Chapter 54
If there were any embarrassing photos in the album, he could find out now.
The more Xia Wansheng thought about it, the more curious he became. Who could resist seeing the cold and aloof CEO’s adorable childhood photos?
Yu Congyan didn’t object, readily handing over the album, “I don’t have many pictures.”
He hadn’t yet fully emerged from his self-doubt when Xia Wansheng’s curious question interrupted his thoughts.
He felt much calmer now.
After giving him the album, Yu Congyan went to organize other things.
Even if he disliked this place, it still held many childhood memories.
Xia Wansheng sat down on the plush carpet and opened the album.
He hadn’t understood why Yu Congyan insisted on coming back. He wasn’t close to these relatives, why bother subjecting himself to their unpleasantness?
But now, it seemed to be related to this photo album.
Let’s see if this seemingly invulnerable CEO also had a time when he would cry and act spoiled with his elders.
But as he flipped through the pages, his curiosity gradually waned. Yu Congyan didn’t seem to like being photographed. There were very few solo pictures, mostly just group photos where he seemed to be reluctantly participating, just to fulfill an obligation.
Most of the rest were landscape photos, taken only when necessary.
This wasn’t the image of the popular, sought-after Yu Congyan he had imagined.
Xia Wansheng paused, his gaze fixed on a childhood photo of Yu Congyan. The young boy, his face still childish, stood at the entrance of an amusement park, smiling brightly with his family.
“Are you taking this album back too?” Xia Wansheng looked up and asked.
Yu Congyan was searching for something by another bookshelf. Hearing his question, he turned around, “Yes, I’ll need it later.”
Although he didn’t know how Xiang Haichao would use the photos at his wedding, judging by his urgency, it must be important.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered coming here.
He put down the book he was holding, placing his old favorite back on the shelf, and said to Xia Wansheng, “Let’s go.”
He had thought he would feel something revisiting this place, but the sadness had faded, moving forward was more important now.
“Leaving now?” Xia Wansheng pointed at the picture of the amusement park, “You mentioned an abandoned amusement park nearby, can I take a look?”
He wasn’t interested in amusement parks, but the genuine joy on Yu Congyan’s face in the photo suggested it held fond memories for him.
He wasn’t sure if he would have another chance to come here, might as well take a look now.
“It’s abandoned, the path might be difficult to walk.” Yu Congyan just gave a warning, not asking why he suddenly wanted to go there.
The sky had darkened by the time they left.
Xia Wansheng had expected the abandoned amusement park to be eerie, but upon arriving, he realized he had underestimated the upkeep of wealthy neighborhoods.
Although the amusement park was abandoned, for safety reasons, the surrounding fences were decorated with colorful light strips, resembling festive decorations.
They walked amidst the scattered lights, under a vast starry sky.
“Some of these were just for show, they were usually closed.” Yu Congyan pointed at the dangerous rides overgrown with vines, “Being out of sight for too long created opportunities for kidnappings.”
He hadn’t experienced it himself, but he had heard stories of children his age being abducted and traumatized, requiring extensive psychological counseling.
But Yu Congyan hadn’t deliberately avoided these dangerous rides. He had naively believed that almost disappearing would earn him his family’s attention and affection.
After all, what was lost was always cherished more.
He had once run away when his family was home, then fallen asleep in a corner of the amusement park.
When he woke up, it was already night, the temperature dropping. He was only wearing a thin shirt, and the young Yu Congyan shivered, then walked towards the brightly lit house with heavy steps.
No one noticed his departure or return. Everyone continued their cheerful chatter in the living room, some even annoyed that he had disrupted their harmonious family atmosphere.
The young Yu Congyan understood then, even if he disappeared, it wouldn’t matter much, it might even lessen the burden on his parents and family.
Then Aunt Liu, waking up from her nap, gave him a piece of chocolate, but that was another story.
They walked around the park, finally sitting down on a bench seemingly untouched by moss, the evening breeze rustling their hair, the surrounding light strips creating a picturesque scene.
Perfect for stargazing.
They had rarely spoken on their walk.
Perhaps because they had too much to say, but both knew the other harbored secrets, and there were too many to know where to begin.
“I have a question for you… you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.” Yu Congyan finally spoke.
He was worried about upsetting Xia Wansheng, but he couldn’t keep this bottled up any longer.
“What is it?” Xia Wansheng, enjoying the rare evening breeze with his eyes closed, assumed he had finally found some flaw and was here to confront him.
This was bad.
He quickly reviewed his actions, but he couldn’t recall any moments of exposure, could Yu Congyan have discovered his game currency stash?
Or his untouched black card?
The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became, quickly reviewing his unusual behavior since arriving here, then realizing he couldn’t explain any of it.
“I investigated the Shao family, but they all denied the threats,” Yu Congyan said, observing his reaction, worried about upsetting him, “Do you trust me?”
Despite his cautious approach, Xia Wansheng’s expression turned panicked at his question, as if terrified by the very notion.
But Yu Congyan didn’t drop the topic, some things had to be addressed directly to overcome them.
“I…” Xia Wansheng, meeting his concerned gaze, was speechless.
Constantly lying wasn’t a pleasant feeling.
But he couldn’t just say he wasn’t being threatened, it was all a misunderstanding.
He had already shown too many flaws, his persona was precarious, he couldn’t risk further damage.
“Actually… don’t worry, my situation isn’t as bad as you think, and you didn’t instruct them to do this, you don’t have to blame yourself.” Xia Wansheng tried to comfort him.
He couldn’t reveal the whole truth, so his words sounded evasive, like a casual dismissal.
Besides, the stars were so beautiful tonight, he was already doing his best by thinking of excuses here.
Xia Wansheng decided he wouldn’t respond no matter what Yu Congyan said next.
“The matter with your parents has been resolved, you need to be present next week to testify, can I go with you?” Yu Congyan changed the subject, seeing his reluctance.
He didn’t ask “do you need me to accompany you?” because the answer would likely be “no, I can handle it myself.”
“…” Xia Wansheng didn’t answer.
He had already decided to remain silent.
“Can I go with you?” Yu Congyan asked again softly, after a long silence, not receiving a response.
“…Suit yourself.” Xia Wansheng closed his eyes, giving up the struggle.
