"Hmm, I'm not suspicious, just considering the old man's matters. There's no way Fourth Lord came to Yanjing without a purpose. Do you remember the deal in the Middle East? The foreign market is one of her strongholds, and domestically it was just a side matter back then. Now that she's here, it's very likely she wants to enter the domestic market as a stepping stone to attack the Xiao Family."

Hua Qingyi pondered for a moment. He didn't quite agree. He didn't think the two matters were directly related. He looked at Xiao Lin, contemplating the possibility he mentioned. "As a stepping stone to attack the Xiao Family, I think there's a flaw in that logic. If it was for revenge, more direct means could be taken. Why use forbidden drugs as a prerequisite? Wouldn't that just cut off her own financial path?"

Hua Qingyi's reminder brought Xiao Lin to a silence. Indeed, the entry of forbidden drugs is for market profit, while revenge is a personal vendetta. Putting the two together would only clash, not help each other. With such a smart person like Fourth Lord, it's certain she wouldn't do such a thankless task.

"There's no need for us to speculate here. Whatever she wants to do, we can only wait to see. If the enemy moves, we move. Take the initiative depending on the situation." Hua Qingyi suddenly ruffled Xiao Lin's head. "What are you doing!" Xiao Lin pushed him away, tidying his hair.

"No matter how I see it, you seem more mature now, knowing how to use your brain to think about problems instead of being impulsive." At Hua Qingyi's conclusion, Xiao Lin pouted but didn't refute.

"Dinner's ready!" Dan Qing called from upstairs. Xiao Lin was very surprised to see the people who were just fighting had disappeared, while Hua Qingyi was rubbing his hands together heading upstairs. What kind of people are they! Xiao Lin followed upstairs helplessly. His mood wasn't as relaxed as theirs. Wu Shuang isn't someone who speaks recklessly, and he has a strong interest in Mu Rongyun's background. As much as he hates to admit it, the old man did hide something from him.

The table was filled with various dishes that made one's mouth water at the sight. Xiao Lin rarely ate here and had only heard about Dan Qing's culinary skills. But seeing the other three devour the food, especially Hua Qingyi, who normally displayed the upbringing of a young master, joining in the scramble, he knew the taste must be excellent, even if he didn't eat, because Hua Qingyi is very picky—he wouldn't touch anything he finds unappetizing.

Dan Qing always watched them with a smile. Isn't it said that watching others finish the food you make brings happiness? Xiao Lin couldn't help but smile as he saw her face filled with happiness. "You guys, moderate yourselves!"

The sudden voice made the three of them pause with their chopsticks mid-air. "What?" Hua Qingyi asked Xiao Lin, puzzled.

"Someone hasn't eaten yet!" Xiao Lin referred to Dan Qing, whose bowl was still clean, while the dishes on the table were almost empty.

"Oh!" Hua Qingyi looked at Dan Qing sheepishly, then glared resentfully at Xiao Lin, suddenly finding him an eyesore. When he wasn't around, they ate this way, and Dan Qing had never said anything!

"It's okay, if there's not enough, I can make more, it's convenient." Dan Qing felt a bit sweet inside seeing Xiao Lin wide-eyed. "I made some sweet soup for you all. You can have it while discussing things after dinner."

"Dan Qing, your cooking skills are indeed amazing. Where did you learn it? It doesn't seem like ordinary home-cooking." Xiao Lin put a piece of meat in his mouth, its melt-in-your-mouth texture giving him the urge to have a second piece.

"When I first came to Yanjing, I lived on Xuefu Road because the rent was cheap. I did cleaning work for the student apartments, then moved to live across the street in a restaurant as a part-timer, learning from the chef there."

"You lived in the North District?" Xiao Lin put down his bowl and chopsticks; he hadn't heard her mention this before.

"Yes, the rent there was very cheap, and there was a job that included food and accommodation and paid a salary. It was hard to find a job while taking care of Niu Niu, so I went there." Dan Qing didn't understand why Xiao Lin asked. The North District is a messy place with all kinds of people, where fights frequently occur. The restaurant where she used to work always had trouble with people drinking and causing a ruckus. "I lived there for many years. If not for this incident, I might still be there."

"So you should be quite familiar with the area?" Hua Qingyi asked, following up on Xiao Lin's question.

"Fairly familiar, after all, having lived there for so many years, there's some familiarity." Dan Qing glanced at Xiao Lin and Hua Qingyi. "Are you guys..."

"Tomorrow, take us to the North District. We don't need to find anyone, just to have a look. I haven't been to Xuefu Road since I came to Yanjing, you can show us around. Also, let's pick up Niu Niu on the way back." While the other three weren't paying attention, Xiao Lin sneakily took the last piece of braised pork into his mouth, prompting Hua Qingyi to exclaim. Dan Qing smiled and served a pot of dessert from the stove, ladling it into clean bowls for the four of them.

"Just leave the dishes when you're done. I'll wash them later. Since you have things to discuss, I'll not be here." Dan Qing gathered the empty plates to the sink and wiped the table clean before leaving.

"No need, let Qingyi do the dishes later, you rest early. You've had a tiring day." Xiao Lin glared at Hua Qingyi, who was about to protest, but it was Xiao Lang who volunteered to do the dishes, preventing him from speaking out. He pouted unhappily. "Shao Qing, has Dan Qing been practicing martial arts recently?" Miao Shaoqing looked up suddenly, caught off guard by the unexpected question and momentarily at a loss.

"Today I found out that Dan Qing has some martial arts background, so I hope you can guide her more often. That way, they can protect themselves."

"Understood!" Miao Shaoqing nodded, focused on his bowl of sweet soup.

"The day after tomorrow, I'm heading to Miao Family Village, and you're coming with me." Xiao Lin wondered if he should visit the Miao Family Village again. He certainly needed to see Elder Miao once more. There's much to unravel.

"Me?" Miao Shaoqing pointed to himself, unsure why there was a need to return, as Elder Miao had already instructed not to come back when he left.

"Don't you want to see Elder Miao?"

"You want to!"

"Then let's go together. Qing Yi, help us arrange the flight, two days' time."

"Alright."

Without any extra conversation, Hua Qingyi stepped in as Xiao Lin entered the room. "Is there a problem?"

"We need to talk." Gone was the playful demeanor at the dinner table; at this moment, Hua Qingyi looked extremely serious.

"Talk about what?" Xiao Lin made way for Hua Qingyi to enter, then closed the door. He took a bottle of wine from the rack and filled a glass to the brim.

"Since when did you start drinking again?" Watching Xiao Lin, who seldom drank, Hua Qingyi felt more convinced of his concerns. "You're hiding something from me."

Xiao Lin downed the glass in one gulp, the sour bitterness spreading in his throat, the alcohol invading him like poison, though such corrosion would ultimately be cleansed from his blood. "You really don't miss a thing! Knowing you, I can't tell if it's a blessing or a curse."

"Neither good nor bad, what's going on?" Hua Qingyi moved the bottle on the table aside, waiting for Xiao Lin to speak.

"Wu Shuang's reminder forced me to re-investigate the forensic expert's identity." Xiao Lin immediately used underworld connections to re-examine Mu Rongyun. "Guess what I found?" Xiao Lin sneered at Hua Qingyi, with a smile that made Hua Qingyi's scalp tingle.

"Don't tell me he's your old man's illegitimate child!"

"No, but pretty close." Xiao Lin let out a bitter snort. "In fact, he's more legitimate than any of us."

"How is that possible!" Hua Qingyi couldn't help but exclaim.

"I don't want to believe it either. I thought I was headed in the wrong direction. I assumed he might be Mu Rongyun's stand-in, holding a grudge against the Xiao Family. Now I think the intense hatred I feel from him might come from himself."

"Does your old man know?"

"Perhaps!"

"What do you want to do now?"

"I don't know." Xiao Lin shook his head with another bitter smile. He wasn't sure if Xiao Mu was the first to know, but he was certain Xiao Mu knew about their old man's romantic escapades, about which no one had the right to speak. "If this is a personal grudge, I won't get involved. If it concerns greater safety, then I must take action."

"I think the masked man might have approached Mu Rongyun precisely because of this. I think you should talk to your old man." As an outsider, Hua Qingyi couldn't give any advice on Xiao Lin's family matters. Whatever side he chose would be wrong in the end.

"According to the old man's way, it would be to eradicate completely." Xiao Lin knew well how ruthless the Xiao Family could be, or else why would Mu Rongyun bear such a grudge?

"You mean to..." Hua Qingyi looked at Xiao Lin in disbelief, denying the hidden intention behind his words. "You know you can't do that."

Hehe! Xiao Lin chuckled. "Then tell me, what can I do?" In his pitch-black eyes, there was a rare sight of desolation that Hua Qingyi seldom saw. Perhaps in the Xiao Family, everyone had forgotten that Xiao Lin was still just a child, his kindness repeatedly replaced by unfeeling decisions.

"Your old man wouldn't allow you to do that, it would be betrayal."

"Don't worry, I haven't made my final decision yet. If Mu Rong's actions are because of his mother, then I will give him the most perfect end. If it's due to his own greed, then I won't show any mercy." This is a choice between emotion and law. Xiao Lin clearly understood this, and he would distinguish it clearly as well. It's a matter of principle; he won't act recklessly.

(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com), your support is my greatest motivation.)

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.