Chapter 59: Elders’ Quarrel

Ye Qingxu’s brows were tightly furrowed. He pretended to casually adjust the rearview mirror angle. After passing two more traffic lights, he finally confirmed that the other car was indeed tailing him.

He had only been back in the country for a short while. Aside from Wan Keyao, he couldn’t think of anyone else it could be. Ye Qingxu’s heart sank. He pulled into a remote corner and parked. Sure enough, the car behind him followed suit and killed its engine.

No one got out of the car. Ye Qingxu felt irritated inside. He glanced at the time on his wristwatch. Jiang Xiaoyu was still waiting for him to pick him up, so he decided to make this quick.

With a cold face, he walked over and knocked on the car window. When the window rolled down, a puff of cigarette smoke hit him in the face. As expected, it was Wan Keyao with a cigarette dangling from his mouth.

Ye Qingxu said mockingly, “I never knew Mr. Wan had taken a liking to such sneaky things these days, like tailing others?”

In Wan Keyao’s memories, this man always looked at him with adoration in his eyes and brows, calling him “senior” on his lips, speaking so sweetly. After years apart, he was now talking to him in such a sarcastic way.

Why? Wan Keyao suppressed the anger in his heart. He was the one who betrayed first. On what grounds was he giving him this cold face?

He had always been hot-tempered, with poor patience. How could he tolerate this? Wan Keyao roughly plucked the cigarette from his mouth with two fingers, shoved the car door open forcefully, tossed the cigarette to the ground, and hoarsely opened with a heavy smoky voice, “What business is it of yours? Don’t you know what I want?”

The words were loaded with implication.

After years apart, this man’s rogue nature deep in his bones hadn’t changed. The courage Ye Qingxu had mustered to get out of the car suddenly evaporated. Pretending to stay calm, he said, “Stop following me. Otherwise, I’ll call the police.”

Wan Keyao sneered, his eyes dark and deep. “Go ahead and call. Be my guest. See if the cops grab me or this heartless bastard you!”

Ye Qingxu’s brows locked tight, looking at him like he was crazy. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Wan Keyao irritably patted his pants pocket, wanting another smoke, but he forcibly reined in his violent temper to avoid hurting the man in front of him. “You don’t know? Let me ask you—why did you break up with me back then?”

At the mention of this topic, Ye Qingxu’s face also turned cold. He hooked the corner of his mouth in a scoff. “You know damn well why.”

After years apart, Wan Keyao had missed him so badly it clawed at his heart and lungs. He’d held onto his anger all these years without seeking him out. Yet once the man returned to the country, he’d come to Pine City like a lapdog at the first chance.

The first time he saw Jiang Xiaoyu, he’d suspected some blood relation between them, but more like uncle-nephew or something. Then he heard Jiang Xiaoyu deny it, saying they were just ordinary acquaintances, and he’d breathed a sigh of relief.

But now, he’d learned they were actually father and son. He’d guarded his feelings for years, only to end up with this result.

Wan Keyao clenched his fists, turned, and angrily kicked the car door. “Yeah, I know. Because you cheated, knocked up some no-name slut, and had a kid! You were in a rush to go build your little family, so you ran off!”

Now Ye Qingxu wasn’t just looking at him like a nutcase but like a ghost. He was almost laughing from sheer exasperation at this ghost’s nonsense. “If your brain’s busted, go to the hospital and get it checked. I don’t moonlight as a doctor.”

Fuming and heartbroken, he turned to leave. He hadn’t taken two steps before his hand was grabbed.

Wan Keyao’s eyes were red-rimmed as he cursed, “What right do you have to treat me like this? I’ve stayed celibate for you all these years. What right do you have?!”

When anger peaked, it turned to calm. Ye Qingxu mocked with a curl of his lips and yanked his hand back. “Is that so? I never asked you to. Feel free to pick up with your white moonlight again.”

Wan Keyao seemed stunned by the baseless accusation. After a long moment, he angrily retorted, “What the hell are you talking about? When did I ever have a white moonlight? It was your fault. Why are you turning it around on me?”

Ye Qingxu let out a cold laugh. “Don’t tell me you’ve never had any other thoughts about Si Xiaoshan.”

At that name, Wan Keyao’s brows furrowed like tightly packed mountains. He immediately said, “What nonsense is that? A Shan and I are friends. We’ve grown up together since we were kids. If there was ever gonna be anything between us, why would we wait for you to show up?”

He said it so righteously that Ye Qingxu deflated. He quietly looked at him for a moment, his face neither angry nor cold, and said flatly, “Whatever you say. I have to go pick up my kid now. Goodbye.”

Wan Keyao’s heart ached from his indifferent gaze and words. With nothing left to say, he stood there watching him walk toward the beat-up car parked on the roadside.

Ye Qingxu walked faster and faster, almost unable to hold back the tears in his eyes by the end. He fumbled awkwardly with his keys, pulling several times before yanking the door open. Just as he was about to bend down and get in, a strong force hit him from behind. Wan Keyao pinned him against the car and slammed the door shut with a bang.

“Who said you could leave!” The man’s voice was furious. “Like hell you’re picking him up! You’re not going to get that little bastard!”

Ye Qingxu couldn’t believe he would say something like that. Enraged beyond measure, he slapped Wan Keyao hard across the face.

The crisp slap echoed on the remote, quiet street. Wan Keyao’s head snapped to the side. Even in his advanced years, his fair cheek bloomed with a vivid red handprint.

Wan Keyao was stunned, subconsciously lifting a hand to cover his stinging face. Ever since his old man had gotten dementia early on, no one had dared hit him in all these years.

In that instant, fury surged in Wan Keyao’s eyes, veins bulging on his forehead. He whipped his head back, about to explode, but when he clearly saw Ye Qingxu’s tear-streaked face, his rage instantly deflated.

Ye Qingxu’s voice was hoarse, but his eyes burned even angrier than Wan Keyao’s. “Anyone can call Little Yu a bastard, but not you!”

Tears spilled out, rolling down his cheeks. Wan Keyao had never seen him cry so miserably.

Wan Keyao panicked, at a loss as he watched Ye Qingxu, reaching out to wipe away his tears.

Ye Qingxu took a deep breath through his nose, shoved him away, firmly shut the door, and started the engine.

Wan Keyao stood rooted in place, shoulders slumping dejectedly as he watched the car drive farther and farther away.

It wasn’t until the early autumn sky had gradually darkened and cooled that he finally moved his stiff limbs and got back in his car.

He slumped over the steering wheel in defeat, giving a resigned bitter laugh. “I was thinking, even if you cheated, I still planned to clear things up and get back together properly.”

The dashboard glowed softly. After a long while, Wan Keyao’s mind suddenly cooled down, and he started thinking clearly.

What did he mean by ‘Anyone can call Little Yu a bastard, but not you’?

What did Jiang Xiaoyu have to do with him?

He blanked out.

—

Jiang Xiaoyu stood at the gates of the government office, holding the empty bento bag that he had finished entirely with the help of two rice-bucket cats.

Zhang Pangpang rode out on his little electric scooter. Seeing Jiang Xiaoyu still standing there, he stopped and asked puzzledly, “Why haven’t you left yet? Didn’t you say your dad was coming to pick you up?”

Jiang Xiaoyu pursed his lips. Looking at the gradually darkening sky, he grew a bit worried. “Maybe he got held up by something? Or traffic?”

Zhang Pangpang said bluntly, “Then just call him and ask. Don’t just stand here waiting like a fool.”

Jiang Xiaoyu took out his phone, hesitating whether to call.

Jin Ge hadn’t gone home yet. Planning to crash at the Case Handling Office again, he’d been found out by Lu Wanhui, who shamelessly dragged the overtime Criminal Investigation Division folks over for a group meal.

The group naturally spotted Jiang Xiaoyu on their way out.

Jin Ge tossed his cigarette butt into the trash can, walked over to Jiang Xiaoyu, slung an arm around his shoulders, and asked, “Still here? Your dad not here yet?”

Jiang Xiaoyu turned his head and said softly, “He’ll be here soon.”

Lu Wanhui stared at Jin Ge’s arm around Jiang Xiaoyu’s shoulders, frowning. He asked, “Whose dad? Jiang Xiaoyu’s? That gambling ghost?” He said it without any regard for feelings, as if any chance to make Jiang Xiaoyu look bad or prove to Jin Ge that he was better was one he had to seize.

Jin Ge turned back, brows tight. “What nonsense are you spouting?”

One of Lu Wanhui’s lackeys chimed in with a grin, “Brother Lu’s not wrong. I heard his jailbird mom just got out too?”

“You fart! Your mom’s the jailbird!” Zhang Pangpang couldn’t take it anymore and boldly shot back.

What the lackey said was hardly fitting for a people’s police. Jin Ge’s eyes went cold. He was about to pull rank as leader when the quiet kid beside him shifted his foot. “He’s here to pick me up.”

Ye Qingxu pulled the car to a steady stop and got out somewhat anxiously. “Wait long? Next time, just wait inside. I’ll call when Dad’s here.”

He keenly sensed the off atmosphere and pulled Jiang Xiaoyu to his side, taking the bento bag from the kid’s hand. He smiled politely at Jin Ge. “Thanks for looking after my boy, sir. Little Yu is still young; please bear with him on a lot.”

Jin Ge scratched his head, not great with these cultured folks’ flowery words. “Uh, twenty-two’s not that young, right? Cough—no problem, it’s what I should do. I’m his master, after all.”

Ye Qingxu smiled and said to Zhang Pangpang, who had been keeping Jiang Xiaoyu company on his electric scooter, “We meet again, young comrade. Did you like the snacks? If so, I’ll have Little Yu bring extra tomorrow.”

Zhang Pangpang, with his chubby face, shamelessly asked for more. “Those biscuits were super tasty. More would be great. Thanks, Uncle. I’m heading out now.”

With that, he twisted the throttle and sped off.

Lu Wanhui and his group stared at the two people in front of them for a long time, utterly speechless. There was no need to doubt their father-son relationship—they looked way too alike.

The little follower who’d spoken earlier eyed the man suspiciously. No matter how he looked at it, this middle-aged guy didn’t match the gambler everyone had been talking about. He was refined and full of scholarly air.

Jiang Xiaoyu didn’t care about their opinions. As he listened to Ye Qingxu exchanging pleasantries with them, he looked down at the hand Ye Qingxu was holding his with. After a good while, he actually spoke up. “Dad, let’s go home.”

Ye Qingxu nearly teared up at that word. He nodded excitedly. “Good, good! Dad will take you to eat first, okay? There’s this old-brand pig stomach chicken place I used to go to as a kid. The taste is great, perfect for this weather. Dad’ll take you.”

He was so blissed out he was almost out of his mind, pulling the kid firmly to his side. His eyes gleamed brightly in the faint blue night as he said farewell to Jin Ge. “Then, Leader, I’ll take the kid to eat first. Care to join us?”

Jin Ge was all for it, chuckling and waving him off. “I eat fast and gotta come back for overtime. Won’t crash your father-son time.”

Ye Qingxu had only been polite anyway—he hadn’t really planned to bring a stranger along. He smoothly took his leave.

Once they were gone, Lu Wanhui finally trailed after Jin Ge, words hesitant. “Master, what’s… this about?”

Jin Ge glanced at him and the pack of followers behind, saying flatly, “That’s Jiang Xiaoyu’s biological father.”

Someone couldn’t hold it in. “What? Biological? So Jiang Xiaoyu was adopted?”

“Nope, stolen.” Jin Ge explained, “Human traffickers snatched him and handed him off to his adoptive parents.”

Whether it was traffickers or not wasn’t confirmed yet, but Jin Ge was pretty annoyed with this bunch who picked on the weak. Lu Wanhui had a big backing, sure, but they couldn’t just openly bully Jiang Xiaoyu like that, right?

He flashed a smiling face at the gossip hounds. “Jiang Xiaoyu’s real dad is a top designer. Check him out on the encyclopedia.”

—

Ye Lian got off work early today. As the driver reached the mountain foot, Ye Lian glanced toward Jiang Xiaoyu’s home in the distance, puzzled by the total darkness. So late and still not back?

He grabbed his phone and tapped open the chat with Jiang Xiaoyu: Haven’t gotten off work yet?

Jiang Xiaoyu was on a dinner break and checked his phone. Seeing it light up, he replied: Off work, eating now.

He pocketed the screen, chopsticks in hand as he stared at the bubbling pot, spacing out for a few seconds. Then he snapped a photo and sent it to Ye Lian: Pig stomach chicken, super tasty.

Ye Lian gazed at the pic and smiled lightly. Makes Uncle wanna have some too. Let’s head up the mountain in a few days—Aunt Qing’s pig stomach chicken is pretty damn good.

Jiang Xiaoyu wasn’t sure if he meant the food or something else. He pinched his reddening earlobes, for once not refusing, just firing off a thumbs-up.

Ye Qingxu looked busy as hell, constantly trying to toss stuff into the pot. But his total lack of cooking chops was on full display—after half a day of fussing, nothing was edible. The pig stomach he clamped for Jiang Xiaoyu was even kinda crunchy.

Jiang Xiaoyu rubbed his nose and said tactfully, “Let me handle it.”

—

With Jiang Xiaoyu back on the case, the Jiang Fei investigation ramped up again. Even after IDing Yang Guo’s stand-in and getting confirmation it wasn’t Yang Guo himself napping in the lounge that day, Yang Guo’s lips stayed sealed tight. Dude’s mental game was ironclad.

“The reason I claimed it was me? Two main worries.” Yang Guo smiled steady. “First off, the stand-in thing’s under a strict NDA—for my career and the company’s rules. Leaking it early would’ve wrecked my trajectory and image. Second…” He pursed his lips, looking reluctant. “Kinda embarrassing, but any link to Jiang Fei’s death—even a whiff—would tank my career. So when I heard my double was in the lounge during the incident, I used that half-minute camera blackout to swap spots with him.”

He sounded dead earnest. “Had to be done. I’m a hot celeb—better dodge trouble.”

Jiang Xiaoyu eyed his reactions, thinking: No wonder netizens rag on his drama acting? Guy’s performance is on point, full method actor vibes. He asked gravely, “And do you have an alibi for the day of the crime?”

Yang Guo gave an apologetic smile. “Yeah—with Zhao Peng.”

Zhang Pangpang jumped in. “Your current manager? Proof you two weren’t on site?”

“None, really…” Yang Guo dodged his gaze, all sheepish. “What we were up to… couldn’t leave evidence.”

“What was it?” Jiang Xiaoyu pressed.

Yang Guo looked mortified, then blurted after a beat, “We were in bed.” He rushed to add, “Police can’t blab this—privacy rights!”

Jiang Xiaoyu, clueless on that front, didn’t flush like Zhang Pangpang. He went straight. “Where? Hotel? Your place?”

Yang Guo hadn’t pegged the cute young cop for such bluntness. He choked a sec, then huffed, “Home.”

“So just you two vouching for each other.” Jiang Xiaoyu stayed cool, running procedure. “No other proof of innocence means escalation. Cooperate fully with solid details, or you’re a person of interest.”

Yang Guo went pale but nodded firm. “Of course—as long as privacy holds.”

Yang Guo exited the interrogation room. Zhang Pangpang snorted. “Clinging to that idol baggage even on death row. Privacy this, privacy that.”

No smoking gun yet, but Zhang Pangpang had Yang Guo pegged as the killer. Jiang Xiaoyu figured he was tied to Jiang Fei’s death too, but doubts lingered.

How’d Jiang Fei get that head bash and finger crush? Not fatal, but nagging.

Jiang Xiaoyu pondered, then mused, “I’ll dig more at Luo Xi’s. You monitor Criminal Technology for weapon traces.”

Zhang Pangpang nodded, grimacing. “Weapon should’ve left something, but cops tore Yang Guo and Zhao Peng’s places apart—nada.”

Jiang Xiaoyu eyed the file’s serrated knife wound. It hit him: that mini cake Ye Qingxu got him last night, with the plastic cake knife—serrated edge.

He asked, “Wan Universe get a celebratory cake for the Reid Europe housewarming that day?”

File didn’t specify. Zhang Pangpang blanked, then lit up—he’d never forget that cake from the scene. “Hell yeah! Massive seven-layer beast!”