Shaken, Wen Xiaoji continued, “We have lost contact with Yanchen and are still searching for him. Once we have any information, you will be the first to know.”
Zong Jinghao gradually clenched his fist while his tone was grim. “How long has it been?”
“It’s been… half a month.” Wen Xiaoji averted his gaze.
Zong Jinghao felt a gut-wrenching pain in his heart but he didn’t show it on his face. He was worried that his anxiety would reveal the news to Lin Xinyan which would make things worse. Given Lin Xinyan’s current health, she might fall sick from the shock.
“You have to keep mum, even from family.” He was suggesting that Wen Xiaoji not tell Chen Shihan about it, for fear that she would accidentally spill the beans to Lin Xinyan.
“I understand. I didn’t tell anyone else other than you.” Wen Xiaoji felt guilty over the matter.
“Was he in a dangerous situation?” Zong Jinghao wanted to know more.
“I heard it was but he wasn’t alone. The whole squad was ambushed.” Wen Xiaoji wasn’t there and only heard the reports from those that returned alive.
Zong Jinghao suggested, “Tonight, we will stay at the hotel.”
“There’s plenty of space here,” Wen Xiaoji quickly suggested. “Your room is already prepared.”
“You can’t even hide it from me, so what if she finds out? I’m sure you’re aware that she can’t take the shock given the state of her health.” Zong Jinghao’s decision was firm.
Wen Xiaoji was speechless. He acknowledged he couldn’t maintain his composure well enough and failed to hide the fact from Zong Jinghao. Nevertheless, it was almost impossible to hide something from him in the first place.
He seemed to know everything.
“You have a point. But how are you going to explain the sudden change of plans?” Wen Xiaoji asked in concern.
“I have my ways. So don’t worry,” Zong Jinghao replied grimly.
Since Zong Jinghao had a plan, Wen Xiaoji didn’t protest any further. After all, he was indeed afraid to face Lin Xinyan. In the event she became suspicious, he really didn’t know how to break it to her.
By staying at the hotel, he wouldn’t have to worry about her questioning him about Zong Yanchen.
Zong Jinghao finally got up after a long while in the room. Meanwhile, Chen Shihan and Lin Xinyan were still chatting in the living hall.
“Time to go,” Zong Jinghao remarked.
“Didn’t you say you would be staying the night?” Chen Shihan asked before Lin Xinyan could respond.
“It’s been a long time since we last came. Hence, there are some other places I still need to visit,” Zong Jinghao explained. Wen Xiaoji added, “They have not visited in a long time. I’m sure there are other places where they need to be.”
Chen Shihan stopped asking, but Lin Xinyan stood up and looked at Zong Jinghao. “Where are we going? Why didn’t you mention it before?”
Zong Jinghao replied plainly, “I just didn’t let you know in advance. Let’s go.”
“Alright.” Lin Xinyan acknowledged without suspecting anything.
After they left the Wen residence, Lin Xinyan waited for Wen Xiaoji and Chen Shihan to be out of earshot before asking, “Why do I get the feeling something isn’t right with you?”
Zong Jinghao kept looking ahead. “What’s not right?”
“Didn’t we agree to stay there? And why did we have to leave in such a hurry? Did something unpleasant happen when you talked to Xiaoji? Did he get on your nerves?” Lin Xinyan asked.
However, when she thought back to the moment he left the study, both of them didn’t seem to be on bad terms.
Zong Jinghao held her hand. “I just want to spend some time with you. It’s a little awkward with them around.”
Lin Xinyan had a sudden realization. She surmised that he might be feeling sentimental after returning to B City. She asked, “Is it because you feel that time just flew by? In a blink of an eye, the children are adults while both of us are old. To be strolling on the streets of this familiar city sure brings back a lot of memories.”
Both of them walked on without any destination in particular.
Zong Jinghao remarked calmly, “With you by my side, everything else is the same to me.”
Lin Xinyan teased him for being romantic.
After a while, Lin Xinyan began to tire. “I’m exhausted. Where should we go to rest?”
Zong Jinghao replied, “I’ve booked a hotel.”
“Let’s head there then,” she replied.
Zong Jinghao agreed and hailed a cab to the hotel.
By the time they were preparing for bed, Lin Xinyan remarked that she was thirsty. Hence, Zong Jinghao poured her a glass of water. However, he spaced out while doing so and the water overflowed from the glass. Lin Xinyan quickly came over and took away the jug he was holding. “What are you thinking about? Even the water has spilled out.”
It was something that would have never happened before. However, now that he was older, he still had the capacity to withstand the stress but not the ability to handle it well.
With his son missing for half a month, there was no way he could stay calm. It was difficult to pretend that nothing happened and would inadvertently make some mistakes to give it away.
Luckily, it didn’t raise Lin Xinyan’s suspicions as she assumed that he wasn’t feeling well. “What’s wrong?”
Just as she spoke, she reached out to feel his forehead.
Zong Jinghao replied, “I’m fine.”
Lin Xinyan got him into bed first while she wiped the table dry with a towel.
Meanwhile at C City.
Zong Yanxi heard that Tawan was leaving so she went to send him off.
After all, Tawan came to the country for her. Now that he was leaving, she was obligated to send him off.
However, Tawan declined her offer as he was aware of the reason she wanted to do so.
He didn’t like forcing others against their will or let them feel as if they were in his debt.
Actually, Zong Yanxi didn’t owe him anything. When she agreed to come back together with him, it was of her own volition.
Nevertheless, Zong Yanxi insisted on sending him to the airport still. On the way back, she bumped into Jiang Mohan. However, this coincidence was deliberate, as Jiang Mohan had the intention to talk to her.
