Chapter 101 — First Meeting
Xie Siquan casually set down his teacup and lifted his eyes to look at him. “You remember clearly, I see.”
“Isn’t it like that every year?” He Dongting knew his brother-in-law had a temper and could be difficult, so he simply went along, personally refilling the tea and saying, “Today, Shuwei went to school. I’ll have someone call him back. You haven’t seen him for over half a year either, haven’t you? It’s time to catch up.”
Xie Siquan didn’t take the tea, casually adjusted his sleeves, and said lazily, “Forget it. It’s fine that he’s not here. I’ll speak plainly—I have a few things to ask you.”
“Go ahead.”
“I’ve recently received several letters, all sent from outside. They claim there’s a new lead.”
He Dongting said calmly, “There have already been too many letters like that.”
“Yes, but this time it’s different,” Xie Siquan said, asking, “When the child was brought back all those years ago, he was already three years old, right? He was brought back by a wet nurse who served my sister, correct?”
He Dongting nodded. “Yes. Yuanyuan picked two wet nurses for the child, and one of them brought him back.”
Xie Siquan: “Is it also true that she said Bao Bao had died?”
He Dongting frowned slightly. “We didn’t know if he was alive or dead. Back then, someone claimed to have seen her heading northwest, and along the way, a few of Yuanyuan’s golden hairpins were found. The hairpins were genuine, but the person was never found. After all these years, nothing came of it.” He sighed, then added, “You’ve been doing business around Hanzhong in recent years. If you’re familiar with the mule caravan people there, maybe you can ask them to help search.”
Xie Siquan scoffed, “You’ve already found your son. Why bother finding Bao Bao?”
He Dongting was silent for a moment. “Yuanyuan went away… I have to give her some account of it.”
He had investigated the matter thoroughly back then. After surviving a near-death sea voyage, he returned only to hear the tragic news of his wife and child’s disappearance. Yuanyuan’s departure took much of his life with her. If he hadn’t later found the child she had borne him, he might never have endured. Back then, people said the wet nurse absconded with money, but he never believed it, spending years trying to find out the truth from her.
What exactly happened that one night, when his family was torn apart?
Xie Siquan said, “What if I told you someone has found Bao Bao?”
“Your people found him?” He Dongting’s pupils contracted slightly as he stood up and asked, “Where is Aunt Kou?”
“Not found yet. It only looks like him, and the letters aren’t very clear. I’ve had someone follow up,” Xie Siquan replied, looking at He Dongting. “I assumed since you were looking after your son, you wouldn’t care about anything else.”
“You know my feelings for her… why torment me?”
“I don’t mean to torment you,” Xie Siquan closed his eyes briefly, then slowly opened them. “I just think you’re foolish—and you raised such a fool.”
He Dongting frowned, his expression darkening.
Xie Siquan scoffed. “All these years, you never suspected? The son you keep by your side—how much of him is real, and how much is fake? He resembled her a little as a child, but grown up, he doesn’t resemble my sister at all. Not in appearance, not in intellect. You put so much effort into his studies—any progress? None. No resemblance to my sister, none to you, not a hint of intelligence.”
He Dongting said, “He injured a bone as a child and suffered hardships. He really isn’t like others.”
Xie Siquan scoffed again. “You probably damaged his brain.”
He Dongting, displeased, frowned and whispered, “You shouldn’t say that; after all, you’re an elder.”
Xie Siquan shook his head. “How about we make a bet? I bet you’ll regret it.”
He Dongting, usually firm, felt helpless before his brother-in-law, and softened his tone. “I know Shuwei isn’t close to you. That’s my fault—I kept him by my side and didn’t let him go to Sichuan. But he often fell ill. I worried for him if he went there. He isn’t strong and rarely meets outsiders. So now that you’re in Shanghai, I thought he could accompany you, go out for a bit…”
Xie Siquan stood up, flicked his sleeves, and said, “I told you, I’m not here to see him. Take me to the Buddhist hall—I’m here to pay respects to your sister.”
Inside the He family residence was a small Buddhist hall. A monk was hired to chant scriptures, with a memorial tablet reading: “Deceased Wife Xie Yuan.”
The place was quiet and unobtrusive, yet every material used was luxurious. Seven Buddhist treasures were offered, seeking a pure resting place for the departed. People chanted inside, guards kept watch outside—rarely did anyone disturb it.
He Dongting escorted Xie Siquan in. Seeing him offer incense, his gaze lingered briefly on the Xie family head. Xie Siquan, usually flamboyant, wore plain clothes today. From the first moment, He Dongting should have realized he was there to honor his sister.
Xie Siquan sincerely completed the incense offering, stood quietly for a moment, then reached out to wipe a bit of ash from the tablet—completely unafraid.
He spoke softly, “Sister, I received Bao Bao’s letter. Whatever you wanted to tell me, I know. Don’t worry—I will follow your wishes.” His sister never wanted him to fight the He family; he would never let her suffer.
After the ritual, He Dongting didn’t leave, hesitating before asking, “Siquan, did your sister leave you a letter? What did Aunt Kou say to you? Did Yuanyuan… did she mention me at the end?”
Xie Siquan said, “You didn’t believe it anyway.”
He Dongting paused, then resigned, “We’ve argued about Shuwei so many times over the years. Back then, people raised doubts—yet you brought Shuwei into the He family anyway?”
Xie Siquan’s face darkened. He stepped forward, pushing He Dongting’s shoulder in anger. “That was your family’s disrespect! I don’t care who it is—anyone who bullies my sister or her child is unacceptable!” He didn’t care whether the child was real or not. What belonged to his sister must be preserved.
“Let’s not talk about that anymore,” He Dongting, agitated, conceded. Rarely did anyone see this side of him. The letter absorbed all his attention, his eyes reddening. “Did she leave any message? If I could do something, just tell me—I want to do something for her.”
Xie Siquan looked at him for a moment, slightly softening. He handed him an invitation: “You still have some conscience left regarding your sister. As for the letter… it’s too complicated to explain now. Tomorrow evening, I’ll treat you to dinner, and we can discuss it slowly then.”
He Dongting accepted the invitation. “I’ll be there on time tomorrow evening.”
Xie Siquan waved, strolling out leisurely.
Passing the outer courtyard, they saw He family’s Third Master return. Seeing Xie Siquan and his men, he panicked and turned around, initially jogging, then lifting his robe and running. He managed to escape.
Xie Siquan swaggered out of the He residence and got into his car.
At the He mansion gate, two footmen stood watch. One, new and confused, whispered, “Who was that just now? So formidable that even the Third Master feared him. Is he here to collect debts?”
The other footman quickly covered his mouth, scolding lowly, “Are you crazy? Don’t say that here, especially in front of the Xie family head! Didn’t you see the Third Master flee?”
“The Xie family head?”
“Yes. The Xie family of Upper City, Sichuan. That’s our young master’s maternal uncle!”
“Why is he so powerful?”
“It’s not just that. Back then, Third Master said the Xie family rose only thanks to the He family’s support. The Xie family head wasn’t pleased and had the He residence smashed.”
“Shouldn’t our lord do something?” The new footman froze. He Dongting was famous in Shanghai; even stomping once might be enough.
“It was done right in front of him!”
The footman shuddered, dared not ask more.
The He family’s Third Master, about forty, mustached, stopped against the wall, catching his breath. Seeing Xie Siquan, he trembled like a mouse facing a cat. Though not mortal enemies, the Xie family of Upper City and the He family of Shanghai never spoke politely.
He gasped to the footman, “Did he… chase after me?”
The footman looked back. “No, Third Master. The Xie family head left—seems to have gone down the main street.”
Relieved, the Third Master dared not approach He Dongting either. His elder brother was sentimental; Xie Siquan was a madman. Whenever they met, they visited the memorial. In the following days, He Dongting’s temper was short, tolerating only Xie Siquan and He Shuwei. Anyone else would be scolded mercilessly.
Frustrated but helpless, he thought to ask He Shuwei for some money to manage temporarily. He Dongting valued his only son. Xie Siquan, though silent, came every year for his nephew’s birthday—if he hadn’t later found the lost child, Xie Siquan might have clashed completely with the He family.
By evening, He Shuwei returned from school.
After changing, he went to his father, He Dongting, and asked what he had done today. The servant whispered, “Young master, as usual. The lord only received a visitor this morning.”
Curious, He Shuwei asked, “Who came?”
The servant said, “Your uncle came.”
He Shuwei nodded, thinking his birthday was coming, assuming Xie Siquan came early from Sichuan to celebrate. “Have the kitchen prepare more dishes, spicier is best. We’ll eat at home tonight. By the way, where is uncle now?”
The servant hesitated. “He… has already left.”
He Shuwei frowned, but didn’t think much. Then asked, “Did he argue with father again?”
“I don’t know.”
He Shuwei waved him off, went to find He Dongting.
He Dongting was on the phone, busy even at home. He Shuwei quietly listened—apparently a discussion about the Chinese Chamber of Commerce elections. When the call ended, he stepped forward. “Father, I learned a bit about the election. His father works in finance…”
He Dongting waved it off. “Don’t worry about that. Focus on your studies.”
He Shuwei bowed. “Yes, father. I just want to help and ease your burden.”
He Dongting rubbed his brow. “You came at the right time. I have something to discuss. This afternoon, your university professor came to me, saying your academic progress isn’t great. Instead of wasting time here, maybe join the military. A military school is recruiting. A few years there will benefit your future. What do you think?”
He Shuwei panicked. He didn’t understand his father’s plan but dared not refuse. “Father, I may not be fit. You know I’m weak and sickly. I might burden everyone and bring shame to you.”
He Dongting shook his head. “Just focus on yourself. There are also administrative roles in the military. A few years… if you don’t want to, we’ll think of other options.”
He Shuwei agreed, pale and weak.
He Dongting saw his face and told him to rest.
After everyone left, the room was quiet.
He Dongting removed his glasses and rested. He didn’t know who Shuwei resembled—neither scholarly nor athletic, with poor foresight. Only obedience was slightly redeeming.
He sighed unconsciously.
Elsewhere, Xie Siquan finished his matters and timed his visit to the Bai residence. Before Lord Bai Jiu could prepare a formal invitation, the Sichuan Xie family head arrived in person.
Lord Bai Jiu had someone escort him directly to the study, due to the rush.
Xie Siquan looked extremely like Xie Jing, only more audacious. Lord Bai Jiu, treating him with courtesy, was about to stand but saw the Xie family head drag a carved chair over, sit, and casually put his feet on the table in front of him.
Lord Bai Jiu’s gaze paused at the leather boots on the table, his figure hesitating before he sat back down.
