Chapter 532: Chapter 532

Kong Shiyuan holds a ministerial-level leadership position in an important functional department of the state, bearing responsibilities that belied their apparent ease. Today is a workday, and it is working hours, yet he is at home, which flickered a hint of doubt in Wan Chu’er’s mind.

Kong Shiyuan sat across from Wan Chu’er with a genial smile. Though he tried to appear amiable, an aura of authority that comes with high office was still evident.

"Xiao Wan, how has your grandfather been feeling?"

Wan Chu’er smiled in response, "His health is still okay, he just doesn’t like to go out."

But she became tenser, sensing that something was off, though she couldn’t pinpoint why. She wondered if it was just her feeling uncomfortable due to the imposing presence of someone like Kong Shiyuan.

Kong Shiyuan continued to engage in some pleasant small talk before he said, "Mr. Kong hasn’t been feeling well lately and often has trouble sleeping at night. He had just fallen asleep before you arrived. It’s not easy for him to get to sleep."

Asleep? Does that mean she couldn’t meet Mr. Kong in person? Wan Chu’er considered whether she should give the letter to Kong Shiyuan. Her grandfather hadn’t specified that it had to be delivered directly to Old Kong, and she was unsure of the letter’s importance.

Kong Shiyuan, seasoned by decades in the officialdom, quickly noticed Wan Chu’er’s hesitation. He inwardly smirked but kept a calm face and asked indifferently:

"Did your grandfather have something for you to do here today? If it’s convenient, you can tell me. If not, I understand, but then you’ll have to trouble yourself with another visit."

He spoke at a measured pace, seemingly considerate.

Wan Chu’er didn’t answer, instead asking, "When do you estimate Grandpa Kong might wake up?" Internally, she weighed whether she should give the letter to Kong Shiyuan.

Kong Shiyuan, with a trace of melancholy in his smile, replied, "Our Old Sir has had a hard time sleeping these past few days; thankfully, he fell asleep today. Naturally, we hope he can sleep as long as possible – it gets harder to sleep when one is old. Is it the same for your grandfather?"

"My grandfather is okay, but he wakes up around four or five in the morning," Wan Chu’er responded, observing Kong Shiyuan’s expression, which seemed genuinely concerned for his father.

"That’s good then. You should always accommodate the elderly. Try to take care of things by yourself without bothering them too much. They tend to sleep poorly when they’re worried – not like us young folks." Kong Shiyuan went on like chatting about family matters, no longer inquiring about Wan Chu’er’s purpose for visiting.

Wan Chu’er wasn’t sure if Kong Shiyuan’s words were casual or hinting that she should come to him if she needed something, so she responded carefully. Then, someone knocked on the door.

A young man in glasses and a suit respectfully said, "Leader, it’s time to depart. There is an important meeting you must attend." He seemed to be Kong Shiyuan’s secretary.

Kong Shiyuan smiled and acknowledged the man, then turned to Wan Chu’er with a smile,

"Xiao Wan, I must be going. I enjoyed our chat today. When you have the time, do visit more often and chat with Old Sir. It’s a pity he’s asleep today. You can wait here, or would you prefer to visit another time?"

"By the way, isn’t your grandfather celebrating his birthday soon? I’ve just received two boxes of fine tea leaves. Take them back for your grandfather. Knowing he prefers not to meet strangers, I won’t disturb him then."

Kong Shiyuan’s words were warm and cordial, making one feel at ease, even his way of seeing off guests was gentle, leading Wan Chu’er to lower her guard.

The host was leaving, and as a guest, it seemed inappropriate to stay seated any longer. And she couldn’t sit still regardless, wondering when Old Kong would wake up.

It appeared that Kong Shiyuan was very filial, even amidst his busy schedule he took the time to entertain her, erasing all of Wan Chu’er’s previous doubts.

She took an envelope from her bag and said, "Leader, this is a letter from my grandfather to Grandpa Kong, please help me hand it over." It was better not to make another trip, as who knew if on the next visit, Mr. Kong would once again inconveniently be asleep. Official source is novel※fire.net

Kong Shiyuan saw the letter and chuckled, "Oh, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen anyone deliver a letter this way. Haha, it seems Old Sir Zhong is in high spirits."

"Alright, you can leave the letter here to save you another trip."

Although he said so, Kong Shiyuan made no move to take the letter. Instead, he called to the door, "Xiao Wang, give this letter to Master Ma for him to place by Old Sir’s bedside, so he can see it when he wakes up."

Upon hearing this, Wan Chu’er felt even more at ease and handed the letter to Kong Shiyuan’s secretary, Xiao Wang.

Xiao Wang took the letter and left. Since the letter had been delivered, Wan Chu’er smiled and took her leave.

Kong Shiyuan said, "Since I’m leaving too, let me give you a lift."

Wan Chu’er quickly declined, "I drove here, I don’t want to trouble you."

Kong Shiyuan didn’t insist and warmly said they should meet again and to convey his regards to Old Sir Zhong before rushing off ahead of her.

Watching Kong Shiyuan’s hasty departure, Wan Chu’er blinked – so busy. Seeing that no one came to attend to her, she too left.

She left the mansion, which looked like a castle, and saw Kong Shiyuan and Xiao Wang drive away, while her car was parked away at the front. Walking towards it, she remembered Kong Shiyuan’s rushed leaving and her previous unease slowly returned. She looked back at the grand house with growing weirdness.

What happened to Master Ma? He was the one who brought her in; shouldn’t he have been the one to see her out?

It wasn’t that she demanded attention; it’s simply standard courtesy in such households. Moreover, Master Ma disappeared after leaving, even though Mr. Kong was asleep, Master Ma should have come to bid her goodbye.

Could it be Master Ma intended to see her out but got intercepted by Kong Shiyuan for the errand? It was not impossible, making Wan Chu’er even more confused.

But for such a large house, apart from someone far away tending the lawn, no one else seemed to be coming or going.

When she left, she didn’t see any maids or janitors. Her grandfather disliked formalities, so he didn’t have janitors, but Old Kong’s household usually had staff – why weren’t they visible now?

Wan Chu’er’s steps slowed, and she decided to call her grandfather.

When Old Sir Zhong heard that she had given the letter to Kong Shiyuan, his tone grew solemn. After repeated confirmation that Kong Shiyuan had left in a hurry, he immediately asked her to return to the mansion to look for Old Kong.