“Zhiqiu, who is this child?”
Ye Yunlin and Li Shuying hurried to the gate when they heard Shen Zhiqiu had arrived with Yaya. At the sight of Huo Jiusi, Li Shuying was instantly struck by his striking appearance.
She had never seen such a beautiful child—his eyes, in particular, resembled the clearest of lakes or sparkling gemstones.
“Jiusi!”
Ye Jiawen waved at Huo Jiusi and answered for Shen Zhiqiu, “Mom, this is Huo Jiusi, the grandson of Uncle Yue’s close friend.”
“Jiusi greets Great-Uncle, Great-Aunt, Aunt Jiawen, and Uncle Jiawu.”
Placing one hand over his chest, Huo Jiusi gave a slight bow, offering them a perfect gentleman’s salute.
Li Shuying’s maternal instincts surged. She stepped forward, took Huo Jiusi’s hand, and led him into the courtyard. “Good child, have you had breakfast yet?”
Huo Jiusi replied in his sweet, childish voice, “Great-Aunt, I’ve already eaten.”
“Even so, have a little more! I just made some sweet crispy pancakes—they’re delicious!”
“Come, let’s go inside with Great-Aunt.”
“I knew Mom would react like this if she saw Jiusi,” Ye Jiawen whispered to Shen Zhiqiu, covering her mouth. “She has zero resistance to beautiful children.”
“Same as me with Yaya.”
“Come here, Yaya, let Auntie hold you.” Ye Jiawen gently stroked Yaya’s little face and took her from Shen Zhiqiu’s arms.
“Yaya, sweetheart, did you miss Auntie? Hmm?”
Unable to resist, Ye Jiawen planted several kisses on Yaya’s cheeks, making the baby giggle.
“Auntie knew Yaya missed me!”
Ye Jiawen playfully shook Yaya’s tiny fist. “Auntie bought you a new dress—a really pretty one! Let’s put it on later, okay?”
“Yaya, I’m your little uncle! Remember me?” Ye Jiawu leaned in, pointing at himself.
Yaya waved her little fist, signaling that she did.
Ye Jiawu grinned like an overjoyed puppy. If he had a tail, it would’ve been wagging furiously.
“Sis, Yaya remembers me! Hehe.”
Ye Jiawen smacked the back of his head affectionately. “Silly boy, of course she remembers you—Yaya’s so smart!”
“Sis, can I hold Yaya for a bit?”
Ye Jiawu reached out, but Ye Jiawen dodged. “Nope! I haven’t had enough time yet. Wait your turn.”
Ye Jiawu’s smile drooped. “Fine.”
Ye Jiawen nudged him and gestured with her eyes. “Jiawu, go help those two guards with the luggage. It’s not right to let them handle everything.”
“Sis, I tried! They refused and wouldn’t let Dad help either. Said it’s against protocol.”
Seeing Ye Yunlin standing awkwardly, unsure what to do, Ye Jiawen stepped in. “Dad, why don’t you hold Yaya for a while?”
“Alright.”
As Ye Jiawen settled Yaya into Ye Yunlin’s arms, his gaze softened. Memories of his younger sister, Ye Yunshuang, surfaced. “Yaya looks so much like Xiao Shuang.”
He sighed heavily, his chest tightening with regret. Back then, he should’ve risked his sister hating him rather than letting her marry that beast Shen Daqiang.
It was his fault too—he hadn’t taken care of her properly. If he hadn’t answered the call to support border development, he wouldn’t have left Xiao Shuang alone in the capital.
With their parents passing one after another, she’d been vulnerable, and Shen Daqiang had seized that moment.
But no amount of regret could turn back time. All he could do now was care for Zhiqiu in Xiao Shuang’s stead, settle old and new scores with Shen Daqiang, and ensure Xiao Shuang could rest in peace.
[Is Great-Uncle thinking about Grandma?]
Yaya waved her tiny hands, as if trying to smooth the sorrow from Ye Yunlin’s brow.
Woof! Woof! Woof!
Suddenly, barks erupted from the alleyway.
Yaya’s little ears twitched—something only Huo Jiusi noticed.
[Oh no! That awful grandfather is plotting against Great-Uncle and Little Uncle! He hired thugs to ambush them!]
[They’re hiding at the intersection of those alleys—easy to escape!]
[That rotten grandfather and the old witch have also been bad-mouthing Mom to the neighbors, calling her unfilial and a thief!]
Hearing Yaya’s thoughts, Shen Zhiqiu clenched her fists in fury. She called out to the two guards before they could leave.
“Could you two accompany me somewhere else first?”
They glanced at Huo Jiusi for confirmation. When he nodded, they agreed.
Ye Yunlin pulled Shen Zhiqiu aside. “Zhiqiu, you want the guards to come with us?”
“Uncle, you know what kind of man my father is. His silence these past days isn’t normal.”
Shen Zhiqiu shook her head. “When things deviate from the norm, there’s always a scheme. I’m worried he’s planning something. Having these guards with us will give me peace of mind.”
Ye Yunlin let out a bitter laugh. “After killing Xiao Shuang, does he now want me dead too? Let him try!”
Ever since learning that Shen Daqiang and Wang Fengqin had caused Ye Yunshuang’s death, he’d been itching for a chance to make them pay.
If Shen Daqiang was foolish enough to come at him, he’d gladly oblige.
“Uncle, I need you to play along.” Shen Zhiqiu whispered her plan into his ear.
Ye Yunlin nodded. “Consider it done.”
By noon, Ye Yunlin and Ye Jiawu left first. Shen Zhiqiu, Ye Jiawen, and the two guards followed shortly after, splitting into two groups.
Just as Yaya had predicted, five or six thugs lay in wait at the intersection, armed with wooden clubs and stones.
The moment Ye Yunlin and Ye Jiawu drew near, the thugs rushed out to attack.
Instead of fighting back, Ye Yunlin and Ye Jiawu turned and ran. Shen Zhiqiu and the guards arrived moments later.
The thugs were no match for the guards. Ye Jiawen also returned with police officers from the local station.
Within minutes, the guards and officers had subdued every last thug and hauled them to the police station.
Ye Yunlin and Ye Jiawu were taken to the hospital—one “unconscious,” the other “clutching his leg in pain.”
Upon hearing that both men were “severely injured” and that the thugs could face serious charges, the hired men quickly confessed: Shen Daqiang had put them up to it.
The police immediately moved to arrest Shen Daqiang.
The blaring sirens drew a crowd of curious neighbors.
“What did Old Shen do this time?”
“I heard he hired thugs to kill his former brother-in-law!”
“Good heavens! What kind of grudge would drive someone to murder?”
“His brother-in-law came to settle the score. Apparently, Shen caused his first wife’s death and abused his eldest daughter.”
“But didn’t they say the daughter was unfilial and stole from the family?”
“That ‘stolen’ money was her wages—he spent every penny himself.”
“What a despicable man.”
“Look! They’re bringing him out now!”
