Jiang Youli’s words made Qi Huan’s pupils widen slightly. He eagerly reached out and took the file from her hands.
The moment his gaze fell on the photograph of Zhou Zerui attached to the top, his pupils suddenly contracted, as though he had been struck by an invisible force.
At first glance, Zhou Zerui’s facial features did not bear much resemblance to Qi Huan’s.
However, when Qi Huan focused on his eyes and brows, a strange sensation rose in his heart.
There was a subtle similarity between their eyes and brows.
Jiang Youli noticed Qi Huan’s reaction and asked softly, “Do you feel that there’s some resemblance between his eyes and brows and yours?”
Qi Huan gave a slight nod in agreement.
After that, all his attention was drawn to Zhou Zerui’s file. He began reading it word for word, afraid that he might miss even the smallest detail.
His birth year was the same as his younger brother’s.
He was only one month older than his biological brother.
But his brother had been sent away on the day he turned one month old. Perhaps the person who rescued him had deliberately chosen that day as his younger brother’s second birthdate.
That would make sense too!
After asking Cheng Jing to investigate and search for his biological brother for so long, this was the first time Qi Huan felt that the person named Zhou Zerui in the file might actually be his younger brother!
The excitement made his fingers tremble slightly.
Once he finished reading the file, Qi Huan’s emotions finally began to settle. He looked at Jiang Youli with a tender gaze. “Little Li’er, I’ll go with you to meet Zhou Zerui tomorrow. For today, I’ll have Cheng Jing keep watch near his home.”
As he spoke, Cheng Jing stepped forward and took the file Qi Huan handed him. Understanding immediately, he turned and left the office, personally taking a group of people to keep watch near Zhou Zerui’s home.
After the office door closed, Qi Huan reached out his hand toward Jiang Youli. “Little Li’er.”
Jiang Youli was puzzled for a moment before extending her hand.
Qi Huan took it and said in a low voice, “If Zhou Zerui really is my younger brother, Little Li’er, I don’t even know how I could ever repay you.”
Jiang Youli smiled. “Haven’t you already pledged yourself to me?”
Qi Huan tightened his grip on her hand. “Pledging myself to you can only count as repayment for treating my leg. You’ve helped me in far too many other ways.”
“A lifetime is very long. I’m helping you now, but who knows whether I might need your help in the future? Don’t overthink it. I didn’t help you because I wanted you to repay me. I helped you because I wanted to.”
Jiang Youli had never been one to keep score.
When she fell for someone, she gave herself wholeheartedly. If she was betrayed, she took everything back. At least throughout the process, she herself had been happy.
Qi Huan raised her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. “Little Li’er, perhaps the only thing I can do for you right now is make sure you never regret agreeing to this alliance marriage or choosing to be with me.”
“Huanhuan, I believe in who you are now.”
At this moment, Jiang Youli had no doubts whatsoever about Qi Huan’s feelings for her. But feelings could change in an instant. Even if Qi Huan truly loved her now, that would not stop him from possibly betraying her in the future.
But it didn’t matter. Jiang Youli had complete confidence in herself, so she was not afraid of any sunk costs.
As far as she was concerned, if Qi Huan gave her up, he would be the one losing out!
A faint glimmer passed through Qi Huan’s eyes.
She only believed in him now?
Did that mean she might not believe in him in the future?
Qi Huan was not discouraged. It was fine. He would use his actions to make Little Li’er trust him forever.
…
After leaving the Qi Group, Jiang Youli drove away. Auntie Ya sat in the back seat with her hands and feet bound, her face filled with terror.
“Miss Jiang, I know you and Long Yuan have a grudge between you. If you let me go, I’ll tell you everything about the socialite training agency!” Auntie Ya’s voice trembled.
The corners of Jiang Youli’s lips lifted into a mocking smile. “What other secrets could there be? You use your position to lure innocent young women into your agency, then send them to influential figures in high society in exchange for benefits for Long Yuan. That’s all, isn’t it?”
Auntie Ya’s expression changed, but she still forced herself to say, “Yes, that’s exactly what happens. But even if these things are exposed, at most I’ll be pushed forward as a scapegoat. It still won’t be enough to bring Long Yuan down. Miss Jiang, I know you have a grudge against Long Yuan and want to deal with him, don’t you?”
Jiang Youli raised an eyebrow, completely unsurprised by Auntie Ya’s words. She let out a derisive laugh. “Oh? So you have evidence that can truly expose Long Yuan?”
Auntie Ya hesitated before finally nodding. “I do know one of his secrets. But on the condition that you promise to let me go.”
A hint of mockery flashed through Jiang Youli’s eyes. She said unhurriedly, “Tell me. If this secret is genuinely useful, I’ll consider letting you go.”
Auntie Ya had no other choice. For the sake of saving her own life, she could only tell the truth.
“Every year, Long Yuan holds a masquerade party called the Secret Garden. The guests are all major figures. As for who exactly attends, no one knows except Long Yuan and Old Madam Long.”
Jiang Youli’s expression darkened.
A secret party?
Even Ye Ying had failed to uncover this.
“Keep going.”
Jiang Youli slowed the car slightly, intending to listen more carefully to what Auntie Ya had to say next.
Seeing Jiang Youli’s intense interest, Auntie Ya continued with relief. “The location of this secret party changes every year. The previous few were held in remote areas overseas. But as far as I know, next year’s party will very likely be held on an island somewhere in the country.”
She paused briefly before adding, “Besides, the party is usually held every April. Going by tradition, there probably won’t be much change next year.”
Jiang Youli nodded thoughtfully, then pressed on. “What qualifications are needed to attend this party?”
Auntie Ya explained, “To attend, you must have an invitation issued by Long Yuan. The truly important figures receive their invitations directly from Long Yuan himself. As for everyone else, they obtain the right to attend by completing shady tasks for him.”
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Youli continued, “Is that all?”
Auntie Ya quickly replied, “That’s everything I know. After all, our agency only handles a portion of Long Yuan’s affairs. I don’t know much about the other businesses and activities under the Long family.”
“Oh, right. There’s one more thing. Long Yuan sent Jiang Yonghe to work for me.”
Auntie Ya suddenly remembered that Jiang Yonghe was also Jiang Youli’s enemy!
Jiang Youli gave a mocking laugh. “Long Yuan had Jiang Yonghe work for you?”
Jiang Yonghe had once been known as the number one talented woman in the capital’s elite circle. Long Yuan had probably thought her talents could be put to use training the young women who had been deceived into coming there.
“I know Jiang Yonghe offended you, Miss Jiang. Just let me go, and I’ll hand Jiang Yonghe over to you to deal with!” Auntie Ya said with an ingratiating smile, as though the moment Jiang Youli nodded, she would immediately tie Jiang Yonghe up and deliver her right to Jiang Youli.
