When Jiang Fuyue got home, Jiang Da and Han Yunru were both there.
Her younger brother had gone to his extracurricular class. After it ended, Wu Qian would pick him up and take him to the studio for a livestream.
Neither of her parents had noticed she hadn’t come home the night before.
They simply asked, “Huh? When did you leave, Yueyue?”
Jiang Fuyue was a little surprised.
Usually, around this time, Jiang Da and Han Yunru should be at their shop—especially since today was Saturday, a busier day than usual.
“In the morning.”
The couple didn’t suspect anything.
Han Yunru asked, “Have you eaten lunch?”
Jiang Fuyue shook her head.
Jiang Da immediately headed to the kitchen to make her something to eat.
“Mom, you and Dad didn’t go to the shop today?”
Han Yunru replied, “We went to the hospital this morning… to see your grandfather.”
Shi Qingzhi and Qin Yuancheng had already returned to the capital, but Han Qishan was still hospitalized in Linhuai.
Jiang Fuyue asked, “What did the doctors say?”
“Nothing serious. He can be discharged.”
“Then is he…”
Han Yunru paused, “He’s going back to the capital tomorrow.”
That morning, when the father and daughter met, they were both relatively calm.
After his illness, it was as though the old man’s energy and spirit had been drained.
Concerned about his health, Han Yunru refrained from saying anything harsh.
But by now, most of the truths from the past had already been revealed. Han Shen’s investigation had also uncovered some things.
“Little Ru, I’m sorry… Even if you don’t acknowledge me, that’s okay…”
“Your mother was right. I trapped myself in a cocoon of my own making—stubborn and arrogant! The lessons of the past didn’t wake me up, but this blow finally did. Unfortunately, it’s too late…”
“Even if you won’t call me ‘Dad,’ in my heart, you’ll always be my daughter.”
“If—just if—Jiang Da ever mistreats you, come home. I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life! Even if I’m gone, you still have your three brothers.”
“Drop by if you get the chance. Your second and third brothers both want to see you. It’s fine if you won’t acknowledge me, but they’ve been thinking about you and looking for you all these years… Go see them, you’re still siblings after all…”
After falling ill, the old man seemed to have let go of a lot.
Even his speech had lost its former confidence and sharpness, becoming more cautious.
Han Yunru wasn’t a heartless person.
In the end, she still called him “Dad.”
The old man probably understood as well—this “Dad” was perhaps spoken out of comfort, or maybe pity, but it wasn’t from a daughter’s true willingness to reconcile.
Even so, he was deeply satisfied.
His Little Ru hadn’t changed one bit—still kind and soft-hearted.
Earlier, Han Shen had called to talk and then after Jiang Da and Han Yunru left the hospital, the old man turned away and secretly wiped his tears.
“…Little Ru, we’ve got a good picture of what happened back then. We can now say with certainty that Ji Ruyue was involved. But it wasn’t just her idea—someone was helping her from behind the scenes. I’m rushing back this time to uncover the real mastermind. Like I said, you can come home whenever you want. This house will always be open to you, Jiang Da, Yueyue, and Chenxing.”
“Your second and third brothers are abroad right now. They’ll fly back as soon as their work ends. I’m guessing they’ll come straight to see you, so consider this a heads-up. Be mentally prepared so you’re not caught off guard.”
Han Yunru: “Mm.”
“You and Jiang Da don’t need to come see us off tomorrow. Business at the shop is good, and I know you’re busy. Your dad won’t mind.”
“Mm.”
But the next day, Han Yunru and Jiang Da still went to see them off.
There wasn’t much conversation between father and daughter. A single “Dad,” a simple “Take care”—that was already enough to satisfy Han Qishan.
It was Jiang Da who kept stuffing bags of specialty goods into Han Shen’s hands, talking non-stop—
“Some of these are store-bought, some I made myself. The production and expiration dates are all on the packaging. If you’re not eating them right away, best to keep them refrigerated.”
“That’s enough, that’s enough…” Han Shen quickly waved him off. Honestly, as someone used to being a domineering CEO, it had been a long time since he’d been treated so warmly.
Even those who tried to butter him up usually did it with subtle flattery and roundabout compliments.
Jiang Da’s direct enthusiasm left him a bit flustered.
But it also warmed his heart.
He finally understood why his sister had chosen Jiang Da so firmly.
“Give me some.” Seeing Han Shen couldn’t carry everything, the old man—who had been holding only his cane—suddenly spoke up.
Not only Jiang Da and Han Yunru, even Han Shen was surprised.
Han Qishan’s dislike for Jiang Da was clear from yesterday when the couple came to visit him in the hospital—he didn’t say a single word to Jiang Da.
And now he was speaking to him?
Jiang Da was the first to react. He handed over the lightest packages: “Here, it may look big, but it’s not heavy.”
The old man grunted: “I know!”
Jiang Da scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly, “…Oh.”
The two heavier bags still went to Han Shen.
“Hey! You better treat my daughter right. Don’t think you can bully her just because you’re bigger. Otherwise, I’ll fly to the capital and fight you!”
The old man gave a stern warning, eyes sharp.
Jiang Da nodded seriously: “Don’t worry, I would never. I’ll treat Ah Ru very, very well.”
The old man: “Whatever she says, you can’t talk back.”
“Of course. In our house, Ah Ru’s word is law. I listen to her.”
Han Qishan’s expression eased. “That’s more like it.”
“Dad, it’s time for security check,” Han Shen reminded.
“Let’s go.”
Soon, the father and son disappeared past the security checkpoint.
In that last moment, the old man looked back and met his daughter’s gaze, watching him leave.
He thought to himself: What more could I ask for?
This is enough.
….
In the Departure Lounge
Han Shen: “Didn’t you dislike Jiang Da? Why’d you accept his stuff?”
The old man: “Didn’t you accept it too?”
Han Shen: “But I don’t dislike him.”
The old man: “…Well, his cooking is pretty good.”
Ah, so it was just because you’re a foodie.
….
While the airport scene wrapped up, over at the train station, Xiao Shan officially reunited with Jiang Fuyue’s group.
Originally, they were supposed to meet at the airport, but since Han Yunru and Jiang Da were seeing off the old man that day, Jiang Fuyue switched the meeting point to the train station.
Xiao Shan was in a wheelchair, so train travel was more convenient.
When Liu Jinzhong went to pick him up at No. 35 Yangling Street, he was worried Xiao Shan wouldn’t cooperate.
He even made a firm promise to Jiang Fuyue—
“Miss, don’t worry. Even if he refuses, I’ll tie him up and bring him here.”
But Jiang Fuyue just waved her hand lightly. “If he doesn’t come, don’t force him.”
“But aren’t we going to the capital to seek justice for him?”
If the victim isn’t even present, how do you get justice?
Besides, Jiang Fuyue intended to bring Xiao Shan under her wing. Shouldn’t he witness firsthand how much she was doing for him, so he’d feel grateful later?
Jiang Fuyue smiled. “Who said I’m going to the capital for him?”
Meng Zhiru was Lou Mingxin’s husband.
Regardless of the true state of their relationship, to outsiders, they were a couple.
Now that she had such powerful leverage over Meng Zhiru, wouldn’t it be a waste not to rip a piece of Lou Mingxin apart while she was at it?
As for “seeking justice”…
That’s just a side benefit!
“Xiao Shan is important, but not irreplaceable. There’s always Huang Shan, Chen Shan, Li Shan if not him—it’s just a matter of time and effort to find them.”
Liu Jinzhong got it.
Jiang Fuyue: “If Xiao Shan misses this chance, it just proves he’s hopeless. Whether he seeks revenge openly or secretly, whether he goes to prison or escapes, it has nothing to do with us.”
In the end, Xiao Shan did come.
There was no resistance. As soon as Liu Jinzhong’s car stopped outside the bungalow, he rolled out in his wheelchair, backpack on, clearly ready to go.
Xiao Liangzai saw him off at the door. For the next few days, he’d be staying with his grandparents.
“Daddy, come back soon!”
“Mm. You promise Daddy to be good and listen to Grandpa and Grandma, okay?”
“Okay—” he replied in his little voice.
By the time Liu Jinzhong and Xiao Shan reached the high-speed rail station, Jiang Fuyue was already there with Yan Zhixing and Yao Ting.
When she saw Xiao Shan, she wasn’t surprised. She gave him a slight nod, like greeting an old friend: “You came.”
“Mm.”
“Let’s go, time to board.”
At 6 PM, the high-speed train pulled into the capital.
Right outside the station, two cars were parked waiting for them.
Jiang Fuyue and Liu Jinzhong got in one.
Yan Zhixing and Yao Ting took Xiao Shan in the other.
This was where Yao Ting’s strength came in handy—strong enough to carry Xiao Shan and his wheelchair without breaking a sweat.
That night, the five of them checked into the Hilton Hotel in the CBD.
Jiang Fuyue stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the night view from the 23rd floor: “Everything’s arranged?”
Liu Jinzhong looked steadily at the dazzling lights below, where the capital’s most famous nightlife district was located.
“All arranged.”
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