Shen Qingqing reminded him, "If you really can't find the reason, then go and see your brother."
"You mean Ah Xu knows?"
"Since it's because of Madam Gao's instigation, I think Ah Xu, as her son, should know something."
Most importantly, that child is very well-behaved and will say whatever he knows.
Gao Jian found her words reasonable, "You're right. I'll ask Ah Xu when I get back tonight. I'm really curious what she said?" Kuaishuge
His father had been feeling guilty towards him lately, wanting to compensate him. Not necessarily granting all his wishes, but he was very accommodating.
Under such circumstances, she could still instigate conflict between father and son. This woman's methods were indeed formidable.
That evening, Gao Jian returned home.
Lü Shu watched his retreating figure and sighed, "His family is truly exhausting."
He used to think having a family was good, but now he felt being alone was best—unfettered, without so many bothersome matters.
Shen Qingqing patted his shoulder, "Many things have two sides. Just enjoy your own life."
Like her, she had never imagined she would marry a man who understood and loved her, a soulmate.
Lü Shu seemed to understand and not understand, "Although I don't fully grasp what you mean, I am very satisfied with my current life."
Shen Qingqing glanced at the time, "I have something else to attend to, so I'll be leaving now. I'll leave the company matters to you, and if Gao Jian returns, please give me a call."
"Understood."
Shen Qingqing never expected Gao Jian to return to work the next day with such a furious demeanor.
Lü Shu and Ke Lin stood by, looking at him helplessly.
Shen Qingqing asked, "What's wrong?"
"We don't know," Lü Shu shook his head, also baffled. "He came in this morning with a very angry expression, as if he was sulking with someone."
"We asked him, but he wouldn't say," Ke Lin spread his hands in exasperation.
Shen Qingqing then said, "You two go back to your work. I'll talk to him."
Ke Lin and Lü Shu departed.
Shen Qingqing walked over and patted Gao Jian's shoulder. Seeing him turn around, she casually picked up a bottle of cola from the table and handed it to him.
"What happened?"
Gao Jian opened the cola and took a large gulp, "I really didn't expect my father to be instigated by that woman and suspect me."
"Suspect you of what?"
Gao Jian found it somewhat difficult to articulate, "You can't imagine what he suspects me of..."
Shen Qingqing raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"
"Suspecting I'm not his biological son!" Gao Jian gritted his teeth, never having been so angry before. "Ah Xu told me he saw a maid lingering in the room where I used to stay yesterday. He thought she was trying to steal something, so he specifically went to question her."
"The maid said she was ordered by the master to search my room for a strand of hair!"
In this era, the purpose of needing hair was obvious without asking.
Shen Qingqing was speechless for a long time, "I don't think this is that simple. If Mr. Gao suspected based solely on that woman's words, it wouldn't have gotten this far. That woman probably has a backup plan."
"What backup plan? It should be obvious this is impossible!" Gao Jian couldn't believe his mother would betray his father. "I think my father is just senile, believing the words of a woman who deserves a thousand cuts!"
He was too disappointed in his father.
Shen Qingqing went to the nearby pantry to get a cup of drink, "What's the use of you being anxious now? You should first find out what she said that made your father believe this baseless accusation."
"There's no need," Gao Jian said coldly. "Since he thinks I'm not his biological son, he naturally wouldn't entrust the company or projects to me. I can't be bothered to manage them either. Starting today, I won't return to that home!"
He hadn't returned anyway.
Shen Qingqing took a sip of her drink and said lightly, "You're just being petulant."
"I'm not being petulant," Gao Jian said very seriously. "I won't be the one to fawn over someone who's cold to me. Since my father has started doubting my lineage, what else can I say?"
"Of course, you need to explain." If it were Shen Qingqing, she would never allow such slander to be thrown at her.
"My father already suspects me. How can I explain it? Do I have to go to jail to drag that woman out for a confrontation?"
Gao Jian was clearly on the verge of going mad. He didn't care about being framed, but he couldn't accept that woman slandering his mother.
"Since you can't accept it, then find a way to clear this mud," Shen Qingqing propped her chin with one hand. "This matter is actually quite simple. As long as we figure out what she said to make your father believe this baseless accusation, we can then address it accordingly."
"But you've already met her."
Gao Jian had considered this, but that woman certainly wouldn't cooperate. Even if he went again, it would only be to humiliate himself.
Shen Qingqing mused, "Perhaps we should start with your mother."
"What do you mean?"
"There are only a few reasons why your father would believe her words," Shen Qingqing counted on her fingers the reasons she could think of. "First, your mother might have had a first love back then, or someone she harbored feelings for..."
"That's impossible!"
Shen Qingqing glared at him, "Don't interrupt. Let me finish."
Gao Jian pursed his lips.
"Second, it's possible that something or someone from back then caused your father to misunderstand."
After much thought, Shen Qingqing concluded there were only these two possibilities. If her father and mother had a rift long ago, he wouldn't be doubting his son's parentage only now. It must be that recently some witness or so-called physical evidence had emerged.
Gao Jian found this very reasonable, "Then I'll go investigate who my father has been in contact with recently."
"Clever."
Shen Qingqing saw that he had completely calmed down now.
Gao Jian said he would investigate and immediately rushed off to do so.
However, the resources he could use were limited, so the first thing he thought of was hiring a private investigator.
"Are you going home tonight?" Shen Qingqing asked as he sat dejectedly on the sofa after making a call.
"No."
Gao Jian had no intention of returning since he left that home. He had confronted his father and they had a huge argument.
This argument was even more intense than when he rebelliously ran away from home a few years ago.
Not only would it be humiliating to go back now, but given his father's attitude, he didn't want to return, lest they argue again upon meeting.
Shen Qingqing was indifferent, "If you don't want to go back, then don't. Stay with Lü Shu in the dorm."
Just as she finished speaking, Gao Jian's phone rang.
"What did you say?"
"Wasn't the project proceeding smoothly when it was handed over to you? How did a problem arise?"
"I told you long ago that client is rather difficult. You must cater to their preferences and address their issues specifically."
"I can't get back there right now..."