From the start, Jiang Lian was stunned by Meng Qianzi’s call of “Sixth Mom.”

He had truly believed that Qu Qiao was just a woman he’d randomly met at the theater, someone with a passion for Cantonese opera. For such a chance encounter, he instinctively maintained their relationship at a casual level—during their late-night meal, they only discussed opera, with Qu Qiao sharing stories about the rules of earlier years and amusing incidents that had occurred on stage.

But suddenly, everything changed: Qu Qiao was part of Mountain Ghost, and she was Meng Qianzi’s Sixth Mom.

Moreover, he quickly discovered that Meng Qianzi’s attitude toward him was completely different from before.

This encounter involved just three people, not thirty crowding around chaotically, so it was impossible for her not to look at him at all—she kept her eyes straight ahead, clearly doing it deliberately.

Her subsequent words confirmed this.

—I’m not interested in meeting him.

The last time they met was at Wuling Mountain, viewing the mirage. He believed he hadn’t done anything improper during the interim; most of his time had been spent arranging Kuang Tongsheng’s funeral.

Had something happened?

Or did she not want to acknowledge their acquaintance in front of this Sixth Mom, so she preemptively “signaled” him to cooperate and not greet her?

Jiang Lian couldn’t figure out her intentions, and her appearance and departure were too quick, so he could only watch helplessly as she got into the car and drove away.

At least he’d noted down the license plate number.

He planned to call Wan Fenghuo’s contact and add this to their assignment: with their skills, tracking the car’s destination shouldn’t be difficult, right?

But Qu Qiao’s thoughts turned equally quickly: “Do you and our Qianzi know each other?”

Jiang Lian hesitated for a moment, not wanting to lie to her: “Yes.”

“How did you meet? How long have you known each other?”

Jiang Lian said: “Just last month, in Western Hunan.”

Qu Qiao’s eyes flashed: “Western Hunan, you went to…”

She left the sentence half-finished. Jiang Lian knew she was probing to find out how much he was involved in the Western Hunan affair: “I accompanied Miss Meng down Xuandan Peak Forest to retrieve the Mountain Gallbladder.”

Qu Qiao gasped.

An outsider they’d never heard of, accompanying Qianzi down the peak forest to retrieve the Mountain Gallbladder—that was no ordinary relationship.

She stepped back, examining Jiang Lian from head to toe, looking him over once more. When she finished, she suddenly smiled.

A man of his caliber appearing by Qianzi’s side would certainly be viewed with suspicion, especially since she had heard that Fifth Sister Qiu Biying had also gone there. She couldn’t believe that, with Fifth Sister’s personality, she would stand by and let Jiang Lian accompany Qianzi down the peak forest.

“You went down the peak forest before meeting my Fifth Sister, right?”

Correct, Jiang Lian nodded.

“And then?”

And then?

It seemed there wasn’t much of a “then.” After returning to Cloud Dream Peak, he had gone to see the mirage, attached the Spirit Eye, and drawn a picture…

“Then, an elder in my family fell critically ill, so I rushed back.”

“After that, did you contact Qianzi?”

Jiang Lian smiled bitterly: “I couldn’t get in touch. Because I left so urgently, I didn’t have time to say goodbye in person. I left my contact information and asked someone to pass it on… Later, I guess Miss Meng was too busy; she never contacted me.”

Qu Qiao smiled mockingly.

Was Miss Meng too busy? No, no, no, it was more likely the people around her who were busy.

After a moment of silence, she asked: “What’s your relationship with Qianzi now?”

Jiang Lian said: “Just… friends.”

Perhaps… a bit closer than ordinary friends, given that they had been through life-and-death situations together.

Qu Qiao said, “Is that so?”

Her gaze was meaningful, making Jiang Lian inexplicably self-conscious. He even questioned himself: Is that so?

Yet the facts were indeed just that.

Qu Qiao laughed softly.

Those inexperienced young eagles always thought they were hiding things well, but when it came to uncontrollable feelings, an eagle’s eye would see through everything with just one glance—after all, which old eagle hadn’t once been a young eaglet?

Before and after Qianzi’s appearance, Jiang Lian’s attitude toward her had changed too obviously.

Before, he had treated her as a friend, chatting and joking in a relaxed manner. But afterward, he had suddenly become constrained, answering her questions as if responding to an elder’s inquiries, carefully weighing his words and thinking repeatedly.

And then there was Qianzi. This girl had a habit since childhood: if she was displeased or unhappy, she would never hold it in. She would make sure the person who provoked her understood: I am angry.

She had affectionately called her “Sixth Mom,” smilingly presented a gift, and then left abruptly—this was certainly not the attitude of someone sincerely offering birthday wishes. To put it bluntly, she had even made her, Qu Qiao, feel the chill.

Who had provoked her?

Not Qu Qiao—she hadn’t seen this girl for several years, and moreover…

Qu Qiao opened a corner of the gift box and saw the pearl-adorned headdress inside: Qianzi had genuinely come to wish her a happy birthday tonight.

The sudden anger was either because of Jiang Lian or because she and Jiang Lian were together.

This was really…

Qu Qiao wanted to laugh. Life was a stage, and what opera was being performed for her tonight?

She took the bouquet from Jiang Lian’s hands and struggled to hold it together with the large gift box: “Alright, you can go now. You’ve escorted me this far; that’s enough.”

She walked toward the Western-style building. The streetlight stretched her shadow long. Watching her walk away, Jiang Lian had that same feeling from when they first met: she seemed like a sigh—her figure, her walking posture, and even her desolate shadow under the streetlight all resembled a sigh.

He called out to her: “Qu…”

Then corrected himself midway: “Sixth Aunt.”

Qu Qiao stopped and turned to look at him.

Jiang Lian hesitated: “Do you have Miss Meng’s contact information? I don’t know… if there’s been some misunderstanding. I’d like to clear things up with her.”

Qu Qiao was silent for a moment before speaking.

She said, “Originally, I had long stopped caring about the affairs over there. But today in the theater, you said a few things that awakened me. To return the favor, I’ll give you a few words of advice—just a few words. After that, it’s done. Don’t ask more; I won’t say more even if you do.”

Jiang Lian wanted to say something, but swallowed his words: Meng Qianzi’s fifth and sixth mothers both seemed to speak in riddles.

“Qianzi never contacted you, not because she was busy, but very likely because she never received anything. In the future, if you want to give her something, remember to hand it directly to her, don’t entrust it to others: they aren’t you, they don’t share your feelings, they won’t treat your matters as important.”

Jiang Lian’s heart stirred, vaguely guessing some clues, though he couldn’t yet piece everything together.

“Also, if you explain to her, remember to mention that you met me at the theater, had a meal together, and escorted me home because you were concerned about my safety alone.”

“I can’t give you Qianzi’s contact information. Find it yourself. I noticed you kept looking at the license plate; I suppose you have your methods.”

Jiang Lian felt embarrassed, not expecting that such a small action and expression would be captured by her.

“Lastly, I offer you one personal piece of advice.”

More words? Jiang Lian looked up at her.

Qu Qiao said, “Actually, it’s best not to explain, and don’t get close to Qianzi. Take one more step, and you’ll find that from the Eldest Sister to the Seventh Sister, and Meng Jinsong, no one welcomes you.”

Jiang Lian was startled and blurted out: “Why?”

Qu Qiao didn’t answer. She had said early on not to ask more; she wouldn’t say more even if asked.

She carried the gift box and flowers, continuing homeward. There were steps leading up to the entrance of the Western-style building. She climbed them one by one. At the door, she couldn’t help looking back.

She saw Jiang Lian still standing where she’d left him, holding his phone, doing something unknown. After a while, he turned and left, walking faster and faster until, at the end, he was almost running.

Probably going to find Qianzi.

Qu Qiao smiled, thinking of Qianzi’s vigor just now—she was truly like a proud little beast, finding fault with everyone and everything. And Jiang Lian? Like a young eaglet, he would flap his wings to get to her side, shifting his small claws around her, flapping and asking: “What’s wrong? What’s wrong?”

Youth is wonderful, youth is truly wonderful.

She sat down on the cold steps and opened the gift box lid. The headdress trembled with water diamonds, countless strands of pearls curled together, emanating a light more desolate than moonlight.

She put on the headdress and, like a noble young lady on stage, slowly arranged the hanging pearl curtain.

She had this expensive jeweled headdress, flowers, and an old dream that had finally awakened after more than twenty years.

Yet she remained the loneliest person.

Meng Jinsong drove the car directly onto the main road, his palms slightly sweaty.

Meng Qianzi sat in the back seat, her face as calm as water, showing neither anger nor its absence.

Among the three, only Xin Ci had turned himself into a small volcano that couldn’t erupt. On the surface, he had to remain calm, but inside, flames shot in all directions. He wanted to make extensive comments, to engage in passionate gossip, yet he could only endure.

Meng Jinsong glanced at Meng Qianzi through the rearview mirror: “Qianzi, shall we go… directly to the airport?”

The original plan was to return as soon as possible after seeing Sixth Aunt.

Seeing no objection from Meng Qianzi, he adjusted the vehicle’s navigation. Soon, a sweet female voice announced: “Navigation starting, please fasten your seatbelts…”

Meng Qianzi suddenly said, “Go to the local mountain lodge.”

Xin Ci stared straight ahead, with a voice in his mind saying: It’s starting, it’s erupting.

Meng Jinsong’s throat went dry: “Qianzi, we’ve already come out secretly without Eldest Aunt knowing. If we suddenly go to Guilin’s mountain lodge, it will be hard to explain if asked…”

Meng Qianzi said coldly, “Jinsong, you’re acting very abnormally today.”

Xin Ci was excited: Damn, aiming Old Meng first! When gods fight, mortals suffer indeed.

Meng Jinsong’s heart trembled. He looked up at the rearview mirror, suddenly meeting Meng Qianzi’s gaze, which made him anxious: “Abnormal?”

Meng Qianzi laughed coldly: “Jiang Lian appearing in Western Hunan, appearing by my side, could be explained as being for the Mirage Pearl. But his appearing now by Sixth Mom’s side—is this a coincidence? Even Xin Ci would find it suspicious.”

Xin Ci chimed in: “Exactly.”

After speaking, he realized something was off. What did she mean by “even Xin Ci would find it suspicious”? Using “even” implied that his intelligence was inferior?

But no one paid attention to his little concern. Meng Qianzi continued: “As a special assistant, shouldn’t you smell something unusual immediately? You don’t even think there’s a conspiracy here and just want to hurry back—isn’t that abnormal?”

Meng Jinsong was speechless and, after a while, responded: “Yes.”

Meng Qianzi snorted coldly: “In Western Hunan, I did receive his favor, but I also repaid it—we’re even, neither of us owes the other. Now, if I discover any conspiracy from him, I’ll invite him to… stay in the mountains.”

Xin Ci was greatly disappointed.

He had expected Qianzi to say something harsh, but it turned out to be just staying in the mountains: with red flowers and green willows, fresh air, and accommodation and meals provided—that was too good a deal for Jiang Lian.

Meng Qianzi soon discovered what conspiracy Jiang Lian had.

Because Guilin’s mountain lodge was called Xiulan Residence, and the person in charge was Lu Sanming. As soon as Lu Sanming received news that the big boss was coming, he rushed to the room of one person—this person happened to be Meng Qianzi’s newly appointed Three-Layered Lotus Petals.

Lu Sanming excitedly told Shen Gun: “Master Shen, you’re truly… divine! Earlier, I asked you to tell Miss Meng to visit Guangxi more often, and she came right away. This is… Thank you so much!”

Shen Gun was completely confused.

In truth, Lu Sanming knew that Meng Qianzi’s quick arrival probably had nothing to do with Shen Gun, but since his nickname was “Lu Lutong,” he took the opportunity to flatter Shen Gun enormously—all benefit with no downside.

So, when Meng Qianzi was seated in the deluxe suite on the top floor, waiting for Lu Sanming to come in and chat, the first to enter was Shen Gun.

This meeting caused another small commotion. Meng Qianzi had thought Shen Gun was still busy in the mountains of Western Hunan.

She asked in surprise: “Why are you here?”

Shen Gun said, “Investigating matters! Little Lian-Lian and I just arrived at noon.”

Little Lian-Lian?

Meng Qianzi’s heart jumped: “Is that Jiang Lian?”

“Yes.”

She felt confused: “How did you end up together with Jiang Lian?”

Shen Gun said: “The box seekers’ alliance… I found him. Originally, I wanted him to come find me, but Kuang Tongsheng died, and he couldn’t get away, so I went to find him.”

“Kuang Tongsheng died?”

“Yes, you didn’t know? He died about ten days ago; they’ve already passed the seventh day of mourning.”

There was too much information, and Meng Qianzi’s mind was a bit chaotic. After a pause, she asked Xin Ci to leave, keeping only Meng Jinsong beside her, and instructed Shen Gun: “Tell me slowly.”

Shen Gun recounted everything that had happened since then, like a family treasure catalog, of course emphasizing his efforts: how he had obtained those cryptic hidden phrases through Shaman Ba Mei in the Hua Yao village, how he had discovered the drawing Kuang Meiying had left on the photocopier, how he connected it to the seven ominous bamboo strips, and how he had come to Guilin to investigate Yan Luo…

He also showed her various pieces of evidence photographed and saved on his phone, concluding: “So, it’s finally confirmed that Little Lian-Lian and I have the same goal—the box we’re looking for is the same one.”

Meng Qianzi flipped through the photos on the phone one by one, enlarging Yan Luo’s portrait again and again, then carefully examining the so-called Phoenix Luan knots.

She hadn’t expected that in just these ten days or so, Shen Gun’s progress would be so substantial.

“So the next step…”

“Next, Little Lian-Lian wants to investigate the residents who went to the crematorium to fight the fire that night. We all feel that fire was too suspicious.”

Meng Qianzi nodded: “Yes, it is suspicious. The timing is too coincidental.”

She then instructed Meng Jinsong: “Have the local mountain people help, too. This box is also related to Mountain Ghost; we should treat it as our affair.”

She continued looking at the photos, but her thoughts slowly drifted away.

Kuang Tongsheng had died. Calculating backward, the timing was exactly one or two days after Jiang Lian had left Cloud Dream Peak. Had Jiang Lian hurriedly left because Kuang Tongsheng was critically ill?

That would be understandable. Putting herself in his position, if her Big Nanny was on her deathbed—ah, no, what was she thinking, nonsense about—she would also rush back, abandoning everything at hand.

But why had no one told her that Jiang Lian had returned because Kuang Tongsheng was critically ill? Had Jiang Lian not mentioned it to others? Unlikely—a hasty departure would require at least some explanation, and Kuang Tongsheng’s critical condition wasn’t something taboo that couldn’t be mentioned.

She raised her head and looked at Meng Jinsong.

Meng Jinsong avoided her gaze, unconsciously pressing his lips together.

Meng Qianzi returned the phone to Shen Gun: “Where’s Jiang Lian now?”

Shen Gun pointed to the fruit basket on the tea table beside her: “He went to see a show. There were tickets, free ones.”

She had thought it was a welcome card. Meng Qianzi picked up the theater ticket and examined it closely: most likely, today’s show had already passed, and the ticket was now for tomorrow’s performance.

So Jiang Lian and Sixth Mom had met for the first time today? At the theater?

She suddenly felt a bit happy.

But her happiness lasted only a brief moment before turning completely sour.

Meeting Sixth Mom for the first time, yet escorting her home and giving her flowers, while she and Jiang Lian had been through so much together in Western Hunan, and she’d even helped him, yet she hadn’t received even a blade of grass.

Seeing there were no more questions, and that Lu Sanming was still eagerly waiting outside to meet the boss, Shen Gun reminded her: “Then I’ll… go back? Should I let Lu Sanming come in?”

Meng Qianzi made an affirmative sound: “You go back, and tell Lu Sanming to go back too. Jinsong and I have something to discuss.”

Once Shen Gun left, the atmosphere in the room immediately changed.

Meng Qianzi asked Meng Jinsong: “When Jiang Lian left Cloud Dream Peak, who did he say goodbye to?”

It had finally come.

Meng Jinsong was no longer nervous and answered: “Liu Guanguo.”

“Did Jiang Lian tell Liu Guanguo that he was returning because of Kuang Tongsheng’s situation?”

“He did.”

“Then how come I never heard you mention this? Did you forget?”

Meng Jinsong said, “No, it was deliberate.”

Meng Qianzi thought she had misheard: “Deliberate?”

Meng Jinsong nodded: “Deliberate. For your good and Jiang Lian’s good. As for the reason, you should know.”

Meng Qianzi didn’t speak. She stared intently at Meng Jinsong’s face. After a long moment, words burst through her clenched teeth: “There’s nothing between Jiang Lian and me.”

Meng Jinsong kept his eyelids half-lowered, not looking at her: “If there’s truly nothing, you wouldn’t have gotten out of the car at Sixth Aunt’s place.”

What kind of bullshit talk was that? Meng Qianzi was furious. She raised her hand and threw the teacup from the table at him. As she did so, remembering Meng Jinsong’s nature and knowing he wouldn’t dodge, her heart softened, and she deflected it by half an inch.

Meng Jinsong indeed didn’t dodge. The teacup brushed past his ear and flew out, hitting the wall and shattering into pieces.

Meng Qianzi’s face turned ashen: “What else have you hidden from me?”

Meng Jinsong was silent for a moment: “Jiang Lian left his contact information for you and also drew a picture of you. I had them burned.”

Meng Qianzi couldn’t bear it any longer. She stood up abruptly, and as she rose, she grabbed the edge of the tea table. The massive table was lifted up and then smashed over, creating a thunderous crash that shook the entire corridor.

After the tremor came a long period of silence.

In the corridor, Lu Sanming hadn’t left yet. Not having met with the boss, he felt somewhat reluctant, so he had detained Xin Ci with questions. The earlier sound of the cup breaking had already made his little heart skip a few beats, though he could still comfort himself by saying it was accidentally dropped. But this thunderous crash couldn’t be explained away.

His face changed color from the shock. After a while, he stammered to Xin Ci: “Does Miss Meng… have a problem with us?”

Why did she start smashing things as soon as she arrived?