Zhang Keqin appeared completely at ease, a bright smile playing on his lips.

Normally, Zhang Keqin was exceptionally stern; he only afforded a slight smile when facing the Standing Committee members from the provincial government, maintaining a severe demeanor toward everyone else.

Seeing him smile so openly at a young girl was an absolute first.

The person delivering the tea dared not pause; after setting the cups down, they left the office, their mind buzzing with curiosity about Mi Xue's identity. "Mi Xue, have some tea!" Zhang Keqin said to Mi Xue with a smile, pouring himself a cup as well.

He treated her as if she were one of his own. "Uncle Zhang, I wanted to talk to you about Zhang Yang!" Mi Xue held her teacup, speaking softly.

Zhang Keqin's relaxed attitude had significantly eased her nervousness; at that moment, she genuinely saw him only as Zhang Yang's father. "Good, tell me," Zhang Keqin immediately nodded.

What he most wanted to know about was Zhang Yang, so Mi Xue’s words perfectly aligned with his interests. "Actually, Zhang Yang works very hard.

He is generally a good person and possesses remarkable capability…" Mi Xue began to speak, starting by praising Zhang Yang.

Zhang Keqin listened intently, nodding occasionally, the smile on his lips growing ever wider.

A father always hoped his child would make him proud and surpass their peers, and Zhang Yang was already far ahead of many his age.

Deep pride swelled within him.

After praising Zhang Yang, Mi Xue moved on to other aspects of his life.

Only after covering these points did she broach the subject of the relationship between father and son. "Uncle Zhang, I feel like there might be some misunderstanding between Zhang Yang and you.

He genuinely wants to resolve it.

After you issued the invitation this time, he locked himself in his room and specifically prepared for this meeting!" Mi Xue spoke slowly, then looked at Zhang Keqin with a hint of worry.

After all, this was a private matter between father and son; she was merely his girlfriend, not yet formally part of the Zhang family. "Preparation? What kind of preparation did he make?" Zhang Keqin looked up and asked with a smile, his face betraying a flicker of curiosity. "The coffee shop is owned by his good friend, Wu Zhiguo.

Zhang Yang asked him to reserve the entire second floor—no one was allowed in any of the private rooms.

He needed to entertain an important guest!" Mi Xue whispered.

She happened to enter the room just as Zhang Yang was on the phone with Wu Zhiguo and overheard the conversation.

Reserving the whole second floor, preventing anyone else from being present—that was establishing a specific environment for their meeting.

However, she could also interpret it differently: Zhang Yang was being considerate of Zhang Keqin.

Given his status, both security and public image needed to be maintained. "So, the entire second floor was booked out by him," Zhang Keqin nodded.

He hadn't paid attention to that earlier, but thinking back now, there truly was no one else on the second floor besides their own people.

Furthermore, when the waiter heard he was looking for Zhang Yang, their attitude became incredibly respectful.

They must have been instructed beforehand; even if they didn't know his identity, they knew he was a distinguished guest. "Yes, that’s why I think there might be some misunderstanding between you and Zhang Yang.

You are father and son, blood is thicker than water.

I believe no matter how big the conflict, you can resolve it!" As Mi Xue spoke, she watched Zhang Keqin anxiously.

She knew clearly that Zhang Yang’s expression would change just upon hearing his father's name.

Whenever his father was mentioned, Zhang Yang never looked happy.

Now, she worried Zhang Keqin might react the same way, which would make resolving the conflict between them genuinely difficult. "I understand, Mi Xue, thank you.

I also hope that day will come," Zhang Keqin offered a helpless smile.

A shadow of loneliness crossed his face, and he held the water cup tightly, sitting in a daze, lost in thought.

Mi Xue paused slightly, then quickly urged, "Uncle Zhang, I believe that day will definitely come.

You have to trust me—tell me what happened, and let me help you, okay?" Zhang Keqin’s reaction offered her a sliver of hope.

Unlike Zhang Yang, he hadn't shown an explosive reaction, suggesting that deep down, Zhang Keqin desired reconciliation.

For Mi Xue, this was good news.

With Zhang Keqin’s willingness, coupled with her effort and cooperation, she believed she could change Zhang Yang’s stance.

There was no conflict between a father and son that couldn't be undone. "Mi Xue, thank you.

It’s getting late; I’ll have someone drive you back.

I’ll invite you both to dinner another time if I get the chance," Zhang Keqin suddenly stood up.

He had been perfectly fine moments ago, but now he was ushering her out.

Although his tone remained kind, the intent to conclude the visit was clear; he was unwilling to voice the reason why. "Uncle Zhang!" Mi Xue called out quickly.

She had just glimpsed hope and was certainly unwilling to abandon it now. "Mi Xue, there are things you don't understand.

Go back first.

I promise to give you an explanation someday," Zhang Keqin said softly, already moving toward the office door.

Mi Xue had no choice but to follow.

Reaching the doorway, Zhang Keqin suddenly stopped and asked Mi Xue, "How long have you two been living together?" Mi Xue jolted, then her face flushed a deep crimson.

She knew exactly who "you two" referred to. "Uncle Zhang, we are just co-renting, living in the same place, but not in the same room," Mi Xue explained quietly, lacking conviction in her voice.

Claiming they were co-renting was fine before, but moving to a new place and still living together clearly sounded disingenuous.

Admitting they lived together, especially in front of her beloved's father, was inherently embarrassing.

Zhang Keqin smiled faintly. "It’s all the same.

I believe it’s been several months now, right?" Then he continued, "When you have time, invite your parents over.

We should meet.

Even if Zhang Yang refuses to see me, I am still his father.

There are certain proprieties he doesn't grasp that I must uphold." Zhang Keqin spoke with a smile, causing Mi Xue's face to grow even redder.

Yet, she nodded.

Her parents meeting his represented another step forward in her relationship with Zhang Yang.

In fact, her parents had already met Zhang Yang, and now Zhang Keqin had met her; the next logical step was for both sets of parents to convene.

Mi Xue couldn’t recall precisely how she left Zhang Keqin’s office.

She only remembered Zhang Keqin arranging for someone to drive her, and upon learning she drove herself, he had the escort take her only as far as the main gate.

Back in her car, Mi Xue could still feel the heat rising in her cheeks.

Only after starting the engine did she realize that her visit to Zhang Keqin had failed to achieve her primary goal.

She had intended to uncover the root of the father and son’s conflict so she could help resolve it, but instead, she had been expertly maneuvered out by Zhang Keqin’s soft ‘Tai Chi.’ However, this also made her realize that if Zhang Keqin was unwilling to discuss the matter, further questioning would be futile.

With a mix of frustration and quiet joy, Mi Xue drove back.

Along the way, she reached for her purse several times, intending to call her parents and invite them to Changjing to meet Zhang Keqin.

But each time she picked up her phone, she hesitated, ultimately putting the plan aside for the moment.

This kind of arrangement required discussion with Zhang Yang; she couldn't possibly act unilaterally behind his back.

The most crucial step right now was dissolving the tension between father and son.

Only then would she feel confident enough to formally invite her parents.

At the City Library, Zhang Yang had entered the section housing newspapers.

Newspapers from ten years ago—those were authentic, old editions.

Zhang Yang recalled that period being around the end of the Gregorian calendar year 1988.

During that time, he and his mother lived in An Tian City, Chuan Yu Province.

What Zhang Yang needed to focus on was the news from Chuan Yu Province during that specific timeframe, with a particular emphasis on An Tian City.

He hoped to uncover some clue within the news archives.

This was Jiang Dong Province, and researching news from Chuan Yu, specifically a smaller city within it, was difficult.

Fortunately, Zhang Yang remembered the approximate dates, so he began flipping through the papers from that era.

After searching for an entire afternoon, reviewing hundreds of issues, Zhang Yang finally stood up to stretch his back just before the library closed, disappointment etched clearly on his face.

Despite reading so many papers, he hadn't found a single lead.

There was some news related to Chuan Yu, but none of it concerned An Tian; it was completely useless to him.

He gathered a stack of newspapers and headed to the circulation desk.

He couldn't continue his search here; he needed to take them home.

His request to borrow so many papers astonished the library attendant, who informed him that he couldn't take them all at once; they only permitted a few issues per borrowing session.

Zhang Yang was attempting to check out hundreds of copies.

In the end, Zhang Yang had to employ extensive pleasantries, use connections to speak with the library director, and even pay a thousand yuan deposit before they reluctantly allowed him to take the newspapers.

As he left, the attendant remained perplexed—who borrows newspapers like this, especially decade-old ones? With the papers secured, Zhang Yang quickly returned home.

Mi Xue was already back and was contemplating how to broach the subject of her meeting with Zhang Keqin. "Zhang Yang, what’s going on with you?" Seeing Zhang Yang carrying such a massive pile of newspapers, Mi Xue immediately inquired, sounding slightly taken aback. "Nothing, Mi Xue, you came back at the perfect time.

Come help me with something!" Zhang Yang smiled faintly, carrying the papers directly into the study without waiting for a reply.

Mi Xue had to set aside her own thoughts and follow him in. "Mi Xue, help me look through these papers.

Keep an eye out for any news related to Chuan Yu, especially anything about An Tian City.

If you see any news about An Tian, tell me immediately!" Zhang Yang handed Mi Xue slightly less than half the stack and whispered the instructions, then immediately picked up an old paper and began to scan it himself.

He worked quickly, focusing only on headlines and key segments.

If it wasn't related to Chuan Yu, he skipped it.

If it was Chuan Yu news but not significant or not concerning An Tian, he dismissed it. "Okay," Mi Xue nodded resignedly as she watched Zhang Yang, then sat down and began meticulously examining her own pile of papers.

She didn't understand why Zhang Yang needed to look at these old newspapers, specifically seeking news about An Tian City in Chuan Yu.

However, since it was his request, she would execute it thoroughly.

She understood that Zhang Yang must have an important purpose for doing this.

Seeing his urgency, she knew she couldn't delay or interfere.

………… Fifth installment, the fourth chapter of the hundred-chapter bonus release.

More to follow, estimated update time around six in the morning.