Chapter 85: Waiting for Her Regret

Zhou Qing had come over specifically to report this matter. “Strangely enough, after Zhao Chu was beaten up by Lu Yan, he gathered a few people—probably to seek revenge. Yet, the next day, not only was there no retaliation, but he quickly returned to Yangcheng. On the other hand, Miss Shen’s mother, Han Lanzhi, remained in the capital.”

Xia Xiyue pondered for a moment. “Zhao Chu must have already learned Lu Yan’s true identity.”

Zhou Qing agreed, “That must be it. Daring to mess with Lu Yan, those above would soon investigate, and he wouldn’t be able to bear the consequences. But I’ve just received word: there’s another group looking into the Zhao family, and they seem extremely professional. They’ve even gathered more information than our own people.”

Xia Xiyue chuckled softly. “It seems Lu Yan truly has some skill, after all.”

“You think they’re Lu Yan’s people?”

Xia Xiyue nodded.

“If Lu Yan’s side is keeping watch, then, Boss Xia, you needn’t worry yourself further,” Zhou Qing advised.

A brief sneer flashed across Xia Xiyue’s handsome face. “He’s gone to Yanzhou’s Lincheng now—how long will his attention last on this matter?”

Zhou Qing nodded and continued his report. “The Zhao family owns about twelve shops in Yangcheng’s famous Thirteen Factories district. Several generations have been merchants; as early as the Qing Dynasty, they were already trading with foreigners and have quite a reputation there. When things got tense, the whole family fled to Hong Kong, only returning after the policies relaxed. Somehow, they managed to keep every single one of their shops. Now, in the Yangcheng area, they do business in furniture, jade, and tea, and have even started dabbling in electronics—all quite successful. Although their business can’t compare to yours, they’re considered a powerful family in that region.”

The Xia family also dealt in jade, but mainly focused on gold jewelry. Before the war broke out in China, the Xia elders had converted all their assets into gold and silver for safekeeping. During the war, they made significant donations, so after liberation and with the advent of reform and opening up, the Xia family quickly got wind of the changes, seized the opportunity in Pengcheng, sold off some of their gold and silver, collected antiques, and bought land.

It wasn’t until China began to encourage private enterprise and individual business that the Xia family dared to restart their operations. They were already well-capitalized, and with Xia Xiyun’s remarkable business acumen, several factories flourished within just a few years. The idea of shifting from export to domestic sales had been Xia Xiyun’s.

Upon hearing this, Xia Xiyue fell into thought. Why would their family, who were all merchants, want to get hold of Qingyi’s father’s manuscripts? Could they even understand them? How intriguing.

“Where is Han Lanzhi staying now?” Xia Xiyue asked.

Zhou Qing answered honestly, “At the International Friendship Hotel.”

That was the finest hotel in the capital. Clearly, Han Lanzhi was well treated by the Zhao family.

“Come, take me to her!” Xia Xiyue ordered.

Zhou Qing glanced at Xia Xiyue. Was the boss really this concerned about the staff? Though puzzled, he didn’t dare question further and quickly agreed, “Alright, I’ll drive you over right away.”

At that moment, Han Lanzhi was deep in thought in her room when a staff member came to inform her, “Mrs. Han, there are two guests downstairs who say they’re friends of yours. Would you like them to come up?”

“Did they say their names?” Han Lanzhi asked.

“One said his surname is Xia.”

“How old are they?” Han Lanzhi pressed.

“Around twenty or so, but he looks more like a relative of yours,” the staff replied.

Hearing the surname and the age, Han Lanzhi already guessed who it was. But the staff’s comment about him seeming like a relative piqued her curiosity. “What makes you think he’s related to me?”

“He has an outstanding air about him—definitely a young master from a wealthy family,” the staff member said with a smile.

Flattered, Han Lanzhi’s mood brightened. “Let him up, then!”

Xia Xiyue was escorted upstairs with Zhou Qing and invited into the room, where Han Lanzhi also had a servant standing behind her.

Han Lanzhi had met Xia Xiyue before. The year she sent Shen Qingyi to study under Qian Fanxi, she had caught sight of this young man—then only sixteen, fair-skinned and striking, impeccably dressed, his eyes darting between her and Shen Qingyi.

Later, she’d heard he’d returned from abroad. But everyone knew, at sixteen, what kind of studies abroad could one have completed? Clearly, the Xia family had both money and connections, sending him off to be pampered elsewhere, for China in those days had been truly harsh.

“Aunt Han!” Xia Xiyue greeted politely.

Han Lanzhi nodded slightly in response, then got straight to the point. “You’ve tracked me down all the way here—what’s the matter?”

Xia Xiyue didn’t beat around the bush. “Do you know about Zhao Chu’s recent actions?”

At the mention of Zhao Chu, Han Lanzhi immediately grew wary. “What about him?”

“He wanted to please you—brought two men, but was disrespectful to Qingyi.”

Han Lanzhi understood at once—this young man was here to support her daughter. “You’re close to Qingyi?”

He was two years her junior and yet addressed her so familiarly.

Xia Xiyue nodded. “Yes. She’s a designer in my factory.”

“Does Lu Yan know?” Han Lanzhi, with her life experience, instantly saw that this young man had feelings for her daughter.

At the mention of Lu Yan, Xia Xiyue’s expression darkened slightly. “He knows.”

Han Lanzhi understood. Lu Yan, just like Shen Huaishan, only had eyes for his research, no matter how well others treated him. In the end, he gained nothing and died in prison, bitter and unfulfilled. Pity her daughter was too foolish to listen, ending up in this lonely, forsaken marriage.

“I’m here today to ask you to convey a message to the Zhao family: if any of them dare target Qingyi, I won’t be so polite,” Xia Xiyue said, his handsome features instantly turning sharp.

Rather than being angered, Han Lanzhi’s lips curled in a faint, ambiguous smile. “Does Qingyi know you’re doing all this?”

“I told her I’d look into the Zhao family for her.”

Han Lanzhi laughed. “After all, Shen Qingyi is my daughter. Even without you saying so, I wouldn’t let the Zhao family harm her.”

Now it was Xia Xiyue’s turn to be surprised. “Since you know she’s your daughter, why force her to produce something of Professor Shen’s that never existed?”

Han Lanzhi studied him. “You want to know?”

“Yes.”

Han Lanzhi fell silent for a while. “I served her father for half my life and never received equal treatment. Taking something of his as compensation isn’t too much, is it?”

“But you’re giving it to the Zhao family. What good does it do them? What compensation can you get from that?”

Han Lanzhi smiled. “That’s not your concern. This is between me and Qingyi. As long as I get it, she and I will never have to worry again.”

Xia Xiyue was puzzled. “If you care so much about Qingyi, do you know how hard these last four years have been for her? Why didn’t you come back to check on her, give her some help?”

At this, Han Lanzhi’s smile faded instantly. “I wanted her to suffer enough with Lu Yan. Only then will she regret her choices.”

Regret not believing her, regret marrying Lu Yan, for there could never be happiness down that road.