Free Web NovelQian Wenhao's suspicions were never without reason.
When he placed Xiao He's copy alongside the other work he had found, how could deep suspicion not arise in his heart?
Xiao He's ability to imitate was too strong, even heaven-defying; he had reproduced the calligraphy from the Art Center one-to-one, capturing the original imitator's handwriting almost perfectly.
The sense of shock was such that even if the original imitator saw it, they would feel an absurd sense of terror, unable to distinguish which one was their own work.
Thus, the seeds of suspicion were quietly sown.
Qian Wenhao also fell completely into a complex and sorrowful state of mind, and with further investigation, the suspicion in his heart was being confirmed step by step—
How could Qian Wenhao face anyone else after this?
And how should he view that imitator who was completely hidden behind the events?
"Brother Xiao, are you okay?"
Qian Wenya's voice came from behind him. Xiao He instinctively closed the two calligraphy works in his hands and turned to look at the person standing at the door.
Qian Wenya had just followed the others to check on Qian Wenhao's condition, but then she suddenly remembered the burning scrolls in the room and her idol, Xiao He. She hurried back, worried that Xiao He wouldn't be able to handle it alone.
Fortunately, the fire in the room had gone out, and her Brother Xiao was standing there perfectly fine.
It was just that expression...
The worry on Qian Wenya's face froze; she felt that the current Xiao He seemed strangely dangerous.
"I'm fine."
Xiao He quickly reined in his emotions. After hesitating at the door for a moment, Qian Wenya approached with great trust and asked curiously, "Brother Xiao, what are you looking at? By the way, what was Brother Wenhao burning just now? I was so startled earlier that I completely forgot to ask about it."
Xiao He hesitated for a moment and didn't hand the items to Qian Wenya. Instead, he rolled the two works together tightly, shielding them from her curious gaze, and replied, "It's nothing. Is Qian Wenhao okay?"
"He's fine too," Qian Wenya waved her hand. "He just choked on some smoke; he'll be okay after getting some fresh air outside."
"It's just that his constitution has become so weak. Eldest Aunt will surely be anxious to find ways to nurse him back to health..."
As Qian Wenya spoke, she began to look a bit troubled.
Xiao He didn't say anything. He simply placed the burnt scroll carefully on Qian Wenhao's desk and returned his own copy to its original spot on the bookshelf. Then he said to Qian Wenya, "Xiao Ya, I feel your brother might indeed not be in a good state. Lighting a fire to burn things indoors is very dangerous. You all are closer to him; can you spend more time with him in a bit?"
Qian Wenya saw Xiao He's series of actions with her own eyes, but perhaps because he did them so naturally, or perhaps because of her innate trust in her idol, she didn't question him at all. Instead, she nodded. "Don't worry, Brother Xiao! Everyone was indeed startled just now. We will definitely stay with Brother Wenhao and won't leave him alone."
"Mm, thank you for your trouble."
Xiao He nodded with a smile.
Xiao He had a hunch that the imitator, for whom Qian Wenhao would desperately destroy such ironclad evidence, was likely another prominent figure in the Qian Family. However, having met so many members of the family just now, he hadn't sensed anything amiss from them. This left two other possibilities for the mysterious imitator—
One, the imitator was not present today.
Two, the imitator had already passed away.
Actually, with a little thought, Xiao He already had a general idea.
There were five brothers in Elder Qian's generation. Aside from Elder Qian himself, the others were all high achievers in their time. However, as the years passed and they grew old, they passed away one after another. Now, only Elder Qian remained to manage the Qian Family's affairs.
Therefore, the person Qian Wenhao wanted to protect was likely one of these brothers, and there was even a high probability it was Qian Wenhao's own grandfather.
However, this matter was far too complicated. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
Xiao He was not a member of the Qian Family but a completely unrelated outsider. If he were the one to expose this, then regardless of how the Qian Family reacted or what they planned to do, it wouldn't be a good thing for him.
After all, no matter how one looked at it, no one would be welcoming toward someone who exposed their family scandal!
Thus, Xiao He chose to keep it to himself for now.
He would definitely tell Elder Qian about this, but it couldn't be in front of everyone, nor could he embarrass the Qian Family in public.
As for Elder Qian's final decision, that would be the Qian Family's own business.
"Let's head out first and let the room air out."
Xiao He made up a random excuse and signaled for Qian Wenya to follow him out of the room.
Just as they stepped out, he saw Qian Wenhao, who had caught his breath, rushing back from the other end of the hallway.
Seeing Xiao He and Qian Wenya still near his room, Qian Wenhao's expression changed slightly. He squeezed past them into his room to check, only to find that the items he had lit earlier were still sitting safely on the desk and hadn't been taken.
He immediately felt a sense of relief.
"Brother Wenhao! You should come back out and keep breathing some fresh air!"
Qian Wenya didn't understand what was going on, but she grabbed Qian Wenhao's arm. "Or should I and Second Brother stay in the room with you?"
"Uh, let's just go out—"
How could Qian Wenhao dare to let everyone stay in his room? He immediately led Qian Wenya out and shut the door.
"Eh? Aren't we going to let it air out?"
Qian Wenya was a bit confused by Qian Wenhao's actions, but since he silently led her downstairs, she could only suppress her curiosity for the time being.
A few minutes later, everyone gathered again in the first-floor hall, chatting while waiting for lunchtime.
Xiao He didn't immediately seek out Elder Qian to report the matter upon coming downstairs. Instead, he calmly continued chatting with everyone, listening to Fourth Uncle Qian talk more about his encounters with tomb raiders.
However, he also noticed the subtle glances Qian Wenhao cast his way several times.
Xiao He pretended not to notice and went about his business as usual.
This slightly strange atmosphere lasted until lunch.
-
Considering that Qian Wenhao had just returned and didn't have much of an appetite for heavy dishes, the Qian Family prepared some simple home-cooked meals for lunch. Mother Qian even personally cooked a few of them, hoping her son would have the appetite to eat a bit more.
Xiao He tried a few bites and found the taste to be excellent.
It was just a pity—
He cast a discreet glance at the person over there.
It was just a pity that for some, the illness was in their heart.
-
After the meal, Xiao He took the initiative to take his leave.
This time, the Qian Family didn't try to keep him longer. Elder Qian laughed Hehe and gestured for the student who had picked up Xiao He that morning to see him off.
Xiao He didn't refuse. He politely said goodbye to everyone and then left with Elder Qian's student.
Once Xiao He was gone, Qian Wenhao finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, Xiao He probably hadn't noticed anything, right?
Qian Wenhao thought uncertainly to himself as he stood up to return to his room.
But in the next moment, Elder Qian, who had been happy Hehe just moments ago, suddenly dropped his expression and became entirely serious.
"Everyone, sit down."
The old man tapped the table, and the previously lively scene suddenly fell silent.
Qian Wenhao.
The old man's sharp eyes stared directly at Qian Wenhao.
"Explain yourself—"
