A spy?

Tang Hong’en had never considered this possibility.

Though he came to Huaqing University with thoughts of learning about Ji Jiangyuan, it didn’t mean he was using his visit to Xia Xiaolan as a cover.

“What spy? I told you this because I know you like to figure things out yourself. This is a conflict between me, Jiangyuan, and his mother. You’re just a young girl—don’t get involved. Don’t tell Jiangyuan who I am. Him thinking I’m your uncle makes me more at ease.”

Tang Hong’en’s attitude was solemn; he wasn’t joking.

Some matters in this world can only be resolved by those directly involved—well-intentioned help from outsiders might backfire.

For Tang Hong’en, confirming Ji Jiangyuan’s identity was enough. How could he rely on a young girl like Xia Xiaolan to fulfill his parental responsibilities?

Tang Hong’en asked Xia Xiaolan to act as if she didn’t know anything, and to show no unusual behavior in front of Ji Jiangyuan.

Xia Xiaolan thought this would test her acting skills, but she agreed nonetheless.

After Xiao Wang drove Tang Hong’en away, Xia Xiaolan slowly walked back carrying the bag of dried shrimp.

Halfway there, she encountered Ji Jiangyuan again!

“Is your uncle okay? He looked like he had stomach cramps!”

Was this the connection between father and son?

Xia Xiaolan found it amazing. She could never tell if Xia Dajun was in pain, but Ji Jiangyuan had waited halfway, showing no sign of recognition—he truly didn’t know Tang Hong’en… Ji Jiangyuan was 19 this year; after 12 years apart, did he have no memory at all?

“He’s fine now. He had medicine with him and left after taking it. Thank you for your concern, Classmate Ji!”

His concern wasn’t misplaced—it was for his father.

Xia Xiaolan asked Ji Jiangyuan to wait while she ran upstairs to find a clean tin box. She poured half of Tang Hong’en’s dried shrimp into it for Ji Jiangyuan.

“My uncle brought these as a specialty. Try some.”

Ji Jiangyuan held the tin box, puzzled. “Classmate Xia Xiaolan, these dried shrimp… well, thank you, I’ll accept them!”

Ji Jiangyuan wanted to say these should be given to Instructor Zhou, but Xia Xiaolan’s clear gaze showed no such intention. Wouldn’t it be awkward for everyone if he mentioned it? Since he accepted them, he decided he should bring some food for Xia Xiaolan in return.

As they chatted downstairs, when Xia Xiaolan returned to her dorm, Su Jing gave her a knowing smile.

Gossips were born that way—it had nothing to do with being a Huaqing student or having good grades!

Xia Xiaolan quickly grabbed some dried shrimp and stuffed them in Su Jing’s mouth: “Do you want to gossip, or do you want to eat?”

The shrimp were peeled and dried, salty and fragrant, chewy, becoming more flavorful as you chewed, with a hint of sweetness afterward.

“What is this?”

“Dried shrimp.”

Xia Xiaolan shared some with everyone in the dorm. They all knew it was brought by Xia Xiaolan’s family and tasted a few pieces.

“Peeling each shrimp and drying them is so much work. Little Six, your family cares about you.”

“Senior, if you like them, have more!”

Yang Yonghong didn’t eat much either.

Xia Xiaolan found them quite tasty too. After repeatedly asking if anyone wanted more and getting no takers, she packed away the remainder. She’d been occupied these two weekend days, but next week she’d visit Zhou Cheng and bring these shrimp to him.

This year’s freshly dried grapes were also available. Since Zhou Cheng liked sweet things, she’d have to bring him some raisins too.

…

Leaving Huaqing, Tang Hong’en had Xiao Wang drive directly to an address.

Having confirmed Ji Jiangyuan’s identity, he needed to have a proper talk with the Ji family.

The car moved quietly through the night. Though Xiao Wang had worked for Tang Hong’en for several years and knew his boss was divorced, he had never accompanied Tang Hong’en to the Ji residence. Tang Hong’en came by himself every year, though the Ji family never let him in—even if he was turned away this time, he needed an explanation.

The car could only park at the hutong entrance. It was drizzling, autumn rain falling on Tang Hong’en’s shoulders. He told Xiao Wang to wait in the car while he walked into the hutong in the rain.

The Ji residence was a small courtyard, quiet despite its busy surroundings.

Green moss grew under the eaves, and light shone through the walls—someone was home.

Tang Hong’en knocked on the door, and a woman inside asked:

“Who is it, at this late hour?”

The voice was melodious, and deeply etched in Tang Hong’en’s memory.

“It’s me, Tang Hong’en. I know you’re back.”

The house suddenly fell silent, the courtyard as quiet as a haunted house. Tang Hong’en knew someone might be at the door, and he couldn’t let them avoid him anymore:

“I saw Jiangyuan at Huaqing University today!”

The tightly closed door suddenly opened.

In the mid-October weather, a tall, slim woman wore a dark cyan long-sleeved qipao. Her face was frighteningly pale, with thin eyebrows and eyes full of coldness.

“Don’t go see Jiangyuan. You’re not welcome here. We agreed when we divorced that I would raise our son. Are you going back on your word now?”

It had been 12 years since Tang Hong’en had seen his ex-wife Ji Ya.

Ji Ya was just as he remembered—still thin, though her clothing style had become bolder. Over a decade ago, society was more conservative. Ji Ya loved beauty, adding her flair even to ordinary clothes. She said it was life’s pleasure… Tang Hong’en suppressed his irritation. Dwelling on the past was pointless; he needed to discuss their son with Ji Ya.

The fine rain had soaked Tang Hong’en. The Ji family wouldn’t even let him stand under their eaves—after knocking, he stepped back into the uncovered drizzle.

Besides, he wasn’t comfortable being too close to Ji Ya.

Though Ji Ya looked frail, her expression was cold and distant.

Tang Hong’en tried to reason with her.

“Yes, we agreed when we divorced that you would raise Jiangyuan, but we never said I couldn’t visit him! Right after the divorce, you took him abroad. In 12 years, I haven’t seen him once. The letters I wrote, the living expenses I sent—all vanished like stones in the sea! I understand that was a special period, that my presence might have brought trouble to you, Jiangyuan, and the Ji family… But now, everything is different. Why can’t I see Jiangyuan? He’s my son!”

Ji Ya stared at Tang Hong’en for a long while, then suddenly sneered:

“As soon as I returned to China, I heard the news—Mayor Tang has been promoted! What, you think being a mayor now means you can use your power to pressure the Ji family?”

Ji Ya’s sharp tongue left Tang Hong’en speechless.

Of course, it wasn’t like that.

Whether he was mayor or not didn’t change the fact that he was a father.

Ji Ya deliberately twisted his meaning, leaving Tang Hong’en feeling deeply frustrated. How had he and Ji Ya come to this? Their marriage had lacked communication, and after 12 years, Ji Ya’s resentment toward him hadn’t diminished at all!

“If you dare appear before Jiangyuan, I could send him abroad just as easily as I brought him back!”

“Ji Ya, you’re completely unreasonable.”

The woman he had once loved deeply had become unrecognizable. Tang Hong’en felt his stomach churning again. He stumbled back two steps as Ji Ya slammed the door with a cold laugh.

After waiting a long while without seeing Tang Hong’en return, Xiao Wang grew worried. The rain was getting heavier. Following the hutong, he found Tang Hong’en collapsed against a wall, terrifying him—

“Boss, Boss, don’t scare me… Hospital, yes, yes, to the hospital.”