"What do you want, my dear? Grandmother will give you whatever you wish."
Wealth in a person's life doesn't only refer to gold, silver, or jewels.
It encompasses a grand vision and a deep understanding of the world.
Don't be fooled by the old lady's usually comfortable, noble demeanor; when the time comes for her to truly see, she will show you what it means to have the overbearing presence of the Dragon King's family.
At that moment, Li Zhuiyuan found his own thoughts and plans from the past few days to be quite trivial in comparison.
Only in front of such a person could a young man feel as if he was still just a child.
"Thank you, grandmother."
Liu Yumei walked slowly up to Li Zhuiyuan, gazing at the youth in front of her.
"I’m old now, and my eyesight isn’t as sharp. I can’t believe you managed to hide this from me, child."
This was a way of slapping herself in the face, indicating that all past matters—both pleasant and unpleasant, the mutual wariness and tests between them—could finally be laid to rest.
"You’re perhaps wisely forgetful at times, grandmother."
"Forgetful is forgetful; there's no need for any prefixes that make me seem like I have too much pride."
"The great-grandfather can also be forgetful, which means you’re a blessed person, grandmother."
A smile crept to Liu Yumei's lips, one she couldn’t contain.
Since they had turned over a new leaf, it meant letting go of the burdens in her heart.
Looking at this child grew increasingly pleasing, especially in just three days, he would become "one of the family."
She could truly feel Li Sanjiang's happiness.
No wonder that old man had been grinning from ear to ear all year; he was indeed living such a joyful life.
"What are you…"
Liu Yumei began but abruptly stopped herself.
How could she be like that old fool, asking the child if he lacked money?
Though her wealth was abundant, it's precisely why her offer felt insincere in its essence.
Even when giving pocket money, no amount she could offer would match the one wrinkled bill Li Sanjiang pulled from his pocket.
If this child were really short of cash, it would be one thing.
However, ever since he first arrived at Li Sanjiang’s home and stood on that open ground, she understood with a single glance that the boy was indifferent to money.
It wasn't that he had transcended worldly matters, but that such a person was born without worries about making a living.
This was different from the regular wealthy children who merely guard vast stores of rice, counting their fortunes as if they would never finish them in their lifetimes.
For this lad, if he were to take a step back, he could very well live off the state.
Liu Yumei reached out and gently touched Li Zhuiyuan's collar.
"You need new summer clothes, and we should get some autumn outfits ready too. Don’t fret, you are different from A Li. You’ll have to make appearances, and I will certainly have fashionable designs made for you."
Li Zhuiyuan softly added, "The same style as A Li could work too."
"Ha ha ha ha."
Liu Yumei laughed heartily, bending slightly with amusement.
Aunt Liu next to them couldn't help but roll her eyes inwardly.
Who was it just a while back that mocked Old Li for being wrapped around this boy’s finger? Now she seemed just as smitten.
"Grandmother, I’ll take my leave now."
"Yes, off you go."
Liu Yumei waved him off.
As Li Zhuiyuan walked outside, Liu Yumei suddenly called him back, asking, "Think carefully. Did you forget something?"
The young man opened his backpack, revealing the "Liu Clan's Qi-Gaze Secret Technique," lifting it to show Liu Yumei.
"Didn’t forget, got it right here."
Liu Yumei felt pleasantly surprised, her heart swelling with joy.
This meant that even if the boy had not seen her today, without her earlier words, he still would have taken the book, tacitly approving this step into the learning process.
"You little rascal, I thought you wouldn’t leave without getting something done first."
"How could I?"
When A Li hugged him and patted his head, silently recalling the things he had said to her, it was as if things had already been settled.
"Make sure to read it carefully. If you don’t understand..."
Liu Yumei paused, recalling the boy's formidable reading talent.
"But after all, it’s a family heirloom. Come ask me, and I’ll explain."
"Of course, grandmother."
Li Zhuiyuan thought it best to conceal from her that he had already perused the secret techniques of the Qin and Liu families.
The old lady cared about her pride; if she found out he had read their family secret early, she couldn't vent her frustration at him.
Thus, she would just have to swallow her anger and continue to meddle with those high-ranking official grades.
For the time being, he’d pretend this was his first encounter with the book, and he had stumbled upon deeper insights.
Then perhaps he'd share his newfound understanding with the old lady.
Once the youth left, Aunt Liu approached Liu Yumei for support.
"I can see you’re genuinely happy today."
"I still need to hold her a little longer."
"What? Not at ease yet?"
"Really now, even if you know it’s a good treasure and not counterfeit, can’t you keep playing with it?"
"I get it; you’ve found a gem and want to savor it."
"Is that not allowed?"
"It’s perfectly fine; you can do anything you wish. Just remember what people say, mothers-in-law grow fonder of their sons-in-law the more they see them. You still have an entire generation yet. Don’t get too immersed and lose your footing, or you might end up losing everything, then lament, ‘Ah, how could I have been so foolish?’"
"Ah Ting, I see you’ve been feeling a bit audacious these days."
"How could you be happy without us down here sharing in it as well? In the past, welcoming someone into the family was a big joyous affair; you should have given me red envelopes."
"Here, take it. Whatever you need from this household, just take it. Who’s stopping you?"
"I don’t need anything else; I just need you to regularly take your medicine starting tonight."
"That stuff is so bitter..."
"You’re getting old; you need to ensure a long life. A Li is still young, and Xiao Yuan still needs you to weather future storms."
"Fine, I’ll drink it."
As they went inside, they spotted A Li walking down from upstairs.
"A Li, Xiao Yuan agreed to join the family, and your grandmother let him take the ‘Liu Clan's Qi-Gaze Secret Technique’ with him. Aren't you happy?"
The intention was to tease A Li, making her smile, hoping to see her little dimples appear.
Yet upon hearing this, A Li didn’t seem happy but rather lost her light.
"What’s wrong?" Liu Yumei felt wronged.
"When did our family’s Qi-Gaze Secret Technique become something not to be proud of?"
A Li pushed open the door leading to the ancestral tablets, then carried a stack of tablets back upstairs.
Liu Yumei could only remind Aunt Liu, "Make another batch of tablets. Don’t bring them inside just yet, just keep them outside; we’ll need them in three days. We mustn’t have any missing."
"Rest assured, I know."
"Did A Li get upset just now?"
"It does seem that way."
"Before, A Li would stay silent all day, and I’d worry endlessly. Now that she can express her feelings, I find it even harder to understand. It’s truly strange."
"Indeed, I wonder who she resembles."
"Don’t talk back."
...
As Li Zhuiyuan walked along the quiet streets at night, his mind still replayed the earlier encounter with A Li in the room.
He touched his face slowly as he walked.
Seeing A Li used to feel like staring at a tattered fabric nailed to a board.
But today, shortly after seeing A Li, it was as if new skin had grown over his own.
Now he felt a little lost and strangely alive at once.
Instead of heading directly back to school, he strolled toward the food street by the north gate.
From a distance, he spotted the bright lights of “Old Sichuan” flashing brightly in the night.
For the businesses in the school ecosystem, every year when new students arrived, it was the time for promotion.
College students were notoriously lazy; making a good impression and catering to them often meant securing a steady clientele for the next four years.
Though the new students arriving for military training had just begun checking in, hardly any empty seats remained outside Old Sichuan.
It seemed likely they would need to expand soon.
As Li Zhuiyuan approached, he saw the police preparing to depart.
After bidding farewell to his new colleagues, Tan Yunlong lit a cigarette and spotted Li Zhuiyuan.
"Uncle Tan, sorry I’m late."
"No need, I arrived early. They all have families, so they need to eat and get home. Xiao Yuan, I’ll order you a grilled fish, boss..."
"No, it’s alright, Uncle Tan. I’ve had some snacks, so I’m not hungry."
He had eaten plenty while sitting in Liu Yumei's study.
"Really not hungry? Don’t hold back with your uncle."
"How could I ever hold back with you, Uncle Tan?"
"Alright then, shall we take a walk?"
"Sure."
Tan Yunlong pulled out his wallet to pay, but Li Zhuiyuan had already reached the boss’s wife before him, indicating the table they had previously occupied.
The boss's wife responded, making a clear gesture.
"Uncle Tan, let's go."
After crossing the street, Tan Yunlong smiled, "Seems like you all come here quite often, given that you can run a tab."
"This restaurant belongs to a friend of ours."
"Oh, no wonder."
At first, when they dined at this establishment, they paid upfront; later on, once Xue Liangliang put in a good word, their expenses were directly deducted from his portion of the monthly dividends.
After sharing countless experiences together, they all grew past the formality.
"How's Bin Bin doing?"
"It’s busy tonight, so he stayed back to help at the restaurant. I didn't bring him out."
"So you and your dad didn’t get to have dinner together today?"
"Tonight, I’ll be sleeping in your dorm room, sharing a bed with Bin Bin. My apologies for the inconvenience, Xiao Yuan."
"No problem at all, our dorm has plenty of space."
As they walked, they entered the school.
"Today, while checking in on Ran Qiuping’s office, I ran into Yu Shu. I suspect my special assignment might have something to do with him."
"That must be it."
It was no strange matter for Yu Shu to be involved in the case, as even if the large fire had completely erased all traces, one could not erase the fact that it was the “Dao Field” of the Mao family.
With that reasoning, it made sense for him to come take a look.
"But what does that have to do with me? I barely know him."
"Uncle Tan, it’s likely because you performed exceptionally well during the incidents in Shigang."
"Performed well, you say? I only showed him some places and turned in a few special reports. I felt I lazed around a lot."
"You did great; that’s what they want. They don’t care much about the ordinary cases themselves."
"Now that you mention it, I think I understand."
"Regardless, it’s a good thing, isn’t it?"
"You’re just benefiting from my hard work."
Tan Yunlong let out a long puff of smoke; both he and his son owed a debt of gratitude.
"You, Uncle Tan, have helped me so much. Given my relationship with Bin Bin, we don’t need to be so distant."
"Yu Shu wanted to see Bin Bin's dormitory, and Bin Bin took him to one filled with snacks."
"Ah."
"Xiao Yuan, is it crucial that someone like Yu Shu doesn’t discover your affairs?"
"Uncle Tan, I don’t mind not getting involved with them, but that doesn’t mean they can’t find out about me. Do your work honestly, with no need to worry about me. Of course, if you can slightly accommodate me without going against your principles, that would be best."
"Ha ha."
As they continued walking, with no specific destination mentioned, they found themselves in sync, heading toward an old classroom building.
Tan Yunlong looked at his wristwatch.
"Uncle Tan, how much time is left until the incident occurred?"
"Less than an hour."
"Do you think the murderer will come back to check?"
"Hard to say; it’s all a matter of luck now."
"Then I’ll accompany you and wait a bit."
"Alright."
Tan Yunlong enjoyed this feeling, knowing what the other was thinking, with no unnecessary chatter, just straightforward actions.
The only downside was, after interacting with the young man before him, facing his own son afterward felt like a severe letdown; there was nothing about his son that felt satisfactory.
As they entered the classroom building, they quietly ascended the staircase, trying their best not to make a sound.
With the new students just starting their term, there weren’t many lights on in the old building at this hour; it was exceptionally tranquil.
Passing by a lecture room on the third floor, the doorplate read CJ-302. This was the same room where Wu Xinhui and the others had rehearsed their performance that night.
At the end of this level was the restroom, the crime scene.
They blended into the shadows of the corner, standing silently without speaking.
The school was tumultuous over the five missing students.
Today, Tan Yunlong had just gone through another round of unnecessary school interviews with his colleagues, stirring up the waters of their little fish pond.
There was a decent chance that would provoke the elusive "fish" into returning to revisit the scene of the crime.
However, that depended on whether that "fish" was still lurking within the school.
Thus, Tan Yunlong stated he was merely testing his luck tonight, taking the opportunity to ease his mind, without too high expectations.
In truth, inquiries had long since begun; the police had questioned related persons several times.
But only recently had school truly resumed, making today one of the first days back for most staff.
Even if it was just a gamble, he hoped for better odds.
In the quiet wait, time ticked away slowly.
Finally, Tan Yunlong said, "Let’s head out."
"Okay."
They descended the stairs.
After they left, a shadow appeared at the entrance to CJ-302, grinning maliciously under the moonlight.
"Knock knock knock."
Just then, Tan Yunlong, who had already left, dashed back.
The figure turned and fled as Tan Yunlong gave chase.
But rather than running down, the figure dashed upward, eluding him all the way to the rooftop.
Before Tan Yunlong could utter a word, the shadow turned its back and fell into the depths below.
Li Zhuiyuan, still on the third floor, witnessed the figure tumble over the railing before him.
The fellow troubled with a clumsy descent indicated he had disguised his figure until just then.
“It’s a reminder that tonight’s pursuit was clearly just a façade, the disguise he currently wore was hardly authentic."
"Thud!"
The ground echoed with a dull thud.
Li Zhuiyuan retreated a few steps from the railing instead of peering down with both hands gripping the rail.
Suddenly, a pair of hands grasped the railing harder as a face emerged from behind it.
Now, this person appeared frail; it must have been the clothing and disguise that fell away during the drop.
If the youth had been more curious earlier, he might have been grabbed by the one who had clambered up the railing.
Now, their eyes met, a bandage covering most of the face save for a pair of eyes.
However, the gaze alone was enough.
Li Zhuiyuan simply needed to remember the feeling of that look.
He believed he could spot that person once they crossed paths again in a crowd.
He had never entertained the notion of stopping them by his strength alone; if they were a normal suspect, he could show them a solid foundation in basic skills disguised as a false pretense.
Yet the individual, upon falling, managed to deftly cling to the outer railing and stay steady.
Such adeptness was comparable only to what he previously witnessed Shen Run achieving.
This was clearly a strong practitioner, and before he was sixteen, with his body still undeveloped, Li Zhuiyuan swore he wouldn't engage someone of that caliber.
The figure before him, seemingly surprised, had believed they could escape undetected.
Yet here, Li Zhuiyuan had already retreated first.
“Xiao Yuan!”
Tan Yunlong rushed back to that floor.
Li Zhuiyuan pointed out the position of the fleeing figure, prompting the officer, “Draw your gun.”
Because he was sure only Tan Yunlong’s gun on his waist would put some fear into such a practitioner.
Without hesitation, executing his movements relentlessly, Tan Yunlong smoothly drew his firearm.
The shadow liberated their hold, falling to the ground.
Li Zhuiyuan’s ears pricked: "He landed on the second floor."
Tan Yunlong took off down the staircase toward the second floor.
Meanwhile, Li Zhuiyuan heard another sound.
Remembering the motion beforehand, he leaped and grabbed the edge of the third floor.
He still intended to climb back up!
How audacious of that figure to toy with an old police officer wielding a gun, engaging in this game of cat and mouse.
It could just as well mean this figure was contemplating another attempt to tease him?
Li Zhuiyuan slipped his right hand into his pants pocket, pressed down leaving a red mark, then traced it down his left arm.
His finger pointed toward the area where the person’s head was protruding, his gaze locked.
The figure’s head peeked out, instantly greeted by a flood of crimson in their vision, ringing loudly in their ears.
Startled, the figure released their grasp fully, tumbling down from the height.
"Police! Freeze!"
Tan Yunlong’s voice roared from the second floor.
To call for a suspect to halt upon sighting them was a movie trope; in reality, that call was more of a last resort when one thought they could not catch up.
Li Zhuiyuan leaned over the railing, spotting the dark shape resembling a monkey hastily leaping toward the dense thicket ahead.
"Bang!"
Tan Yunlong fired his gun.
It was swift and indeed warranted, given that anything happening was already thrilling enough for capturing a suspect, especially as this individual appeared to be leaping about as though the educational building was a mere slide.
It wouldn’t matter if he were indeed the perpetrator from seven years ago; regardless, a bullet wouldn’t be unfair.
But at the moment the bullet shot forth, Li Zhuiyuan noticed the figure shift awkwardly, side-stepping gracefully, effortlessly evading the shot without slowing their pace.
Then, with a leap, the figure vanished into the shrubs.
Yet in that leap, their form seemed off; there wasn’t enough force to drive it right.
Tan Yunlong had aimed for their legs, so although they dodged the bullet, they likely sustained a graze.
Li Zhuiyuan began his descent down the stairs, replaying the earlier scene in his mind, noting the power, speed, and agility of the running suspect, and summing it all up to understand the types of attacks they might execute during their first confrontation.
He considered if the suspect would have opted to assault while they were in the shadows, launching an attack first.
Li Zhuiyuan halted in his steps.
For the scenarios his mind had fabricated, the latter two outcomes heavily favored the assailant, particularly the final option—if he and Tan Yunlong had been ambushed, it would not end well for either of them.
Thus, this notion lowered the likelihood of the figure being the seven-year-old killer.
Not only had the person refrained from initiating an immediate attack, but this finesse strongly indicated they had honed their skills since childhood.
Unless that individual had been a child like himself seven years ago, but children back then lacked maturity and certainly could not commit a murder.
Should the person have been adult then, that would align with his previous plans of youthful reckoning at sixteen.
A hidden attack in the restroom against Qiu Minmin during her break wouldn’t be necessary.
That sort of choice implied potential weakness in thought; typical of a crime committed relying on the brute physicality of strength over the targeting of the person’s vulnerabilities.
However, the adeptness shown earlier assured Li Zhuiyuan that the individual was clearly capable of walking into the lecture room and dominating the four inside without needing the cover of a restroom’s private darkness.
Though it was evident that one could exhibit agility and have a somewhat twisted mind, enjoying such filthy places.
Li Zhuiyuan emerged from the classroom to find Tan Yunlong retrieving the discarded clothing.
"Xiao Yuan, what is this coat? It looks like a cape but not quite..."
Li Zhuiyuan examined it, noticing it had layers and paddings.
"Uncle Tan, it’s a costume."
"A costume?"
"Yeah."
Li Zhuiyuan leaned in closer, taking a whiff; a faint aroma wafted out.
It was not the type one would find in perfumes; this was something special with a unique scent.
Thanks to Liu Yumei’s previous practice of treating A Li’s daily garments in such detail, Li Zhuiyuan's taste in this area had developed significantly.
He couldn’t name the specific scent, but it was likely quite expensive.
Plus, the fabric implied this person must lead a rather high-standard lifestyle.
"Xiao Yuan, while I personally don't believe this individual is the murderer from seven years ago, I still need to notify the team."
"Uncle Tan, do you think so too?"
"It was I who fired the shot."
Tan Yunlong asserted seriously.
"In that moment when I pulled the trigger, the movement left profound insight in me. First, I'll send you back to your dorm. Inform Bin Bin I won’t be coming to sleep there tonight."
"Alright, Uncle Tan. You handle it."
Li Zhuiyuan was escorted back to the dorm by Tan Yunlong.
Tan Wenbin returned even later; he headed off for a shower, coming back yawning and saying, "After the hotpot, the restaurant got so busy all at once, things were flying off the shelves like they were free!"
"Good work."
"Not tiring at all, it feels good to earn money. But when I returned, I saw several police cars entering the school. What's going on?"
Li Zhuiyuan briefly recounted the events of the night, finally adding, "Your dad said he wouldn’t be staying over with you tonight."
Tan Wenbin completely disregarded the last part and exclaimed, "What the heck! A martial arts expert!"
Li Zhuiyuan chose not to respond, busily reaching for his cup on the bedside table for a drink.
Tan Wenbin, exuberant, followed up with, "Xiao Yuan, weren’t you scared at that moment?"
"A little, but not too much."
"That was really dangerous; don’t stroll alone next time."
"Your dad was right by me."
"Your dad doesn’t count!"
The dormitory door swung open.
"Ah!"
Tan Wenbin jumped up, clearly startled.
In walked Lu Yi.
"Bin Bin, you left your basin and towel at the sink. I’ve brought them for you."
"Oh, thanks."
After Lu Yi left, Tan Wenbin settled back on his bed and said, "That was amazing—an actual expert."
"Run Sheng could do that. If it’s Yin Meng, then they might manage just barely."
Tan Wenbin wore an eager expression, pointing at his own face and asking, "What about me? I mean in the future."
"You should practice harder."
Li Zhuiyuan lay down, preparing for sleep.
Initially planning to read that devilish book tonight, he would have to push it aside now due to the many happenings.
To be truthful, he was not as fearful now; after all, he had seen too much death already.
Yet at that moment, he felt a bit powerless.
If only there had been ghosts or fallen bodies nearby, he could have detained that person and even could govern how many pieces would ultimately remain.
It was no wonder so many thought to raise spirits or fallen souls; even if they didn’t intend to harm, it was exceptional for self-defense.
Li Zhuiyuan turned his gaze towards the shoe box laid on the window sill.
Surely, one couldn’t carry around a pair of women’s high heels forever.
"By the way, Xiao Yuan, remember to wake me up tomorrow morning. I need to rally for military training."
"Okay."
After a deeply restful sleep, his biological clock had reestablished itself thanks to Aunt Liu.
He got up, calling Tan Wenbin awake.
Tan Wenbin rubbed his eyes, then took his basin to wash up together with Li Zhuiyuan.
After returning, Tan Wenbin started changing into military training gear.
Li Zhuiyuan placed the untouched page of the "Liu Clan's Qi-Gaze Secret Technique" into his backpack, slinging it over his shoulders as he left the dormitory.
When he arrived, Aunt Liu brought breakfast to the table; today’s main dish was rib porridge accompanied by various pickled vegetables, making for an enjoyable meal.
"Liu Yumei said, ‘Didn’t sleep well again last night?’"
Liu Yumei possessed the knack; no matter how well one hid things, she could see right through the state of their rest.
Li Zhuiyuan set his spoon down, "I just slept a bit too briefly."
Liu Yumei's face brightened with a smile, "You can take your time with the books. There's no need to rush. Once given to you, it's yours. No one will snatch it from you."
Clearly, Liu Yumei was quite pleased with Li Zhuiyuan’s obsession with the "Liu Clan's Qi-Gaze Secret Technique."
A Li looked up at Liu Yumei.
Liu Yumei questioned back, "What’s wrong? Are you worried about Xiao Yuan?"
A Li turned her gaze downward, continuing to eat her porridge; she wasn’t concerned over the boy.
Aunt Liu chuckled, “I say, old lady, every time others tease you, you’re the first to take offense. Now you’re doing the teasing yourself."
"Isn’t that different?" Liu Yumei stood up.
"Xiao Yuan, finish your meal and come find me in the study."
"Okay, grandmother."
Once Li Zhuiyuan finished breakfast, he grabbed his book and headed into the study.
Liu Yumei had already brewed tea, sitting straight and proper on a couch.
Li Zhuiyuan placed the "Liu Clan’s Qi-Gaze Secret Technique" on the coffee table, with the title facing himself and directly confronting Liu Yumei.
After placing her teacup in front of the young man, she casually pivoted the book, ensuring the title faced him directly.
Then after withdrawing her hand, she smiled and asked, "Is there something here you don’t understand? Ask your grandmother."
(End of Chapter)