14

"Uncle Jiang, please allow me some time to consider this matter." Rose lowered her head and remained silent for a long time before finally raising her head slowly and speaking solemnly.

Jiang Fan laughed: "Silly child, I'm not forcing you to make a decision now. The Yao and Xu families will soon be united by marriage, so I'm asking the Xu family for someone in advance. They shouldn't have any objections. This is also my personal reason. You are A Yuan's son, and I want to personally train you to make up for the regret of not being able to take good care of A Yuan."

“You were kind to my mother and me back then, and now it is time for us to repay that kindness. This was also my mother’s last wish. However, the Xu family has been kind to me, so we should think this matter over carefully. Please forgive me,” Rose said quietly.

Jiang Fan looked at him, increasingly admiring the boy's good manners and sense of propriety. After a moment's thought, he added, "As for Miss, don't worry. With me here, she won't do anything to you anymore. If you'd like, I'll bring you to meet our boss tomorrow, how about that?"

Rose nodded: "Given Mr. Yao's status, it is a great honor for a junior like me to witness his brilliance."

One reason he came to this city was to experience what it was like for his mother. Another reason was to escape Antonio, who was always bothering him.

Unexpectedly, he ran into Jiang Fan here, who was with Yao Yinxiang on business. After Yao Jinghan "kidnapped" him last time, he learned Jiang Fan's identity and that Yao Jinghan didn't want to marry Xu Qi. This delighted him. Now, he thought that even if Xu Qi didn't marry Yao Jinghan, other women would still stand by his side. Besides, Jiang Fan's meaning was clear: Yao Jinghan couldn't possibly resist Yao Yinxiang's will, so as long as Xu Qi agreed, the marriage would still take place.

Jiang Fan was shocked to learn that he was a member of "Long Ming," but due to the time constraints, the two did not discuss it further. After this meeting, Jiang Fan suggested that he join the Fuqing gang, and he considered it carefully.

The marriage alliance between the Yao and Xu families had always been a thorn in his side. If he went to the Fuqing gang now, he would still see Xu Qi from time to time once Xu Qi and Yao Jinghan got married, which would be torture for him. By staying in the country, he wouldn't have to witness the cruel scene of that person with another person.

However, his mother's dying wish could not be left unfulfilled. He could see that Jiang Fan had loved his mother his whole life, only to end up with nothing. And while his mother was grateful to Jiang Fan, she felt no affection for him. Therefore, if he went to the Fuqing gang, it would indeed be a way of repaying a debt of gratitude.

Rose sighed. There are so many people in the world who love but cannot be together, and she and Jiang Fan are just ordinary people among them.

From the moment Qiangwei entered, Yao Yinxiang's gaze was fixed on him, not shifting an inch. Qiangwei was somewhat puzzled, but he wisely pretended not to notice and obediently followed behind Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan naturally noticed Yao Yinxiang's unusual reaction, but he wouldn't ask rashly. He walked closer to the table and bowed deeply: "Boss, this is the son of the old friend I mentioned to you."

Rose immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Junior Rose greets Mr. Yao."

Yao Yinxiang suddenly stood up, quickly walked around the table, grabbed the jade pendant around Qiangwei's neck, and asked in a deep voice, "Did your mother give this to you?"

Rose was stunned. But he quickly recovered: "Yes, Mr. Yao, you know my mother?"

He had a vague idea of ​​what was going on, but he couldn't believe it.

Yao Yinxiang looked closely at his face, his voice trembling with excitement: "That's right...you are her son..."

Then he looked Rose up and down for a while and asked, "How old are you this year? What month is your birthday?"

Rose tried to remain calm: "22, June birthday. Mr. Yao, you..."

Yao Yinxiang hugged him tightly: "As expected..."

Jiang Fan was speechless with shock at this dramatic turn of events. The truth was crystal clear: Yao Yinxiang was likely... the man who got Si Yuan pregnant back then.

He never imagined that the man he had followed for over a decade had once been with the woman he loved most...

He was stunned for a moment, then finally came to his senses and immediately waved to lead all his subordinates away.

Rose glanced at the door Jiang Fan had closed and said somewhat awkwardly, "Mr. Yao..."

Yao Yinxiang released him: "You've probably guessed some of it, haven't you? This jade pendant was a token of love I gave to your mother back then. We were supposed to get engaged soon, but then some things happened..."

Rose's eyes flickered: "Mr. Yao, do you think I am your son?"

“Of course, your birthday proves everything. Let’s not talk about that now, take me to see A-Yuan quickly,” Yao Yinxiang said eagerly.

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you." Rose's face darkened, and after a pause, she said with some malice, "My mother passed away nine years ago, and she never mentioned my father to me."

This man was the root of his mother's tragic life. He couldn't bring himself to acknowledge him.

"What?" Yao Yinxiang stared at him in disbelief. "Impossible!"

Rose merely sneered and did not reply.

Seeing his expression, Yao Yinxiang knew he wouldn't lie to him about something like this. The world spun around him, and he managed to stammer, "Why..."

"Isn't it a bit too late to ask now?" His mother's tragic death was a lifelong nightmare. How could he forgive the man who was the culprit?

Yao Yinxiang opened his mouth, as if to say something, but he couldn't utter a word. He collapsed to the ground.

Rose was startled and instinctively caught him. She saw that his face was pale, his breathing was rapid, and his face was contorted, typical symptoms of a heart attack.

"Uncle Jiang! Quick! Where are the emergency medicines?" Qiangwei rushed out the door anxiously and grabbed Jiang Fan, who was leaning against the wall.

Jiang Fan's expression changed, and he immediately rushed in, helped Yao Yinxiang to the wall, took out a quick-acting heart pill from inside Yao's clothes, and fed it to him.

After a while, Yao Yinxiang caught his breath and gave Qiangwei a wry smile: "I'm sorry you had to see this..."

Rose looked at him with a complicated expression: "You're not even 50 years old, are you? How could you..."

Yao Yinxiang closed his eyes briefly, then opened them, a glint of light in them: "You saw it too, I can't stay like this, that's why I was in such a hurry to marry Jinghan off. But now..."

Rose saw his expression and immediately understood what he meant. He slowly said, "Mr. Yao, you need to rest now. I have other matters to attend to today, but I will come to see you tomorrow." After saying that, he turned and walked out.

Yao Yinxiang sighed: "He still doesn't want to acknowledge me."

Jiang Fan said in a low voice, "He will come tomorrow. And he will definitely agree. You don't need to worry."

"Hehe, it's rare to hear you say something like that." Yao Yinxiang closed his eyes and tilted his head back. "I hope so."

Years ago, he and Si Yuan had secretly pledged their lives to each other, and he was preparing to propose to the Si family. However, due to the sudden events in New York, he had to rush back immediately. He spent several months consolidating his remaining forces, leading his subordinates on a flight to California, where they temporarily found refuge with the help of the Chang Le Association. He immediately returned to China, intending to personally propose to the Si family. What he received, however, was news that enraged him: Si Yuan had committed suicide by jumping into a river because of pressure from the Si family! And it was because she was pregnant with his child!

He couldn't believe Si Yuan was gone, but no matter how hard he searched, he couldn't find her. A month later, he had to return to California. This incident remained a deep wound in his heart. To forget Si Yuan, he often worked excessively, and at the age of 40, he was diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease.

When he saw Qiangwei's face today, almost identical to Siyuan's, he realized that Siyuan might... not be dead. Otherwise, how could he explain the striking resemblance between this young man and Siyuan? When Qiangwei bowed, the jade pendant around her neck dangling, he was overjoyed. However, Qiangwei told him that Siyuan had passed away nine years ago. The sudden surge of joy and sorrow overwhelmed his body, causing his sudden illness.

But no matter what, his son was still alive. He had to bring his son back to him and let him carry on his legacy.

"Father! What did you say?" Yao Jinghan's eyes widened, doubting she had misheard. "This man is..."

Yao Yinxiang frowned: "What kind of behavior is this, making such a fuss? I've already told you, he's your brother. From today onwards, he is the new heir."

Yao Jinghan was about to say something more, but seeing that her father's face seemed to be darkening, she immediately shut her mouth and dared not utter another sound.

Rose stood expressionless to the side, seemingly unconcerned about the conflict between the father and daughter.

The moment Yao Yinxiang collapsed yesterday, he knew he had no other choice. However, he made two conditions for Yao Yinxiang: first, he could change back to his original name, Si Qiang, but he would not change his surname; second, the engagement between Yao Jinghan and Xu Qi would be cancelled.

At that moment, Yao Yinxiang looked at him meaningfully, and he met his gaze head-on without flinching. Finally, Yao Yinxiang sighed and said, "Okay, I agree."

Then Yao Yinxiang summoned Yao Jinghan and informed her of Qiangwei's identity. He always kept his word, and Yao Jinghan dared not raise any objections.

The next step was to formally promote "Si Qiang" to the entire organization, and even to various forces in both the legitimate and underworld circles. Qiangwei calmly accepted all of this, because of Yao Yinxiang's health condition, he had to be ready to take over at any time. Since he had promised Yao Yinxiang, he had to do his best.