Yi Ci stayed and supervised Zhong Ziang, making sure he completed all his homework, only leaving after putting it in his own bag for safekeeping.
He added cheerfully, “Tomorrow, I’ll hand this over to the teacher for you. Bet they’ll give you a glowing commendation—keep up the good work!”
Zhong Ziang, “…Get lost!”
Yi Ci left, striding away as if he owned the place.
At home, the evening had set in, and the housekeeper greeted him at the door. “Young master, you’re back.”
“Yeah.”
“Dinner is almost ready.”
“I’ll head upstairs to change.”
When he came down, Yi Hansheng was already seated at the dining table, looking as if he had been waiting for him.
Yi Ci paused. “Quite a surprise to see you here.”
Usually, he never joined them for meals.
Yi Hansheng’s face stiffened. “What nonsense are you spouting, you brat?”
Yi Ci sat down, picked up his chopsticks, and took a bite of chicken. “Delicious!”
Yi Hansheng: “…”
The housekeeper served the last dish. “Sir, dinner is ready.”
“Okay.”
She retreated to the kitchen, leaving only the father and son in the large dining room.
“So… why did you come back so late today?”
Yi Ci shot him a sidelong glance. “Do you even know what time I usually get home?”
“…”
“If you don’t know, how can you call it ‘late’? Aren’t CEOs supposed to be more precise?”
Yi Hansheng’s face darkened. “You little rascal! Stop trying to outsmart me.”
Yi Ci chewed his chicken, giving his dad a look that clearly said, “If you get it—don’t push me.”
“…” F*ck!
After a moment, Yi Hansheng tried to keep his face straight. “I heard you dismissed your tutor?”
“Oh, that.”
“You really—”
Yi Ci cut him off, “That was last semester. Why are you bringing it up now? I thought your silence meant you approved.”
“…”
“Well, I’m done. Enjoy your meal.” He grabbed a napkin, wiped his mouth, and got up to leave.
“Hold on!”
“?”
Yi Hansheng cleared his throat. “…Sit down.”
“What now?”
“It’s been a while since we’ve had a father-son talk. Sit and chat a bit.”
Yi Ci looked at him, half amused, half shocked. “We’ve never actually had a ‘talk,’ have we?”
“…” The gentle fatherly tone cracked.
“Old man, are you feeling okay?” Yi Ci leaned forward, scrutinizing him. Yes, it was his dad, Yi Hansheng. Could it be…
“You’ve been possessed?!”
“…”
“Yi Ci! Speak properly!”
“Oh, so you’re not possessed.” Yi Ci sat back down. “Spit it out, then. What do you want? Just say it—anything except setting me up with a new stepmom is negotiable.”
Yi Hansheng muttered under his breath, “Such disrespect…”
Then he spoke more seriously, “Is the daughter of the Jiang family pancake shop owner in your grade?”
Yi Ci’s expression shifted, becoming guarded. “Why do you want to know?”
Did he find out about his interest in Jiang Fuyue? Was he preparing to ruin it?
But that didn’t seem like him.
Yi Hansheng recalled the report he had received that afternoon. “Her name is Jiang Fuyue, correct?”
Yi Ci’s expression turned colder. “Are you investigating me?”
“Investigate you?” Yi Hansheng blinked in confusion. He was looking into Jiang Fuyue, not his son.
Yi Ci didn’t elaborate. “If you’re trying to show fatherly concern, do it in a more normal way, please.”
With that, he stormed off.
Yi Hansheng: “?” Completely baffled.
Recently, he had looked into the advertisement agency but found nothing. Then he remembered that the store owner had mentioned his daughter designed the sign, so he had his people investigate her. Surprisingly, they had uncovered some details.
Jiang Fuyue was the daughter of the shop owner, attended No. 1 High School, and was in the same grade as Yi Ci, though in a different class. She had also been excelling in various competitions recently.
Beyond this, they found no direct connection between her and the unique sign. He had hoped to use the opportunity to casually ask Yi Ci if he knew her, but the boy’s reaction was unexpectedly strong.
“Did he eat something bad?”
In his room, Yi Ci couldn’t shake a strange feeling. Why had his dad brought up Jiang Fuyue?
Was he onto something?
But since he didn’t push further, maybe it really was just an innocent question.
Meanwhile, after Yi Ci left, Yi Hansheng lost his appetite and returned to his study.
Since he couldn’t get anything from his son, he instructed his team, “Dig deeper! Find out the exact origins of that sign.”
One of his aides suggested, “If you want the truth, why not just ask her directly?”
Yi Hansheng said, “No rush. I don’t have enough information in my hands. Even if I ask now, I won’t be able to tell if the answers are true or false. If I need to ask face-to-face, I’ll have to wait a bit longer…”
He had to gather enough data and obtain sufficient details to make an accurate judgment with reasoned discernment.
If that person was still alive…
Yi Hansheng closed his eyes, suppressing the burning heat and overwhelming emotions in his chest.
Twenty years had passed. They had to be alive!
Since fate had shown him those words, given him hope, then it should see it through to the end.
Don’t let him fall into the abyss of despair just as he was about to see the light.
…..
Under the same moonlight, at the Ling residence.
“Ah Xuan, drink some milk.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Ling Xuan took the glass, placed it aside, and didn’t drink it right away.
“Still studying?” Zhou Qin glanced at his desk. It was covered with test papers, workbooks, and a computer that was always on for research.
“Yeah. It’s still early—I can finish another practice test.”
Zhou Qin sighed. “The competition is already over, right? You should take a break and not push yourself too hard.”
Ling Xuan replied, “The physics competition is over, but the math Olympiad is just beginning.”
“You…” Zhou Qin looked at him helplessly. “I don’t even know who you’re competing against. Why are you working so hard?”
Ling Xuan was momentarily dazed. The first face that flashed through his mind was Jiang Fuyue’s.
Was he really competing?
He just didn’t want to fall too far behind her.
“Oh, right, Ah Xuan,” Zhou Qin continued. “This morning, I got a call from the school. Your guaranteed admission notice has arrived. You’ve been accepted into Q University’s physics department, with free choice of major. What do you think?”
Ling Xuan remained silent.
Zhou Qin pressed her lips together, hesitant to say more.
“Mom, what do you think?” He suddenly looked up.
Zhou Qin let out a breath and felt a little guilty. “Q University is an excellent school, but physics as a major…”
She paused before continuing, “I’m not trying to interfere with your decision. But Ah Xuan, I just hope you carefully consider whether this field is truly right for you. What do you envision for your future?”
“If you’re genuinely passionate about physics and willing to commit to this path long-term, I will fully support you. But if you don’t truly love it, then think carefully. Don’t settle just because of the guaranteed admission.”
“Our family… no matter how you perform on the college entrance exam, we can still ensure you receive the best education. So don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”
Zhou Qin had the confidence to say this, and the Ling family had the means to back it up.
If he scored well, he could stay in the country, attend a top university, and then study abroad for further refinement. If he didn’t, it wasn’t a problem either—they could simply send him overseas directly.
“Mom, you want me to study business, right?” A look of realization flashed through Ling Xuan’s eyes.
Zhou Qin didn’t deny it and admitted openly, “Your father and I do have that intention. After all, you’re our only son, and the Ling family needs an heir. But we also respect your wishes. If we can reach a mutual agreement, that would be ideal.”
Ling Xuan lowered his gaze slightly. “I’ll think about it carefully.”
“Alright. Finish up soon and get some rest. And don’t forget to drink your milk.”
“Got it.”
Zhou Qin left the room, gently closing the door behind her.
“Madam, your tea has gone cold,” the housekeeper reminded.
“Alright, I’ll be there soon.”
Zhou Qin dismissed the housekeeper for the night, poured the cooled tea into a glass cup, and carried it into the bedroom.
Ling Qingzhou was leaning against the headboard in his robe, flipping through documents. The bedside lamp cast a soft glow on his handsome features, giving him a refined yet distant air. The golden-rimmed glasses added to his scholarly elegance.
For a brief moment, Zhou Qin was lost in thought.
Time had been particularly kind to this man. Even after all these years, he had hardly changed.
Still the same handsomeness.
Still the same seriousness.
Still the same cool detachment—neither distant nor close.
“Husband,” Zhou Qin smiled.
Ling Qingzhou looked up. “You’re back. What did Ling Xuan say?”
“Don’t worry. You know our son—he’ll think it through carefully.”
“Mm.”
“Here, have some tea. It’s just cooled down.”
Ling Qingzhou waved a hand. “Leave it there. I’m not thirsty yet.”
He went back to reading his documents but suddenly paused. Looking up again, he said, “Keep an eye on Ling Xuan. Q University is excellent, but physics… isn’t the right fit.”
“Understood.” Zhou Qin set the cup down on the bedside table and covered it with a lid to prevent dust from settling.
Then she lifted the blanket and laid down beside her husband…
