Chapter 131: The Meeting

After leaving the research institute, Qin Yu felt an overwhelming weariness. The tangled emotions of going there with high hopes only to return disappointed were truly complex. Yet, recalling the attitude of those people at the institute, a faint glint of determination flickered in her eyes. Antidotes? She could make those too! Since the institute guarded their antidotes so closely, she would take it upon herself to research them. This way, she would have more opportunities in the future.

With that thought, Qin Yu immediately set to work. In the basement of the Qingli villa, she carefully stored the reagents she had taken from the chemical plant. Qin Yu immersed herself in research, neglecting sleep and food, while the others trained hard. Everyone was determined to persevere.

Meanwhile, Qian Xiao was desperately searching for Xia Cheng, a matter mentioned earlier. On the fourth day of Qingli’s seclusion, she learned of Xia Cheng’s whereabouts from someone else. She hurried to the villa where Qin Yu was, which was also where Xia Cheng was staying. At that moment, Qin Yu was engrossed in studying the antidote at Qingli’s villa.

Qian Xiao arrived outside the villa and, taking in the scene before her, a wistful smile touched her lips. It seemed fate had truly brought her here.

“May I ask who you are?” Zhao Meng came out of the villa, eyeing the woman who appeared dazed.

Qian Xiao sized up Zhao Meng. Her mid-length hair was tied back, and her large eyes stared at her with curiosity. Yet her body was in a perfect defensive stance; any sudden movement from Qian Xiao would likely provoke an attack. Moreover, her body density far exceeded that of an ordinary person, indicating professional training or the use of some body-enhancing drug. Judging by the muscles in her legs, her training time was minimal, leaving drug enhancement as the only plausible explanation.

Based on bone age analysis, the drug intake likely began around the age of five. This suggested that the girl belonged to a certain organization. From Qian Xiao’s memory, the only group that administered body enhancement drugs to children that young was one known to have suffered a catastrophic accident over a decade ago, dispersing many trainees. This girl was probably one of them.

As these thoughts flooded her mind, Qian Xiao scrutinized Zhao Meng thoroughly. With a gentle smile, she said, “I’m looking for Xia Cheng. Is he here?”

Zhao Meng glanced up and down at Qian Xiao, then asked warily, “Who are you?”

“I’m his mother. Could you let him come out to see me? I miss him dearly,” Qian Xiao replied.

“His mother?” Zhao Meng showed surprise, then said, “He’s inside. Come with me, and we can talk there.”

Qian Xiao nodded and followed Zhao Meng into the villa, her gaze turning thoughtful. This young girl must have been exceptional among that group back then. Inviting her in for a reunion—if not, where else could she possibly escape? Such a charming notion!

Inside, Qian Xiao saw Xia Cheng drenched in sweat. Despite the years that had passed, she still remembered his face vividly. Of course, Xia Cheng bore a striking resemblance to his father.

Seeing Xia Cheng panting heavily, Qian Xiao immediately approached him sternly. “Are you trying to kill yourself? Your training intensity has exceeded what your body can endure! If you keep pushing like this, you’ll exhaust yourself to death!”

Xia Cheng lifted his head and looked at Qian Xiao. Sweat soaked his eyelashes, blurring his vision. Yet he knew this woman was his mother—the very one who had abandoned him so long ago.

How many times had he held the photo of her and that man, demanding why they left him? How many times had he seen their steadily aging figures through others’ investigations? Their faces and silhouettes were etched deeply into his life.

Now that she stood before him, he knew this woman was the merciless mother. Xia Cheng felt utterly exhausted; the sweat stinging his eyes blurred his sight, and the hot “tears” streaming down his cheeks only added to the haze.

Qian Xiao looked at her son’s confused gaze, a pang of sorrow flashing in her eyes. Her child—what hardships had he endured all these years? The density of his muscles indicated training akin to hell itself.

Had abandoning him been the right decision? For the first time, Qian Xiao felt uncertain. Why must the grudges of the previous generation weigh down the next? Clearly, they knew nothing!

Lost in thought, a voice suddenly echoed in her mind, snapping her back to reality. At this point, there was no other choice. Son, if one day you learn the truth, please don’t blame us. We had our reasons.

Countless thoughts flickered through Qian Xiao’s mind, but on the surface, she wore a gentle smile. “Long time no see, son.”

Xia Cheng raised his hand to wipe away the excess sweat and croaked, “Long time no see, mother.”

Zhao Meng quietly walked away, witnessing the scene.

“I’ve missed you,” Qian Xiao said softly.

“Hm,” Xia Cheng replied quietly.

“We were wrong back then.”

“Hm.”

“You’ve worked hard all these years.”

“Hm.”

“If you’re angry, take it out on me. Your father is innocent.”

“Hm.”

No matter what Qian Xiao said, Xia Cheng’s only response was a low “hm.”

Qian Xiao sighed and sat beside him, only to find that Xia Cheng had fallen asleep! Was he that exhausted? She thought. Even asleep, he responded to her—this child truly was like his father.

Watching him slump on the sofa, she carefully adjusted his position to make him more comfortable. Then she sat nearby, taking out a notebook to write and sketch. Her expression was serious as she reviewed the data, her heart heavy with anger. Her son had endured such intense training! If she discovered who devised this plan, she would have to confront them.

While Qian Xiao seethed with fury, Qin Yu, shaking the test tube in her hand, smiled broadly. Success! She wondered how her antidote compared to the institute’s version. Once Brother Li came out of seclusion, she would have him test it.

Hmm, she should also check on how the others’ training was progressing! With that thought, Qin Yu put down the test tube, tidied up, and headed back to her own villa.

To her surprise, a familiar face awaited her inside the villa.