CHAPTER 23: CHAPTER 23: TWO GIANT THIRD WHEELS

Kang Cheng’s face was ashen, and his breathing was rapid, as if he might faint at any moment.

"It seems they’re not planning on telling the truth anytime soon, so let’s give them some time to think it over," Lu Zechuan slightly tilted his head, and when he looked at Xia Mian, his face already showed a smile. "Let’s go eat!"

Lu Zechuan wasn’t known for his patience; perhaps all the patience he had in this lifetime was reserved for Xia Mian.

Xia Mian nodded, took Song Juan’s hand, and together they descended the stairs.

Seeing Xia Mian about to leave, Kang Wei panicked immediately, disregarding everything else as he rushed forward and knelt before Xia Mian, pleading desperately, "Miss Xia, I beg you, please save our Xuanxuan. Even if my father did something wrong, the child is innocent!"

Kang Wei’s face was full of sincerity, his eyes brimming with tears and filled with concern for the child.

Kang Wei’s sudden kneeling startled Song Juan, and she quickly went to pull Kang Wei up, "What are you doing? Get up! My Mianmian is still just a child, kneeling before her, isn’t that bad luck for her?! Get up!"

Song Juan didn’t think much of it, only knowing that it was inappropriate for someone older to kneel before a younger person, as it would bring misfortune to her Mianmian.

Watching Kang Wei and Song Juan tussle, Kang Cheng seemed to have a realization.

Everything Kang Wei did was for the child, and so was Song Juan.

He himself was already an old man, and even if he didn’t divulge that matter, living would be merely dragging on.

In that case, let the younger generation live their remaining lives in peace and happiness.

"Miss Xia, if it’s convenient, could we join you for a meal? It’s on me!" Kang Cheng’s elderly voice suddenly rang out.

Xia Mian didn’t speak but instead looked up at Lu Zechuan.

Lu Zechuan furrowed his brows, a trace of displeasure clearly crossing his eyes.

But now, under the circumstances, Kang Wei and Kang Cheng could only brace themselves and followed silently behind Lu Zechuan and Xia Mian like sticky toffees.

Song Juan was full of doubts, not understanding what matter Kang Cheng and Kang Wei had to ask for Xia Mian’s help.

No matter what, her Mianmian was only eighteen, while Kang Cheng and Kang Wei together were over a hundred. Who didn’t have more insight than her Mianmian?

Given these thoughts, Song Juan wasn’t very fond of Kang Wei and Kang Cheng.

"Kang Cheng, we aren’t people who can’t afford a meal, you don’t need to treat us. You don’t seem well, let Ah Wei send you back to the hospital first!" Song Juan began to drive them away.

Helping to get Xia Jianguo in this time, Kang Cheng indeed played a role.

But one thing doesn’t affect another; she still didn’t want Xia Mian to have any involvement with them.

Her Mianmian was pure and kind-hearted, while Kang Wei and Kang Cheng were full of schemes. Such people should be kept far away from Mianmian.

Kang Cheng forced a smile, "Juan’er, you’ve raised a good daughter! Rest assured, we bear no ill will towards your daughter."

Kang Cheng’s straightforwardness left Song Juan unsure how to respond.

"Mom, it’s alright," Xia Mian said, "Uncle Kang just wants to chat with me a bit."

Song Juan still felt uneasy, occasionally casting sidelong glances at Kang Cheng.

The four of them didn’t drive but went directly to the hotel next to the courthouse.

Once inside the hotel, Kang Wei took the initiative to book a private room.

"Aunt Song, my dad has some things he’d like to speak about privately with Miss Xia. So, could I trouble you and Mr. Lu to share a room with me?" Kang Wei spoke with an accompanying smile, looking very cautious.

It’s no wonder he’s like this; the past month truly made him feel the benefits Xia Mian’s visit to the hospital bestowed upon them.

The old man hadn’t had another attack for a month, and the child’s condition had stabilized.

Now, in his eyes, Xia Mian was practically a deity!

"I don’t agree," Lu Zechuan slightly twisted his brows, "Mr. Kang, you’re overstepping."

Interfering with his opportunity to have lunch with Xia Mian already made him unhappy, and now he was expected to back off? Were they joking?

Lu Zechuan naturally exuded a strong presence, and being displeased further amplified this, lowering his general demeanor.

Kang Wei found himself at a loss.

It was Kang Cheng who first laughed it off, "Nevermind, then, we’ll all sit together!"

Kang Cheng originally didn’t want anyone other than Xia Mian to know about what he had done.

But now, with Lu Zechuan clearly unimpressed, he didn’t dare to push further.

As Kang Cheng struggled internally, Xia Mian spoke up, "Mom, you and Mr. Kang take another room."

Song Juan was full of suspicion, but Xia Mian smiled, "Having Mr. Lu with me is fine."

Song Juan glanced at Lu Zechuan, a hint of disapproval for the seeming waste of a perfect match flitting in her eyes.

But since Xia Mian had spoken, she couldn’t embarrass her daughter by objecting, so she left for another room with Kang Wei.

Xia Mian, Lu Zechuan, and Kang Cheng entered another private room.

Kang Cheng, with the weight on his mind, couldn’t sit still once inside.

Lu Zechuan, on the other hand, remained calm, not sparing Kang Cheng a glance as he perused the menu with Xia Mian.

Kang Cheng was internally anxious but dared not interrupt.

Finally, after they ordered and the waiter left with the menu, Kang Cheng cleared his throat to begin speaking.

"Niece Mianmian, to be honest with you, Uncle Kang truly carries deep sins," Kang Cheng gave a bitter smile, his gaze empty as if reminiscing, "Over forty years ago, I was involved in the abduction of a child. Later, when the child’s parents nearly went mad looking for them, a large reward was offered... I was blinded by greed, gave the child a drug to confuse their memory, and returned the child..."

"The child’s parents were deeply grateful to me, handsomely rewarding me, and it became my first pot of gold. Afterward, I started a business with your grandfather... which led to my later good life..." Kang Cheng’s face bore a faint bitter smile.

Hearing Kang Cheng’s words, Lu Zechuan paused in the act of drinking tea.

Over forty years ago, the kidnapped child... If he remembered correctly, his mother had also been abducted.

Grandfather and grandmother were devastated, and during the search for his mother, they found an aunt who resembled her and adopted her to fill the void of their missing daughter...

"What was the last name of the child you abducted?" Lu Zechuan’s eyes grew cold, his words carrying a chill.

If that kidnapped child was indeed his mother, then all of her later tragedies were caused by Kang Cheng!

If his mother had not been abducted, Shen Man would not have entered his grandfather’s home, constantly fighting for love and attention.

"It’s been so many years, I can’t remember," Kang Cheng lowered his head, looking dispirited. "I’ve said what there was to say, Niece Mianmian... See, I’m not entirely unredeemable. I didn’t take lives, only sought wealth..."

Xia Mian pursed her lips, "Date of birth and eight characters."

Kang Cheng wasn’t sure what Xia Mian wanted, but out of respect, he obediently reported his birth date and eight characters.