Chapter 35

“You love being a stepmother so much—now your daughter’s become one too. Anyone who doesn’t know might think it’s some kind of family kink. But looking at it now, I guess it runs in the blood!”

Gao Han let out a cold laugh.

His expression was laced with undisguised mockery.

“Comrade Gao Han, young people shouldn’t speak so harshly. Shanshan is kind-hearted…”

“Oh? So being stepmother to your three kids makes her kind-hearted, but refusing to be stepmother to your three kids makes someone cruel?”

Gao Han held Song Qingdai’s hand.

With a mocking smile, he said, “Since your sister-in-law is so kind-hearted, I’m sure those three kids of yours will grow up to be amazing.”

Anyone with eyes could tell what kind of children Zhang Shaoxing had.

Not a single one of them was normal.

They were different from other children—silent, withdrawn, moody, and violent.

They’d get into brutal fights at school at the slightest provocation, always going for the kill.

So young, and already so vicious. The look in their eyes was often filled with hostility—Gao Han had seen it before. He’d seen it in the eyes of criminals.

But they were just children.

To Gao Han, those three were future criminals in the making.

He couldn’t imagine them ever growing into anything that would contribute positively to society.

Song Mingshan scoffed inwardly. Of course those kids would be successful one day. When that day came, all these people would be nothing but jealous.

“I believe in Shaoxing-ge’s excellence. His children are bound to be even more outstanding!”

After leaving the hospital, Lu Huai and Qin Ke rushed over.

“Han-ge, something’s happened!”

Their faces were grim, clearly anxious.

But they both shot a subtle glance at Song Qingdai and didn’t say anything more.

Song Qingdai was perceptive and quietly stepped aside.

Lu Huai immediately said, “Ren Nana entered a cabaret and then disappeared!”

It was already 9 p.m. by now—normally, Ren Nana would’ve been back at the compound by this time.

Even if she hadn’t returned, she would’ve informed the staff at the compound of her whereabouts.

Due to her sensitive status, she was required to report every little thing.

But this time, it was completely out of character.

Gao Han’s brows furrowed tightly. “Lock down the cabaret immediately. Qin Ke, you’re with me.”

He then turned to Lu Huai.

Lu Huai nodded. “Got it. I’ll take Qingdai back.”

Gao Han glanced toward Song Qingdai, parted his lips as if to say something, but before he could speak, she said, “If you’re busy, go ahead. I remember the way to Heping Compound. I can go back on my own.”

Gao Han had already given her the keys—she was perfectly capable of returning by herself.

“Sister-in-law, it’s not safe at night. I’ll take you back.”

“Han-ge and Qin Ke have work to do. I’m not that busy anyway.”

Though Lu Huai smiled, it was clear the expression was a little forced.

Song Qingdai didn’t press it, simply nodded. “Alright, thank you.”

“Come on, it’s nothing. Han-ge and I are colleagues—this is no trouble at all.”

“Han-ge, Qin Ke, go ahead. I’ll take her back.”

“Mm.”

Gao Han and Qin Ke drove off, and Lu Huai escorted Song Qingdai back to Heping Compound.

She understood that Gao Han’s current identity must be highly classified—she could tell just from how Lu Huai and Qin Ke treated him.

So she made a point never to ask anything unnecessary.

If he asked Lu Huai to accompany her, there was a reason.

Song Qingdai hadn’t forgotten that beneath this peaceful surface, danger was always lurking.

Especially now, when the country was in a stage of rapid growth and modernization, such progress needed the continuous effort and sacrifice of generations.

But with that came threats—some foreign powers would want to sabotage the country’s development.

Spies and agents operated in the shadows.

They could be anyone—constantly stealing whatever they could.

That was exactly how Ren Nana had died in her past life.

“Sister-in-law, don’t worry. Han-ge just went to handle a minor matter.”

“Mm, I understand.”

Song Qingdai tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her tone soft and gentle, like a spring breeze.

“I’m sure you have a lot of questions about Han-ge, but please believe me—he’s a very good man. He’s just not fond of socializing or talking to people.”

Really, the more you got to know Gao Han, the more you’d understand what kind of person he was.

“He really is a good man.”

You can’t judge a person by appearances—what your eyes see often deceives your mind.

Lu Huai let out a breath of relief. He had assumed she’d be full of anxiety and suspicion, but clearly, he had overthought it.

After dropping her off, Lu Huai even helped carry in the things they’d bought earlier that day.

“Sister-in-law, I’ll head out now. If anything comes up, you can talk to the security office—or find me. I live in the dorm building just behind yours.”

Lu Huai flashed a wide grin, his large white teeth gleaming with sincerity.

“Alright, thank you.”

Night deepened.

The dark sky glittered with stars. Song Qingdai waited in the first-floor living room for a long time, but Gao Han never came back.

She waited until 1 a.m.

Sleep finally overtook her, and she went upstairs.

Then, at around 3 a.m., she vaguely heard some movement downstairs. She jolted awake instantly.

This unfamiliar place and the absence of someone familiar had kept her from truly resting.

“Ah Han?”

Song Qingdai got out of bed barefoot and headed downstairs.

The living room lights were off—pitch black.

She called out tentatively, but no one responded.

A sense of dread began to rise in her chest. She worried a thief might’ve broken in—but this was the Heping Compound, where even a mosquito would struggle to get in, let alone a thief.

Then she caught a scent in the air—blood.

That metallic tang instantly reminded her of the moment she’d been stabbed to death by Song Mingshan.

Her face had been soaked in blood.

Her mouth and nose filled with thick, metallic-tasting fluid.

Blood had poured into her eyes—everything turned crimson.

It hadn’t been a pleasant feeling. Blood had a terrible smell.

“Ah Han, are… are you hurt?”

Still, no answer.

Only when she got closer did she see a figure sitting on the couch.

A shadowy silhouette emerged from the darkness, and her heart thumped wildly.

She fumbled to turn on the light—and saw his shirt stained with blood.

Gao Han was slumped tiredly on the sofa, one hand covering his eyes, as if he still couldn’t adjust to the sudden brightness.

“You…”

Song Qingdai rushed forward, panic rising at the sight of the blood. She tried to pull open his shirt to check his injuries—but he quickly caught her wrist.