Chapter 50: The Mystery of Origins

Xiang Qian stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, the cigarette between his fingers burned down to the filter, ash drifting softly onto the Persian carpet.

"Xiang Sheng wishes you a smooth journey..."

He chewed over these words repeatedly, his brows knitting tighter. Outside, the sound of crashing waves could not suppress the absurd thought swirling in his mind.

"Impossible..." he murmured softly, "Absolutely impossible..."

"Qian-zi!"

Zhou Zhou Huimin's voice came from the entryway, accompanied by a flurry of footsteps. Xiang Qian turned to see Zhang Zhang Guorong and Mei Mei Yanfang following her as they hurried into the living room.

"Are you alright?" Zhang Zhang Guorong closed the distance in three long strides, scrutinizing Xiang Qian carefully. "I heard Wang Yu sent people to block you?"

Mei Mei Yanfang said nothing, merely staring at Xiang Qian for a long moment before suddenly pressing her palms together. "What a relief, what a relief..." Her voice trembled slightly. "Thank goodness you are safe."

Xiang Qian crushed out his cigarette, hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "Do you remember last time, when I challenged the Kowloon branch?"

The living room instantly fell silent.

Zhang Zhang Guorong's expression froze. He slowly walked to the bar, poured himself a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid swirling in the tumbler.

"That day..." He took a sip of wine. "When Xiang Qiang arrived with his men, you were looking at him coldly. Then Brother Qiang just glanced at you, turned around, and left."

Zhou Zhou Huimin looked uneasily at everyone. "What are you talking about? Oh, right!" She suddenly raised her voice. "The first-week box office for 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' has broken ten million! Sixth Uncle is hosting a celebration banquet!"

Zhang Zhang Guorong spoke up as if granted a reprieve. "Yes..."

"Sixth Uncle said we must celebrate properly," Mei Mei Yanfang added, attempting to break the heavy atmosphere.

Xiang Qian waved his hand. "Let's put this celebration banquet aside for now. I just feel that the incident at the Kowloon branch wasn't that simple. Xiang Qiang left immediately upon seeing me; his reaction was too strange."

Zhang Zhang Guorong set down his glass, frowning as he analyzed. "Could it be that he recognized something about you? But if so, why didn't he make a move against you directly?"

Mei Mei Yanfang pondered beside them, then suddenly her eyes lit up. "Could it be related to your origins? You suspected the Xiang family before; perhaps Xiang Qiang knows your identity, which is why he showed mercy."

Xiang Qian's heart jolted; this aligned perfectly with the absurd thought he had entertained by the window. "Regardless, I must get to the bottom of this." He clenched his fist, his gaze firm.

At this moment, Zhou Zhou Huimin pulled at Xiang Qian's hand with worry. "Qian-zi, you must be extremely careful." Xiang Qian returned a gentle smile. "Rest assured, I know my limits. Let's first handle Sixth Uncle's celebration banquet, and I will investigate slowly afterward."

Xiang Qian looked at Mei Mei Yanfang with full curiosity and asked, "Sister Mei, what have you and Brother been busy with lately? How did you suddenly disappear for so long?"

Mei Mei Yanfang smiled gently and explained, "Oh, it's like this: we have been filming a movie recently called 'Rouge'. It is a very important work, so we have been undergoing closed-door filming and haven't known much about outside affairs."

Zhang Zhang Guorong smiled faintly and said softly, "Yes, we only learned so much had happened after we came out. However, for you to sweep so many awards is truly remarkable!"

Zhou Zhou Huimin leaned delicately against Xiang Qian, her beautiful eyes twinkling like stars in the night sky. She looked at Xiang Qian with utter adoration, as if he were the brightest star in that firmament.

Feeling Zhou Zhou Huimin's gaze, a smile inadvertently curved Xiang Qian's lips. He gently patted her hand and said, "This is all thanks to everyone's support and help."

With that, he raised his wine glass and said to Zhang Zhang Guorong, "Come, let us raise our glasses together to celebrate Sister Mei's and Brother's return!"

Everyone responded immediately, raising their glasses; the crisp clinking of crystal echoed throughout the room. The sound of glasses touching was like pleasant musical notes weaving together into a joyful symphony.

As everyone sipped their fine wine and chatted freely about their lives and work, laughter and conversation rose and fell, creating a thoroughly harmonious atmosphere.