CFRFGC Chapter 143

⌈The police car came from the opposite direction and passed by Ji Min’s car.⌋

“Young Master, they need your presence over there.”

Ji Min ran into Butler Chen on the way, but he didn’t respond at all.

He kept the child tightly in his arms, his face stern as he walked into the courtyard, then into his room, and slammed the door shut behind him.

Once inside the bedroom, Ji Min didn’t put the child down.

He held the child tightly, leaning against the door, sitting on the carpet.

The child was probably startled by his sudden action.

After a while of confusion, the child reached out a small hand to touch Ji Min’s forehead and asked, “Brother, what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”

Ji Min pressed the child’s hand down.

He took several deep breaths, trying to suppress the suffocating panic that had nearly overwhelmed him.

Ji Min wasn’t a fool.

He knew exactly what Gu Zhi’s words had meant.

Lu Ran had found his family.

Ji Min had promised that he would help Lu Ran find his family.

He had even sent people to investigate the mountain where Lu Ran had gone missing and the crowds that passed through.

But it wasn’t until he met Gu Zhi today that Ji Min fully realized how despicable he had been.

He didn’t want Lu Ran to leave.

No one could take Lu Ran away from him.

But how could he bear to let Lu Ran never see his family again for the rest of his life?

Ji Min felt as if he had been the butt of a huge joke.

After all this time, he hadn’t expected it to be the Gu family.

The Gu family and the Ji family had always been close.

Even if it hadn’t happened today, they would have recognized Lu Ran sooner or later.

Lu Ran was destined to leave him.

Ji Min quietly held the child in his arms.

After a long time, he finally gently loosened his hold.

Ji Min lifted his head, meeting the child’s concerned gaze.

He smiled slightly, reaching out to ruffle the child’s hair, his voice hoarse, “Ranran, wait for me in the house for a while, okay? I’ll have Butler Chen stay with you.”

“Brother has something to take care of outside.”

These words were familiar to the child, who asked curiously, “Are you going to school, Brother?”

Ji Min smiled lightly, “I… I’ll be back soon.”

Ji Min called Butler Chen.

When Butler Chen returned, Ji Min finally left the room.

Seeing Ji Min’s expression, Butler Chen immediately realized that something was wrong.

He didn’t ask further, just sat on the carpet and spent some time playing with the child.

Ji Min left the room.

He walked out of the living room and into the courtyard.

By the time he passed through the courtyard gate, the panic that had risen so involuntarily earlier had been suppressed, and he had returned to his usual calm demeanor.

Just now, Gu Zhi had indeed recognized Lu Ran.

But there was still a big problem—the way Gu Zhi had recognized Lu Ran didn’t seem like he had found a lost child.

It seemed more like he had simply seen a child he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Ji Min furrowed his brows and thought for a moment.

This wasn’t normal.

Until he confirmed that Lu Ran’s family was safe, he wouldn’t send Lu Ran back.

No one could make him do that.

Ji Min looked up and happened to see Gu Zhi chasing after him from a distance.

He walked over and asked, “Do you know the child from earlier?”

“Of course, I often take him to catch bugs and play,” Gu Zhi replied.

After saying that, he noticed that the young man’s gaze toward him had become even colder.

Gu Zhi: “…”

He didn’t understand what had gone wrong.

Fortunately, this eccentric heir of the Ji family soon looked away and asked, “You just said he called you uncle. Ranran… is he your brother’s son?”

Ji Min furrowed his brows again.

A few years ago, Gu Zhi’s older brother had a son, and the Ji family gave gifts in celebration.

But if he remembered correctly, that child should be a few years older than Lu Ran.

“No, no,” Gu Zhi waved his hand, “Ranran is from the Shen family. His full name is Shen Xingran. Our families are close, so he calls me uncle.”

“Shen family?” Ji Min was somewhat surprised and lowered his gaze, contemplating for a moment.

Gu Zhi was also startled by Ji Min’s earlier actions.

He didn’t understand why, after just saying hello, Ji Min had grabbed the child and left.

He said, “But why doesn’t Ranran remember me? Kids sure forget things fast.”

Ji Min raised his head and looked at Gu Zhi. He scrutinized him for a while.

After confirming that the person in front of him had no idea, he said, “He’s a child I found in the mountains two months ago. He’s now registered in the welfare system as an orphan.”

“Orphan?” Gu Zhi was stunned.

His first reaction was to doubt that he had mistaken the child, but after thinking it over, he said, “No, that must be Ranran. How could the Shen family’s child go missing?”

Ji Min coldly asked, “In the past two months, have you seen the Shen Xingran you’re talking about?”

Gu Zhi shook his head.

Ji Min’s expression grew darker.

He asked, “The child has been missing for two months. With the close relationship between the Gu family and the Shen family, you didn’t receive any news?”

Children who grow up in large families are very perceptive.

Gu Zhi quickly realized what was going on.

His expression darkened slightly as he muttered, “I need to tell Grandpa.”

Old Master Gu was chatting with Old Master Ji.

When he saw Ji Min and Gu Zhi approaching together, he was a bit surprised. “These two are actually getting along?”

Gu Zhi, being straightforward, spoke without hesitation since there were no outsiders around. “Grandpa, I just saw Ranran.”

Old Master Gu was surprised. “That little rascal came too? Has Old Shen’s health finally improved?”

At this moment, Old Master Ji looked at Ji Min.

Ji Min nodded. “It’s Ranran.”

Old Master Gu then realized something was wrong.

Ji Min and Gu Zhi explained that Ranran had gone missing and that Ji Min had found him.

“This… Shen family…”

Old Master Gu was taken aback. He had heard that Ji Min had found a child and was doting on him, but he never imagined it would be a child he was familiar with.

Soon, Old Master Gu’s expression grew solemn.

Gu Zhi continued, “Grandpa, why don’t you call Old Shen and ask him?”

“We can’t call,” both Old Master Gu and Ji Min said in unison.

Old Master Gu’s face darkened as he said, “If Ranran can go missing, something must have happened to Old Shen.”

After hearing such alarming news, Old Master Gu immediately said his goodbyes.

He went to Ji Min’s courtyard and looked at the child inside through the window.

The child was young, growing quickly. Fortunately, it had only been two months, so both Old Master Gu and Gu Zhi recognized him immediately.

In another six months, it would be much harder to recognize him.

Before leaving, Old Master Gu said to Ji Min, “I’m like a half-grandfather to Ranran. How about I take him with me for now…”

Ji Min interrupted him.

Although only in his teens, Ji Min showed no fear in front of the influential figure of the Gu family.

Ji Min spoke firmly, “Grandfather Gu, why don’t you go back and confirm things first?”

He then made a gesture to see him off.

Old Master Gu looked at him for a moment, said nothing more, and left in a hurry.

After returning to his residence, Old Master Gu contacted the Shen family under the pretense of missing his old friend and wanting to visit Shen Hanshan.

However, he was turned away, being told that Old Master Shen was critically ill and wasn’t fit to meet outsiders.

Upon hearing this news, Old Master Gu knew the trouble had escalated.

The next day, Old Master Gu visited the Ji family again to meet with Ji Min.

His face was dark with frustration. “Recently, for all external matters of the Shen family, it’s been Ranran’s father handling things.”

“When Ranran went missing, such a big incident, he didn’t reveal a single word to the public.”

Ji Min gave a cold laugh. “Not only did he not reveal anything to the public…”

Old Master Gu fell silent for a moment.

He never expected the Shen family to get involved in such an outrageous matter.

He sighed and said, “After all, we’re not family. I still can’t see Old Shen.”

“Old Shen has been sharp his whole life, but I never expected him to fall to this point in his later years.”

Old Master Gu seemed somewhat melancholy.

Ji Min lowered his gaze without speaking.

He didn’t know Old Master Shen well, so he didn’t comment.

From his interactions with Ranran, Ji Min vaguely sensed that Ranran’s past life had been unbalanced.

If the parents were negligent, they wouldn’t have raised such a well-behaved child, nor would Ranran have learned so much.

But if the parents had been diligent, they might have pushed Ranran to be too obedient.

“I’m planning to go directly to the hospital,” Old Master Gu said.

Ji Min pondered for a moment.

He first asked, “Ranran’s father, is he currently very active in handling things as the head of the Shen family?”

“Exactly!”

When he mentioned this, Old Master Gu knocked heavily on his cane. “With him acting so nonchalant, who would ever think the child was missing?”

Ji Min fell silent again for a while.

He raised his head and said to Old Master Gu: “Please trouble you, Grandpa Gu, to make a connection. The Ji Group has an important project ready to cooperate with the Shen family, but I admire Old Master Shen greatly. Before we sign, I would like to meet with him.”

He then wrote down a number on a piece of paper and pushed it toward Old Master Gu. “The project funding is this amount.”

Old Master Gu was stunned for a moment, but quickly understood Ji Min’s intention.

Soon, Old Master Gu relayed the message to the Shen family.

He praised the Ji Group’s project to the heavens, almost making it sound like the Shen family would immediately gain status if they took it on.

Shen Hongyuan had just taken over as the heir. Due to personal abilities, he urgently needed accomplishments to prove his worth.

The amount offered by the Ji family was enough to tempt anyone.

A few days later, Ji Min received a call from Shen Hongyuan.

Shen Hongyuan’s attitude was very warm, but he always politely hinted that Old Master Shen’s health wasn’t good and asked if they could sign the contract directly with him.

Ji Min was very patient with Shen Hongyuan and showed him the utmost respect.

After several discussions, Shen Hongyuan felt like he had encountered a rare talent.

But no matter what, Ji Min insisted on meeting Old Master Shen.

Finally, Shen Hongyuan relented.

However, he put on a filial son’s demeanor and set strict requirements for the time of Ji Min’s meeting with Old Master Shen.

Ji Min was very easygoing and expressed his understanding.

Two days later, Ji Min met with the Shen family at the Twin Towers.

Old Master Shen was sitting in a wheelchair, pushed in by Shen Hongyuan.

The elderly man looked in poor condition, his spirit weak, and his eyes cloudy.

He still had an IV drip in his hand.

Ji Min sized him up, then stepped forward with a smile, saying, “Old Master Shen built Shen Corporation all by himself. My grandfather constantly praises him in front of me, and today, I finally get to meet him.”

“Ji family?”

The old man, who had seemed lethargic in the wheelchair, suddenly perked up. He reached out with surprising strength and grabbed Ji Min’s wrist.

His fingers were thin and bony, with veins sticking out, yet he exerted all his strength.

Looking up at the young man before him, he trembled and said, “Child, you are from the Ji family, you must have some connections. Please help me find my little grandson. He went missing a month ago…”

This elderly man, once decisive and ruthless in his youth, had now been reduced to asking a child for help.

Shen Hongyuan looked a bit awkward. He quickly explained, “Young Master Ji, this is why I didn’t want you to meet with Old Master Shen. He’s getting older and often says things that don’t make sense, sometimes even when he’s not fully aware…”

Ji Min smiled and said, “It’s alright. Old Master Shen is of advanced age; it’s understandable. It’s hard on you, though, Uncle Shen.”

Shen Hongyuan sighed in relief.

Ji Min extended his other hand and took Old Master Shen’s hand, saying, “Old Master Shen, you must be confused.”

Old Master Shen seemed to want to say something but paused, his expression changing slightly. Slowly, he withdrew his hand.

He didn’t speak anymore, but instead, tightened his grip.

Besides Ji Min, no one knew that in the hand Old Master Shen was tightly holding, there was a small yellow duck taken from a bag.

The old man seemed to let out a sigh of relief, his entire body relaxing.

Ji Min looked up and casually chatted with Shen Hongyuan: “I was wondering how to contact Uncle Shen, but I didn’t expect that you’d already know about the project.”

Shen Hongyuan was somewhat surprised. “The news came from the Gu family.”

Ji Min smiled and looked at the old man in the wheelchair. He spoke slowly, with a hint of surprise: “Really? I thought even the Gu family wasn’t aware of these matters.”

Old Master Shen’s face slowly darkened, gradually becoming cold and stern.

Ji Min continued, talking about Old Master Shen’s health: “Old Master Shen, you’re not even seventy yet, right? Even with diabetes, how could it have gotten so severe?”

Shen Hongyuan laughed awkwardly. “Ah, it’s mostly because of age and his blood sugar is unstable.”

“Yes, in that case, medication needs to be used more carefully.”

Ji Min continued chatting with Shen Hongyuan.

Old Master Shen sat in his wheelchair, silent.

They didn’t talk for long. Ji Min set the date for the official signing and watched as the Shen family left.

Once the Shen family’s car had driven away, the smile on Ji Min’s face slowly faded.

He had given Old Master Shen all the information he needed.

At this point, even if Old Master Shen was still blinded by a single leaf, he would be able to guess that Shen Hongyuan had done this deliberately.

If Old Master Shen was unwilling to handle his own son, then it was fine if Ranran didn’t return to this family.

A few days later, Old Master Gu called.

He said that the police had gone to the hospital.

Old Master Shen had recorded two videos in a row, showing Shen Hongyuan injecting him with insulin, and had reported the evidence to the police.

When Ji Min received the call, he was returning from the amusement park with Ranran.

As their car passed by the New City Private Hospital, the sound of police sirens filled the air.

Ranran, with a little dog balloon on his head, curiously leaned out the window to look.

The police car came from the opposite direction and passed by Ji Min’s car.

At the moment they passed, Ji Min reached over and turned the child’s face toward him.

“Brother, what are you doing?” the child asked, pouting.

Ji Min smiled and simply said, “Your hat is crooked.”

The sound of the siren slowly faded away.

It would remain, forever, behind the child.

Old Master Shen had personally sent his son to prison.

After that, he didn’t go straight to the Ji family but stayed at the hospital for a while to recuperate.

Once his blood sugar stabilized, he went to his daughter-in-law’s family.

With Shen Hongyuan in prison, his marriage naturally came to an end.

After arranging everything, Old Master Shen finally came to the Ji family and first paid a visit to Old Master Ji.

Then, he stepped into Ji Min’s yard.

In the yard, the child was squatting in the flowerbed, digging with a small shovel.

Ji Min was sitting next to him.

When they heard the noise from the front gate, the child curiously looked up.

He saw the elderly man standing by the door.

Old Master Shen leaned on his cane. Though still slightly weak, he looked much better than when he had been unable to take care of himself.

Ji Min remained silent, quietly watching the child beside him.

The child slowly stood up from the sandpit.

He put down his little shovel and, with a mix of curiosity and familiarity, walked toward the elderly man by the door.

Standing in front of Old Master Shen’s cane, the child blinked in confusion.

Old Master Shen remained as silent as ever, only reaching out and gently patting the child’s head.

The old, bony palm carried a familiar strength.

The child blinked again and suddenly called out, “Grandfather?”

After calling out, the child, who had been lost for two months, burst into tears for the first time, crying loudly: “Wuwah! Grandfather!”

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