Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 795: Chapter 39: Bygone Days

Song Haoran seems to be planning to find some level of expectation in Luo Qiu’s gaze.

But to his disappointment, Luo Qiu looked at the old photograph saved on his phone without any special expression, and instead curiously asked, “Mr. Song, are you hoping I’ll help you inquire about the person in this photo when I return home?”

Song Haoran was taken aback, then smiled and followed the conversation, saying, “Yes, after all, the more people, the more power. Even if it’s a vast sea of people, one must at least try.”

He hadn’t expected Luo Qiu to have such a thought—initially, he even planned to investigate Luo Qiu’s background if he could read something he needed from his expression.

He felt a strange closeness to this young man… something he couldn’t quite describe. Ever since he obtained the “Badge of the Sun God,” his senses and intuition have been continuously heightened.

In simple terms, it’s the sixth sense.

Thinking back, maybe a few days ago, he was walking down that street, then entered that flower shop and met Luo Qiu, all perhaps due to his sixth sense.

But… even with this increasingly ‘precise’ sixth sense, there still seem to be moments when it messes up.

Though after observing a few times, he could indeed see some similarities to his old man in Luo Qiu’s demeanor, but with so many people in the mainland, even without shared genes, you can find two people who look alike.

Song Haoran couldn’t help but feel disappointed. His old man, Song Tianyou, had a lifelong wish to find his brother. But that wish now seems so distant.

“I’ve never seen this person before and haven’t heard of him either. However…” Boss Luo was silent for a moment before leaving his seat.

“However?”

“Please wait a moment.”

When he returned, he was also holding a phone in his hand, as if displaying an old photo just like Song Haoran did. This time they swapped roles.

Song Haoran took Luo Qiu’s phone and looked at a photo archive in the phone album… It’s also an old photo but in color and preserved remarkably well.

In the photo was a man, sharp-eyed, wearing a police uniform. Song Haoran looked at the man’s face, his lips slightly parted, “This man is…”

“He’s my father, Luo Qi,” Luo Qiu said slowly, “Mr. Song, would you mind if I told you a story?”

In that instant, Song Haoran felt a slight tremor in his heart, as if he realized something. His demeanor became extremely serious, shedding the typical playboy facade.

He even sat upright, swallowing hard before solemnly saying, “Please go ahead.”

“Not long ago, I went home for a funeral,” Luo Qiu looked at the bouquet of sunflowers on the apartment windowsill and slowly said, “It was an elder in the family. She told me on her deathbed that my father was actually adopted.”

Song Haoran’s gaze jumped suddenly, considering Luo Qiu’s surname.

“However, my grandparents passed away long ago,” Luo Qiu shook his head, “Those who knew the inside story back then are all gone, so I have no way of knowing any truth about those days through normal channels.”

Song Haoran couldn’t help but interject, “Did your father… Mr. Luo Qi himself not know?”

Luo Qiu quietly said, “My father died in the line of duty four years ago.”

Song Haoran felt a thunderbolt on a sunny day, his waist bending down. He took a deep breath, quickly pulling himself together, then hopeful asked, “Could you tell me your father’s story?”

“My grandparents often told me when I was little that he was a naughty child,” Luo Qiu smiled slightly, reminiscing, “From a young age, he was the leader among the village children, always the one troubling others, never thinking they could steal a piece of candy from him.”

“He finished school at the local village school.”

“At sixteen, the military came, recruiting soldiers. He signed up, but later saw the recruitment standards and found his weight didn’t meet the requirement.”

“So he secretly went to the mountain and brought back many bananas. Grandma said those bananas weren’t ripe, but he ate a lot alone, making his stomach bulge. He barely met the weight requirement when reweighed.”

“Life in the military was said to be tough. One winter, my grandparents saved money and took a train to visit him. It was before the New Year. Grandpa said there was flying snow then, and he was standing guard. Wearing a dark green military coat, carrying a rifle, his lips were white, eyebrows frosted. Grandma said when they met, the first thing he said was this coat is like a quilt, not cold at all. But Grandpa told me his legs were shaking then.”

“Due to the harsh cold, he learned to eat spicy foods. This habit persisted even after he left the military. Our house sometimes had spicy chicken, which he made himself. When I was young, I didn’t understand. Seeing the bright red sauce, my mom told me it was ketchup. When I said I wanted some, he mischievously scooped a spoonful straight into my mouth.” Pausing, Luo Qiu slowly said, “I think, that’s what a real father would do.”

Song Haoran couldn’t help but chuckle.

Luo Qiu fell silent again, and after dozens of seconds, he continued, “They married twenty-four years ago, two years after the wedding I was born. I was born a year later.”

“Why become a police officer? He told me it’s because police are so cool. Later, I found out it was because my mom had a special fondness for the police profession.”

“Back then, he just started working, poor and riding a second-hand motorbike to work each day.”

“In truth, he offended quite a few people. I remember in fourth grade, one day after school, I was grabbed from the school gate by some burly men…”

“He said he gradually started liking his job. Said hearing people’s thanks gave him a secret pleasure…”

“I learned some moves from the military from him, but he said I looked like nothing, not even fancy moves. Later he secretly gave me private lessons during summer vacations and secretly took me to the shooting range.”

“He had quite a few brothers who went through life and death with him.”

“My mom passed away early, and after that, he began coming home less frequently. I don’t know when, but I got a step-mom. Strictly speaking, she’s probably my only relative now.”

“I remember that day, high school was preparing for the anniversary celebration, I was inexplicably pulled up to perform by some people. Not very happy, but perhaps something to tell him? After school, she suddenly appeared in front of me, telling me he passed away from failed rescue an hour ago.”

“How could this happen?”

“We just ate dinner together last night. That taste… I still remember it.” Luo Qiu stared at the pot of sunflowers on the windowsill, gradually losing himself in thought, remaining silent for a long time.

…

“Your father, he… what exactly happened?” Song Haoran hesitated for a moment but broke the silence.

“It’s said that a criminal gang came from another province at that time, carrying many weapons, and robbed an armored car. In the firefight on the highway, he was shot in the heart, sacrificing himself to protect a colleague.” Luo Qiu’s voice returned to calm.

“What about those robbers?” Song Haoran squinted, “Do you know their names?”

Luo Qiu shook his head, “Dead or captured, I heard the last one also died in prison from illness a few years ago. I’ve forgotten their names.”

“I see.” Song Haoran nodded, showing nothing.

He simply placed his phone next to Luo Qiu’s, as if two different old photos from different times converged now.

Luo Qiu suddenly said, “I’ve never seen this Mr. Song Tianyin, but I’ve always watched my father.”

Song Haoran took a deep breath, “Perhaps, we can give it a try? Just a test, it won’t take long… don’t worry, I’ll cover the costs.”

Luo Qiu then asked, “Mr. Song, don’t you feel this is too coincidental?”

Song Haoran smiled, “There are many mysterious things in this world, let alone such coincidences? With seventy-billion people on mainland, there’s always those few who’ve hit the jackpot.”

He took another deep breath, seriously said, “Perhaps, this is a miracle.”

…

Song Haoran later didn’t eat, leaving in a hurry but had a sealed bag containing a strand of hair in his hand.

“Oh dear, not staying for dinner? I’ve made so much food.”

Watching Song Haoran’s hurried back, the maid wearing gloves just pulled a tray of roasted meat from the oven.

Boss Luo smiled and stepped forward, saying with a smile, “I should be able to finish it.”

“Please wait a moment,” You Ye suddenly said. “Can I arrange the flowers Mr. Song sent first, master?”

“Sure, go ahead,” Luo Qiu didn’t mind.

…

…

On the highway, a black SUV was speeding along. With one hand on the steering wheel, Song Haoran opened his phone and engaged in encrypted communication.

“…I’m on my way to the hospital, don’t worry, we’ll know the result tonight.”

Old dad Song Tianyou was not as excited as Song Haoran imagined; instead, he was silent for a long time… Only after a long pause, did the old dad slowly say, “Haoran, don’t you think things are going too smoothly?”

Song Haoran frowned, “Dad, what do you mean by that?”

Song Tianyou said, “I’ve been looking for your uncle for decades, and there hasn’t been any news. But now you’re telling me that your uncle’s descendants traveled here and you happened to encounter them. What would you think if you were me? Haoran, I know you’ve always wanted to fulfill this wish of mine, but this isn’t like the way you handle things. You shouldn’t have approached them directly. Even if you wanted to collect samples for testing, we have many methods.”

Song Haoran was taken aback; he pulled the vehicle over to the roadside and started pondering—thinking about the events of the past few days, logic told him such coincidences shouldn’t exist.

It seemed like some mysterious force was propelling his actions unconsciously…

Song Haoran unconsciously touched the “Badge of the Sun God” he wore—after acquiring this item, he hadn’t told anyone, not even his own father.

“For some reason, when I first saw him, I had a feeling I couldn’t say,” Song Haoran began slowly. “At first, I just saw a slight resemblance to you, dad, in his eyebrows, which gave me a special feeling. Later, through interactions, this feeling became clearer. It’s hard to describe to you, but it feels very close. Although things are rushed this time, it might not be a bad thing. I have a hunch that perhaps… he is the family we’ve been looking for all this time.”

“Your hunch?” Song Tianyou asked solemnly.

“Yeah… that kind of hunch,” Song Haoran responded swiftly.

No one knew that during that dangerous adventure years ago, he obtained the “Badge of the Sun God.” However, within ‘Iris,’ everyone knew Song Haoran’s hunches were especially accurate.

They all considered this an exceptional trait of the son of ‘Iris,’ a quality that was nothing short of mysterious.

“If it’s really that kind of hunch…” Song Tianyou took a deep breath, “Then I’ll leave it to you. If he truly is the descendant of the elder brother I’ve been searching for, by any means necessary, you must bring him to see me.”

“Alright, I’ll give you the results tonight.” Song Haoran hung up the phone.

…

Thousands of miles away, at the headquarters of ‘Iris,’ a valley surrounded by mountains.

Here, the valley is filled with verdant mountains, melodious bird songs, and the fragrance of flowers, with mist lingering in the ravines, resembling an earthly paradise… If mentioned with feng shui principles, this is a rare treasure.

There is a complex and vast architectural group within the valley. And halfway up the mountain, there is also a white villa.

Song Tianyou is sixty this year, but his body is still relatively robust. Yet, in his early years of living recklessly, he acquired many hidden ailments, so he can’t help coughing sometimes.

With his temples graying, he stared at the valley, whispering, “Brother Tianyin… please bless me, let me truly find them.”

Song Tianyou closed his eyes, and after a long moment, he sighed and picked up the phone again—to make an international call.

“Song family’s little ghost? Why suddenly think of calling this old lady?”

An elderly woman’s voice.

“Sister Li, long time no see, how’s your health?” Song Tianyou spoke with a respectful tone.

“Not good, I fell a while ago. Alas, old age makes the bones brittle. Still can’t recover, my granddaughter takes care of me every day.”

“I’ve been in worse health lately too,” Song Tianyou commiserated, “I don’t know when I can see you again, Sister Li.”

“Don’t come, you’re on the blacklist back home; how could they let you enter easily? Speak up; you must have a reason to call me after such a long time without contact?”

“Haha, Sister Li, you truly have a keen mind, insightful as always.”

“Don’t tease this old lady.”

“Sister Li, in my mind, you’re still the ‘Li Lanfang Girl’ who amazed the capital back then. Even in old age, you remain elegant!”

“Back then? I could be your mother at my age! Speak up! My granddaughter is going to read to me.”

“Sister Li, I want to ask you for a favor,” Song Tianyou could only say, “I’m not in a position to return, so I’d like you to use your connections to help inquire about someone.”

“Oh? Found some new clues again? How many times have you said this already? Song little ghost, haven’t you given up?”

“This time… maybe different, Sister Li, please help me, okay?” Song Tianyou respectfully said, “Recently, my people discovered some artifacts from the Incan era. If convenient, I’ll have someone deliver a few to you.”

“No need, just inquiring for some information. No need for your gifts. In those days… if your Song family hadn’t protected this widow as I left the capital, I might have died. Give me the name, I’ll get you the information tomorrow.”

“Hold on, tonight… Oh, it might be your morning over there, I’ll tell you later… I’m still waiting.”

The old woman’s voice paused for a moment before slowly saying, “You’re too anxious.”

“I can’t afford not to be.”

“Alright, I’ll wait for your call.”

“Thank you, Sister Li.”

…

…

“Grandma, whose call was it? This late?”

Zhang Qingrui brought a bowl of bird’s nest porridge to Zhang Li Lanfang’s window. The old lady gently shook her head, sighed, and said, “An old friend, also a benefactor to our Zhang Family’s descendants.”

“Benefactor?”

Zhang Qingrui adjusted her nightgown, sat down, and asked curiously, “I’ve never heard about a benefactor for our family?”

“It was a very, very long time ago,” Zhang Li Lanfang recalled, “Back then, your father was still in swaddling clothes, and he doesn’t really know.”

“What kind of person was it?” Zhang Qingrui was even more curious.

“A military rogue,” Zhang Li Lanfang stroked Zhang Qingrui’s hair, “Later, he made something of himself and became a local warlord. But he didn’t survive the most tumultuous times… The Song family is long gone. Only one descendant remained, who developed overseas…”

￥￥￥￥￥￥￥

PS1: Regarding paternity testing, I specifically checked, it seems expedited processing is available, and results can come out in a few hours, though I’m not sure if that’s true.

PS2: About blocking chapters, it’s being handled (confused face)… Why would such a clean piece like mine be hit (looking at the sky)?