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Chapter 43: Xiao Yun's Disappearance
On this day, until dark, Duan Qingxue had not seen Xiao Yun return to the flower shop. She called him several times, but the number was out of service. She became anxious.
During the time she had spent with Xiao Yun, Duan Qingxue had developed a strong sense of dependence on him. Not seeing him for a day made her feel as if she had lost something important. She couldn't even explain what it was about him that attracted her so much.
Three days passed without any news of Xiao Yun, and Duan Qinghan was truly worried.
Duan Qinghan first suspected Duan Haoran. Could he be behind this? She recalled a male classmate who had disappeared suddenly after getting too close to her over three years ago, only to be found dead at the foot of a mountain several dozen miles away…
Thinking of this made Duan Qingxue's heart tighten. After waking up in the morning, she didn't even bother to make breakfast and decided to rush to the Duan Family to confront Duan Haoran for answers.
Just as she was about to leave, An Yiran arrived. Duan Qingxue felt it was strange; ever since that woman came to the Fragrant Flower Shop and removed the surveillance equipment, she had been coming to the shop every few days, making small talk about irrelevant matters. She vaguely sensed that An's frequent visits were arranged by Old Master Duan.
"Hey, Sister Qingxue, why are you closing the flower shop so early? Where are you off to?" An Yiran asked when she saw Duan Qingxue looking dazed.
Caught off guard by the question, Duan Qingxue didn't know how to respond at first.
After a moment's pause, she turned back, opened the roller shutter of the flower shop, and let An Yiran in.
Once An Yiran sat down, Duan Qingxue's expression darkened as she coldly asked, "Sister An, since you consider me a sister, can you tell me honestly if I ask you something?"
An Yiran was taken aback but quickly smiled and replied, "Sister Qingxue, of course! What’s there that we sisters can’t talk about?"
"Good," Duan Qingxue fixed her gaze on An Yiran like a sharp blade and asked slowly and deliberately, "Tell me what happened with Xiao Yun."
Uh...
When Duan Qingxue asked like that, An Yiran felt a sudden jolt in her heart, wondering if she already knew about Xiao Yun's background. Where did she get this information?
It must be said that Gu Tianfeng was very efficient in his work. After he received the task from Duan Haoran, he set off the same day to Jade Maiden Town's Laundry Village, and quickly found out that Xiao Yun's biological father was named Xiao Changsheng. Over forty years ago, he was found by a couple with the surname Xiao while they were out in the wild. At that time, when the couple brought Xiao Changsheng back, they discovered a jade pendant on him.
When Duan Haoran received this news and calculated the time, he was so excited that he almost fainted, tears streaming down his face. He told Gu Tianfeng and An Yiran that Xiao Yun should be of the bloodline of the Duan Family, meaning he was his grandson.
As for the specific reasons, Duan Haoran did not disclose them, but he repeatedly instructed Gu Tianfeng and An Yiran to keep Xiao Yun's background strictly confidential. Apart from Duan Qingxue, no one else could know; otherwise, Xiao Yun's life would be in great danger.
Today, when An Yiran came to the flower shop to find Duan Qingxue, it was on the orders of Duan Haoran to inform her about Xiao Yun's background. However, from the tone of Duan Qingxue, it seemed she had already figured out this secret. If this news really leaked out, it would be a serious problem.
Taking a deep breath, An Yiran asked in return, “Sister Qingxue, how do you know about Xiao Yun?”
This statement struck Duan Qingxue like a thunderbolt. She thought that Duan Haoran had indeed taken action against Xiao Yun. Overcome with grief and anger, tears welled up in her eyes as she shouted, “You... I only have an ordinary friendship with Xiao Yun. Why do you want to harm him? Go back and tell that person named Duan that if anything happens to Xiao Yun, I won't live either—I will die to show you!”
As she spoke, Duan Qingxue suddenly pulled out a shiny small knife from a small bag she carried and aimed it at her throat.
“No, Sister Qingxue...”
Only then did An Yiran realize they had both misunderstood each other. Seeing Duan Qingxue holding the knife to her throat made her panic; she hurriedly waved her hands and said, “Sister Qingxue, you... you misunderstood. Boss Duan hasn’t harmed Xiao Yun...”
“How did I misunderstand?” Duan Qingxue said coldly. “Usually, every time Xiao Yun goes out, he comes back to the flower shop to stay overnight. This time, he has been missing for more than three days, and every time I call his phone number, it shows as disconnected. Don’t you think his disappearance is related to that person named Duan?”
Sweat dripped down; despite saying repeatedly that she and Xiao Yun were just ordinary friends, seeing her so anxious made it hard for anyone to believe her.
However, after hearing what Duan Qingxue said, a sudden shock hit An Yiran. She exclaimed, “What? You mean Xiao Yun is missing? How could this happen? This is bad...”
If Xiao Yun really is in trouble, everyone will probably go crazy.
How could Xiao Yun have been missing for three days?
An Yiran was anxious.
Faced with An Yiran's astonished expression, which showed no signs of being feigned, Duan Qingxue was taken aback. Did she really not know about Xiao Yun? But how could she ask, "How did you find out about Xiao Yun?"
Duan Qingxue hesitated and asked, "What do you mean by bad news?"
Seeing the confusion on Duan Qingxue's face, An Yiran sighed, thinking that Duan Qingxue truly cared deeply for Xiao Yun. If she were to reveal Xiao Yun's background to her, would she be able to handle the truth?
An Yiran said, "Sister Qingxue, let me tell you the truth. Actually, Xiao Yun is your brother..."
"What did you say?" Hearing An Yiran say such a thing was like a bolt from the blue for Duan Qingxue. With a clatter, the short knife in her hand fell to the ground.
An Yiran sighed, "I am not lying to you. Xiao Yun really is your brother!"
Duan Qingxue replied, "This... how is that possible?"
How could a young man from the countryside suddenly turn out to be her own brother?
For a moment, Duan Qingxue couldn't believe this was true.
...
Duan Haoran received a call from An Yiran in his study. Upon hearing that Xiao Yun had been missing for more than three days, he was instantly shocked and immediately called for Gu Tianfeng.
“Tianfeng, when you fought with Xiao Yun last time, did you injure him too severely? Do you know that he has been missing since your encounter?” Duan Haoran asked, panting heavily.
Gu Tianfeng was taken aback and exclaimed, “What? How could Xiao Yun be missing?”
Duan Haoran's face turned pale as he said, “Enough talk. You need to go find him immediately and make sure to uncover his whereabouts. Keep this matter a secret from others…”
“I understand!” Gu Tianfeng replied.
Just as Gu Tianfeng left, Duan Haoran's phone rang. Upon seeing the familiar number on the screen, his facial muscles involuntarily twitched, and his expression grew even darker.
He answered the call, and a cold, deep voice came through, “Duan, you old fool, how are you handling things? Why hasn’t the Phoenix City Grand Hotel been taken over yet? I’m giving you another half month; otherwise, your time is up!”
As Duan Haoran was about to explain something, the other party abruptly hung up.
With a thud, the phone fell to the ground. Duan Haoran sighed heavily and leaned weakly against the sofa.
At that moment, the room seemed to grow even darker. Who would have thought that a billionaire renowned in the Galactic District could appear so dispirited?
He stared blankly at the ceiling and murmured to himself, “Xiao Yun, if you truly are a member of my Duan Family, please return to my side quickly. The Duan Family is so disappointing; how I wish to be back with my grandfather and have him support the Duan Group. Then I could die in peace!”
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