Chapter 329 Heading for the Next Stop
It was true that Qin Changan had really got on in years. When Qin Ran studied him carefully, she found that her father’s forehead was now full of wrinkles. There were numerous white hairs hiding among his seemingly black hair. Age and experiences of suffering and difficulties had left their marks on him. However, since Qin Changan was good at preserving his health, in order not to be noticed by others, he would take the initiative to dye his hair each time the white hair grew. He simply did not want others to think of him as an elder.
However hard Qin Changan, who was close to sixty years of age, had tried to disguise his age, that was something he could not change. He knew clearly that before he determined who would be his successor, many people were coveting his commercial empire. In addition, Qin Ran was not married yet. Consequently, the whole situation was full of uncertainties. That was also the main reason why he dared not reconcile with Qin Sheng in a hurry. Even if he did, and Qin Sheng could get rid of all the complicated emotional histories, following that, Qin Sheng would plunge himself into a deeper trap, which was far more dangerous. He must confirm first who on earth Qin Sheng was, what his temperament was like, and how capable he was, so that he could decide on his next step.
Now, he felt quite satisfied.
As a man as well as a father, he basically lived for his children for the rest of his life. Qin Changan was no exception. As Qin Ran and Qin Sheng’s biological father, he was the support of their lives and definitely felt sorry for what they had experienced.
However, he loved them in a more obscure manner.
As a result, Qin Changan could put up with all of Qin Ran’s capriciousness and complaints. However deeply his daughter resented him, he would not regret it at all. It was because he knew that they would understand his difficulties of being a father, someday. Though she seemed bright, Qin Changan must be tough enough to support this magnificent life.
Qin Changan had ordered Gongsun to call and arrange for the latest flight or a personal jet for Qin Ran and send her to the Lushan Airport in Jiujiang. He accompanied Qin Ran for a while in the VIP Lounge of the airport, then he drove back to the downtown area with Gongsun. They had gone through such an uneventful night.
In Jiujiang City, before Qin Sheng woke up, he had been sleeping for a full six hours in the express hotel. At this moment, it was already afternoon. Qin Sheng dared not stay in Jiujiang anymore, fearing Feng He’s group would come after him. After all, Jiujiang was too close to Huang Mei Town.
His clothes, which had been soaked, were now dry. Qin Sheng had no choice, but to wear them. After that, he went out to have lunch. After he finished his lunch, he planned to buy some new clothing, along with a new mobile and a new sim card. After his mobile had been powered off, he knew that many people must have been concerned about his safety. Additionally, he needed to keep in touch with Chang Baji.
After Qin Sheng finished his errands, it was already four o’clock in the afternoon. It was not after he went back to the hotel that he called Chang Baji. The moment he got through, he asked Chang Baji immediately, “Lao Chang, did you find Qinyang or not?”
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Chang Baji secretly felt somewhat relieved. However, Qin Sheng’s question placed him in a difficult position. He had no choice but to reply, “Not yet. I am afraid that the situation might be fraught with grim possibilities.”
As time went on, his hopes became slimmer and slimmer. If Gu Qingyang had escaped successfully, he definitely would have taken the initiative to contact them first. If he had not been able to get in touch with Qin Sheng, he certainly would have contacted Chang Baji or Hao Lei instead. However, up till now, there was still no news about him at all. Obviously, the possibility that he had met with a mishap was greater.
Qin Sheng felt quite disappointed instantly. He gritted his teeth as he said, “You have to work harder to locate him. I believe definitely that nothing will happen to him.”
Though Chang Baji was worried about Gu Qingyang, he was used to the separation between loved ones in life or death. Consequently, he replied calmly, “Life and death are decreed by fate. If he is really dead, probably it is his fate. However, even so, we definitely won’t let him die in vain.”
Qin Sheng did not say anything at all. They definitely would seek revenge for Gu Qingyang, if it had not been for him, Gu Qingyang would not have died in such a manner. As a result, Qin Sheng felt pretty guilty.
Chang Baji inquired how Qin Sheng was and said, “Let’s stop talking about these issues. What do you plan to do now? You can’t go to Wuhan now, nor can you go back to Hangzhou. As for Xi’an, it certainly will not work.” Chang Baji was quite concerned about what Qin Sheng’s next step will be.
Qin Sheng had figured out a solution early today. Since he could not go to Wuhan, he had no choice but to go to that place instead, which was safe and somewhat a.s.sured, at least. Consequently, he replied, “I will go to Qingdao.”
Chang Baji frowned slightly as he said, “Qingdao?” He did not know why Qin Sheng had chosen to go to Qingdao.
Qin Sheng explained randomly as he said, “As the saying goes, Shandong The Magnificent is a place propitious for giving birth to great men. I have some connections with the Song family in Shandong. In the beginning, I almost became Song Jia’s live-in husband. Though if I go there now, I will be in the center of madness. At least, it will be safer than staying here.”
After a long deliberation, Chang Baji replied, “Since you have made up your mind, you can go to Qingdao. Don’t contact anybody during this period. I will inform Hao Lei. After everything goes well on your side, we will go there at that time.”
Qin Sheng nodded quietly. Following that, he asked, “How about you?”
Chang Baji said honestly, “I will stay in Huang Mei Town for a few days first. If there is still no update about Qingyang, I will take the risk and go back to Hangzhou and try to some information. After that, I will find somewhere to recover, and wait for your update at the same time.”
Since Chang Baji had arranged everything properly and advised Qin Sheng not to worry too much, Qin Sheng would just leave Hao Lei and Tang She out of his mind. He thought Chang Baji would also take care of them.
All he needed to do now when he left for Qingdao, was to raise himself up quickly. However, as for how he would do that, he had no detailed plans so far.
After Qin Sheng finished his call with Chang Baji, he headed for the train station quickly and bought the latest train ticket to Qingdao. After that, he went back to the hotel and checked out. At this moment, it was only an hour before he left for Qingdao.
Starting from last night until now, Qin Sheng’s emotions had undergone a tremendous fluctuation. He had escaped unharmed once again, under the same plight. Compared with the situation, which had taken place in Mount Jiuhua last time, his situation this time was far better.
Qingdao was his next destination. Qin Sheng knew that it would not be that easy for him to rise as quickly as he had done in Hangzhou. After all, he had many connections to take advantage of, in Hangzhou. However, in Qingdao, he needed to start from scratch and he could never rise so quickly, unless he was willing to be a live-in son-in-law of the Song family and be the husband to the alluring woman of the Song family.
However, obviously, it was not possible for him to do so. After all, he should be responsible for Lin Su.
Consequently, his situation in Qingdao would not be the same as that in Hangzhou. There was a great possibility that he would lead a life, which was similar to that in Xiamen, for a period of time. However, as long as he was alive, there would still be hope. Since Qin Sheng could put up with the loneliness, he strongly believed that he would not be so ill-fated. Nor would he wander from one place to another, all the time.
At the ticket entrance to the train station in Jiujiang, Qin Sheng turned back and looked back at this city, which he had pa.s.sed by hastily. He was not emotional at all. Up till now, except for Xi’an, he was just a pa.s.ser-by in every city. The difference was in the duration of his stay in each city, and that was all.
Qin Sheng took out his mobile and texted Lin Su and Xue Qingyan respectively, saying “I am safe now. Don’t worry about me.”
Qin Sheng had a remarkable memory. However, he could only keep several contact numbers in his mind. Of course, the contact numbers of Lin Su, Xue Qingyan, Chang Baji, and Hao Lei were on the list. As for the numbers for the others, he really could not remember them. Consequently, he did not need to inform them.
Qin Sheng, who was bearded and looked somewhat dissipated, carried some snack food in his hands, which he had bought at the convenience store. The look in his eyes was somewhat distant. After that, he walked into the train station without even turning back, and began his next journey.
In a car outside the train station, Zhuang Zhou was sitting in the driver’s seat. Nan Gong was by his side. The look in her eyes was distant and cold. Qin Ran, who had arrived in Jiujiang at noon, sat in the back seat.
Qin Ran had been waiting for Qin Sheng at the entrance of the hotel for several hours. After that, she had been following Qin Sheng the whole day and observing everything that was going on at Qin Sheng’s side, carefully. Seeing that her brother, who was exhausted, dared not show up openly, Qin Ran felt so sorry for him. Though she was anxious to reconcile with Qin Sheng now, she held herself back in the end.
She got every detail about what had happened last night from Zhuang Zhou and Nan Gong. Qin Sheng had gone through such a heart stopping night last night. When she listened to Zhuang Zhou and Nan Gong’s narration, her heart thumped. She could totally relate as to how her brother must have felt, while going through the situation last night. Fortunately, her brother had pulled himself through safe and sound. Neither had he run into any accident, nor had he been injured. Otherwise, she definitely would have gone to Qin Changan and asked for an explanation from him.
As for those people, who had bullied her brother, she would make them pay the price soon, especially Yan Chaozong, who had been pestering Qin Sheng consecutively and endlessly. Obviously, the lesson, which she had taught him the last time, had not been hard enough.
Nan Gong turned her head and said gently, “Sister, he has gone into the train station. We should leave now.” Since Nan Gong was two years younger than Qin Ran, she had addressed Qin Ran as her sister, since her childhood. Qin Ran treated her quite well. However, it was not until they were ten years old that they saw each other again. Consequently, Nan Gong and Qin Sheng did not have any connections at all.
Qin Ran let out a sigh as she asked, “Where is he going?”
Since Zhuang Zhou already had the information, he directly replied, “Qingdao.”
Qin Ran bit her lips as she said, “We do not know how many nights he has gone through like this, and how many cities he has gone to in the past years. Even so, he still could not lead a stable life.”
The reason why Qin Sheng did not have a stable life was because he was asking for too much. Consequently, Zhuang Zhou replied, “He is born to be someone, who is discontented with his lot. In addition, his heart is wild. Perhaps he is destined to do so.”
Qin Ran asked quite solemnly, “Uncle Zhuang, the way you see it, how will I meet him?” After all, Zhuang Zhou had been in touch with Qin Sheng more often than she had.
It was true that Zhuang Zhou had thought about that before. He replied after hesitating for a while, “As a matter of fact, you have met him before. How you are going to meet him makes no difference at all. Since he is a pretty smart guy, he will understand the subtleness right away. What I am concerned about is whether he will accept you or not. Based on his temperament, he is not willing to be manipulated by others.”
After hearing Zhuang Zhou’s words, Qin Ran was lost in thoughts. What Zhuang Zhou had said seemed to make sense. In this case, what should she do?
In the end, Qin Ran had a headache and did not want to think any more about it. It was time for her to go back and have a good conversation with Qin Changan. Consequently, she said, “Let’s go back to Beijing.”
In Ningbo, Lin Su, who had gone back to the Lin Family, was living a peaceful and sedentary life. As expected, Lin Changting had her confined, but Su did not oppose his decision. Since she was not in a good mood, she did not want to go out at all. All she wanted to do was to accompany her grandmother, miss her man from a distance, and pray that he could get through all the difficulties this time.
When she received Qin Sheng’s text, she was with her grandmother, reciting scriptures in the family hall for worshipping Buddha. After she saw those magical characters, her heart, which had been on tenterhooks, was at ease instantly.
In this case, following that, all she needed to do was to wait for Qin Sheng’s update quietly.
In Shanghai, Xue Qingyan had returned from Hangzhou. She had been quite busy recently. After all, it was the end of the year. She had to review various projects. Since Qin Sheng had said no to her helping out of her good will, she did not help him out now. However, she had been keeping an eye on the situation in Hangzhou all the time, especially after Qin Sheng had told her that he would be leaving Hangzhou. She had sent someone to inquire about the information and now had some inside information.
For the whole day, she had been worried about Qin Sheng and even called him several times. Unfortunately, Qin Sheng had not picked up any of her calls, making her feel ill at ease. Now, she finally received the information saying Qin Sheng was safe, and could be completely at ease.
However, despite the group of people who knew about the relationship between Qin Seng and her well, they had driven Qin Sheng into the dead end. Consequently, Xue Qingyan bore a grudge against them. She definitely would seek revenge someday.