The look in Ji Lingchuan's eyes just now carried an aura of oppression. As his gaze swept across the crowd, no one dared to meet his eyes and they all lowered their heads to avoid it.
Song Yixuan didn't expect Ji Lingchuan to look in the direction of the crowd. He dodged further behind the commoners. It wasn't until the two horses left that he suddenly came to his senses.
Oh no! Xiangxiang has been taken away!
Moreover, it was by Ji Lingchuan!
What should he do now?
Song Yixuan was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan when he suddenly heard a dog bark. Looking down, he saw a yellow dog standing in front of him with its tail drooping.
Dahuang was afraid of Ji Lingchuan and didn't dare to follow closely. Coincidentally, it smelled a familiar scent nearby and thus found its way to Song Yixuan.
At the sight of Dahuang, Song Yixuan came up with an idea. He patted Dahuang on the head and said, "We can't let Xiangxiang be taken away like this. Nor can we let elder sister know that he's also in Su City. Dahuang, let's go and get Xiangxiang back."
Dahuang barked in response. Then Song Yixuan led the yellow dog out of the crowd quietly and followed Ji Lingchuan and Ji Zihuan from afar.
It was Xiangxiang's first time riding such a tall horse. He was extremely excited and showed no sign of fear at being taken away by strangers. Instead, he let out giggles.
Ji Zihuan glanced at Ji Lingchuan beside him. Ji Lingchuan was holding the child's waist with both hands, and his protective gesture was very obvious, which made Ji Zihuan raise his eyebrows in surprise.
"I never knew that cousin liked children so much?" he teased.
Ji Lingchuan looked at Xiangxiang sitting in front of him, who was curiously looking around. His features softened as he said, "People always change."
Moreover, this child carried the most familiar fragrance to him. Although he couldn't be sure that this fragrance was related to Song Yihuan's, as long as there was a glimmer of hope, he wouldn't let it go.
Carrying a child in his arms, Ji Lingchuan led Ji Zihuan to Liuxiang Tower, the largest restaurant in Su City. As he entered, he cast a fleeting glance behind him and caught sight of a yellow dog hiding in the shadows and a slightly older child.
His eyes darkened slightly, but he walked in as if nothing had happened.
In a private room on the first floor of Liuxiang Tower, Ji Lingchuan seated Xiangxiang.
"Sit still. I'm going to check if you have any wounds," Ji Lingchuan said.
Perhaps because he had been very close to Ji Lingchuan all the way, Xiangxiang was no longer afraid of him this time. Instead, he blinked his eyes and stared curiously at Ji Lingchuan and Ji Zihuan.
Ji Zihuan had his face disguised and looked very ordinary. After just two glances, Xiangxiang lost interest and focused all his attention on Ji Lingchuan.
Not annoyed by being stared at so directly, Ji Lingchuan carefully examined the child's body to make sure there were no fractures, dislocations, or abrasions. Only then did he heave a sigh of relief.
Kneeling on one knee, Ji Lingchuan picked up the warm water and the sweat towel prepared by the waiter. He held the child and gently and patiently wiped the dust and dirt off Xiangxiang's face.
Soon, a fair, tender, and exquisitely beautiful little face appeared in front of Ji Lingchuan and Ji Zihuan.
At the sight of this face, Ji Zihuan was stunned for a moment. Then he took a sharp breath and glanced at Ji Lingchuan.
This child - he really looked like his cousin when he was a child!
At the sight of Xiangxiang's face, Ji Lingchuan felt his heart pounding uncontrollably. The two of them stared at each other without saying a word. Xiangxiang, as bold as a newborn calf, showed no sign of fear.
After a while, Ji Lingchuan finally spoke hoarsely, "What's your name?"
Xiangxiang replied obediently, "My name is Xiangxiang. Xiang as in good fortune."
Ji Zihuan sighed, "What a smart child."
Ji Lingchuan asked, "Xiangxiang, you want me to find your mother for you, but first you have to tell me who your mother is, what her name is, and what she looks like."
Xiangxiang put his finger in his mouth. He looked at Ji Zihuan and then at Ji Lingchuan and said, "Master daddy said that I'm not allowed to tell others my mother's name and appearance casually. Xiangxiang - Xiangxiang can't say."
He was such a good boy! He always listened to what Master daddy said!
Master daddy?!
Both Ji Lingchuan and Ji Zihuan were stunned. They glanced at each other. Ji Zihuan asked, "Since you don't want to tell us your mother's name and appearance, then you can at least tell us who else is in your family, right?"
No one had told him he couldn't say this. He counted on his fingers, "Xiangxiang has a mother, a master daddy, Jiujiu, a maternal grandfather, and Dahuang."
Ji Lingchuan felt a dull pain in his chest. He clenched his fists tightly, trying his best to control his emotions.
Back then, when Song Yihuan left the capital, Qi Lei also disappeared. It was obvious that Qi Lei had helped her escape. The two of them must have gone to find Song Yixuan. The people Xiangxiang mentioned basically matched up.
But the only variable was this "master daddy". Who was this person? What was his relationship with Song Yihuan? And why did Xiangxiang call him daddy?
Even though he had thought of the worst - case scenario, Ji Lingchuan still felt extremely uncomfortable when he really faced it.
A hand landed on Ji Lingchuan's shoulder. Ji Zihuan asked with a smile, "Xiangxiang, how old are you now?"
Xiangxiang grinned brightly, "Xiangxiang is three years old this year!"
Lowering his voice, Ji Zihuan whispered in Ji Lingchuan's ear, "She's been gone for four years. This child is three, and he looks so much like you. The child's lineage is still worth investigating."
Ji Lingchuan gave Xiangxiang a deep look. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down. When he opened his eyes again, he had returned to normal. He stroked Xiangxiang's hair and left his waist - token with him.
"I'll go and find your family. You stay here obediently and don't run around. This is my waist - token. With it, no one will dare to do anything to you."
Glancing at the half - open window, he left the room with Ji Zihuan.
Xiangxiang was left alone in the room. He looked around. Finding no one around, he pouted and picked up the waist - token with his chubby little hand to play with.
Song Yixuan followed Ji Lingchuan and Ji Zihuan all the way to Liuxiang Tower. He saw with his own eyes that they had taken Xiangxiang in. His face became even more anxious.
That man was so powerful. How could he possibly get Xiangxiang back from that man?
If elder sister knew that Xiangxiang had fallen into that man's hands, what would she do?
That man was the eldest son of the Prince Ning's Mansion. With the power of the Prince Ning's Mansion, they surely wouldn't return Xiangxiang to them, right?
Just as he was in a state of extreme anxiety, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the two men again. Frightened, he squatted down and hid behind a haystack.
"I'll search this way. You go that way. We must find the child's family before nightfall."
He heard the two men say this. Then the sound of horse hooves gradually faded away. He crawled out from behind the haystack, his face beaming with joy.
The two men were gone! Great! He should take this opportunity to get Xiangxiang out of here quickly. He mustn't let that man find elder sister!