Chapter 30: Xiang Fei

Xiang Yan's office was brightly lit, with a stack of documents spread out on a heavy solid-wood desk. Ah Zhong stood to the side, not daring to breathe loudly.

Xiang Yan's fingers trembled slightly as he gently stroked the young face on the document—Wu Xiang Qian, 18 years old, his brow almost identical to his own in his youth.

"Ah Zhong..." Xiang Yan's voice was hoarse, "Have you confirmed this document?"

Ah Zhong hurriedly stepped forward: "Brother Yan, we verified it three times. Wu Xiang Qian was indeed found by his adoptive father, Wu Qi, on a street corner in Mong Kok in 1974, at about 8 years old."

Xiang Yan closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Master..." Ah Zhong asked cautiously, "Are you sure Young Master Fei is..."

"No mistake." Xiang Yan suddenly opened his eyes, pointing to a line on the document, "Look here, he has a butterfly-shaped birthmark on his right shoulder blade."

Ah Zhong gasped: "Exactly the same as Young Master Fei when he was little!"

Xiang Yan stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. The night view of Victoria Harbour was as brilliant as ever, yet it could not illuminate the turmoil surging within him at that moment.

"1974..." Xiang Yan murmured to himself, "That damned maid..."

Ah Zhong asked softly: "Brother Yan, should we go directly to find Wu... Young Master Fei?"

Xiang Yan shook his head: "No rush." He turned and walked back to the desk, "First, investigate the Wu family's situation thoroughly. I want to pay a personal visit to express my gratitude."

"It's already checked," Ah Zhong reported quickly, "Wu Qi is an old tailor in Kowloon Walled City, and Dong Xiaolian sells vegetables at the market. Their financial situation is average, but they treated Young Master very well."

A hint of softness flashed in Xiang Yan's eyes: "Prepare gifts, the more valuable the better. Also prepare a check... no, open an account directly for the Wu couple and deposit five million."

Ah Zhong nodded: "I'll go handle it right away. What about Young Master Fei..."

"Don't alert him yet," Xiang Yan rubbed his temples, "I need to think of a suitable time..."

The next morning, in the narrow alleyways of Kowloon Walled City, a black Mercedes slowed to a stop, drawing curious glances from the neighbors.

Xiang Yan adjusted his suit and tie, suddenly feeling a bit nervous: "Ah Zhong, is my outfit too formal?"

Ah Zhong suppressed a laugh: "Brother Yan, even if you wore a sack, you'd still look like a big shot."

Xiang Yan glared at him, took a deep breath, and walked toward the small shop with the "Wu's Tailor" sign hanging outside.

Inside the shop, Wu Qi was busy at the sewing machine. Hearing the doorbell ring, he didn't look up: "Feel free to look around; custom orders take two weeks."

"Master Wu." Xiang Yan called softly.

Wu Qi looked up, saw the distinguished middle-aged man before him, and paused: "You are..."

"My surname is Xiang," Xiang Yan bowed slightly, "I'd like to discuss your son's matter with you."

Wu Qi's expression instantly became wary: "What happened to my Qianzai?"

Xiang Yan gestured for Ah Zhong to place the gifts on the table: "Master Wu, don't be nervous; I'm here to express my gratitude." He pointed to the most valuable gift box, "This is premium ginseng, for your Lady to nourish her health."

Wu Qi was even more puzzled: "Mr., we have never met..."

"Master Wu," Xiang Yan's eyes suddenly reddened, "The child you picked up in 1974... is my biological son."

"Clang!" Wu Qi knocked over the scissors on the table.

"You... what proof do you have?" Wu Qi's voice trembled.

Xiang Yan took out an old photo: "This is a photo of Ah Fei at 6 years old; look at this birthmark."

Wu Qi stared at the photo for a long time, then let out a long sigh: "I knew it... Ah Qian, that child, has never been ordinary since he was little."

Xiang Yan asked anxiously: "He... has he been doing well these years?"

"Very well," a proud smile appeared on Wu Qi's face, "That boy is incredibly smart and learns everything quickly. It's just..."

"Just what?"

"Stubborn temper," Wu Qi shook his head, "Once he sets his mind on something, nine oxen can't pull him back."

Xiang Yan gave a bitter smile: "That trait runs in the family."

At that moment, the curtain of the inner room was lifted, and Dong Xiaolian walked out carrying a tea tray: "Old Wu, why didn't you... when guests arrive..."

Seeing Xiang Yan, she dropped the tea tray with a "clang" onto the floor.

"This Lady..." Xiang Yan hurriedly stood up.

But Dong Xiaolian suddenly burst into tears: "You... you are Qianzai's biological father, right? I knew it at a glance... you look too much alike..."

Xiang Yan bowed deeply: "These years, thank you both for raising my son."

Dong Xiaolian wiped her tears: "Don't say that... Ah Qian is our heart and soul..."

Wu Qi embraced his wife: "Mr. Xiang, when do you plan to recognize Ah Qian?"

Xiang Yan shook his head: "No rush. I came today mainly to seek your consent."

"We have no objection," Wu Qi said readily, "Having more people to love Qianzai is a good thing. It's just..."

"Rest assured," Xiang Yan promised solemnly, "I will not force him to do anything. As long as he is willing, he will always be the Wu family's son."

After speaking, Ah Zhong and Ah Zhong took their leave.