Chapter 59

Jiang Sixun had lunch with his father and mentioned how quickly Second Uncle had handed over the evidence to Xu Heng, fast enough to leave even him surprised.

Born of the same parents, Lu Jianbo knew his second brother all too well: “No one can match your second uncle when it comes to playing both sides. If Shen Qingfeng hadn’t been arrested, even if you were elected today, he wouldn’t have helped you.”

The eldest brother was cunning, while the second brother was crafty.

They balanced each other out.

The only thing that set the second brother apart was that he wouldn’t stab someone in the back but was still a typical fence-sitter, always leaning toward whatever benefitted him most.

Jiang Sixun then mentioned Yu Rui. “She gave me a footprint from when Zhiyi was born.”

Lu Jianbo frowned. “A footprint?”

“Yeah. It’s the newborn’s record.”

“Nothing else?”

“Nothing.”

Lu Jianbo let out a knowing chuckle. “When it comes to knowing how to navigate situations, no one does it better than Old Yu.”

That good-natured man made sure to cover his tracks.

If the doctor had access to the files before Second Uncle took charge, it was unlikely he would only pull out one sheet with a newborn’s footprint and leave the rest behind.

He must have taken photos of the other evidence. That footprint was intentionally extracted, and when Lu Jianli saw that the file was incomplete, he certainly had an idea of who was behind it.

“Old Yu didn’t keep that evidence to help your Uncle Xu one day; he’s using it to keep your uncle in check.”

“Look at the past few years; when has Old Yu ever given your uncle any respect? Shen Qingfeng incited Zhiyi and Yu Rui because Old Yu wouldn’t back down. Your uncle had to resort to other means to keep a hold on the Yu family.”

Lu Jianbo continued, “Yu Rui has known for six years that Shen Qingfeng switched the children.”

Back then, when Yu Rui had taken him out for breakfast in Manhattan, she had subtly hinted that Shen Qingfeng had no moral limits and urged him to distance himself from her.

“Yu Rui is kind-hearted; Old Yu is no better than your uncle and second uncle.”

Jiang Sixun replied, “You can have Secretary Cai thank Yu Rui on my behalf.”

“I’ll do it myself. I’ll take Yu Rui out for a meal another day.”

Jiang Sixun glanced at his father and clinked his water cup against his.

Lu Jianbo said, “Your uncle will definitely go to bail Shen Qingfeng out. Your grandfather’s comment about who would dare to bail her out—his fortune has nothing to do with your uncle—isn’t going to work.”

Lu Jianli was sure that even if he went to bail her out, Old Man Lu wouldn’t really turn on him. If anything, he would regard him more highly for staying loyal to his wife.

Meanwhile, Lu Jianli prepared the bail money, not using Shen Qingfeng’s pocket money; he wasn’t short on cash. Once ready, he called Uncle Zhuang.

Uncle Zhuang wasn’t surprised to receive a call from the eldest. He glanced at Old Man Lu. “It’s Jianli.”

Old Man Lu nodded. “Take it.”

Uncle Zhuang answered, “Your father is resting.”

Lu Jianli replied, “I know, that’s why I’m calling you. Uncle Zhuang, please let my dad know that I’m going to bail Shen Qingfeng out. Regardless, we were married, and I have my responsibilities. Please encourage him not to be angry.”

After hanging up, Uncle Zhuang remarked, “You’re truly insightful; the eldest really is going to bail her out.”

Old Man Lu sighed. Whether his eldest son was genuinely in love with Shen Qingfeng or merely using her, he would let him have his way.

He dialed his secretary and instructed, “Issue a statement in my personal capacity: Shen Qingfeng, my daughter-in-law, swapped Xu Xiangyi’s child out of hatred 26 years ago, and she must face the consequences for her actions. The Lu family still acknowledges her as a daughter-in-law and hopes she can reform.”

As soon as the news of Shen Qingfeng’s detention spread, the group’s stock prices were bound to plummet, and the Lu family would once again be embroiled in a flurry of rumors. However, with Old Man Lu’s personal statement hitting the press, it was like striking first in a battle.

When someone admits their mistakes openly and without reservation, the public tends to be forgiving.

On his way to bail her out, Lu Jianli saw his father’s statement and felt a surge of anger. He didn’t dare to yell at his father, so after a phone call, he forced himself to calm down. “Dad, the judge hasn’t even convicted her yet, and you’re already labeling her?”

Cases with public scrutiny could complicate the already difficult process of bail.

Old Man Lu replied, “Jianli, I won’t wrong her. Whether she switched the children or not, you know it in your heart, don’t you? I may be old, but I’m neither deaf nor blind. I’ll do what I have to do; you do what you need to do. If you can truly stay by her side, no matter how many years it takes for her to come out, then Jianli, I’ll admire you. In my lifetime, I haven’t admired anyone yet.”

Lu Jianli sneered, staring blankly out of the car window for a moment before chuckling and hanging up the phone.

Old Man Lu set his phone down and leaned back in his seat.

After a pause, he suddenly said to Uncle Zhuang, “It’s time to divide the family assets.”

---

With everything seemingly settled, the only thing still in Shen Qingfeng’s hands was the Jin Yun project.

After having lunch with his father, Jiang Sixun made a quick trip to the mall.

When Xu Heng called him, he was selecting silk scarves.

“My dad finally has one less regret,” Xu Heng said as a greeting.

Just moments ago, Jiang Sixun had someone deliver his sister’s footprint to him.

They both spoke their minds. Jiang Sixun said, “I’ll be heading back to Beijing this afternoon.”

Xu Heng asked, “Have you finished everything?”

“Not yet. I’ll go back tomorrow morning; it won’t delay anything.”

Jiang Sixun set aside a scarf he had chosen and continued browsing.

Xu Heng had originally planned to return home that evening but changed his mind. “I’ll go with you.”

Jiang Sixun replied, “That’s fine, but I also need to bring the designer back with me.”

“What designer?”

“The wedding dress designer.”

“Where’s this coming from? You’re already thinking about designing a wedding dress?”

“Hand-sewing a wedding dress takes time.”

The designer wanted to meet this beautiful client in person, as photos and videos couldn’t capture her aura and elegance.

Given how significant marriage was and how much had already been spent, she hoped to draw design inspiration from the bride herself.

The designer added, “Of course, whether or not to meet is up to you, President Jiang.”

The designer happened to be in Hong Kong and would be returning to London in a few days, so Jiang Sixun decided to take her along on this trip.

Holding his sister’s small footprint, Xu Heng, for once, didn’t find a way to poke fun but instead reminded him, “Zhiyi isn’t foolish; if you bring the designer back, she’ll definitely figure out what you’re up to.”

Jiang Sixun said, “I won’t bring her to meet the designer; I’ll ask Aunt Xu to arHenge it later.”

Under the pretense of designing a dress, Xu Zhiyi wouldn’t suspect a thing.

After ending the call, Jiang Sixun went to pay.

He had selected five new silk scarves, varying in lengths.

Xu Zhiyi always wore formal attire at the office, usually in dull colors. These scarves could be tied around her wrist, adorned on her skirt, paired with trousers, or matched with a shirt.

In the VIP lounge at the airport, Xu Heng met the wedding dress designer, who entered alongside Jiang Sixun. She had a neat bob haircut, dressed sharply in trousers and a shirt, with light makeup. The only jewelry she wore was a pair of pearl studs.

At thirty-nine, the designer was already a mother of two, yet she appeared ageless.

Jiang Sixun gave them a brief introduction.

Xu Heng wondered if wedding dress designers frequented fashion shows and parties like renowned clothing designers did.

He asked anxiously, “My sister probably doesn’t know you, right?”

The designer smiled gently, “I doubt she’s had the chance to meet me.”

At seven in the evening, they landed in Beijing.

Xu Heng went straight home, while Jiang Sixun headed to Yu Wei Building to pick someone up.

Though Xu Xiangyi wasn’t on Hong Kong Island, he kept a close eye on everything happening there.

When his son returned, he looked visibly exhausted.

“You and Jiang Sixun have had a tough time lately. Once he’s back, I must thank you both properly.”

Xu Heng downplayed it. “I’m fine. Jiang Sixun has it harder.” He had to deal with Lu Jianli while considering the greater dynamics of the Lu family and juggling several families and board members.

He had promised benefits to several board members, and he would have to deliver on those.

Xu Xiangyi rolled up his sleeves and asked his son what he wanted to eat. “I’ll make you a late-night snack.”

At that moment, He Yian brought a bowl of chilled mung bean and taro soup for his son. “Start with this.”

Xu Heng joked, “How long do you think this treatment will last?”

He Yian laughed. “Just for tonight.”

Xu Heng: “…”

He Yian took a seat at the dining table and reflected, “Finally, we can see Shen Qingfeng admit to switching the children in court. Sending her away on other charges wouldn’t be satisfying.”

Unfortunately, the small footprint still hadn’t been found.

She gestured towards the bowl of mung bean soup and asked her son, “Why aren’t you eating?”

Xu Heng opened his bag. “I brought a gift for you and Dad. I’m borrowing Jiang Sixun’s merit to present this.”

He handed the small footprint to his mother. “This is the first mark left by Zhiyi when she came into this world.”

“Didn’t you say it was impossible to find?” He Yian’s voice trembled with excitement as she struggled to get the words out, carefully taking the small footprint from the table.

The paper was aged, but the tiny print remained a vibrant red.

She sniffed back tears and held the footprint up for her husband to see.

Xu Xiangyi folded the paper in half and then along the edges of the print, revealing only the small footprint. He held it in his hands, as if his daughter’s little foot were resting in his palm.

Suddenly, He Yian turned away, unable to bear the sight, tears spilling from her eyes.

Her phone vibrated with a message from her daughter: [Mom, I’ll be home late tonight. I have a video conference with Manhattan at nine. Don’t wait up for me; go to bed early.]

He Yian quickly replied: [We’re not tired either; you focus on your work.]

Xu Zhiyi put her phone down and stopped trying to convince her parents to wait up for her; no matter how late it was, they always did. It was pointless to argue.

Today, her mind had been elsewhere, mostly on Hong Kong, until Old Man Lu released a personal statement, finally allowing her to relax; Shen Qingfeng wouldn’t have the chance to get bailed out again.

The Jin Yun project would most likely end up back in Lu Jianli’s hands.

Pouring herself a glass of water, Xu Zhiyi leaned against the table and sipped slowly. Today was the most at ease she had felt in the six years since the mix-up.

She picked up her phone and messaged Jiang Sixun: [In a few days, when you’re free, I’ll come to Hong Kong, and we can visit Old Man Lu together.]

Jiang Sixun replied: [Sounds good.]

Xu Zhiyi asked: [Are you still at the office?]

Jiang Sixun stood in the elevator lobby on the first floor, having just pressed the button to go up. As the elevator doors opened slowly, he typed back with one hand, holding a gift for her in the other: [About to get in.]

Assuming he had finished work in Hong Kong for the day, Xu Zhiyi sent a message: [You should get a good night’s sleep tonight. I still have a video conference, and it’ll be late, so we won’t video chat tonight. Sleep early.]

She added: [If it’s convenient now, we can video chat.]

Jiang Sixun replied: [There are people around me.]

Xu Zhiyi suggested: [Then let’s just chat through text.]

The elevator arrived at the twentieth floor, and Jiang Sixun stepped out.

Xu Zhiyi shared her feelings at that moment: [If you were here in Beijing, I would celebrate with you after my meeting, and it would be a celebration for me, too.]

Jiang Sixun asked: [How do you want to celebrate?]

Xu Zhiyi laughed: [Since you’re not here, I didn’t think about it specifically.]

Jiang Sixun replied: [Then think about it now.]

Just then, there was a knock at the door, and she assumed it was her secretary.

“Come in,” she called.

The door swung open, revealing a tall figure that took her breath away.

Xu Zhiyi could hardly believe her eyes as she had only typed two words in her message box before seeing him.

After nine days apart, the reality of his presence made her longing feel tangible.

“How did you come back?” A mix of longing and surprise colored her voice.

Jiang Sixun closed the door behind him, unable to pinpoint why he suddenly wanted to see her.

“You said it would take a few more days to wrap things up over there,” Xu Zhiyi said as she rushed over to him, only to be swept into his arms.

She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, instinctively holding him close without needing any reminders.

“I’ll go back first thing tomorrow morning,” Jiang Sixun said softly.

Xu Zhiyi looked up, meeting his focused gaze—devoid of any desire, yet brimming with warmth. “You came back just to see me?”

He nodded, his eyes never leaving hers.

In that moment, Xu Zhiyi had so much she wanted to say to him. It felt as if a conversation could last for days and still not cover everything.

But as they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, she realized that sometimes, just being together was more meaningful than words could convey.

She raised her foot to kiss his chin, but when she tried to reach for a second kiss, her toes didn’t quite lift high enough and landed on his neck instead.

Jiang Sixun’s throat tightened; worried he wouldn’t be able to control himself, he refrained from kissing her.

“I still have to shower again later tonight,” he said with a teasing tone.

Xu Zhiyi replied, “…”

Understanding instantly, she steadied herself and stopped trying to kiss him.

“I have a video conference soon,” she added.

Jiang Sixun, looking at her intently, said, “I know.” Yet he couldn’t resist; he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on her lips. Just as he felt the urge to deepen it, he pulled back.

His gaze softened as he looked into her eyes. “You haven’t been sleeping well these past few days, have you?”

Xu Zhiyi didn’t deny it. “Tonight, I should be able to sleep soundly.”

Finally, she noticed the bag he was holding. “What’s in there?”

He handed her the shopping bag. “I bought you a few silk scarves.”

Though Xu Zhiyi had everything she could want, her mother made sure of that, receiving a thoughtful little gift still brought her joy, a smile brightening her face. “Thank you.”

Just then, Jiang Sixun’s phone Heng— it was the jewelry designer calling about the wedding ring, which he was personally overseeing.

“Hello, Mr. Jiang. The design drafts have been sent to your email.”

“Great, thank you for your hard work.”

After hanging up, Jiang Sixun logged into his email.

Xu Zhiyi filled her water cup and settled in front of her computer, flipping through the meeting materials in preparation for her conference in twenty minutes.

Jiang Sixun pulled a chair beside her and took one of her hands in his.

At first, Xu Zhiyi thought he was just holding her hand and didn’t think much of it as she focused on her materials.

Jiang Sixun opened the design drafts, placing his phone beside her hand. He compared the rings on his phone’s screen to her delicate fingers, examining each design carefully.

Xu Zhiyi glanced up to find him absorbed in the screen, lost in thought.

“What are you looking at?” she tilted her head curiously.

Before Jiang Sixun could close the app, he flipped his phone face down on the table.

Xu Zhiyi grinned mischievously. “Do you have secrets from me now?” She poked him gently in the chest, teasingly adding, “You seem a bit guilty.”

Jiang Sixun chuckled lightly. “Guilty about what?”

She sat up straighter, raising an eyebrow. “Maybe you should ask yourself that.”

Jiang Sixun picked up his phone again, closing the current page and exiting his email. “If I didn’t show you, you wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.”

“… Don’t make me seem so petty,” she replied, feigning offense.

Suddenly, a playful smile returned to her face as she leaned closer, asking, “Fine, if I’m so petty, are you going to show me?”

While saying this, she sneaked a glance at his screen.

He watched her with a playful spark in his eye, amused by her curiosity. “It’s not about whether I want to.”

Xu Zhiyi speculated, “Is it something that will upset me?” The only possibility she could think of was, “Did Lu Jianli bail Shen Qingfeng out?”

“Don’t mention Shen Qingfeng; she’s not getting out.”

Jiang Sixun opened his photo album, searching for an old picture he hadn’t intended to show her but felt compelled to share. He knew it would ease her mind.

“It’s okay; I won’t look. If you don’t want me to know, it can’t be good,” she said, trying to play it cool.

“I’ll find it; it was just in my inbox,” he said, quickly locating the photo and placing it in front of her.

As soon as Xu Zhiyi saw the sunset beach picture of herself from Hawaii, she was at a loss for words.

In that moment, captured unexpectedly by him, it was just her, standing under the warm glow of the sun, and no one else from the team building trip in sight.