Tomb raiders: You stole my little Qilin?

Since they couldn't find any clues about the Wang family's affairs for the time being, the group didn't stay in the Northwest any longer.

After Zhang Haimo and Zhang Hailou returned, the group stayed another night before heading back to Beijing together.

Before leaving, Wu Wei made a special trip to the area to buy a lot of local specialties.

He is a meticulous person who always takes good care of the people he cares about.

He had already made up his mind: he would bring one copy for Wu Erbai and another for Erjing.

Since Jie Lianhuan is now staying with Wu Erbai, he prepared an extra set so that no one would be left out.

Wu Erbai was naturally happy to see him return.

But upon seeing Wu Wei's noticeably thinner face, his brows furrowed involuntarily.

She looked her son up and down, her voice tinged with barely suppressed heartache: "Was this project very tough?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Wei immediately slumped into his chair as if his bones had been removed, let out a long sigh, and began to complain:

"Dad, you have no idea how awful the food is over there. Every bite makes me crave the food at home. If I hadn't brought some snacks with me, I'd be starving by now."

He spoke pitifully, his eyes constantly glancing at Wu Erbai's face.

Wu Erbai didn't say anything, but his heart ached even more.

He wasn't the type to readily express his affection; he simply pushed the teacup towards Wu Wei.

"The chef at home has learned a few new dishes; I'll have him make them for you to try in a bit."

Wu Wei was naturally delighted and hurriedly said, "That's great! I've been craving this on the way here."

Jie Lianhuan has been staying with Wu Erbai for some time now.

Wu Wei bought gifts, so naturally he didn't forget his share.

Not seeing anyone, Wu Wei asked, "Where's Uncle Lianhuan?"

Wu Erbai gestured with his chin toward the door: "Then I won't be coming."

Wu Wei turned his head and saw Xie Lianhuan walking briskly towards him, carrying a food box.

He immediately smiled and greeted them warmly, "Uncle Lianhuan! Come and see the local specialties I bought for you!"

Jie Lianhuan laughed, raising an eyebrow, and said, "Well done, kid. It wasn't for nothing that I rushed to the kitchen to get you some tea and snacks as soon as I heard you were back."

As he spoke, he placed the food box in front of Wu Wei.

When Wu Wei opened it, he found it contained several of his favorite Jiangnan tea snacks, still warm, freshly taken out of the steamer.

Wu Weimei's eyes narrowed, she picked up a piece and put it in her mouth, smiling as she said, "We uncle and nephew, this can be considered as having a tacit understanding, caring for each other."

Jie Lianhuan smiled and said, "You're the best talker."

Jie Lianhuan had been feeling uneasy lately.

A while ago, because of Xie Yuchen's matter, he said a few words that were somewhat blaming Wu Wei in a moment of panic.

Although only Wu Erbai knew what those words were, Jie Lianhuan still felt guilty.

Wu Wei is a child he watched grow up.

He spent more time with Wu Wei than Wu Sansheng did with Wu Wei.

After his anger subsided, he repeatedly blamed himself in his heart:

How could you think that way about a child you've watched grow up?

So when he heard that Wu Wei had returned, he immediately got up and went to the kitchen, personally picking out a hot pastry and bringing it over.

It can be considered a silent form of compensation.

Wu Wei ate quite a lot.

There aren't many shops in Beijing that make authentic Jiangnan-style pastries, and after spending these days in the Northwest, he missed the taste even more.

Seeing him enjoying his meal, Jie Lianhuan sipped her tea beside him, her eyes softening involuntarily.

Seeing that Wu Wei was eating too much, Wu Erbai spoke up to stop him, saying, "Don't eat too much, or you won't be able to eat lunch later."

Wu Wei chuckled and obediently stopped, saying, "I'll listen to Dad."

Afterwards, Wu Wei told Wu Erbai about the situation of this trip to the Northwest, especially the fact that no clues about the Wang family could be found in the local area.

Wu Erbai wasn't in a hurry. He tapped his fingers lightly twice on the tea table. "Take your time. Each family has sent people to be stationed in the Northwest. As long as they're still there, there will always be clues."

"No matter how well the Wang family can hide, they can't go without food and water, and they can't stop using their people."

At noon, the family had lunch.

Wu Wei accompanied Wu Erbai and Xie Lianhuan for a few walks around the courtyard to help them digest their food.

As they walked down the corridor, Wu Erbai suddenly asked, "How's your kung fu training with Zhang Qiling going?"

Wu Wei immediately boasted, patting his chest and saying, "Dad, I'm not bragging, but I'm now considered one of the top experts."

Jie Lianhuan gave him a look of disdain: "You're just bragging. With your skills, you might be able to fool Xiao Xie."

Wu Wei immediately moved closer to Jie Lianhuan: "How about we have a little spar? I promise I'll go easy on you."

Jie Lianhuan raised her hand and slapped him: "You little brat, you have no manners. At my age, do you think I can compete with you in this kind of thing?"

Wu Wei chuckled: "I'm just letting you experience it for yourself."

Wu Erbai ignored the bickering between the uncle and nephew: "Come back in a while. Everyone has their own things to do."

Wu Wei froze for a moment, but quickly resumed his carefree smile:

"Who is it? Is it the young man? Where is he going?"

Wu Erbai glanced at him and only added, "He has his own things to do."

With just this one sentence, Wu Wei understood everything.

Wu Erbai indeed knew the specific date.

He was certain that Zhang Qiling wouldn't tell Wu Wei the truth, but would only make up an excuse to leave, saying that she had something to do.

Wu Erbai was giving Wu Wei a heads-up in advance.

He wanted Wu Wei to know nothing and continue being the young master of the Wu family.

Wu Wei actually felt a bit angry.

He was furious that Zhang Qiling had been subtly plotted against.

But this anger couldn't be directed at Wu Erbai.

From Wu Erbai's perspective, one is an outsider, and the other is his own son.

There's nothing wrong with him protecting his child.

Wu Wei did not consider himself a morally upright person.

He has killed people and seen blood. Between "his own people" and "outsiders," he would not hesitate to choose his own people.

He could understand Wu Erbai's choice and his calculations.

But Zhang Qiling was never an outsider to him.

Wu Wei couldn't agree with Wu Erbai's actions, nor could he blame his loving father.

Furthermore, one must not reveal one's inner thoughts.

He could only wear that habitual smile and, feigning a tantrum, say to Wu Erbai:

"No way. The guy has nothing to do, he's not leaving."

Wu Erbai merely glanced at him and said nothing more.

Wu Wei is very clever. Talking too much will only make him more likely to give himself away.

After taking a few more steps, they stopped talking about it.

Wu Wei wisely stopped asking questions.

Changing the subject, he told Jie Lianhuan about some interesting things that happened during his trip to the Northwest, and how Professor Cao teased him for not doing his job properly.

The three sat in the corridor for a while longer, until the sun began to set, at which point Wu Wei got up to say goodbye.

Wu Erbai didn't linger, only telling him to be careful on the road, and then had Erjing see him off.

Once in the car, Wu Wei slowly stopped smiling.

Leaning back in his chair, he looked at the receding street scene outside the window, looking somewhat tired.