After Shen Lin left, Li Chi quickly opened his phone. Emperor Rui He's message was displayed on the screen, making his already anxious heart pound even harder.
Looking at the direction Shen Lin had gone, Li Chi deleted all the messages on his phone and turned to enter the elevator.
Shen Lin stopped at the turn and, listening to the sound of the elevator, emerged from the shadows.
The meeting was not a chance encounter but was pre-arranged. With the task completed, Shen Lin returned to the office in a good mood.
Li Chi spent the entire day on edge. When anyone greeted him, he would jump up from his chair as if startled.
His colleagues teased him, and Li Chi waited awkwardly until work ended.
He couldn't stay a moment longer. Grabbing his jacket and briefcase, he was the first to leave the office.
As he reached the elevator, Li Chi felt as though billions of eyes were on his back. Unable to wait for the elevator, he turned and ran down the stairs instead.
In the chilly weather, Li Chi emerged from the company, his body covered in sweat. A cold gust of wind blew, and he tightened his jacket, flagging down a passing taxi.
Upstairs, Di Mingjue stood by the window, staring down at the street.
Shen Lin placed his jacket on Di Mingjue's knees and asked, "Emperor Di, shall I arrange a car?"
"Is the matter settled?" Di Mingjue turned and asked.
Taking out a square box from his pocket, Shen Lin handed it to Di Mingjue.
Without opening the box, he casually placed it on a nearby table. "Arrange a car."
The sky turned dark early after the rain, and lights illuminated the streets. Di Mingjue arrived at Jiang Ziyu's residence and looked up at the lit balcony from below.
"Emperor Di, do you really not need me to escort you up?" Shen Lin confirmed repeatedly in front of the building.
Di Mingjue waved his hand. "No, I'll take the elevator myself."
Shen Lin, still worried, stood there watching him enter the building.
"Brother, Daddy!"
The butler held Xiao Ran's hand with one hand and Yu Ze's with the other.
Seeing the familiar Shen Lin, Yu Ze pulled Xiao Ran and lowered their heads together. The three of them walked past Shen Lin. After they had gone some distance, Shen Lin realized something and looked back at them.
Why did they seem familiar, as if he had seen them somewhere before?
After the thought passed, Shen Lin shook his head, believing all children looked alike.
Before the elevator arrived, Di Mingjue stood at the front, while the butler, Xiao Ran, and Yu Ze stood behind him.
Xiao Ran's heart pounded as she tightly grasped Yu Ze's hand. This was the first time she was meeting her Daddy at such close proximity.
Yu Ze, afraid of being recognized, hid behind the butler.
Ding!
The elevator arrived on the first floor.
The wheelchair got stuck in a gap, and Xiao Ran saw Di Mingjue struggling a bit. She reached out from behind to help him push the wheelchair.
"Thank you," Di Mingjue said after adjusting the direction.
The butler used his arm to shield their faces and politely replied, "It's no trouble at all."
The elevator ascended, and they exited before Di Mingjue.
Familiar with the way, Di Mingjue arrived at Jiang Ziyu's residence and rang the doorbell.
"Why are you back so late?" Jiang Ziyu said as she opened the door.
Di Mingjue looked at her, contemplating her words.
"Come in quickly," Jiang Ziyu said, coming back to her senses and inviting him in.
Di Mingjue looked at the food already laid out on the table and felt a sense of curiosity. "Are guests expected?"
"No," Jiang Ziyu said, pulling Qian Qian to wash her hands.
Di Mingjue glanced at the bowls and chopsticks prepared in the kitchen, then at the spread of food on the table, and asked again, "Did you and Qian Qian prepare this much food?"
Standing in front of the mirror, Jiang Ziyu lowered her head awkwardly and looked at Qian Qian. They made funny faces at each other. Jiang Ziyu tilted her head and called out, "I knew you were coming, there's a portion for you inside."
Hearing her say that, Di Mingjue felt a bit better, but his suspicion remained.