Wen Han’s steps were abruptly nailed to the spot. It took him several seconds to turn around and look at his son behind him. There was no bla, no scolding, just a faint voice:
"When did this happen?"
"On Qiqi’s birthday, Xiaobei Auntie and I went to the hospital together. Later, when Qiqi ntioned Dad, I asked her if she wanted to see her own father. I didn’t an anything else, I just wanted to give her a special birthday present. After Qiqi said she wanted to, I took her there."
"Did you take Qiqi to the old house?"
Wen Shaoyuan shook his head:
"No, when we were at the hospital entrance, we t Uncle Qiao. He then called Uncle Fu to the hospital."
Wen Han was silent for a few seconds and didn’t show any particular emotions; he was just feeling a bit overwheld by the sudden news. After all, from the beginning, he never intended to prevent Su Yimo from recognizing Fu Shinian in her lifeti. That would be unfair and impossible.
He took a step to continue toward the bathroom, but right at the entrance, he stopped again and turned back to look at the anxious Wen Shaoyuan:
"Has Qiqi seen today’s news?"
Wen Shaoyuan nodded:
"It’s because she saw it that she worriedly asked Aunt Su ’Is Dad going to die?’, and that’s why Aunt Su went to find an answer."
"When did Su Mu bring Qiqi over?"
"She was brought over this morning."
Wen Han looked at the approaching dusk outside and slightly frowned, "Has there been no call back?"
Wen Shaoyuan shook his head:
"No."
This ti, without any hesitation, Wen Han imdiately dialed Su Mu’s cellphone. The call connected, but no one answered. Wen Han called a second ti, only to receive a notice that the phone was turned off.
He didn’t let his mind drift to bad possibilities, but couldn’t help thinking about what she was doing with Fu Shinian right now. Considering she went to find Fu Shinian and hadn’t co back by this ti, the only possibility was that she continued to stay with him. However, the fact that her phone was unanswered and then turned off unsettled him.
After a mont of thought, he still called Fu Shinian’s phone, which was quickly answered:
"Wen Han?"
"Is Su Mu with you?"
A few seconds of silence ca from the other end, and when the voice ca again, the tone had clearly changed, "Has Su Mu gone missing?"
Wen Han’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat:
"You haven’t seen her?"
"I’m in Italy, arrived yesterday."
"Today’s dostic news is all about you. Qiqi saw it and was worried about you, so she had Su Mu go and ask if you were really sick. Su Mu went to find you this morning, and she hasn’t returned till now. I can’t get through to her phone."
Fu Shinian didn’t wait to respond to Wen Han, instead instructing Song Yi on the call to check things and book a flight back ho. After delegating a series of tasks, Wen Han was already standing on the first floor and had picked up the car keys he had just placed at the entryway. As he opened the door, he heard Fu Shinian’s voice:
"If Su Mu has gone missing, the person who took her must be Shi Lihua."
"I understand."
"Wen Han," the mont he hung up the phone, Fu Shinian spoke solemnly, "I’m counting on you."
——
After ending the call with Wen Han, Fu Shinian got up to leave. Yu Qingzhou, seated opposite him, also stood up promptly upon seeing this:
"Mr. Fu, do you have an ergency?"
Fu Shinian glanced at him and nodded slightly:
"My wife was taken away by Shi Lihua; I must get back as soon as possible."
A cold smile appeared at the corner of Yu Qingzhou’s mouth, and his words carried an unmistakable sneer:
"After all these years, her tactics are still so despicable."
Fu Shinian had no ti to discuss Shi Lihua’s thods with him; his entire mind was focused on Su Mu. He responded perfunctorily to Yu Qingzhou and prepared to leave, but Yu Qingzhou stopped him again:
"Mr. Fu, if you trust , why not let return to the country with you? At least with in your hands, she wouldn’t dare do anything serious to Mrs. Fu, would she?"
"You?"
"Yes, many years of living abroad have made miss the tis I had in my holand when I was young. I’ve been looking for an opportunity to return but haven’t had the courage. Why not take this chance to go back with you?"
Fu Shinian looked at him, silent for a few seconds, but Ji Nanfeng smiled faintly and whispered a few words in Fu Shinian’s ear:
"Letting him go would be good. After all, Shi Lihua cares about him more than anything. With him by your side, Su Mu’s safety could be more secure. Even if you’re worried he might not be up to sothing, in Shen City, we’re not afraid of trouble."
Fu Shinian remained silent for a few seconds, then nodded his agreent.
On the way to the airport, Fu Shinian called Shi Lihua. The call went unanswered, so he didn’t call again. Song Yi, seated in the passenger seat, didn’t dare to speak, and could only sneak glances at Fu Shinian in the rearview mirror to try and determine his mood.
If this had happened three years earlier, Fu Shinian might have flown into a rage, but after three years of becoming accustod to hiding all his emotions, even in the face of such events, his face remained calm as if nothing serious had occurred.
But what lay beneath that calm, perhaps, only he himself could truly comprehend.
Fu Shinian indeed had been negligent. Although he had hinted at her the day the old lady had an accident, Su Mu in that state might not have truly taken his words to heart. Even if she did, she likely wouldn’t have believed them. While he had arranged protection for Su Mu, it was hidden, and nothing is foolproof.
Anxious as he was, he couldn’t imdiately appear by Su Mu’s side; he would have to endure a long flight.
He closed his eyes to steady his emotions and tried to completely calm himself down. But before he could take a breath, his phone rang. Fu Shinian slowly opened his eyes, glanced down, and pressed the answer button. Shi Lihua’s smug voice ca through clearly:
"It seems my bet wasn’t wrong; this Su Mu is indeed your real ex-wife."
Fu Shinian glanced outside at the bustling traffic:
"Let her go, Shi Lihua, and I may still offer you a way out."
"I’m so scared," Shi Lihua chuckled. "You didn’t expect this, did you? An old lady leaves, and I get another of your ex-wives. I’ve really co to admire you, the way you’ve protected her safety, enduring three years without contact with her. How did you do it?"
Fu Shinian curled his lips slightly:
"When it ca to Yu Zhiyuan, you bore humiliations as well, didn’t you? After all, it’s your blood that flows in my veins. If you could do it, why couldn’t I?"
"Then have you thought about how I might deal with Su Mu to control you?" Shi Lihua laughed. "Just thinking about it feels quite exciting."
Fu Shinian didn’t wait to hear more from her and hung up the phone. He then dialed Lin Ning’s number. In urgent tis, he could not afford to worry too much.
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