Volume One, Chapter Seven: The Meeting

Nan Zhi.
Age 29.
Married.
Employed at the auction house for five years...

"Jiang Ze!"

Jiang Ze had just finished dealing with the car issue when he was immediately summoned to the study. "Sir, what is it?"

"These documents are no different from the first set you showed me."

Jiang Ze looked troubled. It wasn't that he didn't want to investigate further, but these were all the records he could find. Besides these, he had no idea what else to check.

"This is all the information I could gather on Miss Nan Zhi. The rest is just her auction experience over the past few years. Sir, isn't this what you wanted?"

Lu Junchen frowned at the question. The data was already quite comprehensive, yet the results did not satisfy him.

He had a persistent feeling that Nan Zhi was like Xia Nanzhi.

Nan Zhi! Xia Nanzhi!

Even their names were similar.

But the findings showed no connection to Xia Nanzhi.

Was he overthinking?

He just had a strong sense that something was off.

In the imperial capital, there were countless experts in antiques; yet the old master insisted he come all the way to Country Y to bring this woman back.

The old master had intentions.

Lu Junchen frowned deeply, picked up his phone, and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. Watching a car quickly drive away downstairs, he dialed the old master’s number.

The call connected.

In a low voice, Lu Junchen asked, "Grandfather, who exactly is that auctioneer?"

"Have you met her?"

"Yes."

The old master was silent for a few seconds, then sighed, "It seems that for the past three years, you really didn’t care about Zhi Zhi. Otherwise, how could you not have realized that she was your wife when she stood right in front of you?"

Lu Junchen’s brow tightened. "Xia Nanzhi!"

Five years employed, veiled in white, unwilling to reveal her true face—she gave him a familiar feeling. Nan Zhi—

Xia Nanzhi!

Lu Junchen’s expression grew colder by the moment.

Nan Zhi was Xia Nanzhi!

His intuition had not failed him.

This was why the old master insisted he come and bring her back.

Lu Junchen narrowed his eyes dangerously. He wondered why he hadn’t found her all these years. It turned out she had changed her name and hidden here.

She recognized him at the auction house, which is why she left decisively.

His face darkened with anger. A surge of fury welled up in his chest.

She had hidden so well.

---

"Junchen, bring Zhi Zhi back."

"Yes."

Lu Junchen hung up and strode out.

Jiang Ze had no idea what had happened, only sensing the terrifying aura suddenly emanating from Lu Junchen.

He had only seen such a terrifying presence once before—five years ago when Lu Junchen learned that Xia Nanzhi had an abortion and wanted a divorce.

Xu Ruoqing had just reached Lu Junchen’s door when he was already leaving. She wanted to stop him, but he had no time to pay attention.

Xu Ruoqing quickly grabbed Jiang Ze's arm. "Where are you going?"

"Miss Xu, I’m not quite sure myself."

Jiang Ze hurried after Lu Junchen.

Xu Ruoqing frowned; it had been a long time since she’d seen Lu Junchen so anxious.

What on earth was going on?

Lu Junchen got into the car and called the auction house manager.

"Mr. Lu."

"Is Nan Zhi at the auction house?"

"Nan Zhi has taken leave, Mr. Lu. If you need someone to appraise antiques..."

Before the manager could finish, Lu Junchen hung up.

Taking leave—was she hiding to avoid being found?

"Sir, where are we going?"

Jiang Ze, sitting in the passenger seat, asked.

"Immediately send someone to check Nan Zhi’s residence."

Seeing Lu Junchen’s anger, Jiang Ze dared not ask more and immediately gave the orders.

Lu Junchen did not believe she could run this time.

---

Xia Nanzhi had dinner with Meng Chu and the three children at a restaurant before heading home. While eating, Meng Chu carefully recounted everything that had happened at the hotel.

Lu Junchen hadn’t demanded compensation; after questioning, he let his assistant escort them down.

The questions Lu Junchen asked clearly showed suspicion about Meng Chu’s identity.

Though there was no danger, Xia Nanzhi still feared that Lu Junchen might discover something upon further thought.

As she was pondering this, the manager called. "Nan Zhi, is Mr. Lu looking for you?"

"Mr. Lu?" Xia Nanzhi frowned. "He hasn’t contacted me. Why?"

"He called to ask if you were at the auction house. I said you weren’t. He seemed quite angry and is probably looking for you."

Lu Junchen was looking for her?

Alarm bells rang instantly in Xia Nanzhi’s heart.

This was bad.

He must have discovered something.

Otherwise, why would he be searching for her?

"Did he say anything else?"

"No. When he heard you weren’t there, he hung up angrily. Nan Zhi, he’s an important figure. Don’t offend him lightly."

---

"I understand." Xia Nanzhi hung up.

Meng Chu noticed her pale expression and asked, "What happened?"

"Chu Chu, take the children to your place first. Also, help me book a few plane tickets—anywhere. I need to go home and get some documents."

"What? You’re leaving?"

Xia Nanzhi had no time to explain. "Lu Junchen probably discovered my true identity and is looking for me."

Meng Chu’s pupils contracted. "What about the children?"

"He probably doesn’t know about them yet."

With that person around, the fact that she had children would remain hidden, and Lu Junchen wouldn’t find out for now.

"There’s no time to say more. Nian Nian, Chen Chen, Sui Sui, stay with your godmother for now. Mommy will join you later."

Xia Nanzhi wasn’t afraid of meeting Lu Junchen. She feared that if he found her, he’d find the three children too.

Lu Junchen had that capability—she knew it well.

She absolutely could not let him discover or take the children.

Seeing Xia Nanzhi anxious, the three little ones obediently followed Meng Chu.

"Mommy, you have to be careful."

"Okay, mommy knows."

Xia Nanzhi drove quickly back to her duplex apartment. Without even turning on the lights, she went straight upstairs to her room, grabbed her documents from the closet, and prepared to leave.

But just as she reached downstairs, her whole body stiffened.

From the darkness came a faint flicker of firelight.

A subtle scent of smoke drifted in.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"Trying to run?"

A low voice slowly sounded.

Xia Nanzhi recognized the voice.

By the moonlight filtering in, she saw a man sitting on the sofa. She had been too rushed when entering to notice him.

Her mind went blank for a moment.

"Snap."

The room’s light was switched on.

The sudden brightness made Xia Nanzhi instinctively close her eyes. When she opened them, she saw Lu Junchen sitting imposingly on the sofa, a cigarette pinched between his long fingers. He slowly exhaled a plume of smoke, his deep, dark eyes fixed on her, as if he might tear her apart at any moment.

Xia Nanzhi’s body stiffened instantly.

So it was true!

He had really found her.

Not only that, he had come to her home.

Xia Nanzhi struggled to control her emotions, unwilling to let him see her nervousness.

The living room and kitchen were downstairs; the bedrooms were upstairs. She didn’t know if Lu Junchen had gone upstairs. If he had, the secret of the three children would be completely exposed.

"Five years apart. Now, should I call you Xia Nanzhi or Nan Zhi?"