Chapter 4, Winter arrives in Taipei to see the rain

Xiao Yu chuckled twice and said, "Miss, do you think my way of speaking is more pleasant, or theirs?" He secretly pointed at the old gentleman on the left

Xiao Yu began to get close to An Wen, asking: "Miss An, where is your ancestral home?"

Xiao Yu's face turned red; although he did not know what kind of past his mother had, he could already infer from their expressions what kind of things were involved.

He swallowed a mouthful of coffee: "In pursuit of this goal, I began polishing shoes and selling newspapers at the street corner every day. I have tried almost every possible way to earn money, yet I still haven't managed to save enough for a plane ticket. I even considered sneaking onto the landing gear of a plane for a free flight..."

The exit was crowded with people waiting to pick up passengers. From them, Xiao Yu could see no difference from himself; after all, they shared the same roots and ancestors, and the heritage left by their forebears could never be erased. A soft voice from the announcer echoed through the air, which he felt was far inferior to the clear and precise enunciation of Beijing Airport.

"Here are some photos and discs from your mother's past. If you do not sign, I can guarantee that all the newspapers will publish her extraordinary stories first thing tomorrow morning!" Xiao Guotai said fiercely

"I can't tell that you are also a child of hardship. What happened next?" Xiao Yu was clearly very interested in Zhuang Xiaoyuan's story

The car passed through Nangang District and drove onto the mountain road. Xiao Yu did not expect his father to choose such a tranquil residence. Zhuang Xiaoyuan's voice echoed again: "Mr. Xiao began practicing Buddhism six years ago, so he built a residence by Moonlight Lake behind the mountain, and he has liquidated all his other properties"

Xiao Yu still could not rest; he had to fulfill the duty of a filial son keeping vigil. Although he did not know much about this father, there was undoubtedly some indescribable emotion in the air. As soon as he entered the mourning hall, his mood began to grow heavy and sorrowful

From the moment Xiao Yu entered the mourning hall, he hardly rested at all. Like a puppet, he bowed and expressed his gratitude, bowing and thanking repeatedly, his knees swollen from kneeling, his limbs becoming stiff. While the three adopted sons cried without tears, he was surprisingly able to shed tears smoothly.

"Mr. Zuo, you have such keen eyesight!" The voice of Zhuang Xiaoyuan was filled with flattery

Zhuang Xiaoyuan and several other lawyers appeared at Xiao Yu's side at the appropriate moment, witnessing everything that had just transpired. Mr. Zuo smiled and asked, "Esteemed lawyers, is this document authentic and valid?" The group nodded in unison.

The long-silent Mr. Guo finally spoke: "Perhaps you should transfer to study economics after inheriting the family business"

From this moment on, Zhuang Xiaoyuan's expression became exceptionally grave, and his signature smile had long since vanished. The weather in Taipei was not as warm as Xiao Yu had imagined; a cold drizzle mixed with the bleak winter wind seeped into the gaps of his collar.

Crimson blood slowly flowed from Xiao Yu's body into the sterile syringe, while five lawyers gathered around the two elderly individuals, closely observing everything that was happening. Xiao Yu felt a slight urge to laugh; he had never imagined that such a day would come, being brought in to conduct a paternity test with a deceased person.

Anwen was about to say something when the chubby little nurse suddenly exclaimed, "Time's up! If we don't leave now, the head nurse will punish us again!" They hurriedly pushed the food cart and took their leave. Xiao Yu smiled and said, "I'll come to visit you another day. I haven't told you my name yet; I am Xiao Yu..." Anwen turned back and smiled sweetly at Xiao Yu

Xiao Yu shook his head: "If I sign this transfer document, I fear you will not let me go even more!" Mr. Zuo also shook his head: "Young man, you think too highly of yourself. I can guarantee that as long as you sign this authorization letter, I can ensure your personal safety in Taiwan"

If Xiao Yu encountered such elderly individuals in Beijing, he would certainly think they were rehearsing a play. Zhuang Xiaoyuan had already taken the lead in approaching the two old men, his gaze filled with reverence

Anwen smiled sweetly: "No need, Mr. Xiao used to donate a large sum to the hospital every year while he was alive, and these arrangements were made specifically by the director!" Xiao Yu nodded in agreement, realizing that money can indeed easily earn others' respect. However, he said, "You all are truly remarkable; I will embroider a banner for you and bring it over another day!"

He paused for a moment, his gaze falling on Xiao Yu, and then took out a document from his briefcase: "This is the paternity test certificate proving that Mr. Xiao and Xiao Yu are indeed biological father and son, and there is absolutely no doubt about Xiao Yu's identity." He distributed photocopies to everyone, and finally approached Xiao Yu, placing the will in front of him: "Xiao Yu, if you agree to inherit the estate, please sign here!" Xiao Yu carefully examined the terms of the will, confirming that there were no loopholes, and then cautiously signed his name. His heart was filled with excitement; 23.3 billion New Taiwan dollars meant that he would no longer have to struggle for a living in the future. He finally approached Xiao Yu, placing the will in front of him: "Xiao Yu, if you agree to inherit the estate, please sign here!" Xiao Yu carefully examined the terms of the will, confirming that there were no loopholes, and then cautiously signed his name. His heart was filled with excitement; 23.3 billion New Taiwan dollars meant that he would no longer have to struggle for a living in the future.

However, some people are born without the need to exert effort. Zhuang Xiaoyuan paused for a moment: "For example... you take a plane for the first time today, and tomorrow you could own a plane of your own..."

Before he could speak, the usually reticent Mr. Gu began to address him: "Xiao Yu... do you know your father's identity during his lifetime?" Xiao Yu shook his head.

"Use your property to buy your mother's reputation along with your family's lives; this transaction should be worth it!" Mr. Zuo threatened

Mr. Zuo continues to smile: "Ding Han is the elite of the organization. For over a decade, he has managed the organization with great efficiency, and its business has been thriving. We have all witnessed his achievements!"

It was not Xiao Yu himself who was keeping vigil, but three of Xiao Dinghan's adopted sons. Observing their tearful expressions, it seemed as if they were mourning the loss of their biological father, while Xiao Yu appeared as an outsider.

Zhuang Xiaoyuan and four other lawyers quietly discussed and ultimately decided that Zhuang Xiaoyuan would read the will: "Mr. Xiao Dinghan bequeaths his shares in the association to his adopted son Xiao Guotai, the logistics company Maoxiang on Zhonghua Street in Taipei to Zhao Qin and Xue Jigang, and a total of NT$23.3 billion in bank deposits and bonds to his legal heir, biological son Xiao Yu. Finally, it was decided that Zhuang Xiaoyuan would read the will: "Mr. Xiao Dinghan bequeaths his shares in the association to his adopted son Xiao Guotai, the logistics company Maoxiang on Zhonghua Street in Taipei to Zhao Qin and Xue Jigang, and a total of NT$23.3 billion in bank deposits and bonds to his legal heir, biological son Xiao Yu. There are a total of seven private properties, with the property in Xinyi District allocated to Xiao Yu, and the remaining six properties to be shared among the three adopted sons. Mr. Xiao included a clause in his will stating that if for any reason Xiao Yu is unable to come to Taiwan or unwilling to inherit the estate, all assets will be donated to charity. If any accidents occur during Xiao Yu's visit to Taiwan, this inheritance will also be donated to charity!

All processes were conducted under the joint supervision of seven individuals. Xiao Yu pressed the cotton ball against the injection site and asked, "When will the results be available?"

Xiao Yu felt a dryness in his throat, and the excitement he had just experienced transformed in an instant into an inexplicable fear. He did not know exactly what he was afraid of, but with every word spoken by Mr. Zuo, it felt as if he was being pushed one step closer to the abyss.

Hello, Mr. Zuo! Hello, Mr. Guo! His waist bent at a full ninety degrees

Xiao Yu finally calmed down; he didn't even glance at the property transfer document: "I will not sign!" Mr. Luo laughed loudly: "If I remember correctly, you are twenty years old this year, why not cherish your life properly?"

Xiao Yu smiled ambiguously, his gaze returning to the window. Everything seemed so distant and unattainable to him; he could no longer distinguish whether he was living in reality or in a dream.

Five Rolls-Royces were lined up outside the airport, and five drivers in dark blue uniforms almost simultaneously opened the car doors. Mr. Zuo turned to Zhuang Xiaoyuan and said, "Xiao Yu will be in the same car as us; you should head to the hospital and meet with the other four lawyers first!" Zhuang Xiaoyuan hurriedly got into the first car; Mr. Zuo's words were like a decree to him, and regardless of whether it was right or wrong, he would never dare to question the reason.

Mr. Zuo sighed again: "All's fair in war! I never expected that Xiao Dinghan's son would be so useless. This is your proof of residence in Taiwan. Since I promised to ensure your personal safety, I will keep you in Taiwan forever." He took a coin from his pocket and tossed it in front of Xiao Yu and the book: "Take good care of it! Do you know what your damned father said when I, representing the organization, sought to reclaim the property from him?"

Xiao Yu returned once again to the tedious wait, and the identification results were not released until 10:30 PM. Through DNA verification, it was confirmed without a doubt that Xiao Yu and Xiao Dinghan are biological father and son. Everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as they stood up.

Mr. Zuo waved his hand, and Xiao Guotai threw a thick envelope in front of Xiao Yu

Xiao Yu thought to himself that the girls from Taiwan were indeed charming. Since the guys had nothing to do, they might as well give you a lesson on patriotic politics

Brother! Mr. Zuo leaned his head against the wall and slowly said: "We are brothers of the same family. Although Ding Han has passed away, it is our duty to uphold his interests"

"Do you take me for a fool? What guarantee do you have? If you kill me now, you will gain nothing, but if I sign this transfer document, I will have no value left to leverage!" Xiao Yu's attitude was exceptionally firm

He actually still gave me this coin, asking me to keep it for my old age! Unfortunately... heh heh, I am not as old as he imagines. This coin truly belongs to you; it is the only inheritance your father left for you

"Sir, would you like something to drink?" The chubby little nurse beside him couldn't help but ask again. Xiao Yu came to his senses and noticed that the two were pushing a cart piled high with food. He picked up a can of cola and a hamburger, smiling at the tall girl: "Thank you"

"Hey! I contributed too! Why don't you thank me?" The chubby little nurse expressed some indignation. Xiao Yu quickly added, "Your voice is extremely alluring; I feel embarrassed to talk to you!" The little nurse was amused by Xiao Yu's words and laughed heartily. Just as Xiao Yu was about to open the cola, he remembered something: "By the way, Miss An, do these items cost money?"

Mr. Zuo said: "You have only one path to choose, sign this property transfer document and return to us what rightfully belongs to us!"

Really

Zhuang Xiaoyuan gently patted his shoulder and, along with the other four lawyers, was the first to walk out the door. Everything seemed to be going so smoothly that it was hard to believe. Xiao Yu glanced at the others; it appeared that no one had any intention of getting up. He suddenly remembered that from this moment on, he was the owner of this mansion, and perhaps it was time to declare that everything had come to an end

After a brief stop at Hong Kong Airport, Xiao Yu and his companions continued their flight from Hong Kong to Taipei. Having experienced the novelty of flying for the first time, Xiao Yao felt somewhat fatigued and requested a blanket from the flight attendant, leaning back in his seat to fall asleep. In the depths of his slumber, he was awakened by the announcement, realizing that the plane was about to land. Looking out of the small round window beside his seat, he noticed that the sky had begun to darken. The clouds in the distance rolled in soft golden hues under the setting sun, yet upon closer inspection, they remained still, making it hard to imagine the plane flying at such speed. The cloud layer beneath the wings appeared bluish-white, with soft, dream-like puffs drifting backward. At 5:00 PM, the plane landed punctually on the soil of Taipei.

Black Gold We can control it, but once this asset is legalized, all of us must continue to maintain its legality! We must find you, otherwise this enormous asset will fall into the hands of the government. You are very fortunate; if the paternity test shows that you are not Xiao Dinghan's biological son, you would definitely not be alive today!" Mr. Zuo lightly tapped his fingers on the table, while Xiao Guotai threw a document in front of Xiao Yu. We must find you, otherwise this enormous asset will fall into the hands of the government. You are very fortunate; if the paternity test shows that you are not Xiao Dinghan's biological son, you would definitely not be alive today!" Mr. Zuo lightly tapped his fingers on the table, while Xiao Guotai threw a document in front of Xiao Yu.

Zhuang Xiaoyuan smiled and said, "When I was your age, I had never taken a plane either. My home is located next to Keelung Airport, and I would watch the planes take off and land above my head every day. At that time, my greatest wish was to one day sit inside a plane and gaze at the sea of clouds."

From the moment Xiao Yu appeared at the gate, the gaze of the short, stout old man had not left him: "Is he the son of Ding Han?"

Xiao Guotai approached Xiao Yu with a crooked smile and snatched the envelope back.

I never deceive you girls! Xiao Yu silently cursed himself, damn it! After just a short while, he had already started to act all coy like a Taiwanese man.

Xiao Yu's palms were drenched in cold sweat: "Father did not die of illness; he was assassinated!" His gaze was filled with anger as he looked at Mr. Zuo.

The two iron gates opened automatically, and the first thing that caught the eye was a massive two-story European-style building, with red brick walls complemented by white wooden panels. If it were located outside of Moonlight Lake, it might be considered the most charming house in Taipei. However, this luxurious mansion is situated on the shores of Moonlight Lake, appearing more jarring than a spaceship from another galaxy. This estate requires elms rather than pines, a somber sky instead of a clear blue expanse, and the occasional cold drizzle rather than a warm downpour.

Anwen was somewhat puzzled by Xiaoyu's meaning: "What the gentleman means is..." Xiaoyu said with a smile: "When encountering good comrades like you who serve the people selflessly in Beijing hospitals, people often present a banner or write a letter of thanks to express their respect"

Mr. Zuo smiled and interjected, "Ding Han is the leader of the organization, and our group is called the Sanlian Gang"

Xiao Yu chuckled, "Why does that sound a bit like a Hong Kong gangster movie?" All eyes turned to Xiao Yu, who immediately sensed the oddity in the atmosphere. Old Mr. Guo suddenly laughed, saying, "This child... what era are we in now? How could there be any gangsters!" Everyone joined in the laughter, including Xiao Yu, but he suddenly noticed that the laughter of others seemed somewhat abnormal.

Xiao Yu walked slowly down the steps of the waiting hall. Upon reaching the last step, he paused for a moment, filled with a sense of anticipation, and solemnly stepped down. This was the land of Taipei, right beneath his feet. Yet, he felt nothing particularly special. Xiao Yu scoffed inwardly, thinking that many people had over-romanticized this land. The air was as pure as if it had been washed with water, but he doubted how much of this feeling was merely a product of his own psychological suggestion. Xiao Yu scoffed inwardly, thinking that many people had over-romanticized this land. The air was as pure as if it had been washed with water, but he doubted how much of this feeling was merely a product of his own psychological suggestion.

Ding Han was too clever! Before his death, most of the assets in the organization had already been transferred to his personal name. While it is certainly a good thing that black money has turned into legitimate assets, the downside is that these legitimate assets have become completely private. Just when he was under pressure to agree to distribute the assets fairly among family members..." At this point, Mr. Zuo sighed: "He was shot!"

The memories of the past made his voice somewhat melancholic: "Later, before I could even approach the airplane, I was discovered by the airport ground staff, and my dream came to an end!"

Xiao Yu did not ask much, numbly following the procedures one by one. Each matter was arranged properly by someone else, and he hardly needed to worry. It seemed that his father had many friends, and Xiao Yu could no longer remember how many hands he had shaken. Aside from him, his father had no relatives, and Xiao Yu had once secretly asked Zhuang Xiaoyuan, who replied bluntly: "They are all dead!" Since coming to Taiwan, he had begun to become reticent.

Xiao Yu learned from Zhuang Xiaoyuan that his father's three adopted sons are named Xiao Guotai, Zhao Qin, and Xue Jigang

In front of Ji Yang lies a vast expanse of flat land, lush green grass thriving vibrantly, stretching all the way to the foot of a distant hill. Numerous cows are leisurely wandering across the meadow, while countless white doves flit about, creating fleeting white shadows against the backdrop of the distant mountains. A few have settled at his feet; when Xiao Yu raises his foot to startle them, they do not fly away but merely hop a little distance. The sky is clear and blue, so transparent that he has never seen such a pure canopy before. The scene before him aligns perfectly with his imagination, instilling in him a sense of anticipation for everything that is to come.

Xiao Yu put on the mourning robe, and it was the first time he saw the image of his father. In the portrait, his father appeared exceptionally stern, and Xiao Yu felt a sense of familiarity. He noticed that his eyes and nose resembled his father's, but with less coldness and more amiability.

The plump nurse smiled and said softly, "Your way of speaking is different from theirs, it sounds very magnetic and exudes a rich masculine charm!"

"What a coincidence, so am I!" Xiao Yu feigned an excited expression

Nanjing

Xiao Yu suddenly realized that his father must have been very lonely during his lifetime, and at that moment, his father's image gradually became clearer in his mind

The study is quite spacious; in addition to a long table in the center, the four walls are lined with tall bookshelves. Although the windows are large, due to their northern orientation, sunlight has difficulty streaming in. Even during the day, the lights remain on, casting a silvery glow on everyone's faces, making their expressions appear even more rigid and intensifying the oppressive atmosphere

The car turned around two bends, descended along the mountain slope, and continued for approximately fifteen minutes before turning left into a small road. Tall coconut trees lined the sides of the road, and at the end of the road appeared a manor.

Xiao Yu was struck heavily in a vital area; he trembled as he picked up the pen and swiftly signed his name on the transfer document

Mr. Zuo gently cleared his throat: "All seven family heads and the relevant parties mentioned in the will, please proceed to the study!" Everyone's gaze was fixed on Xiao Yu, the only legitimate heir of Xiao Dinghan. Whether he wanted to or not, he had already been thrust into the spotlight tonight

After the funeral, the rain had yet to cease. Xiao Yu sat in the Rolls-Royce, gazing out at the hazy scenery. Suddenly, he recalled a familiar song, "Come to Taipei to See the Rain in Winter." During his few days in Taipei, aside from being occupied with his father's funeral, he had no time to pay attention to anything else.

Xiao Yu remained silent, his gaze wandering back and forth across the faces of the two elderly men, yet he found no element that evoked a sense of closeness. Ultimately, his gaze turned to the window, and the three of them arrived at Ren'ai Hospital in silence

Since Xiao Yu arrived in Taipei, Zhuang Xiaoyuan has rarely been apart from him, almost becoming Xiao Yu's personal secretary and tour guide. "Your apartment is in the Xinyi District, by the way, right in front is the Tamsui Bridge!"

Anwen smiled sweetly: "This may be due to the differences in local accents. Taipei is located in the southern part of China, and our accent is somewhat similar to the Wu dialect. Girls tend to have a more pleasant way of speaking, while boys sound relatively gentler."

The chubby little nurse was amused by Xiao Yu's tone of speech: "So you are from the mainland, no wonder your way of speaking is a bit different from ours"

All the relevant individuals were seated around the long table, with Mr. Zuo and Mr. Guo sitting at the head, while Xiao Yu occupied the opposite end of the table. He suddenly felt a sense of being judged by everyone, and his heart grew increasingly anxious as he awaited the moment of the will's reading.

Few people are able to consistently strive towards their goals like you do

Later, I used the money I earned to enter school. When I received my lawyer's license for the first time, I knew that all my previous efforts had finally paid off. Zhuang Xiaoyuan set down the cup in his hand and comfortably leaned back in his seat: "From watching planes to flying on planes, from economy class to business class, I have finally fulfilled my childhood dream"

The old gentleman laughed again: "You need not look at me that way! I can swear that it was not I who had your father killed. Although every family member present wanted him dead, that would have to wait until he relinquished this asset..."

"Hold me!" Xiao Yule laughed

Xiao Yu sat between the two elderly gentlemen, and it was still Mr. Zuo who spoke first: "Xiao Yu! What major are you studying on the mainland?" "I am studying e-commerce at Yanjing Television University..." "Oh..." Mr. Zuo's demeanor seemed somewhat dismissive.

The airplane soared at an altitude of 8,000 feet, and Xiao Yu gazed out of the cabin window at the distant clouds. His emotions had completely returned to calm; the fleeting sorrow he felt just before departure had long been cast aside, replaced by a yearning and desire for the novel life that lay ahead. Zhuang Xiaoyuan asked the flight attendant for a drink and handed Xiao Yu a glass of orange juice: "Have you ever flown on a plane before?" Xiao Yu shook his head: "I am a poor peasant; how could I have the opportunity!"

Mr. Guo extended five fingers and then added, "During these five hours, none of the seven of us can leave this place." Xiao Yu couldn't help but want to laugh at their serious expressions, and he suddenly asked, "May I ask what the relationship is between the two old gentlemen and my suddenly appearing father?"

The waiting time felt exceedingly long, and Xiao Yu, feeling bored, dozed off in his seat. After an unknown period, he heard a pleasant voice beside him: "Sir, would you like something to drink?"

In the misty rain, Xiao Yu could hardly see the railing of the bridge. Zhuang Xiao Yuan smiled and said, "Another day, I will accompany you here for some fun. The urgent matter at hand is to deal with the will!" Xiao Yu chuckled, "It doesn't matter; I've seen both the Yangtze and the Yellow River. This so-called Dan River might not even compare to the Hai River!" Zhuang Xiao Yuan also laughed, "You are mistaken. The Yellow River is majestic, while the Dan River is beautiful, much like the incomparable nature of men and women!" Xiao Yu disdainfully shook his head, "I still believe that no matter how beautiful a girl is, she ultimately cannot escape the resemblance to her father!" Zhuang Xiao Yuan remained silent; he could discern the underlying meaning in Xiao Yu's words.

He whispered to Anwen: "I just can't understand, is the environment in Taiwan specifically nurturing girls? Many gay men look like tough guys, but when they speak, their tone is so effeminate that it makes me feel uncomfortable all over!"

Xiao Yu opened his eyes and saw two girls in nurse uniforms standing in front of him. His gaze was first drawn to the tall girl on the left, whose skin was exceptionally fair with a slight blush. She had long eyebrows, large eyes, and when she smiled, the corners of her lips curled up slightly, making her look very cute. Xiao Yu noticed the name on her badge: 'An Wen.' The girl, seeing that Xiao Yu's gaze was fixed on her, couldn't help but blush even more, her long black eyelashes shyly lowering.

Mr. Zuo nodded and said, "My family asked me and Old Guo to accompany you to Ren'ai Hospital first..."

The living room was filled with people of various backgrounds, some of whom he knew and others he had never met. Naturally, the two elderly gentlemen, Guo Zuo, were among them. Zhuang Xiaoyuan quickly found his position and joined four other lawyers. Xiao Yu noticed that the inheritance left by his father attracted the attention of many people, and he vaguely felt that the so-called inheritance was not as easy as Zhuang Xiaoyuan had claimed

Give it back to me! Xiao Yu was furious to the extreme, while Xiao Guotai began to laugh. He poured the contents of the envelope onto the table, and Xiao Yu's gaze fixed on the surface. There were no photos or discs inside, just a few passports and identification documents.

Xiao Yu did not expect that his first stop in Taipei would be the hospital, but Mr. Luo provided a very reasonable explanation: "We must confirm that you are Ding Han's biological son..." Xiao Yu said somewhat sarcastically, "It seems that we can never escape the procedure of blood testing for kinship!"

On the day of the funeral, when Xiao Yu saw his father's body in the funeral home, he suddenly remembered something. He quietly asked Zhuang Xiaoyuan, "How did my father die?" "Lung cancer!" Zhuang Xiaoyuan's answer was simple and clear

A dozen or so robust men dressed in black suits surrounded two elderly individuals standing in the center of the gate. One was stout and surprisingly short, barely reaching 1.60 meters, while the other was tall, exceeding 1.80 meters. Both were in their sixties, wearing long gowns made of soft fabric with exquisite craftsmanship.

After a long time, Zhuang Xiaoyuan finally spoke: "I have already spoken to your mother; she will be waiting for your call tonight." Xiao Yu nodded. Since arriving in Taipei, he had not called his mother. Several times he had the thought of picking up the phone, but in the end, he always gave up. It seems that the physical distance has not eliminated the gap between him and his mother; everything will likely have to wait for time to gradually fade.

Xiao Yu widened his eyes. Even in Beijing, he had heard of the Sanlian Gang, which is the largest organized crime group in Taiwan. He had long felt that these people were not to be trusted, and now it was evident that they truly were a criminal organization. Xiao Yu sensed a looming crisis pressing in on him from all sides. These individuals revealing his father's identity surely had ulterior motives.