Qiao Xi frowned and asked seriously, "Ah Jin, are you really not familiar with Yan Luoheng?"

“He recognized me even though you were wearing a mask, and he knew who I was.”

"We've met before." Yan Luoheng knew he couldn't hide it any longer, so he had no choice but to answer truthfully.

Qiao Xi hurriedly asked, "When?"

Qi Jincheng replied in a deep voice, "That night."

Qiao Xi began searching her memory, and soon she remembered the night he mentioned, "The night you told me you were coming home late and told me to rest first?"

"Mm." Qi Jincheng nodded.

Qiao Xi then asked, "Did you go to see Yan Luoheng?"

“And your uncle,” Qi Jincheng added.

Qiao Xi asked with slight surprise, "Did your uncle go too?"

"Mm." Qi Jincheng nodded.

Qiao Xi was a little confused. Although she knew about the friendship between her uncle and A Jin, what was the relationship between her uncle and Yan Luoheng?

She met Qi Jincheng's gaze with a questioning look for a few seconds, then asked, "Did you agree to go see Yan Luoheng together? Or..."

“He invited us,” Qi Jincheng said knowingly.

Qiao Xi concluded from this, "So your relationship is not simple at all."

Qi Jincheng's silence confirmed this, and he didn't want to keep it from Qiao Xi any longer, so he simply told her frankly: "A few years ago, he also stayed in Beijing for a period of time, and we had some dealings. Later, he went to Jiangcheng, and we had much less contact until he came back this time."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Xi looked enlightened and then asked, "Do you know what he's been doing all these years?"

"Do you remember what I told you before?" Qi Jincheng reminded her.

Qiao Xi recalled what Yan Luoheng had said before and nodded, "I remember."

"But what exactly is his purpose in returning to the capital this time?" Qiao Xi asked, puzzled.

Qi Jincheng frankly admitted, "I don't know."

"But it's also possible that they came for Jun Jiuge."

"Ninth Master?" Qiao Xi had a strong feeling that he might be related to Jun Jiuge, but she never expected that he came to the capital entirely for her sake.

If that's really the case, how devoted must he be to Ninth Master?

"Could it be that he really has unrequited love for Ninth Master? Is it a case of unrequited love?" Qiao Xi still had some doubts about this.

But when she thought about what Qi Jincheng had done for her in her past life, it didn't really seem like much. Maybe it was just her prejudice against Yan Luoheng, given his powerful background...

Qi Jincheng continued, "I was initially worried that his purpose in going to school was because of you, but now it seems it's because of Jun Jiuge?"

"Because of me?" Qiao Xi asked, puzzled.

Qi Jincheng told her his speculation, "If he wants to make a move in the capital, then you are his best hostage."

Qiao Xi nodded knowingly. To reassure Qi Jincheng, she boldly declared, "I doubt he would dare."

"Xi'er." Qi Jincheng suddenly cupped Qiao Xi's face in his hands with a serious expression.

Qiao Xi blinked and looked at him seriously, "Hmm?"

Qi Jincheng said to her sincerely, word by word, "No matter what happens next, I hope Xi'er can believe in me."

Qiao Xi didn't know why Qi Jincheng was suddenly speaking to her so seriously, but her trust in him remained unchanged. "Of course I will believe you, unconditionally, just like... I believe in myself."

"No, no, it's that I trust you more than I trust myself."

That would be more accurate; it's not just about trust, but also about love.

She loved him more than she loved herself.

Qiao Xi suddenly asked, "Wouldn't Yan Luoheng try to force himself on Ninth Master?"

"How do you want to help her?" Qi Jincheng knew she was worried about Jun Jiuge, but he didn't expect her to be this worried.

Qiao Xi said seriously, "Feelings can't be forced. If Ninth Master doesn't like Yan Luoheng, or..."

Qi Jincheng couldn't help but interrupt her, asking, "How do you know that Jun Jiuge doesn't like him?"

"Didn't you just see it?" Qiao Xi frantically hinted to him.

Qi Jincheng denied it, saying, "I didn't see anything."

Qiao Xi was somewhat surprised. What did he mean by that? She had just witnessed Yan Luoheng forcibly taking Jun Jiuge from her, so why was he saying he hadn't seen it?

Qi Jincheng sensed Qiao Xi's confusion and said, "My dear Xi'er, sometimes you can't just look at things with your eyes."

Qiao Xi asked again, as if it were obvious, "Does that mean we have to feel it with our hearts?"

"At least once or twice doesn't prove anything," Qi Jincheng advised her.

Summer Resort.

The video of Qiao Xi and Qi Jincheng announcing their relationship has spread online, dominating the headlines of various websites. In no time, everyone in Beijing knew Qiao Xi's identity and the school she attended.

Bai Zhanwang wasn't the first to know the news; he only found out about it after seeing it online.

I wouldn't say I'm angry, but I just instinctively can't accept it.

In front of his son and two grandsons, he sighed and said, "Why is it being announced now?"

Bai Xuelin comforted him, saying, "Something must have happened that can't be kept secret any longer."

Bai Zhanwang sighed heavily again and said, "Xiao Xi, why bring Xiao Jin to an occasion like this?"

Bai Xuelin knew Bai Zhanwang's concerns, so he said with a smile, "Dad, Xi'er is at the age where she's dating, so it's inevitable that she'll act impulsively."

Bai Jinghuan chimed in, "That's right, Grandpa. They wish they could be together every day. There will be plenty of occasions like this in the future. Do you want them to stay separated forever, or do you want them to pretend they don't know each other when they meet?"

Bai Zhanwang knew this principle, but he had his concerns: "I just don't want their relationship to affect Xiaoxi's studies."

Bai Jinghuan then said, "Grandpa, you're really overthinking it."

"Now that Xi's identity has been revealed, she can concentrate on her studies. Otherwise, she would worry about being exposed every day."

Bai Xuelin rarely agreed with Bai Jinghuan, saying, "Dad, I agree with that."

Bai Zhanwang was speechless, but he wasn't angry either. "You can all say whatever you want."

Bai Jinghuan stuck out his tongue silently. He knew his grandfather was concerned about his reputation, and that he hadn't considered things carefully.

However, he probably already understood the reasoning behind it.

Bai Hongyi said with a smile, "What can we do now? We know what we need to know."

"What else can we do?" Bai Zhanwang said, somewhat helplessly. "Those reporters are probably coming to our door again."

Bai Xuelin immediately took over this 'burden', saying, "Dad, don't worry about these things, I'll handle it."

"I don't want to worry about these things anymore." Bai Zhanwang had a sense of weariness that made him want to retire.