Chapter 5

The supermarket's air conditioning wafted in through the open door. Song Mingye tightened his grip on Song Linchuan's hand, his fingertips tracing the boy's slightly cool hand, trying to transfer some warmth. He didn't turn around, steadily pulling the boy forward until they reached the supermarket exit, then stopped and turned to look at Song Linchuan.

Song Linchuan's face still bore the lingering pallor, his clear almond-shaped eyes were now veiled with a thin mist, and the beauty mark at the corner of his right eye seemed to be soaked with water, revealing a hint of fragility. His eyelashes drooped, his fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of his clothes, and even the stray hairs on his forehead appeared somewhat disheveled. He looked like a frightened kitten, making one feel sorry for him.

"Don't listen to his nonsense." Song Mingye's voice was extremely gentle. He raised his hand and gently brushed away a stray hair from Song Linchuan's cheek. His fingertips touched the slightly cool skin. "In my heart, you have never been a 'little lover.' You are the person I want to protect for the rest of my life."

Song Linchuan looked up and met Song Mingye's deep eyes. Those usually cold and sharp peach blossom eyes were now filled with gentle warmth, like the spring sunshine after the ice and snow melted, instantly dispelling the unease in his heart. He nodded vigorously, his lips moved, and his voice was slightly choked: "I know, brother."

"Mmm." Song Mingye smiled, raised his hand and ruffled his hair, his fingertips running through the soft strands, feeling the delicate touch. "No matter how many times he comes, I will only choose you."

After saying that, he picked up the shopping bag, grasped Song Linchuan's hand again, and said firmly, "Let's go home and cook."

Song Linchuan obediently followed him forward, sunlight spilling onto their clasped hands, gilding them with a warm golden edge. He secretly glanced at Song Mingye; the man's profile was sharp and cold, his jawline clearly defined, his Adam's apple bobbing gently with each step, exuding a mature masculine sexiness. Yet, the tenderness in his eyes as he looked at him added a touch of gentleness to that coldness.

Back home, Song Mingye put the shopping bags in the kitchen and turned around to see Song Linchuan standing in front of the vase in the living room, gazing intently at the bunch of white lisianthus flowers. The boy was slender, wearing a loose white T-shirt, the collar slipping down to one shoulder, revealing a delicate neck and a small patch of porcelain-white skin. The sunlight fell on him, like a soft painting.

"What are you thinking about?" Song Mingye walked over and gently wrapped his arms around his waist from behind.

Song Linchuan's body stiffened for a moment, then relaxed, leaning against him and saying softly, "I'm wondering if we'll always be this close."

"Yes, I will." Song Mingye tightened his arms, holding the person even closer. His warm breath brushed against the person's ear, carrying a faint scent of tobacco and laundry detergent. "As long as you don't let go, I will never let go of your hand."

Song Linchuan turned around, stood on tiptoe, and gently kissed his chin. The kiss was as soft as a feather, carrying the unique awkwardness of youth, yet it made Song Mingye's heart skip a beat. He lowered his head, wanting to kiss him more deeply, but his phone rang at the most inopportune moment.

Song Mingye frowned, his face darkening as he saw the word "Father" flashing on the screen. He released Song Linchuan and went to the balcony to answer the phone.

"What is it?" Song Mingye's voice turned cold, tinged with impatience.

"Come home tomorrow, I have something to tell you." Song Zhenhong's voice remained cold and devoid of any emotion.

"I'm busy," Song Mingye refused without hesitation.

"It's about Song Linchuan's parents." Song Zhenhong paused. "Don't you want to know what really happened in the accident that happened to his parents back then?"

Song Mingye's body stiffened abruptly, his fingers gripping the phone tightened instantly, his knuckles turning white: "What do you mean?"

"Go back to the old house at three o'clock tomorrow afternoon." After saying that, Song Zhenhong hung up the phone.

Song Mingye stood on the balcony, the evening breeze causing his clothes to flutter, but his heart was in turmoil. He had always thought that the deaths of Song Linchuan's parents were just an ordinary accident, but his father's words made him wonder if things were not so simple.

"Brother, what's wrong?" Song Linchuan walked to the balcony door and saw that his face looked pale, so he felt a little worried.

Song Mingye turned around and forced a smile: "It's nothing, something came up at the company." He didn't want Song Linchuan to worry, so he could only keep it a secret for the time being.

But Song Linchuan still sensed something was wrong. He walked over to Song Mingye and gently tugged at his sleeve: "Brother, is there something you're hiding from me?"

Looking into his worried eyes, Song Mingye felt a pang of sadness. He reached out and patted his head, his tone softening, "It's really nothing, don't worry about it. Go cook, I'm hungry."

Song Linchuan nodded with some doubt and turned to walk into the kitchen. He knew Song Mingye didn't want to talk about it, so he didn't press further, but his unease only grew stronger.

During dinner, both men were somewhat distracted. Song Mingye kept drifting off into thought, Song Zhenhong's words replaying in his mind, his heart filled with doubt and unease. Song Linchuan looked at him, hesitant to speak, but ultimately swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

After dinner, Song Mingye sat in the living room, took out his phone, and began searching for news reports about the accident involving Song Linchuan's parents. However, the information online was scarce, only stating that it was a car accident and that they died on the spot, without any further details.

He frowned, his doubts deepening. Why had his father suddenly brought this up? What did his father know?

After Song Linchuan finished cleaning up the dishes, he went to the living room and saw Song Linchuan staring blankly at his phone. He went over and sat down. "Brother, what's wrong with you? You've been acting strange since you came back from the supermarket."

Song Mingye looked up at him, hesitated for a long time, and finally decided to tell him: "Achuan, my dad wants me to go back to the old house tomorrow. He said... he has something to tell me about the accident that happened to your parents back then."

Song Linchuan's body jolted violently, his face turning deathly pale. His parents were the deepest pain in his heart. For so many years, he had always thought it was just an accident, but Song Mingye's words stirred up a storm in his heart.

"Really?" Song Linchuan's voice trembled slightly, his eyes filled with shock and anticipation.

"Okay." Song Mingye nodded and took his hand. "I'll go with you tomorrow."

"Okay." Song Linchuan nodded vigorously, his eyes instantly reddening. He had always wanted to know whether his parents' deaths were truly an accident.

The next afternoon, Song Mingye brought Song Linchuan to the Song family's old house. The old house was very large, with many flowers, trees and shrubs planted in the courtyard, but it exuded a desolate atmosphere.

Upon entering the living room, Song Zhenhong was sitting on the sofa, holding a cup of tea, his face gloomy. Seeing them come in, his gaze fell on Song Linchuan, filled with disgust and coldness.

“Dad,” Song Mingye said, his tone indifferent.

Song Zhenhong ignored him, his gaze still fixed on Song Linchuan: "Song Linchuan, do you really want to know what happened to your parents back then?"

Song Linchuan's body trembled slightly as he nodded, his voice choked with emotion: "Yes."

“Then I’ll tell you.” Song Zhenhong put down his teacup, his tone icy. “Your parents’ car accident back then wasn’t an accident at all; it was deliberate.”

Song Linchuan's face turned deathly pale instantly, and he swayed, almost falling. Song Mingye quickly steadied him, looking at Song Zhenhong warily: "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"What do you want to say?" Song Zhenhong sneered. "I want to say that your parents brought this upon themselves! They embezzled company funds back then, and after the truth came out, they staged that car accident and faked their deaths to evade responsibility!"

"Impossible!" Song Linchuan suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with anger and disbelief. "My parents aren't like that! You're lying!"

"I lied?" Song Zhenhong took a document from the drawer and threw it on the table. "This is the evidence from back then. Look at it yourself!"

Song Linchuan picked up the document with trembling hands, his fingers turning white from the force. The contents of the document were like sharp knives piercing his heart. It contained detailed records of his parents' embezzlement of public funds, along with some so-called "evidence."

"No...this can't be true..." Song Linchuan's tears fell, his voice filled with despair, "My parents aren't like that, they wouldn't do such a thing..."

Song Mingye picked up the document and looked at it, his brows furrowing deeply. The document looked authentic, but something felt off. He knew Song Linchuan's parents; they were honest and law-abiding people, incapable of embezzling public funds.

"Dad, where did this document come from?" Song Mingye's voice was cold, with a hint of accusation.

"Where you came from is unimportant; what matters is that it's a fact!" Song Zhenhong's tone was firm. "Song Linchuan, now you know, right? Your parents are criminals! How can you still have the face to stay by Mingye's side?"

Song Linchuan swayed precariously, tears streaming down his face like a broken string of pearls. He looked at Song Mingye, his eyes filled with despair and self-loathing: "Brother, I..."

Song Mingye pulled him into a tight embrace, his eyes icy as he looked at Song Zhenhong: "Dad, that's enough! No matter what kind of people A-Chuan's parents are, I will not abandon him! Besides, the authenticity of this document still needs to be verified!"

"Verify?" Song Zhenhong sneered. "The evidence is conclusive, what's the point of verifying it? Song Mingye, I'll ask you one last time, do you want him, or this family?"

“I want him.” Song Mingye’s tone was firm, without the slightest hesitation. “Wherever A-Chuan is, that’s where my home is.”

"Fine, very well!" Song Zhenhong trembled with rage. "From today onwards, you are no longer a son of the Song family! I have no son like you!"

“Dad!” Song Mingye’s voice was tinged with helplessness and pain.

"Don't call me Dad!" Song Zhenhong sneered. "Get out! I don't want to see you again!"

Song Mingye didn't say anything more, picked up Song Linchuan, and turned to leave the old house.

Stepping out of the old house, the sunlight was blinding, yet Song Linchuan felt icy cold all over. He leaned against Song Mingye's chest, his body trembling slightly, tears streaming down his face.

"Brother, what should I do?" Song Linchuan's voice was filled with despair. "Are my parents really like that?"

“No, A-Chuan, don’t believe him.” Song Mingye gently patted his back, his tone firm. “There must be something wrong with this document. I will find out the truth and clear your parents’ name.”

Song Linchuan looked up at him, his eyes full of reliance and trust: "Brother, you must find out the truth."

"Yes, I definitely will." Song Mingye nodded, secretly resolving that no matter the cost, he would find out the truth.

Back home, Song Linchuan was still somewhat absent-minded. He sat on the sofa, staring blankly ahead, a tear glistening on the beauty mark at the corner of his right eye, like a broken diamond, making him look particularly pitiful.

Song Mingye walked over to him, sat down, and gently took his hand: "Don't worry, I'm here. No matter what happens, I'll be with you."

Song Linchuan leaned on his shoulder, tears falling again: "Brother, I'm so scared. I'm afraid my parents really did that kind of thing, and I'm afraid people will look down on me."

"No, it won't happen." Song Mingye gently stroked his hair, his voice gentle yet firm. "Even if the whole world looks down on you, I will stay with you. I will always believe in you and your parents."

Song Linchuan didn't speak, but just held Song Mingye's arm tightly, as if it were his only support.

Over the next few days, Song Mingye began investigating the events surrounding Song Linchuan's parents. He consulted many people and reviewed numerous documents, but found no leads. The record in that document was very detailed and seemed flawless, as if Song Linchuan's parents had indeed embezzled public funds.

Just when Song Mingye was at his wit's end, he received an anonymous text message that read: "If you want to know the truth, come to the abandoned factory in the west of the city at 8 pm."

Song Mingye frowned, feeling somewhat hesitant. He didn't know if this was a trap, but in order to find out the truth, he decided to go and see.

At eight o'clock in the evening, Song Mingye arrived at the abandoned factory in the west of the city. The factory was pitch black, with only a few dilapidated streetlights emitting a faint light, giving off an eerie atmosphere.

"Who?" Song Mingye asked, his voice echoing in the empty factory.

A dark figure emerged from the shadows, and by the dim light, Song Mingye recognized the person—Lin Yu.

"It was you?" Song Mingye's face darkened, and he looked at him warily. "Did you send me that text message?"

“It’s me.” Lin Yu smiled, her tone tinged with smugness. “Aye, I know you’re investigating Song Linchuan’s parents. I can help you.”

"Why are you helping me?" Song Mingye's voice was icy; he didn't believe Lin Yu would be so kind.

“Because I don’t want to see you being kept in the dark by that swindler Song Linchuan.” Lin Yu’s tone was tinged with jealousy. “His parents are criminals who embezzled public funds; he’s the son of a criminal! If you stay with him, you’ll only ruin yourself!”

"I'll say it again, A-Chuan is not a liar, and his parents are not criminals!" Song Mingye's voice was tinged with anger.

"You'll find out soon enough." Lin Yu took a USB drive out of her pocket and tossed it to Song Mingye. "The truth you're looking for is on this."

Song Mingye took the USB drive, feeling somewhat hesitant. He didn't know if what Lin Yu said was true, nor did he know what was on the USB drive.

"You'd better look quickly, otherwise, I can't guarantee how long this truth will remain." Lin Yu smiled and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Song Mingye called out to him, "Why are you helping me investigate these things?"

Lin Yu turned around, a hint of madness in her eyes: "Because I love you! I want you to know that Song Linchuan is not good enough for you! Only I am worthy of you!"

After saying that, Lin Yu turned and ran out, quickly disappearing into the darkness.

Holding the USB drive in his hand, Song Mingye was filled with doubt and unease. He didn't know if what Lin Yu said was true, nor did he know what secrets were hidden in this USB drive.

When he got home, Song Linchuan was already asleep. He lay on the bed, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he were having a nightmare. The beauty mark at the corner of his right eye was particularly clear under the light, revealing a hint of vulnerability.

Song Mingye quietly walked to the bedside, looking at Song Linchuan's sleeping face, a pang of sorrow gripped his heart. He didn't want Song Linchuan to get hurt, but he had to find out the truth.

He took the USB drive, went to his study, turned on his computer, and inserted the USB drive. There was only one video file on the drive. He hesitated for a moment, then opened it anyway.

The video footage is somewhat blurry, suggesting it was filmed secretly. In the video, Song Zhenhong and a strange man are sitting on a sofa, talking.

"Are you sure you've handled that matter properly?" Song Zhenhong's voice carried a hint of worry.

"Don't worry, Mr. Song, everything has been taken care of. The bodies of Song Linchuan's parents have been cremated, and all the evidence points to their embezzlement of public funds. No one will suspect anything." The stranger's voice carried a hint of flattery.

"That's good." Song Zhenhong breathed a sigh of relief. "This matter must not be known to anyone, especially Song Mingye and Song Linchuan."

“I understand, Mr. Song.” The stranger nodded. “But Mr. Song, why are you doing this? Aren’t Song Linchuan’s parents your good friends?”

"Good friends?" Song Zhenhong sneered. "In the face of profit, so-called friends are worthless! They discovered my secret of embezzling huge sums of company funds to cover gambling debts. If I don't get rid of them, I'll be ruined sooner or later!"

The video abruptly cut off there, and Song Mingye's pupils contracted sharply, his blood seemingly freezing instantly. He never imagined the truth would be like this—the real embezzler was his father, and A-Chuan's parents were merely innocent victims he had silenced!

The study door was gently pushed open, and Song Linchuan, who had woken up at some point, stood in the doorway, pale-faced, his eyes filled with tears, his lips trembling: "Brother... I heard everything..."

Song Mingye turned around abruptly and saw the boy swaying precariously; his heart clenched as if it had been violently torn apart. He rushed over and pulled Song Linchuan into a tight embrace, his voice trembling uncontrollably: "Achuan, I'm sorry, it's my father... I'm so sorry..."

Song Linchuan leaned against him, tears streaming down her face, her voice broken and shattered: "Why...why did he do this...my parents..."

"I will give you an explanation, I definitely will." Song Mingye hugged him tightly, his eyes full of determination and guilt. "I will make my father pay for what he did, and I will definitely clear your parents' names."

Moonlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, falling on their embracing figures, carrying a chilling coldness. This sudden truth, like a raging storm, had completely disrupted their peaceful lives, and the road ahead was destined to be fraught with thorns.