If not deliberately investigated, no one would notice the small-scale catering company “Shrimp King”.
But precisely because it is small, once it is discovered that Xie Qian holds shares in “Shrimp King”, outsiders cannot help but think more. Following the trail, it would drag out much information that Xie Qian does not want others to know.
“I understand. I will handle it well.”
Secretary Bai was both rule-abiding and dutiful. She did not pry into matters she should not ask about. Anyway, whatever Peng Zong asked her to do, she would do it.
Mrs Peng learned of what her husband had done and could not help laughing. “Did you not say before that you would not get involved in the Xie family’s domestic affairs?”
Now he had slapped his own face.
Peng Zong did not make a sound.
Was it that he wanted to get involved?
It was that he had spent two or three days going through all the exam papers and workbooks Peng Guo Qing had done since coming to Rong City. From a hopeless slacker with dismal scores to the current normal student passing every subject, Teacher Liang had put in much effort, and Xie Qian deserved great credit too.
Peng Zong disliked owing favours the most. Owing money could be repaid with interest, but a favour was a debt weighing on the conscience. The more it piled up, the more uncomfortable Peng Zong felt.
Mrs Peng was just teasing casually. Though she was dramatic, she was not prickly. As long as the dog of a man surnamed Peng did not bully her precious son, she was always easy to talk to.
In Rong City, Peng Zong had someone clean up the tail for Xie Qian, not exposing his connection to “Shrimp King”.
In the capital, the custom watch that Xie Qian had dismantled had a reply.
“I checked it very carefully. All parts of the watch are normal, including the strap. I had people look at everything.”
The person who dismantled the watch for Xie Qian was absolutely reliable, none other than his cousin Xie Qi.
Xie Qi was studying at a military academy. Over two or three years, he had gradually built up some of his own connections. When Xie Qian wanted to dismantle the watch for inspection, the first person he thought of was his cousin Xie Qi.
Xie Qi personally took apart the watch and borrowed equipment to test it, confirming that the watch had no issues at all.
When taking the watch, now reduced to a pile of parts, to be reassembled, the master watch repairer nearly had “heartache” etched on his forehead. Even in front of Xie Qi, he sighed repeatedly. “This is a good watch, good brand, good craftsmanship.”
Clearly, the repairman could not understand why someone would dismantle such a fine watch into pieces. Looking at Xie Qi’s expression, he seemed to be regarding him as a proper spendthrift.
Xie Qi had been terribly embarrassed at the time.
Would the Xie Qian who dismantled that watch into parts be a spendthrift?
Even if Xie Qian had a net worth of over a hundred million, he would not do something so reckless.
Xie Qian must have had a reason for doing this.
Xie Qi’s eyes were full of worry. “Can you tell me where this watch came from?”
“Someone gave it to me.”
Xie Qian was vague. Xie Qi raised his voice. “What person gave you this watch, making you unable to refuse it yet suspecting it has been tampered with?”
Was it Third Uncle Xie Jinghu?
Had the relationship between Xie Qian and his third uncle deteriorated to this extent?
“It is not my dad. Who gave it, I cannot say yet. It might be that I am overthinking.”
Xie Qi wanted to advise Xie Qian not to string himself too tight. He already had 5% of “Jinhu” in hand, and on his eighteenth birthday, he could receive another 1% gift, making 6% in total.
Old Madam Xie still held 3% shares. Though the old lady had hinted before that those 3% would be divided among the grandsons and granddaughters other than Xie Qian, Xie Qi had already discussed it privately with Xie Tang. Neither of them would take the shares the old lady transferred.
His little cousin would not take them either.
Those 3% shares should still go to Xie Qian. That way, Xie Qian would have 9% shares. Even if there were any twists in Third Aunt and Third Uncle’s marriage, Xie Qian and Third Aunt would not suffer.
In Xie Qi’s view, Xie Qian was already in an advantageous position.
Before Xie Qi could speak, Xie Qian’s phone rang.
Seeing the caller, Xie Qian walked aside to answer. After saying a few words, he returned and said he had something to attend to and had to leave.
“Xie Qian.”
Xie Qi called after him. “There is a long road ahead. Take good care of yourself.”
Money was an external thing.
Whether much or little, it was not that important. People were the most important.
Xie Qian nodded lightly.
After leaving the door, Xie Qian’s expression gradually sharpened.
Where to do the paternity test, Xie Qian had considered for a long time.
In the country, it was of course very convenient. Just send back the samples from that mother and her two daughters, and the results could be known the fastest.
But a domestic test… Xie Qian was afraid news would leak.
After much thought, it was better to do the test abroad.
There were many commercial institutions abroad. No matter how well-connected anyone was, they could not buy them all. Apart from the longer testing period, it was actually simpler. Just send Xie Jinghu’s and Uncle Zhi Jun’s samples over.
Xie Qian had not obtained Uncle Zhi Jun’s sample yet. Xie Jinghu’s sample was easy.
First, Xie Jinghu was arrogant and conceited, not as careful and meticulous as Zhi Jun in his actions. Second, Xie Jinghu already had one of Xie Qian’s people by his side.
…
As Xie Qian’s person, Assistant Qi had something big to do today.
On the fifth day of the first lunar month, Xie Jinghu had already returned to work early.
Most employees were still on holiday, but Xie Jinghu had arrived at the company.
Xie Jinghu did not want to work so hard either. He was being internally rolled by his wife Zou Wei Jun.
Zou Wei Jun had followed up on a project before the New Year. After resting only three or four days over the holiday, she began advancing the project again. Xie Jinghu had always been uneasy about Zou Wei Jun at “Jinhu”. With her starting work early, how could he sit still? Whether there was anything or not, he hurried to resume work following her.
With the boss resuming work, Assistant Qi immediately ended her holiday.
For a position like Assistant Qi’s, the salary was high, but it also meant no rest all year.
When the boss worked, the assistant had to work.
When the boss rested, the assistant still had to work.
On standby 24 hours a day, phone never off. Generally, those with weaker constitutions really could not endure it.
Xie Jinghu was reluctant to resume work, and Assistant Qi was a bit dazed too.
After arriving at the company, Xie Jinghu realised he seemed to have forgotten a document at home and frowned. “Did you not take it when you picked me up this morning?”
Assistant Qi lowered her head to explain. “You said the one on the desk in the study. I took that.”
“I clearly said the one in the drawer.”
“I will go get it right away.”
Assistant Qi was meek. Xie Jinghu waved his hand impatiently. “Go quickly.”
Thus, Assistant Qi returned alone to Xie Jinghu’s residence.
After Zou Wei Jun went to Rong City to recuperate, Xie Jinghu had moved to the house closest to the company.
The house was not as spacious as the villa. Xie Jinghu lived alone. Because he often socialised outside and had no need to eat at home, he did not even hire a live-in nanny. Only hourly cleaners came at set times each day.
The hourly cleaner was also arranged by Assistant Qi. As soon as Xie Jinghu went out, the cleaner would come to tidy up.
According to the usual routine, the cleaner should have finished cleaning by now. Last night, Assistant Qi had deliberately scheduled today’s cleaning for the afternoon.
When Assistant Qi returned alone to Xie Jinghu’s residence, the house indeed had not been cleaned yet. Xie Jinghu’s slippers were casually placed at the entrance. Assistant Qi went straight to the bedroom, professionally put on medical gloves, and carefully picked up a few strands of hair from the comb and the washbasin countertop in the bathroom.
After packing the hair, Assistant Qi went to the drawer in the study to retrieve the deliberately forgotten document and returned to the company.
The next day, Xie Qian received a cardboard box.
Inside the box was a sealed bag of hair, a used toothbrush, and a cup with coffee residue.
