Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 967: Chapter 11: Lost (Part 1)

In fact, besides the harsh winter, another issue plaguing Magic Capital Airport is that the Lunar New Year for the people of Hua Country is just a few days away.

This is commonly referred to as the challenges of Spring Festival travel.

Especially since the airport connected with the train station a few years back, the passenger flow has consistently maintained a staggering figure.

If weather conditions prevent flights from taking off on time, it indeed becomes a serious problem.

Fortunately, it’s currently midnight, far less crowded than during the day—the terminal, after passing through security, has some retail shops and eateries still open 24 hours, but many stores have closed.

Overall, it feels rather deserted.

Of course, such an environment is very beneficial for Han Bingjiang… Why?

Naturally, because fewer people mean open visibility, and open visibility is an absolute boon for someone like Han Bingjiang, who makes a living uncovering secrets and exposing scandals as an entertainment journalist—it’s much easier to capture candid shots of the target.

Labels like ‘Top Entertainment Reporter’ and ‘Strongest Paparazzi in the Industry’ have been plastered all over Han Bingjiang over the years—perhaps a different kind of fame.

Originally, there would have been plenty of explosive news with the New Year approaching, but unfortunately, the paparazzi in his studio have all gone home for the holidays. Reluctantly, the studio owner, Han Bingjiang, had to step in himself.

Today’s target is a well-known actress.

According to reliable sources, this actress, known for her pure image, claims to be a devout believer, repeatedly stating in the media her refusal of premarital misconduct, and she is currently single—yet she seems to have been spotted with a foreign boyfriend, possibly planning to return home for the holidays.

— Tear off the hypocritical masks of these entertainers, let them fall from their pedestals into the abyss, watching them struggle amidst trouble and denunciation… It’s far more satisfying than the money itself.

— It’s truly delightful.

— How does that saying go?

Han Bingjiang recently saw an online meme with his own portrait, captioned: “I just love to see you grit your teeth in hatred but can’t do a thing to me.”

“Move along, move along, little scoundrel, smoking for so long, aren’t you afraid of tearing up your mouth?”

An obese cleaner, looking quite unfriendly, ‘squeezed into’ the smoking room, cleaning up the aftermath left by the ‘old smokers’ after they satisfied their needs.

Han Bingjiang considered himself a gentleman and couldn’t be bothered to argue with the obese cleaner, so he put out his cigarette and walked out… Hmm, feeling rather uncomfortable with his mouth, having lingered at the airport for so long.

Actually, he was starting to feel somewhat hungry.

Just as Han Bingjiang was planning to find something to eat, he suddenly stopped in his tracks—because he saw a woman of high quality.

Unquestionably, Han Bingjiang’s eyes were extremely sharp, able to discern someone’s background at a glance—evidently, this high-quality woman was either wealthy or noble, with a strong sense of fashion, likely a socialite from a prominent family.

For a moment, Han Bingjiang couldn’t recall who this woman was exactly.

A high-quality woman, accompanied by a fairly ordinary-looking young man and a child who clearly didn’t appear to be of Asian descent—such a combination seemed very peculiar.

Driven by instinctive curiosity, Han Bingjiang approached the young man and woman with a smile—despite his face becoming public due to numerous scandalous reports, a little disguise could still fool most people.

Not everyone memorizes the face of an entertainment journalist—especially since there’s often a disparity between photos and real life.

“Has something happened?” Han Bingjiang asked with a smile, giving off the air of a tutor, seemingly approachable.

“This child is lost, we plan to help him,” the young man offhandedly replied.

Yet the child quickly hid behind the young man upon seeing Han Bingjiang, appearing quite fearful—this left Han Bingjiang feeling rather frustrated.

“Don’t mind it, this child is very shy, even afraid of me,” the high-quality woman suddenly remarked with a tinge of sarcasm.

Han Bingjiang could only smile awkwardly.

No value at all… Han Bingjiang shook his head in his heart, but as part of his disguise, he benevolently advised, “There’s an airport duty office just ahead, you can check it out.”

“Okay, thank you,” the young man smiled slightly and suddenly said, “There’s also a water station nearby.”

Han Bingjiang was taken aback, instinctively thanking him and watched as the young couple and the child left. He frowned and muttered, “How did he know that…”

But Han Bingjiang quickly realized, his mouth dry and lips chapped from excessive smoking, he must have looked like someone very thirsty.

The child, at a distance, suddenly turned back to glance at him, then quickly turned away again… clearly still quite terrified.

Han Bingjiang shook his head, thinking to himself he might not be someone kids are fond of… Hmm, judging by the time, the actress’s flight should be arriving around now?

No time for food now, Han Bingjiang hurriedly grabbed a few sips of water at the station and rushed to the arrival hall.

…

However, to Han Bingjiang’s surprise, it didn’t take long before he encountered his target for this trip—the newly awarded Best New Artist from last year’s film festival: Qiao An!

With eyes as sharp as Han Bingjiang’s, it was no wonder he managed to capture so many celebrity scandals—even though the emerging actress before him was wearing a scarf and sunglasses, he recognized her immediately.

The woman approaching was glancing around, as if searching for something—she was alone with a small suitcase, no assistant in sight, which puzzled Han Bingjiang.

More surprising was that the recent award winner walked directly towards him, at quite a brisk pace… Did she recognize him?

That’s not good.

If recognized, she would certainly be prepared, making it impossible to get any useful news.

“Excuse me, have you seen a child? About this tall.” The woman in front directly removed her sunglasses in front of Han Bingjiang, gesturing with her hand, “About this tall, blonde, a little boy.”

Exposing herself so directly without even attempting to conceal anything?

Han Bingjiang opened his mouth… If he wasn’t certain this woman was Qiao An, Han Bingjiang would have thought he had mistaken her—what celebrity doesn’t consider him a plague to be avoided?

No, she might be pretending… pretending she doesn’t recognize him.

Trying to stall for time… At this point, that foreign boyfriend must also be nearby, is it to cover it up?

But… why mention that child I just met?

“What is your relationship?” Han Bingjiang slightly lowered his head and pushed up the glasses on his nose.

“That’s my son.” The woman in front… Qiao An said worriedly, “I originally planned to bring him to my parents’ home here for the New Year, but somehow we got separated. I was about to find staff when I ran into you, sir.”

“Your… your son?” Han Bingjiang widened his eyes, thinking he had misheard, “Is he really your son?”

Qiao An was also stunned, frowned and said, “He is indeed my son, is there a problem?”

“You… you are Qiao An?” Han Bingjiang also frowned, “The actress Qiao An?”

“Yes, is there a problem?” The woman in front nodded, “Oh, sorry, if you haven’t seen my son, then I’ll excuse myself.”

With those words, Qiao An hurried past Han Bingjiang, while calling out, “Paul! Paul! Can you hear me? Paul?”

Only Han Bingjiang was left standing dumbfounded.

This was no secret foreign boyfriend hidden from fans… an entire child had been born! And he looked about seven or eight years old!

Qiao An is only in her early twenties this year… which means she was unmarried and pregnant as a teenager?

This is explosive news!! Super explosive news!

Han Bingjiang shivered, quickly chased after, “Ms. Qiao… Qiao An! The child you mentioned, I think I saw him! Just now, a young couple brought a lost child, saying they were going to the security office!”

“Really! That’s great.” Qiao An seemed visibly relieved.

“Shall I accompany you there? I know the way.” Han Bingjiang quickly and enthusiastically offered.

Qiao An looked at Han Bingjiang strangely, feeling this middle-aged man was a bit too enthusiastic—Han Bingjiang had been around for a long time, how could he not notice the other’s wariness?

He quickly explained, “Truth be told, I’m actually your fan! I’m really fond of you! I’m happy to help.”

“Is that so…” Qiao An nodded, but didn’t become very enthusiastic, just smiled and said, “Alright, once I find my son, if you don’t mind, I can give you an autograph… though it’s not really worth much.”

“I’d love that, I’d love that!” Han Bingjiang grew completely excited, like a fan meeting an idol.

“Shall we go then?”

“Of course! This way, this way!”

The two quickly walked towards the direction of the security office.

…

…

“Wait, where are you going? The security office is over here? By the way, we just missed a security office… you did it on purpose, didn’t you? Clearly people kindly pointed it out to you, yet you didn’t go into the previous one!”

Song Ying suddenly stopped—actually, they hadn’t stopped at all along the way, as if Luo Qiu knew where to go, just kept pulling the child along.

Except for encountering a strange uncle on the way.

“No need to go to the security office.” Luo Qiu shook his head.

Song Ying widened her eyes, feeling this guy intended to tour the whole airport with the little kid? Song Ying sighed, “Maybe you’re energetic now, but please, I’m really tired. We can just hand the child over to the security, no need to do it ourselves!”

That said, regardless of Luo Qiu’s agreement, she directly took the child’s hand and led him toward the security office door.

Although the child seemed shy, he neither resisted nor caused trouble, allowing Song Ying to lead him like this.

“Such impatience.” Luo Qiu chuckled, then followed along.

The security office wasn’t big; you could basically see everything at a glance. At this moment, Song Ying told the situation to the airport security and began asking the child’s name.

Unexpectedly, no matter how they asked, the child kept his head down, silent.

Song Ying exchanged a look with the security staff, both finding it quite helpless. Song Ying even frowned, “Brother, I have no idea how to handle a rowdy child, I’ll leave him to you, then? I’ve been on a plane for over ten hours, I’m really tired, I want to leave now.”

“Well… Okay.” The security nodded, thinking there was no real reason to detain her—from the start, bringing the lost child here was already quite kind.

“Miss, please leave a contact info? In case there’s anything, or if the child’s parents want to thank you, they’d be able to find you.” The security politely asked.

“No need, just leave it as it is.” Song Ying shook her head, and then looked at Luo Qiu, raising her eyebrows as if to say: See, isn’t it resolved now? Such a simple matter!

“Excuse me, is there time?”

A couple suddenly walked into the security office.

The man seemed about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with blonde hair and green eyes, looking very delicate. At this moment, the foreign man spoke fluent but slightly imperfect Hua Country language and asked, “We accidentally dropped a ring when we got off the plane, can you help us?”

Beside the white man stood a woman wearing a hoodie.

The woman had the hoodie pulled up, and her face was adorned with a pair of tea-colored glasses, but she said nothing.

“Oh… Is that so, you can fill out the form here first?” The security quickly said, “I’m really sorry, a child just went missing here, we’re trying to find his parents!”

“No worries, I’ll fill the form first.” The white youth smiled slightly, appearing quite polite.

Just as Song Ying was planning to pull Luo Qiu away, she glanced at the white youth, paused and whispered, “Could it be… this guy looks a bit like the kid?”

Unexpectedly, as soon as she said this, the silent child suddenly rushed towards the woman beside the white youth, hugged her tightly, and cried out, “Mommy! Mommy!”