the car together.
"My deskmate Fatty said he's going to the capital for summer vacation and will see Tiananmen Square and the flag-raising ceremony. But I've seen all that on TV."
He knew his son well. The child had always been a bit particular, never directly asking for what he liked or wanted. But as parents, they could easily guess a child's thoughts.
"Does Rui Rui want to go to the capital too?" Chen Lishu asked.
Rui Rui shook his head. "I think it's better to go back to Grandma's. I've already made plans with Xiao Song and the others. When we get back, we'll go bird's nest hunting in the trees and fishing for river mussels by the river."
Chen Lishu let out a soft sigh and stroked his little head.
Seeing her dejected expression, Rui Rui asked with concern, "Mom, what's wrong? Did someone upset you?"
Chen Lishu forced a smile. "No, Mom just thinks you're too sensible."
Rui Rui pursed his lips. "I'm the older brother now, so I have to set an example for my younger siblings."
Gu Xingdong, driving the car, listened to his son's words, his gaze momentarily darkening.
The car soon reached their home. Mother and son got out first and went into the house, while Gu Xingdong went to park the car.
Li Xiulan was scraping fruit puree with a spoon, and the two younger children, like little birds awaiting their feed, clung to the railing, opening their mouths eagerly.
Upon seeing their mother and older brother return, they immediately cried out happily.
Rui Rui first greeted his younger siblings, then went upstairs to put away his schoolbag and do his homework.
"How are things with Zhang Xue and Li Weimin? They're already discussing marriage, so why are they having problems?" Li Xiulan asked.
"Oh, it's all fine now. It was just a small misunderstanding that was cleared up," Chen Lishu replied.
"It's good that it's resolved. They're both good children, and once they're married, they'll settle down," Li Xiulan commented.
A short while later, Gu Xingdong came in from outside. Chen Lishu gestured towards the upstairs, and the couple walked up together.
"Dad? Mom?" Rui Rui had just taken out his homework book when he called out as they entered.
"Mom and Dad have something to tell you." Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong sat down on the edge of the bed.
Rui Rui took out his pencil from his pencil case. "What is it? You can tell me."
Chen Lishu felt a lump in her throat but managed to say, "Mom and Dad know you're a bright child, and we've never hidden your origins from you. If your birth parents have been found..."
Rui Rui paused while closing his pencil case and looked up at them.
Their careful gazes caused a pang in their hearts.
"You know Uncle He, right?" Gu Xingdong asked.
Rui Rui nodded and whispered, "He asked me to call him uncle and gave me a Rubik's Cube."
"Yes, that's him. He's actually your paternal uncle. We accidentally lost you before, but they've been looking for you all this time, and now he wants to take you back to the capital."