Chapter 1518: Tell Him for Me
Xiao Kang's sudden remark made Ye Zhiqiu freeze, his expression instantly locking on his face. This wasn't a pretense; he was genuinely startled by Xiao Kang's words.
Ye Zhiqiu was aware of Xiao Kang's mother's death and felt a deep regret about it, for his feelings toward Xiujuan were quite profound. Though he never showed it, this was indeed the truth; this so-called affection was not love, but a very pure friendship.
Given Ye Zhiqiu's aloof nature, it was difficult for him to accept anyone, and even harder for someone to truly enter his heart. Xiujuan's personality was equally distant; she rarely initiated communication with others. By rights, such a disposition should have made it equally difficult for her to reach Ye Zhiqiu's inner world, and for her to ever take this lone wolf, Ye Zhiqiu, to heart.
Yet, the truth was quite the opposite. Although they rarely communicated in their daily lives, the bond that formed between them was indeed very deep. Xiujuan gradually accepted Ye Zhiqiu because she could see that he genuinely liked Xiao Kang and was truly good to the child. So, even if she didn't voice it, she accepted Ye Zhiqiu in her heart, and as time passed, her feelings for him grew increasingly profound.
The reason Ye Zhiqiu came to truly accept Xiujuan in his heart was due to her long-term care. Before he found Red Lotus, Ye Zhiqiu's living habits were notoriously bad; he spent his days in a state of utter drunkenness. Xiujuan, however, took impeccable care of his daily life. Although in his view, all of this was done for Yang Haoran's sake, over time, it still led him to feel gratitude towards Xiujuan. Consequently, he accepted her presence in his heart, and as the days turned into weeks, his feelings for her grew even deeper.
Precisely because Ye Zhiqiu harbored such deep feelings for Xiujuan in his heart, her death profoundly affected him, leaving him sorrowful for a prolonged period. However, he was unaware of the detailed circumstances of her demise.
Although Ye Zhiqiu did not know the detailed process of Xiujuan's death, there was one thing he could be certain of: he had not killed Xiujuan. After all, whether or not he had murdered her, he knew better than anyone. Thus, when Xiao Kang suddenly asked if he was Xiujuan's killer, it utterly bewildered him. He had genuinely never dreamed Xiao Kang would ask him such a question.
Xiao Kang's attention remained fixed on Ye Zhiqiu, so he observed every subtle shift in Ye Zhiqiu's expression.
"Although I don't know why you would ask such a question, I can give you a definitive answer: I did not do such a thing."
Ye Zhiqiu offered no further explanations to Xiao Kang, nor did he openly speak of the bond that had formed between him and Xiujuan over the years. He simply gave Xiao Kang a definite and truthful answer.
After receiving Ye Zhiqiu's affirmative reply, Xiao Kang's expression remained entirely unchanged. His gaze did not shift from Ye Zhiqiu; he simply watched him, smiling but silent. From his reaction, it seemed either that he was dissatisfied with Ye Zhiqiu's answer, or perhaps that he had already anticipated such a response, and thus felt neither surprise nor strangeness, leaving his demeanor utterly unaltered.
"You don't believe me?"
Seeing Xiao Kang's reaction, Ye Zhiqiu frowned slightly and asked in a low voice.
"Heh heh, since I would ask Uncle Ye such a question, there's naturally a reason. If I had no basis whatsoever, how could I possibly pose such a question to Uncle Ye? It's just that Uncle Ye's answer was perhaps too straightforward—so straightforward that I can't persuade myself to believe you."
Xiao Kang spoke with a faint smile, his tone remarkably calm, as if what he was contemplating was not his mother's death, but merely an insignificant trifle.
Ye Zhiqiu looked at Xiao Kang, his brows twisting into a knot. This Xiao Kang before him felt both familiar and strange.
Familiar, because he saw Yang Haoran's shadow in Xiao Kang; strange, for the very same reason.
"You can even investigate my reclusive dwelling here clearly, so how could you not clearly investigate your mother's death?"
Ye Zhiqiu still offered no explanation, merely replying in a deep voice. These words caused Xiao Kang to pause slightly, but then he quickly reacted, nodding his head.
"Heh heh, Uncle Ye may not say much, but his mind works excellently. You're right, if I can even investigate your secluded residence here clearly, how could I not investigate who exactly was responsible for my mother's death?"
Xiao Kang said with a smile, his words seeming meant for Ye Zhiqiu, yet also for himself. As he spoke, his perpetually unchanging expression shifted subtly; though the smile remained, it now carried a hint of self-mockery.
Ye Zhiqiu remained silent. He simply watched Yang Haoran intently, as if hoping to discern something from Xiao Kang's expression.
Seeing Ye Zhiqiu's silence, Xiao Kang paused slightly, then continued with a smile.
"Heh heh, I have indeed investigated this matter thoroughly. I found the real culprit and made him pay a terrible price, leaving him tormented beyond endurance, neither able to live nor to die. It's just a pity. . ."
As Xiao Kang spoke, the smile on his face subtly shifted again. This time, it was no longer self-mockery, but regret, and a deeply hidden remorse.
Ye Zhiqiu did not ask what Xiao Kang found regrettable. From the subtle changes in Xiao Kang's expression, he could somewhat guess what was on his mind. At the same time, he likely guessed why Xiao Kang had betrayed Yang Haoran in the past.
"Did you, back then, believe that Yang Haoran arranged for me to kill your mother?"
Ye Zhiqiu asked, his tone now indifferent, yet no longer as grim as before, his expression having softened somewhat.
"Heh heh, it wasn't a belief; I saw it with my own eyes. It's just that sometimes, what one sees with their own eyes isn't necessarily true, especially when consumed by extreme rage, because hatred can blind a person, causing them to lose their most basic judgment."
Xiao Kang responded with a smile, his tone calm and his expression detached, as if the matter he spoke of had nothing to do with him at all.
"So you betrayed Uncle Yang?"
Ye Zhiqiu didn't beat around the bush; he directly questioned Xiao Kang. However, to this sensitive query, Xiao Kang offered no direct reply.
"Heh heh, my purpose in seeking Uncle Ye today has been achieved. I won't disturb Uncle Ye and his family of three any longer. Besides, Uncle Ye doesn't seem to welcome my presence here."
As these words fell, Xiao Kang casually waved his hand, tearing space. A spatial rift formed, and Xiao Kang stepped into it.
"Oh, and if you wouldn't mind, Uncle Ye, please tell him for me: I know what he wants, and I will send him a grand gift."
After Xiao Kang finished speaking, the spatial rift completely healed under Ye Zhiqiu's gaze. Xiao Kang had appeared abruptly and departed just as suddenly. While Ye Zhiqiu couldn't prevent Xiao Kang's arrival, he was fully capable of stopping his sudden departure. Yet, he made no move to hinder him, nor did he utter a word of retention, instead allowing Xiao Kang to step into the spatial rift and teleport away right before his eyes.
Ye Zhiqiu understood Xiao Kang's purpose for this visit. He also understood who Xiao Kang was referring to when he spoke of "him" upon leaving. Besides these two points, Xiao Kang's sudden arrival today also made Ye Zhiqiu realize a few other things.
Watching Xiao Kang vanish from sight, Ye Zhiqiu remained silent for a long time. Finally, he retracted his gaze, lit a cigarette for himself, took a deep drag, and exhaled heavily.
At the same time, Red Lotus, cradling the young boy, walked towards Ye Zhiqiu. The boy's face was filled with curiosity, his large eyes staring at the spot where the spatial rift had vanished. In stark contrast, Red Lotus's expression was one of deep concern, forming a sharp juxtaposition with the boy's inquisitiveness.
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