Chapter 2124: Wen Yuan (18)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Shang Qingmo did not give up on investigating Shang Qiqi.
But all paths were blocked by Old Master Shang.
All traces of Shang Qiqi had been wiped clean.
He didn’t believe that the Old Master would do it flawlessly, but there was no news from the people he had arranged for a few days.
Shang Qiqi had joined forces with the Old Master. It seemed like she was determined not to let him find her.!!
The engagement ceremony was luxurious and grand. In the eyes of outsiders, Shang Qingmo had given the Song family enough face and respect. She even doted on Song Yunshu.
Song Yunshu smiled happily that day.
If the entire scene was recorded, it would attract some attention from the media.
Every guest was full of smiles. They were very optimistic about the couple today.
Shang Yekun attended and exchanged pleasantries with a few elders whom he had a good relationship with.
Shang Qingmo kept looking in the direction of the banquet entrance.
He was wearing an expensive black suit, a white shirt, and a black bow tie. He exuded the elegance of a gentleman.
However, there was no longer any warmth on his handsome face. The aloof smile on his face gradually turned cold.
Shang Qiqi did not attend.
She hadn’t come.
He suddenly wondered why he had to look for her regardless of the consequences when she wanted to stay away.
This was pure stupidity.
Everyone noticed Shang Qingmo’s expression, but they didn’t provoke her.
Old Master Shang kept a close eye on him. Fortunately, the engagement party ended.
He breathed a sigh of relief.
In fact, he had always believed that Shang Qingmo wouldn’t do anything that would make others laugh at her.
But because of Qiqi, for the first time in many years, he had doubts about his usually mature and reliable son.
Recently, he had been on tenterhooks again.
After the engagement party, Shang Qingmo and Song Yunshu didn’t seem to have changed much.
They lived and worked separately.
However, both of them had new identities.
Old Master Shang didn’t hear Shang Qingmo’s question.
A few days later, Shang Qingmo returned early in the morning reeking of alcohol. Old Master was calling Shang Qiqi.
There were many things that needed to be arranged when she arrived at school. She had almost finished packing these few days and was giving instructions to the Old Master.
Shang Yekun didn’t expect Shang Qingmo to return at this time. He was caught off guard and didn’t know what to say.
Shang Qingmo staggered. His shirt was wrinkled and his short hair was scattered across his forehead. He looked dispirited.
Old Master Shang had never seen such a side of his son.
She frowned and said unhappily, “Why did you drink so much early in the morning?”
“Socializing,” replied Shang Qingmo calmly as her gaze landed on the phone in Old Master’s hand.
The old man suddenly thought of something and gripped his phone tightly. “Then hurry upstairs to rest.”
Shang Qingmo walked up to him, her eyes fixed on the phone.
“Why did you stop talking?”
Through the phone, Shang Qiqi heard Shang Qingmo’s voice and her heart skipped a beat.
“Since you guys aren’t chatting, let me say something.”
Before he could finish speaking, the phone had already landed in his hand.
“Shang Qingmo!”
The old man growled, but Shang Qingmo sneered.
“Don’t worry, I won’t find out where she is…”
Before Shang Qiqi could hang up, she heard Shang Qingmo’s familiar deep voice calling her name.
“Shang Qiqi.”
“…”
“You’re not saying anything? Well, you don’t have to. Listen, aren’t you leaving? Alright… since you’re leaving, don’t come back. If you want to sever ties with me in a few years… Ha, how can a few years be enough? You’d better not appear in front of me for the rest of your life. That would be more thorough, right?”
Shang Qiqi could clearly feel that his words were like a demon’s heart. Her heart was bleeding in her chest.
The soreness in her throat made her unable to utter a word.
“Shang Qingmo! You’ve gone crazy!”
If Shang Qiqi never returned, the Old Master would be the first to disagree.
After all, she had raised him. Shang Qiqi had been obedient and sensible to him all these years.
Up until now, people valued relationships.
How could he agree to not see Qiqi again?
Shang Qingmo didn’t say anything. She held her phone and listened to the breathing.
He waited for a long time but didn’t hear her speak. In the end, he hung up coldly.
Old Master Shang was so angry with Shang Qingmo that his lips trembled. He couldn’t control his temper and stood up. He raised his hand and slapped Shang Qingmo’s face.
“You… are a bastard!”
The butler, who had been standing not far away, was shocked. “Old Master!”
Shang Qingmo’s face was slapped to the side and his eyes darkened.
“What right do you have to stop her from coming back? What right do you have to stop Qiqi from coming back to me? She’s my granddaughter. What right do you have to…”
Shang Qingmo sneered. “She’s just an ingrate. Otherwise, why would she be so heartless as to abandon you and leave? Why…”
“Shut up!”
Shang Yekun was already furious. His entire body was trembling, especially the hand that had just slapped Shang Qingmo.
“Get lost… Get upstairs…”
Shang Qingmo didn’t say anything and left the villa.
“Young Master!” The butler hurried after him. What should he do after drinking so much?
He followed her out and hurriedly called the chauffeur over. Without any explanation, he stepped forward to block Shang Qingmo’s body and stubbornly opened the back door for him.
Shang Qingmo looked at him coldly.
The butler braced himself and advised, “Young Master, safety is important. Don’t let Old Master worry.”
Shang Qingmo didn’t insist.
After that, the butler instructed the chauffeur to send her to the villa in the city to rest before returning to the living room.
After informing the Old Master, Shang Yekun slowly sat on the sofa.
After calming herself down, she took out her phone and called Shang Qiqi again.
“Qiqi, your uncle is drunk. Don’t listen to him…”
Shang Qiqi’s lips twitched. “I know, Grandpa. How can I not go back? I’m still waiting to be filial to you, but you have to take care of yourself…”
“Yes, Grandpa knows. You don’t have to worry too much about me. Your studies are the most important now. If you need anything, you have to tell Grandpa!”
“Okay, I know everything.”
“Okay, Grandpa will wait for you at home for two years…”
“Yeah.”
However, two years later, Shang Qiqi did not return as promised.
That day, the Old Master personally went to the airport to pick her up.
But she only saw Han Jichi.
At that time, the old man was holding a walking stick and wearing a Chinese tunic suit. The smile on his face gradually froze.
His heart turned cold.
There was a reason why he had slapped Shang Qingmo back then.
Because he wasn’t sure if Qiqi would be hurt by his words and take them seriously.
From the looks of it, his worries were not unfounded.
“Ji Chi… Where’s our Qiqi? Why didn’t she come back with you?”
Han Jiji was more upright than two years ago. Her facial features were tougher and more mature. Her actions were elegant and elegant.
After hearing Old Master Shang’s words, he smiled.
“Grandpa Shang, Qiqi wants me to apologize to you. She’s not coming back this time. The school thinks highly of her and wants her to continue improving. They’ve also promised her… There’s a high chance that Qiqi will stay in that school in the future…”
The old man’s body swayed and his eyes reddened.
“She’s not coming back? She wants to stay there… Why… didn’t she tell me?”
“Qiqi feels very sorry and doesn’t know how to explain it to you. But don’t worry, she will come back eventually. She said that she will definitely come back to accompany you, but she needs more time…”
Old Master Shang quickly composed himself and nodded.
“Yes, she promised me…”
But in his heart, he blamed Shang Qingmo for everything.
If he hadn’t said those words to Qiqi, Qiqi wouldn’t have made this choice.
The Han family booked a table at a hotel outside their house to welcome their son.
Old Master Shang had already decided to go there. Back then, he wanted the two children to come back together, so everyone gathered together to have fun.
Now that Qiqi wasn’t back, he had a lot to ask Han Jiji, so he followed her to the hotel.
She grabbed Han Jichi and kept asking about Qiqi’s situation in school.
Han Jiji had always been very hardworking and smart. She was popular with the teachers and students.
That was why the school insisted on keeping her.
The old man was very pleased. Then, he asked him, “How are you and Qiqi?”
Han Jichi paused. “…We’re fine. I’ll wait for her to come back.”
Although he was looking forward to it, Old Master’s eyes lit up when he heard Han Jichi’s reply.
“So in the past two years, has our relationship been confirmed?”
Han Jichi was a little embarrassed. Even though his handsome face had two years of maturity, it was still obvious that he was embarrassed.
“She only agreed to try it with me a year later…”
“Try?” The old man paused for a moment before smiling. “Isn’t trying just dating? You’re so outstanding, Qiqi will naturally like you!”
Because of Han Jichi’s words, Old Master Shang relaxed even more.
Since Qiqi had agreed to be with Ji Chi, she would definitely come back.
She had her own life. Han Jichi was the rest of her life.
Not only to see this old man, but also for Han Jichi.
“Then why don’t you choose to stay with Qiqi? It’s always good to improve.”
At this moment, Father Han said, “The Han Corporation has to be taken over by Ji Chi. There are many things in the company that we need to learn. The sooner we take over the company, the sooner we can settle down…”
The old man agreed. “You’re right. The sooner the situation stabilizes, the more important it is. I can trust you with Qiqi…”
At this moment, the door was suddenly pushed open and Shang Qingmo’s tall figure appeared.
In two years, she had shed the immaturity and maturity on Han Jichi.
That would make a mature man more mature.
However, the man who was originally indifferent and distant in front of outsiders now looked cold and heartless. The coldness he exuded was like a barrier around his body. Without a word, he gave off an inexplicable pressure.
His cold gaze swept across the room. Among the shocked crowd, he did not see the girl who had planned to leave for two years.
A cold glint flashed across his dark eyes. In a flash, he recalled what Old Master had said when he pushed the door open.
In just a moment, his gaze landed on the face of the man who had changed.
Han Jiji went up to him fearlessly, and the room fell into an awkward silence.
Seeing this, Father Han hurriedly smiled and tried to smooth things over. “Qingmo, you’re here. Come, come, sit…”
Old Master Shang snorted coldly and said unhappily, “Why are you here? Do you want to teach Qiqi a lesson? You don’t have the chance. As you wish, Qiqi won’t be coming back this time…”
Shang Qingmo tightened her grip on the door handle.
The old man looked at the exquisite dishes on the table expressionlessly and deliberately mocked,
“As you wish, she won’t be able to return in the future. My Qiqi is outstanding. In a few years, she will be an advanced foreign teacher hired by an international school!”
Upon hearing this, Shang Qingmo fell silent for two seconds before chuckling. “That better be the case. At least it’s worth the money the Shang family threw at her.”
Old Master took a deep breath and his face darkened.
“Since it’s a welcome party for Young Master Han tonight, I won’t disturb you anymore. Goodbye.”
He turned around and the door closed.
The atmosphere in the room instantly relaxed.
*
Although everyone was puzzled by Shang Qingmo’s calm reaction,
Back then, everyone present knew how furious he was when Shang Qiqi left without a word.
No matter how much they thought about tonight’s actions, they only thought that they had been angry for so many years.
What they didn’t expect was that Shang Qingmo’s calmness was really superficial.
Ever since Han Jichi returned, the Han Corporation had encountered resistance from all sides. With a little investigation, they found out that it was Shang Qingmo’s doing.
He didn’t hide his pressure on the Han family. He didn’t care about the relationship between the two families.
When Old Master Shang found out about this, he called Shang Qingmo home and reprimanded her.
“You’d better give me a reasonable reason!”
Shang Qingmo’s expression was not affected at all. She sat on the sofa casually and said calmly,
“I don’t like her.”
“Shang Qingmo!”
“Or rather…” Shang Qingmo continued calmly,” I don’t like anyone or anything related to Shang Qiqi. ”
The old man coughed in anger.
Ever since Shang Qiqi left two years ago, Shang Qingmo rarely came back. She rarely returned to the main house every weekend.
Every time the father and son met, they were either cold and speechless or the Old Master was so angry that he was panting.
It was either because of Shang Qiqi or because Shang Qingmo had refused to hold the wedding.
Now, it was obvious that it was because Shang Qiqi was involved.
“Two years, it’s been two years. No matter how angry you are, you should have calmed down, Shang Qingmo! Why are you angry with Qiqi? Can’t you wear her down in two years?!”
“No matter who it is, whoever provokes me will have to pay the price. I can’t teach her a lesson, so those who are related to her will have to suffer first.”
“Then you have to teach me a lesson too!”
Shang Qingmo lost her patience and stood up. “You don’t have to say that. You’re my father.”
Seeing that he was about to leave, Old Master Shang ordered in a low voice, “Don’t touch the Han family again!”
Shang Qingmo left silently.
The father and son parted on bad terms again.
In reality, paper couldn’t cover fire. Two years was enough for Shang Qingmo to find out Shang Qiqi’s whereabouts.
However, he seemed to be angry with himself. He didn’t continue to look for her, didn’t see her, and didn’t ask about her.
He would stubbornly wait until the day she broke the contract and returned. Then, he would have a reason and excuse to mock her for her ability and heartlessness.
Yet she had once again shown him what she was capable of.
Indeed, she did not return.
When she returned to the villa in the city, Shang Qingmo went upstairs without a word.
The servants were already used to his increasingly cold personality.
She left the restaurant silently.
On the dining table, there were three simple dishes and one soup.
*
In the blink of an eye, another two years had passed.
This was the fifth year since Shang Qiqi left.
It was the eve of the summer break and another graduation season.
The two-year postgraduate program overseas had ended. She had also obtained her master’s degree not long ago.
Although the school kept asking her to stay, she felt that it was enough.
She had already let Grandpa down by not coming back two years ago.
She couldn’t be so selfish anymore.
Her life had been given to her by this old man. She was grateful to him.
Summer in the country was still lacking.
The moment the cabin door opened, a wave of heat assaulted their faces. The people who left the cabin couldn’t help but exclaim about the weather in the country.
She picked up her luggage and walked out of the airport lobby. Standing under the scorching sun, she looked at the square not far away. Waves of heat rose from the ground, and the occasional breeze blew the hair on both sides of her face.
Sweat immediately appeared on her forehead. She took out the sunscreen from her bag and put it on, her gaze searching for something.
“Qiqi.”
A Rolls-Royce had just arrived at the exit and called Shang Qiqi happily.
Shang Qiqi smiled when she saw the familiar face.
Han Jichi parked the car and strode towards her.
She opened her arms and pulled Shang Qiqi into her embrace.
“Welcome back.”
Shang Qiqi replied with a smile and patted Han Jiji’s back gently.
Han Jichi let go of her, took the suitcase from her and placed it in the trunk.
“Get in the car. I just bought you ice cream. It’s in the fridge.”
Shang Qiqi shifted her gaze to the car.
Han Jiqian held her hand and got her into the passenger seat. Then, he opened the fridge and handed her the ice cream.
“The vanilla flavor you like. There are also cantaloupe and pineapple flavors.”
“Thank you.”
The car started and left the airport slowly. Han Jichi had always been in high spirits about Shang Qiqi’s return.
“Is there anything you want to buy or do?”
Shang Qiqi shook her head. “No, I want to go home to see Grandpa.”
In order to prevent Old Master from mobilizing everyone, Shang Qiqi did not tell them that she would be returning today.
Hence, when Han Jiji sent her back to the main house, she lost a cup.
Caught off guard by the sight of his granddaughter whom he had missed for more than four years, the old man dropped the teacup in his hand.
Looking at the old man who had aged significantly, Shang Qiqi’s heart was filled with guilt and self-blame.
Tears welled up in her red eyes. “Grandpa…”
Old Master Shang’s eyes reddened and his lips trembled for a long time before tears flowed down.
It was only when Shang Qiqi ran towards him and knelt beside him, sobbing and apologizing to him that he snapped back to reality. He reached out his trembling hand and grabbed her arm.
“Silly child, get up. Hurry up. Grandpa doesn’t blame you…”
The butler quickly helped Shang Qiqi to the sofa.
“Little Miss, are you hungry now? Do you want to eat something to fill your stomach? I’ll get the servants to prepare dinner tonight…”
“Thank you, Uncle Chen. I’m not hungry now. I’ll just wait for dinner.”
“Alright, I’ll get someone to prepare some snacks for you!”
The butler left in a hurry.
Old Master’s excitement gradually subsided. He grabbed Shang Qiqi’s hand and kept asking her about the past few years overseas.
Shang Qiqi told him everything.
Han Jichi sat at the side and listened.
After two years, Shang Qiqi had changed again.
Her short hair had grown longer, and her youthful charm had faded. She no longer had the lively personality she had a few years ago. Instead, there was a gentleness, gentleness, and restraint.
Her transformation was breathtaking.