Chapter 1 (Part 1): Trip to California

Half-asleep, Xu Qi felt something clinging to him. He shifted his body, but the thing only tightened its grip. Reluctantly, Xu Qi opened his eyes to find a fluffy head resting on his chin, a slender body curled up in his arms, soft as a kitten. He froze for a few seconds, then suddenly the person in his arms stirred, uttering a soft, dreamlike sound.

Then the other person raised their head and slowly opened their eyes. Xu Qi looked down, and their eyes met, and he was completely stunned. Rose? On her porcelain-white oval face, with large cat-like eyes, a delicate nose, and lips as pink and lovely as flower petals, she looked like a little angel, so endearing.

No. It's not Rose. The other person looks underage, and has black hair. Their features are somewhat similar to Rose's, but a closer look reveals obvious differences. Why is this child here? Xu Qi turned his head and looked around. This... should be a hotel suite. He closed his eyes and thought for a moment, finally recalling what happened last night in his hazy mind.

He had just arrived in California last night and, unfamiliar with the area, asked someone for directions, eventually finding the hotel he had booked. Somehow, the boy who had shown him the way followed him in, and after some fuss, they ended up in bed together. Looking back, there was a reason he was so easily seduced. Because his face… resembled Rose's, looking like Rose at fifteen or sixteen—even though she had claimed to be 18 at the time.

This is hopeless. Is he a pedophile? Xu Qi sighed and sat up. "Thank you for leading the way. Is there anything you want?"

"Sir, what are you saying? I should be thanking you for giving me such a wonderful evening." The boy blinked. "If I really have to say something, can I come again tomorrow night?"

Xu Qi raised an eyebrow: "I'm just here temporarily on business, I might not be here tomorrow."

"What..." The boy looked disappointed. He thought for a moment, then said, "Then, how about you give me your tie clip?"

Looking at the other person's lovely face, Xu Qi seemed to see Qiangwei from years ago again in a daze. He smiled and said, "Of course."

An hour later, Xu Qi drove the boy to school. As the boy got out of the car, he kissed him on the cheek: "My name is Merlin, that's my Chinese name. Sir, I'll come find you! Don't forget me then!"

Xu Qi smiled and waved, taking it as a child's casual remark. He glanced at the school gate: St. Louis High School. Then he shook his head and drove away. Unbeknownst to him, the boy named Merlin stood at the gate, muttering softly, "Mr. Xu, do you think nobody knows you in California?"

At the entrance of the Yao family's residence, Xu Qi encountered Yao Jinghan, who had just returned from outside. He nodded and greeted her, "Miss Yao, it's been a long time."

Yao Jinghan smiled sweetly: "Long time no see, Mr. Xu. Are you here to see my father? Please come in."

Xu Qi shook his head: "No, I came to see Si Qiang. But since I'm here, I should naturally visit my uncle first."

"Oh? Looking for my brother?" Yao Jinghan's eyes held a deeper meaning. "I'm not sure if he's here. If he isn't, you'll probably have to wait. Did you have an appointment with him?"

Xu Qi said without changing his expression, "I was just passing through California, so I came to catch up with some old friends."

After meeting Yao Yinxiang, Yao Jinghan led him to Si Qiang's villa where she lived alone. As they walked, she explained, "This is a place that Father specially prepared for my younger brother, but he also has a place to stay outside and doesn't always come back."

Xu Qi had just tentatively asked Yao Yinxiang about Si Qiang, but was evaded by the other party's evasive answers. Moreover, Yao Yinxiang was vague and unclear about Si Qiang's whereabouts. It now seems that the Yao family is either letting Si Qiang do as she pleases, or they are already under Si Qiang's control.

Just then, Yao Jinghan, who was in front of him, suddenly stopped. She turned around and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I can only take you this far."

There was an underlying meaning in her words. Xu Qi knew perfectly well that although she kept calling him "little brother," her relationship with Si Qiang was definitely not good. Putting aside everything else, the issue of succession alone was enough to cause discord between them. Moreover, he had vaguely learned about Si Qiang's mother's tragedy from Xu Yi, and it was highly likely that Si Qiang harbored some resentment towards this half-sister.

He nodded: "Thank you for your trouble. I'll go find him myself." After Yao Jinghan left, he took a deep breath and knocked on the door in front of him.

"Who?" A young man's voice, pleasant to the ear, gave Xu Qi a very uncomfortable feeling.

But he still answered honestly, "Xu Qi".

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The first chapter was definitely hard to write... I'm bleeding profusely from writing it! *covers head in frustration*