“I was willing to wait, but I’ve waited over a decade…”
She had waited for more than ten years, but A Wan never appeared.
Her husband had told her that she was simply too heartbroken, too consumed by longing for A Wan, unable to accept reality—and that was why she had these dreams.
Gradually, Grandmother Sang had come to accept that explanation.
She had accepted that A Wan was gone.
But now…
Her grandson was telling her that her daughter was still alive.
How could she not be overjoyed and overwhelmed?
That was her only daughter—a part of her own flesh and blood.
If she could have it her way, she wished for her daughter to live a lifetime of peace and safety.
“Where is A Wan now? I want to see her. I want to go find her!” Grandmother Sang looked up at Sheng Zexi, her eyes filled with tears.
“My father said they are at the Friendship Hotel. I’m planning to go there now, and he’ll be going too.”
“Good. I’m going too. We’ll go together,” Grandmother Sang insisted.
“…Alright.” Sheng Zexi couldn’t refuse his grandmother’s request.
By then, Xingxing and Yueyue had already gone to school, and Tuan Tuan was left in Chen Ma’s care for the time being.
The three of them got into the car, and Sheng Zexi drove toward the Friendship Hotel that Sheng Xinhao had mentioned.
In the car, Gu Jianing held Grandmother Sang’s hand, comforting her.
The courtyard house was some distance from the Friendship Hotel.
But after about half an hour, they arrived.
Just as they were getting out of the car, Sheng Zexi spotted a familiar vehicle.
Then he saw the old man stepping out of it.
Both parties had arrived at the same time.
When Sheng Xinhao saw Grandmother Sang getting out of the car, he glanced at Sheng Zexi.
He understood—his mother-in-law had come because she now knew A Wan was alive.
Grandmother Sang ignored Sheng Xinhao. As soon as she got out of the car, she urged Sheng Zexi to go inside and inquire.
Soon, they entered the hotel and asked whether A Wan and Henry had checked in.
Normally, such information was considered guest privacy and could not be disclosed.
However, given Sheng Xinhao’s status—though he had retired, he still had connections and influence—they were able to access the check-in records.
“They checked out this morning!” a hotel staff member said.
“They’ve already checked out?” Sheng Zexi and the others exclaimed.
“Do you know where they went?” Sheng Xinhao asked.
The staff member shook their head, indicating they had no idea.
“But they left not too long ago—about an hour ago, I’d say.”
An hour…
There were too many places they could have gone. Who knew where they were now?
“It must be Henry. He’s afraid we’ll find A Wan, so he took her and left,” Sheng Xinhao said, clenching his fists.
Gu Jianing frowned.
If only this era had surveillance cameras everywhere like in later times.
Then, even if they had left an hour ago—or even ten hours ago—they could quickly find out where they were.
But now…
Sometimes, a missed encounter meant a permanent loss, and they might never find them again.
“No matter where they’ve gone, we have to keep searching,” Sheng Zexi said.
“Yes, we must keep searching!” Grandmother Sang agreed.
Sheng Xinhao nodded. “I’ll have more people deployed to look for them immediately!”
Meanwhile, A Wan—whom Sheng Zexi and the others were searching for—was currently at Beijing First Hospital with Henry.
Gu Jianing and the others probably never expected that the two of them were at the hospital where she worked.
“Is Dr. Gu not working today?” Henry asked.
“Yes, sir. Dr. Gu is not scheduled to work today. She won’t be in until the day after tomorrow,” a hospital staff member replied.
“Alright, thank you.”
Last night, the two had decided to come to Beijing First Hospital this morning to find the doctor known as the “Child-Giving Guanyin,” Dr. Gu.
So, they had gotten up early, packed their luggage, and headed straight to Beijing First Hospital.
The reason they had packed their luggage was that some issues had arisen regarding the Canton Fair that A Wan was scheduled to attend in Yangcheng, so they might need to leave soon.
That was why they had brought their luggage with them and checked out of the hotel.
They planned to see the doctor first, then head to Yangcheng.
But they hadn’t expected that Dr. Gu wouldn’t be working today or tomorrow.
“Should we go to Yangcheng first and come back later?” A Wan suggested.
Originally, they had planned to stay in Beijing for a few days, explore the city, and see if A Wan could regain her memories.
A Wan always felt that she had most likely lived in Beijing before.
So she thought that spending a few more days in Beijing might help her recover her memories.
But now, it wasn’t possible.
They would have to wait until after attending the Canton Fair in Yangcheng.
Henry nodded. That seemed to be the only option.
So, the two left the hospital, took a taxi, and headed to the airport.
On the way, A Wan looked out the open car window.
There was a hint of confusion beneath her beautiful eyes.
Over the past ten-plus years, living with Henry had undoubtedly been happy.
Henry treated her well, fulfilling almost everything she wanted.
And her career was thriving.
In terms of family and work, she felt she had no complaints.
But…
Many times, A Wan still felt an emptiness inside.
As if something precious that she had deeply cared for had been forcibly torn away.
Yes, something precious.
A Wan felt that whatever it was, it was extremely, extremely important to her.
As A Wan gazed out the window, Henry’s attention never fully left her.
A faint frown creased his brow.
Truth be told, they didn’t have to rush to Yangcheng today.
But somehow, Henry had a bad feeling.
He felt that if they didn’t leave soon, he might lose A Wan forever.
Henry knew he was a despicable thief.
He had stolen A Wan—and had kept her for over a decade.
The A Wan he had stolen, he treasured like a priceless gem.
After more than ten years of keeping her, she had become his one and only.
Now, he couldn’t live without A Wan.
He could not lose her!
A Wan, if you ever learn the truth, you will probably hate me.
Henry lowered his gaze, hiding the guilt and sorrow in his eyes.
He knew that by agreeing to accompany A Wan back to China, he risked losing her.
He had prepared himself for that possibility.
But he hoped that moment would come later—much later.
A Wan, still looking out the window, was unaware of Henry’s thoughts.
She wasn’t even sure what she was looking at.
Just then, a car passed by on the other side.
In that fleeting moment, A Wan caught a glimpse of the man in the driver’s seat.
She could only see his side profile from her angle.
But for some reason, the moment she saw that man, A Wan became instantly agitated.
The excitement was inexplicable—even she didn’t understand it.
A Wan even felt an urge to open her mouth and call out to him.
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