Late at night, Qin Lin knocked on the Jiang family’s door. Jiang Da opened it, surprise flickering across his face.
“Sorry, I…”
“Don’t say anything. Come inside first—it’s cold out.” As he spoke, he took Qin Lin’s suitcase and thoughtfully brought out a pair of slippers for him.
“Thank you.”
“No need to be so polite. Just stay here for now. That way, if there’s any new development from Nanyue, we can discuss and respond quickly.”
Qin Lin’s Adam’s apple bobbed. A wave of inexplicable emotion welled up in his chest.
On such a bitterly cold, dark night, with the wind howling and chill seeping in, someone stood here, smiling warmly, saying the gentlest words of welcome. He asked no questions, preserved Qin Lin’s dignity completely—and yet, this was the very person Qin Lin had once believed he should hate the most.
“…Alright.”
Jiang Da broke into a grin. “First room on the left. My pajamas should fit you, right?”
Qin Lin nodded. “Thank you.”
Ten minutes later, Jiang Da brought over the pajamas, along with a glass of warm water for the nightstand.
“They’re new. Get some rest.”
“Mm.”
—
Second floor, Jiang Fuyue’s room.
Her computer screen was still lit. The soft blue light shone on her fair face, adding a sense of mystery.
Her dark eyes reflected deep concentration, as bottomless as a starry sky.
On the internal S-SA web portal, her account was logged in—suddenly, her gaze froze.
Lake was online—at this hour?
A message window popped up.
Lake: [Chou, are you there?]
I send my sorrowful heart: [Yes!]
Lake: [The audio analysis is complete. I’ve sent you the report via site message.]
Jiang Fuyue’s eyes lit up.
Ten seconds later, the message arrived. She opened it immediately, scanning the contents at lightning speed.
The report indicated the presence of engine sounds, ventilation, cast iron, cicadas, flowing water, and cawing crows.
But one specific element confirmed her suspicions—
A falcon’s cry!
And there’s only one place in all of Nanyue where falcons are bred.
Jiang Fuyue thanked Lake, then printed out the report, grabbed it, and ran downstairs to wake everyone up.
Shi Qingzhi had been tossing and turning, worried about Qin Yuancheng, unable to sleep. The moment she heard movement, she opened the door. “Yueyue—is there news?!”
“Yes.”
Soon, Qin Lin, Han Yunru, and Jiang Da—already asleep—gathered in the living room.
Jiang Fuyue handed them the report directly. “Nanyue doesn’t naturally have falcons, but fifty years ago, the aristocracy took a liking to them and began importing them in large numbers. However, due to Nanyue’s unique climate, the survival rate was low. Once the trend passed, the upper class moved on to other exotic pursuits, and falcons nearly disappeared from Nanyue. Over time, you couldn’t find them anywhere—except…”
Qin Lin: “Shapu!”
“Exactly. Shapu has maintained a thriving falcon-breeding industry—not only because the climate suits them, but because the prestigious Mincha family uses the falcon as its family crest. To preserve their wild nature and fetch high prices upon maturity, falcons are raised free-range in Shapu. Almost all falconries there use open-air methods.”
Which explains why the “natural sound analysis” in the report detected a falcon’s cry!
Shi Qingzhi: “Now that we’re sure Old Qin is in Shapu, shouldn’t we send someone over?”
Qin Lin: “Send someone? Where exactly?”
“I discussed it with Yueyue. We plan to send someone to Nanyue in case the kidnappers decide to kill the hostage after getting paid. We’ll be ready to launch a rescue if necessary.”
Qin Lin: “Alright. I’ll go.”
Shi Qingzhi: “No. You’re too close to Old Qin. If the kidnappers notice you, they could panic and do something desperate. None of us can go.”
Qin Lin: “Then who? I don’t trust someone with no ties to us.”
Shi Qingzhi: “Yueyue already made the arrangements.”
Qin Lin frowned: “Nonsense! She may be smart, knowledgeable, and quick-witted, but this involves mobilizing personnel, coordinating a cross-border operation—how can a child handle that?!”
The old lady remained calm.
Han Yunru and Jiang Da were also composed.
Only Qin Lin looked utterly shocked.
Qin Lin: “What is with all of you?”
Shi Qingzhi: “Ah Lin, if you choose to believe, then don’t waver halfway.”
Han Yunru: “Brother Lin, maybe try trusting Yueyue.”
Qin Lin: “Little Ru, she’s only eighteen!”
Han Yunru: “I know.”
Qin Lin: “Then how can you still—”
Jiang Fuyue silently handed him the report. “Uncle Qin, look carefully.”
Qin Lin was puzzled, but looked down. His gaze paused at the signature in the bottom right corner.
Lake Watson.
Qin Lin: “You—” He looked up at Jiang Fuyue in shock.
How could a normal eighteen-year-old high school girl possibly know someone like Professor Lake Watson, a world-renowned expert in acoustics?
Yet the proof was right in front of him—there was only one explanation:
Jiang Fuyue was not an ordinary eighteen-year-old.
And more than that, she clearly had the skill, connections, and capability to orchestrate a cross-border rescue mission.
Qin Lin: “Who exactly are you?” He took half a step back, his gaze turning cautious and wary.
The girl remained silent.
At this moment, the old lady had the same question in her heart.
But now wasn’t the time to dig deeper.
Shi Qingzhi: “What matters is rescuing Old Qin. Everything else can wait.”
Qin Lin lowered his eyes.
No one knew how much time passed before he finally let out a soft reply—
“Alright.”
