Han Rui looked at Bai Xi. Her eyes were clear and indifferent, but her inner thoughts made him feel immense wisdom and tenderness.
He raised an eyebrow and looked at his grandfather. "Grandpa, tell me honestly, did my father really not go to that place back then? Then don't talk about not having his body; not even a shred of his clothing or a badge was left behind. Did he have some idea outside and decide to wander off, just not wanting to fulfill his responsibilities as a father or a child?"
Hearing this, Han Cai's expression turned angry. "You ungrateful child, how can you speak about your father like that? Your father was a responsible person, how could he do something so irresponsible?"
Han Rui raised an eyebrow. "Then are you saying he accidentally fell into a time tunnel while on the train and traveled through time, so he couldn't be responsible for us?"
Han Cai looked at Han Rui's agitated demeanor and was clearly very annoyed. "Forget it, I'm not going to argue with you, you child. If it's not seen, then it's not seen."
Han Rui raised an eyebrow.
His father was dead, killed by Xue Yi, leaving no remains.
Such a sad event, it was better not to tell his grandfather. For the elderly, death itself wasn't terrifying, but the pain of a parent outliving their child was something most elderly people couldn't bear. As long as his father's body wasn't found, in his grandfather's heart, his father was still alive, and there was a sliver of hope.
This hope made his grandfather's life more resilient.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Han Cai said indifferently, "Enter."
A bodyguard walked in and said calmly, "Master, someone from the Chu family is here."
Han Cai frowned. "The Chu family?"
The bodyguard nodded. "The eldest daughter of the Chu family is here."
Han Cai frowned. "What is she here for?"
The bodyguard replied truthfully, "She said she's here to deliver an invitation."
In Shangyang, the Chu family was the foremost aristocratic family, and the Han family naturally had to show them respect. "Let her in."
A moment later, Chu Meng walked in, wearing towering high heels.
Today, she was wearing a beautiful silver evening gown adorned with sparkling sequins. The hem of the dress was inlaid with real diamonds, shimmering with a spectrum of colors under the bright sunlight.
Bai Xi slightly frowned.
This woman didn't look like she was just delivering an invitation; she looked more like she was walking a red carpet.
When the woman saw Bai Xi wearing a slightly dirty hoodie, her face showed a hint of pride and smugness.
She smiled and said to Han Cai, "Grandpa Han, the night after next, my father is hosting a charity auction at the Kailin Grand Hotel. The proceeds will be used to aid impoverished families in Shangyang who have been injured or disabled due to special illnesses. I'm here specifically to deliver invitations to you and Brother Han Rui."
This charity auction was something she had pestered her father to organize. Her aim was to take advantage of the significant social impact of the Han family's recent medical accident to appease the common people of Shangyang City.
She wanted Han Rui to know who the woman capable of helping him and achieving his success was.
If it weren't for the people she sent to monitor the Han family's situation telling her that Han Rui had returned, she wouldn't have come personally!
Out of politeness, Han Cai naturally responded with a smile. "Thank you for your trouble, Miss Chu."
"Brother Han Rui!" Chu Meng said as she stepped forward, trying to get in front of Han Rui. Unfortunately, Xuan Feng, seated beside Han Rui, showed no intention of moving.
In any other situation, she would have already asserted her status as the eldest daughter of the Chu family and started scolding.
However, seeing Xuan Feng's expression, she inexplicably felt a chill down her spine and realized she shouldn't speak rashly. "Um, sir, I'd like to have a few private words with Brother Han Rui, could you please..."
Xuan Feng said calmly, "No."
Han Rui also smiled. "I've received the invitation. If Miss Chu has nothing else, please leave first. I will definitely be there the night after next. I've been traveling outside for the past few days and haven't washed properly for several days. Miss Chu should probably not stay too close to me."
He could clearly see her thoughts, as Chu Meng was completely unguarded around him.
Alas, being too handsome had its troubles.
However, this charity auction was indeed a good thing for the common people of Shangyang City, so he would naturally attend.
Chu Meng heard Han Rui's indifferent words and was a bit displeased, but she could also see the fatigue on Han Rui and that his clothes weren't exactly clean. She didn't mind seeing Han Rui's face, but... it wasn't good to force it now.
Looking unhappy, she said娇滴滴 (jiāo dī dī - coquettishly), "Then it's a deal, see you the night after next."
Han Rui smiled and nodded. "Yes, see you the night after next."
Hearing this, Chu Meng turned to leave. But upon seeing Bai Xi, she slightly raised her eyebrows. "Miss Bai, might we have a private chat?"
Bai Xi raised an eyebrow, her gaze calm. "I recall that Miss Chu and I are not well acquainted. I really don't know what there is for Miss Chu to chat about."
Hearing this, Chu Meng slightly arched her meticulously sculpted, straight eyebrows. "Not acquainted? But I remember we had a very pleasant time at the Bai family last time."
The words "very pleasant" were clearly emphasized.
Bai Xi said calmly, "Oh, as long as Miss Chu feels it was pleasant."
Seeing Bai Xi's cold demeanor, Chu Meng's composure, despite her heavy makeup, was about to crack. "Is that so? Miss Bai, aren't you afraid?"
Bai Xi raised an eyebrow and calmly stood up. "Afraid of what?"
She didn't want trouble, but Chu Meng's words were provokingly challenging. Since that was the case, she didn't mind obliging her.
Chu Meng smiled. "Then Grandpa Han, may I borrow your courtyard to have a chat with Miss Bai?"
Her words sounded like a question, but she had no intention of adhering to the other's will. Before Han Cai, the head of the Han family, could speak, Chu Meng haughtily lifted her head and, like a peacock, walked towards the courtyard.
Bai Xi nodded slightly to Han Cai, as a greeting, and then also walked in that direction.
The Han family's courtyard was very beautiful, unlike ordinary villas.
Both the Chu family's villa and the surrounding villas were decorated with a touch of European style at the entrance, with minimalist furnishings, swimming pools, and a sense of modern technology. However, the inner courtyard of the Han family villa had a distinct ancient Chinese style. What met the eye were small bridges, flowing water, winding corridors, and rock gardens, exuding tranquility and depth, elegance yet not without grandeur.
If it were just for a stroll, it would be an enjoyment, of course, provided it wasn't with the annoying Chu Meng standing before her.
At this moment, Chu Meng stopped on the corridor, looking at Bai Xi with pride. If she didn't worry that Bai Xi couldn't see, she would probably have looked down her nose at Bai Xi. "I heard from my brother that you have a boyfriend?"