Sis Lan's eyes were locked on the photo when she spoke. Although they seemed indifferent on the surface, at the same time, there was a tint of warmth emitted from them as if she wanted to imprint the scene in the photo into her memory.

"Indeed, she lived a short life. She wasn't even 30 when she passed away. The elders of the Mu family are still having a hard time accepting her untimely death," Xi Xiaye continued.

Sis Lan lowered her eyes as she spoke, "I've said whatever I should. Mu Tangchuan and Zhuang Shurong came to me before, and I've already told them what I know."

Xi Xiaye did not reply her directly. Instead, she informed her, "Aunty had two children, Mu Lingtian and Mu Lingshi. Mu Lingtian passed away in a car accident five years ago, and his grave is right beside Aunty's. I'm sure you already know about it."

She then continued as she gave Sis Lan a casual look. Despite her expression not changing much, her fingers that were placed on her lap fidgeted slightly.

"They were adopted under Mu Tangchuan because the Mu family didn't want them to feel any different than any other children, but they both knew they weren't the real children of Mu Tangchuan. Aside from mourning over their mother, Mu Zixi's death over the years, they also want to find the irresponsible man back then. Don't you find it ironic that it's been 30 years and they still have no idea who their father is?"

Xi Xiaye's voice was calm. She looked downwards and sighed. "You were the closest to Aunty back then. I'm sure you know who that person is, don't you?" She then fixed an even gaze on Sis Lan.

Sis Lan laughed coldly and shook her head. "I don't know. You came to the wrong person! I don't know anything at all! Isn't it just nice to let things be as it is right now? Why is it necessary to find that person? I don't understand. Why would you give up your peaceful life right now and look for the answer? Even if you found the answer, what's the point?"

Sis Lan sounded a little stirred up, but Xi Xiaye just listened quietly.

"As long as everyone's fine, Mu Zi's children should be fine as well. This is what Mu Zi would have hoped to see. You people just need to take care of and protect her children. That's it! Why bother with others? There are some answers you're better off not knowing, so why be fixated on it?"

Xi Xiaye was startled. Sis Lan seemed like she was protecting Mu Zi and that person. Her face was getting redder as she seemed to be expressing her anger.

"Why? If we use the excuse to keep a so-called peaceful life, I'd feel really sad for Mu Lingshi and Mu Lingtian. No matter what, this shouldn't become the barrier for a child to know about his or her real family. Even if they might not know what to do with it afterward, they should at least know where they came from and who gave them their life."

"There are things that we might not know is the right thing to do. Just like my visit to you today, I'm not sure if it's the right move. I only know that something urged me to do so — Lingshi's sense of loss and sadness, the long-suppressed pain of Grandfather and Grandmother, Father and Mother's regret, Mu Yuchen's concern... I understand. They seem very trivial to you because you don't feel it, but they do."

Sis Lan seemed amused.

"I don't want to comment if Aunty is right or wrong, but no matter what, hiding the truth is both unfair and irresponsible to Lingtian and Lingshi. Yes, a peaceful life is great. After all, as the saying goes, ignorance is bliss." Xi Xiaye smiled, but there was a pinch of irony hidden behind her smile.

"It's not that I'm unwilling to tell you, Miss Xi. Let the past stay in the past. This might help to maintain peace for everyone, and also a respect for the deceased. Mu Zi didn't tell anyone who that person was even right before her death, so I'm sure she had her reasons. Why do you guys care now?"

Sis Lan blinked before she turned around and looked at the hanging orchids by the window as her tone became heavy. "I suggest you give up on this and stop finding out more because the answer might not be beneficial for you. Mu Zi... She's a smart, silly woman. It pains me to know what happened to her. She's brave, but she didn't have a choice. That man has a family. They did it in the spur of the moment, but don't blame Mu Zi as well because she only found out the man was married when she was pregnant with their first child. Her emotions had been abnormal ever since then, and I was actually partially responsible for that. Back then, I could... and now given all of this, would it be any different?"

That man had a family?

Was this the reason why Mu Zi told Mu Tangchuan that man could not marry her?

"I advised Mu Zi to abort the child. She was at the peak of her career. With her progress, she could eventually make into Hollywood, but Mu Zi insisted on keeping the child. I was pained to see her sacrifice her career. You have to understand that it's extremely difficult to cultivate someone. She really disappointed me, but at the same time, I was heartbroken for her. She's a kind and innocent person not like how other people called her rebellious."

Sis Lan felt a pang of ache as she recalled the past. Xi Xiaye could see the amount of care she felt for Mu Zixi.

"I'm sure Aunty is grateful for everything you've done for her," Xi Xiaye spoke up. Hopefully, it helped to comfort her.

"Okay, you can go back now. I've said whatever I can. Don't come here anymore. I'm afraid this year will be the last time I'll visit her. It's time for me to move on."

Sis Lan put on a smile which seemed pale and cold like the autumn rain to Xi Xiaye.

It was obvious that she did not want to continue this conversation anymore. Xi Xiaye watched her for a while and eventually asked her one last question

"Then, Sis Lan, do you remember Mr. Wen?"

The way Xi Xiaye asked the question was straightforward like a cool wind that breezed through the quiet woods. However, her question felt like a strong wind on the sea. The huge impact created many large, turbulent waves!

Sis Lan's eyes widened as her body trembled slightly. She gaped at Xi Xiaye with astonishment in her panicked eyes as the latter observed every little detail.

Sis Lan shook her head a moment later. "I don't remember. I don't know any Mr. Wen!"

"Really? But I've seen Mr. Wen before, and I heard that... Well, I thought you'd know." Xi Xiaye tried to get something out of her.

"I don't remember, I don't remember it at all. Please go back and never come again. I'm feeling tired now." Sis Lan decided it was time for her to go.

Xi Xiaye stood up. "Okay, please have a good rest, Sis Lan. Sorry for bothering you today and thank you. Here's my name card. We definitely won't give up on finding out more. The truth will never be hidden forever. If you remember anything, please do give me a call."

Xi Xiaye placed her name card on the table before she turned around and walked towards the door.

Before Xi Xiaye left, Sis Lan suddenly called out to her, "Wait!"

Xi Xiaye halted in her steps but did not turn back to look at her.

"That Mr. Wen... His surname isn't Wen... I can only tell you this much!" Sis Lan's voice came from the back.

"Thank you!"

Ji Zitong alertly went up to Xi Xiaye the moment she came out of the room. "Director Xi!"

Xi Xiaye nodded to her. "Let's go!"

...

Mu Yuchen had put his laptop away when they arrived back at the car. He gave her a kind smile when he noticed her grim expression. "What's wrong? Didn't get any information?"

Xi Xiaye took a deep breath and looked at him as her eyes darkened. She ran her fingers through her hair anxiously. "She's unwilling to talk. I'm sure she knows something. She was obviously startled when I mentioned Mr. Wen. She must know him, and their relationship certainly is special."

"Mr. Wen?"

A light flashed past his eyes as he grinned.

"Yes, it should be that Mr. Wen. I think he holds a grudge against you and shares a special relationship with Sis Lan, which means that he'd know about Aunty. Do you think that...?" She made a bold hypothesis as she shot Mu Yuchen a furtive glance.

He instantly knew what she meant with just a single glance from her. He put his arm over her shoulders. "We'll find out after looking into it."

"Sis Lan said that it might not be beneficial if we know the answer. I can't help but feel that she's trying to tell us something. By the way, she also mentioned that the man has a family. He hid it from Aunty...and Mr. Wen's surname isn't Wen."

Xi Xiaye tried her best to recall everything while Mu Yuchen listened and nodded patiently. "Continue."

She seemed encouraged as she went on, "No doubt Sis Lan knows what happened, and Mr. Wen's sudden appearance recently isn't a coincidence. I feel that especially when I met Sis Lan just now, I'm starting to get the big picture. We should keep an eye on Sis Lan and we might get some clues."

"That's quite a brilliant idea. We should be watching over her secretly, but with your actions, something might be happening. Don't worry. We'll find out if we put in more effort." He sounded calm as if everything was under his control.

Mu Yuchen twirled Xi Xiaye's hair as he told Zitong, "Zitong, head over to the Imperial Sky Hotel."

"Yes, Chairman Mu!" Ji Zitong stepped on the pedal after a brief reply.

"Why go there?" Xi Xiaye gave him a doubtful glance.

He stared at her and asked quietly, "It's almost noon. Aren't you hungry?"

At that moment, Xi Xiaye did feel her stomach growl in response.

Traveling to the west of the city all the way from the north took almost two hours even though they used the expressway, and with the crowded city jam, it was noon when they arrived at the Imperial Sky Hotel. Their meal had been prepared beforehand, and all of them were her favorite dishes. However, she could not enjoy them. Instead, she felt disgusted after trying the first dish. Frantically, she rushed into the restroom and started vomiting, yet only her bile came out.

When she emerged from the restroom, Mu Yuchen was outside waiting for her. She looked terrible as he gave her a glass of water. After taking a few sips, she felt slightly better.

He frowned when he saw her pale face and slightly trembling lips. He held her arm and asked with concern while his eyes were filled with anxiety, "Feeling better now?"

Xi Xiaye wiped the moisture at the corner of her mouth and shook her head. "I'm alright. I'll be better after taking some pills at home. The dishes here feel odd. They aren't as good as your cooking."

"Please get a full body check up soon, especially your stomach. Didn't you get better some time ago?"

"There's no need..."

"This is an order. It's not up for discussion. Let Zitong accompany you." He uttered those words before dragging her out.

...

They planned to head back to the Maple Residence right away. However, a huge crowd unexpectedly rushed over, and before Xi Xiaye could react, she was already surrounded!

It was the reporters!

Xi Xiaye felt like she was getting drowned. Even though Ji Zitong tried her best to act as a shield in front of her, the countless flashlights made it hard for her to open her eyes, and their questions lit a raging fire up inside her!

"Ms. Xi Xiaye, what's your relationship with the Master of Qi Kai?"

"He brought you back to his place late at night. What do you have to say about that?"

"I heard you were supposed to marry into the Qi family. Is that true?"

"What do you think of your husband right now? Did something happen in your marriage, that's why you're now desperate to cling onto the Master of Qi Kai?"

Wave after wave of the questions swarmed up to her. Xi Xiaye almost could not hold them back and staggered a little. One after another, sharp questions were tossed at her. In an instant, the hotel entrance had become incredibly uproarious.

Ji Zitong worked hard to block the reporters that swarmed from the front, but with just her alone, how could she handle such a huge group of them?

The two of them were instantly trapped.

Mu Yuchen had just hung up when he caught up with them. When he saw this scene, his handsome face immediately sank and his eyes turned cold. Immediately, he walked up in huge strides!

"Master!"

The bodyguards behind him swiftly rushed up as well while he pulled those reporters surrounding them away with one hand and forced himself into the middle of the chaos!

"It's Master Mu! Master Mu's here!"

"Master Mu, what are your thoughts on your wife's affair?"

"Does this mean that your marriage has come to an end?"

"Has your marriage with Xi Xiaye broken down because of this third party stepping in?"

...

When those reporters saw Mu Yuchen, they thronged them even more wildly.

"No comment! No comment! Everyone, please move! Please move aside!"

Li Si, who had rushed over to report for work, had squeezed himself in too. He brought more than 10 security guards with him, working hard to yank those people away together with the bodyguards.

Xi Xiaye's clothes were messy from the chaos as her beautiful hair tumbled on her chest in an unruly way too. With her pale expression, she looked quite miserable.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Mu Yuchen very quickly went up to her. Both his hands held onto her frail shoulders while his still, dark eyes were filled with concern.

Xi Xiaye sighed and shook her head as she fixed her clothes that were messy from the chaos. He helped her fix her messy hair while the reporters were still raising their cameras high and aiming them at the couple as they continued shooting lots of questions.

Mu Yuchen held Xi Xiaye's shoulder with one hand and protected her in his embrace as he looked up with an exceptionally wary expression. A stern hostility was abruptly reflected in his eyes that were typically calm. He looked around to the vulture-like reporters, instantly stunning them with his gaze.

Li Si and the bodyguards, as well as the security guards, had already paved the way ahead while the car stopped right in front of them.

The flashing lights continued to come at them as they snapped their pictures. Xi Xiaye could barely open her eyes as Mu Yuchen held her tightly in his arms and protected her, yet his face was dense with the gloom of a storm. His eyes were filled with anger. He walked over with a single step and picked up the loudest reporter with one hand. Aggressively, he held him up by his shirt and almost lifted him off the ground!

Mu Yuchen acted swiftly, so the crowd did not have the time to react. In his arms, Xi Xiaye was inevitably surprised too. She was about to stop him, yet the man had already gripped his shirt tightly. The male reporter gulped and almost could not bear Mu Yuchen's imposing demeanor. His legs went limp as he trembled and looked at Mu Yuchen who was looking at him formidably and with so much disdain that he was terrified to the point that he could barely speak.

He struggled for a while, and as his heart beat like a bullet train, he managed to force a squeak. "Master... Master Mu..."

"What else do you people do apart from speaking off the cuff to ruin someone's reputation?" Mu Yuchen's noble and cold face flashed with a mocking look. He had always hated people like these, who did not do proper work and report what should be reported. Instead, they liked to dig into people's private lives. Instead of being skilled in such meaningless work, why did they not unearth the poor villages that had been drowned out and forgotten, and pay more attention to charitable work? At least, he would still have respect for them!

"You've caused such a storm with just a few pictures. I think that all of you are the real culprits of breaking up marriages! We are very much in love, yet you people keep going on with the slander. Why is the industry filled with people like you who have hidden agendas? Have you found the source of these pictures? Or did you witness my wife do anything yourself? All of you haven't even clarified the situation before you recklessly reported and casually smeared someone's good name. This is an utmost disrespect to those involved. I don't know when did those of you in this line of work start having such poor work ethics," said Mu Yuchen coldly before he let go of the reporter.

Xi Xiaye was the beauty who caused the general's fury!

This saying was absolutely befitting to describe the situation today!

Mu Yuchen did not even care that he would possibly offend these reporters, yet once he criticized them, many of the reporters exchanged looks. They helplessly stopped what they were doing as well.

Mu Yuchen's words really rendered them speechless.

"What do matters between us have to do with you people?" He flipped out protectively and then growled before he walked to the car with Xi Xiaye in his arms. She reached out to hold the side of his shirt as the crowd that tried to swarm up were held back by the bodyguards.

The driver quickly started the car.

In the car, he checked her all over again. Upon ensuring that she was fine, his tensed face then slowly eased.

When Xi Xiaye turned to look at him, she saw that there was still a seriousness between his brows. She thought about it before she said, "Don't be angry, I... This issue of mine seems to be quite huge. Earlier, from the way you talked to them, they might write nasty things again."

Once she finished, her gaze met with his unhappy and angry glare instead. Her starry eyes were stunned, then she silently lowered her head and did not speak anymore.

"Think about who I did that for! They all think that this Missus Mu is about to abandon her Mr. Mu. Do I, Mu Yuchen, look like someone who can be cheated on?"

When he said this, Xi Xiaye was immediately cheered up. She stole a look at his solemn face and chuckled softly before quickly shaking her head. "No, you don't look like it! Not at all! I wouldn't dare..."

Mu Yuchen shot her a look. He could tell that she was patronizing him!

Little girl!

He turned to look out the window. His expression remained solemn, but you could see that the light in his eyes contained a hint of warmth.

"Are you angry?" Seeing that he ignored her, Xi Xiaye carefully turned to look at him.

It was true that those questions from the reporters earlier had assumed that he had been cheated on. Logically, if he did not manage to find her that day, he and Qi Lei would have probably caused a ruckus because of her.

This move by the other person was quite a smart one. Now that Xi Xiaye thought about it, she felt quite fearful. However, he had unexpectedly analyzed the pros and cons very rationally. In fact, he did not doubt her at all.