But what could be Xu Yihong’s motive? Was he merely afraid that his younger brother would claim his possessions?

  Such a reason was still too shallow for him to run such risk.

  And soon, the people Jing Yun sent out had made progress, but it appeared that the first half of Xu Yihong’s life was exceedingly excellent and had never been involved in any major troubles. It almost appeared that he had total control over himself.

  Therefore, the only point of suspicion was his link to his eldest uncle.

  “What do you think Young Master?”


  “Let’s try reverse brainstorming to come up with some theories since we can’t get a straight answer.” Sheng Xiao told him while having a sip of coffee. “If your eldest brother has dealings with your eldest uncle, the culprit of your abandonment would be either one of them. They seized the moment when your mother brought you to the airport where all kinds of characters exist and whisked you away without her noticing, and dumped you in Jianchuan. That way, the blame lies with your mother.

  “And since your father is extremely wary against your eldest uncle at the time, there is little chance that he could make a move on you. In other words, while your father and your eldest uncle are fighting for control over Xu Holdings, what he would have done is abduct you, your siblings and your mother altogether, and not throw you somewhere no one can find. Adding that to the fact that your brother had already reached their isle mansion on the day before the incident, who was the one who had the chance at the time?”


  Jing Yun’s eyes became distant after hearing out Sheng Xiao’s analysis.

  “The answer could only be your brother.”


  “He is either afraid that he would be forced to share the wealth of the Xu family with you… or something else.”


  “But now that you’ve returned to the Xu family, he would eventually make the next move.” Sheng Xiao added, raising his brow just then. “He will interfere with your parents’ search for the culprit from all those years ago, but as long as you keep an eye out, the truth of the matter would eventually reveal itself.”


  “Got it.”


  “It’s fortunately that your parents are wise, and with that being the case, we can return to Jianchuan.” Sheng Xiao smiled. “Have the Xu family move there as soon as possible too, so that your people here could find any possible clues. And since Jianchuan is our domain, your eldest brother would need permission from me if he even attempted anything against you.”


  At a corner, Sheng Minglan couldn’t resist flattering her Eighth Brother after listening to his analysis.

  “You’re a Sheng too. How is your brain that intelligent?”


  “Beats me.” Sheng Xiao grinned teasingly.

  “But it’s going to be another bloody storm when we return now.”


  “Well, you’re to blame for falling for that guy.” Sheng Xiao retorted, gesturing at Jing Yun with his chin.

  There’s no helping it.

  Destiny was at work, and Sheng Minglan could only yield to her fate of meeting Jing Yun.

  ***

  Late at night, at the Xu family’s home.

  After doing some thinking, Xu Yihong knew that he had underestimated Jing Yun’s abilities.

  He should not have forgotten who Jing Yun was with and what sort of character the Crown Prince of Huang Yao was.

  Who in the country had never even heard of him? And would any subordinate he trained come up short?

  That was why he had definitely been too careless with the move he made tonight, and he had upset his parents instead.

  But that was fine.

  They were just being upset.

  And if he could dump off Jing Yun once, he could dump him off a second time.

  He certainly must prevent him from remembering anything too, and it would be too late when it happened.

  Hence, he dialed a number he was familiar with but did not save in his contacts.

  “Hello?”


  “My parents found my youngest brother. They’re now investigating why he was abandoned at Jianchuan all those years ago.” Xu Yihong told the person on the other end.

  “Let them. They will never find any evidence unless the brat himself remembers. They can’t do a thing to you if you don’t admit anything even with their threats.” The other person replied. “Most importantly, don’t let them find out who you are.”


  “I know that, of course.” Xu Yihong replied. “But you would have to help me run more interference and throw off their senses.”


  “You don’t have to worry about that.”


  “I’ll keep looking for a chance. It seems that I must win this little brother’s trust.”


  ***

  Ever adept at thinking, Xu Yihong immediately apologized to his mother early next morning. “Mom, I was paranoid last night. I shouldn’t suspect Yifeng like that after he was along out there all those years, having to suffer and be mocked. From now on, as his brother, I will make it up to him even if I have to put my life on the line.”


  “As long as you’re aware.”


  “How about this, Mom? You should go with Dad and Yifeng to Jianchuan since the house over there is ready. After that, you should accompany Yifeng to visit the Sheng family to thank them and tell them who he is. That way, he could hold his head high too… what do you think?”


  Mama Xu found that very reasonable. “We’ll do that. Remember to help your youngest brother from now on, Yihong.”


  “Don’t worry, I will take good care of him.”


  “He’s actually returning to Jianchuan in the afternoon… well, we won’t tell him about it so that we can surprise him when we show up directly at the Sheng family’s home.”


  “That works too.” Xu Yihong nodded.

  That would certainly surprise Grandpa Sheng…


  Humph.

  Even if the Sheng family had earned favors in raising Jing Yun, whose son did they think they are belittling?

  Mama Xu was already being courteous at that.

  She then told Papa Xu about the matter, who was only too happy to agree as well. “Well then, let’s make it public when we reach Jianchuan. The Sheng family? Huang Yao? Would our Xu family lose to them?”


  In fact, the Xu couple boarder an earlier plane than Sheng Xiao’s group so that they wouldn’t miss the evening when they would visit the Sheng family.

  ***

  Naturally, Jing Yun wasn’t aware of his parents’ plan.

  His group of four was already on their way back to Jianchuan, with Jing Yun intending to confront the old man with Sheng Minglan.

  Of course, he had no intention of using his parents’ name to ask for the old man’s forgiveness—after all, wasn’t it only through pure luck that he could find his parents?

  As a matter of fact, Jing Yun’s little scheme that he had told no one was to pile up some embarrassment and then talk about marriage when the old man was relenting.

  He would shoulder whatever consequences, and go further than whatever horrible things the old man would spout.

  Sheng Minglan could tell what he was thinking, and therefore squeezed his hand. “Really, I don’t know if you are a stickler for rules or just stubborn.”


  “The chairman would know eventually anyway.”


  Mu Qiqi watched those two who looked like they were about to confront their greatest enemy, and leaned onto Sheng Xiao, grinning. “I wonder what exciting scenes there would be at the Sheng family tonight.”


  “What do you think? Sheng Xiao pinched the tip of her nose.

  “I really want to see the look on the old man’s face.”