"Grandfather Lu, Brother Fu," Qin Sheng murmured, her eyes welling with tears as she gazed at the villa behind the iron gate. The villa, once a symbol of security and warmth, now seemed distant and cold. She had been too late in realizing their importance, and her past mistakes weighed heavily on her.
They were the only people in this world who truly cared for her, yet she had failed them. The thought of her previous life's choices, the regret that lingered, and the echo of Fu Hanchuan's anguished cries haunted her. Until her death, she could still hear those cries reverberating in her mind; only then did she truly understand the depth of her failure.
Fortunately, fate had granted her another chance, a chance to make things right and reclaim her lost connections.
Qin Sheng didn't knock on the door; she merely lingered outside for an hour, her heart heavy with emotion and resolve. As she was leaving, a car drove past her. Her fleeting figure caught the attention of Fu Hanchuan, conjuring up a familiar image in his mind that he couldn't ignore.
He abruptly slammed on the brakes, flung open the car door, and ran out in search of her, his heart pounding with anticipation. However, after searching for a good while, he saw no sign of the figure he thought he had seen, the moment slipping through his fingers like sand.
Fu Hanchuan couldn't help but rub his temples, feeling a mix of frustration and confusion. It seemed he was hallucinating. She was merely a woman who appeared in his dreams, never to exist in reality, a figment of his longing and hope.
He got back into his car, restarted the engine, and drove back to the villa, his mind troubled by the encounter.
Upon seeing Fu Hanchuan, Old Master Lu blew on his mustache and said, "Fu Hanchuan, have you sent someone to look for her?"
Fu Hanchuan leisurely rolled up his sleeves, took the scissors from Old Master Lu's hand, and began trimming the overgrown grass. "We'll have news in the next couple of days." His tone was calm, but a glimmer of concern lingered in his eyes.
Old Master Lu nodded with satisfaction. "That girl, from the moment I first laid eyes on her, I knew she was a good one. If it weren't for her, this old bag of bones would have been buried long ago. Hanchuan, when you find her, don't scare the poor girl with that cold face of yours."
His grandson was perfect in every way, except for his aloofness, which made him indifferent to everything. Just like that girl, in fact.
As he thought of this, Old Master Lu's eyes gleamed with a crafty light. He scrutinized Fu Hanchuan, stroking his beard thoughtfully. His grandson might be much older, but age comes with the ability to cherish and protect.
She was beautiful, and his grandson wasn't bad either—quite a perfect match, actually. The more he pondered, the more feasible it seemed. He nodded repeatedly. "Hanchuan, when you find her, remember to bring her home."
Fu Hanchuan paused, his brow furrowing at the suggestion. The idea of bringing Qin Sheng into his life seemed more plausible than he initially thought, and he felt a surprising lack of resistance to the notion.
---
After leaving the Gu family villa, Qin Sheng first went to buy a few sets of clothes, selecting them carefully to fit her new lifestyle. She then headed to the electronics mall to choose a computer that would aid her in her financial endeavors and finally purchased a mobile phone for communication and convenience.
When she returned to the Qin family home, no one bothered her. Lin Shuyia and Qin Hai stayed in their rooms, engrossed in their own affairs. Qin Churou, upon seeing Qin Sheng, only gave her a contemptuous look before turning away in disdain, her silent judgment clear.
Qin Sheng was quite content with this. It allowed her to focus on her plans without unnecessary interference.
After closing her door, she immediately turned on the computer and logged onto a hacker site known as "Hacker Empire," or "Black Empire" for short. The site was renowned for its elite hackers from all around the world, offering both a forum for discussion and a battle arena where skills could be tested against virtual or real-world networks.
In her previous life, Qin Sheng had stumbled upon this site by chance but hadn't paid it much mind. This time, however, she was determined to use it to her advantage.
After registering an account, Qin Sheng posted a battle challenge.
**[QS: Seeking a duel, ten thousand dollars per round.]**
Her tone was icy and aloof, reflecting her confidence and seriousness.
After waiting for ten minutes with no response, Qin Sheng logged out of the site and opened a financial news page to start analyzing the stock market.
Her mouse glided over the screen, the pages flashing by rapidly. Qin Sheng scanned them quickly and soon finished reviewing the currently listed stocks.
Her delicate brows furrowed slightly as she analyzed the data.
She was seeking high returns, but none of these stocks seemed like good options for her ambitious goals.
With a light tap of her finger on the mouse, the computer screen switched to the page for upcoming IPOs. Qin Sheng patiently scrolled through them one by one until she paused at the last stock, her gaze fixed intently on the opportunity it presented.
**(End of Chapter)**