The next day, Wang Anran drove, taking Ying Jingsheng and Tao Xinrou to pay the visit.
The old couple lived not far from the hotel. The car soon arrived at the entrance of the old residential complex, where parking wasn't allowed, so the two had to walk. It was a quiet area, with few people around. Some elderly were playing chess in the complex; they only glanced up briefly at the newcomers before returning to their game.
Ying Jingsheng carried the gifts prepared for the old couple, with Tao Xinrou following behind. The beige-gray exterior walls were clean and elegant, and a few late-blooming cherry blossoms dotted the neatly trimmed hedges in the green belt. The unit door required a keycard to enter, offering a reassuring sense of privacy.
Ying Jingsheng found the building where the elderly couple lived and pressed the corresponding doorbell. Soon the video intercom connected: "Elder Shen, we've come to see you."
The old lady's voice came through. She paused for a moment before saying flatly, "Come on up."
In the elevator, only the two of them stood, their reflections mirrored on the polished walls.
"Don't be nervous. You're here to reconcile today, not to apologize," he said, glancing at her reflection.
Tao Xinrou nodded and followed Ying Jingsheng out of the elevator.
They rang the doorbell. The old lady opened the door and turned to fetch slippers for them.
Ying Jingsheng placed the gifts by the door and asked, "Is Grandma feeling better? We've been meaning to visit you but only found time today. This is a small token from our hotel."
The old lady took the items, her gaze passing over him and landing on Tao Xinrou.
Sensing her eyes on her, Tao Xinrou immediately added, "Hello, Grandma. I'm Tao Xinrou, who served you last time. I've come specially to see you today."
"Oh, don't just stand at the door. Come in, both of you."
Tao Xinrou and Ying Jingsheng changed into the slippers the old lady gave them and entered the living room.
The room was small but very clean. The old lady invited them to sit and went to pour water.
Tao Xinrou discreetly looked around. Several old photos hung on the wall, including one of a younger Mr. Shen with a group of people, with a background that looked like a factory.
"Have some water. My old man has gone out to buy groceries," the old lady said, placing two glasses of water in front of them and sitting down opposite, interrupting Tao Xinrou's thoughts.
"Looking back, it was partly my fault that day. At my age, I can't read clearly, and I just thought the pastry looked nice."
"As long as you're in good health, that's what matters. Our hotel was very worried about you. We've taken corresponding measures regarding this incident, and I think headquarters should have contacted you," Ying Jingsheng said.
"I know about the outcome. I feel quite sorry about it myself. Now that you've both come today, I'm relieved." The old lady looked at Tao Xinrou.
Just as Tao Xinrou was about to speak, Ying Jingsheng took the lead, his gaze warm but probing: "Grandma, I have a question. When you filled out the form that day, why didn't you mention your peanut allergy?"
The old lady's eyes wandered, as if she didn't know how to answer for a moment. "No one really paid attention to the form at the time. We just remembered we could attend an event. We old folks have nothing to do at home, so going out for a stroll was just passing the time. It really was my fault for not checking. My old man has a quick temper—he blew up when he saw what happened to me. But after calming down, he thought it over and realized she just handed me a plate. How big a mistake could that be?"
She paused, then looked at Ying Jingsheng again. "Son, I've put you to trouble coming all this way today. My husband was furious that day and spoke harshly—please don't take it to heart. Afterward, I thought it over, and I really owe you an apology. I shouldn't have let you suffer such an injustice. If your hotel holds that cultural experience event again, my husband and I will come and show our support, as a way of making it up to you."
Ying Jingsheng gave a faint smile. "Grandma, you're too kind. You're welcome to visit the hotel anytime. As long as you're willing, you're always welcome."
They didn't stay long, not wanting to disturb the elderly couple's rest. After a few more words, they took their leave.
Once the visit was over, Tao Xinrou finally relaxed.
"This grandma is actually quite nice," Tao Xinrou said.
"Is that so? But just now I noticed you kept staring at an old photo in the living room."
Tao Xinrou was startled, not expecting Ying Jingsheng to have observed that.
"Yes, I noticed someone in that photo looked very familiar, but I couldn't remember who."
"That group photo?"
"Yes, you saw it too?"
Ying Jingsheng nodded. "Ying Huaishan was in that photo."
Tao Xinrou froze, her face paling slightly. She began to recall the familiar person in the photo—the outline, the eyes and brows...
"It's him! So that grandma knows Ying Huaishan?" Tao Xinrou's mind raced.
"Mm. This whole thing was arranged by Ying Huaishan."
"So the old man's outburst that day wasn't an accident? Ying Huaishan set it up deliberately to make me take the blame?"
"Yes," Ying Jingsheng said bluntly. "I noticed the photo wall too. Besides that group photo, there were several family portraits, taken from 2005 to 2012."
"That long? Why did they stop after 2012? Did something happen to their son?"
Ying Jingsheng nodded. "That's my guess too. To keep them displayed for so long without replacing them, there must be some attachment."
Tao Xinrou fell into thought. The elevator doors opened, and Ying Jingsheng stepped out. Tao Xinrou quickly followed.
"You mean... their son disappeared?"
"That's possible. But what I want to say is, if Ying Huaishan can control the old couple, the breakthrough is likely through their son."
"Ying Huaishan threatened them with their son?"
"Not necessarily direct threats," Ying Jingsheng said, walking to the car and opening the door. "But as long as there's someone they care about, there's a way to control them. Get in first."
Tao Xinrou got in.
"What are you planning to do?"
"Anran, investigate the old man's son: where he is now, what he does, what he did before, and whether he's had any dealings with our group."
Wang Anran gripped the steering wheel, his eyes meeting Ying Jingsheng's stern face in the rearview mirror. He replied respectfully, "Yes."
"You want to get to Ying Huaishan through their son?"