The Strongest Path 2: Cold Outside, Hot Inside

  A clear morning, birds are singing happily on the trees. A sunbeam that has just risen above the horizon shines on the glazed tiles of the Blue family's house, reflecting specks of light.

  Lan Hanyun trudged back to his room with heavy footsteps after a busy day and night. He leaned against the bed, quietly thinking about what had happened yesterday, and the more he thought about it, the more suspicious he became.

  Lan Han Yun was eating his breakfast, occasionally stopping to flip through the newspaper on the table. This was a habit he had accumulated over time, which not only allowed him to know about the recent important events in City A, but also what people were most concerned about nowadays.

  His right hand injury has almost recovered, and now except for not being able to use too much force, he can move freely. Thinking of Lan Ruoxuan's meticulous care over the past few days, his heart is filled with a sense of happiness, his eyebrows relaxed, and the corners of his mouth slightly curved into a sweet arc.

  "Master, something's wrong!" Old Zhang, the steward, rushed in with a big sweat on his head and a flustered look on his face.

  He put down his chopsticks and raised his head, his cool face without a hint of expression. "What's up?"

  Old Zhang secretly wiped away the cold sweat on his forehead. This young master was good in every way, but he rarely spoke or smiled. "Young Master, Blue Moon Restaurant is on fire."

  On fire? "Run." He furrowed his brow and picked up the suit on the back of the chair.

  The Blue Moon Restaurant was bustling with activity, Mr. Wu was directing the staff. "Quickly, Little Wang, grab a dustpan and get rid of the water on the floor... What's taking you so long, Little Wu? Hurry up and move the tables... Ah! You, yes you, hurry up..."

  "Boss Wu!" Wu Ah Fa heard someone calling him from behind, he furrowed his brow, who is it? Can't you see I'm busy?! He turned around angrily, about to scold. "Uh... Young Master!"

  Lan Hanyun looked around and saw that the table, chairs, and floor were all covered in water. The snow-white walls had been smoked to a dark black, and there was still a pungent smell of smoke in the air. "What's going on? Is anyone injured?"

  Wu Ah Fa had a streak of hair on his forehead with burn marks, he lifted his head and replied: "Fortunately, it was discovered in time, but several partners were slightly scalded."

  "Old Li, send the injured fellow to the hospital and let them have a good rest. And give each of them 10 yuan." He turned his head to instruct Li, the housekeeper.

  "Yes!" Old Li's eyes sparkled with tears of emotion. Following such a young master is truly the good fortune they have accumulated over several lifetimes. Nowadays, there are hardly any bosses who genuinely consider their employees; what they value most is money, and once something goes wrong, all they know how to do is pursue the responsibility of their employees.

  Wu Afu's eyes welled up with tears, and he looked at Lan Hanyun with a face full of shame. Although he was the young master, he had never been very fond of him, always looking stern and unapproachable. He even once suspected that he might not be the old master's son.

  Lan Hanyun took off his Western suit and threw it aside, rolling up his sleeves. "Master Wu, what can I do to help?"

  "No...no need, young master, we'll do it." He looked like he didn't dare to believe himself, almost thinking he was hallucinating. Wasn't that a mistake? He's the young master! No matter what, he wouldn't be working with them. Hallucination, must be a hallucination.

  Lan Hanyun didn't say a word, but a smile played on his lips. He walked into the midst of the workers and started to work together with them. Wu Afa saw this and his old face smiled like a blooming chrysanthemum, he also joined in the busy work. At first, the workers were all nervous and afraid, fearing that they would be scolded if they made a mistake. Gradually, as they saw him working hard, they relaxed and worked with more energy.

  As the saying goes, "Many hands make light work." Before long, the originally chaotic and dirty hall gradually regained its former cleanliness. Even the blackened walls were painted white again.

  Lan Huan was wiping the chair when she suddenly caught a whiff of a faint scent. What was it? Why did this smell seem so familiar?

  The large square clock by the wall suddenly rang out, "Dong! Dong! Dong......" The sound instantly broke off Lan Huan Yun's train of thought. He looked up at the clock, it was almost seven o'clock. A faint smile played on his lips, it was time to wake up Xiang Er for breakfast.

  He walked into the bathroom, cleaned up and came out feeling refreshed. He arrived at Lan Ruoxue's door and knocked a few times "knock knock..." but no one answered from inside. He couldn't help but think to himself: That girl, sleeps so soundly!

  The door was pushed open and a refreshing scent belonging to Lan Ruoxi wafted in, the quilt on the bed was neatly stacked, and there was no one in the room.

  Unexpectedly, this girl still had an early rise. He hooked up a smile and looked at the tightly closed bathroom door. "Xier! Xier! Are you there?" After shouting several times, no one responded. Had she gone downstairs?

  "Master, it's great that you're back!" Xiao Ye's eyes were swollen like walnuts, clearly having cried.

  A bad premonition flashed through his mind, "Xiaoye, where's Miss?" he asked anxiously.

  "Waaah... Miss is missing, she went out yesterday morning and hasn't come back." Xiaoye wiped away her tears.

  Lan Hanyun's heart ached and he growled. "Speak, what exactly happened? How could Xier disappear?"

  Xiao Ye cried while talking about what happened yesterday. "Yesterday... that's how it was. Young master, you must find Miss back!"

  Just felt a gust of wind blowing by, and the shadow of Lan Huan Yun had already disappeared.

  "Bang!" With a loud noise, Lan Huan kicked open Lin Qiang's door in anger, "Speak! Where did you take Xier to?"

  "What's with that attitude? I'm your mother, after all!" She patted her chest and gave a sideways glance at Lan Huan Yun. She continued to apply nail polish, occasionally admiring the result.

  He snatched the nail polish from her hand and threw it into the corner, sneering at her. "Mother? Have you fulfilled your responsibilities as a mother? You're either busy showing off with other rich ladies or getting drunk on the mahjong table."

  "You also came out of my belly, can't you recognize that?" Lin Qiong said with a smile as she stood up and pointed at him.

  He shook off her hand and glared at her angrily. "I don't want to drag this on, tell me where Xiao Er is?"

  "How was I supposed to know? I sent her to the hospital and she came back." She shrugged, turned around, opened the closet, and carefully selected her clothes.

  He walked forward and forcefully closed the wardrobe, leaning against it. His sharp eyes, like a leopard's, stared at her. "Hospital? Which hospital? Tell me?"

  She looked him up and down, furious. "Are you crazy? What's so good about that girl? Is she worth your madness?"

  He grasped her arms tightly. "Yes! I am mad, now tell me where she is?"

  "Is this how you treat your mother?" She flung off his hand with force, a hint of viciousness curling up at the corner of her mouth. "Fine! I'll tell you, she's at He Shi Zheng Xin Hospital."

  "Hmm! Don't think I'll believe you just because you said so!" He rushed out and slammed the door shut.

  Don't get into trouble! Absolutely cannot get into trouble!