“This happened in my territory. I should be held accountable. I will certainly give you an explanation.”
On one hand, he and Zong Jinghao were partners. On the other, anyone doing this in his territory was challenging him.
He could not tolerate anyone doing something so outrageous in his hotel. How could he remain in control of the business if this was allowed to go unpunished?
As a leader, there were some things that he must overlook and be generous about. Similarly, there were other things that must never be condoned.
The hotel manager who seemed to have found someone to take over this responsibility, walked over and said, “I have checked the monitoring recordings. The perpetrator seems to be very familiar with the surveillance layout of our hotel. He has avoided many cameras that can take pictures of the face. We just questioned the staff who delivered the gift box. He is not able to provide any leads…”
Bai Yinning lifted his gaze to Zong Jinghao who had been silent so far. Behind the sofa were French windows. It was a bright and sunny day. He was leaning with his back against the window and Bai Yinning could not see his facial expression under the contrast. After some thought, Bai Yinning said, “Obviously, the culprit has targeted Ms. Lin. Mr. Zong, do you have any suspects?”
When Shen Peichuan and Su Zhan were questioning the staff member, he had thought over the details of the incident. The result of sending such a doll was to give Lin Xinyan and the children a fright, at most. It was unlikely He Ruize would take this risk.
Doing such a thing did not benefit him much. If he was still obsessed with Lin Xinyan, he would wait for an opportunity to abduct her again, or abduct the children to threaten him.
It was obvious that this act would not benefit him at all.
In fact, it could very well leave clues for them to find and capture him.
“Mr. Bai, this is your territory. You should give me an account of what happened. In two days’ time, can you give me a satisfactory answer?”
Bai Yinning frowned, he had not expected Zong Jinghao to give him the responsibility. Was it not characteristic of Zong Jinghao to personally go after and punish any culprit who dared to harm his family?
Zong Jinghao smiled, “Mr. Bai, I believe you can get to the bottom of this. After all, since arriving here, we have not crossed roads with anyone. If there was anyone we might have offended, it has to be the woman who was with you.”
Zong Jinghao had pointed out something he overlooked. Does he suspect Yao Qingqing?
Nevertheless, in that incident, it was apparent Yao Qingqing did not hold Lin Xinyan responsible. It was her cousin who started the misunderstanding. Furthermore, he believed Yao Qingqing would never have done such a thing.
“Mr. Bai could investigate to find out the truth.”
Zong Jinghao did not want to discuss further with him. He picked up Lin Xichen from Lin Xinyan’s arms. This was the first time he held his son. The boy was robust, a bit heavier than his sister and even though they were about the same size, the boy was also a bit taller.
Lin Xichen just wanted to be held by someone. It did not matter whom. He did not want to be alone because his mind would drift away and the doll would appear in his thoughts. Every time he thought about it, he would tremble.
“Of course, if you cannot bear to do it, I would investigate on my own. Nevertheless, Mr. Bai, you might not like my methods and you might be offended.” Zong Jinghao finished speaking and gazed sharply at the stunned face of Bai Yinning. His gaze moved away immediately as he left with his son in his arms.
Su Zhan and Shen Peichuan looked at each other. Had Zong Jinghao already gotten a suspect in mind?
“If it is really her, I shall give you an explanation.” Solemnly, Bai Yinning addressed Lin Xinyan.
Lin Xinyan said nothing as she was feeling a little tired. She hugged her daughter and asked everyone to eat something. They had been through a long, tiring journey only to experience something so unpleasant immediately upon arriving at the hotel. No one had eaten yet. Solving the matter was urgent but food must come first now.
“Peichuan, you go ahead with the others. I’ll go and get Jinghao.” Lin Xinyan stood up.
“Ms. Lin, let me hold Ruixi. She must be hungry. It’s already two o’clock.”
Lin Xinyan caressed her daughter’s forehead and passed her to Qin Ya.
Obediently, the little girl climbed into Qin Ya’s arms.
Zong Jinghao did not return to the room with Lin Xichen in his arms, nor was he in the hotel. Lin Xinyan looked everywhere in the hotel but he was nowhere in sight. Finally, she saw Zong Jinghao in the backyard.
He was sitting beside Lin Xichen on the steps. Two silhouettes, a huge one and a tiny one. Lin Xinyan slowed down her pace. They seemed to be talking.
“Xi, when you grow up, what type of person do you want to be?”
Lin Xichen sat with his legs closed together and his arms hugging his own body.
Without thinking, he blurted out, “When I grow up, I want to be someone who can protect mommy.”
“How can you protect her if you are frightened of a dummy?”
Lin Xichen blinked and the image of the doll appeared in his mind again. “But that dummy was so horrifying…”
Zong Jinghao interrupted him, “It’s not real.”
Lin Xichen could not argue with that. It’s true. The doll is not a real human. It is lifelike, that’s all. In reality, it is just a lump of plastic.
He clenched his little hands tightly, saying “I… I am not afraid.”
Nevertheless, in his mind, he was still fearful.
He was only pretending to be unafraid.
He didn’t want to lose his dignity in front of Zong Jinghao.
“So, do you dare to go with me and look again?”
Lin Xichen was silent.
lin Xinyan nearly lost her footing when she heard Zong Jinghao saying that. Lin Xichen was already frightened out of his wits. Letting him see it again would surely leave a mark in his mind. How traumatized would he be?
“Xiao Xi.” Lin Xinyan ran over quickly, hugging her son. She glared at Zong Jinghao, speaking sternly, “You know he is frightened, why do you want him to see it again? He will be scared out of his mind!”
Zong Jinghao did not reply Lin Xinyan’s question. Instead, he looked at the boy in her arms, and asked again, “Do you dare?”
“Zong Jinghao!” In her fury and anxiety, Lin Xinyan yelled out his name.
Zong Jinghao ignored her. He continued speaking to Lin Xichen, “How long can you remain in your mommy’s arms? How long can she protect you?”
Lin Xichen opened his eyes wide. His long eyelashes fluttered. One day he would grow up and face many unknown challenges. If he could not overcome this, how could he withstand any pressure in the future?
He mustered all his courage, looked at Zong Jinghao and declared, “I dare.”
Even though at this moment he felt afraid, he wanted to challenge himself to make the attempt.
“Xi,” Lin Xinyan was worried.
“Mommy, don’t you worry, you can only protect me for a moment, not for a lifetime. When I become big and strong, I shall protect you,” Lin Xichen spoke firmly.
Lin Xinyan was silent.
Zong Jinghao’s method was cruel but she could not say that he was wrong.
She was afraid. She was afraid that Lin Xichen could not withstand the shock.
He was so young. If something bad happened to him because of this scare, she would regret it for the rest of her life.
“He’s my son.” Zong Jinghao did not give any other explanation. Holding Lin Xichen’s hand, he walked towards the hotel.
They did not use the elevator but took the stairs instead.
Thump, thump…
Only the thumping of footsteps on the stairs echoed in the empty stairwell, adding to it a sense of loneliness and suspense.
“In this world, there are no ghosts or gods, we are the ones who frighten ourselves.” Zong Jinghao deliberately took the deserted staircase instead of the elevator.
Lin Xichen understood his intentions.
The higher up the staircase they went, the more anxious he felt. Instinctively, he held Zong Jinghao’s hand tight.
Zong Jinghao did nothing. He let him hold his hand.
At the doorway, Zong Jinghao pushed open the door, “If you change your mind, you can turn back.”
Lin Xichen held Zong Jinghao’s hand. Shaking his head, he said, “I don’t regret.”
He must not be afraid of a dummy.
Zong Jinghao turned to look at his face. Being able to do this, he had already succeeded.
He had overcome the fear in his mind.
Or else, he would not have the courage to come into this room.
Zong Jinghao was not going to let him look again. All he wanted was that he overcome the fear in his mind. Otherwise, this would truly be a darkness in his heart and might even affect his personality in the future.
He was consoled. Of course, he knew that his son was only five years old.
lin Xichen let go of Zong Jinghao’s hand and walked into the room by himself.
