A black Rolls-Royce sped along the roads of the provincial city.
Sitting in the backseat of the luxury car, Xiao Mengyi gazed at Qin Chuan beside her, her eyes brimming with tenderness.
Ye Qingwan, sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly asked, "Mr. Qin, where are you planning to go now?"
Qin Chuan turned his head to look at Xiao Mengyi and asked, "Is there anything you need to take from the Xiao Family?"
Xiao Mengyi shook her head with a somewhat dejected emotion, "The Xiao Family... There’s nothing left there worth taking with me."
Only then did Qin Chuan say to Ye Qingwan, "Then please, Ye Chairperson, take us back to Jiangcheng City."
This trip to the provincial city was just to bring away Xiao Mengyi, and now that everything was resolved, it was time to return to Jiangcheng City.
"Mr. Qin..."
Ye Qingwan suddenly appeared hesitant to speak.
Qin Chuan said, "From now on, just call me by my name. Sister Qingwan, if you have something to say, just say it."
The past few days of interaction had given Qin Chuan some understanding of Ye Qingwan. By standing firmly by his side today, she had already gained his friendship.
Besides, she had raised Qin Rou as her own daughter for a full five years. Although she wasn’t Qin Rou’s biological mother, she never let her feel a lack of maternal love.
Qin Rou was the daughter of Zhao Hongling, and Zhao Hongling fell in love with him during their time in Kunlun Divine Prison. With Zhao Hongling’s life or death currently unknown, he naturally would take care of Qin Rou.
Hearing herself being called Sister Qingwan from Qin Chuan’s mouth, Ye Qingwan was instantly overjoyed. It was already a great fortune for her to know Qin Chuan.
She had always mistakenly thought that Qin Rou was Qin Chuan’s biological daughter. Even so, she never thought of using this relationship to gain anything from him.
Even when Granny Wu suggested that she should use this relationship to her advantage, she refused and also told Granny Wu not to inform her own father about Qin Chuan’s matters.
Now, Qin Chuan had taken the initiative to call her Sister Qingwan.
"Mr. Qin..."
She was about to call him Mr. Qin, but quickly changed her words, "Qin Chuan, Xiao Rou keeps mentioning you. Could you spend some time with her before you leave?"
Only then did Qin Chuan remember his previous promise to Ye Qingwan that he would be Qin Rou’s father from now on.
As soon as Qin Rou was mentioned, his expression dimmed again. He didn’t know if Zhao Hongling was alive or dead, and if she were alive, whether she was safe.
Seeing Qin Chuan’s lack of response, Ye Qingwan suddenly felt regret. Could it be that Qin Chuan thought she was trying to use Xiao Rou?
With that thought, she quickly added, "Qin Chuan, if you don’t have time, it’s alright. I’ll tell Xiao Rou that daddy is busy, and when you’re free, I’ll bring her to Jiangcheng City to find you."
Qin Chuan suddenly came back to himself, remembering his first meeting with Xiao Rou, a gentle smile appeared on his face, "Let’s do it today!"
Ye Qingwan was immediately overjoyed and hurriedly instructed the driver, "Back to Rose Garden!"
Daddy?
Xiao Mengyi inwardly pondered with suspicion. From what Ye Qingwan implied, did Qin Chuan already have a child?
How could this be possible?
Although curious, she didn’t ask.
Twenty minutes later, the car slowly entered a villa area surrounded by shaded trees and finally stopped in front of a detached villa.
At the entrance to the villa, there was a military green jeep parked bearing the East Sea Battle Domain’s license plate.
Seeing this car, Ye Qingwan suddenly thought of something, and her complexion instantly turned pale.
Ye Qingwan said with a troubled face, "Qin Chuan, why don’t I take Xiao Rou to Jiangcheng City to find you another day?"
Qin Chuan looked toward the direction of the villa and then asked, "Do you need my help?"
Ye Qingwan shook her head hastily, "I’m really sorry, Qin Chuan, I’ll bring Xiao Rou to you on another day."
Qin Chuan nodded, "If Sister Qingwan has any troubles she can’t resolve, contact me at any time."
Ye Qingwan nodded gratefully, seemingly very afraid of someone from the villa seeing something, and quickly said to the driver, "Take Mr. Qin to Jiangcheng City."
"Yes, President!"
The driver hurriedly responded, started the car, and prepared to leave.
But just then, a woman with shoulder-length short hair came out of the villa, leading a little girl, who was none other than Qin Rou.
The short-haired woman was only in her mid-twenties, dressed very fashionably, her delicate face filled with an indifference that seemed to push people miles away.
But when she saw Ye Qingwan, the chill on her face instantly vanished, and she said with joy, "Sister Qingwan, you’re back!"
Ye Qingwan became even more anxious and quickly said to the driver, "Drive quickly!"
"Daddy!"
As the car just started to move, a voice filled with surprise rang out, and Xiao Rou’s face was full of excitement as she waved her small hand toward the rear car window, "Daddy! It’s Daddy!"
Ye Qingwan was immediately stunned. How had this little girl seen him?
Qin Chuan helplessly looked at Ye Qingwan. Now that Xiao Rou had seen them, if he left now, the little girl would surely be sad.
Qin Chuan said, "Stop the car!"
As soon as he got out of the car, Xiao Rou ran over excitedly with her arms open, saying, "Daddy, hug! Xiao Rou has missed you so much!"
Looking at the adorable little one in front of him, Qin Chuan’s eyes were filled with tenderness, and he quickly picked up the little girl, "Daddy has missed you too!"
Xiao Mengyi was astonished. She didn’t understand why Xiao Rou was calling Qin Chuan daddy, but it seemed that the two were indeed very familiar with each other.
Yet, in Qin Chuan’s presence, Ye Qingwan was showing a bit of respect, which made her even more confused.
"Sister Qingwan, who is he?"
Seeing the intimate interaction between Xiao Rou and Qin Chuan, the short-haired woman’s gaze immediately turned cold.
"He is Qin Chuan, he is my..."
Ye Qingwan hesitated for a moment before saying, "He’s my friend!"
"Friend?"
The short-haired woman’s gaze turned even darker.
She scrutinized Qin Chuan from head to toe, his casual attire noticeably identifying him as an ordinary person of low status.
She walked straight up to Qin Chuan and said with a cold face, "Kid, I don’t care what your intentions are, but you better stay away! Sister Qingwan is not someone you are entitled to think about."
After finishing, she reached out her hands to Xiao Rou and said, "Xiao Rou, how many times has Aunt Yan Wu told you not to talk to strangers, especially men? Come over to Aunt Yan Wu."
Unexpectedly, Xiao Rou retorted unhappily, "Aunt Yan Wu, he is my daddy, not a stranger!"
Lu Yanwu’s expression immediately froze. She could never have imagined that the little darling she adored so much would contradict her for the sake of a strange man.
She suddenly felt aggrieved, and her rage towards Qin Chuan soared to its peak.
Just as she was about to explode, Ye Qingwan quickly grabbed her and said, "Yan Wu, don’t make a scene, he really is Xiao Rou’s daddy."
"What?"
Lu Yanwu’s eyes widened in shock. This man was Xiao Rou’s biological father?
At that moment, another voice arose, "Qingwan, long time no see!"
As the voice fell, a young man dressed in a battle uniform walked out from the villa. When he looked at Ye Qingwan, his eyes were full of affection.
However, when he caught sight of Qin Chuan, his gaze immediately turned frosty, and he stared at Qin Chuan with a chilly face, demanding, "Kid, put Xiao Rou down!"