“You look dusty and travel-worn. Did you just get home?”
Shen Xi looked at Qin Si Ye, his gaze deep, and loosened the buttons on his shirt as he asked.
“Yes. Just got back from the old residence.” Qin Si Ye pulled himself out of his reverie and relayed all the information he had gathered at the Qin family’s that evening to Shen Xi.
“Oh? Han Shan was indeed an employee of Zhuo Sheng’s? That explains why Han Hao Ming couldn't accept Si Yue,” Shen Xi mused, his eyes gleaming as he analyzed the situation.
Qin Si Ye still found it unbelievable. “My father said Han Shan was just a security guard at the company back then, and the company compensated his family after his accident. How could Han Hao Ming blame our family for his death?”
Shen Xi pondered for a moment. “I don’t think this matter is as simple as it appears on the surface. Han Shan committed suicide two years after he left the company. Why did his family approach Zhuo Sheng Group? Zhuo Sheng Group could have completely ignored them, so why did they still compensate his family?”
Shen Xi paused. “This can only mean one thing: Han Shan’s suicide is related to your company.”
Upon hearing her words, Qin Si Ye fell silent, feeling that her analysis had some merit. He had thought of this himself earlier at the Qin family’s, but hadn't considered it as deeply or as thoroughly as she had. Was this a case of being too close to the trees to see the forest? He had always believed Han Shan’s death had nothing to do with Zhuo Sheng, and therefore subconsciously refused to link the two.
Seeing Qin Si Ye looking down, Shen Xi continued, “I’ll talk to Han Hao Ming again about this matter. Perhaps I can get some new information.”
“Don’t go to him alone. I’ll investigate,” Qin Si Ye suddenly looked up at her. If it was as Shen Xi suggested, he would need to find the personnel from the public relations department at the time to get a clear and comprehensive understanding of the incident.
“Who did you see at the entrance of the amusement arcade today?” Shen Xi smiled, suddenly changing the subject.
“No one. Just some insignificant person.” Qin Si Ye’s eyes darkened at her question.
Shen Xi disagreed. “That’s not right. It was quite rowdy outside at first, but it quieted down after you arrived. I suspect it was someone you knew.” For some reason, Shen Xi was very curious about that person. She even suspected that the unpleasantness between him and Fu Ji Heng was related to that person.
“Qin Si Yu,” Qin Si Ye replied, his face grim. So it was him. No wonder. Could this man still be holding a grudge about the time she was bitten by a dog?
“Um, Qin Si Ye, my foot has been healed for a long time, and that dog paid the price with its life. You and Qin Si Yu are brothers after all. Please don’t let this matter cause a rift between you,” Shen Xi said cautiously, observing his expression. Regardless of his past relationship with Jiang Jie and Qin Si Yu, she did not want her presence to deepen the conflict between them.
“Brothers? I’ve never had any,” Qin Si Ye said uncomfortably upon hearing her words. “It’s getting late. Let’s rest. Goodnight.” After saying this, Qin Si Ye abruptly ended the video call.
Shen Xi was slightly taken aback. If she remembered correctly, this was the first time Qin Si Ye had hung up on her during a video call. It seemed his relationship with Qin Si Yu remained at an all-time low, and he would get angry with anyone who brought him up.
The next morning, the Qin family’s old residence was festively decorated and buzzing with activity. Although Qin Xiuzhi’s birthday was not publicly announced, many people of similar age within the Qin family remembered the day and arrived uninvited.
When Qin Si Ye arrived with Xu Zhilan and Qin Si Yue, he couldn't help but frown at the cars parked outside. At that moment, Butler Sun came out from the door to greet them. “Madam, young master, young lady, you’ve finally arrived. Everyone in the hall has been talking about you.”
Qin Si Ye asked, “So many people have suddenly arrived, is there enough space in the house?”
“Yes. Young master, you don’t need to worry. I’ve already instructed someone to prepare another table. It can accommodate six or seven more people,” Butler Sun replied with a smile. He had worked at the old residence for twenty years and was very capable and perceptive. Seeing the increased number of guests early in the morning, he had instructed the servants to double the amount of food.
Upon entering the hall, everyone stood up and welcomed Xu Zhilan. “Mom, why are you only arriving now? We’ve been waiting for you for a long time,” Qin Xuelan said, smiling as she held her arm.
Xu Zhilan glanced at her and replied indifferently, “We were getting a gift before coming, so we’re a little late.” At this moment, Qin Si Yue had already placed the gift in her hands in front of Qin Xiuzhi and was introducing herself.
“Grandma.” Suddenly, a handsome, fashionably dressed girl ran towards Xu Zhilan and called out cheerfully.