Chapter Three: Has It Been Found?

“How are things over there?” Ouyang Muya glanced at Shangguan Renran.

“Oh, what do you think? I’m just staying at the manor, keeping Grandpa company and cultivating my character. On weekends, I go to the casino—thank goodness for that, or I’d die of boredom here in Country Y. Enough about me. How are you and Wanqing?”

“I might be a bit busy in a few days—we have a recruitment fair coming up.” Ouyang Muya worked at her family’s company, not only as the design director but also as head of HR. She personally handled all matters regarding talent.

Among the three of them, she was the eldest—already twenty-six this year—and also the most steady and mature.

“I might be joining a new crew soon. I landed a third female lead role last time and I’m waiting for the official notice. If it weren’t for that Bai-something, I could’ve had the second female lead.” Just thinking about it made Xia Wanqing angry. The role had gone to someone who brought her own investment.

“What? Bai…?” Shangguan Renran asked curiously. Xia Wanqing was always carefree; it was rare to see her this upset.

“She must be talking about Miss Bai Xi from the Bai family. The Bais only rose in A City in the last few years, mainly in the entertainment industry. I think our families have some business dealings,” Ouyang Muya explained.

“Yes, that’s her! She always puts on that fake innocent act. The second female lead hadn’t even been cast yet, but after the Bai family invested, she got the third lead right away!” Xia Wanqing took another few drinks, feeling tipsy, but at the mention of Bai Xi grew animated again.

“Enough, Wanqing. The audience isn’t blind. If she can’t act, her time will come. You need to believe in yourself.”

“Right… I… have to believe… believe in… myself…”

“Wanqing? Wanqing, are you drunk?”

“How about I take her home? You two should get some rest as well,” Ouyang Muya said to Shangguan Renran.

“Alright, let’s meet up another day.” After their farewells, Ouyang Muya escorted Xia Wanqing out first.

Ye Zuo and Ye Xin had been quietly listening the whole time without saying a word.

“I’m going to the restroom. You guys head to the parking lot first. Ye Zuo, go settle the bill,” she said as she left. Uncle Li had given Ye Zuo and Ye Xin a few cards for paying, so she wasn’t worried about them not having money. She rarely carried cards when she went out; even carrying a phone felt like a chore.

Stepping out of the private room felt like a breath of fresh air. She hadn’t drunk much, but her head was a little foggy. After splashing some water on her face, she felt much more refreshed. She put on her sunglasses and turned to leave.

In another private room—

“Why did you call me out so late?” Ouyang Mufeng, sitting on the sofa, grumbled. Didn’t they know he had a curfew? Yet they’d called him out. One leg crossed over the other, he swayed it idly.

“Did you think I was calling you?” Gong Yi threw the pillow from his arms at him. He’d just sent a message in the group chat and hadn’t expected this guy to show up as well.

“Damn it, you—” Ouyang Mufeng had just started cursing when he caught sight of someone sitting to the side and instantly fell silent.

On the other sofa, hidden in the shadows, sat a man with no extraneous expression on his face, as if nothing in the world could move him. Most unfathomable of all were his deep brown eyes—just one look made you feel like there was nowhere to hide.

“Huangpu Shenqing, according to what you told me, and after ruling out the others, all the remaining mixed-race candidates in the right age range are here. We’ve been searching for so many years. If she really is in the country, then how could it…” How could it be that she’s still not found?

Gong Yi didn’t finish his sentence. With such a vast sea of people, how could one person be found so easily? It had been nearly a decade. If she was in the country, maybe there was hope, but if she’d gone abroad, it would be next to impossible. Perhaps she’d emigrated overseas.

“So that’s what this is about. I thought…” Something more important, perhaps. Ouyang Mufeng didn’t dare say the rest aloud, keeping it to himself.

He’d never understood why his second brother was so obsessed with finding a little girl—searching for so many years, yet never finding her.

Perhaps that little girl was truly Huangpu Shenqing’s destiny.

“Thank you.” Huangpu Shenqing took the stack of documents from the table, stood up, and prepared to leave.

“Aren’t you staying for dinner? Second Brother, at least eat before you go!” Ouyang Mufeng called after him.

Though this was a restaurant, the private rooms on the second floor were quite secluded, so the brothers always discussed important matters here. It was part of the Huangpu family’s business, and they’d even expanded the private room for themselves.

On one side was a small lounge for discussions; on the other, a dining area. After talking, they could eat. Ouyang Mufeng had even skipped dinner to come here for the meal.

“Alright, let’s us two—” Before he could finish, a commotion came from outside.

“Oh—sorry, sir, sorry, miss.”

Shangguan Renran had just come out of the restroom when she saw a server pushing a dining cart her way. She stepped aside to avoid it and happened to stop at the entrance of a private room—only for the door to open at that moment. She bumped into someone, and documents scattered all over the floor.

Huangpu Shenqing froze. That sweet, milky scent—he felt as if he’d only ever encountered it in his memories. The person in his arms wore sunglasses and looked utterly embarrassed.

Shangguan Renran pushed herself away from the man, composed herself, and said calmly, “Sorry, I didn’t see you.” Then she stooped to pick up the scattered documents.

The other two, hearing the sound, came out to help. There were quite a few papers, so it took some time to gather them all. Throughout, Huangpu Shenqing remained motionless. Only after she’d left did he finally come back to himself.