Tan Hao, who was in the midst of affectionate moments with Xiang Qimiao to deepen their bond, suddenly received a communication. Glancing at the caller, he realized it was Xiang Chen. Raising an eyebrow slightly, Tan Hao answered the call: “Father-in-law.”
Hearing Tan Hao’s address and watching his youngest son nuzzle into Hegeni’s soft fur alongside his gloves, Xiang Chen’s mind was flooded with a chaotic tangle of thoughts. Rubbing his forehead, he decided to set aside those distressing matters and focus on the business at hand: “Xiao Hao, I actually wanted to ask for your help…” Xiang Chen then proceeded to tell Tan Hao about Yuan Qianqian’s situation.
After explaining, he also shared the past grievances and conflicts with Tan Hao. Initially, Xiang Chen hadn’t intended to discuss these matters in front of his son, but Xiang Qimiao was perceptive—just hearing a snippet allowed him to unravel a great deal of the story.
In the end, Xiang Chen had no choice. Besides, his youngest son was already an adult, old enough to marry, so he saw no reason to keep hiding the truth from him.
After informing Xiang Qimiao, Xiang Chen even began making arrangements to share these matters with Xiang Qilin.
After listening, Tan Hao and Xiang Qimiao fell silent for a moment. Xiang Qimiao frowned, expressing deep dislike for that Willero: “What a scumbag!” The thought that Willero had once nearly harmed his mother filled Xiang Qimiao with anger—he really wanted to smash that scoundrel’s head.
Meanwhile, Tan Hao fell into deep thought: “I actually think… the incident involving Xiao Miao doesn’t seem like Yuan Qianqian’s doing.”
“Oh?” Xiang Chen perked up, listening intently. Even Qu Yun, who had been feeling down, suddenly regained her spirits. After all, if her youngest son’s ordeal truly had nothing to do with Yuan Qianqian, she wouldn’t be caught in the middle of a dilemma. It would also mean she hadn’t misplaced her trust in someone.
Under the gaze of the others, Tan Hao took a moment to organize his thoughts: “Xiao Miao was framed in a ‘mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind’ scenario, left critically injured and hunted down. That doesn’t align with Yuan Qianqian’s personality or methods.”
Given that their work territories overlapped, Tan Hao had interacted with Yuan Qianqian before. She was proud and domineering, carrying the arrogance of a young lady, but she wasn’t particularly difficult to get along with, nor was she the type to resort to ruthless, underhanded tactics.
In handling official matters, Yuan Qianqian resembled her father—she believed in leaving room for reconciliation, adhering to the principle of “leave a way out for future encounters.” Though she appeared fierce and overbearing, there was an underlying gentleness to her. In fact, Tan Hao had collaborated with Yuan Qianqian before, and their interactions had always been smooth. Frankly, Tan Hao didn’t believe Yuan Qianqian had any significant connection to Xiang Qimiao’s misfortune.
Xiang Chen frowned in confusion: “But if it wasn’t Yuan Qianqian, then who else would team up with Willero to target the Xiang family—specifically Miaomiao?” Moreover, whoever orchestrated this behind the scenes had managed to control Willero, a ruthless and arrogant man who wasn’t easily manipulated.
Xiang Qimiao hesitated before speaking: “Not necessarily. Maybe some powerful figure threatened him, or someone holding leverage over Willero blackmailed him. After all…” He trailed off, not believing Willero was a man of much integrity.
Xiang Chen nodded approvingly: “Miaomiao, your reasoning isn’t wrong. But if someone powerful did threaten Willero, the first thing he’d do is coax Yuan Qianqian into acting as his shield, confronting the threat on his behalf.”
“If Yuan Qianqian won, Willero would strut back to his adversary, flaunting his victory and shamelessly claiming his share of the spoils. If Yuan Qianqian lost, he wouldn’t hesitate to stab her in the back, seizing her assets for himself while she was vulnerable.”
“Willero is a cunning old fox—he wouldn’t surrender and obey so quickly.” If Willero had stalled for time, the Xiang family wouldn’t have been caught off guard when Xiang Qimiao was targeted. The reason they were blindsided was precisely because there had been no warning signs, no chance to prepare.
“The same logic applies if Willero was threatened. He’d play both sides, manipulating Yuan Qianqian while negotiating with his adversary. It wouldn’t have been so silent and sudden.”
That was why Xiang Chen’s first suspicion had fallen on Yuan Qianqian. If she was the one directing Willero, he wouldn’t have been able to leverage external forces to aid himself.
Tan Hao stroked his chin: “Speaking of Yuan Qianqian… I heard she has a rather old adopted son…” For some reason, Tan Hao felt there might be a connection between Willero’s actions and Yuan Qianqian’s adopted son.
“Adopted son?” Xiang Chen and Qu Yun exchanged puzzled glances. They couldn’t understand why Yuan Qianqian, still so young and deeply entangled with Willero—even if not romantically—would adopt a son.
Moreover, after all these years, Willero had likely already treated Yuan Qianqian’s assets as his own. A petty, jealous man who couldn’t stand others encroaching on what he considered his—how could he have allowed Yuan Qianqian to adopt a son who might one day compete with him for inheritance? Why hadn’t he made a fuss, letting the adoption proceed smoothly?
It just didn’t seem like something Willero would do. It completely contradicted his usual behavior.
Tan Hao shrugged: “Actually, the rumors about Yuan Qianqian’s adopted son are just that—rumors. She’s never brought this so-called adopted son to any formal events or publicly acknowledged his identity. So it’s just hearsay.”
What Tan Hao didn’t mention was that many believed this “adopted son” was actually a kept lover—a pretty boy Yuan Qianqian pampered for entertainment, given a superficial title to save face, but ultimately insignificant.
Xiang Chen scratched his head and, under his wife’s expectant gaze, raised his hands in surrender: “Alright, alright, I’ll look into Yuan Qianqian’s so-called ‘adopted son,’ okay?”
After years of marriage, Qu Yun, unfazed by the presence of her son and son-in-law, wrapped her arms around Xiang Chen’s neck and planted a sweet kiss on his cheek. Her gentle smile and faint blush made her even more adorable. In contrast, the burly, rough-around-the-edges Xiang Chen turned bright red.
Tan Hao raised an eyebrow, while Xiang Qimiao hastily covered his eyes—though his fingers were spread wide, peeking through the gaps.
Seeing the couple’s antics on the screen, Xiang Chen, flushed and flustered, abruptly ended the call. Clearing his throat, he pretended nothing had happened.
Xiang Chen: *Ahem.* Must maintain my dignified and authoritative fatherly image!
Little did he know, after the call ended, Xiang Qimiao collapsed onto Hegeni’s back, laughing uncontrollably as he playfully pounded the wolf’s fur.
Hegeni, the wolf, looked at him in bewilderment: *I may be a spirit entity, and a tough one at that, and you may be my little kitten’s master, but that doesn’t mean you can just hit me whenever you please. This wolf has his dignity too!*
Seeing Hegeni’s betrayed expression—his usual fierce, aloof demeanor crumbling—Xiang Qimiao burst into laughter again. Apologetically, he rubbed the spot he’d hit: “Sorry, sorry, Hegeni! I couldn’t help it. Pfft—” For some reason, he found himself laughing again.
Tan Hao crossed his arms, his expression stoic but his eyes soft as he gazed at Xiang Qimiao: “Xiao Miao, what’s so funny? Care to share?”
Xiang Qimiao’s cheeks flushed as Tan Hao pulled him close: “It’s nothing, really…”
Xiang Chen always tried to maintain his imposing, authoritative general persona in front of his sons, unaware that his image at home had long since shattered beyond repair.
In the Xiang household, the true pillar of authority was Qu Yun—gentle, elegant, and unshakable. Next was the eldest son, Xiang Qilin. Xiang Qimiao was the family’s beloved mascot, the cherished baby of the house. As for Xiang Chen? He was the doting, slightly bumbling father who needed to be indulged by his wife and elder son.
Sometimes, even Xiang Qimiao subtly humored him. Among the four family members, only Xiang Chen still believed he had successfully maintained his dignified image.
Finishing his story, Xiang Qimiao buried his face in Tan Hao’s chest, giggling uncontrollably.
Watching Xiang Qimiao laugh so joyfully, Tan Hao couldn’t help but smile too, gently stroking his soft hair: “Xiao Miao’s absolutely right. Though I never expected the stern, formidable General Xiang to have such a side to him.”
Xiang Qimiao, who’d always been a bit timid around Tan Hao, suddenly mustered unexpected courage: “Then, Hao-ge, when you’re with me in private… is it the same as when you’re handling work? Or do you act differently?”
Tan Hao’s gaze softened as he lightly flicked Xiang Qimiao’s forehead: “Silly kitten, of course I’m different with you than with others. You’re special—unique.”
How could a partner ever be the same as everyone else?
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