five

Ling Qianfan cannot be said to have treated her poorly, yet all the kindness he showed was reflected through her and fell upon another person

No wonder everything is so strange

Beifei was so angry that her teeth itched. Fortunately, she had been traveling for years and had all the necessary equipment at home. She found a telescope and indeed saw a few unfamiliar faces at the entrance of the community. Thankfully, the property management of the community was good and did not allow these people to enter the main gate, but this was not a solution. Beifei stared at the monitor, deep in thought, and finally came up with an idea. She searched online for a local store selling wigs, purchased a wig, requested expedited delivery, and left Su Wan's name along with her own phone number. Within two hours, the courier delivered it. Beifei felt as if she had been granted a reprieve as she put on the wavy, voluminous wig and went out wearing large sunglasses.

She is special, in contrast to Ling Qianfan's previous romantic interests

Ling Qianfan felt a sudden tightness in his chest; Beifei was indeed this kind of person, disregarding his expression and directly using a steel whip to expose his wounds and inflict further torment. He let out a bitter laugh, wondering if this could be considered a virtue of Beifei. After a long silence, he said mournfully, "That is still my kin."

Ling Qianfan held Beifei's hand tightly, and at that moment, he gripped it even harder, forcing a bitter smile as he said: "These past two years... thank you."

It seems like a tangled mess, and with a single cut, all problems are resolved—why would Ling Qianfan lower himself to engage in friendship with Sheng Suibo, whom he fundamentally disdains, and come to the aid of a minor employee with whom he has no connection; ... why would Ling Qianfan, having mistakenly ingested a laxative and nearly exhausted from the ordeal, not only refrain from losing his temper but also treat a bowl of clear noodle soup as if it were a precious treasure; why ...

Diverting his gaze? Bei Fei tilted her head, took off her sunglasses, and stared at him without saying a word. Ling Qianfan forced a smile and said, "There is something I have always wanted to tell you, but I never found the right opportunity." He pressed his lips tightly together, as if the words he was about to say were extremely difficult to utter. After a long pause, he finally whispered, "Aunt Wang... is the mother of my first love."

"It's really nothing," Beifi weakly retorted, "I won't die from poverty."

Is it ... ... Xu Jun?

No one can truly achieve impartiality or equality among all beings. The one who exercises parental authority is Aunt Ling Yuru. In "The Return of the Condor Heroes," Yang Guo has never seen his father, and even though he knows that his father is a despicable scoundrel, he still wishes to erect a monument for him. Moreover, this is in reference to his aunt, who raised him and his sister after their father's death, fulfilling both the roles of father and mother.

She unconsciously smiled, and could still consider the issue of money, which shows that she was not sad. It has not even been a month of ups and downs, she thought, what is there to be sad about

I do not know," Beifei said awkwardly as she took her hand away, put on her sunglasses, and adjusted the wig on her head. "What do I know? All I know is that if anyone were to harm my closest friends and family, I would definitely repay them in kind, with blood for blood! Even if it means losing everything, even if it leads to mutual destruction, I will seek justice for the deceased! Moreover, Xu Jun is your first love—what wrong did she do? She simply fell in love with someone she should not have loved, but is that her fault? Besides, Xu Jun is still your first love—what wrong did she do? She simply fell in love with someone she should not have loved, but is that her fault? It was you who entangled her! Do you think that finding her mother and taking good care of her is enough compensation? Compensation, compensation... can you really compensate for it?

There were not many reporters, and carrying a camera, I managed to blend in at the entrance of the community, thanks to her previously neat hedgehog hairstyle, and successfully slipped out. The old place was at the intersection at the east end of Lianhua Road, where a Volkswagen car was parked. Ling Qianfan was startled when a woman with wavy, voluminous hair got in, but when she recognized it was Beifei, her tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and she laughed heartily, saying: "You really are something; your phone has been off, and I was just thinking about how to sneak in." The old place was at the intersection at the east end of Lianhua Road, where a Volkswagen car was parked. Ling Qianfan was startled when a woman with wavy, voluminous hair got in, but when she recognized it was Beifei, her tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and she laughed heartily, saying: "You really are something; your phone has been off, and I was just thinking about how to sneak in."

He is always attentive and considerate in every way, to such an impeccable degree that she occasionally allows herself to fantasize that perhaps she possesses some unique qualities. In a world where everyone is intoxicated, she alone remains sober—after all, women often harbor a touch of vanity, always wishing to be the special one.

Just a few hours ago, she was indeed secretly pleased with the exaggerated words of the reporters for quite a while... For instance, it was said that Ling Qianfan had never responded to rumors, yet this time he behaved contrary to his usual manner...

Aunt made some manipulations in the middle... Xu Jun's father is the local traffic director, and the events from that year... are also quite complicated. I couldn't align my time with Xu Jun, making it inconvenient to call. Writing letters back and forth would take a month or so. By the time I... By the time I learned that something had happened, he was at a loss for words, suppressing and enduring the thoughts he had kept for many years, and even now he still cannot fully articulate them, to the point of choking up.

You..." Ling Qianfan was momentarily taken aback, "How did you know?" He then leaned closer to her ear and said softly, "Indeed, I did not misjudge you."

Who did all these things? I also had no chance to thank him

Ling Qianfan reached out to remove her messy wig, adjusting the unruly strands at the edges, and forced a smile as he said: "I am not being polite with you, but... I think about it and realize that you really have it tough. The salary is just a meager amount, all hard-earned money from a year of relentless toil, and Aunt Wang's hospital fees are not low either..."

Beifei instinctively withdrew her hand, and Ling Qianfan was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly realized: "Are you still angry about the reporter's matter?"

She silently recited, "It is definitely clickbait, definitely clickbait," as she continued to scroll down. In just half a day's effort, the reporters found her name in the nursing home's registry, and then uncovered her age, place of origin, and workplace. "Miss Bei is currently employed at the Fangyuan Tiandi website, which has just been acquired by Lingli Industry, and has been awarded the title of Outstanding Employee of the Year by the company..." She skimmed through the text rapidly, dragging the scroll bar down, and after skipping several unclear images, she finally found substantial content: "Miss Bei is currently employed at the Fangyuan Tiandi website, which has just been acquired by Lingli Industry, and has been awarded the title of Outstanding Employee of the Year by the company..." She skimmed through the text rapidly, dragging the scroll bar down, and after skipping several unclear images, she finally found substantial content:

The matter occurred too abruptly, and I did not have the time to discuss it with you," Ling Qianfan said, a hint of embarrassment showing on his face. "I know that I have disturbed you, but... I truly had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure. I hope you will not take offense.

Ling Qianfan's light laughter came through the phone clearly: "I am outside your neighborhood, at the usual place. There are a few reporters at the entrance. Can you find a way to come out? Let's talk once you're out, but I've changed cars again; you should be able to recognize it."

Her father was imprisoned, and Aunt Wang probably could not withstand the blow, which is why she became mentally unstable

She is utterly disheartened, unwilling to continue going around in circles with him, nor does she wish to expend energy trying to figure it all out. In her heart, she can only think about whether her value has come to an end

He has no choice at all

This girl is quite special, with a kind heart and a dutiful nature. I did my homework thoroughly before pursuing her at the nursing home. If you continue to write like this, this tactic will no longer work. Moreover, doing charity is inherently a good deed, so everyone should show some mercy

I helped her move that pot of orchids back home, and she cooked a bowl of noodles for me, almost identical to the ones you made for me last time. How could such a coincidence exist in the world?" Ling Qianfan chuckled bitterly and shook his head, "I spent the entire summer in Dalian, only returning two days before school started. As soon as I arrived at school, my mind was completely blank, and then... I did the dumbest thing of my life." Bei Fei watched his Adam's apple move slightly, "I was pursuing two degrees at that time, and it was impossible for me to return home in the short term, so I asked her if she would consider coming to the United States for preparatory studies. She was indecisive and said she needed to think about it... After that, I called home, hoping my aunt could help Xu Jun with the procedures for going abroad, if she was willing to come out..."

Beifimo remained silent, as if in an instant, the world had turned upside down—so many things she had never anticipated. She was at a loss, and Ling Qianfan sighed softly, saying: "For many years, I have not dared to return to the city of Dalian. Just thinking of that name makes me feel deeply guilty. I do not dare to come to this place, nor do I dare to think of anything related to this city. Last year... last year there was a real estate tender, and the people below could not secure it. I... I drove to the prison gate but did not dare to go in. I did not know how to introduce myself to her father. I tried every means to help him apply for a sentence reduction and sent him some daily necessities. Later... I wanted to find Aunt Wang, but there was no trace of her. The information said she had stayed in a mental hospital in Dalian for a period, and then she disappeared. I searched through all the hospitals and welfare homes in Dalian and the surrounding areas, but I could not find her whereabouts. This year, the company went to Wucheng to expand its business, and I had already lost hope, but who would have thought that I would actually find Aunt Wang's name in a nursing home... This year, the company went to Wucheng to expand its business, and I had already lost hope, but who would have thought that I would actually find Aunt Wang's name in a nursing home...

Ling Qianfan smiled slightly with an air of apology, his expression unusually serious: "I apologize, although I have tried my best to handle it discreetly, the reporters have been at the nursing home all day, seriously disrupting the normal operations of the Siyuan Nursing Home. I had no choice but to do this... to divert attention."

Ling Qianfan extended his hand to hold hers, gripping it tightly enough to cause her slight pain: "When I was in university... I have a brother and a sister. My sister is a child born after my mother's death during childbirth. My grandfather and aunt raised us strictly. After finishing high school, my grandfather sent me to San Francisco... During the summer vacation... I traveled to Dalian alone with a backpack and two pieces of luggage.

"It's nothing," Beifi replied absentmindedly

Beifei remained silent, unsure of how to respond, as if a fervent believer had suddenly been struck with a wake-up call, experiencing an epiphany—indeed, that feeling can only be described as awakening from a dream.

"Old memories?" Bei Fei raised her head in surprise, unable to believe that this was something Ling Qianfan had said, "Is this merely an old memory?"

Xi Rongrong also mentioned that the front desk of the company, Light Beauty, was overwhelmed with phone calls, and the rest was all criticism directed at her. Bei Fei felt as if her mind had been stirred with a stick, and it took her a long time to regain her composure. Xi Rongrong continued to express her grievances, wondering why the story of a sparrow turning into a phoenix happened right beside her, yet not a whisper of it had been revealed. After a long period of confusion, Bei Fei finally realized that Ling Qianfan had at least announced to friends and family that he was taken. It was easy for him to make such an announcement, but afterwards—afterwards everyone would just pack up and leave, wouldn't that place her, Bei A San, in the position of a discarded wife in a wealthy family?

Dalian is truly a place abundant in beautiful women, and you are from there, just like Xu Jun. I enjoy gardening and have heard that the Xianglujiao Flower and Bird Market in Dalian is quite famous, so I went to see if there were any varieties I liked. I had my eye on a pot of orchid grass, but when I was about to pay, a high school girl cut in line ahead of me

No matter how she thought about it, she felt that she had suffered a loss. Deep down, she cursed Ling Qianfan countless times, and only after checking her phone did she realize that it had run out of battery. After replacing the battery, she found that there were seven or eight missed calls, all from a few colleagues at the company, as well as several unknown numbers. She angrily dialed Ling Qianfan's number: "Ling Qianfan, is this what you call handling things? Have you been harboring resentment over our secret relationship, just waiting for this opportunity to take revenge?"

What makes her special is that, in various places, she bears a remarkable resemblance to someone.

Beifei scoffed, "Of course you have your difficulties, you are truly in a tough spot, reluctantly playing the role of the eldest son in the Ling family, reluctantly inheriting the family business, reluctantly..." She momentarily could not think of any more words, and Ling Qianfan became angry: "Do you think—do you think I am so attached to that little family business that I would just stand by and watch the Xu family get into trouble, turning a blind eye—Beifei, is this the kind of person I am in your eyes?"

"Do not call me A San!" The fire in Bei Fei's heart flared up and then subsided, "It's nothing, nothing, just old stories. You are right, old stories—"

What happened next?" Beifi asked in fear and confusion.

Director He mentioned that two years ago, Aunt Wang was sent here, and the person who sent her left without showing their face, leaving behind a year's worth of hospital fees and all her identification documents. Director He had no choice but to accept her.

Ling Qianfan was puzzled: "Ah San, what is wrong with you?"

He lowered his head, resting on Beifi's shoulder, struggling to endure yet unable to control the tremors throughout his body. Even after so many years, even as he had entered his thirties, even with his girlfriend having changed several times, he still could not forgive himself whenever he thought of this matter

He took a sharp breath, his face twitching unnaturally, and Beifi still found it hard to believe, asking: "When did this happen?"

"Impossible!" Beifei exclaimed, while Ling Qianfan looked on in astonishment. Beifei hurried to explain, "My godmother's daughter... isn't she dead?"

In stark contrast to his previous indifference towards rumors, Ling Qianfan gladly accepted a telephone interview with our reporter and candidly admitted to his romantic relationship when asked about his volunteer work at the nursing home

Beifei took a deep breath, slightly adjusted her facial expression, and forced a not-so-unpleasant smile at the rearview mirror: "I think so too"

Seeing her smile gently, Ling Qianfan finally felt at ease and said: "I do not want my grandfather and aunt to know that I have found the whereabouts of Xu Jun's family; if they knew I was taking care of Aunt Wang, they would think... they would think I am still holding a grudge over past events. Both my grandfather and aunt are getting old, and I do not want them to worry about me anymore"

Ling Qianfan smiled upon hearing this. He had long heard that Bei A San was as miserly as a Jew, yet he was willing to donate one-third of his annual salary to help an elderly man with whom he had no connection, which was indeed a rare thing. He held Bei Fei's hand, unsure of what to say, feeling that in the current situation, at least Bei Fei was by his side, preventing him from sinking alone into the sea of suffering, which was a comfort. He brought her hand to his lips and gently kissed it, unable to find the words to express the myriad of feelings within him, he simply whispered, "A San, thank you."

Ling Qianfan remained silent, and Beifei was taken aback for a moment before she came to her senses: "Are you saying... Xu Jun, is he... your first love?" Ling Qianfan nodded again, the corners of his mouth twitching, yet he could not manage to smile: "I wanted to tell you several times, but you..." He chuckled self-deprecatingly, "That time you said that someone like me must be trying to gain sympathy by reminiscing about his past girlfriend, I really didn't know how to bring this up with you."

"How can I stand this without shutting down?" Bei Fei pouted, holding the telescope for a couple of hours just to wait for the delivery person to arrive. Even her good temper had its limits. "Fortunately, Sister Wanwan was on a business trip yesterday, otherwise you would have put us all in danger! You said yesterday that you would handle it; I don't believe you can't even manage a few reporters! Clearly, this was intentional, wasn't it?"

Beifei! Ling Qianfan was slightly irritated, "These matters..." He spread his hands, unsure of where to begin, "It's very complicated, and it's not something that can be explained in just a few words. You... I know, you are standing up for Aunt Wang, but I have my own difficulties as well"

Since his debut, his cousin Gu Fenghan has not had a single word of news published; could it be that reporters have not been able to catch even the slightest hint? With Ling Qianfan's current reputation and status, if he truly did not want reporters to write about it, it would only take a couple of sentences

"If you have something to say, just say it," Beifei said lightly, as if to imply who would be foolish? She thought, in this day and age, although gossip is rampant, entertainment reporters also know their limits— for instance, a certain real estate mogul loves to show off, celebrating the birth of two granddaughters with a grand feast that has the whole city rejoicing; on the other hand, a certain industrialist has always been low-key, and after having three granddaughters, when he finally welcomed a grandson, he managed to keep it under wraps for a hundred days before the reporters could snap a photo—who is the real fool?

"What is wrong with you?" Ling Qianfan noticed something was amiss, grabbing her arm, trying to discern the truth from her expression. Bei Fei turned her head away, and after a long pause, managed to utter a sentence: "It's nothing, I feel sorry for Xu Jun, who died without reason, and yet you are sneaking around even when it comes to taking care of her mother."

Being loved as a substitute, being deeply loved as a substitute, is perhaps the most tragic form of love among all romantic relationships

In any case, having taken care of Wang Xiaojun for the past two years, Ling Qianfan will inevitably support her in the future. Moreover, regarding today's gossip, she is unaware of what benefits it may bring to Ling Qianfan; she only wonders whether Ling Qianfan will generously sign a thank-you check afterwards