Chapter 75: Visiting Family

Under the cold, shrouding darkness, the lights of Jianghai City glimmered unabated. It was only six o’clock, yet in winter, the nights were always long. As for how Ji Liehu would get rid of that batch of diamonds, he hadn’t come up with a good plan yet. With things so unsettled, he decided it would be best to wait until after the New Year to find a solution. For now, the police were occupied: Sun Qi was still interrogating Cao Xianhu and his gang, with no time to pursue Ji Liehu’s group. Her current priority was to extract every bit of information Cao Xianhu held, both to ensure Liu Molan’s safety and to present the Public Security Bureau of Haitian City with a solid achievement before the year’s end.

Liu Molan’s safety remained under Sun Qi’s protection, and even Ling Suyun had taken an interest in the situation—especially after so many underworld figures began to gather in Haitian City. His intent was clear: he wanted to round up the lot in one fell swoop.

Having requested leave from Liu Molan, Qin Yang hurried to Jianghai City that afternoon.

“Driver, how do I get to this address in Fengyang County?” Qin Yang handed the slip Ling Suyun had written to a taxi driver near the station.

The driver glanced at the address and grinned. “Kid, you’re in luck. I was just headed that way myself. Fengyang’s over fifty miles from here. Usually, at this hour, I wouldn’t go for anything less than a hundred yuan. But since it’s on my way, hop in—thirty yuan will do.”

“Thanks a lot.” Qin Yang tossed his backpack into the car’s rear, took the front passenger seat, and offered the driver a cigarette. The driver accepted without reservation, lighting up as he started the car. “So, what brings you to Fengyang tonight, kid? Don’t tell me you’re meeting someone from the internet? I get plenty of late-night fares like that—people from nearby counties or cities, all off to meet some online friend.”

“I’m visiting relatives,” Qin Yang replied, taking a drag. “The New Year’s almost here. Just want to drop by.”

“Why not after the New Year?” the driver asked, curious. “It’s only a week away.”

“Too busy after the holiday,” Qin Yang answered vaguely, quickly steering the conversation elsewhere. The two chatted about everything under the sun—astronomy, geography, even the American president. As long as it wasn’t illegal, why not pass the time with a bit of banter?

After getting off the highway and driving another ten minutes, the driver brought Qin Yang to the address, saying, “This is it, no mistake—Xinhua Village, Banqiao Street Office.”

Qin Yang paid and thanked him.

Standing at the junction where the bus avenue led into the village, he took a deep breath. Xinhua Village was mostly made up of single-story houses, yet it was only a short walk from the city. Judging by the surrounding development, this area would likely be transformed into a new rural district after the New Year. He checked the time—not yet seven o’clock—shouldered his backpack, and walked in. The village was a maze, and none of the houses had visible numbers. Ling Suyun’s note said “No. 350,” which left him bewildered. He soon spotted a passerby and asked, “Sir, do you know where Qin Long’s house is?”

“Eh? The old Qin place.” The man was friendly, leading Qin Yang through two winding alleys and pointing at a courtyard with a brown-green gate. “That’s the one. Looks like the lights are off—maybe they’ve gone out to visit friends or deliver gifts. After all, the New Year’s almost here; people are off calling on leaders and relatives.”

“Thank you, brother,” Qin Yang said with a smile.

He walked to the door, took a deep breath, and knocked lightly. A dog started barking, but after four or five minutes, no one answered. Sighing, he realized no one was home. Hungry, he was about to look for a restaurant when an elderly man emerged from the neighboring courtyard. The man looked seventy or so, yet was full of vigor. “Who are you looking for?” he asked.

“I’m looking for Qin Long,” Qin Yang replied, stepping closer and using the light from a neighbor’s window to see the old man’s face. “Do you know where he went?”

“He’s not home,” the old man said with a wave of his hand. “He’s out. If you’re waiting for him, come in and sit a while. He should be back soon.”

“Thank you very much.” Qin Yang gratefully followed the old man inside. The house was newly built, a stove burning inside and a few potted flowers set about. It was simple but warm. Qin Yang put his backpack beside the sofa, and the old man brought him a cup of tea. “It’s cold out there. You look half frozen—drink some tea to warm yourself.”

“Thank you.” Qin Yang took a sip and glanced around. A few family portraits hung on the wall. Before he could study them closely, the old man asked, “Qin Long is my son. What business do you have with him?”

Qin Yang set down his cup, his heart suddenly racing. He hadn’t expected this old man to be the grandfather of the orphaned Qin Yang. “My name is Qin Yang,” he said. “I think you’re familiar with the name. Your grandson was also called Qin Yang, and we were good friends.”

“You knew him?” The old man was clearly moved, eagerly pressing, “Tell me, please, tell me everything!”

“We knew each other since childhood. We had the same name, so we grew close. Later, I left for another city, and when I returned, he was gone. I thought maybe he’d gone off to find his family again. But yesterday, a police friend told me he had passed away and that his family had been found. So I came here, following the address I was given.”

“He… alas…” The old man sighed, his voice full of sorrow. “My poor grandson, such a hard life. Child, can you tell me more about him? As his grandfather, my greatest regret is not seeing him grow up.”

“Of course.” Qin Yang nodded silently.

He recounted everything he remembered, switching from first to third person. The two Qin Yangs of the past were gone; he was now someone new, with no reason to return to the lives of those two. Besides, this body, after being separated from the family for more than twenty years, could never truly go back.

He spoke for two hours—how the orphan Qin Yang studied, worked, and struggled—telling everything he could remember. Tears glistened in the old man’s eyes as he listened. “Poor child, what a bitter fate. If only those robbers could be punished,” he lamented.

“All the robbers were caught last night,” Qin Yang said calmly. “Unless something unexpected happens, they’ll be facing the death penalty.”

As they spoke, the sound of the door opening came from outside. A pair of twins—a brother and sister, both about eighteen—walked in. The girl still had a touch of childishness, while the boy appeared quite mature. Their eyes darted with mischief, clearly clever and spirited. Seeing them, the old man quickly wiped his tears and stood. “These are my two grandchildren, his younger siblings, four or five years younger than him. The boy is Qin Ye, the girl Qin Yao. Greet your brother.”

“Brother?” The siblings looked at the unfamiliar Qin Yang in confusion.

The old man glared. “Well? Aren’t you going to greet him?”

“Grandpa always tries to scare us,” Qin Yao said, sticking out her tongue, but she called him “brother” all the same. Qin Yang smiled and nodded in return. Qin Ye, however, dashed into a back room and didn’t come out. The old man, fuming, wanted to drag him out, but Qin Yao giggled, “He’s hiding. He’s in trouble, and someone’s about to come looking for him.”

“What? He’s gotten into trouble again?” the old man demanded, exasperated.

Qin Yao nodded energetically. “He wanted me to hide here with him just now.”

“That rascal!” The old man was furious, ready to go in and teach him a lesson.

“Qin Yao, you’re heartless. If those punks hadn’t harassed you, would I have gotten into trouble?” Qin Ye protested from inside.

“It’s okay, come out. Grandpa won’t hit you,” Qin Yao assured him. “Grandpa, he really was protecting me.”

“Is that true?” the old man asked.

Qin Yao nodded firmly. Sitting off to the side, Qin Yang couldn’t help but smile—her lie was riddled with holes, but he said nothing.

“Sorry you had to see that,” the old man apologized with a smile.

Just then, the screech of brakes sounded outside, followed by several raucous voices. “Qin Ye, don’t think you can hide! Get out here and let us kick you a few times, and we’ll call it even—or I’ll smash your grandpa’s gate!”

“What nerve,” Qin Yang’s eyes flashed coldly.

The old man sighed, resigned. “You stay inside, I’ll handle this.”

“I’ll go with you,” Qin Yang said, rising. “Young people are rash these days—if they disrespect you, I can step in.”

“Alright.” The old man didn’t object, giving a few instructions to Qin Yao before heading outside. Parked at the gate was a minivan, three young men lounging about smoking. They’d been shivering with cold, but seeing the old man and Qin Yang emerge, they perked up. The leader called out, “Where’s your grandson, Qin Ye? Tell him to get out here! He beat up my brother—now he’s hiding behind his grandpa? That’s not right!”

“You harassed my granddaughter. As her brother, he was right to teach you a lesson,” the old man replied angrily.

“Old man, are you out of your mind? My brother may not be a saint, but he wouldn’t harass his own classmate. He just said a few words to Qin Ye at school. Qin Ye didn’t need to take advantage of him drunk and beat him up! Now, as his brother, shouldn’t I get a say?”

“That troublemaker,” the old man cursed inwardly.

The leader went on, “Old man, I’ve said my piece. Have Qin Ye come out. Isn’t he always bragging about how tough he is? Let the three of us fight him, and we’ll call it even.”

The old man hesitated, but Qin Yang stepped forward. “Since you’re here, I’ll fight on Qin Ye’s behalf. Win or lose, let this be the end of it. Agreed?”

“Of course.” The leader, sizing up Qin Yang and thinking him no threat, patted his chest. “I keep my word.”

The old man tried to stop him. “Qin Yang, don’t get involved. It’s his mess—no need for you to take the blame.”

“It’s fine,” Qin Yang smiled. “Just three of them.” With a quick movement, he sidestepped the old man and, in a blink, was upon the group. Smiling lightly, before the leader could react, Qin Yang struck with his palm. The man flew back, crashing into the van, his chest tight and in pain, gasping in shock at Qin Yang.

“Do you still want to fight?” Qin Yang asked calmly.

“Thank you, thank you—please spare me.” The leader realized Qin Yang had held back. To send him flying without hurting him—this was no ordinary man. He was someone not to be trifled with.

“Go on, then,” Qin Yang said, waving them off. “If Qin Ye was wrong to hit your brother, I have no interest in fighting you further. I came here to visit a friend’s family—don’t ruin my mood.”