Chapter 76: Who Did It?!
Qin Siyao lowered her head, gazing at the shattered debris scattered across the floor.
Her delicate eyebrows were tightly knit together.
At this moment, she could not quite describe the feeling within her heart.
In truth...
Ling Qiu had made himself very clear—he had no need whatsoever for the Qin family's assistance. Everything Qin Siyao had done, in Ling Qiu's eyes, was nothing more than her own wishful thinking.
Furthermore...
The so-called protection of Ling Qiu, the occasional help she offered, was not at Grandfather Qin's behest; it was merely Qin Siyao's own idea.
She acted thus because she disliked owing favors.
At first, that was indeed her intention.
But as she investigated Ling Qiu step by step, gradually delving deeper...
She discovered that the more she learned about him, the less she could fathom him.
He seemed to be a riddle wrapped in mystery.
This compelled Qin Siyao to pay even closer attention to Ling Qiu.
Over time...
It became an obsession for her.
So...
Watching Ling Qiu walk away through the glass doors, hands in pockets, with a calm indifference, Qin Siyao felt an inexplicable sense of unwillingness.
“What kind of person is he?—He covets neither wealth nor power, is unmoved by beauty, and seems to lack any reverence for the world. Is he simply overconfident in himself, or... is he utterly ignorant of this world?”
What she did not expect was...
Ling Qiu's effort to distance himself did not make her forget him.
On the contrary...
It made him all the harder to forget.
...
Ling Qiu returned to the campus gate.
Suddenly, a car blocked his path.
The window rolled down.
The driver was Xu Wanxi.
Xu Wanxi removed her sunglasses, revealing a refined and charming face.
“What are you standing there for? Get in.”
Ling Qiu could not help but laugh, “What’s with today? Can’t I just have a peaceful military training?”
“Military training?” Xu Wanxi replied with a half-smile, “Still not done playing? That instructor has been tamed by you. Come on, get in. Auntie will take you somewhere.”
He got in.
The car moved forward slowly.
Xu Wanxi said, “Ling Qiu, you’re not to participate in the rest of the military training.”
“Why?”
“Don’t you know why?” Xu Wanxi sighed, “I don’t understand what’s with your temper lately—so fierce, always confronting people. Is ‘retreat and you’ll see the vast sea and sky’ not in your vocabulary?”
Ling Qiu yawned, “They brought it on themselves.”
Page (1/3)
“Yes, yes, you’re impressive now, your wings have grown strong.” Xu Wanxi was amused and exasperated. She pulled out a card with an address written on it. “To the point—remember this address, I’ve arranged for you to recognize a relative.”
Ling Qiu: ???
“Relative?... What do you mean?”
Ling Qiu was puzzled.
Xu Wanxi said, “Do you remember Uncle Ling?”
Uncle Ling?
Ling Qiu narrowed his eyes.
Of course he remembered.
This Uncle Ling’s full name was Ling Jianguo. He had been Grandfather’s driver since his teens, serving for over forty years with unwavering loyalty. After Grandfather passed away, he left the Ling family, married a divorced woman with children in the provincial capital, and lived a quiet life.
Ling Jianguo was an orphan, known only by the nickname Cricket. After he followed Grandfather, Grandfather bestowed upon him the surname Ling and named him Ling Jianguo.
“I remember.”
“From now on, you’re Uncle Ling’s distant nephew.”
Ling Qiu was speechless, “What kind of strange arrangement is this?”
“This is my plan.”
“Plan?”
“Yes.” Xu Wanxi’s expression grew serious. “When I returned home, I immediately searched for Uncle Ling. After investigating, I found... his leg had been broken, he suffered a concussion, was hospitalized, and after being rescued, he could barely speak. Everyone thinks he’s become a simpleton, but I suspect his mind remains clear.”
Ling Qiu frowned deeply.
In his memory, this Uncle Ling was extremely kind—though not a blood relative, far more genuine than those so-called kin.
“Why did this happen?”
“Exactly, I’d like to know why too.” Xu Wanxi sighed, “That’s why I want you to approach Uncle Ling.—I suspect Grandfather’s death is not so simple. My intuition tells me Uncle Ling may be the key to uncovering the truth. My identity is under scrutiny by many, so I can’t easily contact him, but you... are different.”
Ling Qiu understood now.
“You want me to sound him out?”
“Yes. I feel he’s been feigning madness these two years, probably to conceal something. Fortunately, Grandfather left him some money, so he at least has food and shelter.”
“...”
Ling Qiu fell silent.
To be honest, experiencing worldly life and training was rather interesting.
But...
He disliked overly troublesome matters.
He preferred a carefree existence.
Yet...
When it came to Uncle Ling, he could not stand aside.
Besides...
Xu Wanxi suspected there might be a conspiracy behind Grandfather’s death.
He recalled Grandfather’s sudden fatal illness one morning.
The night before, Grandfather had been full of vigor, passionately discussing affairs.
Everyone said it was a final burst of energy before death, but... Ling Qiu didn’t believe that.
Page (2/3)
Unfortunately...
Although Ling Qiu had once ascended the throne of King Yama in the Underworld, before that, he had spent years cultivating. During that time, he could, through certain means, see mortal affairs, but he could not learn or intervene much in matters of the Underworld!
Thus, whether Grandfather truly died of natural causes had always been a puzzle in Ling Qiu’s heart.
“Alright.”
After pondering for a while, Ling Qiu nodded, “Leave this to me.”
He took the card with the address and prepared to get out.
“Where are you going?”
“Military training.”
“I said, you don’t need to attend anymore.” Xu Wanxi stated formally, “I’ve already spoken with the school, you’re exempt.”
Ling Qiu was speechless, “You arranged that too?”
Xu Wanxi smiled, “Of course. Look at your fair, delicate skin—if you get sunburned, Auntie will dislike you. Didn’t you want me to bathe you? If you’re dark and grimy, I won’t touch you.”
Ling Qiu grinned, “Auntie is right, your obedient boy will listen.”
Xu Wanxi glared at him, “You’re really getting into character. If you cut off your left hand, you’d fit the role even better.”
“That won’t do, my left hand is my life companion.”
Xu Wanxi laughed, “With Auntie here, what difference does it make whether you have a left hand or not?”
Ling Qiu raised an eyebrow, “Impressive, Xu Wanxi—I hadn’t noticed, you’re quite sharp with words these days.”
Xu Wanxi pursed her lips, “I know you like to joke—if I didn’t change my style, I wouldn’t dare talk to you. Enough chit-chat, I’ll drop you at the subway station. Head straight to Uncle Ling’s. My identity is sensitive, so I can’t accompany you.”
...
At around four in the afternoon.
Ling Qiu arrived at the door of a private residence.
It was on the outskirts of the provincial capital, where housing was relatively cheap.
Knock, knock.
He rapped on the door.
A brash voice called from inside, “Who is it?!”
“Hello, I’m looking for Ling Jianguo.”
“Who?”
“Ling Jianguo.”
Inside, a long silence followed.
Soon, the door opened.
A plump middle-aged woman appeared, her hair curled like a poodle, eyeing Ling Qiu with a less than friendly gaze.
“Who are you?”
Ling Qiu smiled, “I’m his nephew.”
As he spoke, Ling Qiu glanced into the house...
Suddenly...
He saw a man kneeling on the floor—it was Uncle Ling Jianguo, whom he hadn’t seen in ages!
A vivid red handprint marked his face, glaringly obvious.