Old Mr. Li returned home, and Uncle Fu instructed the servants to clean the house every day, lest the old man suddenly come back and find the house needing tidying up.

"Ah Fu, it's still better at home. Staying in the hospital these past few days, I had the feeling that I might never come back, that I'd die in the hospital; it was too painful."

Having gone through this ordeal, Old Mr. Li saw many things more clearly.

At this moment, Li Xiao walked in from outside.

"Godfather."

Seeing the poised Li Xiao, Old Mr. Li's face lit up with a kind smile, and his tone softened considerably.

"Ah Xiao, you're here, come sit. Have you eaten? Do you want to eat something here?"

"I've eaten, Godfather. I've looked into the matter you asked me to, and I have cleared everything up. It turns out Lingzi was indeed searched out from Second Brother Li Tianyi's house; there is a tunnel at his place. However, when Lingzi escaped, he destroyed the tunnel. Now Lingzi has been taken to the lab by Nan Qiao for research, and the results are still unknown."

"Ah Xiao, what do you think about this matter?"

This was a life-or-death question, offending either side wouldn't be good.

Li Xiao pondered for a moment and spoke, "Godfather, I think this matter might have something to do with Second Brother. Why would outsiders know about the tunnel in his home? Although he claims he didn't know about the tunnel when he bought the house, it might also be a diversion."

Old Mr. Li nodded: "You're making sense, continue."

Li Xiao continued, "The fact that the National Security Bureau could accurately target Second Brother's family, they must have had precise intelligence to dare such a hasty search. So, based on all this, I believe Second Brother might not be entirely innocent."

Old Mr. Li smiled, but Li Xiao couldn't discern what the old man was thinking.

Was he agreeing, or was he not?

"Godfather, these are just my conjectures; I have no evidence. I'm not targeting anyone, just stating my opinion."

"Ah Xiao, don't worry, I'm not blaming you. Since I asked you, I want you to speak freely, to tell me some truths. You know, in my position, I hear a lot of fake words. Your words, I am willing to listen to, and I am willing to believe, because you have no personal entanglements with them."

It's people like you who can speak the truth better.

"Godfather, thank you for trusting me."

"You're speaking truths, of course, I am willing to trust you. Ah Xiao, the industries I handed over to you, keep managing them for me. I trust in your abilities."

"Godfather, better let Ye Han and the others handle it. Aunt Lan has returned, and she seems to be here for these ventures. If I manage your industries, they may not be convinced." Li Xiao was retreating, appearing quite hesitant.

"You don't need to concern yourself with what they think. The reason I kept many industries to myself back then was exactly because I feared these brats would ignore me if I had no interests. Now I've found out that even with money, they can ignore me just the same. Sometimes, money doesn't necessarily buy familial affection."

Old Mr. Li only trusts Nan Qiao and Li Yehan.

If asked to choose between Nan Qiao and Li Yehan, Old Mr. Li would still choose Nan Qiao.

Ah, Nan Qiao is truly a filial child.

"Ah Xiao, you go ahead with what you need to do, don't worry about anything else. If they dare trouble you, just let me know, I'll teach them a lesson!"

With Old Mr. Li's support, Li Xiao naturally could act freely.

"Thank you, Godfather."

"Ah Xiao, there's no need for such formalities between us. Now that you're back to help me, have you ever thought of settling down in Jing City?"

Li Xiao pondered for a moment, then replied, "Godfather, I have thought about it. These years I've been drifting, and now that I'm helping you. Since you're in Jing City, I want to stay here too, so I can be available whenever you need me."

"Fine. Since you have this intention, I'll help you buy a house, you stay in Jing City. Later, find a girl you like, get married, have a few kids, and live a good life as a family."

Have kids?

Get married?

These were things Li Xiao didn't dare to think about.

"Godfather, I don't intend to get married. Someone like me, how could I deserve marriage. Godfather, if there's nothing else, I'll head out now."

Seeing Li Xiao in low spirits, Old Mr. Li didn't dare ask more, so he let him go back to rest.

Watching Li Xiao leave, Old Mr. Li sighed, "This child still hasn't gotten over that incident from back then."

——

At this moment, sitting in the car on the way back, Li Xiao rubbed his temples.

The driver Da Li was his trusted confidant. On the face of it, their relationship seemed hierarchical, but it was actually a bond of life and death, like brothers.

"Brother Xiao, are you okay? What did the old man say? Did he ask you to hand over the management rights?"

Li Xiao frowned, full of vigilance: "Da Li, don't make random comments about this matter. These assets are the Godfather's; he can give them to whomever he wants. Even if they don't want them, it doesn't necessarily mean they'd come to me. I am merely an adopted son he took in; if he wants to sever ties, I'd be a stranger. What right do I have to covet those things?"

Da Li, duly warned, nodded weakly.

He always listened to Li Xiao; whatever Li Xiao said, he followed it.

Seeing Li Xiao a bit upset, Da Li quickly apologized, "Brother Xiao, don't take it to heart. I'm just a crude person, not as smart as you, don't be mad at me."

"I'm not mad at you. I'm just worried that you'll get into trouble because of what you say. To be human is to have a grateful heart; the Godfather has given me so much, and I am content. From now on, all I'll do follows my true intentions."

Da Li started the car, eyes shining: "Brother Xiao, have you found the person from back then?"

Li Xiao shook his head: "Not yet."

"You two have such destiny, maybe you'll meet soon?"

"Possibly."

Li Xiao leaned back in his seat, lowering the car window, gazing at the bright moon in the sky, as if time had traveled back to that year.

...

In the morning, Nan Qiao got startled.

The three older brothers had changed into casual clothes, each holding a big bag.

We're not taking care of kids, no need for such big bags.

Nan Qiao asked puzzledly, "Big Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, what are you packing in those big bags? We're going to school, not camping."

Did you take the wrong bags?

Bai Jingrui quickly ran in front of Nan Qiao, unzipping the bag to show her what it contained.

"Sister, inside here are a water bottle, snacks, a pen and paper, disinfectant wipes, facial tissues, face towels, disposable towels, disposable slippers, and a small blanket. Not only that, there are cosmetics in here, all carefully selected and prepared for you."

Nan Qiao: "…"

Bai Jingyan: "Lao San, this guy is too crafty. He watched me prepare stuff this morning, hoping to freeload my ideas and made a copy. But mine is more complete; I also brought a small folding stool for our sister; in case there aren't any chairs, standing would be tiring, but she can rest a bit on the stool."

Nan Qiao: "…"

Curious, Nan Qiao turned to Bai Jingting: "Big Brother, what do you have in your bag?"

It's not just Nan Qiao; Bai Jingyan and Bai Jingrui were also curious. What did their thoughtful Big Brother pack?

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