Chapter 91
Go to the Xie Family’s house?
Qiao Shao said, “Do you want me to revisit the site in my memory?”
Zhang Guanting said, “Yes, maybe it will evoke more related memories.”
This shouldn’t be difficult. Qiao Shao said, “I’ll go home and talk with my dad.”
Although the Qiao family and the Xie family rarely visited each other, they were both in S City, managing businesses of comparable size, it was unavoidable that they had some collaborative work in some aspects.
Zhang Guanting said, “Try to walk around the places that appeared in your memory. It would be even more effective if you try to recreate what had happened.”
Qiao Shao said, “I understand. Thank you, Dr. Zhang.”
Before hanging up the phone, Zhang Guanting asked somewhat abruptly, “Are you two together now?”
Qiao Shao’s face heated up, and he said softly, “En …”
Zhang Guanting said warmly. “That’s good, love has extremely strong spiritual power.”
Qiao Shao nodded vigorously. “Yes, he gives me courage!”
He Shen gave him not only the courage to face the past, but to see the present.
He was finally able to take this step forward because he saw Da Qiao.
His father, the man who had lost his true love but was strong enough to hold up the sky, needed him.
This realization gave Qiao Shao endless power!
He can no longer remain dispirited. He can’t make Da Qiao suffer anymore.
Even if his father was a tall and majestic mountain, he still needed shade from the trees, otherwise he would inevitably be worn down to nothing by the endless wind and rain.
When Qiao Shao returned home, he saw Aunt Wu cleaning.
Aunt Wu said, “Mr. Qiao has been at home all afternoon.”
Qiao Shao was stunned and he nodded.
Aunt Wu found it inappropriate to say anything more. She just asked, “The newly delivered oysters are very plump. Would you like to have it for dinner tonight?”
Qiao Shao said, “Yes, thank you for all your hard work, Aunt Wu.”
Aunt Wu immediately smiled. “There’s no need for you to be so polite.” After saying so, she headed to the kitchen and started busying about.
Qiao Shao first went to his bedroom to change his clothes. When he walked out of the door, he breathed out lightly and clenched his hands into fists.
His dad was on the third floor.
He wanted to go up, he wanted to see his mother.
Qiao Shao stood at foot of the stairs and closed his eyes.
Be brave, Qiao Shao. Don’t back down. Don’t you miss her a lot? All her stuff are on the third floor, and your countless memories are up there too. Go up … go up and see her.
Qiao Shao raised his feet and walked up the steps.
Snow patterned marble was covered with a light gray carpet. The carpet was often cleaned and replaced. Stepping on it, it seemed to be made of bright puffiness. Qiao Shao only felt that it was very soft underfoot, like stepping on a cloud; so light that it made him a little panicky.
This is nothing!
Qiao Shao suppressed the gradually welling vertigo. He put his all into taking step after step up.
It was just a staircase, a staircase at home, and a place he had walked through countless times as a child.
Qiao Shao walked very slowly and laboriously. His joints were screaming in pain. Even his brain was gradually becoming confused. His stomach was churning, as if it wanted to spit out everything he’d eatenk2026;
Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. There is no darkness and fear on the third floor, only beauty and warmth.
——The person you love the most is there.
Suddenly, Qiao Shao stopped.
He took out his phone from his pajama pocket. With shaking hands, he opened WeChat.
He Shen’s every word and statement surrounded him like a magic spell. His tense nerves slowly relaxed, and the pain in his body eased. Only his stomach still felt a dull ache.
So much better. He was so much better!
Head bowed, Qiao Shao looked at the WeChat dialog box. As he went through his chat record with He Shen, he climbed up to the third floor step by step.
It took Qiao Shao ten whole minutes to walk up those twenty-four steps.
When he finally stood on the third floor, everything in front of him flashed.
He climbed up…
It has been six years since he left this house at the age of eleven.
He finally came to this place that was his favorite as a child.
After focusing, Qiao Shao saw his father.
A man who wouldn’t get drunk even after a thousand cups, was drunk as he lay in the middle of a pile of gorgeous dresses.
Those were his mother’s clothes. Things that still continued to hand down their master’s beauty despite the pa.s.sage of time; the remembrance left behind by the one who had pa.s.sed away, and the mementos that those left behind could rely on to hold themselves together.
Qiao Shao stood motionless, watching his father, who was as strong as a mountain, curled up among these beautiful dresses, like a child immersed in an unreal dream.
He lost his mother.
He lost his true love.
Pain wouldn’t let off anyone, regardless of age.
Qiao Shao couldn’t stay for a moment longer. He turned, hurried downstairs, and silently returned to his bedroom. The moment the door was closed, he was choked with sobs.
What have I done?
How can I be so selfish?
How has dad endured all these years?
His mom was gone. What must his dad have felt as he looked after him?
He made sure to go home every night, no matter how far away he was. Whether he was within the country or abroad, he would definitely come back to keep him company.
Because he knew he was afraid of quiet and he was especially afraid of being alone at home.
He knew he needed him. He suffered the pain of losing of his wife and did his utmost to cherish him.
What about him?
What did Qiao Shao do?
He only knew to be immersed in his own pain. He hadn’t noticed his father’s grief at all.
He needed his dad.
So, why wouldn’t his dad need him?
He hadn’t fully understood this until today.
Qiao Shao forcefully wiped his tears, and his heart grew firmer with resolve.
He must remember the past. He must get rid of these shackles. He must live with health and vigor. He will let his father be gratified but even more important, be his support!
At dinner, both father and son went back to normal.
Qiao Zongmin pinched the s.p.a.ce between his eyebrows and said, “I had a bit too much to drink at the function during lunch.”
Qiao Shao didn’t expose him and said, “It’s alright to drink more occasionally. You’re still so young.”
Qiao Zongmin was amused. “My son is almost an adult, am I still young?”
Qiao Shao said, “Men bloom at forty-one. Comrade Da Qiao, you’re simply flourishing!”
Qiao Zongmin laughed. “You have no respect for your elders.”
Their family has never been one to stand on ceremony. Qiao Shao had been calling his parents nicknames since he was a child. This was something Qiao Zongmin and Yang Yun acquiesced to.
A harmonious family needn’t be bound by t.i.tles and true love didn’t depend on calling someone “mother” or “father”.
Dinner was baked oysters with cheese, charcoal grilled lamb chops, steamed pomfret. The side dishes were fried green beans and ginkgo yam.
Not too rich, but the two of them ate happily.
In the middle of the meal, Qiao Shao said, “Dad, I have something to discuss with you.”
Da Qiao was in the middle of picking out the fish bones for him. “En?”
Qiao Shao said, “This fish doesn’t have a lot of bones, I can just do that on my own …” And then he was all business, “Dr. Zhang suggested that I go to Xie Family’s old house.”
Qiao Zongmin’s hands stopped moving. He asked, “Why would you go to their house?”
He considered that family as neurotic and didn’t have a favorable impression of them. He didn’t want his son going there at all.
Qiao Shao explained, “I don’t know why but I always remember about going to the Xie Family’s house for a banquet. Dr. Zhang suggested that I revisit the place.”
Qiao Zongmin paused and asked, “Do you know anyone from the Xie family?”
Qiao Shao shook his head. “I don’t.”
Qiao Zongmin thought for a while and said, “The Xie family is in a mess right now. The old house is closed to all guests. It’s not going to be easy to go there.”
Since Qiao Shao’s return, let alone big social engagement, Qiao Zongmin hadn’t allowed anyone to disturb Qiao Shao save for a few close friends.
Qiao Zongmin never took Qiao Shao to attend any occasions. First of all, Qiao Shao’s mental state did not allow it, and secondly, he didn’t want other people staring at his son like some side show.
Qiao Shao said, “What was the occasion the last time I went there?”
Qiao Zongmin said, “It was Xie Yongyi’s birthday feast.”
Qiao Shao recalled, “It seemed to be around this season?”
Qiao Zongmin: “Almost.”
Qiao Shao thought: “Is his birthday coming soon? Will the Xie family hold a banquet?” If it is the same scene during the same time period, will he remember more things when he goes there?
Qiao Zongmin apparently thought of it too, but he frowned. “Xie Yongyi’s mental state is erratic. I’m afraid the Xie family won’t be preparing anything grand for his birthday.”
“I see,” Qiao Shao had no choice. “Then we’ll just find another opportunity.”
Qiao Zongmin said to his son. “I will pay attention to their arrangements. If you want to go, then consider it done.”
Now that the situation was complicated, if he hastily opened his mouth, saying he wants to visit Xie Yongyi, he feared others might read too much into it.
Of course, as long as it was beneficial for Qiao Shao’s recovery, he would think of a way.
As soon as He Shen came home, he saw the white Bentley downstairs.
Xie Qing was here again.
During the two-month summer vacation, Xie Qing contacted him countless times, and even visited the house five or six times.
He Shen did not see her except for the first time, but this time …
He Shen already had a plan.
When he had no care in the world, he wanted nothing but the Xie family’s completely destruction. Everyone, including himself, wouldn’t be allowed a natural death.
But now he had a yoke, he had placed someone at the top of his heart, and he was unwilling to let him suffer even the slightest grievance.
He couldn’t avoid it and he couldn’t shake them off.
He Shen never feared anything. He just felt disgusted.
Taking over the Xie family was disgusting, inheriting this filthy bloodline was disgusting, and seeing their selfish faces was even more disgusting.
But he understood that he could never break away from them.
Even if he changed his surname, even if he runs away from home, even if he earns the so-called 10 million yuan to sever ties with them, the Xie Family would never let him go.
Before, He Shen wished to burn with them, let good and bad alike be destroyed. But now he didn’t want to. He didn’t want to make Qiao Shao sad, so he has to go back.
He wanted to crush all the obstacles. Even if he has to bear this disgusting surname, he will give Qiao Shao a stable and bright future.
When He Shen saw Xie Qing, his first sentence was, “Is grandfather in the old house?”
Xie Qing was dumbfounded, and then her eyes revealed pleasant surprise. “Are you finally going back!”
He Shen maintained a calm expression and said, “It was grandfather who raised me up, how can I abandon him?”
His tone was light, without the slightest fluctuation, but Xie Qing felt an inexplicable chill down her spine.
Who could ever think that this was a 17-year old boy?
Who could ever think that this was still a minor?
More and more, Xie Qing understood her older brother’s words — Xie Yongyi raised a monster!
But this didn’t matter. Her only hope was that the Xie family wouldn’t fall!
That night, He Shen returned to Xie Family’s old house with his aunt, Xie Qing.
Xie Yongyi started from scratch and spent decades struggling to build this commercial empire.
This was the estate he was immensely proud of; a manor he designed by himself, a magnificent castle showcasing his wealth.
However, he was no match for the erosion of time and disease and he became an old madman.
When He Shen first appeared, the half-crazed Xie Yongyi screamed, “You son of a b*tch. You’re just like your father! You dare to change your surname. Go and be a dog of the He family! I don’t want the likes of you here …” He hadn’t finished raining down insults when he began to cough.
Despite being scolded in this way, He Shen still didn’t change his expression. He even strode forward and took the gla.s.s from the caregiver and approached the old man. “Come and drink.”
Xie Yongyi stared blankly and turned to look at him.
He Shen smiled, his eyes were gentle and his voice was calm and soothing, “Grandfather, it’s Xie Shen.”