Chapter 442: Fulfilling the Duties of a Host

Ye Chen had never thought before that his father-in-law could be so devilish.

However, he could also understand his father-in-law's mood.

After all, it was a first love he hadn't seen for 20-plus years, and she was still as perfect as ever. If it were him, he wouldn't dare let anything go wrong with this matter.

And Ma Lan's personality was indeed a super time bomb. Once such a person got angry, it was possible she would truly explode with the power of a nuclear weapon.

So there was nothing wrong with him being so cautious.

However, he didn't know that Ma Lan was currently suffering inhuman torture in the detention center, and if he didn't nod, it was impossible for her to ever come out.

The father and son-in-law drove back home, and Xiao Churan had just returned as well.

Seeing her, Ye Chen hurriedly asked: "Wife, did you go to the police station? What did the police say? Is there any news about Mom?"

Xiao Churan's face was a bit pale as she said: "The officer told me they have already issued a search notice throughout the city and have even communicated with the person in charge of the Blue Sky Rescue Team, but the feedback result is that no one has seen Mom's whereabouts, and they can't find any clues."

Ma Lan was taken away by officers directly when she was withdrawing money at the bank. Chen Zekai had already greeted them, so it was certainly impossible for them to leak any clues.

And when Ma Lan was at the bank, she was in the VIP reception room the whole time, so she hadn't contacted any outsiders during this process. Chen Zekai had also greeted the bank, so it was impossible for there to be any clues outside, and the Blue Sky Rescue Team couldn't possibly find her.

He comforted Xiao Churan: "Wife, don't worry for now. Mom hasn't been missing for more than 24 hours yet. We can wait a bit longer."

Xiao Changkun, standing to the side, hurriedly echoed: "That's right, Churan. Your mom only went out yesterday afternoon, and it's barely been a day and a night, so I don't think you need to worry excessively."

Xiao Churan shook her head and said firmly: "No, I must go look again. Otherwise, I won't be able to rest easy."

After saying this, she looked at Ye Chen and blurted out: "Ye Chen, you go look around again this afternoon, go ask around, especially in places like mahjong parlors and chess and card rooms. Mom likes those places the most."

Ye Chen agreed immediately: "Then I'll go look right now!"

Xiao Churan hurriedly instructed: "You must not just go through the motions like yesterday, and then come back to deceive me!"

Ye Chen promised repeatedly: "Wife, don't worry. I definitely won't. Today I will carefully search every mahjong parlor and chess and card room in Jin Ling!"

Xiao Churan immediately said: "Then you must take a photo of every place you search and show it to me!"

Thinking of how he said he went to look for Mom last night, but ended up going out to eat and drink with Dad, Xiao Churan felt a bit depressed.

Although she knew this must have been Dad's idea, she still felt a bit disappointed in her heart.

Ye Chen hurriedly asked her: "Wife, where are you planning to look this afternoon?"

Xiao Churan said: "I'm planning to go see Mom's friends, as well as the beauty salons she often goes to, and the spas she often visits."

Xiao Changkun hurriedly said at this time: "Churan, Dad won't go out to look for your mom this afternoon, because Dad has invited an old classmate to the house for a meal. My old classmate is going to show off his skills for our family, so Dad has to go buy some ingredients this afternoon, and then tidy up the house and prepare."

Xiao Churan asked in surprise: "Dad, didn't you already eat with your old classmate at noon? Why are you inviting them again in the evening?"

Xiao Changkun explained: "Eating at noon is eating at noon, and that was at a restaurant. Since someone has returned from abroad after such a long time, we should invite them to sit at home, right? Eating a home-cooked meal at home is the proper way to entertain friends!"

Xiao Churan said angrily: "Dad, even if you want to entertain classmates, you have to choose the right time. Mom is missing right now, how can you have the mood to invite old classmates to the house for a meal? Can't you wait until Mom is found before inviting guests? After all, Mom is also your old classmate. Wouldn't it be better for the three of you old classmates to meet?"

"Better my foot." Xiao Changkun muttered inwardly: It's precisely because your mom is missing that I have the mood, and the courage, to invite old classmates to the house for a meal. Otherwise, even if it killed me, I wouldn't have the guts.

However, he certainly couldn't say this in front of his daughter, so he hurriedly waved his hand and said: "Oh, you don't understand. Someone has been in the United States for 20-plus years, and now that they've finally returned, I definitely have to fulfill the duties of a host. This matter must be done on the day they return to have a sense of ritual! How can you wait until they've been here for several days before welcoming them? What would that make of it? Others will think your dad doesn't know how to handle things."

As he spoke, Xiao Changkun added: "And they aren't coming alone; they're bringing their son. Their son is about the same age as you and Ye Chen, and they are also a well-known American lawyer, running a well-known law firm. You young people getting to know each other will have great benefits in the future. How rare is such an opportunity!"

Xiao Churan said angrily: "I don't think it's rare at all, and I don't want to know your classmate or your classmate's son. I just want to find Mom as soon as possible and bring her home."

Xiao Changkun couldn't help but scold: "How can you be so unreasonable? It's just a dinner, can't you eat dinner if you can't find your mom? I see you're clearly trying to go against Dad!"

"I'm not!" Xiao Churan said anxiously: "I just don't have the mood to see strangers right now, and I don't have the mood to socialize with strangers."

Xiao Changkun said angrily: "That's Dad's old classmate! Even if you do it for Dad's sake, you can't say things like that!"

Actually, there was a sentence in Xiao Changkun's subconscious that he didn't say, and didn't dare to say.

That sentence was: If your mom never comes back in this life, this old classmate of mine might very well be your stepmother! Her son might be your younger brother in the future! It's always good to get to know each other in advance, right!

Ye Chen also opened his mouth to persuade at this time: "That's right, Wife. Auntie Han is Dad's old classmate after all. It's only right for Dad to want to fulfill the duties of a host. As children, we certainly have to cooperate more and can't let Dad lose face."

After saying this, he hurriedly added: "How about this? Let's go look for Mom carefully this afternoon. Anyway, I don't have to cook tonight; Auntie Han is coming over to cook. Then Dad can go buy groceries in the afternoon, and Auntie Han can come to the house to cook. We can come back and eat directly after looking for Mom. After eating, we can continue to go out and look for Mom. That way, it won't take up too much of our time looking for Mom, what do you think?"

Xiao Churan also felt that what she said was indeed a bit harsh just now, and was worrying about how to end it. Seeing Ye Chen come to put out the fire at this time, she followed his words and nodded: "Alright then, let's do as you say."

Xiao Changkun breathed a huge sigh of relief and couldn't help but give Ye Chen a grateful look...