"Okay," Jian Fan said, noticing her apparent hurry. "Are you in a rush?"
"Yes. I have to go out for acupuncture. Is there anything else?" Shen Xi stood up, preparing to leave.
She couldn't visit the Qin family during the day, and she couldn't go too late at night, as it would disrupt Xu Zhilan's rest.
"No. There's no progress on the Hong Rui Group matter yet," Jian Fan replied, his face darkening, his voice low.
"No rush. I'm not asking you to find out all three things at once. Let's deal with the Yin family villa first," Shen Xi said as she walked towards the door.
"Alright," Jian Fan followed her. "You go ahead and get busy. I'll stay here and play with the children for a while."
After Shen Xi left the main entrance, the three children pulled Jian Fan into Chenchen's room.
"What are you three little rascals up to, being so secretive?" Jian Fan looked at them with a slight smile.
"Uncle Jian, please sit down," Chenchen said, taking his hand and leading him to a chair in the room.
"Uncle Jian, here's some water," Shuoshuo handed him a bottle of pre-prepared drink.
Yan Yan then offered him a bag of snacks from behind. "Uncle Jian, I heard you like sweets. These are my favorite candies, I'm giving them to you."
Jian Fan's eyes lit up. This was his favorite brand. He accepted it with a beaming smile, "Thank you, Yan Yan. That's very thoughtful of you."
He then popped one into his mouth. It was the same familiar taste.
Just as he was savoring it, Chenchen spoke, "Uncle Jian, we'd like to ask you for a favor."
The three children stood in front of him in a line, their eyes filled with earnestness.
"Go ahead. What is it? If I can help, I definitely will," Jian Fan said, smiling as he looked at each of their little faces.
"We'd like to ask Uncle Jian to help us investigate who our daddy is," Shuoshuo said.
Hearing this, Jian Fan was startled, nearly choking on the candy in his mouth.
Their daddy – this was Shen Xi's taboo. No one in country B had ever dared to mention these two words.
"Uncle Jian, you don't have to feel too difficult about it. Actually, we've already narrowed down a suspect. You just need to keep an eye on his activities for us," Chenchen said with a smile.
"Who is that person?" Jian Fan asked quietly after a moment's pause.
"Qin Si Ye," the three children replied in unison.
"Who did you say? Qin Si Ye? He's the richest man in City K, with businesses almost all over the globe. Are you sure it's him?" Jian Fan was almost shocked speechless.
These three children really knew how to pick a father, targeting Qin Si Ye.
Who was Qin Si Ye? He was 32 years old, had moderate mysophobia, and had always abstained from women. How could he possibly be their daddy?
"It's precisely because we're not entirely sure that we're asking for your help," Chenchen stepped forward and said in a low voice.
"You're already helping Mommy investigate the Yin family villa matter, could you also help us find out if Qin Si Ye helped her overcome difficulties back then when the Yin family was in trouble?"
"Uncle Jian, this shouldn't be difficult for you. Please help us. We suspect that Mommy had an unusual relationship with him back then," Shuoshuo looked at him with pleading eyes.
"This..." Jian Fan hesitated. "It's not that I'm unwilling to help you, but if your mother finds out about this, I'll be in serious trouble."
He figured that not only would Shen Xi be angry, but Mr. Song would likely also hold him accountable.
"Uncle Jian, don't worry. This matter is a secret among the four of us. We will absolutely not betray you. Please help us out of our sincere desire to find our daddy," Chenchen pleaded.
Seeing Jian Fan still hesitating, Yan Yan suddenly walked up to him, tilting her small face and smiling at him. "Uncle Jian, was the candy just now sweet?"