Tianyi pressed his forehead and slowly opened his eyes. "Since Xiao Xingxing said to have you go to school, then go. If you can't persuade Alva not to force it, let him know that everyone wants to help Xiaoxiao."
"I understand your concerns. Xiao Xingxing cares a lot about Xiaoxiao now, but no one can predict the future. They are both still young, their values and views on love are not yet formed. Xiao Xingxing's care for Xiaoxiao is more like a brother looking after a sister. This child has always been responsible..."
"You don't need to tell me this. Susu has also told me the same things, but I know Xiao Xingxing is stubborn. I'm afraid once he sets his mind on something, he won't change it easily," Tianyi sighed. "I hope, as you and Susu say, that they won't cross the line in the future and will always be like brother and sister."
"They will," An Jing said, preparing to return to his office to book a flight.
Tianyi called out to him, "Wait, there's something I need you to know."
"What is it?" An Jing looked at his strange expression, as if he had done something to wrong him.
Tianyi cleared his throat and said, "Actually... actually, after Alva told me Xiaoxiao was missing, I guessed that Xiaoxiao might go to find Xiao Xingxing. I've had people watching around that school all along. As expected, but I didn't tell you."
An Jing couldn't help but ask angrily, "If you had told me earlier, you could have explained it clearly to Alva, and he wouldn't have sent people to harass Lan Yu!"
"If I had told you then, and Alva found out, you and Xiao Xingxing wouldn't be able to explain it clearly," Tianyi stated his reasoning. "Her going to find Xiao Xingxing and not you, does that prove you weren't colluding with her in secret?"
"Then why are you telling me now, and now I can explain it clearly?"
"Yes. The people I sent caught someone who helped Xiaoxiao disguise her documents and get into Xiao Xingxing's school. However, that person isn't a good person either. Xiaoxiao admitted she would repay him, which is why he helped her. I've already handed that person over to Alva, which proves there's no connection between you and them. Even if Xiaoxiao didn't call Alva, Alva should be looking for Xiaoxiao in the next couple of days."
An Jing had to admire his secret arrangements and said, "I understand."
"If you're going to Xiao Xingxing's school, go as soon as possible. Susu and I will look after Lan Yu," he said.
"Okay." An Jing immediately left his office and had his secretary book tickets. He should be able to pick up the two children from school before Alva arrived.
...
It was eleven o'clock at night when Susu returned from outside.
After entering the house, she put down her bag and changed her shoes. She saw Tianyi sitting at the bar by the living room, drinking red wine.
"Why are you still drinking so late by yourself?" Susu walked over and asked.
Tianyi smiled at her and said, "I was waiting for you. I couldn't sleep if you weren't back."
Susu sat in front of him and said, "You're not a child anymore, do you still need me to tell you bedtime stories?"
"No need for bedtime stories, I just want you to talk to me before bed."
Susu looked at his pleading expression and asked, "Is something wrong?"
"How was the charity gala tonight? Did you raise a lot of funds?" Tianyi didn't answer her.
Upon mentioning the charity gala, Susu's eyes lit up. "It was a great success! The money raised will not only cover the orphanage's current medical expenses but should also have enough left to establish a fund."
"That's good. My wife is so capable, you can accomplish anything," Tianyi raised his glass to her.
Susu leaned towards him and said, "Don't flatter me. This wasn't my achievement alone. Mengqi, Mrs. Huang, and Mrs. Yu all contributed a lot, and your initial ideas were also very helpful."
"Are the dean and the orphanage representatives settled?" Tianyi asked again.
"Yes, I personally took them to the hotel. Those children were as happy as if it were New Year's Day, they were so excited."
Tianyi said, "I've already prepared the cars to take them back tomorrow. There are also new clothes and stationery in the cars."
Susu cupped his face and kissed him, saying, "Mr. Qin, you really get things done."
"You seem so excited about this charity event. Hurry back to your room, take a bath, change, and get some rest."
Susu said "Oh," and as she was about to go upstairs, she felt something was off. She stared at him and asked, "Don't you have anything to tell me? Did something happen?"
Tianyi was still hesitating whether to tell her about Xiaoxiao tonight, fearing it would affect her mood.
"Speak up. When did you become so hesitant?" Susu pouted, already unhappy.
Tianyi pulled her and made her sit down again. "There is indeed something I need to tell you. Xiaoxiao ran away from Alva some time ago and went to school to find Xiao Xingxing."
He recounted the entire incident.
Susu listened without interrupting him. After he finished, she calmly said, "If it can make Alva agree to let Xiaoxiao study at school, it would be a good thing. If she and Xiao Xingxing are in the same school, Xiao Xingxing can also look after her. I hope An Jing can persuade Alva."
Tianyi looked at her reaction and felt his worries were unnecessary. He asked, "Aren't you worried that Xiao Xingxing and Xiaoxiao are both in adolescence? Will they start dating early?"
"I trust Xiao Xingxing. He likes to study and won't easily give up his education. He will only bring positive energy to Xiaoxiao, which is also good for her."
"You're not a man, you don't understand the restlessness of boys in adolescence," Tianyi wasn't as optimistic as her.
Susu pinched his face and laughed, "Okay, stop frowning, or you'll get wrinkles on your forehead. Be honest, how were you restless during your adolescence? Did you like any girls?"
"I didn't. My emotions were a blank slate before I met you," Tianyi said immediately.
"That's right. You should also believe in our son." Susu, on the other hand, really wanted to facilitate this. She suddenly stood up and said, "Why don't I go to Xiao Xingxing's school tomorrow too? I want to help An Jing persuade Alva."
Tianyi grabbed her and said, "You don't know Alva well, and you've never met him. Going there won't help. Xiao Xingxing thought of this too. He hasn't contacted us, only called An Jing, which proves that even my going wouldn't make a difference."
Susu felt a pang of sadness. "This child now hides everything from us and doesn't confide in us anymore. It's like we raised him in vain. An Jing has become closer to him than we are."
"Children in adolescence are like this, which is why I didn't object to An Jing going to help them this time. If we try to stop him, he might treat us as enemies."
"No, I have to call him. I must question him." Susu said, reaching for her phone.
Tianyi stopped her and said, "Don't call him yet. He'll probably get nervous when he hears our voices, thinking we're going to stop him. Let's wait a bit longer."