Chapter 127: What to Do When Someone Goes Missing?

Chapter 127: What Do You Do When You Lose Someone?

“And besides, if I’m not mistaken, Qiuyihan originally just wanted to invite a few classmates for some drinks and singing to celebrate a simple birthday. But William Ji invited a bunch of people who don’t fit in with those students. Do you really think that after tonight, those students—who were humiliated and crushed by your daughter and her friends—will still consider Qiuyihan a friend? Or truly regard her as a sincere friend?”

“Why would William Ji do this? He wants your daughter to be isolated at school, to have no friends at all, so she will have to rely on him more closely. That way, he can directly control your daughter and indirectly control you—”

“Most importantly, handsome men tend to be unfaithful. Is William Ji good-looking? From a man’s perspective, I have to admit he’s quite good-looking. He’s already dangerous enough with his strong background, and now he’s inherited your powerful Qiuyihan family fortune—such a man is rarer than Tang Seng’s flesh! How many sirens would be drawn to his scent?”

“If he were a man with steadfast devotion to love, that would be one thing. But I saw him flirting and acting intimately with other women right outside the private room. Given Qiuyihan’s intelligence and abilities, do you think she can compete with mistresses and third parties? By choosing William Ji, aren’t you pushing your daughter into the fire? In the end, the one who gets hurt will still be Qiuyihan.”

Qiuhongtu smiled wryly and said, “It’s not gentlemanly to speak ill behind someone’s back. Isn’t what you’re doing somewhat inappropriate?”

Tang Zhong shrugged indifferently, “I’m not planning to be your family’s live-in son-in-law. Why should I care about being a gentleman?”

“Besides, if I were a gentleman, would you just agree to marry your daughter to me?”

“…”

“Anyway, we’ve met tonight, and you’re about to write me a big check. I’m just telling you some things I saw and thought about—it’s not like you have to believe me. Just take it as a reference. If you think it’s worthless, just laugh it off.”

“In that case, thank you,” Qiuhongtu said with a smile.

“You’re welcome,” Tang Zhong replied. Looking at Qiuhongtu, he said, “Actually, Mr. Qiu, if you’re choosing a son-in-law, you should just go by your own standards.”

“…” Qiuhongtu, if not for his status, would have wanted to leap at this brat and fight him three hundred rounds. Just now, he said handsome men are unreliable, but now he says to choose by my standards—what’s that supposed to mean? Am I really that ugly?

Tang Zhong glanced at the clock above the fireplace in the villa and smiled, “It’s late, and it’s not convenient to disturb Mr. Qiu’s rest. You giving me that check is like settling a matter in your heart. With this endless drizzle, it’s just right for sleeping. I think tonight you’ll sleep very soundly.”

Qiuhongtu’s eyes sharpened as he looked at Tang Zhong. “Are you sure you want the check? You should know that when the time comes for me to repay, it will be tenfold or a hundredfold—”

Tang Zhong waved his hand, “If you feel guilty, you can make the amount bigger.”

Qiuhongtu kept his gaze burning into Tang Zhong’s, who met it fearlessly.

After a long moment, Qiuhongtu sighed softly, “I know you want to completely sever ties with the Qiuyihan family, no more entanglements. Last time we were indebted to you; this time, again, we are indebted to you.”

He stood up, went to the coat rack, took a pen and checkbook, and quickly filled in a series of numbers.

He tore off the check, walked over to Tang Zhong, and said, “I hope this can somewhat make up for our apology.”

Tang Zhong glanced at the amount on the check, squinted his eyes, and smiled, “This more than makes up for it. I was just a bodyguard once, and to get this kind of pay—Mr. Qiu, you’re very generous.”

He stood up, “I won’t keep you any longer.”

“I’ll have someone send you back,” Qiuhongtu said.

“No need,” Tang Zhong declined. “Now we’re even. If you send me, then I owe you. Let it be. I still have money for a taxi.”

Upon hearing this, Qiuhongtu didn’t insist.

Tang Zhong had just reached the yard when a tremendous roar split the sky, illuminating the entire horizon.

Lightning flashed, thunder rumbled, and torrential rain poured down like buckets of water.

---

Tang Zhong refused their black umbrella and charged straight into the rain.

Countless raindrops struck his face and body like a thousand swords piercing his heart.

“Ah.”

Qiuhongtu stood at the window, watching Tang Zhong’s determined expression as he left, sighing softly.

“He left?” A beautiful woman approached Qiuhongtu, asking softly.

She was a middle-aged beauty, Qiuyihan’s mother. Qiuyihan inherited the best qualities from both her father, Qiuhongtu, and her mother, Zhang Yun, which explained her extraordinary beauty.

“He left,” Qiuhongtu replied.

“Why not let a car send him?”

“He refused,” Qiuhongtu answered. “He said we’re even now. If someone sends him, then he owes us.”

“I heard everything you said. How could he say such things about William?” Zhang Yun complained. “It’s the first time I’ve seen someone speak so harshly behind another’s back with such self-righteousness.”

“If he didn’t say it, how else would I know what kind of man William Ji really is?” Qiuhongtu sneered. “Doesn’t he have enough women already?”

“You men all have your fair share of close female friends. As long as he treats Qiuyihan sincerely, that’s what matters,” Zhang Yun defended William Ji, then smiled at her husband’s stern face. “You’re not really convinced by what he said, are you?”

“Not necessarily,” Qiuhongtu said. “But William Ji is definitely not a good match for Qiuyihan.”

“Ah,” Zhang Yun sighed. “I really worry about Qiuyihan’s future. We were too busy with work and neglected her upbringing. My mother spoiled her too much, which led to her current state—”

“That’s why I invited that brat to meet her.”

“To make him hate us?”

“To estrange him from Qiuyihan,” Qiuhongtu said. “If by chance Qiuyihan falls for him, all the better.”

“What are you planning?” Zhang Yun asked warily.

“For a girl, what better way to grow up quickly than to suffer a broken heart?” Qiuhongtu’s fingers tapped softly against the windowsill, his gaze deep and dark.

---

One rain brings a chill; autumn wind and rain bring sorrow.

Since Qiuyihan’s birthday, it had been raining continuously for seven days.

The rain varied in intensity, occasionally giving way to brief clear skies, only to be quickly shrouded again by dark clouds.

The autumn chill deepened, and the raindrops felt as cold as ice water on the skin. The weather forecast said this year’s winter in Mingzhu would arrive earlier than usual.

Spring Light Road. Mingzhu Pedestrian Street.

Several girls sat by the roadside at a Pizza Hut, sipping hot drinks and eating snacks. Most of them chatted happily, but the most beautiful girl stared blankly at the food before her.

She wore a white long knitted sweater adorned with pom-poms, blue jeans, brown leather boots, and her long hair was tied back with a silk scarf, revealing a slender neck and gracefully curved cheeks.

Because she was so stunning, many young men at the Pizza Hut glancing her way, some even secretly taking photos with their phones.

Yet the girl was completely unaware and seemed lost in thought.

“Hey.” Luo Huan pinched Qiuyihan’s pale little face and said, “Qiuyihan, what are you thinking about? You look so distracted. Our pizza’s all gone, and you haven’t even taken a bite—if you don’t eat soon, it’ll get cold.”

Only then did Qiuyihan snap back. She looked at the now lukewarm ham pizza, pushed it toward Luo Huan, and said, “I don’t want it. You guys eat it.”

Cheng Pei, sitting beside her, leaned close and asked in a puzzled tone, “What’s wrong? Ever since your birthday, you’ve been like this. What have you been thinking about? Are you still upset about the birthday party, holding a grudge against someone?”

“Unsatisfied? Of course!” He Na said with a jealous tone. “William Ji—that’s his name, right? Tsk tsk. If I had a boyfriend like him, I’d die happy. Handsome, rich, considerate, and so good to me—Qiuyihan, are you thinking about accepting William Ji? That’s a no-brainer, right? Of course, you should.”

Qiuyihan’s face grew even paler. “No, I—”

“What’s wrong?” Luo Huan pressed.

“I—” Qiuyihan’s words caught in her throat; she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

She kept thinking about Tang Zhong’s expression when he left. He nodded and smiled at her as always, but why did she feel so heartbroken?

She called Tang Zhong, and he spoke patiently as always, answering every question. Yet, why did she feel they were drifting further and further apart?

“Forget it.” He Na glanced at the sky. “Let’s shop a bit more, then head back to school. It’s getting colder.”

Qiuyihan called the waiter to pay the bill—she usually handled this.

“Qiuyihan, what do you think of this hairpin?”

“Oh, these glasses are nice—let me try—”

“These would suit Qiuyihan; she has big eyes—hey, where’s Qiuyihan?”

He Na and the others looked back and realized Qiuyihan, who had been following behind, had vanished.

---

Qiuyihan walked alone among the crowd. She had long since parted ways with her roommates but hadn’t noticed.

She looked around, as if searching for something, but every face she saw was blurry and unfamiliar.

Through the transparent umbrella, watching the bustling crowd behind the curtain of rain, she suddenly missed someone terribly.

Her shoelace came undone; she could tie it again. Her clothes got dirty; she had long learned to wash by hand. But if you lose someone, what do you do?

She squatted there, silently crying in pain.