Chapter 39

Before heading home, Jiang Sixun first called the housekeeper to confirm if his father was at home.

The housekeeper responded, “Yes, he’s here. Come back soon.”

He sighed inwardly as he glanced at the figure on the sofa, his face calm and eyes closed in rest. These two—father and son—never ceased to be a puzzle.

Hanging up, the housekeeper poured a glass of warm water and quietly set it on the coffee table in the living room.

Lu Jianbo had his hand resting on his forehead, eyes still closed, oblivious to the sounds around him.

“Dad, Mom and I miss you. When are you coming to Beijing to take us home?”

“It’s been so long. Why haven’t you come yet?”

“Dad, Mom cried again today.”

“Dad, Beijing is so big—did you get lost?”

“Mom says this Sunday is my birthday. You’ll come, won’t you?”

“Dad, I’m starting to forget what you look like.”

“Next time Uncle Xu comes to see me, could you secretly have him bring a picture of you?”

“I got into a fight at kindergarten today.”

“Dad, tomorrow is my birthday. I’m waiting for you to eat cake with me.”

“Dad, I saved a piece of cake for you.”

…

“Mr. Lu?” The secretary’s voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

Lu Jianbo opened his eyes abruptly. He hadn’t been sleeping; he’d just been lost in memories of the voicemails his son left him when he was younger. When he and Jiang Yue divorced, he asked his son whom he wanted to stay with, and the boy said he wanted to be with both Mom and Dad.

At that time, his son was too young to understand what divorce meant.

In matters concerning their child, he and Jiang Yue never held grudges. The child lived with his mother first, but he was always welcome to come to him.

After his son returned to Beijing with his mother, he would leave him voicemails almost every day, sometimes even two or three. That is, until the boy got into fights with his cousins.

During the summer before his son turned five, Jiang Yue had sent him to Hong Kong as usual. He was in a meeting that day when the housekeeper called, saying Jiang Sixun had been fighting with his cousins and had a bruised face.

He rushed back to Deep Water Bay, only to find his son crying and in pain, trying to hold back his tears.

The housekeeper said the boy hadn’t cried out loud at all.

He asked, “Why did you fight? Why did you hit someone first? Who taught you that? Do you know it’s wrong?”

“I want to go home.”

“Why did you start the fight? Do you act like this in kindergarten too?”

“I want to go home!”

“This is your home.”

“No, it’s not!”

“Jiang Sixun!”

The boy screamed, “I’m never calling you again!” He cried until he was breathless, his sobs alternating between gasps and whimpers.

Lu Jianbo was torn between anger and sorrow as he held his son close. But the boy pushed him away forcefully, refusing any comfort.

That night, his son refused to eat and fell asleep while still sniffling and hiccuping.

The summer break wasn’t even two months old when his son, missing his mother, asked to go back early. Seeing his tearful eyes, Lu Jianbo had him sent back to Beijing.

When his son first arrived in Hong Kong, his first request was for a photo. But when leaving, he left the photo on the bedside table, not taking it with him.

Since then, Lu Jianbo had never received another call or message from his son.

Secretary Cai noticed the boss’s prolonged silence and said, “Mr. Lu?”

Lu Jianbo rubbed his nose and asked, “What’s the matter?”

Secretary Cai replied, “…”

Seeing the disheveled state of his boss, who probably hadn’t slept all night, Secretary Cai recalled the call he’d forgotten to make in the morning.

“You asked me to come over.”

Lu Jianbo couldn’t remember why he had asked for the secretary. He gestured to the nearby sofa, “Please, have a seat.”

He removed the blanket from his shoulders and stood up. He had spent the night waiting on the sofa for his rebellious son, not realizing when the housekeeper had covered him with a blanket.

Standing up made him dizzy, and he steadied himself for a few moments.

Staying up all night used to be routine, but now it was a struggle against aging.

Returning to his room, Lu Jianbo washed up and shaved, using ice-cold water to help clear his foggy mind. After a night of napping on the sofa, his shirt was a wrinkled mess, so he changed into a fresh one.

As he put on his cufflinks, he was lost in thought. In his youth, he hadn’t understood how to relate to his child, nor had he possessed much patience.

Now, reflecting on his son’s past grievances, he wondered why his son had started fights with his cousins, even with his cousins’ sisters.

The rebellious child had asked: “How old was I?”

He wasn’t sure if his son had truly forgotten or simply didn’t want to discuss it.

That night of the fight, seeing his son still sobbing in his sleep, he had called his elder brother to inquire about what happened that afternoon and whether the other kids had said anything.

Lu Jianli said, “I was about to call you to ask about Sixun, whether he was hurt badly. The kids were just playing around, and some Cantonese phrases Sixun didn’t understand might have made him think they were deliberately teasing him. Kids say things without thinking. They were scared of being punished and cried when they got home. I’ve already scolded them. I’ll visit Sixun tomorrow.”

His nephews and nieces were all around six or seven years old, with one only five.

What else could he say after his elder brother’s explanation?

His son had started the fight, and although he hadn’t hit anyone, he had to endure.

There was no Cantonese-speaking environment in Beijing, so he had hired a Cantonese teacher to go with the housekeeper to his son.

Fortunately, Jiang Yue didn’t object.

The housekeeper, who had been with his son for many years, packed his belongings and left them at the door, even though Lu Jianbo had paid the salary.

“Mr. Lu?”

He was surprised to hear the housekeeper’s voice at his bedroom door. Lu Jianbo responded, “What is it?”

The housekeeper said, “Sixun and Miss Xu have returned.”

Finally, his rebellious son was back.

Lu Jianbo put on a fresh cufflink and went downstairs at a leisurely pace.

As he reached the living room, they were coming in through the door.

“Good morning, Uncle Lu,” Xu Zhiyi greeted first. Lu Jianbo’s inherent elegance made it hard to connect him with any negative traits.

“…Good morning.” It was already past ten-thirty; it was hardly early.

Lu Jianbo glanced at his son and then turned his warm gaze to Xu Zhiyi. “Have you had breakfast? I can have the housekeeper prepare something.”

Xu Zhiyi said, “No need to trouble yourself; we’ve already eaten. I came with Mr. Jiang because he was so upset last night that he didn’t sleep. I didn’t feel comfortable letting him come alone, so I came with him.”

Jiang Sixun said nothing. It wasn’t that serious.

Lu Jianbo thought the one who should be upset was him; it was he who hadn’t slept all night.

Jiang Sixun avoided looking at anyone and started walking towards the stairs. He turned to Xu Zhiyi, “You can look around nearby. I’ll take some time to pack up.”

Xu Zhiyi looked confused. “You’re not taking me home for a meal?”

Not wanting to spoil his plans, she replied, “It’s fine. I’ll just wait downstairs.”

Once Jiang Sixun went upstairs, Lu Jianbo invited Xu Zhiyi to sit. “Zhiyi, make yourself comfortable. Do you prefer Italian coffee or black tea?”

“Black tea, please. Thank you, Uncle Lu,” Xu Zhiyi said, settling onto the sofa next to Secretary Cai.

Lu Jianbo personally poured the tea. “Thank you for taking care of Sixun last night.”

Xu Zhiyi smiled, “It’s my pleasure.”

After setting down his tea cup, Lu Jianbo settled back into the sofa, his calm exterior masking his thoughts. He wondered if his son was preparing to leave for good, never to return.

Xu Zhiyi’s gaze was fixed on the teacup in front of her, a shade of fragrant yam purple. The porcelain set—whether it was a coffee cup, saucer, or teapot—was bland and unremarkable in design.

It was an aesthetic mismatch for Jiang Sixun.

Lu Jianbo stole glances at Xu Zhiyi, noting how she mirrored his son’s stubbornness. Neither would speak first; she preferred to study a plain teacup rather than engage in conversation.

“Zhiyi, why don’t you stay for lunch? You should try some Cantonese dishes prepared by our chef.”

He didn’t hold out much hope, knowing that as a couple, Xu Zhiyi would likely side with Jiang Sixun.

Xu Zhiyi responded diplomatically, “I haven’t had Cantonese food in a while. However,” she pointed upstairs, “if I stay, he might not be comfortable.”

Then she sipped her red tea and said, “Uncle Lu, I’m actually on your side. Do you believe that?”

Lu Jianbo chuckled, “You’re a loyal subject in the enemy camp.”

Xu Zhiyi laughed too and took another sip of her tea.

Lu Jianbo waited for more, but Xu Zhiyi merely continued sipping her tea, leaving his question hanging. Her response was as subtle as a game of Tai Chi, neither refusing outright nor agreeing to stay. The ball was in his court: if he made the first move, Jiang Sixun might be appeased, and Xu Zhiyi might decide to stay for the meal.

In any case, she was doing her best to ease the tension between father and son.

“Zhiyi, please make yourself comfortable. I’ll go upstairs to discuss your uncle’s situation with Sixun.” Lu Jianbo decided to check on his son.

It wasn’t the first time he had to lower his head. He saw it as a way to make up for the injustice his son faced in the past, finding a step down for himself.

In the bedroom’s walk-in closet, Jiang Sixun changed into a black shirt. Although the clothes had been washed and dried at Xu Zhiyi’s place, he had a habit of not wearing the same color two days in a row, unless the situation was exceptional.

As he rolled up his sleeves, he heard a knock. The door was slightly ajar, and the person outside pushed it open, walking towards the terrace rather than approaching the closet.

The terrace overlooked a lush garden.

Lu Jianbo settled into a wooden chair on the terrace. A small wooden table held a vase with two peonies. Their petals had fallen and littered the table.

A different kind of ambiance.

Jiang Yue had always loved peonies when she was young, but their bloom was too fleeting.

With nothing better to do, Lu Jianbo started cleaning the petals off the table.

Footsteps approached from behind.

Holding a handful of petals, Lu Jianbo didn’t toss them in the trash. “You’ve got some nerve, even plotting against your own father. Jiang Sixun, I’ve never been insincere with you.”

Jiang Sixun took a seat across from him, pointedly ignoring the accusation. “Are the photos enough for you?”

“…”

The word “enough” was on the tip of Lu Jianbo’s tongue, but he swallowed it back. Instead, he scattered the petals back onto the table and began picking them up one by one, trying to channel his frustration and anger.

“When you were four or five, why did you fight with your cousins?”

Jiang Sixun ignored him, pulling two wilting peonies from the vase and tossing them into the trash can under the table.

Whether his son remembered the past or not, Lu Jianbo lowered his stance. “I was wrong that time. I should have comforted you before questioning you.”

Comforting wouldn’t have helped; it wasn’t the questioning that made him sad.

The older woman had repeatedly said, “You’ll have a new mommy soon. Uncle is going to marry that vixen.”

Jiang Sixun stood up. “I have a whole wardrobe to pack. Please excuse me.”

Lu Jianbo, furious and exasperated, shouted, “Are you trying to make me lose my temper? I’m speaking to you calmly, yet you’re so uncooperative! This is your home. Where are you going?”

Jiang Sixun coolly responded, “I’m moving to Xu Uncle’s house.”

Lu Jianbo exploded, “What’s wrong with moving to someone else’s house!”

Jiang Sixun replied, “What’s wrong with that? I’m planning to become a live-in son-in-law. With my wealth, Xu Uncle, Xu Aunt, and Xu Heng will surely welcome me.”

“…”

Jiang Sixun walked away.

Lu Jianbo shouted at his son’s retreating figure, “You’re determined to drive me crazy! Jiang Sixun, I stayed up all night waiting for you to come home, and this is your attitude?”

Jiang Sixun’s steps faltered.

In that moment of hesitation, Lu Jianbo felt a slight relief.

But his son still went into the closet, and soon Lu Jianbo heard the sound of a suitcase opening.

No servants came to disturb them; it was just the two of them in the room.

The scene felt like a flashback to thirty years ago on Hong Kong Island. He had sat on the bedroom sofa, listening to Jiang Yue packing, while his son, leaning against him, anxiously asked, “Dad, why aren’t you talking?”

That was the last time the three of them were together.

Jiang Sixun took as long to pack as Lu Jianbo sat on the terrace.

Half an hour later, Jiang Sixun emerged from the closet with a suitcase.

Lu Jianbo looked over and saw only one suitcase. He breathed a sigh of relief, noting that it likely contained just some of the clothes he regularly wore, leaving the rest with Xu Zhiyi.

“We’re having Cantonese food for lunch. Zhiyi wants to try it.”

Jiang Sixun said, “Add a lobster noodle to her order.”

This was his way of agreeing to stay for dinner, knowing Xu Zhiyi’s presence was more influential than his own.

Lu Jianbo asked, “Where’s the lobster from?”

Jiang Sixun replied, “She likes all kinds of lobster.”

Downstairs in the living room, Xu Zhiyi didn’t waste a moment. She grabbed her notebook from the car and, while Jiang Sixun was upstairs packing, she held a video conference with KEVE Technology.

KEVE Technology had raised $280 million in its Series B funding round. Shen Qingfeng, the cautious figure behind the scenes, had ultimately chosen to work with three venture capital firms, and Yuanwei Capital was just one of them, holding the smallest share.

Despite Shen Qingfeng’s hesitation, she chose Yuanwei because of its robust resources, aiming for a competitive edge.

After six years of covert operations, the other two venture firms had exited, and all the equity was in her hands, including most of the shares from KEVE’s visible boss, Li Ke.

Now, she was the largest shareholder behind KEVE Technology.

As the meeting wrapped up, Li Ke didn’t rush to disconnect. She had been following the scandal involving the Lu family on Hong Kong Island closely.

Xu Zhiyi asked, “Is there anything else?”

Li Ke’s lips tightened in unease. “Are you preparing to move against Shen Qingfeng?”

Xu Zhiyi replied, “Yes. It’s been six years; it’s time to act.” She looked at the screen, noting the woman who had been meticulously manipulated by Shen Qingfeng and trusted her completely. “Are you worried or regretting?”

Li Ke gave a self-deprecating smile. “At this point, regret is pointless.”

No turning back, no retreat.

Xu Zhiyi reassured her, “You have nothing to worry about. I’m not the type to burn bridges. I won’t interfere with KEVE’s affairs; it’s all yours from now on.”

Li Ke asked, “Aren’t you waiting until Shen Qingfeng divorces?”

“She won’t be divorcing anytime soon. We’re not waiting.”

“If Shen Qingfeng loses KEVE, she still has Lu Jianliang.”

“No rush; she’ll lose things one by one. I’ve been apart from my parents for twenty years; I can’t let her suffer just for twenty days and think it’s over.”

“You’d think after six years, you’d be past it.”

“This isn’t about moving on. How ruthless do you have to be to swap someone’s child out? Miss Li, you haven’t experienced it yourself; you can’t understand how long twenty years is or what it’s like to be estranged from your biological parents.”

Upstairs, the man was coming down with his suitcase.

Xu Zhiyi quickly wrapped up her call, saying, “I’ll contact you when I get back to Beijing.”

She took off her headphones and shut down the screen.

Secretary Cai was nearby, having overheard the conversation.

Years ago, when Lu Jianbo uncovered the connection between KEVE Technology and Shen Qingfeng, it was through this very secretary.

Xu Zhiyi smiled at the man. “You really packed your suitcase?”

Jiang Sixun replied, “I’ll take it with me when I go back, and leave some clothes with you for now. I’ll pack another suitcase for Shanghai.”

“…”

Secretary Cai glanced towards the stairs, noticing that her boss was still not down, likely quite upset.

Jiang Sixun gestured to her, “Let’s talk in the car.”

Xu Zhiyi packed up her notebook and left with him. “Aren’t you staying for dinner?”

“If I take you home, how can I not have a meal?”

“Uncle Lu must be fuming.”

“He’s holding up. He always said he wouldn’t rest until he saw me married and settled.”

Xu Zhiyi laughed and took his hand as they walked together.

The distance from the door to the car was only a few meters, and they walked hand in hand.

After putting the suitcase in the car, they both climbed into the back seat.

The driver asked, “Mr. Jiang, are we heading back?”

Jiang Sixun replied, “We’re staying for dinner.”

“Alright.” The driver turned off the engine, got out to stretch his legs, and left the space for the newly in-love couple.

Xu Zhiyi teased him, “Are you really planning to live with me in the future?”

“Yes.” Jiang Sixun smiled and pulled her close, whispering in her ear, “As a live-in husband, are you up for it?”

Xu Zhiyi said, “I don’t want to get married.”

“I don’t care about titles; they’re all meaningless.”

“…” Xu Zhiyi laughed.

Jiang Sixun, pleased to see her smile, kissed her forehead. “Were you on a call with Li Ke just now?”

“You’re good at guessing!”

“Even on vacation, you’re in meetings. KEVE must be quite captivating.” Jiang Sixun decided to return to the country the next day, first staying in Shanghai for a few days before heading to Beijing.

Xu Zhiyi looked up from his embrace. “Aren’t you planning to watch the sunrise in Buzhen?”

“There’s always another day for the sunrise. I’ll see it next time. My uncle and Shen Qingfeng will likely make moves soon.”

Xu Zhiyi asked if he was coming home with her as her boyfriend.

Jiang Sixun said, “We’ve only been together for a few days; there’s no rush to introduce you as my girlfriend. Let them find out on their own.”

“I’ll let my parents know that I’m bringing home a boyfriend, but I won’t tell them who.” Xu Zhiyi took out her phone to inform her father of her early return, dialing his number.

The call didn’t go through; it was busy.

Just five seconds earlier, Xu Ning had called Xu Xiangyi.

In the evening in China, Xu Xiangyi was still at the office. Seeing it was his adopted daughter calling, he answered the phone.

“Yingwei, what’s up?”

Xu Ning’s voice was calm and attentive.

Xu Ningwei replied, “Dad, are you busy right now?”

“Not at all. What’s on your mind?”

“Shen Qingfeng approached me again, offering a high salary to join the Lu family’s investment project with Shang Yao. I wanted to get your opinion before making a decision.”

She had called her adoptive father first before reaching out to Shang Tongxu.