Chapter 2: The He Family Patriarch Has a Son

As they were talking, they arrived at Ruibai's private enclosure.

Just as Old Yan had said, a white lion cub lay sickly in the corner of the enclosure, seemingly lifeless.

Shang Youqing asked the keeper to unlock the door, walked into the enclosure, and squatted down in front of the white lion cub.

The lion's mane and tail were drooping sloppily, and even when someone approached, it remained unconscious and did not react at all.

Shang Youqing raised his hand and stroked Ruibai's head. It could be seen that Ruibai was in a very weak and critical condition, so he injected another stream of spiritual power into Ruibai. After a few seconds, Ruibai gradually regained his strength and consciousness. He

twitched his ears slightly, and his cloudy, hollow eyes became brighter with the infusion of spiritual power.

Ruibai soon smelled a familiar scent and slowly raised his head. His hollow eyes stared in disbelief at the unfamiliar Shang Youqing in front of him. His nostrils shrugged, and his voice became heavier.

[Phoenix?! Are you here to see me, Phoenix?

"Yes, it's me," Shang Youqing patted its head again.

Little Ruibai let out a groan of grievance, finally shakily climbing to its feet from the corner. Lapping on its hind legs, it reached Shang Youqing's feet and nudged her trouser leg with its furry head.

When it had nearly been torn apart by a pack of hyenas, it was Phoenix, radiant with divine light, that had appeared before it and saved it from the brink of death.

Thinking of this, little Ruibai reared up, resting its front paws on Shang Youqing's lap, cuddling her like a big cat, unable to resist sharing its experiences over the past year or so at the zoo.

Speaking of its adoptive owner, Ruibai grew even more excited, recounting their story.

"Phoenix, when I first met the young master, I felt so close to him! Just like, just like seeing a phoenix!"

Shang Youqing had been listening patiently, her eyes narrowing slightly at this point, suddenly curious about Young Master He.

However, she now had something more important to ask Ruibai for.

She said to Ruibai, "In a couple of days, your young master will send someone to take you to his home. I need your cooperation. Can you do me a favor?"

Little Ruibai nodded vigorously without hesitation.

[My life is given to me by you, Phoenix. Phoenix, you say, I'm willing to do anything for you!]

Two

days later.

A drizzling rain fell as a pure black Bentley pulled up outside Bindao Changci Temple.

The driver opened an umbrella, and a handsome man in a gray coat, broad-shouldered and long-legged, emerged from the car.

It was He Cong, the current head of the He family, the head of the Bindao aristocratic family.

Moreover, this was Mr. He's third consecutive visit to the temple to burn incense and pay homage.

Xiao Cheng, one of the newly promoted bodyguards, was participating in this event for the first time. He and several other bodyguards stood guard outside and couldn't help but peek into the temple.

Mr. He stood upright, his head slightly bowed as he burned incense, a black Buddha amulet pendant dangling from his tightly tied tie.

It was rumored that it was a Buddhist amulet that Mr. He's late wife had personally requested for him during her lifetime, to bless him with peace and prosperity.

After burning incense, Mr. He emerged from the Buddhist temple. Yu Zhu approached, holding his ringing cell phone, and whispered something. Mr. He hummed, taking it. As the car door was about to close, Xiao Cheng heard a faint, low voice, like a child's coaxing—"

Yes, I know. Momo, take the medicine first, okay?"

It was well known that the He family's head, despite his young age, had a son.

He Zhimo, the youngest son of the He family, had been frail and sickly since childhood, tragically losing his mother shortly after birth. He Cong had just ascended to power, his foundation still unstable. The group was in turmoil, and the He family was plagued by

internal and external troubles. He Cong had few trusted friends at the time, and he was extremely partial to his late wife's frail young son. He Cong handled almost everything personally, wishing to keep him constantly by his side and care for him personally.

There are even rumors that a baby bottle was accidentally dropped from the briefcase that He Cong brought to the group company.

In the car at the moment.

He Cong had just hung up the phone and listened to Yu Zhu's report on the next itinerary. He looked at the documents in his hand with a stern face, his eyes about to raise: "Has the lion been found?"

According to the plan, Ruibai will be officially transported back to Yanyuan today.

For this purpose, He Cong specially hired professional breeders, nutritionists, veterinarians, etc., and fenced off a large area in the manor for his young son's pet in advance.

But half a day before Ruibai arrived at the gate of Yanyuan, Ruibai, perhaps frightened during the transportation, fled into the back mountain of the manor and has not been found to this day.

The young master thought that he had harmed the little lion, and he has been depressed since morning until now.

Yu Zhu was about to answer He Cong's words when the phone at hand rang.

With He Cong's permission, Yu Zhu answered the call. His expression changed slightly after listening to the other end of the line. He hung up and reported to He Cong:

"Boss He, it's Mingling Zoo calling. They're willing to send Ruibai's keepers to assist in the search. But there's a condition: If they successfully locate Ruibai, can Yunqing Group extend Mingling Zoo's restrictions for three months?"

He Cong listened calmly and replied, "Yes." Yu Zhu

paused for a moment before returning the call. Boss He had always doted on the youngest master, always giving in to him first , no matter how big a deal. Old Yan said the He family was a prestigious and influential family , and their status was not to be underestimated. This time, they were visiting a manor owned by the He family, so it wouldn't be a good idea to leave empty-handed. So, before Shang Youqing left, he'd specially prepared some local specialties for her to take with her. 

Upon arriving at Yanyuan, Shang Youqing presented the specialties to Butler Chen, who had come to greet her. 

"Is it... Miss Shang?" 

Butler Chen was stunned for several seconds upon seeing Shang Youqing's presence before him. He finally took the local specialties, thanked her, and led Shang Youqing through the manor's west gate. 

Unfortunately, it was already late when Shang Youqing arrived, and the sudden intensification of the rain made it difficult to enter the mountains. For safety reasons, Butler Chen asked Shang Youqing to stay at the manor for the night, and then he would lead the others to the back mountains to search for Ruibai the next morning. 

Shang Youqing feigned consideration, "What about the Mingling Zoo..." 

Butler Chen replied, "Don't worry, Miss Shang. As long as Ruibai is found, Mr. He can extend the ban with a simple word." 

Shang Youqing finally nodded in agreement. 

Yanyuan covers thousands of acres. Upon entering, the heavily patrolled lakeside area was visible from afar. 

Across the lake, a whole grove of Metasequoia trees, which she herself admired, was planted. The breeze blew the clear, green waves of the trees against the still-rain-drenched water, creating a beautiful scene. 

It was said that the young Master He lived in the main house in the heart of the lake. 

Shang Youqing gazed at the outline of the Chinese-style courtyard reflected at the end of the boardwalk on the lake. For some reason, he felt a vague and strange sense of familiarity. 

Just as he turned his gaze back, he noticed that Butler Chen, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped, gestured to avoid him, and warned, "Mr. He is back."