Chapter 57: Coming Home, Reunion

Chapter 57 Chapter 56 Returning Home, Reunion.

Chapter 56 It was midnight local time in France.

The city known as the 'City of Roses' had fallen asleep.

On both sides of the streets, red brick buildings made of fired clay were hidden in the night, losing their warm pink tones of the daytime, leaving only silent silhouettes and shadows.

Tonight, the sky over Toulouse was starless and moonless, the dome pitch-black, heavy like an unblendable ink.

Wen Yicong stood by the floor-to-ceiling window in the airport departure hall, holding her boarding pass.

From her perspective outside the window, there were scattered lights on the tarmac, orange halos spreading in the night like stars scattered on the ground.

On the distant runway, a plane was taxiing, its tail lights trailing two red streaks in the darkness, soon disappearing into the deepest part of the night.

Before long, footsteps came from behind.

Wen Yicong turned around.

'Let's go, Wen.' Sophie, who had just come out of the restroom, curved her lips and smiled at her.

'It's about time.

We'll accompany you to check in.' Wen Yicong nodded.

'Mm.' The lights in the waiting hall were very white, coldly white, spreading a chilly patch of light on the floor.

The broadcast looped flight information, French and English interwoven, forming a very unique low hum.

In the early morning hours, there were not many passengers in the entire airport.

A few people hurried past with suitcases, their footsteps echoing in the empty hall.

Today was the day Wen Yicong returned to China.

After learning of this, Sophie and Luca had planned their itinerary early and specially came to see her off.

At this moment, the air in the waiting hall was quiet.

The three young people stood outside the boarding gate, none of them speaking first.

Sophie's eyes had been red all evening.

Now, at the moment of parting, this French girl had calmed down.

She stood in front of Wen Yicong, took a deep breath, and broke the silence first.

Sophie moved her lips and called softly, 'Wen.' Seeing her friend's reddened eyes, Wen Yicong's heart also surged with bitterness.

She couldn't help but reach out and hug Sophie tightly.

Sophie's embrace was warm, with a mix of lily of the valley and lavender perfume, very nostalgic.

'Thank you, Sophie,' Wen Yicong said softly, her voice clear in Sophie's ears, sounding inexplicably muffled.

'I've caused you trouble during my two months in Toulouse.' Sophie shook her head in her arms and laughed.

'What thanks.

We are good friends.' After saying this, she stepped back half a step, quickly wiped the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand, and forced a smile.

'Listen, Wen, no matter where you are, you must be well, happy, and joyful.

If anything happens, call me.

Although I am far, far away and may not be able to give you substantial help, speaking things out is better than bearing them alone.' Her friend's words moved Wen Yicong.

Her heart was touched, and she nodded seriously at Sophie.

'You too.

Don't bear anything alone.

Always remember that in the distant East, you have a good friend.' Sophie's expression was complex.

She gazed deeply at Wen Yicong, as if to engrave her image into her memory.

The early morning light shone on the French girl's deep and three-dimensional features, exposing all the reluctance and tears.

She turned her head and covered her mouth, leaving the remaining space for the other person accompanying them.

Luca stepped forward and stood in front of Wen Yicong.

The boy was very tall.

Every time Wen Yicong spoke to him, she had to look up.

She raised her eyes to look at Luca.

This sunny Southern French boy was wearing a gray thick hoodie today.

His soft golden-brown short hair looked somewhat dull under the cold light.

A smile lingered at the corners of his mouth, his expression gentle.

A pair of light brown eyes looked at her, with soft light flickering inside, as if hiding thousands of words yet unsaid.

After a moment of silence, it was Wen Yicong who spoke first.

'Luca, these two months...' 'Stop, hold it.' Luca raised an eyebrow and interrupted her mischievously, pretending to be lighthearted.

'I know what you want to say.

"Thank you," right?

Please, beautiful lady, you've already said "thank you" many, many times.

You might not be tired of saying it, but I'm almost tired of hearing it.' Wen Yicong was stunned for a moment, then laughed at his words, curving her lips.

'Alright, then I won't thank you.' After this exchange, the two fell silent again.

Luca lowered his head, rubbed the toe of his shoe on the ground, as if thinking about how to organize his words.

When he looked up again, his face still wore that sunny bright smile, but deep in his eyes, a faint trace of red appeared.

'Ah,' Luca sighed, his tone half joking and half serious.

'I was originally thinking, if you could agree to become my girlfriend, I would follow you back to China and be your live-in son-in-law... but now it seems there really is no chance.' Looking at this sincere and handsome face, Wen Yicong pressed her lips together, feeling quite uncomfortable.

Honestly, Luca had been really good to her.

Towards Luca, she felt more guilt than gratitude.

'Luca,' Wen Yicong said sincerely, 'I am truly grateful for your care and help during this time.

You are welcome to come to China to visit me in the future.' Luca raised his eyebrows high.

'See, I just told you not to thank me, and here you go again.' Wen Yicong was embarrassed and quickly said, 'Sorry...' 'But seriously, I have always yearned for China.' Luca looked at her with a smile and continued.

'In the future, when I come to China, don't worry that your boyfriend will be jealous and ignore me.' 'How could that be?' Wen Yicong said seriously.

'You are a very important friend to me.

If you come to China in the future, I will definitely treat you well and take you to have fun and eat well!' After hearing this, Luca's heart was filled with thoughts.

Many words came to his lips, but he didn't know how to say them.

He opened his mouth, then closed it, and finally, with a smile in his eyes, he opened his arms to Wen Yicong.

Wen Yicong blinked, a little puzzled.

'After this parting, I don't know when we'll meet again.' Luca's eyes instantly reddened even more, and his voice trembled slightly, but the smile on his face did not diminish.

'I'm being thick-skinned and asking for a friendship hug.

Is that okay?' Wen Yicong's eyes also grew hot.

Without a word, she silently stepped forward, reached out, and gently and solemnly hugged him.

Luca's embrace was broad and warm, with the scent of sunshine and grass.

His arms were very light, not holding tightly at all, with a hint of careful cherishment.

After a few seconds, he released his arms, stepped back, and distanced himself from the Chinese girl again.

'Wen, you are the most beautiful and gentlest girl I have ever met.' Luca spoke again, his voice a little hoarse.

'You will be happy.

Definitely.' Hearing this, Wen Yicong's tears almost burst out.

At that moment, the airport broadcast sounded, prompting passengers on the flight to Jinghai, China, to begin boarding.

French, English, Chinese, repeated over and over, echoing in everyone's ears.

Hearing the broadcast, Sophie quickly wiped the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand, patted Wen Yicong's arm, and urged softly, 'Alright, isn't there a saying in China: "Seeing a friend off a thousand miles, there must be a final parting."

Go quickly, don't delay.' Hearing this, Wen Yicong took a deep breath, suppressed the surging emotions, nodded at Sophie, then dragged her suitcase and walked towards the security entrance.

After a few steps, she heard Sophie's suppressed sobs behind her and Luca's low voice comforting her.

Wen Yicong paused, then turned around.

Sophie and Luca were still standing there, watching her.

Neither of them expected her to turn back.

They were stunned for a moment, then waved at her simultaneously.

The early morning light fell on her friends, outlining their figures with silver-white edges.

Wen Yicong's nose stung badly.

She waved goodbye to Sophie and Luca.

A few seconds later, she turned around and continued walking.

Her slender figure passed through the security channel and soon disappeared around the corner at the end.

Sophie stood there blankly, staring at the disappearing figure, and finally couldn't help crying.

'Oh my god, I really can't bear to let Wen go.

China is really, really far away.' Sophie sobbed and asked, 'Do you think we will ever see Wen again in the future?' Luca looked in the direction where the figure had disappeared and was silent for a long time.

After a while, 'Who knows.' Luca shrugged nonchalantly, holding back the sting in his nose.

'Wen told me that Chinese people believe in fate.

As long as we are destined, we will meet again.' A few minutes later, a plane slowly taxied, took off, the roar of the engines coming from far to near, then from near to far.

The lights on the wings flickered in the darkness, like a star traveling in reverse, carrying Sophie and Luca's thoughts and blessings, flying towards the distant East. * Eleven hours later.

China, Jinghai.

The plane landed at 7 PM Beijing time.

In winter, Jinghai gets dark early.

The runway lights were already on, pale light spreading in the twilight, like a warm ribbon of light.

Wen Yicong walked out of the arrival hall dragging her suitcase.

The cold air hit her face, mixed with the unique humidity of the Jinghai area.

She had lived in Toulouse for two months and had almost forgotten what winter in Jinghai was like.

At this second, returning to her homeland, Wen Yicong felt a sense of disorientation, as if a lifetime had passed.

She hailed a taxi and went straight home.

Jinghai was completely different from Toulouse.

There were no red brick old buildings everywhere, no accordion sounds from narrow alleys, no unfamiliar faces on the streets.

Here, elevated bridges stood like a steel forest, countless vehicles shuttling among them.

Beside the bridges were skyscrapers, glass curtain walls flowing with light and color, everywhere exuding a strong modern urban atmosphere, prosperous and splendid.

The traffic was stop-and-go all the way.

It wasn't until the sky was completely dark that the taxi finally arrived at the destination.

Wen Yicong paid the fare, dragged her suitcase into the building.

The hallway still had the lingering aroma of a neighbor's dinner.

From upstairs came the sound of a TV and the innocent laughter of a child.

She stood at her own door, took out her keys, unlocked it, and entered.

Hearing the commotion at the door, Wen Zhenhua poked his head out of the kitchen, still holding a spatula.

'Oh, our big girl has come back from across the ocean?' 'Dad!' Seeing her father, Wen Yicong's eyes instantly lit up, very surprised.

'When did you and Mom come?' 'We came early this morning.' As he spoke, Wen Zhenhua returned to the kitchen and brought out a large clay pot.

White steam rose from the gap in the lid, fragrant.

'Your mother said that by the time you got back, it would be dark.

If we didn't come ahead to cook for you, you would definitely just order some takeout.' Wen Yicong scratched her head awkwardly and smiled sheepishly.

'Indeed.

I was just thinking about ordering takeout on the way.' 'Don't we know you?

Alright, go wash your hands quickly.

The congee is just ready.' Wen Zhenhua said cheerfully, placing the clay pot on the dining table, then turned to get bowls and chopsticks.

Wen Yicong changed her shoes, washed her hands, and walked into the living room.

At this time, Shen Yulan also came out of the kitchen.

She pulled Wen Yicong to sit at the dining table, but she herself couldn't sit still.

She ladled congee for her daughter, put food on her plate, then ran into the kitchen and brought out a plate of freshly pickled radish strips.

'Come, try the radish strips your mother just made.

They go well with the congee.' Shen Yulan chattered on, her gaze carefully examining her daughter's face, and gradually showed concern in her eyes.

'Look at you, after going to France, your face has gotten thinner.' Wen Yicong picked up a piece of radish strip and said casually, 'Not really.

Sophie said my complexion is better than before.' 'Online everyone says white people food is the worst.

How could your complexion improve?

Nonsense.' Shen Yulan gave her a playful glare and added a piece of fried egg to her bowl.

Wen Zhenhua sat opposite, smiling as he watched the mother-daughter banter.

The taste of the European airline meal really didn't suit Wen Yicong's palate, plus jet lag, she had hardly eaten anything on the plane.

Now, a bowl of hot seafood congee went down, sweet and soft, shrimp bouncy, the umami of dried scallops permeating every grain of rice.

Only then did she feel alive again.

Soon, half a bowl of congee was finished, and Wen Yicong's stomach was no longer so hungry.

She looked up, glanced around the living room, blinked in surprise.

She asked Shen Yulan, 'Mom, when did you come?

You made me congee and also cleaned the whole house?' Wen Zhenhua laughed after hearing this.

'During the two months you were away, your mother missed you terribly.

She came to your place every few days to look at your things and think of you.' 'What nonsense.' Shen Yulan glared at him and retorted confidently, 'A house needs people to maintain its vitality.

If no one lives in it for a long time, not only will it gather dust, but various problems will also arise.

I'm helping Nongnong gather vitality.' Wen Zhenhua gave a helpless smile and nodded repeatedly.

'Yes, yes, you're right.' After saying this, he glanced at Wen Yicong's bowl and saw that the congee was almost gone.

He reached out to take the bowl, muttering to himself as he stood up, 'This child, eating so fast, how long has she been hungry...' Then he looked up at his daughter and asked, 'Want another bowl, Dad?' Wen Yicong smiled and nodded.

'Thanks, Dad.' At this time, Shen Yulan moved her chair closer to Wen Yicong and asked excitedly, 'Daughter, was France fun?

Did you go anywhere?

Did you take photos?' Wen Yicong curved her lips and chatted with her mother about her experiences in Toulouse.

She talked about the lovely children she met at the special education school, the gentle and kind Miss Marie, the morning market she visited with Sophie, the vintage shop she discovered in a narrow alley in the old town, and the stray cat group near the apartment building.

Shen Yulan listened with great interest, looking at her daughter with gratified and loving eyes.

The family of three was harmonious and happy.

After dinner, Wen Yicong prepared to clear the table, but Shen Yulan stopped her.

'You've been on a plane for over ten hours.

Go rest.' Shen Yulan insisted, pushing her out of the kitchen.

'Just a few bowls.

Your father and I will wash them and then drive back.' Wen Yicong: 'It's so late.

Why don't you stay here tonight?' 'I'm not staying in your little doghouse.' Shen Yulan said with a doting tone.

'Go do your thing.

Don't worry about us.' Wen Yicong couldn't argue with her parents, so she shrugged helplessly and went into the bathroom to shower.

The hot water washed over her body, instantly washing away the fatigue of the journey.

She turned off the water, dried herself, and changed into pajamas.

When she came out of the bedroom, the living room was empty.

Comrades Wen Zhenhua and Shen Yulan had already gone home.

Only the TV was still playing the news.

Wen Yicong poured herself a glass of water, picked up the remote, and was about to turn off the TV.

Just then, the news anchor's voice came from the TV.

Just a few words, but they made Wen Yicong's movements freeze.

'Mo Group today officially declared bankruptcy.

All its assets have been seized by the court...' Wen Yicong frowned and quickly walked over to the TV.

On the screen was an aerial shot of the Mo Group headquarters building.

In the night, the magnificent silver-gray high-rise looked particularly desolate, with only a few windows still lit.

Yellow caution tape was pulled at the entrance of the building, and several staff members in uniforms were pasting seals on the glass doors.

Then, the picture switched to a court announcement of asset seizure, white paper with black characters, a bright red seal.

The news anchor's voice was deep and indifferent, coldly saying, 'It is reported that Mo Group, due to suspected multiple violations leading to a capital chain rupture, formally filed for bankruptcy with the court early this morning.

All subsidiaries, real estate, and related assets of the group have been sealed according to law.

This is the largest corporate bankruptcy case in Jinghai in recent years...' Wen Yicong stood frozen, her mind blank.

What?

Mo Group... bankrupt?

She could hardly believe her eyes and ears.

That man, the man she thought was omnipotent, the silent, sharp, powerful man who had always been fighting the darkest forces in the world alone...

Was he brought down just like that?

Her heart was shocked and panicked, her mind blank.

A few seconds later, Wen Yicong frantically picked up her phone from the coffee table, found a phone number, and dialed.

Beep—beep— No answer.

She dialed again.

Still no answer.

Wen Yicong was anxious.

Just as she was about to dial again, a call came in.

A familiar name popped up on the screen: Su Wanxin.

Wen Yicong answered.

'Hey Nongnong, have you returned to China?' On the other end of the line, Su Wanxin's tone carried an excited gossip vibe, her voice half a pitch higher than usual.

'Mm, just got home.' Wen Yicong's fingers tightened, her tone clearly distracted.

'What's up?' 'Hurry and check the trending topics!' Su Wanxin's voice rose another notch, excitedly.

'Some paparazzi leaked photos of a scandal involving a conglomerate heir.

They say he was meeting a mysterious beauty behind his fiancée's back.

Tsk tsk, this is a huge scoop!' Wen Yicong's mind was entirely on the news just now.

She had no interest in the gossip Su Wanxin was talking about.

She just responded perfunctorily, 'Oh.

You're telling me just for this?' 'The important part is!' Su Wanxin lowered her voice, as if about to reveal a huge secret.

'The female lead in the photos looks a lot like you.

I almost thought it was you!

You should check it out too.

Share the gossip.' Wen Yicong frowned, confused.

She lowered her arm and opened the Weibo app.

The top trending topic was a few big characters: '#Mo Group CEO Meets Mysterious Woman#' With a dark red 'explosive' suffix.

'...' Wen Yicong's gaze suddenly froze.

Her fingertip hovered over the screen.

After a second's hesitation, she clicked in.

The page loaded, and a few blurry photos popped up.

The first photo had a background at the entrance of a hospital VIP building.

A tall man was slightly turned sideways, his arm lightly held by a slender figure beside him.

Only a blurry half-profile of the man's face was captured.

The woman's face was completely obscured by long hair and angle, only a gentle, slender back view.

The second photo showed the two walking towards a black Bentley, the man holding the woman's hand, fingers interlaced.

The third photo was before getting into the car, the man slightly bending down, protecting the woman's head as he helped her into the car...

The quality of these photos was poor, obviously taken with a telephoto lens from far away.

But, the man's figure, the woman's back, even the black Bentley, were all extremely familiar to Wen Yicong.

That was Mo Shaoshang and her.

It was the day they went to Nanjin for the Auction...

Wen Yicong's face turned pale, her fingers trembling slightly.

She moved her gaze up and looked at the caption of these images: 'Mo Group heir secretly meets mysterious woman.

The two are intimate, fingers interlaced, showing their relationship.

It is reported that the Mo family had already arranged a marriage partner for the heir.

This mysterious woman may be an interloper.' She then clicked into the comments section.

It was full of scolding, unbearable to read. [Rich people really know how to play.

One side engaged, the other side keeping a mistress.] [Who is this woman?

A mistress?] [Oh my god!

Feel sorry for the fiancée.

Cheated on before even entering the door.] [Mo Group is bankrupt and still hyping scandals.

So shameless.] [This woman has a good figure.

Slim where it should be slim, curvy where it should be curvy.

Hot.] [Fully proves that you can doubt a capitalist's character, but you can't doubt their taste [evil smile]] ...

Wen Yicong's mind was buzzing.

Mo Group had just suffered such a heavy blow, and now Mo Shaoshang, as CEO, was hit with this scandal.

It was like adding insult to injury, making things worse.

In just a few seconds, the image of those blue-black eyes appeared in Wen Yicong's mind.

That man, bearing such heavy secrets alone, guarding those incriminating evidences that couldn't see the light, facing the most glamorous and ugliest darkness in this world.

And now, the Mo family had collapsed overnight.

Mo Shaoshang's name was tied to all kinds of fabricated 'scandals,' becoming the center of a public opinion storm...

At such a time, he didn't even have a family member by his side.

How was he?

Where was he now?

Was he okay?

Countless thoughts surged like a disaster.

Wen Yicong felt as if an invisible hand was gripping her heart, a wave of pain after another, even her breath tasted of rust.

She hadn't told Mo Shaoshang that she was returning to China.

Originally, she wanted to surprise him...

She never expected that in just a few days, such a huge change would occur.

At this moment, Su Wanxin's voice came again, pulling her wandering thoughts back.

'Hey, sis, did you see the photos?

I was right!

Doesn't the female lead look like you?' '...

Something came up.

I'll hang up now.' With a troubled mind, Wen Yicong hurriedly hung up the phone, then rushed into the bedroom, opened the wardrobe, randomly grabbed a sweater and jeans, put them on, then grabbed her bag and ran to the entrance.

While changing shoes, she used her phone to book a ride-hailing service.

Her porcelain-white fingertips quickly tapped on the screen.

Just as she finished typing 'Nanjiao Mo Family Manor' in the destination field, abruptly, a doorbell rang.

Ding-dong.

Ding-dong.

'...' Wen Yicong paused.

She looked up at the closed door, her heartbeat suddenly speeding up.

Then she stood up, pressed her eye to the peephole.

After seeing who was outside, her eyes widened in surprise.

The next moment, Wen Yicong pressed down on the door handle and opened the door.

A tall figure appeared in the hallway outside her door.

The man was dressed in light casual clothes, very casually.

A few strands of hair fell, slightly covering his forehead.

Without the distance and coldness brought by a suit, he actually had a lazy and noble boyish air, looking several years younger, like the kind of mixed-race campus heartthrob in a university that everyone would turn to look at but dare not approach.

A black suitcase stood quietly by his feet.

Seeing this, Wen Yicong's eyes really widened.

She opened her mouth, and it took a few seconds before she could barely make a sound.

'You...' 'Are you interested in taking in your homeless boyfriend?' Mo Shaoshang looked at her, then suddenly bent down, leaning close to her, his blue-black eyes looking straight into hers, whispering, 'Baby?' ----------------------- Author's note: Random 100 red packets. ———— The column has opened a new synopsis 'Wildfire Kisses Me', a 'Mountains and Rivers' series story, which will start this year.

Interested babies can bookmark it in advance.

Synopsis: On the eve of graduating from the police academy, 22-year-old Shu Jiayu traveled thousands of miles from Beicheng to Heyuan City.

Heyuan, the border.

Various forces entrenched, all kinds of people mixed.

The boundary between day and darkness blurred here like the thick fog of the rainy season.

Late at night, she sneaked into an abandoned factory.

In the backlight, a tall man leaned against the wall, head down, his slender fingers idly playing with an unlit cigarette.

Dark light cast from the side, cutting sharp angles on his face, prominent brow bones, straight nose bridge, cold jawline like carved.

Even in the most relaxed posture, he couldn't hide that extreme sense of oppression, decadent and fierce.

Like a blade that had been sharpened and seen blood.

The moment their eyes met, Shu Jiayu was locked by the man's gaze, her breath tightening.

His eyes fell on her, cold and calm, from top to bottom, seemingly without any emotion, as if confirming a serial number that must be absolutely correct.

After a moment, the man spoke: 'Shu Jiayu?' Almost reflexively, she straightened her back: '...Yes.' 'Hello, I am Chen Wenzhou.' The man stepped forward a few steps and said lightly, 'Nice to meet you.' Shu Jiayu's heart pounded wildly.

She had heard the name 'Chen Wenzhou'.

The captain of the National Security Special Police Unit, the anchor of the entire system, the supreme commander of this operation, her top superior.

At the same time... also the husband assigned to her by the organization, her fake marriage partner during her undercover period at the border. * When he first met Shu Jiayu, Chen Wenzhou had a bit of a headache.

The mission was arduous, life-threatening, with extremely high danger.

Why did the higher-ups send him a quiet and pretty little girl?

When she first met Chen Wenzhou, Shu Jiayu was especially nervous.

To live with such a man day and night, playing the most intimate couple, just thinking about it made her nervous to the point of weak legs.

Later, after living together for several months.

Shu Jiayu often had flushed cheeks, moist eyes, and inexplicably softer legs.

And Chen Wenzhou finally knew what it meant to love someone to the bone, life and death, unable to stop.