367: Chapter 366 Si Zhengxiong's Suspicion

Before long, Qin Yi entered the main house, feeling both nervous and apologetic.

Si Zhengxiong, Si Yao, and Si Hongbin were already inside waiting for him. On the round table, bowls and chopsticks were neatly arranged, and several exquisite side dishes emitted an enticing aroma.

Seeing Qin Yi arrive, a playful smile curled at the corners of Si Yao's mouth. She stood up and teased, "Well, if it isn't the busy Mr. Qin. Finally finished with your phone call? You've kept our whole Family waiting!"

Upon hearing this, an apologetic smile appeared on Qin Yi's face. He cupped his hands toward the three of them in apology. "I'm truly sorry for making everyone wait so long."

Si Zhengxiong waved his hand, his face beaming with an easygoing smile. "No matter. Since everyone is here, let's eat." With that, he grabbed the dragon-head cane beside him and, with Si Yao's careful support, walked steadily toward the dining table step by step.

Once everyone was seated, Si Zhengxiong looked at Qin Yi with a hint of affection and courtesy in his eyes. "Qin Yi, dinner is simple and there's nothing special to treat you with, just some congee and side dishes. I hope you don't mind."

Qin Yi quickly responded politely, "The Old Master must be joking; congee and side dishes are perfectly fine. To be honest, lunch was so lavish that I'm still not very hungry even now."

"Hahaha," Si Zhengxiong laughed and gestured toward Qin Yi. "Eat up, don't be shy. Treat this place like your own home." As he finished speaking, Si Hongbin had already nimbly served a bowl of congee for Si Zhengxiong and placed it before him.

Just as Si Hongbin was about to take Qin Yi's bowl, Qin Yi quickly waved him off and smiled. "Brother Bin, I can do it myself." After saying that, he took the bowl and served himself.

Soon, the four of them sat around the round table and began to enjoy this very ordinary dinner.

During the meal, there was only the light clinking of bowls and chopsticks. Qin Yi had originally wanted to say something to liven up the atmosphere, but seeing that both Si Yao and Si Hongbin were eating in silence, he dropped the idea.

Time passed imperceptibly, and in the blink of an eye, it was already seven in the evening.

As was his custom, Si Hongbin turned on the television and brewed a fresh pot of tea, the fragrance of which filled the room.

Perhaps Si Zhengxiong really was getting old; after finishing a small bowl of congee and a few bites of side dishes, he stood up and said, "You keep eating, I'm going to listen to the news." Once he finished, Si Hongbin proactively stepped forward to support Si Zhengxiong as he took a seat in the grand armchair in the main hall.

At this moment, only Qin Yi and Si Yao were left at the dining table.

Si Yao then leaned closer to Qin Yi and asked in a low, curious voice, "Did Ye Qingcheng call you about something?"

Qin Yi glanced at the Old Master watching the news in the living room and made a 'shh' gesture with his finger to his lips, signaling Si Yao to keep her voice down.

Si Yao understood and lowered her voice even further. "Is it related to Zhao Lintai? Is he trying to pull some more tricks?"

Qin Yi nodded and mouthed, "I'll tell you in detail later."

Si Yao made a zipping motion over her mouth and gave an 'OK' gesture.

Their exchange, which they thought was hidden, did not escape Si Zhengxiong's ears.

Without turning his head, the Old Master chuckled and said, "What are you two whispering about? Is there something this old man isn't allowed to know?"

Si Yao shrugged helplessly and replied, "It's nothing, Grandpa. I was just asking Qin Yi what Ye Qingcheng said on the phone, nothing else."

"Oh? That Ye Qingcheng from the Ye Family?" Si Zhengxiong confirmed, a flash of curiosity in his eyes.

Qin Yi hurried to respond, "Yes, Old Master, it's Ye Ziming's sister—Ye Qingcheng."

"Wasn't she transferred from the military to the Security Bureau? She's even in charge of the Special Operations Department. Hongwu and five other younger members of the Family were sent to Shanghai because of a transfer order from the Security Bureau. Her looking for you... it couldn't be for official business, could it?" Si Zhengxiong said, his gaze fixed piercingly on Qin Yi.

"Uh, haha, how could that be? I'm not a member of the Special Operations Department; what official business could she have with me? She was just asking if that kid Ye Ziming is behaving himself and if he's done anything out of line," Qin Yi responded with a forced laugh.

However, how could Qin Yi's explanation fool Si Zhengxiong? But since Qin Yi didn't intend to tell the truth, it wasn't convenient for him to press further.

Thus, Si Zhengxiong joked, "Oh, I see. I thought you were also a member of the Special Operations Department. Though, with your skills, if you were to enter the Special Operations Department, I'm afraid there wouldn't be any room left for Hongwu and the others to show off."

"The Old Master overpraises me; I'm not that incredible." Qin Yi gave a humble smile and shot a look at Si Yao.

Si Yao immediately understood and stood up, saying, "Grandpa, we're finished eating. I'll take Qin Yi for another stroll to let this city boy see the mountain scenery at night."

How could Si Zhengxiong not see that the two were hiding something? Yet he didn't call them out, only waving them off. "Go on, don't wander too far."

Afterward, Qin Yi and Si Yao left the main house and headed toward the courtyard exit.

At this time, Si Hongbin whispered to Si Zhengxiong for instructions, "Old Master, do you need me to go and listen to what they're saying?"

"No need," Si Zhengxiong sipped his tea. "Young people always have secrets they don't want an old man like me to know. Let them be. Go and notify the people who are going into the mountains tomorrow; tell them to bring their supplies and equipment and be prepared."

"Yes!" Si Hongbin answered and left the main house to arrange the matters for tomorrow's mountain trip.

After Si Hongbin left, Si Zhengxiong took out his phone and dialed Si Hongjun.

The call was quickly connected, and Si Hongjun's voice came through: "Old Master, have you eaten?"

"Yes, I've eaten." Si Zhengxiong responded, then his voice sank as he continued with a frown, "Hongjun, I'm feeling a bit uneasy. Has there been any news from the capital recently?"

"Uh... what kind of news are you referring to, Old Master?" Si Hongjun asked back in confusion.

"Is the Zhao Family being watched by the Security Bureau?" Si Zhengxiong continued.

"Old Master, where did you get this news?" Si Hongjun asked, somewhat incredulous.

"I didn't, I just have a vague feeling," Si Zhengxiong said solemnly. "Just now, Ye Qingcheng from the Ye Family called Qin Yi. Qin Yi didn't reveal exactly what was said. However, I suspect it might be related to the Zhao Family. Also, the girlfriend Ye Ziming brought with him today, that girl named Shen Nan, also strikes me as being quite unusual."

Hearing the Old Master's words, Si Hongjun also frowned and pondered for a moment before responding, "In that case, I'll call some friends in the capital to get some indirect information first. As for that girl named Shen Nan, I'll also have someone confirm her identity."

"Good. As soon as possible. Oh, and one more thing," Si Zhengxiong added, "Tomorrow, Yao Yao and Qin Yi are going into the mountains—the same mountain where I brought back the Meteoric Iron all those years ago."

"What? No, Old Master, you've already told Qin Yi about Falling Void Mountain?" Si Hongjun asked in great surprise.

"No, I only told him about finding the Meteoric Iron halfway up the mountain. As for the rest, I didn't reveal anything to him. However, I've already tested the boy's skills. Even Hongbin is no match for him. I suspect the boy must have a great Opportunity; perhaps he can solve the secret of Falling Void Mountain."

"Alright, but won't it be dangerous for Yao Yao to go with him?" Si Hongjun asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, I'll have people stationed around the perimeter. If there's truly any danger, they can provide support. Besides, for someone with a great Opportunity like Qin Yi, being by his side might lead to some unexpected gains."

"Fine. Then I'll first look into the news about the Zhao Family and Shen Nan's identity. Once I have news, I'll report back to you."

The call ended, and Si Zhengxiong's attention shifted back to the national evening news.

At this time, Qin Yi and Si Yao had walked outside the courtyard and were standing by those ancient trees, looking down toward the foot of the mountain. They could see dozens of lights along the winding mountain path, like scattered stars dotting the silent night.

Qin Yi pointed at the lights and asked curiously, "I didn't notice during the day—are those lights all from villagers in the mountains? But why do they live so spread out?"

"To be precise, they are all people of our Si Family," Si Yao explained calmly.

"All from your Si Family? I thought this old mansion was the only place where people lived. After all, transportation isn't convenient. Your Si Family is so wealthy, why would you let your Family members live out here in the mountains?" Qin Yi asked in surprise.

"Because they are responsible for my grandfather's safety, or rather, for guarding this old mansion of the Si Family." As Si Yao spoke, she turned around and looked up at the old mansion behind them, as if talking to herself. "In fact, these people are the true foundation of our Si Family! Every one of them has undergone rigorous training and possesses extraordinary skills."

"I see. So people like Brother Bin and those who were transferred to the Security Bureau's Special Operations Department actually live at the foot of the mountain?" Qin Yi realized.

"Exactly. So if any outsider enters the mountain, my grandfather will know immediately. If they aren't invited, they'll be blocked at the bottom and won't reach the mansion. Also, as you can see, the path from the foot of the mountain to the mansion isn't easy to walk. For someone without martial arts skills, trying to come up would be very difficult," Si Yao explained in detail.

"Hmm, your Si Family truly lives up to its military background. Even the location of the old mansion is chosen to be so easy to defend and hard to attack! Truly impressive!" Qin Yi praised.

"Haha, alright, let's not talk about that. Back to the main topic: what exactly did Ye Qingcheng want with you?" Si Yao asked with a smile.

"Haven't you already guessed? It's about Zhao Lintai," Qin Yi smiled helplessly.

"Go on, stop being so mysterious," Si Yao urged.

"Hongmen sent another expert over, and he's already met with Zhao Lintai. Captain Ye suspects Zhao Lintai will try to use someone else's blade to kill me—to make a move against me," Qin Yi said seriously.

Si Yao's beautiful eyes widened. "He dares! In the Southwest territory, Zhao Lintai dares to make a move against you? Does he think my Si Family is just thin air?!"

"Why wouldn't he dare? By getting rid of me, the fake boyfriend, the engagement between the Si and Zhao families will have no more obstacles. For the sake of his promise back then, wouldn't the Old Master have to sacrifice your marriage?" Qin Yi sneered. "Furthermore, I have an old grudge with Zhao Lintai; it's understandable that he wants to kill me."

"Heh," Si Yao crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "From the way you're talking, it sounds like you aren't afraid at all."

"Hmph, what's there to be afraid of! When soldiers come, I'll block them with generals; when water comes, I'll cover it with earth! Just do it! I, Qin Yi, am not someone to be pushed around!" Qin Yi said with grand bravado.

"Fair point!" Si Yao raised her hand and patted Qin Yi's shoulder, then rested her arm there. "In that case, if Zhao Lintai really dares to act, I, Si Yao, will definitely stand by your side. I also want to meet this so-called expert and see just how 'expert' he really is!"

Qin Yi glanced at Si Yao's hand on his shoulder and then looked at her. The two of them looked at each other and smiled.

...

At the same time, Ye Qingcheng also synchronized Bai Ruoxue's information with Yan Yan and Shen Jianan.